The Salvation Army Welcomes New Leadership in Yakima, WA
The Salvation Army Northwest Division announces the appointment of Lieutenants Nicholas and Rebecca Helms to its location at Yakima, WA. They replace Captains Josh and Ryan Boyd, who were appointed to The Salvation Army in Missoula, MT.
Lt. Nick was born in Seattle, WA, but, being the son of Salvation Army officers, he moved around throughout his youth. After graduating from California State University, Long Beach with his Bachelor's degree in Business Management, he and his wife Becky got married and moved to Seattle, where Nick worked for four years in the finance department at The Salvation Army's headquarters there.
Lt. Becky hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she spent the first eight years of her life before her father accepted a job as The Salvation Army's Chief Information Officer for the Western Territory in Long Beach, CA. Becky spent the rest of her childhood in Long Beach, attending a Salvation Army church in Pasadena, CA, where she and Nick would meet and get married years later. After their marriage, Becky worked at The Salvation Army's headquarters in Seattle, first as an HR Specialist and then a Youth Specialist.
Lts. Nick and Becky just completed two years of schooling at The Salvation Army's Training School in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, where they were ordained as ministers, and received AA degrees in Christian Ministry. Lts. Nick and Becky have three children, Madison, Andrew, and Joel.
As Salvation Army officers, the Lts. expect to be reassigned throughout their careers. The commitment of being an officer includes moving your family frequently, and accepting reassignments based on career development and filling the needs of The Salvation Army locations. The assignment in Yakima is an acknowledgement of their ability to manage social services programs and outreach to the community.
They began work in Yakima on June 28. "It is an honor and a very humbling privilege to be given the responsibility to oversee The Salvation Army's work in Yakima. We are committed to serving the community and serving the Lord with all of our hearts,” Lt. Becky said. “We can't wait to see what God has in store."
Established in 1893, The Salvation Army in Yakima provides social services to families in need. Among the programs offered are worship services, emergency utility assistance, eviction prevention, food and nutrition programs, and disaster services. Last year, The Salvation Army in Yakima served more than 23,400 individuals in the community.