After five years of serving the people of southern West Virginia, Salvation Army Capts. Bob and Julie Cornett are entering their last week before packing up to take over the ministry in Morgantown.

The Cornetts, who married in 1992 and were commissioned in 2000, say they have mixed emotions regarding their reassignment because Beckley has become home for their family, which includes their 7-year-old daughter Shelby.

“We’re going to miss the people and the ministry here in Beckley and surrounding areas,” Julie said. “This area is just so friendly and they’ve loved us and opened their arms to us and to The Salvation Army in general.

“It’s just been wonderful to have been in this part of West Virginia in particular.”

The couple say they are pleased with the accomplishments they have been able to achieve on behalf of the ministry, which includes starting a church in Summersville, opening a thrift store in Lewisburg and offering outreach services in the six counties it serves.

“When we got here, we did very little outreach in the outlying counties and we’ve been able to change some of that,” Bob said. “We’ve reached out to every county we serve and we’ve tried to work in those areas so people don’t have to come to Beckley.

“It’s been a very fast-paced five years.”

The Camp-4-Kids Fund, a joint venture of The Salvation Army and The Register-Herald, has raised money to send area children to a week-long summer camp since 2006.

“It’s been a great program and one I’m going to miss a lot,” Bob said, adding those who have sent in donations to the fund have been “very generous and gracious.”

Although the Cornetts say they are going to miss the friends they’ve made during their five-year stint in southern West Virginia, they realize the move is part of a greater mission.

“Our true boss is the Lord,” Julie said. “We have to remember every time we move that it’s in His will. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to be hard or a challenge, but we have to be open and willing to do what He calls us to do.”

Bob says knowing he can make a difference in the lives of others is his driving force.

“We do everything we do in the name of Christ,” he said. “Knowing that we may be the only bit of hope someone sees, and knowing that at any time God may use us to bring hope into somebody’s life, is powerful stuff.”

Both Bob and Julie say they are confident they are leaving the southern West Virginia ministry in good hands. They will be replaced by Rob and Monica Barber, who have been reassigned from Logan County.

“I actually prayed the Lord would send them and he answered that prayer,” Julie said. “I know their hearts and I know they love the Lord and will love the people like we did.

“I believe they’re going to be a really good match for southern West Virginia.”

Although the Cornetts do not know where the road is going to take them after Morgantown, Julie says, at some point, she hopes it leads back here.

“This has really been my favorite place to live,” she said. “I’ve said I want to die here or retire here.

“It’s just been wonderful.”