Captain's bLog

Silenced Pillars

2011-12-10T13:09:00.001-05:00

Inthe sixteenth chapter of Romans, we read Paul’s greeting to a number of friends– personal friends and friends of the church. Included in this greeting are anumber of women who hold significant positions in the church. Phoebe is listedas a deacon; Prisca and Aquila as co-workers in Christ Jesus; Junia as aprominent apostle.

The pillar, pictured to the left,represents not only the women listed in Paul’s greeting in Romans 16, but toall the women who have been silenced throughout history because of theirgender. These silenced pillars stand with their voices muted by chauvinistictheology that sought to suppress their influence in the church and the world.

Scot McKnight makes the following observation:“Junia is not alone in her enforced silence. She’s not alone because thesilencers and erasers are still at work, and sometimes it takes extra energy toget a silenced voice back into performance shape.”[1]There are countless women who have been and continue to be silenced by the church.It is our responsibility to remove the “gag order” and return women to theirrightful place in ministry.

The symbolism of this pillar is simple enough:

The pillar represents the influencewomen have and the strength, although a silent strength in most cases, theyhave within the Body of Christ.
At the base of the pillar arerepresentative pages from Scripture that have been misused in the oppression ofwomen throughout history.
Masks without mouths; empty eyes staringat us, voiceless, compelling us to right the wrongs and end their oppressive,enforced silence.

While this pillar is representative of women whohave experienced oppression and forced silence, it can also speak to anyone whohas felt the pain of the same. Paul declares in Galatians 3:28 that “[t]here isneither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male andfemale, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (CEB). This is the ideal to whichwe ought to ascribe. When Paul was closing his letter to the church in Rome, hegave this admonition: “But I want you to be wise about what’s good, andinnocent about what’s evil” (Rom.16:19b CEB).

It is time to end theevil practice of oppression and forced silence in the church. We must let oursisters take their rightful place as pillars of influence and wisdom.

The General's Christmas Message 2011

2011-12-08T09:11:00.001-05:00

For Such a Time as This

HOW relevant is the Christmas story for the 21st century? It is celebrated every year with carols, trees, glitter, lights and gifts, but is the coming of Jesus into the world of any significance for such a time as this? More than two thousand years separate us. Where are the points of connection?
The answer becomes clear when we look at two groups that played a central role in the first Christmas – the wise men and the shepherds. The two groups have often been contrasted, emphasizing the differences of occupation, religious background and learning. However, what they have in common may be what relates to us now.

Both groups were men of reflection, the wise men studying the heavens, looking for signs; the shepherds with their long evening hours thinking of their occupied homeland and wondering when the promised Messiah would come. Surely there was an expectation that something would happen, must happen, to bring peace to the world. Would such reflection give birth to hope? I think so.

Both groups experienced a divine intervention – a revelation. The shepherds were visited by an angelic host announcing the birth of the Savior of the world. The wise men saw a star which became their guiding light to lead them to the Christ child. These two groups of very different men responded to the supernatural events and moved out of their comfort zones. Both shepherds and wise men took the divine signs seriously. An action of faith was needed and they took it.

God never disappoints. For both groups, the realization was all that God had promised. The Savior King was born. And whether it was kneeling at a manger or giving gifts to the child, shepherds and wise men all saw the face of God, the face of love in Jesus, Savior of the world!

This past year has been a time of unparalleled natural disasters, economic troubles and political upheavals. For such a time as this, reflecting on this world and perhaps even our own needs, there could be cause for despair. Yet Christmas is about hope, as it was two thousand years ago. Jesus not only came, he lived and died for the world. And he lives today! That gives us hope.

We may not see a host of angels this Christmas or a guiding star, but God will come to each one of us in a discernible way, as he did to the shepherds and the wise men. We may choose to conclude that it is just the annual spirit of Christmas but it is God making himself known to us. How we react to it will be a matter of faith, a case of rising from our watch in the fields or following the star, so to speak. And if we do leave our comfort zone to seek the God who seeks us, we will discover that he is real, just as the shepherds and the wise men did.

He is love. We are loved. The Savior of the world came to earth many years ago but he also comes today to us, to you, to me.

THANKSmission

2011-11-22T19:58:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time when we give thanks, simple enough. But do we really "give" thanks? Should we rename the holiday Thanksgetting? Black Friday and the madness of getting the best deal on stuff notwithstanding, think of your typical thanksgiving feast - turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin & pecan pie...you get the picture - we certainly get quite a lot, don't you think?

Don't get me wrong, I think we give as well - disproportionately, maybe, but we do give out food baskets and such during this particular holiday. However, I don't think our giving is fraught with the same thankful spirit as our getting might be.

As a Christ-follower, my life and yours is more of a mission than sometimes we remember. A passage from the fifth chapter of Ephesians sums this up fairly succinctly:

"So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and submit to each other out of respect for Christ" (Eph. 5:15-21 CEB).

The world in which we live is undeniably seeing dark days. It isn't too much of a stretch to apply the description given in Eph. 5:16 to our world today - evil times. As such, like the believers in Ephesus, we are cautioned to live wisely, not foolishly. Further, they were reminded to take advantage of every opportunity - to seize the day, if you will. To what end were they supposed to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them? A quick look at the verses immediately preceding (Eph. 5:6-14) highlights what they were up against. Realistically, the church today finds herself in a similar predicament:

"Nobody should deceive you with stupid ideas. God’s anger comes down on those who are disobedient because of this kind of thing. So you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. Therefore test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead you should reveal the truth about them. It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore it says, Wake up, sleeper!Get up from the dead,and Christ will shine on you" (Eph. 5:6-14 CEB).

We can't be ignorant of what God's will is for us - personally and corporately. God has a mission for us, work for us to do in this world. How are we to know God's will, you ask? As plain as can be, the answer is found in Romans 12:2, "Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature." We've got to stop allowing ourselves to be conformed to the world around us. For that to happen effectively, we've got to stop being guided by the culture and begin directing our own culture.

To accomplish this, we need to be filled with the Spirit. We're told how back in Ephesians 5:

v. 19 - "...speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs..."
v. 19 - "...sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts..."
v. 20 - "...always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
v. 21 - "...and submit to each other out of respect for Christ."

It is not insignificant that the Common English Bible rearranges the punctuation slightly in these three verses. We're to be filled with the Spirit in the ways noted above - speaking highly of and to each other, worship God constantly, giving thanks for everything and mutually submitting to each other - this is how the Spirit is allowed access into our 21st century lives and churches. When this happens, thanksmission will be a natural occurrence.

What does the world see when they happen to look at the church? Does it look like the Spirit-filled person described in Ephesians 5? Sadly, it often does not. Unfortunately, they see believers with sharp tongues, ungrateful and greedy and picking fights. Long gone are the days where we lived up to the lyrics that claimed "...and they'll know we are Christians by our love."

My prayer this Thanksgiving is that we'll live in the spirit of thanksmission - filled with praise and covered with love.

Session Names Announced

2011-11-16T12:56:00.001-05:00

The General has announced the session names for the next three sessions of cadets at Salvation Army Training Schools around the world:

Each year, soldiers of The Salvation Army who respond to God's call upon their lives to engage in full time ministry enter one of the Army's Training Schools. They embark upon a 2-year course of study where they learn more about God's Word and the ministry of The Salvation Army. At the end of the 2-year training period, cadets are commissioned and ordained as Lieutenants and take an appointment somewhere within their territory.

              ENGLISH                           SPANISH              PORTUGUESE
2013 – 2015    Heralds of Grace             Heraldos de Gracia           Arautos da Graça
2014 – 2016    Messengers of Light       Mensajeros de Luz           Mensageiros da Luz
2015 – 2017    Joyful Intercessors         Felices Intercesores          Intercessores Jubilosos

Please pray for those individuals that are prayerfully considering God's call on their lives this very moment.

Thank You-Come Again-I Promise

2011-11-15T12:24:00.001-05:00

Beginning next week - November 20 - I will be joining a host of other bloggers on the "Thank You-Come Again-I Promise" Blog Tour. This blog tour is to help promote the newly published Common English Bible will run from November 20, 2011 - January 31, 2012.

The posts that are related to this tour will have the CEB logo included. My hope is that you'll be curious enough about this new translation of God's Word to purchase a copy for yourself. However - once a week during the next three months, the publisher has granted me permission to give one copy of this translation away to a lucky reader. You'll have to come back and read each post to find out how to win your copy.

I've been using this translation myself for several weeks now and can honestly say that it is quite refreshing to use for study, devotions and public reading. I believe that you'll enjoy reading it as well.

For more information about this blog tour and to see who else is participating, go to the tour page: CEB Blog Tour.

Day and Night Prayer for Justice to Continue in 2012

2011-11-01T10:58:00.004-04:00

PICTURE God’s people united in prayer, where one hour isn’t enough in the prayer room and there is a desire for more, where children and youth are crying out for justice, where people are committing themselves for a day, a week, a month, a year or more of non-stop prayer.

Imagine people intentionally giving voice to the issues that are on their hearts, where faith is increasing and prayers are being answered. This beautiful imagery is happening in The Salvation Army. It is a reality.

