International Officer Training and Leader Development Council

Lieut-Colonel Anne-Florence Tursi is Chair of IOTALDC and Assistant Chief Secretary, Personnel, IHQ. She grew up in France and Switzerland. She trained as an officer at the International Training College, London, where she met her future husband, Massimo. Appointments in corps work in Italy and Switzerland were followed by the challenge to plant a new corps in the former East Berlin, Germany, while her husband was territorial youth secretary in that territory. Further appointments brought responsibilities as Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries in Germany, Lithuania and Poland, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, and Command President of Women’s Ministries in the Italy and Greece Command. She has taught in many training college settings, then as the officer responsible for the formation of cadets in the command, and for many years as Chair of the ‘Catherine Programme’, a Salvation Army European summer school for employees, cadets and officers. Anne-Florence has a university diploma in Curative Pedagogy and a certificate for systemic and strategic brief therapy (School of Palo Alto). Together with her husband, Massimo, she has four grown-up children and six grandsons.

Major (Dr) Alberth Saramin was born in Kalawara, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. He is married to Lieut-Colonel Elsi Hariyati and they have three children. He is Vice-Chair of IOTALDC and holds a Bachelor of Education (Muhammadiyah University, Palu). In 1999 he completed the Advanced Diploma of Ministry at the Salvation Army College of Further Education in Sydney, Australia, and in 2006 he completed a Master’s in Public Health at Diponegoro University. In 2013, he completed his Master of Theology at Tangerang Harvest Theology College before gaining his Doctorate in Theology from Jaffery Theology College, Makassar, in 2016. As an officer, he has held appointments which have included assistant corps officer, school supervisor, hospital administrator and training principal, territorial youth secretary, assistant project officer, assistant chair for a theological seminary and territorial secretary for programme. Currently he is Assistant Chief Secretary in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory.

Lieut-Colonel Kalie Webb, Secretary of IOTALDC, is an Australia Territory officer. She currently serves as Under Secretary for the South Asia zone at IHQ. Her ministry experiences have included corps officership, training college and leadership development work, and divisional and territorial leadership. Kalie has served as Mission, Training and Education Co-Ordination (MTEC) Director and, more recently, as the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries and Territorial Leader for Leader Development in the Pakistan Territory. She has served as the Academic Dean for Catherine Booth College (now Eva Burrows College) and as Deputy Course-work Coordinator for the University of Divinity (Australia). She has completed a BTheol, GradDipSysTheol and MTheol. In her spare time, Kalie is a fan of Australian Rules football, loves photography, travelling, knitting and reading biographies. With her husband Geoff, they have three adult children (a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law) and five grandchildren who live in Australia.

Major David Allen’s theology for ministry is rooted in the equipping nature of Christian leadership, believing wholeheartedly that all the gifts required for the building of God’s Kingdom are uniquely fashioned within the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). Appointments include serving various congregational assignments, territorial young adult leadership, Training Principal in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, Ecumenical Officer with the Canadian Council of Churches Theological Council, and IHQ Secretary for Leader Development. Studies include a Master of Divinity from Regent College, a Master’s in Business Administration at Trinity Western University in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Arrow Leadership. Hobbies include walking with his wife, Brenda, and FaceTime calls with his children and grandchildren.

Major Marcelo Delmastro is Divisional Commander in the Ecuador Division in South America West Territory. Marcelo was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in Argentina. He married Ximena Castillo and together they trained as officers in the South America West Territory. His ministry experiences have included corps officership, divisional youth and candidates’ secretary, administrator at Ejército de Salvación School, full-time work at the training school, director of the field training office and three years as Training Principal. Marcelo enjoys opportunities for service as a translator. He holds a BA in Ministerial Theology and a Diploma in Leadership and People Management. He and Ximena are marriage enrichment trainers and enjoy sharing this ministry. They have three children.

Major Aneela Faheem is Divisional Commander of Sheikhupura Division in the Pakistan Territory. She entered training from Samanabad Corps and was commissioned with her husband Faheem as part of the Faithful Intercessors Session. Time in corps work was followed by appointments as training officer, associate territorial youth and candidates’ secretary, assistant secretary for personnel and candidates’ secretary, and secretary for personnel before her current role. Aneela has been serving with the ‘Operation Christmas Child’ national team as a prayer coordinator and has completed a Certificate in Leadership Development – a five-year course provided by the territory. She has served as a facilitator in the Certificate of Leader Development modules ‘Servant Leadership’, ‘Officers’ Performance’, ‘Succession Planning’ and ‘Worship’. Aneela and Faheem have three children.

