Education Tours
Eligible Officers and soldiers may seek approval to attend annual education tours.
The 2026 tour will be to Greece and give pilgrims the opportunity to visit cities where Paul preached.
*Tours are exclusively for Salvation Army Officers and soldiers.*
Leadership
Major Lydia Pearson
Major Lydia Pearson was born and raised in Geneva, NY. After high school, Major Pearson obtained an AAS in Christian Ministry from Houghton College, followed by a BS in Christian Education from Nyack College and an MA in Adult Education from Teachers College-Columbia University.
Major Pearson has been an officer for 39 years, serving as Territorial Education Secretary since 2020. Previous assignments have included Springfield, MA; Trenton, NJ; Jamaica Queens, NY; Suffern, NY; Cleveland, OH; Albany, NY; and Bridgeport, CT.
Ministry in The Salvation Army has allowed Major Pearson to travel for ministry and vacation. In 2010, she completed her childhood goal of visiting all 50 states. She has also traveled to 25 countries. Major Pearson especially enjoys visiting US national parks and witnessing God’s great creation. Major Pearson welcomes any opportunity to preach God’s Word and encourage His people.
Major Dwayne Barnes
Major Dwayne Barnes was born and raised in Guyana, South America. After high school, he obtained an AAS in Business Administration from Queensborough Community College, followed by a BS in Organizational Management from Nyack College, an MA in leadership and an MA in Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health Services from Capella University.
Major Barnes has been an officer for 16 years, serving as Assistant Education Secretary from 2023. Previous assignments have included Harlem, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Manhattan, NY; Nyack, Bermuda; and Hamilton.
Major Barnes’ ministry in The Salvation Army has not only been a source of spiritual fulfillment but has also provided him with unique travel opportunities. In 2015 and 2017, he was invited to Congo, Brazzaville, as a guest for their Holiness Convention and Youth Summit. These experiences, he claims, have been transformative, pushing him to extend his reach to humanity on a larger scale and enriching his calling.
Major Dwayne Barnes
Major Dwayne Barnes was born and raised in Guyana, South America. After high school, he obtained an AAS in Business Administration from Queensborough Community College, followed by a BS in Organizational Management from Nyack College, an MA in leadership and an MA in Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Mental Health Services from Capella University.
Major Barnes has been an officer for 16 years, serving as Assistant Education Secretary from 2023. Previous assignments have included Harlem, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Manhattan, NY; Nyack, Bermuda; and Hamilton.
Major Barnes’ ministry in The Salvation Army has not only been a source of spiritual fulfillment but has also provided him with unique travel opportunities. In 2015 and 2017, he was invited to Congo, Brazzaville, as a guest for their Holiness Convention and Youth Summit. These experiences, he claims, have been transformative, pushing him to extend his reach to humanity on a larger scale and enriching his calling.
Lifelong Learning
Continuing Education Program
In June 2013, the Eastern Territory launched a collaborative relationship with Asbury University to conduct a continuing Education Program. During their five years, lieutenants must earn 30 academic credits to be promoted to Captain. Upon completion of the continuing Education Program, officers may elect to submit a degree proposal to the necessary councils for consideration.
Auxiliary Captain and Envoy Training
A/Captains and Envoys participate in three online classes each year focused on the Bible, Doctrine, Preaching and Teaching.
10, 20, & 30-Year Renewal Enrichment Convocation
Every year, The Education Department holds a three-day Seminar for officers who have completed 10, 20, and 30 years of Ministry. The seminar focuses on flourishing in Ministry, holiness, longevity in mission, etc.
Preaching Seminar
The Preaching Seminary is held at Asbury Theological Seminary. Under the instruction of professors at Asbury Theological Seminary, officers learn about different aspects of preaching. They also have the opportunity to preach in small groups and receive feedback from their peers and seminary staff.
Pastoral Counseling Seminar
The counseling seminar is held at Crestview Conference Center at Territorial Headquarters. Using the book Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, officers learn how to help their counselees discover a solution and put it in motion speedily and productively. The goal is healthy change by supporting the counselee to see and work on the solution with God’s activity already present in their life.
News
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
In 1878 something magnificent happened when the Christian Mission became The Salvation Army. After 13 years of unremarkable progress, the dramatic change [...]
BY LT. COLONEL CINDY-LOU DRUMMOND
Independence! Freedom! These two words hold tremendous power and significance—for teenagers and for countries. [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
The earliest years of The Salvation Army in the USA featured an evolving and bumpy understanding between command headquarters and [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
“Preach for a decision!”
So went the clear sermon instruction, rigorously imprinted on our hearts and minds as cadets. For an [...]
BY ROB JEFFERY
In May of 1924, Commander Evangeline Booth took an automobile tour of Connecticut, stopping in various [...]
BY COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
The Salvation Army is rightfully recognized around the world as a movement that pragmatically gets the job done. Epitomized in [...]
BY ROB JEFFERY
This handbill from 1877 announces the exciting goings-on of the Christian Mission. The Christian Mission was the precursor to The Salvation Army.
BY MAJOR YOUNG SUNG KIM
Have you ever thought about where humanity comes from, grounded on the idea of being formed from dust?
BY COMMISSIONER SUSAN BUKIEWICZ
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and many of us celebrate women throughout the entire month. I’ve [...]
BY MAJOR JOHN FERREIRA
These days, it seems, we can all too easily find ourselves caught up in the expectations of movements, [...]
Tuition Discount Partners
Free classes – cityvisioninstitute.org
Degree Programs – cityvision.edu
University link – phoenix.edu/usaeast
University link – ohiochristian.edu
Scholarship of $250-$500 per semester
University link – houghton.edu
Tuition for Houghton online courses will be discounted 20% off the rates per credit hour for associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s level students who come to Houghton through The Salvation Army partnership.
Resources
