John Chamness chats about role in creating new Kroc Center

In this week’s Huckleberries Gone Wireless, Salvation Army Maj. John Chamness discusses local fundraising, controversies, and the future Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center. Chamness will guide construction and operation of the $70 million Kroc building and endowment.

DFO: Please give me the names of your wife and kids and your kids’ ages?

Maj. John Chamness: Lani is my wife’s name. She was born in Hawaii. Her name means “heavenly.” Lindsey, 13; Mitchell, 9; Camille, 8. And a 1-year-old rat terrier named Missy.

DFO: Why did you choose The Salvation Army over other churches?

JC: I was 21 when I became a Christian, and I felt God was leading me into ministry. I was attending a Presbyterian Church in Seattle. Doors weren’t opening there for me to be involved in ministry. At that time, I met someone who attended Salvation Army church. I saw a church actively involved in meeting needs of homeless and down-and-out people. That’s what I wanted.

DFO: Doctrinally, what is The Salvation Army corps closest to?

JC: Nazarene.

DFO: Have you ever rung bells at Christmas time?

JC: I have. In Seattle, Honolulu, Los Angeles and even in Fairbanks, Alaska, where it was 32 below at the time.

DFO: You’re known for your kettles, thrift stores and uniforms. What else do you do?

JC: Shelters, food banks, hospitals, schools, community centers and emergency disaster, such as our response to Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami and 9/11. We were the only agency immediately allowed into the Pentagon to provide disaster relief. We did counseling at the World Trade Center morgue.

DFO: Will The Salvation Army be spooked by detractors from finishing the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center?

JC: No. I look at how many needs the Kroc Center will meet in this community and at the incredible support we have in this community. It’s just the right thing to do.

DFO: How much has been fundraised so far?

JC: We’ve raised $4.3 million, and we need another $1.7 million by the end of May to break ground this June.

DFO: Do you foresee any problems raising that?

JC: We’re right on target.

DFO: Will there be a religious aspect to the center?

JC: We’re a Christian organization. From the time I arrived, I’ve been upfront that the chapel will be at the center of this community center. That’s who we are. It’s in our mission statement to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs without discrimination.

DFO: Does that mean people who want to use the community center will be proselytized?

JC: Absolutely not.

DFO: Are you intimidated that anonymous people in the community contacted Americans United for the Separation of Church and State about the center?

JC: Not at all. We would not have entered into this agreement with the parks foundation and city if we believed it was a violation of the Constitution.

DFO: When will the Kroc Center open?

JC: December 2008.

DFO: Have you seen “Guys and Dolls” (which features a Salvation Army marching band member named Sarah Brown who wins the heart of hard-core craps shooter Sky Masterson)?

JC: Yes. But only on TV. Maybe we’ll sponsor a live performance in the new Kroc Center chapel.

DFO: What do you do for fun?

JC: I grew up on boats. I did a lot of racing around the Pacific Northwest. I own a powerboat. I enjoy boating with my family on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

DFO: How do you get to be a major in the Salvation Army?

JC: By growing old.