EFFECTIVE 1 JULY 2007-Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis, officers of the U.S.A. Eastern Territory currently serving at IHQ as international secretary and zonal secretary for women’s ministries, Americas and Caribbean Zone, have been appointed by the General as territorial leaders for Canada and Bermuda, effective July 1. Commissioner William Francis is appointed as territorial commander and Commissioner Marilyn Francis as territorial president of women’s ministries. They will succeed Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, who has led the territory since June 22, 2003.

UPDATE: Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis visited the Canada and Bermuda territory in January 2007. Click the play button above to listen to the message that he delivered to officers and employees during his visit to territorial headquarters.

A second-generation Salvationist, William Francis was born and raised in Troy, N.Y. Upon completion of his undergraduate work at Houghton College, a Christian liberal arts institution in New York, he attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, graduating with a master of divinity degree in 1969. Marilyn Francis, a first-generation Salvationist, met her husband and The Salvation Army while attending Houghton College. She graduated in 1965 with a bachelor of music degree and earned a master of arts in leadership and ministry from Greenville College, Illinois, in 2003. In December 1965, they were married at Houghton College.

Before officership, William Francis was employed as a field representative for The Salvation Army in New Jersey. Marilyn Francis was a voice instructor at Asbury College and a junior high school music teacher.

In 1971, William and Marilyn entered the School for Officer Training in the U.S.A. Eastern Territory. During their officership, they have served as corps officers, divisional youth leaders and divisional leaders, and held various THQ appointments. From 1992 to 1997, they served at the U.S.A. Eastern Territory’s School for Officer Training, as principal and director of special services.

Commissioner William Francis has conducted many tours to the Holy Land. His book, The Stones Cry Out, takes a fresh look, through the eyes of modern archeology and biblical research, at 18 locations of Jesus' ministry throughout the land of Israel. He is also the author of Celebrate the Feasts of the Lord and a contributing author for Living Portraits Speaking Still: A Collection of Bible Studies.

Throughout their lives the commissioners have been zealous advocates for Christian higher education. Until his appointment to IHQ, Commissioner William Francis served as a trustee of Greenville College and a member of the president’s advisory board at Houghton College. The Houghton College Alumni Association named William and Marilyn Francis as Alumni of the Year for 1996. In May 2002, Houghton College conferred on Commissioner William Francis an honorary doctor of divinity degree.

Since April 1, 2003, Commissioner William Francis has been serving as the international secretary for the Americas and Caribbean Zone, giving oversight to 11 territories. Commissioner Marilyn Francis has been responsible for women’s ministries throughout the zone.

The commissioners have one son, Captain William Francis, currently serving as a corps officer in the U.S.A. Eastern Territory, and a daughter, Susan. They also have one grandchild, Marshall Derence.