Officers Wearmouth: A Time for New Miracles
The Salvation Army traditionally shuffles its officers every so often, affording Kroc Greenville the unique opportunity to welcome a new family into its community.
During Sunday service on June 28th, Kroc Church officially welcomed Major Valentina and Captain Richard Wearmouth as they accepted the responsibility of leading not only its congregation but also The Kroc’s overall spiritual well-being.
From the UK to SC
Having just arrived from their placement in London, the couple and their two young sons Lucas and Evan are excitedly acclimating to the south, The Kroc, and life in the states. While still in the process of unpacking their home in Mauldin, C. Richard says, “We’ve already fallen in love with loads! We absolutely love Greenville.”
He and M. Valentina have been so impressed with the area’s hospitality and all around “friendliness.” Even grocery shopping, people are helpful, and making friends has turned out to be easy. Moreover, the Wearmouth’s have noticed, to their delight, how many beautiful greenspaces are affordably available.
“People have a real respect for parks,” remarks C. Richard, pointing to a time that his son fell at Conestee Nature Preserve, and the family was able to freely access a stocked first aid kit; in his experience, this wouldn’t be something available in most instances in the UK.
The Salvation Army, Here and There
Speaking of differences, The Salvation Army as an organization shows up differently in South Carolina from how it presents and operates in England, according to the Wearmouths. For one thing, the southern territory holds to tradition more closely than the UK with regard to its upholding formalities surrounding officer rank and uniforms.
In previous placements, C. Richard notes officers would serve in polos, branded clothing, shorts, and sneakers; while here, the expectation is that they perform duties in full uniform. He and his wife are also adjusting to being addressed as “captain” and “major,” titles assigned based on time served in the organization.
In fact, when asked if Major Valentina’s ranking higher than Captain Richard impacts their working dynamic, they both emphatically replied, “not at all! That’s not really as much of a thing in England.” The pair works as a team, collaborating and working together to accomplish shared goals with mutual respect and accountability.
Two Hearts, Two Minds, & One Spirit
Seeing the Wearmouths interact with each other, it’s clear that the couple has a strong bond. Both are authentic, humble, and comfortable showing vulnerability in their service to others.
When asked what he loves most about his wife, C. Richard replied, “We’re joined at the hip.” He and M. Valentina have so much in common, despite being born far apart.
Life together is a “crazy adventure,” sharing interests, travel, and even work. C. Richard also appreciates his wife’s passion for family life, hosting, and fostering relationships. The pair are a unified force, doing everything together as led by The Holy Spirit.
Joining The Salvation Army
Captain Richard was brought up in the Bedlington (England) Salvation Army where he attended services "since birth." As an adult, he dedicated "what feels like a lifetime" to Computer Science, earning a degree and position in the field with the American company EDS, ironically founded by Ross Perot: a major supporter of The Salvation Army in Dallas, Texas, where his cousins served.
Something didn’t feel right. C. Richard noticed his IT role left him spiritually unfulfilled and heavy. In a bold move of faith, he chose to accept a pay cut along with a community development role at his home Corps and eventually attended William Booth Training College in London to prepare for fulltime ministry.
For C. Richard, the most rewarding experiences as an officer are weddings and funerals. These are deeply personal events, and he considers it a privilege to be invited to guide the experience for families in all seasons of life.
Major Valentina’s Path to Ministry
M. Valentina also serves alongside her husband in fulltime ministry, having graduated from Evangeline Booth Training College in Atlanta and marrying C. Richard in a small ceremony in Piedmont Park during 2019’s COVID pandemic.
Her family moved to Georgia when M. Valentina was nine, and both her parents are catholic. She found The Salvation Army through an afterschool program, conveniently located near to her parent’s job, and eventually, M. Valentina also participated in a Wednesday night youth program and weeklong summer camp (her first time away from home ever).
At age 14, M. Valentina responded to an altar-call during that camp and dedicated her life to Christ. Afterwards, her parents supported her in taking M. Valentina to church at The Salvation Army Corps each week where officers made her feel incredibly welcome. She volunteered there nearly every day after school.
Despite an older church member prophesying a place in ministry over her during M. Valentina’s young adulthood, she still struggled with the same doubts and imposter syndrome many face in that time of life, so the successes she and her husband have seen in recent years have been a great confirmation and encouragement to the family.
