New Leadership Appointed at The Salvation Army Pottsville Corps (Pottsville, Pennsylvania)

The Salvation Army Pottsville Corps has appointed Captains Philip and Charity Bender as its new Corps Officers. The Benders will lead the Corps, which functions as both a church and community center, overseeing worship services, community outreach, social service programs, youth ministries, volunteer engagement, and daily operations.

The Benders bring over 15 years of Salvation Army leadership experience to Pottsville. They began serving together in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, before spending eight years leading The Salvation Army in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Most recently, they led The Salvation Army in Lima, Ohio, for four years before returning to Pennsylvania.

Both Captains have deep personal ties to The Salvation Army, rooted in their upbringing. Originally from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, they grew up with grandparents who were actively involved in the organization. Capt. Charity Bender’s grandmother also served as a Salvation Army officer and was previously appointed to Pottsville with her husband before their retirement.

“We want The Salvation Army to be an active part of the Pottsville community and a place where people know they are welcome,” Capt. Philip Bender said. “Whether through our church, community programs or partnerships with local organizations, we want to be here to serve and support our neighbors.”

The Benders bring complementary areas of focus to their leadership. Capt. Philip is passionate about preaching, Bible study, and spiritual development, while Capt. Charity has a particular interest in engaging children and youth and helping the next generation become involved in the church and community.

“One of our hopes is to reach more children, teens and young adults and let them know this is a place where they are welcome,” Capt. Charity Bender said. “We want to engage them when they’re young and create opportunities for them to stay connected as they grow.”

Volunteers are also central to the Benders’ approach to serving the community. From supporting year-round programs to assisting with seasonal initiatives such as the Red Kettle Campaign and holiday assistance, volunteers help make much of the Corps’ work possible.

The Salvation Army Pottsville Corps provides a range of programs and services to meet the needs of the local community, including food assistance, youth programming, men’s and women’s groups, Bible studies, and seasonal assistance. The Corps also offers life skills programming for youth and adults, bringing in community members and local businesses to provide practical instruction on topics ranging from cooking to financial skills and other everyday needs.

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