Since 1 January 2011, scores of Salvation Army territories, commands and regions have been praying as part of the Global Call to 24/7 Prayer – A Day and Night Cry for Justice. The call comes from the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:7-8, where Jesus said:

‘And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly!’

Now, as we approach 2012 the Army's international leader, General Linda Bond, calls Salvationists around the world to continue in non-stop prayer – a day and night cry for justice.

To get involved visit the SAGLOBAL247 website where you can watch videos explaining the global call. Free downloads are also available including prayer CDs, the 24/7 Prayer brochure and the monthly prayer focus written on a justice related theme, from The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission.

Cast the vision to those around you and register your participation on the website.

Latest prayer resources and news are also updated daily on the Global Call to 24/7 Prayer Facebook and Twitter pages.

A renewal of prayer is happening in our day, we are called to be part of it. God is listening and responsive. We will see justice on the earth. Let’s pray.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Janet Munn

The General Launches International Vision

2011-10-13T14:47:00.000-04:00

GENERAL Linda Bond made a passionate call for The Salvation Army around the world to be united in mission and message and to grasp new opportunities as she launched the International Vision: One Army, One Mission, One Message.

The vision is given substance through 12 Mission Priorities – full details of which can be seen in the Vision Plan (http://sar.my/one). These priorities call on Salvationists to say 'we will' to principles such as deepening spiritual life; reaching and involving youth and children; and communicating Christ unashamedly. The General said she was aware that, if not approached practically, a vision could be 'only a pipe dream' but that the Mission Priorities make it clear that 'you have to do something'.

She emphasized that One Army, One Mission, One Message should not be seen as 'the General's vision' but that she wants Salvationists around the world – who she described as having 'the DNA of The Salvation Army tattooed on heads and hearts' – to say: 'This is our vision'.

'As General I need to own the world's priorities,' she told a packed meeting room at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London. She committed IHQ to 'owning' the Mission Priorities and explained that the final wording had come about after extensive consultation with Salvation Army leaders around the world.

One Army
The General spoke to Salvationists around the world when, referring to the biblical promise that God would care for his people, she said: 'I truly believe Salvationists need to know we have a hope and a future.' Her words were being recorded on camera before being made available online (http://sar.my/one).

The General told the congregation that in order to be 'One Army', The Salvation Army 'needs to be marked by holiness and prayer'. She took this point further: 'People should look at us and say: "Here is a holy people of God – a people with a passion for the gospel."'

She called on Salvationists to see self-denial – sacrificial giving to the Army's world mission – as a vital part of their service. She spoke of the willingness she sees by people from poorer countries to help even those who have greater resources, saying: 'We need each other – we need each other's money!'

One Mission
Moving on to the next aspect of the vision, the General reaffirmed the importance of The Salvation Army's integrated mission, saying that it 'has to be emphasized again and again and again'.

The vision statement speaks about going 'into the world of the broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means'. The General sought to ensure that this was understood fully, explaining that the broken and lost could refer to people in physical and financial need but that it could just as easily describe 'the unsaved and people who are outside the fellowship'.

She explained further that the Army must not hand over its 'service to suffering humanity' to its social services; nor could it leave it to the officer training colleges to do all the work to grow saints within the Army.

She had a clear message for corps, social service centers and headquarters everywhere: 'If there is a Salvation Army shield on your building, you do all the mission!'

The General was equally clear about the Mission Priority to reach and involve youth and children. 'The future of The Salvation Army,' she said, 'may hang on the priority to which we give our approach to children and youth.' She said that work with young people should not be ignored because of a perceived lack of time or resources, and she committed IHQ to involve young people in its public meetings.

Speaking about the Mission Priority to 'stand for and serve the marginalized', she challenged her listeners by saying that The Salvation Army needs to 'find its voice and stand for people who are marginalized in society,' explaining that the Army is 'married' to such people.

Innovation in mission, said the General, is to be encouraged. 'Just go for it and give us good ideas,' was her call to the Army. She backed this up – despite admitting to being naturally conservative – with a call for Salvation Army boards to have a 'can-do' attitude such that their natural response to ideas should be 'yes' (unless there was good reason to say 'no'!) rather than being over-careful and instinctively negative.

One Message
The General admitted that in parts of the world where The Salvation Army is adored by the public there is a danger that 'we wouldn't want to jeopardize it by being politically incorrect'. She said that the Army should always make clear that it does its work because 'the love of Christ compels us', adding that she would love to see that phrase on the wall of every Salvation Army social center. Taking a strong stand on its motivation may mean that the Army sometimes loses money, admitted the General, before adding: 'But I would rather have the blessing of the Lord.'

Picking up on another of the Mission Priorities, the General called for a reaffirmation of the belief in transformation, explaining that – through the power of the Holy Spirit – a person can change his or her life not by making resolutions but by undergoing a revolution!

Communication was highlighted as a priority. The General said that she loved Salvation Army open-air meetings but warned against holding them 'next to a brick wall' where no one was listening. She called on Salvationists to grab the opportunities presented by modern technology. 'We need to use the World Wide Web,' she said. 'We could have a million people at our open-air meetings!'

Drawing her thoughts to a close, the General admitted that there was nothing inherently new in the International Vision. However, holding up her Bible, she told the congregation and those watching online that from Genesis to Revelation there was a common thread – 'God's relentless pursuit of relationship with humanity.'

The General wondered what Salvation Army Founder William Booth would think of the International Vision, concluding that he would probably say: 'Go and do something about it!'

'I want you to be encouraged,' said the General to Salvationists at IHQ and around the world. 'I believe God raised up The Salvation Army.' And while the International Vision contains 'nothing new', she hopes that it creates opportunity for Salvationists everywhere to look at what they say and do so they will 'use new language and find new ways of doing it'.

THE meeting also included the launch of a new book, Love – Right at the Heart by Commissioner Robert Street, published by Salvation Books. The book, written to work in harmony with the International Vision, examines how Salvationists have a responsibility to one another, while taking their caring ministry to the world. The General said she hopes all Salvationists will read the book.

A new song, 'As I Have Loved You', has been released to accompany the book. A recording of the song, sheet music and a backing track are available online at http://sar.my/aihly

Love – Right at the Heart costs £3.50 (plus postage and packing: £0.90 in the UK/£2.32 in the EU/£2.89 rest of the world). To order a copy, send a check made out to 'The Salvation Army' to: 'Love – Right at the Heart', Communications Section, The Salvation Army International Headquarters, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom. Copies will also be available through amazon.co.uk and from territorial trade/publishing departments, though prices may vary.

Salvation Army's Kenya Territories Continue Drought Response

2011-09-29T12:15:00.002-04:00

THE Salvation Army's two Kenya territories are pushing on with their drought relief activities. Both territories continue to monitor the situation, constantly looking for relevant, innovative ways of responding to the drought crisis.

The Kenya West Territory is concentrating its efforts on Turkana, a desert area in the north, where access to water is the biggest problem. In the previous major drought during 2006 The Salvation Army bought tractors and bowsers (mobile water containers). These are being fully utilized during the current drought transporting water to more than 20 remote areas. Around 2,500 families and nine schools are benefiting from weekly water deliveries.

This is obviously not a permanent solution but there are plans to drill boreholes, ideally linked to solar-powered pumps – there is definitely no lack of sun in Turkana! The first borehole project is under way and the hydrological survey has started. The borehole will be located in a school and benefit the surrounding community as well as the 500 schoolchildren.

A 'food for fees' program is being put in place. In Kenya parents usually have to pay school fees in order for their children to attend secondary schools. The fees cover food, water, materials and transport. In Turkana many families – often pastoralists whose small flocks of sheep or goats have died because of the drought – have no money for food, let alone school fees.

The Salvation Army's project will provide all 17 secondary and high schools in Turkana with food, benefiting a total of 5,886 children. There is an agreement with the schools that in exchange for food, school fees will be waived for the coming term. This will benefit the school, which can concentrate its resources on teaching materials, as well as the children, who will be able to continue their schooling and know they will get at least one good meal a day.

Meetings have taken place with the Ministry of Water, the Ministry of Education, Oxfam, World Vision, the Kenyan Red Cross, the World Food Program (WFP) and other helping groups. Elizabeth Nabutola, the Head of WFP's Turkana Office says: 'No one is targeting secondary schools. The Salvation Army would really fill a gap.'

An international Salvation Army emergency response team is now in Turkana and others will be sent in support of the territory during the coming months.

In The Salvation Army's Kenya East Territory, following a thorough assessment, the initial response will be to help drought-affected people around the town of Isiolo. One of the projects being undertaken is emergency food provision to 5,000 people for the next three months. Funding is being provided by The Salvation Army's Hong Kong and Macau Command.

The second major project now under way concerns the alleviation of hunger among primary school children in and around Machakos. More than 3,500 children in 16 primary schools will be provided with a lunchtime meal during the next two school terms to ensure they survive this very difficult time.

Funding is in place for the current projects but the drought is likely to get worse over the coming months, with the amount of money available directly limiting the number of people who can be helped.

