by Ken Speranza

At The Salvation Army's Manhattan Citadel Corps in East Harlem in New York City, soldier Manyon Lyons-Williams - "Lisa" to those who know and love her - is a LEADER.
As the corps' Welcome Sergeant, she greets people for Sunday worship, introduces new corps visitors, and announces birthdays and other events.
At congregate meals, she assists with serving food.
During Open-Air Meetings, she sings, prays, and gives testimony.
As an active member of the corps' Women's Ministries, she conducts Bible study, leads discussions, and regularly participates in women's retreats at the Greater New York Division's Star Lake Camp in New Jersey.
Envoy Earl Foster, corps pastor, refers to Lisa as an "evangelist" because of her knack for leading people to the corps.
All pretty impressive for a woman confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy.
"I love The Salvation Army," she said, in strong voice that belies her disability. "Pastor Foster has great faith in me. Anywhere I go, I'm welcome."
To this 47-year-old single mother of a teenage son, this sentiment goes especially for her fellow members in Women's Ministries. "They're like sisters to me," she said.
"In spite of the wheelchair, she's able to do anything every other woman does at the corps," said Envoy Foster. "I don't think she considers [her physical challenges] a disability. It's just a different style she has to use!"
Being as central a member of the corps as she is today, it's easy to forget that Lisa did not grow up in The Salvation Army. She was actually raised in the Baptist church, and, in fact, until just a few years ago, knew very little about The Salvation Army. That changed quickly, however, when a woman she knew through her son's school, who happened to work at Manhattan Citadel, told her about the GAINS (Greater Academic Incentives to Nurture Success) afterschool program at the corps.
"She just really talked so well about the GAINS program," said Lisa, who had been looking for more social opportunities for her son. When she found out that one of her son's best friends was involved in the program and loved it, she decided to give it a chance.
It took longer for her to embrace The Salvation Army as her place of worship; at the time, she and her son were attending another church. But Lisa, feeling spiritually unfulfilled, was ready for a change.
"I met Flora King, now our Corps Sergeant-Major," she said. "She would always talk about The Salvation Army. She told me it was a church and invited me to a service. This made me feel comfortable and welcomed."
These days, Lisa refers to the corps as her "second home." Her son, Latten, is now a junior soldier and very active in the corps' music program and Boy Scouts troop. Meanwhile, Lisa continues her many activities at the corps, and is usually the last one to leave at night, locking up after the community gym closes. (She lives independently nearby in an apartment complex accessible to persons with disabilities.)
Outside the corps, she's become something of a "pied piper" for attracting other disabled persons to The Salvation Army, including to Women's Ministries.
"They see I'm not separated from the rest of the congregation and that encourages them  and me, too!" she said.
"She is an inspiration to everybody," said Envoy Foster. "No matter what the program or activity, she's ready to go. Nothing limits her."
Yet, it's with Women's Ministries where Lisa has forged her strongest bond with the corps. She loves the "Family Nights," various "theme" nights, and the holidays, when the women do things like make up Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for the poor. Most of all she values the friendship she's found with her "sisters," who have been precious in helping her cope with health and other issues.
"If I had to cry, they cried with me," she said. "When I laughed, they laughed with me. And God knows, they prayed with me. They were normal when other parts of my life weren't.
"We are a family, we encourage one another, and we're passing on the torch to the younger ladies so they can feel welcome, too."
If Lisa is an inspiration to others, it's because her Salvation Army "family" has been such an inspiration to her. "To be useful, to be a real member of the corps family, is awesome," she said. "When God says He can use you as you are, I am a living witness."

Photo Caption:
Manhattan Citadel Corps Welcome Sergeant Lisa Lyons-Williams makes announcements during Sunday Worship.