Local ‘saint’ leaving town next week

After five years of devoted service to the community with the Fort Frances Salvation Army, Capt. Eric Alcock and his wife, Sylvia, will be packing up and moving out.
Not because they want to leave, but because they must leave.
Word came last month from the Salvation Army headquarters in Toronto that the Alcocks would be moving on to a new ministry.
“You have no say, you just go,” said Capt. Eric, as he’s known around town. “It’s not a negotiable thing.”
He explained the Salvation Army is based along military lines so you don’t question orders, for the most part.
“That’s the army way,” he reasoned. “Once a year [in May], they make the move. This May, they notified us they wanted us to go to Bridgewater, N.S.
“It was a surprise,” he admitted. “We like Fort Frances.”
Capt. Eric has no ill will about the move, though. He’s understood for a long time that this probably would come. The Salvation Army routinely moves its “soldiers” from place to place—though tenures have become longer in recent years.
“It’s becoming more common for longer stays,” he noted. “Our stay here has been five years. In relation to other appointments, that’s relatively long.
“We thought we would be staying,” he added. “They don’t tell you why they move you.”
He explained that as a “soldier” in the Salvation Army, he has made a commitment to the cause and must accept the move.
“It’s a lifelong calling and a lifelong commitment,” he remarked. “You’re there until mandatory retirement. It’s a calling from God.
“We believe God directs our appointments through the leadership of the Army,” he continued. “Whatever the reasons . . . they have their reasons. We accept that.
“We take responsibility for the Bridgewater ministry on July 4,” Capt. Alcock noted. “Our last Sunday is June 29. Right after Sunday morning services, we’ll be having a farewell luncheon.”
Those in the community who would like to pay tribute to Capt. Eric and his wife also can attend a dinner slated for Saturday, June 28 at the Joy of Life Fellowship Church.
“We’re going to have a going-away dinner,” said Pastor Sandy McEvoy of the Joy of Life Fellowship Church. “We’re going to have music, and have some people stand up and speak [about the Alcocks].
“We want to have this dinner to show some appreciation for his work; to give him a good send-off,” she stressed.
Pastor McEvoy noted there’s limited seating for the dinner so those wanting to attend should reserve their spot soon.
“People have to reserve early,” she said. “We’re already starting to get reservations. Our church can only hold so many.
“This will be a big turnout because he’s so well-known in the community,” Pastor McEvoy added. “He’s going to be missed.
“He’s just being obedient,” she continued, referring to his move to Bridgewater. “Sometimes it’s not the easiest thing to do.”
“It’s going to be tough,” Capt. Alcock agreed. “It’s going to be very difficult for me to leave.
“I’ve made some deep connections here,” he noted. “It’s the same as being taken away from family. It’s not the easiest thing to walk away from.
“I’ve sensed the personal warmth for people here,” he said. “We have been well-loved here. I know their hearts are going to be pained, as well.”
“I just feel he’s done a wonderful job in the community,” Pastor McEvoy said. “In the five years he and his wife have been here, they have done some awesome things. They’ve done a wonderful job with the food bank.
“He’s helped a lot of people, not just with food but spiritually he’s helped them to survive,” she stressed.
“We don’t just feed people,” Capt. Alcock said. “We help them live a different kind of life with the Lord.
“That’s been the highlight of the time here,” he said of developing people’s spiritual lives. “I’ve really enjoyed the ministry here.
“I’ve learned a lot. We’ve set out in a unique direction,” he added.
He explained that typically a Salvation Army ministry is about recruiting “soldiers.”
“Typically, a Salvation Army unit is built around the strength of its soldiers,” Capt. Alcock said. “We have moved away from a more traditional approach . . . because of the people we’re ministering to, we’ve become a ministry of love.
“We’re not forcing them to become soldiers,” he stressed. “We’re providing a good loving church home.
“Our focus is their souls, to find spiritual help from the Lord,” he noted. “They come to us with physical needs and what we emphasize is spiritual needs. We have a Christian following without the church words that scare people.
“We don’t take any credit for it ourselves,” he added. “It’s God’s work. We’re helping people because of the love of God.”
Capt. Alcock also is very thankful to the entire community for their generosity over the last five years.
“The community, as a whole, has been tremendously supportive of the Salvation Army,” he said. “The community has a sense of responsibility and have shown it by pitching in.
“Whenever we’ve called for help, they’ve been there.
“The community has helped us in our vision,” Capt. Alcock said, adding that since they arrived, “the community has given 200-250 percent more in donations.”
The Alcocks plan to leave at the end of the month for their four-day drive to Nova Scotia. He is sad to leave here, but also excited about starting in a new community.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of building and advancing the ministry there,” Capt. Alcock said, adding that making new friends in a town of similar size to Fort Frances also is an exciting prospect.
Meanwhile, the question now on everybody’s mind here is “Who will replace them?”
“They’re sending an Angel to Fort Frances,” Capt. Alcock said, half-jokingly, referring to Capt. Angel Sandoval-Silva and his wife, Marlene, who are coming to continue the Salvation Army’s ministry here from the Hamilton area.
They couple is in their 40s, they have two children (the oldest in high school), and are of Spanish background, though they speak English.
“They’re taking on responsibilities in the third week of July,” said Capt. Alcock.
“He’s enthused to come here,” he added, speaking of Capt. Angel. “I’ve been pleased to hear his comments. He’s very interested in the ministry here.”