The Lord Provides
In the UK, Officers Wearmouth put on the first camp in England for shelter residents, and it turned out to be one of their most rewarding experiences to date. The couple had expected recreational activities like kayaking to be the biggest hit throughout that program, but it turns out the group of people living with addiction, mental health challenges, insufficient resources, etc. were most excited to learn the life skills they picked up during their stay on the hosting farm.
C. Richard and M. Valentina also introduced a baby bank and volunteer management program in their most recent London placement which evolved into a “Well-being Cafe” where caretakers, mainly women, could gather in support of each other and where C. Richard learned to cook in pursuit of a tangible way to serve the ladies there.
Thanks to God’s provision and donor generosity, the officers were able to facilitate taking volunteers from that program who were used to modest living out for a three-course meal at an esteemed restaurant during the Christmas season.
Having seen what is possible when God uses you in spite of your weaknesses and what can happen if you follow your calling, M. Valentina and C. Richard are optimistic about the future of Kroc Greenville’s Corps, also known as Kroc Church, as well as its Kroc Main and Tennis facilities at large.
Upcoming at The Kroc
Upon arriving to The Kroc, C. Richard was floored by its facilities. His hometown of Bedlington, England is a small mining community of around 12,000 people, by his account. There, The Salvation is the community. It’s a central hub, but “we didn’t have anything like this,” he explains.
The Wearmouths and their sons are excitedly looking for ways to get plugged in, having just enrolled in a session of group swim lessons for Lucas, age five. C. Richard is also considering Tennis lessons as he’s always loved watching the sport but never had the chance to play.
Over the course of their placement in Greenville, the couple seeks discernment and favor from The Holy Spirit, that doors would be open to them and that they would receive guidance to know which open doors they should walk through for The Kroc’s benefit.
They walk in confidence that their efforts will make an impact on the lives they touch for people experiencing both life’s highs and lows. Most of all, they want to see the miracles of God unfold in this community.
One challenge they expect to face involves navigating the tension between The Kroc’s mission to serve people of all backgrounds without discrimination in Jesus’ name and its responsibility to honor the value of its facilities by keeping the lights on and the space well maintained, which, of course, requires ongoing financial investment.
They hope to make The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center feel welcoming and approachable, noting that doing so might mean igniting a few mindset shifts.
A Warm Welcome for All
In addition to its position on dress codes and titles, The Salvation Army in England, as C. Richard observes, also presents itself in a way that might be described by traditional southerners in the states as “liberal.”
There is more open mindedness towards people of marginalized groups and the queer community than seems immediately evident here. Perhaps this is the result of a difference in scriptural interpretation. Maybe it stems from larger cultural differences, or maybe the UK corps have embraced certain changes in an effort to evolve with the times and remain relevant/ appealing to people outside the organization.
Regardless, Kroc community members can expect the officers to approach their leadership roles with hospitality and warmth in the same way they approach leading their children.
When asked what elements of her Columbian heritage M. Valentina is mindful to share with Evan and Lucas, she quickly replied, “Besides the Spanish language, know no stranger.” She and her husband teach the boys to share with others, even if you have little and that joy grows from relationships, not material things.
Getting Connected
Want to be part of C. Richard and M. Valentina’s new community? We invite you to attend a Kroc Church Sunday service at 11AM in the chapel at 424 Westfield Street Greenville, SC 29601. Not much of a church person? The Alpha? Series might be more your speed. It’s held on Monday evenings, includes dinner, and explores the topics of faith and purpose from a more exploratory angle.
Either way, we ask that you help us support this incredible family as they acclimate to their new home and show them some southern hospitality with any recommendations you might share for a dentist, optometrist, preschool/ childcare, affordable activities for kids, or local small businesses/ restaurants serving healthy food options.
In return, M. Valentina has kindly shared some of her favorite places in her home state of Georgia: the Atlanta Beltline, Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park, Kennesaw Mountain, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (specifically for a soccer game).
Biking, hiking, and enjoying the Georgia skyline sounds like a nice weekend getaway to us. How about you? The Wearmouths and The Kroc will be here to welcome you when you make your way back! You won’t want to miss what God has in store for our community during this new season of life.