CONNECTICUT & RHODE ISLAND — Majors Richard and Linda Lopez were born and raised in Puerto Rico. Their journey of faith started during their childhood years, under the influence of their parents and the teachings of committed Salvation Army officers and local leaders at the Ponce and Bayamon Corps respectively. Early in their youth years, Richard and Linda felt a deep desire to commit their lives to the service to others through the ministry in The Salvation Army.
Majors Lopez entered the School for Officer Training in Suffern, New York in 1992 as members of the Crusaders for Christ Session and were commissioned in 1994. Since then, they have served in various corps appointments: Assistant Corps Officers at the York Citadel Corps with responsibilities for Corps Planting of the York Temple Corps. Corps Commanding Officers at the Philadelphia Tabernacle Corps, San Juan Central Corps, and Manhattan Citadel Corps. They have served at Divisional Headquarters Appointments: in the Southern New England Division as Christian Education Director and Divisional Youth and Candidate Secretary and Major Richard served as Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretary in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Division. Followed by Territorial Appointments, Major Richard as Territorial Candidates Secretary and Major Linda as Assistant Territorial Candidates Secretary. In their most recent appointment, Major Linda B. Lopez served as Director of Operations for Greater Cincinnati and Major Richard Lopez served as General Secretary for the Southwest Ohio Northeast Kentucky Division.
Major Linda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education from Nazarene Bible College and a Masters’ Degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Global Business from Regent University. Major Richard is a US veteran, having served honorably in the United States Navy as an Operations Specialist. Majors Lopez have been happily married for 34 years and together they have three children; Richard, Cristina, and Marcos, who share their lives with their spouses Mabel, Donny, and Emily. They are extremely blessed to be grandparents of three super fun boys: Luke, Timothy, and Diego.
In their spare time, they both enjoy movies, antique shopping, and walking. Major Richard enjoys technology, while Major Linda appreciates reading. They also enjoy ice cream, tacos, and empanadas.
Throughout their ministry career, Majors Lopez have found Psalm 32:8 and Revelation 2:10b to be their inspiration as together they journey their walk of faith.