7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Capt. Marion “Cappy” Moore, who says he has traveled many trails to find his true calling.

Moore, who was raised on a grain farm, has done it all: short order cook, assistant restaurant manager, roofer, construction worker, a baker’s helper, auto technician, handyman and even a butcher’s assistant. And since being commissioned as a captain in The Salvation Army in 2003, he and his wife, Rhonda, have lived in seven cities in the Great Lakes area.

A graduate of Mid State Technical College, Moore took over the Kenosha branch in early July, after the previous captain was reassigned to a post in Carthage, Mo.

“I believe I am where God wants me doing what he wants me to do,” Moore said. “What a peace that brings.”

Capt. “Cappy” Moore now takes your questions ...

What inspired you to become a part of the Salvation Army?
I asked my mother to pray for me to make the right choice of seminaries to attend. She had been a captain in The Salvation Army and asked me if I had considered it. I told her that I really hadn’t, but if God wanted that for me I would be glad to pursue it. It seemed at first that it couldn’t even be a possibility until doors started opening up. I went from not being associated, to becoming a soldier, to going to training in a matter of one year. God certainly does move in mysterious ways. I have learned a lot about life in the Army and what it means to serve as an officer in a short amount of time. Not only was my mother a captain, but I have a younger brother Adam, in Fargo, N.D., who also has been commissioned as a captain. He and I were at the training college together for one year. I was commissioned in 2003, he was commissioned in 2004.

What are your responsibilities as officers of the Salvation Army? As an officer I am responsible for all aspects of operation of The Salvation Army in my service area. My activities cover a broad spectrum — from administrative to ministerial. I am responsible for fund-raising and using those same funds to assist those in need. If I can’t afford to hire it out or find a volunteer to do it, I must do it myself. It doesn’t matter if it is cleaning toilets or sweeping floors. It could be bagging groceries or receiving canned goods donations. Sometimes it’s praying with folks or visiting someone in the hospital. All my past experiences come into play to help me do a wide variety of things as an officer.

How do you like Kenosha so far? We moved to Kenosha just this summer, What a beautiful community! I just love the marina and lakefront area. I find getting around in Kenosha is pretty easy: I appreciate the east west street and north south avenue system. I look forward to experiencing each season as it changes the scenery of the area.

How long do you expect to stay? We have moved every year since becoming Salvation Army officers but hope that trend will stop. I would enjoy staying located in Kenosha as long as I can be effective in brining services to those who need them. I really just trust God to make sure we are in the place he wants us to be.

You’ve lived in seven cities since joining the Salvation Army in 2003. Which city has been or your favorite? Which one do you miss the most? My favorite has always been the one I’m in. Each location has offered both opportunities and challenges. One thing that has made working in so many different locations in such a short period of time is my love for people. I do enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. The most enjoyable places to be have been those places where the community has really shown its appreciation of the work done by The Salvation Army. When people care enough to donate their time and money to help others, good things happen. The more invested a community is the more enjoyable it is to work there. It’s like being part of the winning team.

How open are you to other beliefs? How open is the Salvation Army to other beliefs? I am very open to other beliefs. Understanding someone’s beliefs is the best way to help them get closer to God. As a minister of the Gospel that is what my calling is; to help believers in their spiritual walk. The Salvation Army ministers to all without discrimination. That’s a big reason why I Joined The Salvation Army, because they believe in a Holy God, salvation through Jesus and the Holy Bible as the inspired Word of God, the authoritative script for right living.

What has been your most rewarding experience or memory as a Salvation Army officer? Every time I can help someone in need, I enjoy my work. Helping someone find Jesus and escape destructive lifestyles is as rewarding as it gets. If you’ve helped someone find salvation you know what I mean.

What would you say is the Salvation Army’s best asset? Our best asset is our reputation. A lot of people have done a lot of good for people in the name of The Salvation Army for the love of Jesus. Perhaps our second greatest asset is that great crowd of supporters that make donations so we can continue the work, followed closely by those who volunteer their time and come alongside us to serve the community.

What is the Salvation Army’s top priority? “Salvation!!” The saving of souls is every Salvation Army officer’s top priority. There is no greater help I can give someone than to help them find Jesus. A bag of groceries may last a week or two, paying someone’s rent will shelter them for a month, but helping them get saved improves their situation forever. We first began giving social services help when one of our early leaders proclaimed a man can’t hear the gospel message if his stomach is growling. The motto soon became “soup, soap, and salvation!”

What are your ideas on motivating more people to give to the Salvation Army or other charities? I believe as long as we are faithful to serve as our donors expect, we will continue to be blessed with resources.

Have you been a bell ringer? Do you have any good bell-ringing stories? I have spent many hours ringing the bells at Christmas time. My favorite memories are from the year I rang the bell on Michigan Avenue in Chicago as part of my officer training. What a wonderful place to observe people. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime. The decorations are fantastic. It seemed there was a musician or entertainer of some sort on every corner, performing in hopes of getting a donation in their hats, buckets or music cases. Now every year when Christmas draws near I start getting the urge to visit the Windy City.

What was your favorite TV show growing up? During my grade school years it was definitely “The Three Stooges.” My mother often grounded me from watching them when she could no longer stand to hear me imitate their routines. Now my favorite is “House.” He’s always right even when it doesn’t make sense. The show nearly always includes a fantastic rescue.

What are some of your hobbies? Doing handyman repairs. Watching movies. Playing golf. hunting, shooting, etc. etc. My wife often tries to encourage me to reduce the number of interests I get involved in. I’m quite eclectic though so I like to do a lot of different things. I have not mastered any of my pass times, but I have some knowledge and ability in many areas. I have recently begun enjoying riding my motorcycle around Kenosha, along the lakefront as well as out in the county area where the scenery is just beautiful. I also enjoy camping, huntin, and photography just to name a few.

Do you prefer winter or summer? I always enjoy the changing of seasons. each seems to have beautiful effects on our world. Though if I really had to choose Summer would win. It is easier to live in a temperate area than one that is frigid.

Do you prefer to be called Cappy or Marion? My legal name is Marion, however family, and friends have called me Cappy since my birth. My father who had just completed a hitch in the armed services called me Captain. I have a sister who is two years older than I am. At the age of 2, she couldn’t pronounce captain, she would call me Cappy. So Cappy stuck as my nickname. The name Marion is a very old family name having been passed down to the eldest grandson for many generations now. My son, David, has not yet committed to continue the tradition, but we’ll see. Usually whenever any one asks me if they should call me Cappy or Marion, I tell them: “My family and friends all call me Cappy. Do you want to be a friend?”