Report by International Emergency Services International Headquarters

Positive Reaction to Salvation Army Flood Response in Nigeria

2011-09-29T09:45:00.000-04:00

A SALVATION Army response to flooding in Nigeria has received a positive response from beneficiaries and excellent coverage in the local media. The floods affected several council areas around the capital city, Lagos.

More than 500 families (over 3,000 people) were assisted, with funds provided through International Emergency Services, which is based at The Salvation Army's International Headquarters in London. Each family received enough food for a month and non-food items including clothes, babywear, wellington boots, slippers and toiletries. The total relief effort cost about US$60,000.

The internally displaced people and local government officials were thankful to The Salvation Army and its donors. They were particularly grateful for the way in which everyone had been treated with dignity. One local newspaper reported that The Salvation Army 'appeared on the scene like a matador and wrestled the bull of deprivation to submission, giving these people a new lease of life'.

The emergency response moved on to the city of Ibana, around 100 miles to the north, where 2,000 people have been displaced by floods and more than 100 have lost their lives.

Report from The Salvation Army's Nigeria Territory

General Bond Welcomes Cadets and Launches 'Freedom Bible' in USA Eastern

2011-09-16T10:56:00.000-04:00

A CAPACITY crowd filled Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City, USA, to greet General Linda Bond. The General was visiting the USA Eastern Territory to welcome the 39 cadets of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session.

The meeting opened in festive spirit, with upbeat music from the New York Staff Band (NYSB), Eastern Territorial Songsters and a contemporary worship band. Then came the entrance of territorial leaders Commissioners R. Steven and Judith A. Hedgren, USA National leaders Commissioners William A. and Nancy L. Roberts and the General.

General Bond said. 'I appreciate the welcome and the honor you show me as the international leader of The Salvation Army, but please remember, all the glory goes to Jesus. The one thing we really must do tonight is lift up the name of Jesus!'

Commissioner Steven Hedgren commended all the Salvation Army officers, soldiers and volunteers who have been serving around the territory, helping people who lost so much as a result of Hurricane Irene. 'You've given people a taste of the ministry of The Salvation Army that will last a long time,' he said.

The General and the territorial leaders stood on the steps leading to the platform to exchange Salvation Army salutes with the cadets, who marched in behind their divisional youth leaders and divisional leaders. When the cadets had all taken their place on stage, loud cheers went up from the congregation.

'Don't we need them?' asked Commissioner Judith Hedgren. Before she presented the sessional flag, the commissioner displayed two other Salvation Army flags – one that had been to the moon and another that was tattered from 130 years of use. The new session's flag, she said, 'is about victory, as you march forward to proclaim the Resurrection.'

In her Bible message the General told the congregation: 'The Salvation Army has one message: the transforming message of Jesus Christ. We are people of the Resurrection!'

The evening before, at a welcome dinner for cadets at the School for Officer Training, she had told the Proclaimers of the Resurrection that their name would define them.

This message was echoed by Territorial Candidates Secretary Major Thomas Lyle. 'You have a good name, and you will be branded by that name,' he said. 'You are not only a Resurrection people; you are people who will proclaim the truth with Resurrection power.'

The General said that, out of duty, the cadets would want to live up to their name. 'But I have to say to you, that will not be enough,' she added. She reminded the cadets of the 'burning hearts' of disciples who traveled with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. When they realized that it was the resurrected Jesus who had spoken to them, she said, 'They went immediately to Jerusalem to say, "Jesus is alive!"'

At the welcome meeting, the General emphasized the importance of the Army continuing to proclaim 'Jesus is alive!'.

She said, as she had at the cadets' dinner the evening before, that she had been deeply moved to read in recent copies of The War Cry and the territory's Good News! publication of the Army's service following the 9/11 attacks 10 years earlier.

'What I have to say to you is, "Thank you." You are on a mission. You are doing it!' She asked: 'Are you all on a mission here? Wouldn't that be wonderful, if every Salvationist were on a mission?'

She called for Salvationists in the territory to join others from around the world by signing up to pray on Thursday mornings for 30 minutes between 5am-8am, so that prayer will circle the world.

'We must be faithful to the work and do our duty,' she added. 'I believe if we do that, revival will come.'

When General Bond called people to dedication and reconsecration at the mercy seat, large numbers went forward in response.

Earlier in the day the General had been the keynote speaker at the American Bible Society (ABS) in Manhattan. The occasion was the launch of The Freedom Bible, Global Edition. The event, on 9 September, also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

USA Eastern Territory leaders and the NYSB joined in the official launch of what ABS Executive Vice-President Robert Briggs called 'a new resource of hope'. The Bible, inscribed with the Jesus words: 'The truth will set you free', has 3,500 'liberating verses' highlighted. The back cover of the Global Edition carries the endorsement of Commissioner Christine MacMillan, director of the Army's International Social Justice Commission.

Jerry Sillcocks, President of Firefighters for Christ's New York Chapter, offered a compelling and compassionate rationale for why Christians must share the Good News. 'The week before 9/11 we shared the gospel with 10 guys,' he said. 'Half of them went to their death within a week. It was their first fire.'

General Bond spoke of the Army's response to the 9/11 attacks. Addressing the question: 'Where was God on 9/11?' the General said: 'He was in the stairwells; he was running up the stairs with the firemen; he was on Flight 93 when they decided to say: "Let's roll!" The God we serve is there with us.'

~ Main report by Linda D. Johnson, with additional material from Warren L. Maye

Salvation Army in Uganda Supplies Water and Food as Drought Takes Hold

2011-08-23T13:31:00.000-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Uganda is responding to the drought crisis that is developing in some parts of the country. As is being seen across the horn of Africa, people are dying because of a lack of food and water.

In central eastern Uganda, thousands of families have had poor harvests for the past five years, either because there was too little rain or – at other times – because there was so much rain that floods have destroyed the crops. The Salvation Army has been working in the area, distributing food to needy families – in some places The Salvation Army is the only non-governmental organization providing food.

Following recent landslides in a mountainous region, food was distributed to 680 families.

Staff from The Salvation Army's command headquarters and International Emergency Services visited villages in the Namutumba district near Mbale to assess the needs of 4,000 families. Projects are being arranged for food and sanitation goods to be supplied. Boreholes will be drilled to ensure water is available to the most needy of families, even as the drought takes a greater hold.

The most urgent need is for water in two medical clinics. Mothers have been bringing malnourished children into the clinics, but more than 80 have died this year alone. A water bore for the main clinic will help to boost survival rates.

The message from the Uganda Command and International Emergency Services is simple: please pray for the situation and support this work in any way possible.

Report from International Emergency Services
International Headquarters

Prophetic Vision for The Salvation Army

2011-08-20T14:11:00.001-04:00

In July, Amy and I were guests for a corps retreat in the Pacific Northwest. During the weekend, I was asked to share a prophetic vision for The Salvation Army - not only for that specific corps, but for the Army in general. After praying and seeking God's guidance for the right words to share, God gave me the following list for where I believe He wants The Salvation Army to focus for the future. Hear me when I say that I believe that the best days of the Army are ahead of us! I believe that God still has a mighty work for the Army in the world...but only if we are true to His leading and if we follow the Holy Spirit in ALL that we do.

Before I share the vision that God gave me this summer, let me ask you - are we feasting on God's goodness and grace while others are dying and in danger of a lifetime separated from God's presence? Have we grown accustomed to society's warm feelings toward us (especially in the US)? I believe God is calling us back to our first love, specifically:

- We need to be community oriented. No longer can we be content to meet the needs of those that happen to attend our meetings; we need to go out into the streets and neighborhoods of our communities and bring the Good News of Jesus to the people.

- We need to return to a visible witness in the streets. Our uniform can't be for show anymore! We tend to wear our uniform for each other - Sunday meetings, commissionings, special events, etc. - but then when we go out in public, we change into "civilian wear." Wear your uniform in public; wear your Army t-shirts to school; be the Shield. We MUST be a visible Salvation Army!

- The Salvation Army must depart from seeking social respectability and return to spiritual responsibility - we must seek lost souls as our priority, not funding for our many programs.

- Our priority must be on personal salvation and holiness - everyday, not just at prescribed times: Sunday mornings @ 11am, Camp Meetings, Youth Councils, etc.

- God desires ALL who are associated with The Salvation Army to be soul-winners - no more should there be a distinction between volunteers, beneficiaries, soldiers, officers or advisory members. We must be ONE ARMY!

- Our God, who raised up this Salvation Army wants a generation of Salvationists who live out Matthew 6:33, seeking God's Kingdom and His righteousness first!

General Bond Calls The Salvation Army to Prayer

2011-07-20T15:32:00.000-04:00

GENERAL Linda Bond has called The Salvation Army to pray for peace and for victims of sex trade trafficking. A Sunday in September has been set aside for each prayer focus – the fifth year that this has happened.

On Sunday 18 September the international Salvation Army is encouraged to respond to a Call to Prayer for Peace, focusing on the Bible verse: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9 New International Version).

A week later, on 25 September, Salvationists and friends are called to prayer for victims of sex trade trafficking, with the theme verse: ‘I have come that they may have life’ (John 10:10).

