Elaine Castro-Delaluz has been connected to The Salvation Army since she was eight years old. Today, she is a soldier at The Salvation Army Times Square Corps Community Center and works as the young adult and missions coordinator for The Salvation Army Eastern Territory. She shares her “Hands On” experience.

With a background in international business and experience as a missionary, I’m passionate about serving others and creating opportunities for real change. I love helping young adults grow in their faith and get involved in mission work around the world. 

At 21-years-old, I stood at a crossroads in my faith journey. I had grown up deeply involved in my Salvation Army corps (church), but as a young adult, I felt disconnected. My spiritual needs were shifting, and it seemed my corps couldn’t meet me where I was. My faith was craving something deeper—something bigger. 

During this season of restlessness, my corps officers (pastors) frequently encouraged me to consider applying for the Hands On missions program. They spoke of it often, describing how it could transform my faith and broaden my perspective of The Salvation Army’s mission. At first, I dismissed their suggestion, but something about their persistence made me pause. It wasn’t just the program they were speaking to—it was the potential they saw in me, and their belief that God was calling me to something greater. 

Eventually, I decided to take the leap and apply. Little did I know that decision would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. The Hands On program became more than a mission trip—it became a window into the heart of The Salvation Army. Through it, I saw how God could use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. 

I witnessed firsthand the power of faith in action. I saw what happens when The Salvation Army moves beyond its walls and steps boldly into the world, fueled by a vision of love and service. In that space, I began to see The Salvation Army not as a local church struggling to meet my expectations, but as a global movement with the capacity to change lives—including my own.

But perhaps what impacted me most was how Hands On challenged me as a young adult. It affirmed that I wasn’t just the future of The Salvation Army; I was the present. My voice, my ideas, and my passion for justice mattered. God wasn’t waiting for me to grow older or have more experience—He was ready to use me right where I was. And in that realization, I felt a profound shift. I didn’t need to leave The Salvation Army to find my purpose. I needed to stay and be the change I longed to see.

When I returned from Hands On, my perspective was completely transformed. I no longer felt like a bystander in my faith or at my corps. Instead, I stepped into leadership with a renewed sense of calling. I became determined to be the leader I had once needed as a young adult—a leader who would inspire others, create opportunities, and advocate for the voices of young people.

Over the years, that sense of purpose has grown into a full-circle moment. Today, I have the privilege of serving as the Eastern Territory’s young adult and missions ministries coordinator. In this role, I get to champion programs like Hands On and create pathways for other young adults to experience the transformative power of missions and service.

Every day, I am reminded of the impact this program had on my life. I know what it’s like to feel overlooked or disconnected, and I know what it feels like to be seen, encouraged, and given the opportunity to grow. My prayer is that the young adults who participate in Hands On will find what I found years ago—a God who calls them to boldness, a church that believes in their potential, and a mission that will inspire them to live out their faith in meaningful ways.

Looking back, I see how God used a moment of restlessness to redirect me. He used a program like Hands On to show me the depth of His love and the power of His Church. And He’s still doing that today. For me, the Hands On program wasn’t just impactful—it was a catalyst that awakened my faith and opened my eyes to the possibilities of what God can do through The Salvation Army. It taught me that when we, as young adults, step into His calling, we have the power to shape not just the future of the Army, but its present as well.

By Elaine Castro-Delaluz, Young Adult and Missions Ministries Coordinator 

On This Day in History… 

William Booth was born. On April 10, 1829. Yes, that William Booth. The founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth, was born in Nottingham, England. He was one of five children. He came to faith at age 15 and became a Methodist minister. He went on to start The Salvation Army, originally named The Christian Mission, in 1865. It was renamed to The Salvation Army in 1878. 

All We Need

“All We Need,” a new podcast hosted by Commissioner Evie Diaz, launched earlier this year. This new podcast focuses on spiritual health, drawing inspiration from 2 Peter 1:3. It aims to support the spiritual well-being of The Salvation Army’s officers, soldiers, and employees. 

The first episode was an interview with Major Deb Pascoe to discuss spiritual life development. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

National Capital Band Centennial Celebration 

From April 11-13, 2025, the National Capital Band will celebrate its 100th anniversary at Camp Rappahannock in Richardsville, VA. This event will include musical performances, guest speakers, and a reunion of past and present band members. 

In 1925, then-Staff Captain Ernest Holz founded the National Capital Band as the “Washington Headquarters Band.” Since its founding, the band has been The Salvation Army’s musical ambassador in the nation’s capital and the surrounding region. The band’s players are members of Salvation Army corps (churches) in the metro Washington D.C. area who volunteer their time and talents to the band. 

The band travels extensively throughout the U.S. and  also performs in other countries.  

Mark Ridenour, Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will perform as a guest soloist and clinician. Major Mike Harris will provide remarks as a guest speaker.