Renton has two new faces at the helm of the Renton Corps of the Salvation Army.  Captains Christopher and Lisa Aird are now overseeing the corps’ many community services and are getting ready to expand their church.

The Airds replace CaptainsTerry and Rutendo Masango, who left in June to fulfill their duties to their new post at the El Cajon Corps in San Diego County, Calif. As is the case with the organization, captains are expected to be reassigned throughout their careers.

With an eagerness toward being proactive and a sensitivity for the community, the Airds said they will strive to make things at the Renton Corps better and build upon what was started by the Masangos.

“It’s amazing to see all the work and coordination that’s gone into the food bank,” said Lisa. “In Roseville, the corps and the social services were all one area and here it’s separate.”

The Airds say they can’t compare Renton to Roseville, Calif., where they last served, because they say it would be like trying to compare Renton to Seattle. They each have different strengths and weaknesses, said Christopher.

“We are doing the same things here in Renton as we did in Roseville; however, the responsibilities have increased by coming to Renton,” he said.

What is clear is that they are coming to a bigger operation in Renton than they had in Roseville. In Roseville the Airds serviced a food pantry that made about 400 food boxes a month. In Renton they have the responsibility and privilege, they say, of serving 1,500 families.

Are they comfortable with the increase?

“I’m fine with it,” said Christopher. “God seems to think we can handle it and the Salvation Army seems to think we can handle it as well.”

The Renton Corps is also responsible for providing free medical and dental exams, rent and utility assistance, after-school tutoring, summer camp, tax preparation and holiday assistance.

Lisa is in charge of some of the aspects of community outreach as well as women’s ministries and youth programs. Christopher is responsible for community relationships. The Airds are also pastors.

“So, I have the privilege of teaching the word of God throughout the week as well as just making sure that the needs of the community are being met, both by people outside the congregation and the congregation,” said Christopher.

They are constantly watching the news and reading community newspapers to keep up with the community and proactively make decisions for the center based on their findings, said Lisa.

“We like to be proactive and not reactive,” she said.

The Airds said their strengths are recognizing their tasks as Salvation Army officers, to “love people and God, be great stewards of the resources given to us and always look for opportunities for partnerships between the community and the Salvation Army.”

There are plans to remodel the Salvation Army Church so that the community feeding program and after-school tutoring sessions can expand. The  Salvation Army received $500,000 in 2010 from the estate of Renton resident Helen Dyrdal to help with that project.

The Renton Community Supper and the tutoring sessions were both started by the Masangos and the Airds hope to continue their work.

“My philosophy on meeting human need is this: we’re going to meet human need without discrimination,” said Christopher. “That’s the Army’s philosophy and our philosophy as well.”