Photographers Sought for International Competition

2011-07-11T09:48:00.000-04:00

BUDDING Salvation Army photographers have a unique opportunity to reach an international audience by entering the first All the World photography competition. The winning image and a selection of other entries will feature in a photo spread in the October-December issue of All the World and will also be shown in a special exhibition, titled ‘This is The Salvation Army’, held at International Headquarters in London.

Kevin Sims, Editor of All the World magazine, says: 'We want people around the world to show us what The Salvation Army is where they live. Working on All the World magazine for more than a decade, I have seen that there are many aspects of the movement that would be familiar to all Salvationists but that some styles of worship and ministry are seen only in particular cultures or communities. A Salvationist from the USA attending worship in India, for instance, would see plenty that was familiar but also much that was unfamiliar.

'This idea of the international Salvation Army being "the same but different" is something All the World seeks to address. But sometimes words are not enough.'

Photographers are encouraged to think imaginatively about their subject. Kevin says: 'It may be an open-air meeting in Africa, a soup-run in Europe, a Salvation Army school in Asia, emergency response in Australasia or worship in the Americas. Feel free to be as creative as you want and don't be afraid to use abstract images – a well-used songbook or the sunset reflecting off the crest on a Salvation Army building could have as much to say about The Salvation Army as more familiar images.'

As well as having the pleasure of seeing his or her photograph in print and featured in an exhibition, the winning photographer will receive a £100 Amazon voucher (or equivalent) and a copy of Voices from Haiti Vault, the spectacular full-color coffee table book produced after the Haiti earthquake of 2010. Second- and third-prize-winners will receive a selection of books and audiobooks produced by International Headquarters.

Please send digital photographs to IHQ-alltheworld@salvationarmy.org and printed copies to: All the World Photographic Competition, The Salvation Army, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom. Entries should include the name of the photographer and his or her location. For files larger than 10MB please send a smaller version and you will be contacted if a full-size image is needed. Unfortunately it is not possible to return printed photos. The closing date to receive entries is 15 August 2011.

The July–September 2011 issue of All the World is out now.

News Feature: Refurbished Palais de la Femme Reopened in Paris, France

2011-06-30T10:58:00.000-04:00

THE Palais de la Femme in Paris, France – one of The Salvation Army's best-known buildings – has reopened after significant refurbishment. The center, which provides accommodation to women in need and their children, was reopened by Colonel Massimo Paone, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army's France and Belgium Territory, in the presence of various local and regional dignitaries. Colonel Paone also serves as President of the Foundation (Social Services) of The Salvation Army in France.

Eighty-five years ago Commissioners Albin and Blanche Peyron had the idea to use this huge building in Paris – a former convent, hotel and military hospital – as a center for women in precarious situations. When the Palais de la Femme was inaugurated as such in June 1926 it was believed to be the largest social center in Europe, with 750 rooms. Today it has 350 rooms, each with en-suite accommodation, and kitchen facilities on every floor. The original idea, however, remains the same – to offer the women and children welcomed within its walls a more peaceful and certain future.

The center provides shelter to 350 women, almost half of whom will have experienced domestic violence. In order to respond to new forms of economic poverty, the Palais de la Femme is now separated into two sections – a long-term accommodation center and a social residence.

The social residence incorporates a temporary-accommodation solution for a period lasting from a month to two years, together with social assistance. The 300 participants are given practical assistance to help them once more find a place in society. The main aims of the residence are to give access to basic accommodation and the ability to find or re-establish autonomy for the individual.

The long-term accommodation center is home to 50 women, aged between 18 and 65 years. Twenty of the residents have children living with them. The women are vulnerable and have experienced extreme difficulty in their lives – even times when they have lived on the streets. Around half the residents arrive after ringing an emergency helpline. The majority of the remainder are referred by government social services and occasionally individuals make direct contact. The long-term program includes building up parenting skills – with particular attention given to maintaining relationships with the child's or children's father. The link between mother and child is also a priority, and activities are put in place to encourage this relationship. A children’s library has been established to allow mothers to spend time with their children through educational interaction.

Various initiatives have sprung up to allow residents to be active in changing their lives. Residents regularly choose representatives to be part of the ‘Social Life Help Group’, which is a voice for improvement in the day-to-day running of the center. A 'cultural exchange' project is also being considered so that, courses such as cookery or ironing can be taught by residents who are skilled in these areas, in exchange for, perhaps, English tuition from another resident.

Report by Pierre-Baptiste Cordier
Translation by Colonel Jane Paone

Salvation Army Writer Wins Book of the Year Award

2011-06-15T13:58:00.000-04:00

MAJOR Howard Webber's Meeting Jesus: Inspiring Stories of Modern-Day Evangelism has been named Christianity magazine’s Book of the Year. The book, published by The Salvation Army's UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland, was a runaway winner, receiving an overwhelming 82 percent of readers' votes!

The Awards are part of the Christian Resources Together Retreat at High Leigh in the United Kingdom. Launched in 2010, Christianity Magazine's Book of the Year category celebrates quality, original, Christian-themed writing that offers something special to readers. Last year’s winner was Breakout by Mark Stibbe and Andrew Williams, published by Authentic Media.

Steve Morris gave Major Webber's book five stars in his review in Christianity magazine.

He wrote: 'Fred is high on drugs and doesn't want Howard, the then Salvation Army captain, to come round to his flat because it is in chaos, rather like Fred himself. They meet, instead, in the cafe at a supermarket in a nearby town. But the road isn't straight and we follow the twists and turns of Howard and Fred's relationship – through missed promises, desperate heartache and self-destruction and final redemption.

'This book is perhaps the most extraordinary one I've reviewed since writing for Christianity. It is a series of stories of evangelism on the hard side of life. It is painfully honest and lists as many failures as successes, as many deaths as new lives. It documents Howard Webber's spiritual battles too.
It is perhaps the most moving set of accounts I've ever read and the most hopeful. It is all too easy to see the role of being God's ambassadors as reduced to preaching, or set among those who we love and are safe. But this book challenges us to be where Jesus would be, with the down-and-outs, with the hopeless and the broken. It looks the cost of such ministry square in the eye and carries on just the same.'

Ruth Dickinson, Editor of Christianity magazine, adds: 'I want to commend Howard Webber for this great achievement, all the more phenomenal because, as a first time author, he didn't have the same following as the other more well known writers on the shortlist. What I loved about Meeting Jesus was the way it documented his "failures" as an evangelist as well as his success stories. It's very rare to read something so honest and so inspiring at the same time.'

Other books in the shortlist, all of which received five-star reviews during 2010, were:

The Best Idea in the World by Mark Greene (Zondervan)
Mere Theology by Alister McGrath (SPCK)
Forgotten God by Francis Chan (David C. Cook)
Present Perfect by Greg Boyd (Zondervan)

Come Change the World

2011-06-09T16:34:00.000-04:00

The Salvation Army responds to devastating floods in Southeastern Montana

2011-06-07T10:22:00.001-04:00

The Salvation Army of Billings continues to serve meals to those in Southeastern Montana who have been displaced by flooding in Billings and surrounding communities.

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster vehicle provided 3 meals per day to relief workers and those displaced from their homes due to recent flood conditions at the MSU-B shelter. Now The Salvation Army of Billings is serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day in Roundup. The Salvation Army is taking over the meal service on Monday, June 6th and will be serving evacuees as well as disaster service personnel, Montana Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, etc.

Volunteers and donations to support the flood relief effort are needed by The Salvation Army and are being accepted at:

The Salvation Army
2100 5th Avenue North
Billings MT 59101
406-245-4659

PO Box 1903 Billings, MT 59103

The Salvation Army operates service centers throughout the flood affected areas across the state. Residents in the following areas may contact the local Salvation Army unit for assistance due to the flood disaster:

· Roundup MT (Musselshell county) Contact Person: Sandra Jones 406.323.3373
· Hardin MT (Big Horn county) Contact Person: Craig Taft 406.665.8720 Dept. Human Services - Supplies purchased by TSA distributed through Black Lodge Church in Crow Nation
· Red Lodge MT. (Carbon County) Contact Person: Kevin Nichols 406.446.4409
· Glendive MT Contact Person: Robert Canen 406.345.3326
· Glasgow MT Contact Person: Lonnie Eidson 406.228.2762
· Miles City MT Contact Person: Fred Nelson 406.234.6530
· Sidney MT Contact Person: Bob Burnison 406.480.5002

Financial donations are needed to support relief efforts. Donations may be sent to The Salvation Army Montana Flood Relief Fund PO Box 1903 Billings, MT 59103. Please note Montana Flood – on the memo line of your donation check or visit www.salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate to the Billings, MT Flood. Monetary donations will ensure The Salvation Army can meet the most immediate needs of those impacted by the storm. Undesignated donations made through the toll free number are assigned by the zip code of the donor to the nearest Salvation Army location.

SALVATION ARMY COMMEMORATES 73rd NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY

2011-06-01T08:54:00.001-04:00

Activities Across the Country Encourage Americans to Help Their Neighbors in Need

(Alexandria, VA) June 3, 2011 – The Salvation Army is hosting multiple events nationwide to celebrate the 73rd annual National Doughnut Day. With a variety of programs, including free doughnut giveaways and national partnerships, the Army hopes to raise awareness of the continued need for Americans to support their fellow neighbor.