Lieut-Colonel Liz Gainsford is Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development in the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory and has been a member of IOTALDC since 2018. She trained in Australia Southern Territory as part of the Forward 2000 Session but moved to New Zealand directly after commissioning where, a year later, she married Ian. Liz has served in three corps, three divisional headquarters and in two training roles in three different countries (New Zealand, Australia and Tanzania) and now at territorial headquarters. All these experiences have helped to shape and develop Liz into the person she is today and give her an appreciation for the internationalism of The Salvation Army. She loves to travel and meet people, enjoys going to the movies with family, likes the challenge of crosswords and loves to see people develop to their full potential. She is the proud mum of two children.

Lieut-Colonel Kenneth Hawkins currently serves in Nairobi, Kenya, as Principal of The Salvation Army Leaders’ Training College for Africa and Resource Centre. He has enjoyed a fulfilling and unexpectedly varied Salvation Army officer career. Ken, with his wife Ann, moved to Zambia from the UK at the beginning of 2012. Ken served as Training Principal, and then as Chief Secretary, during their eight years in Zambia, before moving to Kenya in August 2020. Previously, they served in the UK for 25 years, as corps officers and at the William Booth College, London. As well as enjoying playing music, and listening to music, reading, language learning, and walking, Ken enjoys travel, and relishes the beauty and warmth of life in Africa. Ken and Ann have an adult son and a married daughter in the UK, with one young granddaughter, with whom they communicate regularly.

Captain Sarah Ilster is corps officer at Portsmouth Citadel (United Kingdom and Ireland Territory). Before her current appointment she was assistant regional leader with responsibility for training in Latvia (Sweden and Latvia Territory). She has been in ministry in The Salvation Army for the past 28 years, 13 of which have been as an officer (trained long-distance at William Booth College, London). She has worked in the areas of children and youth, corps leadership, training and personnel. Sarah has a Bachelor of Education degree and has recently completed the Arrow Executive programme. She is married to Aivis (a photographer) and they have two children. In her spare time, Sarah loves to read, explore her surroundings and have meaningful conversations.

Major (Dr) Samson Macwan is currently serving as Secretary for Human Resources Development in India and as National Principal of Indian Colleges for Officer Training. Samson has vast experience in leadership development, having served at colleges for seventeen years. Samson has also served as the liaison officer for India during the development of SALT College South Asia. Samson has a Master of Divinity from Trivandrum Bible College, accredited by Asia Theological Association, Master of Theology from Throne of Grace Theological Sermonary, Hyderabad, and Doctor of Ministry from Senate of Serampore University, Kolkata. He likes to preach the words of God, write articles and speak at national seminars, workshops, retreats and conferences. Samson lives in Kolkata, West Bengal State with his wife Kalpana and three children.

Major Malcolm Martin was commissioned in 1993 and served as a corps officer in the UK and Spain before spending 13 years at William Booth College, London, with responsibility for the cadet training curriculum. Malcolm’s current appointment combines corps officership at Thornton Heath in London with the role of Publishing Secretary for the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, alongside ongoing teaching as a practitioner tutor. Malcolm holds a BA (Hons) in Theology and a Master of Education degree; he is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, an Associate of King’s College London and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. Malcolm is married to Janet, and together they have three adult children.

Commissioner Cheryl Maynor currently serves in the Americas and Caribbean zone at IHQ as Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries. Since commissioning, she has served in corps work, various appointments related to youth and children, divisional and territorial headquarters responsibilities and, with her husband, Kenneth as territorial leaders of the Japan Territory. Most recently, she has been Assistant Principal at the International College for Officers. She has two married adult sons and eight grandchildren.

