Captains Jeff & Maryellen Walters
Corps Officers

Captains Jeff and Maryellen Walters bring a unique blend of talents and experiences to our community. Together as officers, they served in various capacities across the Western Territory; prior to their move to the Salem Kroc Center, they were stationed at The Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters in Honolulu Hawaii as Divisional Youth & Candidate Secretaries for 5 years, and at The Salvation Army Santa Barbara Corps in California as Corps Officers for 4 years. Prior to this, their background is in youth work and human resources.

Their shared vision for ministry focuses on connecting the community to the Kroc Center to grow and nurture their spiritual, mental, physical & emotional health. They are passionate about youth ministry, community outreach and discipleship.

Outside of the Kroc Center, Jeff and Maryellen are devoted parents to their daughters Joan and Clara. As a family, they enjoy going on new adventures together.

Captain Jeff is from Sacramento, California and in his free time he enjoys playing basketball and writing. Captain Maryellen is from Newfoundland, Canada and enjoys ballet and tap dancing and reading.

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.