“Every year on National Doughnut Day, The Salvation Army asks the public to remember those less fortunate who struggle to make ends meet. The need is even greater now when so many are recovering from the tragic storms throughout the United States,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army. “So we ask everyone who enjoys a tasty doughnut today, to take a minute and consider ways to give back in their community.”

The first National Doughnut Day was celebrated by The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to help raise needed funds during the Great Depression and commemorate the work of the “doughnut lassies” who helped make the doughnut what it is today by feeding the tasty confection to American soldiers. Among those honored were Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance who came up with the idea of frying doughnuts in soldiers’ helmets near the front lines as a quick treat. The doughnuts became synonymous with The Salvation Army, as well as the American soldiers who were returning home with the nickname, “doughboys.”

Since that time, the first Friday in June has marked an important date in American food history and helps raise awareness for the critical services that The Salvation Army provides to 30 million Americans in need each year.

For its national celebration, The Salvation Army partnered with baked goods manufacturer, Entenmann’s, which reached their goal of donating $10,000 to The Salvation Army -- $1 for every person who LIKED their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Entenmanns) through June 3. In addition, supporters of The Salvation Army and Entenmann’s can text the word “DONUT” to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Army.

The Salvation Army is celebrating National Doughnut Day with a variety of events and partnerships around the country, including but not limited to:

· Augusta, ME: The Salvation Army will offer free doughnuts and coffee between 7a.m. and 10a.m. at the Tim Hortons on Western Avenue.
· Chicago, IL: Community members can help The Salvation Army "Erase Hunger" on June 3rd and 4th. Fundraisers will be on the streets handing out commemorative Doughnut Day tags to donors to help support feeding programs for children, seniors, the homeless and families in need. Local celebrities will be participating in events and providing entertainment at the James R. Thompson Center on June 3rd from 11a.m. – 1p.m.
· Hampton, VA: The Salvation Army and Krispy Kreme are partnering to provide doughnuts to Salvation Army clients, including members of senior programs.
· Los Angeles, CA: BakeMark will make a $10,000 donation to support The Salvation Army’s Haven Shelter in West Los Angeles. The Salvation Army will also provide free doughnuts and coffee to veterans at the Haven served by volunteers in “Lassie” uniforms.
· Phoenix, AZ: Community members who donate gently used items to a Salvation Army Family Store on June 3rd will receive a free Dunkin’s Donut and a coupon for a free dozen Dunkin’ Donuts.

“No matter one’s age – young or old – everyone loves doughnuts,” said Major Hood. “Doughnuts have been America’s sweet treat for years, and they help represent the critical services The Salvation Army provides to America’s neediest.”

In addition to clothing, shelter and financial assistance, The Salvation Army provides some 64 million meals, including doughnuts, to millions of Americans each year. Even during a disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake or flood, the Army provides coffee and doughnuts to survivors and emergency responders who need support during a critical time. More information about National Doughnut Day and The Salvation Army’s service programs in more than 5,000 areas nationwide is available online at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

The Salvation Army Supports Tornado Relief Efforts In Joplin, Missouri

2011-05-24T10:19:00.000-04:00

Mass Feeding Efforts Continue in Hard-Hit Reading, Kansas

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Salvation Army is supporting relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri, which was hit by a deadly tornado Sunday.

A Salvation Army emergency disaster services team based out Pittsburg, Kansas has been deployed to Joplin to help carry out mass feeding for residents and first responders through a mobile feeding kitchen capable of serving thousands of meals a day. Teams from Kirksville and Springfield, Missouri are also en route.

Meanwhile, in hard-hit Reading, Kansas, which was nearly demolished by a tornado late Saturday night, two Salvation Army mobile feeding kitchens, one stationary and one roaming, served meals, snacks and cold drinks to more than 250 people today. The canteens will be back in operation tomorrow and will likely continue service through the rest of the week in Reading.

Tomorrow, more than a dozen members of a Kansas motorcycle club are volunteering for The Salvation Army to help with clean-up efforts in Reading. The motorcycle club will be working from about 4:30 PM until 8 PM.

Financial donations to The Salvation Army disaster relief efforts may be made by texting the word ARMY to 90999 for an automatic $10 donation. To make a credit card donation, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to www.salvationarmy.us. Checks may be mailed to The Salvation Army, 3637 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111.

Support from Across Spain Boosts Salvation Army Earthquake Response (Update 18 May)

2011-05-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Spain has stepped up its response to the earthquake that caused widespread destruction to the town of Lorca, Murcia, on 11 May. The team of seven people from Alicante Corps (Salvation Army church) which arrived in Lorca on 12 May was joined the next day by teams from Barcelona and Madrid Central Corps. The team from Barcelona took a van-load of food and clothing.

Lieutenant Luigi Muedas (corps officer, Alicante) was in the first team to reach Lorca, where contact was made with Corporal Ortiz, from the Spanish military, who was coordinating the relief effort.

The lieutenant says: 'The city looked like there had been a war; there were fallen walls, military and firefighters everywhere. We have seen the faces of desolate people and a lot of tears.'

Captain Cristóbal Alvarez has been designated as The Salvation Army's Command Headquarters Emergency Coordinator. She was part of another team that travelled to Lorca on Saturday 14 May to support the ongoing work.

Also on Saturday a smaller tremor hit the region, causing more damage. As a consequence, people are still afraid to enter their homes to pick up personal belongings. Government experts are working to assess the damaged buildings and put a mark on those which are uninhabitable.

The main need at this moment is for shelter, blankets and hot food. People have been receiving sandwiches for many days but Captain Jenniffer Beltrán (corps officer, Alicante, and wife of Lieutenant Muedas) was concerned that children in particular had not been receiving the nutrition they need. The Civil Coordinator for Emergency gave permission for The Salvation Army to distribute hot food in one of its tents and 400 families received soup, pasta and rice.

Personal hygiene items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues and baby wipes, along with jars of baby food, were distributed on Sunday evening. This week The Salvation Army's thrift store in Mallorca is sending a load of clothing which volunteers will help to distribute.

Salvation Army in Spain Responds to Earthquake

2011-05-13T13:33:00.000-04:00

SALVATIONISTS in Spain are responding to the earthquake that hit Lorca, Murcia, on 11 May. The 5.1-magnitude quake, combined with an earlier 4.4-magnitude tremor, killed nine people and caused damage to 80 per cent of the town's buildings.

The nearest Salvation Army corps (church) is in Alicante, more than 80 miles away. The officers (ministers) based in Alicante, husband-and-wife Lieutenant Luigi Muedas and Captain Jenniffer Beltrán travelled to Lorca to assess how The Salvation Army can provide help. As part of this assessment the officers spoke with representatives from the Spanish military and the Red Cross who are coordinating the emergency response.

People are afraid to spend time indoors and there is great fear that another earthquake will cause even greater destruction. Captain Beltrán and Lieutenant Muedas report that many people are sleeping in tents put up by the Spanish military but that some, including families with small children, are spending the night in the open. Others are sleeping in their cars.

There is an immediate need for food, hot drinks and blankets but the main need is for shelter. There is also a need for volunteers so The Salvation Army's offer of help has been gratefully received.

An initial sum of US$10,000 has been sent from The Salvation Army's International Headquarters to fund the provision of shelter, food and other necessities.

General Eva Burrows (Rtd) - update

2011-05-06T22:05:00.002-04:00

We have received the following update:

General Burrows successfully underwent heart bypass surgery today. General Burrows came through the operation well and is expected to make a good recovery.

It is anticipated that General Burrows will be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 1 - 2 days, during which time it is requested that no telephone contact be made with her and communication be made through the family.

After the initial period in the ICU, General Burrows will remain in the hospital for a further 7 - 10 days, following which she will transfer to a rehabilitation hospital for a further period of recovery of up to two weeks.

We thank God for this good outcome and know that General Burrows will appreciate the ongoing prayers of Salvationists.

Salvation Army Responds After Tornadoes Cause Devastation Across Southern USA

2011-05-04T18:01:00.000-04:00

SALVATION Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) personnel continue to meet material, emotional, and spiritual needs across the southern United States of America, where tornadoes and storms have caused destruction on a scale not seen for nearly a century. More than 350 people are known to have been killed, including at least 250 in the state of Alabama, where Governor Robert Bentley expects more bodies to be found in the coming days.

Salvation Army EDS crews are at work in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. After days of intense service, several locations are scaling back response efforts while some places hit particularly hard by the storms are still in need of daily feeding and spiritual care.

Since the tornado season began, The Salvation Army has served 86,000 hot meals and distributed 260,000 sandwiches as well as providing spiritual and physical support to thousands of suffering people.

Thirty-eight Salvation Army feeding units and one shower trailer are active in Mississippi and Alabama. Since the end of April, tens of thousands of meals and drinks have been distributed. On Friday (29 April) and Saturday alone, Salvation Army teams served 30,820 meals and 51,072 drinks. More than 1,300 people received the emotional and spiritual care that is a vital aspect of Salvation Army disaster response.

