Salvation Army sends Brectos to Jamestown

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The Salvation Army in Jamestown has two new faces as lieutenants Mitch and Teresa Brecto are looking forward to continuing and expanding services here during their first appointment.

Jamestown for Mitch feels just like home because he is originally from Grafton, N.D., and has family in the area.

“We enjoy the slower pace and the scenery,” he said. “I feel like this is God’s country.”

Jamestown is the first appointment for the couple, who completed training in Chicago on June 13. They arrived here on June 30.

“I think it started off with our call to ministry, our call from God,” he said.

Teresa said she got her call first in 2006 following volunteer work after Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s as if God spoke to me directly and said ‘officership,’” she said.

Mitch got his call later in life after 22 years working as a purchasing business manager and certified Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector.

“I never thought I’d be a pastor in my wildest dreams, but you have to obey the call,” he said.

For years, Mitch said, he has obeyed his own call of volunteerism and servant leadership.

For 11 years he volunteered more than 2,300 hours to the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, Minn., and was named its volunteer of the year in 2004.

“We have all been given special gifts, and it’s our duty to share them with others,“ he said.

He also volunteered at the Salvation Army as well as a kinship organization, which led to meeting his future wife. Teresa has also volunteered for more than 10 years in a prison-ministry program.

“Volunteering is a way to give of yourself that doesn’t really cost anything,” Mitch said. “Volunteering gives that warm feeling in a person’s body, that you’re helping someone else.”

All of the programs the Salvation Army have in Jamestown help people and the new lieutenants feel more can be done.

“We’d like to keep the programming we have and add more,” Teresa said.

The Angel Tree, Red Kettle Campaign and Coats for Kids will continue in Jamestown and could be expanded, she said. But plans are in motion for a coffee house for teenagers as well as a children’s carnival.

“The biggest thing I really enjoy is being able to help people out,” Teresa said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455

or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, salvation army, news, brecto, jamestown