Captains Leah & Sam Fowler
Corps Officers

Captains Sam and Leah Fowler brings a passion to serve and develop a Christ centered community. Together they have served in appointments in Alaska, Southern California, and now in Salem. Prior to serving as officers, Captain Leah was a primary school teacher in her home country of Australia. Captain Sam worked in operations and administration for The Salvation Army Seattle Social Services. They have a combined 21 years of experience as Salvation Army officers.

Captains Fowler care deeply about sharing, preaching, and teaching the love of Jesus. They are passionate about creating spaces and opportunities for people to find authentic connection and experience spiritual transformation. They also want to be active in the practical needs of those they have the privilege to serve meeting needs in Christ's name without discrimination.

Outside of the Kroc Center, Sam and Leah love spending time with their daughters. As a family, they enjoy visiting national parks, exploring local eateries, and spending time together. They also love going on a long holiday to Australia. At the Kroc, the pool is their happy place! Leah, Zoe and Niamh love competition swimming, and Sam loves to cheer them on while he reads a book. 

Both Sam and Leah grew up as children of Salvation Army officers. Sam spent much of his late teens and early adulthood in Seattle and is a passionate Seattle sports team fan. Leah grew up in Australia and New Zealand and loves early childhood education, especially literacy. In addition to spending time with their children and with each other, Sam loves to read, watch sports, and play video games. Leah enjoys exploring new hobbies, watching medical dramas, and looking for new places their family can go on vacation and explore.

Captains Maria and Miguel Ibarra
Associate Corps Officers for Latino Ministries

Captains Miguel and Maria Ibarra bring a deep love for people and a strong calling to ministry. They entered officership in 2012 from Kroc Church Salem after attending and serving as Senior Soldiers for three years. From there they have faithfully served through administration, social services, and ministry in the Walla Walla Outpost in Washington, in Clovis, New Mexico, and the Bend Corps in Oregon before returning to Salem.

With a shared passion for strengthening families and nurturing spiritual growth, Captains Miguel and Maria have long invested in their local ministry. They previously taught marriage and family classes through Northwest Family Services and fulfilled a longtime dream of owning and operating a Christian bookstore—Alfa y Omega—for 12 years before entering full-time ministry.

Captain Miguel brings experience in business entrepreneurship. In his free time, he enjoys reading biblical studies and commentaries, playing recreational soccer, and listening to music. Captain Maria’s background includes roles in both education and business; she enjoys traveling, watching movies, and reading personal development books. Their passion for learning continues to shape their leadership and service.

Outside of ministry, they are parents of four adult children and grandparents to six wonderful grandchildren who are active in sports, the arts, and more. They find deep joy in spending time with their family and extended family.

They are thrilled to serve alongside Captains Jeff and Maryellen Walters to cultivate a space that edifies people holistically while fostering a culture of belonging, growth, and shared hope for the entire community. By offering practical tools, spiritual support, and intentional spaces for gathering their shared vision is to build up a ministry where families can come together, build stronger relationships, and find encouragement in fellowship.