From The Salvation Army Boyertown Corps
The Salvation Army Boyertown Corps is pleased to announce the appointment of Captains Derek and Betty Ellen Barrett as its new Corps Officers. In their new roles, they oversee the Corps’ church ministry and day-to-day operations, including worship services, community outreach, social service programs, youth ministries, and volunteer engagement.
The Barretts bring years of Salvation Army ministry and service experience to Boyertown. Capt. Derek grew up in The Salvation Army as the son and grandson of Salvation Army officers, while Capt. Betty Ellen was first introduced to the organization through her work at The Salvation Army’s Camp Ladore, a camp, retreat, and conference center nestled in the northern Pocono Mountains. She later spent roughly 12 years working in The Salvation Army’s Service Extension Department before the couple entered ministry leadership together.
In 2014, the couple began serving as envoys in State College, where they helped lead the local Salvation Army ministry. They later attended The Salvation Army College for Officer Training and were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in 2019. Since then, they have served appointments at The Salvation Army Roxborough Corps in Philadelphia and The Salvation Army Pottsville Corps before arriving in Boyertown.
“We have felt incredibly welcomed by the Boyertown community since arriving here,” said Capt. Betty Ellen Barrett. “So much of the work happening at the Corps is made possible by dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents to serve others. The support we have seen from the community has been phenomenal, and we are grateful to be part of it.”
The Boyertown Corps currently provides a variety of programs and services for individuals and families in the community, including a soup kitchen on Mondays and Tuesdays, a food pantry on Thursdays and Fridays, and Club 316, a weekly youth program.
As they look to the future, the Barretts hope to continue strengthening the Corps’ youth programming, including exploring opportunities to introduce life skills programming for local children and teens. They also hope to grow the Corps congregation and create opportunities for people to deepen their faith and become more connected to The Salvation Army’s church ministry.
“One of our goals is to build the Corps, not only in numbers, but by helping people grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord,” said Capt. Derek Barrett. “Many people know The Salvation Army for the services we provide in the community, but they may not realize that we are also a church. We want the Boyertown Corps to be a place where people can find both practical support and a welcoming faith community.”
The Salvation Army Boyertown Corps serves individuals and families throughout the community through spiritual care, food assistance, youth programming, seasonal outreach, and other community-based services. Each year, the Corps serves roughly 26,000 individuals through its programs and ministries.
To learn more about The Salvation Army Boyertown Corps, including community programs, volunteer opportunities, worship, and ways to support the mission, visit pa.salvationarmy.org/boyertown.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families, and whole communities lead healthier, safer, and more productive lives. Since 1879, The Army has held a record of accomplishment stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically, and spiritually. The Army’s programming serves every zip code through 43 community centers and a network of volunteers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Delaware. Programs and services historically include: shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation.
