PHILADELPHIA, PA — Lt. Colonels Larry and Janet Ashcraft, divisional leaders of The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division, are set to retire on July 31, bringing a remarkable 45 years of ministry to a close. Since 2019, the Ashcrafts have led the division’s 42 corps, 94 officers, and more than 1,200 employees in delivering critical services across 39 counties.
Reflecting on their ministry, Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft said, “Any good we’ve done, that’s not about us. That’s God working through us. And my wife, Janet, she’s really been the brains of the outfit. We’ve served as a team, and I’m grateful we get to close this chapter together.”
Both children of Salvation Army officers, the Ashcrafts began their ministry in 1980 after feeling a personal calling to serve. Over the decades, they held corps appointments in New York and New Jersey, served as divisional and territorial youth leaders, and spent five years leading the Southwest Ohio and Northeast Kentucky Divisions before their work in Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.
During their tenure, the Ashcrafts navigated some of the division’s most challenging moments, including leading its emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lt. Colonel Ashcraft recalled the early days of the crisis, observing, “I remember standing in our parking lot during those early days of COVID, watching a line of cars stretch for blocks as people came looking for help. What mattered most in that moment wasn’t protocol, it was compassion. That’s what The Salvation Army is called to be: open-hearted and present.”
Under their leadership, the division expanded key services, including shelter programs, food assistance, after-school initiatives, and anti-trafficking outreach, which collectively assist tens of thousands every year.
The Ashcrafts’ commitment to ministry and service has left a lasting imprint on both the organization and its beneficiaries. Looking ahead, the couple plans to settle near longtime friends and fellow Salvation Army officers.
“I still feel like there’s more to give,” said Lt. Colonel Ashcraft. “But we trust God’s timing, and we’re grateful to have been part of this ministry.”
Lt. Colonels Larry and Janet Ashcraft’s retirement will mark the end of an era of compassionate and impactful leadership, celebrated as one of dedication and extraordinary service to those in need.
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