Even More on WOW Honorees!

Golden State

Captain Melissa Viquez, who is stationed at the Gilroy, California Corps. Three years ago there was serious consideration by DHQ of closing this corps. In 2005 Melissa and her husband were appointed to Gilroy as the Corps Officers. A small group of women came to Home League, but they were not meeting on a regular basis. Melissa maintained that small group and slowly began to experience some growth. At the time the WOW Initiative was introduced, her Home League was averaging 20. In the past 6 months, under her leadership and encouragement, the Home League has more than doubled with an average attendance in the 50’s.

Melissa has set the example at her corps by inviting every woman who came through the door of the corps for any reason, to come to Home League. As the ladies expressed interest in other areas, Melissa started a new Women’s Outreach group which meets on a separate day and time from her Home League. In just a few short weeks this group has grown to 25 ladies. As these two groups meet, the corps is experiencing growth in all of its programs. These women have more than 25 children, all of whom are being linked to the corps youth programs. Many of these women and children are finding a church home because of being invited to the Home League. A corps that was ready to be closed is growing and much of that can be attributed to the faithfulness of the Corps Officer accepting and modeling the challenge to Win One Woman for Christ! WOW! God is good.

Del Oro

Major Candi Frizzell wrote, “When I think of the one woman in the Del Oro Division who “Wow’s me” with her steadfastness, her commitment and her heart for ministry with women, it is Linda Rodriguez. Although a Captain in The Salvation Army with many tasks already required of her, she has been quick to make women’s ministries a priority in the three appointments she has been in since I have known her.”

You may ask, “How does she DO it?” The answer is simple. In each new community she begins with personal contacts. Bible Studies, craft classes, lots of fun and fellowship are soon to follow.

Captain Linda Rodriguez is also inspirational to other corps officers. She is quick to invite other corps to attend her women’s ministries programs, which has been helpful to younger and more inexperienced officers.

Linda Rodriguez was chosen to be recognized as a woman Worthy of a Ward because she is a woman who cares for other women, and wants then to be won into the Kingdom. She has shown this by her attitude, fortitude and dedication to the task. The Del Oro Division is blessed by her. The women she ministers to feel the same way.

Cascade Division

"Ligia Ambriz came to the Salvation Army Caldwell, ID Corps with her husband and family in 2003. Eager to bring women of the Caldwell community to the Lord, she started a Women's Outreach group called "Coffee-break", which was geared toward Hispanic women. She befriended a woman named Angie, who was in a place in her life when Ligia’s love, support, and counsel were greatly needed. Because of Ligia’s ministry to the family, soon Angie and her 3 children were attending the Caldwell Corps and today are active in both the corps and division.

Seeing the fruit of one's labor is rare, but Ligia has been blessed to witness God's work in the lives of this family. She humbly gives Christ Jesus her Lord all the glory for the work He has done."

Alaska Division

Major Georgia Steele has been a Home League member for 50 years, but her passion for the fourfold program has never wavered. She has always viewed the Home League as a ministry, not just a program to be done. She believes it to be a great avenue for proclaiming the Gospel to women of all walks of life. She has a devotion to make every program an exceptional program.

It is a natural thing for her to invite others to Home League. Recently while at Senior Camp she invited women who attended and live in her area to attend Home League. One of these women came and has since fallen in love with Home League and has begun to invited others.

Her joyful example is the same in the home, church, and public. She says her love for God is what inspires her to live and work for Him. She has a humble, servant attitude. She is a woman filled with God’s grace and it is evident to those around her. Georgia desires to win other women for Christ and that makes her a “WOW woman.”