Quickly making their new home in El Dorado, the new commanding officers for the Salvation Army are eager to make their mark on the area.
Capt. Jason Perdieu and Capt. Elyshia Perdieu have taken the place of Lt. Charles Smith and Lt. Teri Smith, who had been the commanding officers in El Dorado since June 2015 and were recently appointed to Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Elyshia Perdieu is a third generation salvationist while Jason Perdieu is a fourth generation.
“We were both born and raised in the Salvation Army church,” Jason Perdieu said.
The Perdieus, who have been married for almost 12 years, were in Waynesboro, Virginia, for five years before being appointed to El Dorado. They were notified on April 25 that they were being transferred and had six weeks to pack.
“It took us two days to get here,” Elyshia Perdieu said. “We had no idea where (El Dorado) was. We’ve never been to Arkansas.”
Jason Perdieu said their first impression of El Dorado was that the people were welcoming.
“The people have been so friendly, inviting and welcoming that it became home quick,” he added.
The Perdieu’s first official Sunday in El Dorado was June 24.
The couple have no plans to change anything that the previous Salvation Army commanding officers had in place, but are planning to add programs.
They said they have already begun meeting with people about starting youth programs and a teen center.
“That’s our passion,” Elyshia Perdieu said. “I mean our youth is the next army in the community to rise up … our future leaders.”
Jason Perdieu added that he wants the youth to know that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the leaders of today.
“We want people to know that the Salvation Army is a safe place to come to be fed, to be sheltered and to be loved,” he said.
In addition to the youth programs, the Perdieus have plans to add a men’s fellowship ministry, since there are currently women’s programs in place at the facility.
Jason Perdieu said his favorite part about being with the Salvation Army is “simply serving others.”
Elyshia Perdieu said her favorite part is meeting people.
“Because you get to meet different people, different walks of life and it just makes me come out of my shell,” she said, noting that she is an introvert when she first meets people. “But when you get to know me, it’s game on.”
Jason Perdieu said he loves the mission of the Salvation Army, which is “our ministry and our people are our policy.”
The Perdieus said they are hoping that the community will give them a chance.
“I’m not here to fill anybody’s shoes,” Elyshia Perdieu said. “I’m here to walk in my shoes and I hope that other people will walk along side me and give me a chance to love them.”
Jason Perdieu said they are excited to be in El Dorado and that he loves the “small town feel.” He thinks that being in a smaller community opens more doors for everyone to work together.
On their down time, Jason Perdieu enjoys watching sports while Elyshia Perdieu enjoys hanging out with family, painting and quilting. They also said they like spending time with their 12-year-old dachshund named Dasher.
“We’re not your typical Salvation Army officers,” he said. “We’re not administrators, we’re pastors. We do the business side, but our heart is in the ministry.”
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].