Major Tom Louden is a lifelong, fourth generation Salvationist from the Martinsburg, WV corps. Major Louden is married to Major Julie Anne Louden who herself is a lifelong, fifth generation Salvationist. Together they are the proud parents of four children, Caleb, Emily, Elizabeth and Ericka. Major Tom Louden is an honor Junior Soldier, Graduate Honors Corps Cadet and 17 year officer of The Salvation Army, USA Southern Territory. Major Louden attended Asbury College with a major in History and Psychology and minors in Economics and Sociology. Major Louden has served as a sergeant in Thomasville, North Carolina and the corps officer in Sand Springs and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and most recently as Area Commander in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to his appointment to Fort Lauderdale, Florida Major Louden served for six years on the staff of the Evangeline Booth College School for Officer Training culminating with his appointment as the Director of Personnel.Major Louden has held numerous positions and responsibilities over his sixteen years of officership. Some of these opportunities include Incident Commander of the 1999 F5 Oklahoma City tornado, TYI Staff 1994- 1999, Territorial Officers’ Advisory Council, Territorial Disaster Services Committee, Territorial Leadership Assessment and Study Group, Co-Chair for the Task Force for the Organization and Implementation of the Jack McDowell School for Leadership Development, Evangeline Booth College Board of Visitors School for Leadership Development, various bands and music groups, Marriage Enrichment Instructor, Chairman of the Mind the Gap Task Force and most recently team leader for the Advance Disaster Response Team for the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. One of Major Louden’s more notable opportunities was for him and Major Julie Anne Louden to provide leadership in establishing a Marriage Enrichment program for the Eastern Europe Territory. Together, they journeyed to Moscow, Russia in 2006 and then to Chisinau, Moldovain 2008 to train 20 couples in Marriage Enrichment and launch the program for the entire territory.

Major Louden and his team were the very first group of Americans to arrive in Haiti after the devastating earthquake had struck the improvised island. Clearing out the seats of an 8-seat passenger plane allowed Major Louden and his team to bring 2,000 lbs of desperately needed supplies into the country upon their arrival. Major Louden describes this experience as one of the “bleakest times” in his life. Those who attended our 2010 Civic & Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast were treated to the dramatic story as Major Louden shared the details of his journey. His words and message were an inspiration to all in attendance, and made for the most memorable appreciation event yet.

Major Julie Anne Louden is an honor Junior Soldier, Graduate Honors Corp Cadet, and 16 year officer of The Salvation Army, USA Southern Territory. Major Louden attended Asbury College with a major in Christian Ministries and Church Music with a minor in music, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree. Major Louden has served as a sergeant in Thomasville, North Carolina and the corps officer in Sands Springs and Bartlesville, Oklahoma and was Area Commander and Womens Ministries Coordinator in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to her appointment to the Fort Lauderdale, Major Louden served for six years on the staff of the Evangeline Booth College School for Officers Training culminating with her appointment as the Assistant to the Director of Personnel.

The Majors Louden consider their marriage, parenting their four children and their calling to be an officer in The Salvation Army their most sacred and important commitments. Both Majors Julie and Tom are passionate about the transforming love and power of Jesus Christ and claim Him as their Savior and friend; it is their life’s ambition to be led more by Jesus, lead more like Jesus and lead others to Jesus.

Captain Joy Robbins

Captain Joy Robins was commissioned in the Southern Territory with the Builders of the Kingdom Session. Her first appointment was Mt. Home, Arkansas. She has served many years in the Alabama, Louisiana, & Mississippi Divisions and in the Texas Division as the Assistant Divisional Youth Secretary. Captain Robins has spent 11 years in the youth department; most recently in the Assistant Territorial Youth Secretary position. Captain Robins has a degree in Early Childhood Education and was a teacher before following in her parents’ shoes and becoming an officer.

Operations of The Salvation Army are supervised by trained, commissioned officers. They proclaim the gospel and serve as administrators, teachers, social workers, counselors, youth leaders, and musicians.

These men and women have dedicated their lives, skills, and service completely to God. Lay members who subscribe to the doctrines of The Salvation Army are called soldiers. Along with officers, they are known as Salvationists.