In Arkansas, EDS personnel continue to monitor rising water levels which have reached major flood stage in nine counties. At present, one mobile feeding unit is serving Randolph County. More than 5,000 meals have been served since Monday 2 May.

Operations in Georgia are beginning to wind down but several units are still in service. At the request of the government agency FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), a mobile feeding remained in Spalding County, as did a social service representative in Harold County. Additionally, operations continue in Catoosa, Walker, Dade and Trenton Counties. Teams served 8,596 meals and 4,195 drinks in Spalding, 720 meals and 1,490 drinks in Rome, and 120 meals and 350 drinks in Cartersville.

In Cleveland, Tennessee, and north Georgia, EDS crews are offering meals, beverages and emotional/spiritual care services to keep pace with the needs of communities hit hard by the storms. In Tennessee, operations will diminish in Henderson, Murfreesboro and Clarksville as local resources are once again available for storm survivors.

With the search and rescue operation complete and power lines and debris cleared from roads in Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Salvation Army is moving into areas it was not able to access in previous days. An increasing number of people are seeking prayer and physical support. Volunteer Karen Diliberto says: 'When someone has lost everything, what they need most is hope. What better hope to provide than the healing power of prayer?'

Assistance has been provided in Dyersburg, Bradley, Hamilton, Greenville and Lake Counties (Tennessee) and Washington County (Virginia). By the morning of Sunday 1 May, 800 volunteers had logged 7,000 hours while helping staff serve approximately 14,500 meals throughout the three states.

One of the places particularly badly hit was Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where more than 40 people were killed by a tornado that tore through the city. Hundreds are still not accounted for.

Lieutenant Jerry Williams, Incident Command Coordinator, had a simple message for the people of Tuscaloosa from The Salvation Army: 'We’re on the ground. We were there yesterday, we’ll be there tomorrow and we’ll stay until this disaster ends!'

The emergency reponse in Tuscaloosa had to be coordinated from a site at the airport because The Salvation Army's properties in the city were destroyed. Major Cherry Crowder reports: 'There were 30 of us huddled in the [Salvation Army] administrative building when the tornado passed over us. But we had a miracle happen here because the building was destroyed but the only injury we had was one bruised thumb.'

Some things carried on as usual, though, despite the destruction. On Sunday 1 May a church service was held at the destroyed Tuscaloosa Salvation Army Corps, along with a short time of prayer and song at the incident command centre.

Connie Pulam, a resident of nearby Pratt City, Alabama, is receiving help from The Salvation Army.

'I may be houseless,' she said on Monday 2 May, while sifting through the splinters and rubble that was once her house, 'but I am not homeless as long as I have somewhere to lay my head. I am alive.'

Connie and her husband were able to get out of their house just before the tornado hit. 'Something told me – I imagine the Holy Spirit – to get out of there, so we got in the car and took off.'

The Pulams cling onto a hope found only in faith. Undergirding that faith is The Salvation Army’s presence in Pratt City and across Alabama. The Salvation Army has had two canteens in the area since the tornado hit. Residents in Pratt City and other areas affected have had access to water, food and counselling.

'We are just happy to see the help coming,' said Connie. 'It is a blessing to have The Salvation Army here. It is just a comfort to know they care.'

Report taken from various sources, including an update sent out by The Salvation Army's USA Southern Territory

General Eva Burrows (Rtd)

2011-05-02T13:18:00.000-04:00

General Eva Burrows (Rtd) has been admitted to the Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and has been scheduled for heart bypass surgery on Thursday this week - May 5, 2011. She has been experiencing related symptoms for some time, and was admitted to the hospital on Good Friday when the cause of this was diagnosed by a specialist cardiologist. It was quickly determined that surgical intervention was required to treat General Burrows' condition.

Reports reaching IHQ from Melbourne indicate that General Burrows is in good spirits, and has the support of family and friends at this time. Naturally, she will be encouraged and feel further supported to know that the wider Army family around the world is lifting her name to the Lord in prayer. General Linda Bond invites you to encourage salvationists, adherent members and friends to engage in such a ministry at this time.

Following surgery on Thursday, further word on General Burrows' progress will be shared from the office of the Chief of the Staff.

God bless you.

This bulletin was prepared in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Young Adult Professionals Take the Stage at NAOC 2011

2011-05-02T11:47:00.000-04:00

NAOC is The Salvation Army's National Advisory Organizations Conference, held every 4 years to bring together Salvation Army officers, advisory organization members, employees and volunteers. The 2011 NAOC was held in sunny Orlando, FL at the Coronado Springs Resort. Over 2000 individuals came to "Just Imagine" the future of The Salvation Army.

The over-riding focus of this year's conference was the need to reach out to the younger generation - Millennials, GenY, etc. To that end, scholarships were given to bring young adult professionals from around the country to Orlando to participate in the conference. One representative, Marcia Larson spoke on Saturday morning. Below is the transcript from her presentation:

My grandfather used to say that the “difference between involvement and commitment is a bit like the difference between an egg and ham sandwich. The chicken was involved. The pig was committed.”

This conference has brought many of us from involvement to commitment to the work and ministry of The Salvation Army. And that includes young adults like me. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “let no man despise your youth. But be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Thanks to the work of Sally Harris, Marlene Klotz-Collins, Jason Howard, and Captain Rob Reardon, we heard 3 truly impactful sessions yesterday around how we galvanize young people around the work of The Salvation Army.

1) The first session posed this question to board members: why do you serve here as opposed to any other non-profit? Some shared that it’s because they can trust funds to be used effectively and efficiently. Michelle from Dallas shared that she’s committed to the Army because of her family’s long-term involvement. And National Advisory Board member Marc said it’s the Gospel-centeredness of the Army that prompts him to give his time and resources to The Salvation Army.

I too am thankful that this is an organization that is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2) The second session was a brainstorming session. We hunkered down with Diet Cokes and cups of coffee and talked about ideas and obstacles involved in getting young people connected with the Army. We discussed the need for a clear and consistent message whether it’s on the website, blogs, or Facebook. We heard about creative fundraising ideas like swing dances in Minnesota or yuppie mixers in San Francisco. And lastly, we talked about how young people can’t always give money, but we can give time. We discussed ways of making people more aware of mission projects both locally and internationally. Or as the Bible says, “in Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth”. Everywhere the Salvation Army serves.

3) The final session centered around 2 visionaries – Jessy and Clarke who have formed a junior advisory board in Chicago. They shared their struggles and successes. But I think Bruce summed up the session best when he shared that his daughter has the caffeinated energy and passion to drive projects forward while he brings wisdom and expertise to channel that energy.

To conclude, I’d like to share how the Salvation Army has touched my life. Since I can remember, my dad’s been getting up at an ungodly hour for a godly purpose. Attending Advisory Board meetings in Phoenix, Arizona. My mom’s been setting alarm clocks every Thanksgiving and Christmas to make sure we’re up to serve meals to the homeless. Now, at 31, living and working in New York, it’s my time to decide how I’ll commit my time and resources.

Three years ago Marlene and Sally brought me to a breakfast in Manhattan. There were important executives and CEO’s seated up front and I watched as a Salvation Army officer went up to the podium. I wondered what he might say to this group, and then, Israel Gaither proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I knew then and there that this is where I need to commit my time and energy.

You are the doing the most good. For the most High.

With that, I’d like to ask all young adult scholarship recipients to please stand. Thank you for being here, we’d like to say thank you to the donors who made these scholarships possible, and we want you to know that we will be going back to our cities: New York, Wichita, Phoenix, and Chicago – to be ambassadors and evangelists for The Salvation Army. Thank you.

News Feature: Middle East Salvationists Join Together in Celebration

2011-04-08T11:13:00.000-04:00

MORE than 260 delegates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Kuwait gathered in Dubai on 18 March to celebrate the growth of The Salvation Army in the Middle East. Unfortunately, delegates from Bahrain were denied travel visas due to current unrest in that country. The Salvation Army has officially been in operation in the region for three years in Kuwait and one year in the UAE.

Middle Eastern delegates were joined in their celebrations at the Deira City Centre Hotel, Dubai, by Texas Brass Band from the USA Southern Territory, members of the newly formed Middle East Advisory Board and Colonel Ross Gower (Under Secretary for South Asia, International Headquarters). The event was hosted by regional leaders Majors Mike and Teresa Hawley.

The Middle East countries – officially designated as a Salvation Army region from 1 April – contain vibrant and devoted soldiers whose excited faces revealed the joy they felt at being able to worship together. A worship service led by delegates from Kuwait, Sharjah (UAE) and Abu Dhabi (UAE) brought much delight, as did contributions from Texas Brass Band.

The region's young people were seen to be a source of particular strength. A service for young people, led by members of Texas Brass Band, demonstrated their passion for their church.

The event served not only as a celebration of the Army’s past but also as a consecration of its future. Major Mike Hawley made clear the purpose of The Salvation Army in the Middle East – to be light and salt for a uniquely available group of international people.

At the end of the gathering the visiting band traveled to Kuwait for further performance and worship opportunities. Guided by Kuwait Regional Officers Majors Stewart and Heather Grinsted, in partnership with The Lighthouse Church, the band participated in multiple services and conducted a well-attended concert.