Major Aldene Meo was commissioned and ordained a Salvation Army officer in 2008 as a member of the God’s Fellow Workers Session. She married Major Roodolph in July 2009 and partnering in ministry, they have served in various appointments in four different countries. Aldene has served as a corps officer in Barbados and as home officer and then field training officer at the Territorial Training College in Jamaica. On international service, Aldene served as an Assistant Personnel Officer and at the College for Officer Training in the USA Eastern Territory. In July 2021, Majors Meo were appointed to the Bahamas Division as Divisional Leaders with Aldene as Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries. The love of God fuels her ministry and the conviction of her calling into full-time ministry in The Salvation Army. She is motivated daily by her favourite Bible verse John 15:16, 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you' (NIV). Aldene has been married to Rodolph for twelve years; they are the proud parents of a son and enjoy having adventurous family trips.

Major Joseph Muindi holds two Bachelor’s degrees (Hons) in Biblical Studies and Ministry. Currently, he is Divisional Commander, Mwea Division in Kenya East Territory. Before becoming an officer, he trained and worked as a teacher, undergoing Primary School Management (PRISM) through the British and Kenyan governments. He entered the officer training college with his wife Mary in 1999 as part of the Ambassadors of Grace Session. He was commissioned in December 2000 and appointed to the Kenya West Territory. Returning to Kenya East, he served as corps officer, school administrator, training college tutor, district officer, divisional commander and Training Principal. He also trained in servant leadership and marriage enrichment. He has been a Regional Chair of the National Council of Churches of Kenya and has served as an International Social Justice Commission member and United Nations representative in Nairobi.

Major Dancille Mukafuraha is Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Rwanda and Burundi Territory. Before entering the training college in Congo (Brazzaville) Territory in the Bridgebuilders Session, Dancille was a teacher for eight years. After commissioning, she went back to Rwanda in corps work, followed by command headquarters as an education officer and extension training officer for nine years, at the same time serving in the officer training college as an education officer. This was followed by international service in Mali and Burkina Faso Region where she served as training officer and corps officer for four and a half years. Dancille has a bachelor’s degree in office administration and management from the University of Rwanda and a postgraduate diploma in theology from East African Christian College. She is married to Major Emmanuel Ndagijimana, and they have two daughters and three sons.

Lieut-Colonel Wendy Muzorori was commissioned in 1989 and has served as an officer for 33 years. She has served in Zimbabwe as a corps officer, Divisional Director for Women's Ministries, and as Director of Special Services at the Officer Training College. She served on international appointments in Kenya East as the Assistant Territorial Leader for Women's Ministries, and in Uganda Territory Wendy and her husband Trustmore were the first officers to train cadets at the new Officer Training College in 2009. In 2014 they were both appointed to Zimbabwe Territorial Headquarters, where Wendy served as the Territorial Spiritual Life Development Secretary and later with an additional responsibility of Territorial Officer Training and Leader Development Secretary. In 2019 she was appointed as the Territorial Secretary for Women Ministries in Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory. Her husband Trustmore was Promoted to Glory on 3 January 2021 after a short illness. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Development Studies and a Diploma in Human Resource Management. Together with her late husband Trustmore they were blessed with two beautiful children. Currently Wendy is serving as the Divisional Commander in Chiweshe Division. Wendy is a strong and devoted Christian leader who loves God and has the mission at heart. Her hobbies include gardening, reading Christian books, fishing and rearing chickens.

Colonel Bishow Samhika is Principal of the International College for Officers. Before this, he was Secretary for Training and Capability Development (IHQ), in which he supported all training colleges and other areas of capability building. He is a Zimbabwean by nationality and belongs to the Messengers of the Truth Session. He has served with his wife in corps and institutional appointments at the officer training college and at SALT College of Africa as Director of Studies. In 2011, they were appointed to the Mozambique Territory, where he served as a divisional commander. He was then appointed as Principal of SALT College of Africa and Resource Centre (IHQ) based in Kenya. He serves on the International Theological Council and IOTALDC, and supports other international programmes including ecumenical relations and Vatican conversations.

Major Deana Zelinsky is Training Principal in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Recently, Deana has focused on redesigning the training model with a flexible, fieldfocused emphasis. She brings insight and learning from this experience to her workshop presentation and looks forward to sharing specific information that may benefit other territories considering flexible, non-residential training. Deana has served as an officer alongside her husband, Major Rick Zelinsky, for more than 20 years, including appointments in corps, training college, camping ministry and divisional responsibilities. They have three married children and two grandchildren, all bringing great joy and fulfillment to life.