Salvation Army Husband-and-Wife Captains Leaving Pasadena After Appointment to Division Office

The husband-and-wife team that has been heading the Salvation Army’s Pasadena Tabernacle Corps for the past five years will be departing next month after being appointed to positions in the organization’s district office.

Captain Terry Masango and Captain Rutendo Masango are heading to Seattle late next month to serve at the Salvation Army’s Northwest Division, which encompasses Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana, according to Terry Masango. He will become divisional secretary for Business and Rutendo Masango will serve as divisional secretary for Women’s and Older Adult Ministries.

While Terry Masango said he’s looking forward to the new opportunities and responsibilities, he was saddened to be leaving his home of the past five years.

“We are sad, heartbroken and at a loss for words. Rutendo and I, as well as our daughters, Fiela and Tanaka, can truly say that this wonderful community has blessed our lives greatly,” he said.

“I hope in some small way we have blessed your lives through our leadership, teaching and preaching, visitations and more. Even though we are moving on physically from Pasadena, a piece of our hearts will always be here with you,” Terry Masango said.

“I never feel I’m ready or qualified for the next appointment that I receive, but I want to say that it’s definitely a great honor for the Salvation Army to entrust me with such an important role,” he added.

Terry Masango was born in Zimbabwe, growing up in the Salvation Army Church, where he met and married Rutendo, according to the organization.

The couple came to the U.S. and began working with the Salvation Army in 2000. They were named captains of the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps in 2016.

Terry Masango said he still vividly recalls arriving in town.

“I didn’t stop to think there’ll be poor people in Pasadena’s surrounding areas because I just associated Pasadena with affluence, with JPL and Caltech and so forth,” he said. “So when I arrived, I saw that there’s certainly a need. And so I found that the community is willing and ready to support organizations like the Salvation Army to help those who are less fortunate.”

He said he quickly found supportive partners through the Rotary Club of Pasadena and other local organizations.

“Pasadena is a great community. It’s a community that wants to better itself. And I’ve only found great people here,” Terry Masango said. “I’ll miss Pasadena.”

A recent two-year funding campaign seeking $36 million for a new food bank and 65 units of homeless housing ended up garnering $42 million, thanks to the generosity of the community, he said.

“During our time here, we have grown to deeply love you, the community, leaders, our staff, donors, friends and supporters of this beautiful community,” Terry Masango said. “Rutendo and I are immensely blessed to have served for the last five years as your Salvation Army leaders. You have all enriched our lives and we will greatly miss your fellowship and enthusiasm for the ministry here.

“We ask that you show the same welcome, care and respect to our successors as you have shown us, assisting them in their transition. They will be learning as well as teaching, and we trust that you will be understanding and compassionate toward them,” he added

“Thank you for welcoming us into your hearts, homes and lives. Thank you for allowing us to serve both you and the Lord. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience that we will never forget,” he said.

More information on the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle Corps is available online at pasadena.salvationarmy.org.