This was the first known visit of a Salvation Army band to these countries and was a great encouragement to friends and soldiers of The Salvation Army living and working in the Middle East. There is every indication that there are real and extensive opportunities for growth in this new and exciting region of The Salvation Army. To God be the glory!

Report by Colonel Ross Gower
International Headquarters

Salvation Army in Japan Continues to Offer Assistance to People in Need (Update 8 April)

2011-04-08T10:46:00.000-04:00

COMMISSIONER Makoto Yoshida, Commander of The Salvation Army's Japan Territory, reports that the country's recovery from a devastating earthquake and tsunami is 'going well', although he says that ongoing problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station continue to cause 'some uneasiness among the people'. He says that everyday goods, including fuel, are becoming easier to obtain and that around 70 per cent of roads in the disaster zone have now been reopened.

The commissioner adds that the search for missing people is proving to be difficult. Officials report that 15,000 people are still missing, in addition to the 12,000 people known to have been killed in the disaster. Around 166,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes.

The Salvation Army continues to provide assistance where there is a need.

More than 1,100 meals and other necessities were distributed in Sendai on 23 March. Treats were given to the 83 children who went to the distribution. Power and water have now been restored in Sendai so The Salvation Army is likely to end its distribution there, although it may continue to provide assistance to needy areas north of the city.

The story is similar in Yabuki-cho, where Major Kenji Fujii and Captain Kazuyuki Ishikawa met the mayor, who reported that many houses that look fine from the outside actually suffered significant damage and will have to be demolished. Recently installed water pipelines for agricultural usage were destroyed, leading to the loss of the next rice harvest – a significant part of the area's economy.

The Salvation Army emergency team left goods in storage, to be used as necessary. The community was also given a clear message that The Salvation Army would provide support in the future if requested.

At Iwaki-city, which is just outside the 30-kilometre exclusion zone from Fukushima, a team of seven Salvation Army workers distributed 500 hot meals and 6,000 bottles of water in response to a request from the director of the emergency response volunteer desk.

Kesen-numa – about 120 kilometres north of Sendai – was badly damaged by the tsunami. The corps officer (Salvation Army church minister) from Sendai contacted a minister in Kesen-numa and discovered that the community needs support. It has been arranged for two Salvation Army emergency teams to carry out daily distributions of food and other necessities from 12 to 15 April.

Thirty kilometres north-east of Kesen-numa is the coastal community of Rikuzen-Takada, which was badly damaged by the tsunami. A Salvation Army team distributed hot meals and water on 5 April. While there, team members investigated how the Army can offer further assistance.

A new beginning for The Salvation Army in Haiti

2011-04-06T10:44:00.000-04:00

Local and international friends join officers, soldiers and staff for the dedication of the new DHQ building

Port-au-prince, HAITI – The new divisional headquarters for The Salvation Army Haiti was dedicated on April 2 with a spirited program and ribbon cutting. Nearly 15 months after the January 2010 earthquake, the event celebrated both what the Army means to Haiti and what the future holds for the Army and the communities it serves.

Officers, soldiers, community leaders and friends of the Army gathered with special guests Colonels William and Sue Harfoot, Territorial Leaders from the USA West, and Lieutenant-Colonels Sydney and Trypheme McKenzie, Secretary for Personnel and League of Mercy Secretary for the Caribbean Territory.

The president of the Protestant federation was present to offer his prayers and thanks for the work of the Army in responding to the needs of the Haitian people. Lt. Colonel Sydney McKenzie challenged Salvationists to accept the new building as a gift from God and make it a place of prayer and ministry.

Colonel Harfoot offered the final address and dedicated the new building as, “a place where the Holy Spirit plans for and with us to transform the spirit of Haiti to make its people and its country better.”

After the ribbon-cutting, attendees were invited into the new building for tours and refreshments.

The USA Western Territory donated the funds for the purchase of the new building and surrounding land that will allow for the construction of a conference center, apartments for DHQ officer staff and a warehouse. The relocation of DHQ to the Santo neighborhood will allow for the Delmas 2 compound to be maximized for programming and services.

We Are Here To Serve – IHQ Welcome To General Linda Bond

2011-04-05T09:45:00.001-04:00

THERE was an authentic sense of joy and warm comradeship at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, UK, when the Army’s new world leader, General Linda Bond, was welcomed on Monday 4 April.

This holy joy was evident right from the effervescent opening, led by Commissioner Sue Swanson (World President of Women’s Ministries), to the thoughtful benediction by Commissioner William Cochrane (International Secretary to the Chief of the Staff). It came through the prayers, the Scripture reading (Psalm 134), the welcome talks, the music and through General Bond’s words.

In her first message as world leader the General positively emphasized the blessing of God, living totally for Jesus, thankfulness, the importance of serving others, Christian accountability regarding behavior, wise use of authority and the value of teamwork.

As she spoke to IHQ officers, staff and invited guests, Canadian-born General Bond revealed that her mother was English and ‘when I was previously appointed to IHQ in 1995 as under-secretary for personnel it felt like coming home. It is no different now.’

The General said she counts it a blessing to serve God at IHQ. ‘In fact, everyone who serves at IHQ is blessed because we have the mission of serving the world. Everyone here makes a difference to the worldwide Salvation Army.

‘It is vital that we serve the world with gratitude and attitude. We need to be grateful and thankful to God for his blessings. We also need to serve with a caring attitude because it is the love of God that compels us.’

Regarding her new position General Bond said she holds it with respect and dignity but she holds it lightly because ‘the power the Lord has given me as General is delegated authority. It is a power for people – not power over people.

‘I live for Jesus and all the praise, power and glory belong to him.’

Earlier in the meeting Commissioner Barry C. Swanson, the Chief of the Staff, presented the General with the framed Certificate of Election that had been signed by all members of the 2011 High Council that elected General Bond.

Commissioner Swanson said that the High Council is an exercise in law and grace. ‘There are many legal requirements regarding the election of the General but, more importantly, God’s grace is at work in all members of the High Council, especially in the life of the one elected.’

In her words of welcome on behalf of IHQ officer staff Captain Emerald Urbien (International Auditor) said that General Bond comes at a time of turmoil for the world. ‘People are confused and hurting, souls are lost – the need is great. However, we know God is still in control.’ She drew parallels from the Old Testament book of Esther and stated that General Bond has been elected ‘for such a time as this’.

Captain Urbien assured the General that she had the support of IHQ officers in moving the Army forward.

Mark Read (Researcher IHQ Programme Resources) welcomed the General on behalf of IHQ employees and stated: ‘There is already a heartfelt respect and love for you’. In researching his talk Mark asked a friend at one of the General’s previous appointments to describe her, the response was: ‘A woman who sincerely and deeply loves Jesus’.

‘General, at IHQ we have a shared mission to serve Jesus that transcends roles. We will all do our part to support and serve you,’ Mark added.

Other participants in the meeting were Commissioner Gillian Bosh (Americas and Caribbean Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries) who prayed, Major Lorraine Hart (Private Secretary to the General) who read from the Scripture, an IHQ vocal group that sang ‘At Thy Command’ and an ensemble from the International Staff Band that played ‘Mighty to Save’.

Retired General John Larsson, Commissioners Freda Larsson and Gisèle Gowans and United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland territorial leaders Commissioners John and Betty Matear were among the invited guests for this occasion.

Prior to the welcome meeting the General had been greeted by all the IHQ-based Commissioners at the entrance to her office, having been accompanied into IHQ from Queen Victoria Street by the Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Sue Swanson.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Laurie Robertson

Photos from the welcome meeting are available via the IHQ Flickr (http://bit.ly/IHQWelcomeA) and Picasa (http://bit.ly/IHQWelcomeC) sites.

TEENAGER

2011-03-24T13:47:00.002-04:00

Author John Savage has written a book that chronicles the invention of teenagers. Below is a video teaser of a film based on the book. You can see more about this project at the TEENAGE website.

TEENAGE teaser from Teenage on Vimeo.

Salvation Army in Japan Considers Long-term Response to Earthquake (Update 24 March)

2011-03-24T13:07:00.001-04:00

SALVATION Army emergency workers in Japan report that the government disaster response is proceeding well and that most areas in need of assistance have now been reached. Salvation Army teams continue to provide vital supplies such as food and water in Sendai and also in Yabuki-cho, both of which are near Fukushima but outside the exclusion zone set up around the nuclear power plant. Yabuki-cho appears to be one of the few areas not yet reached by government help.

Some areas hit particularly badly by the disaster are still not accessible but Salvation Army workers understand that other non-governmental organizations are also not being allowed into these parts. The exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant remains in place and local reports suggest the situation is improving.

As previously reported, bottled water has been provided to The Salvation Army's Japan Territory from Korea. The Salvation Army World Services Organization (SAWSO) in the USA is organizing a delivery of blankets and has arranged for samples of food packages to be sent to territorial leaders who will then have the option to order any if needed.

There has been a considerable financial response to The Salvation Army's Japan Disaster Appeal from around the world. The Japan Territory believes funds already available in-country will cover the costs of the current response and that money raised from around the world will enable a medium to long-term response. The territory is considering building temporary accommodation and providing household goods and equipment but these plans are still at the early stages.

