To say that The Salvation Army’s church in downtown St. John’s is bustling is an understatement. The organization, which was started in Antigua in 1903, operates a preschool in the building and provides lunch for the children two days a week. They have a Meals on Wheels program twice weekly and make food baskets for shut-ins on the island three days a week.
The organization offers Girl Guides, Brownies, and exercise programs, and operates a thrift shop. They have church services on Sundays and youth, women’s, and shut-in’s ministries. They also serve as the fiscal agent for the Sunshine Home for Girls, the island’s only safe harbor for young women experiencing domestic violence or other abuse.
The Salvation Army in Antigua is part of The Salvation Army International, an evangelical arm of the universal Christian Church. Its stated mission is “to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
– Reverend Raymoncil Pierre
While part of a global entity, The Salvation Army in Antigua operates independently. It doesn’t receive aid from the overarching organization and must generate its funds locally. The Governor General provides some funding, and Mill Reef Fund donations underpin several key programs. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser goes toward providing food for the needy at Christmas.
Currently, The Salvation Army’s greatest need is a vehicle they can use to distribute meals, collect clothing, and obtain materials so they can repair the kitchen and overall facility and perform basic maintenance.
