MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – After three years of service, Lt. Roy Fisher is preparing to hand over leadership of the Salvation Army of Meridian to incoming Corps Officer Sergeant Daniel Noland. The transition marks a new chapter for the organization, which has served the Meridian community for more than a century.
“It’s bittersweet,” Fisher said. “I’m sad to be going, but I’m happy with the fact that there’s a next chapter coming.”
Fisher is heading to Gadsden, Alabama, where he will continue his work with The Salvation Army. Reflecting on his time in Meridian, Fisher highlighted some of the key initiatives he helped implement, including the launch of the Client Choice Marketplace—an idea he borrowed from a Salvation Army branch in Birmingham.
“Instead of handing out food to those in need, clients can come in and shop for the food and items they may need,” he explained. “It humanizes the experience a little more.”
Fisher also acknowledged that he won’t be in Meridian to oversee the upcoming renovations at the Salvation Army facility on 25th Avenue, but he expressed confidence in his successor.
“I’ve had such great support from the community, the media, and my team here,” Fisher said. “Just getting the word out there that we are a church first and foremost was my biggest goal.”
“God has a lot more things in store for me and for Meridian, and I can’t wait to see it,” he added.
Sergeant Daniel Noland, who will officially begin his role on June 23, comes to Meridian from San Diego, California. He brings with him a strong background in ministry, community engagement, and creative outreach. A former home church leader and Bible teacher, Noland is also a published spoken word artist who uses poetry as a form of ministry.
“I want to come in and I want to build upon what the former officer did, and when I leave, I want to leave it better off than when I found it,” Noland said.
He described himself as a “family man, passionate about Jesus, passionate about community, and passionate about the Salvation Army.”
Noland will be joined in Meridian by his wife, Melanie, and their three children. Together, they plan to be active in both the spiritual and service arms of the organization.
“I’m passionate. I love Jesus, and I love going out into the communities and seeing the love of God being poured out and seeing how it can radically change communities. That’s my passion,” he said.
As he begins his new post, Noland emphasized his desire to connect with residents and better understand the needs of the community.
“Getting to know what is going on in the lives of this community. What do they need? What do they desire from us? What do they desire to see in their own community?” Noland said. “So, I really want to get out there and get to know them so that they can get to know me.”
For more information on the Salvation Army of Meridian and its programs, residents can visit salvationarmyalm.org/meridian or call 601-483-6156.
