Changemakers-Azuaje – Central Territory Museum

Page title graphic showing a photo of Majors Enrique and Nancy Azuaje wearing Salvation Army uniforms

God plants us in a certain place and asks us to be faithful there.” Major Enrique Azuaje

Photograph showing Captains Enrique and Nancy Azuaje wearing Salvation Army uniforms and standing behind a wood podium. They are in a room with cinder block walls. — Captains Enrique and Nancy Azuaje speak about Soldier enrollment at the Cicero (Templo Laramie) Corps during the farewell event for Central Territory Commissioners Barry C. and E. Sue Swanson in April 2013.

When encountering obstacles, Majors Enrique P. and Nancy J. Azuaje incorporate innovative ideas to grow a ministry and impact a community.

Majors Enrique and Nancy are native to the South American country of Venezuela. In 2001, the Azuaje family immigrated to the United States when Enrique received a full scholarship to attend The McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

The same year, they learned about The Salvation Army through its social services programs when Nancy and Enrique needed winter clothes for the entire family. At the Oakbrook Terrace, IL Corps, they received vouchers for clothing. Enrique and Nancy went back to the corps with sincere gratitude to offer thanks and recognized it was a church. They met with the corps officers, Majors Brad and Heidi Bailey, who invited them to a Sunday service. They attended services and became permanent fixtures in The Salvation Army.

The Azuajes experienced immigration challenges after the tragedy of 9/11. Losing their visas, the Army sent them back to Venezuela with a plan. They would plant a corps. The corps began with only twenty senior citizens and grew to eighty people after only four months. Enrique and Nancy began volunteering at a nursing home near the corps, and they incorporated a youth ministry at a children’s home and a physically challenged ministry. They were successful in spreading God’s love.

Photograph showing Enrique Azuaje standing behind a clear acrylic podium speaking — Captain Enrique Azuaje speaks during the 2013 “The One Conference,” the Central Territory’s biennial intercultural ministries conference.

By 2002, the Azuajes were back in the United States attending the College for Officer Training in Chicago. Two years later, they were commissioned as captains and received their first appointments as the corps officers at the Cicero (Templo Laramie), IL Corps. In addition, Captain Enrique served as the Metropolitan Division (now North & Central Illinois Division) divisional Hispanic ministry director. At the Cicero (Templo Laramie) Corps, they set about connecting with the predominantly Latino neighborhood. Captains Enrique and Nancy used innovative approaches to reach the community. They held open-air meetings in the parking lot, and they set up a “First Aid Prayer Station” to engage the community by offering lemonade and spiritual guidance. The captains were creative in their work; they visited laundromats and paid for customers washing and drying machines to engage the community. Their efforts grew the Cicero (Templo Laramie) Corps by a few new families. In 2008 the captains planted The Bridge outpost in Hanover Park, Illinois.

Photo showing a group of men and women standing in two rows. They all wear Salvation Army Soldier or officer uniforms. A girl stands in front of her mother. The group are standing inside a church, a wood cross can be seen in the background. — Soldier enrollment at the Cicero (Templo Laramie) Corps.

In 2010 Captains Enrique and Nancy were appointed as the divisional youth and candidate secretaries for the Metropolitan Division. In 2013 they were appointed to the multi-cultural ministries department (now intercultural ministries) at the Central Territory Headquarters (THQ) with Captain Enrique as multi-cultural ministries secretary and Captain Nancy as director for Hispanic women’s ministries. In 2016 Captains Enrique and Nancy were appointed as area commanders at Miami, Florida in the Southern Territory.

In 2020, the Majors Azuaje returned to the Central Territory to serve as assistants to the Metropolitan Division leaders. In June 2020 Major Enrique was appointed as the general secretary and Chicago city coordinator and Major Nancy as the adult ministries coordinator, and divisional women’s ministries secretary. In 2022 the Azuajes received appointments to serve at THQ as pastoral care officers.

Majors Enrique and Nancy exhibit their love for community and God in all things they do. Major Enrique said, “We are grateful to God for our community impact. If believing in the prophecy given to you, new paths will open.”