Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography by Kristina Only.

Lt. Mark Cancia, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army of Jackson, TN, is a child of God and a man of faith. While he was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Cancia family quickly moved to the tropics of South Florida, where they made most of their memories and connected with The Salvation Army for the first time.

From a young age, Mark and his family attended The Salvation Army’s Sunday worship services, character building programs, residential summer camps, and eventually overseas mission trips. A significant amount of his spiritual formation is attributed to the work, experiences, and mentors within The Salvation Army.

Mark’s parents, (Ret.) Majors Albert and Marie Carmelle Cancia, migrated from Haiti in pursuit of opportunity, and the Lord led them to join the ranks in The Salvation Army. The Army’s mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs was perfect for the Cancia clan because of the boundless opportunities to love others, serve neighbors and disciple friends.

While Mark was commissioned as a Messenger of the Gospel and ordained by The Salvation Army in 2018, his ministry to others started well before ordination. In 2015, he and his family served on the Emergency Disaster Service Unit, which provided food, drink, and pastoral care to survivors of Hurricane Wilma and that was when Mark first heard the call to ministry and officership with The Salvation Army. In addition to seasonal disaster service, Mark taught Sunday School, led small groups, and played his baritone horn in the Corp (church) band.

If you were to ask Mark what his favorite verse in Scripture is, he would enthusiastically say Proverbs 3: 5-6 (Ask him to sing the song). Mark also admits that the verse which impacted his life and faith most was Ephesians 2:8-9 (Ask him about this story).

With an interdisciplinary degree in Social Science from Florida State University and a degree in Practical Ministry from Trevecca Nazarene University, Lt. Cancia works to add value to the community by addressing sin, reducing toxic stress and resourcing divine hope. He believes this happens when people identify as children of God, work together for good and choose to live in relationship with the author and perfector of our faith.

In his free time, you can hear Mark singing, find him working out, reading non-fiction literature, and exploring the world around him.

VIP: What led you to affiliate with The Salvation Army?

Mark Cancia: My family and I joined the organization when I was a kid after a natural disaster. My love for the Lord and my call to serve others kept me coming back. Through the diversity of programs and services offered by The Salvation Army I was able to connect my abilities to the needs in the community around me. Since our services range from adult rehabilitation for the addicted to elderly services for the seniors, and youth character building for children, the connection happens almost naturally. Being able to serve God through a vehicle like this is perfect for a guy like me who likes adventure and travel.

VIP: What brought you to The Salvation Army in Jackson?

MC: The Salvation Army operates like the military where commissioned officers receive assignments and deployments for service. After being commissioned and ordained in 2018, I have been stationed in Louisville, KY (assistant corps officer), Nashville, TN (Student Ministry Coordinator), Ashland, KY (Shelter administrator) and now Jackson, TN where I serve as the Corps Officer. While the Salvation appointed me here, I know that the Lord brought me to Jackson to meet and serve, learn and enjoy the people and community here in West, Tennessee.

VIP: Do you have a choice as to where you are sent to work?

MC: We don’t. The prayerful decision is made by the board at divisional and territorial headquarters. Officers do, however, fill out an annual personnel data sheet where we select our preference in ministry whether that be in finance, rehabilitation, youth development, social service or overseas ministry. Receiving assignments are part of the adventure which is the life of an officer. Prior to receiving this one, I didn’t know that I would love a mid-size city like Jackson where it’s easy to get around, and a place where you know your neighbors.

“I want people to know about Jesus and how His life adds fullness to our lives. The Salvation Army is a vehicle through which my life has been changed through the gospel and allows people to come into relationship with Him.”

— Lt. Mark Cancia, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army of Jackson, TN

VIP: What are your chief goals as Lt. of the local Salvation Army chapter?

MC: The goals we have come from a strategic battle plan, which includes input from local corps members, our community advisory board and leaders from our divisional headquarters. This standard for operating allows for consistency and accountability even when officers transition.

Priorities from the plan include continued spiritual development, increased social engagement, targeted property improvement, and financial solvency. One of our most recent successes is the Salvation Army’s partnership with the state of Tennessee and the Department of Human Services through a grant called 2-Gen (2 generations). The goal is to engage families where they are (child and/or parent), empower them with resources that they may need to achieve goals (academic), and equip them to live lives that are stable and full of hope.

VIP: Does your location on Allen Avenue factor into your goals?

MC: Absolutely! We work closely with our neighbors in Allenton Heights, and our playground is where many of the children play after school. Through our trusted service model and stories of change, our supporters recognize they are equally important as those we serve. Since 1952, The Salvation Army has been serving Jackson, and since 1865 we’ve been preaching the Gospel and meeting human needs; now in 133 countries around the world.

VIP: What is your geographic territory?

MC: The Salvation Army serves every zip code across the United States. From our Jackson/Madison County corps, we serve: Gibson, Crockett, Chester, Hardeman, Henderson, Madison, and Carroll on a weekly basis. This is in part due to the 2GEN initiative. Since that part of our mission is to preach the Gospel and meet human needs without discrimination, there is no one regardless of age, address or affinity that will not be served. After all, 88 cents of every dollar donated, stays in our area to provide needed services.

VIP: What are the chief goals of you and your board?

MC: We want to increase the amount of opportunities for spiritual development. That happens through worship services, small groups and other holy interactions. We aim to be an effective/collaborative social service provider, working well with individuals in need and other organizations. We have plans to enhance youth character building/academic achievement and achieve all of this through strategic advisory board engagement. The Salvation Army is at its best when we are supported with trained staff, passionate volunteers, and informed board members.

VIP: Discuss upcoming events the next quarter.

MC: Our Angel Tree Christmas Gift Campaign is going on now. Angel Tree is coordinated to provide Christmas gifts for children who would otherwise be without. Community partners purchase the gifts, submit them unwrapped so parents have the privilege of wrapping those gifts and enjoying those miracle moments and the joys of the season with their family.

Currently we are in the acquisition phase where we are sharing names, ages and wishes of the children in the community. The deadline to return the gifts to our office is December 12, and distribution day is December 17.

We are also planning a volunteer appreciation banquet, chicken dinner fundraiser, and summer learning camp campaign for children from urban and rural communities.

It is important for people to give generously when they see a kettle because those funds are stewarded to provide services throughout the year.

Individuals or groups interested in community service may register to ring the iconic bell through the website registertoring.com. Eighty-eight cents out of every dollar raised through the Red Kettle program support the local services we offer 365 days a year.

The Salvation Army lists additional ways to support and engage in its 10 programs and services on the website: www.salvationarmyjacksontn.org.

We are a Christian movement, our message is based on the Bible, our ministry is motivated by the love of God, and our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, we have Sunday and mid-week services, which provide Christian community and Christ-centered teaching for men, women and children. Through our focus on 2GEN we provide coaching for parents and support for students that may need encouragement. We also provide emergency solutions and disaster services in response to natural or manmade disasters.

Volunteers may contact Mabel Sowell, our receptionist, at (731)240-1243.