SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Whether you have never stepped foot inside a church, are new in town, unsatisfied with the church you attend now, or are just looking for a Sunday morning social activity — if you are in search of a church in Yellowknife, there is no shortage of options.

Salvation Army Major Dale Sobool, his wife Major Jo, and senior soldier Lovingson Mtongwiza pose behind the grill at a fundraising free lunch on Franklin Avenue on May 25, 2011. - Thandiwe Vela/NNSL photo

With dozens of new and well-established churches in town across religions and denominations, finding the right church can be a daunting task.

Yellowknifer is making that search a little bit easier by visiting the churches of Yellowknife to give you an idea of what it's like to show up at the city's chapels, as a newcomer.

Each week a different church will be visited and profiled and we'll fill you in with basic information like location, denomination, and service start times.

If you've already found your ideal place of worship, feel free to invite Yellowknifer to profile your church, by sending an email to editorial@nnsl.com.

With bases in more than 125 countries around the world, the Salvation Army is a familiar sign of comfort for many people as they settle into a new city. People have seen the organization raising money for their local and international initiatives with free lunches on Franklin Avenue and opening their doors to the homeless, hungry, and anyone otherwise down on their luck.

Along with the services they provide for the less fortunate in this city, last month the Yellowknife Salvation Army Church raised $1,100 for the Slave Lake fire victims, and provided funding for a school in Liberia among other charitable ventures.

While you may have donated money, volunteered, or even used their services in the past, have you ever considered attending the Salvation Army for Sunday church service?

"It's a church that embodies everything," said Lovingson Mtongwiza, who became a SA senior soldier as a young man 20 years ago in Zimbabwe. "The founder had a saying, 'hand to man and hat to God,' so it's a complete church when we invite people to come and give their hearts to God."

A handful of devout SA officers and friends gather each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the church on Franklin Avenue at the corner of 45th Street, for a relatively short, traditionally Methodist service.

Like most churches, the Salvation Army has designated ushers to welcome any newcomers, but when this Yellowknifer reporter arrived on a bright May morning, the first point of contact was with a little girl with crimped brown hair. "Look what I've got?" she said holding out a clear ball with candies inside. "Wow, lucky you," I exclaimed, as I greeted her little sister, mother, and father in the foyer before service. Her mother displayed how candid people at the church can be, by commenting, "There sure are a lot of black people coming here from Toronto," after I introduced myself. I'd have to take her word for it.

Moving into the service, it seems the congregation is on the older side, and new faces are met with warm smiles. The singing and worship is subdued, led by Major Dale Sobool, who serves as Pastor for the church. Sobool's eyes glimmer with joy as he sings the hymns, the lyrics projected behind him for the congregation to sing along.

Sobool's wife Major Jo provides the instrumental accompaniment on an acoustic piano, along with an lady in the front row, who played a tambourine. On a regular Sunday, the service is over in less than an hour, with separate, concurrently running Sunday school service for children.

After church, the soup kitchen is open for the needy, when all the really interesting characters arrive.

If you're looking for a friendly, light Sunday service, check out the Salvation Army next Sunday. At least you know your tithes and offerings are going to good use.

Next week: Pentecostal Cornerstone Church

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