06/15/2026
Salvation Army Majors Abe and Ronda Tamayo to Retire Following 37 Years of Ministry and Service
The Fargo-Moorhead Salvation Army service center will bid farewell to Majors Abe and Ronda Tamayo as they retire after 37 years of faithful ministry, leadership and service to communities across the Midwest.
During their tenure in Fargo, the Tamayos helped strengthen and expand services for vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Fargo-Moorhead community. A key focus of their leadership was the continued advancement of The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, which provides individualized support to families with children who are seeking to break the cycle of poverty. The program addresses root causes such as unemployment, unstable housing and limited educational opportunities, helping families move toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
The Fargo-Moorhead Salvation Army serves as a critical safety net for thousands of area residents each year through emergency assistance, nutritional support, rent and utility assistance, clothing vouchers, youth programming, and spiritual care. Under the Tamayos’ leadership, the Fargo service center last year served 3,414 individuals, provided 44,506 nutritious meals, distributed 2,418 holiday food boxes, and supplied 1,315 winter garments to community members in need. Additional initiatives involved providing Christmas gifts, new beds, and back-to-school haircuts, all for local children.
“Majors Abe and Ronda Tamayo have exemplified servant leadership throughout their decades of ministry,” said Lt. Colonel Randall Polsley, Salvation Army Northern Division commander. “Their compassion, commitment and unwavering faith have impacted countless lives across the communities they have served. We are deeply grateful for their leadership in Fargo and throughout their careers, and we celebrate their retirement and the legacy they leave behind.”
Following their graduation from The Salvation Army College for Officer Training, the Tamayos were commissioned and ordained as officers in 1989 and have since served in nine communities throughout the Midwest: Grandview, MO, Garden City, KS, Madison, WI, Fremont, NE, Marshalltown, IA, Hastings, NE, Saint Joseph, MO, Wichita, KS, and most recently Fargo, ND, where they have served since 2021.
Major Abe holds advanced degrees in business and management, while Major Ronda earned an undergraduate degree in Practical Ministries.
Reflecting on their retirement, the Tamayos expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and community partners throughout their ministry.
“Serving as Salvation Army officers has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives,” said Major Abe. “We are thankful for every community that welcomed us and every person who allowed us to walk alongside them during times of challenge and hope.”
“The people of Fargo-Moorhead have been a tremendous blessing to us,” added Major Ronda. “We will cherish the relationships we have built and the many lives we have seen transformed through the generosity and compassion of this community.”
The Tamayos’ final day serving in Fargo will be June 18, 2026.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Lieutenants Javier and Olyvia Fernandez will assume leadership of The Salvation Army Fargo-Moorhead service center and continue its mission of providing hope, help and healing to individuals and families throughout the region. Please be in prayerful support of the Lieutenants Fernande.
