February 2011William (Bill) Bamford - MSOL Alumnus ('01, Cohort 17) Greetings from Santiago, Chile! It is hard to believe that nearly 10 years have passed since I completed my Master′s in Organizational Leadership degree at Geneva College. Much has taken place in my life during this time but, through it all, God has faithfully led and directed my path. As a Salvation Army officer, I have been afforded many opportunities to use the knowledge and skills that I received through the MSOL program. When I enrolled at Geneva College, I was serving in Pittsburgh under the Divisional Commander, assisting in directing the work of the Salvation Army in the area. My responsibilities centered on the Allegheny County operations, as well as the overall coordination of the Salvation Army′s work in Western Pennsylvania. This appointment brought great joy and satisfaction as I was surrounded by many individuals who helped to mold and shape me into an effective leader. During those days, I learned the significance of team leadership, which is one of the foundational points of the MSOL program. That development continued even after completing my degree, and I am often reminded that the learning process is never finished. From there, The Salvation Army called me to serve as the Divisional Commander (District Coordinator) of our ministries in southern New England, followed by a similar, larger command in northeast Ohio. In these positions, I often drew from the concepts I learned in the MSOL program. The importance of team ministry, allowing others to use their gifts and experience, strategic planning, and goal-setting have all played a role in my own personal development as a leader. Today, a decade later, I am still reminded of many concepts learned through my Geneva education. These principles are now coming into play for me in my new ministry as second-in-command of the Salvation Army′s work in Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. I have found that much of what I learned is applicable even in the varying cultures and settings in which I now serve. I am continually thankful for the academically sound, Christ-centered education I received at Geneva, and for those months of study and discussion in the MSOL program that have helped to form me as a leader and servant. Tte. Colonel William A. Bamford
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