Commissioner Makoto Yoshida, The Salvation Army's Territorial Commander in Japan, is grateful for the practical and spiritual support that has been offered from across the world.

He reports that commuters in Tokyo who were given food, drink and shelter at territorial headquarters on the night of the earthquake have sent letters of thanks, some including a donation for the relief work.

Nonprofits Should Incorporate Millennials Sooner Rather Than Later

2011-03-23T13:00:00.002-04:00

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy

Read the article here.

Salvation Army Earthquake Response in Japan has to Overcome Weather and Fuel Issues (Update 18 March)

2011-03-18T15:09:00.001-04:00

THE Salvation Army's earthquake response in Japan is continuing its work despite difficulties caused by snow and the lack of fuel. A team that was set to head from Tokyo to the tsunami-hit north of the country had to delay its journey because of snow but has now made its way to Sendai, where a distribution will take place tomorrow morning (Saturday).

The three teams that carried out distributions in Sendai, Koriyama, Shirakawa, Fukushima and Mito City on Wednesday 16 March returned to The Salvation Army's Japan Territorial Headquarters in Tokyo to report on what they had seen and decide what should be done next. International Emergency Services worker Major Raelton Gibbs reports: 'The work that has been done is commendable – from feeding programs out of Salvation Army halls to the distribution of blankets, water bottles, bread and nappies (diapers).'

He says that Tokyo continues to feel aftershocks and admits that 'no matter how many you experience they are all a little daunting'.

The Salvation Army distribution teams are well aware of the concerns surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and are staying clear of the exclusion zones.

Major Gibbs says he has been impressed by the response put together by The Salvation Army's Japan Territory. The fuel and weather problems mean that people have had to be flexible. He tells of one group that tried to get to Sendai but was unable to make it all the way and so met the needs of some smaller communities around Koriyama on the way back to Tokyo.

The focus is understandably on the immediate response but Major Gibbs says that longer-term plans are being put in place, such as the provision of cooking equipment when people return to their communities. As it often does in emergency responses, The Salvation Army will pay particular attention to communities that have been missed by the government and other agencies.

Photos of The Salvation Army's response in Japan can be found on the International Headquarters Flickr site.

The Salvation Army Opens in Togo and Continues to Grow Around the World

2011-03-17T11:59:00.003-04:00

FOLLOWING consultation with the International Management Council (IMC), General Shaw Clifton has approved the official commencement of Salvation Army work in Togo, effective 1 April 2011. Togo – officially the Togolese Republic – is a country in west Africa, bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. The fledgling work in Togo has been developing under supervision of the Ghana Territory and will continue to do so. With this new opening The Salvation Army is now at work officially in 124 countries.

Many messages reached International Headquarters between 1999 and 2005, both from residents of the country and Togolese people living in the USA and Canada, asking that Army work be commenced in Togo. In March 2007 the Ghana Territory dispatched a fact-finding team to Togo, which was greeted with great enthusiasm by established churches and community leaders alike. It was discovered that Salvation Army meetings were already being held and converts were being made. Seven societies have been opened during the past year, 230 seekers have been registered and 14 indigenous soldiers have been enrolled. Work among children and young people is also developing well.

Captains Hervé Michel and Naty Dorcas Ahouyanganga, of the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory, have been appointed to give leadership to this new work as of 1 April 2011.

Middle East Region
There are also developments concerning Salvation Army work in the Middle East. The Salvation Army was officially established in Kuwait in 2008 and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2010. The Army received excellent support and cooperation from St Andrew's Church in Dubai in the early days of exploration leading to the start of its work in Kuwait.

Three centres now operate – Abu Dhabi and Sharjah (both in the UAE) and Kuwait. In recent days regular Army meetings have also been taking place in Bahrain and Oman, though these activities remain on an informal basis for the time being and are not yet officially established as Salvation Army activity.

In view of the development that has taken place in the region in the past three years, and the obvious potential for further growth, the General has approved the proposal that the work in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates shall be known, for Salvation Army purposes, as the Middle East Region as from 1 April 2011 (reporting directly to International Headquarters). Should the activities in Oman, Bahrain or other countries in that area move to official recognition, they will be included in the Middle East Region.

Majors Mike and Teresa Hawley, officers of the USA Southern Territory, will be the regional leaders – Major Mike Hawley serving as Regional Officer.

Updates on countries where Salvation Army work has opened since 2007
The General has received updated reports on Salvation Army work established during the past four years, briefly summarized as follows (dates in brackets indicate when work officially commenced):

Burundi (2007) – The work here is now part of the Rwanda and Burundi Command. Regular worship meetings are taking place, as are women’s and children’s activities. The first youth councils will take place in 2011. Burundi currently has 182 senior soldiers, 74 junior soldiers, 74 recruits and 319 adherent members.

Greece (2007) – The Salvation Army’s legal constitution in Greece has been recognized by the Greek authorities. Army ministry includes prison visitation, food distribution on soup runs, hospital visits and a ministry to trafficked women working in the red light district of Thessolonika. Regular Bible study takes place, as does an ‘open house’ event in the officers’ quarters. A newly commissioned Greek officer-couple (trained in London) will be appointed later in the year and it is hoped that their emphasis on corps work will give impetus to the development of a spiritual ministry in Greece. The work is part of the the Italy and Greece Command.

Namibia (2008) – Steady growth continues, with a number of senior and junior soldiers enrolled in 2010. Local officers have been commissioned. Namibia is under the direction of the Southern Africa Territory. Successful outreach activities took place during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup which was held in South Africa, attracting new families into the orbit of Salvation Army activity. Namibia currently has 54 senior soldiers, 42 junior soldiers and seven local officers.

Mali (2008) – Two new corps and two new societies have been established in the past year. Officers have been appointed from the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory to support the regional leaders and to run Sogoniko Corps. Mali has 54 senior soldiers, 27 junior soldiers, 34 recruits and 19 adherent members, as well as a growing number of people involved in singers’ groups, timbrels, home league, junior home league and other groups. The Mali Region reports to International Headquarters.

Mongolia (2008) – Great encouragement has come from the good beginnings the Army’s ministry has had in Mongolia, moving along under the careful supervision of the Korea Territory and led by a Korean officer-couple, Captain Lee, Min-ho and Captain Chang, Mi-hyun. A number of education programs are running, involving 150 students on a daily basis. Other community programs address diverse needs among the people. Work continues with regard to finalizing the legal registration of The Salvation Army in Mongolia, with the hope that the government will recognize the Army as a religious body, thus enabling it to have maximum impact in the country.

Nepal (2009) – The Army now has two centers of worship in Nepal – one in Kathmandu, with 12 soldiers and five adherent members, and the other in Goldhap, Jhapa District, with 25 soldiers and seven adherent members. Plans are in place for the opening of an outpost in Doramba, Ramechap District, where there are already 10 soldiers. A regular holiness meeting takes place each Saturday (Sunday is a normal working day in Nepal) and cottage prayer meetings take place during the week. A community training center has been established, providing training in tailoring, crafts and the English language. Each class begins with a 15-minute devotional. These combined skills help Nepalese women to find employment and thus become self-sufficient. Nepal's work is under the direction of the India Eastern Territory

Sierra Leone (2010) – The Army has been able to make use of radio and television opportunities as part of its evangelical outreach and the first outpost has been opened. Training sessions for local officers are taking place. Between May 2010 and February this year 68 senior soldiers were enrolled and a further 15 recruits are currently in preparation for soldiership. Sixteen newly trained local officers are preparing to take up their responsibilities. The Liberia Command supervises the work in Sierra Leone.

Nicaragua (2010) – A change of leadership has recently taken place for The Salvation Army in Nicaragua (part of the Latin America North Territory). There is every indication that steady growth can be anticipated. Four home cell groups are operating. More than 100 seekers have been registered and preparations are in place for the enrollment of eight senior soldiers and 12 junior soldiers.

Turks & Caicos Islands (2011) – A strong social emphasis formed the basis of early Salvation Army efforts on the Turks & Caicos Islands – including a school lunch program, senior transport program and family thrift store. These established a positive image for the Army in the community upon which an effective spiritual ministry is now being built. Around 60 people regularly attend the weekly Sunday worship meeting. School and door-to-door visitation are bringing the Army into contact with an increasing number of people. The Turks & Caicos Islands are part of the Caribbean Territory.

Solomon Islands (2011) – Though officially established only as recently as 1 February this year, Salvation Army work on the Solomon Islands shows great promise. Operating under supervision from the Papua New Guinea Territory, worship meetings involve a regular congregation of 60 people. Up to 30 people are participating in recruits’ classes and local officers have been commissioned. Two soldiers have applied for officer training and anticipate entering the Army’s training college in Papua New Guinea in January 2012. Various community needs present opportunities for The Salvation Army to become involved in a practical Christian ministry in the islands.

The General calls Salvationists and friends throughout the world to continue in prayer for God’s blessing upon these burgeoning expressions of Army ministry in so many different parts of the world.

Worldwide Support Helps Salvation Army Emergency Response in Japan (Update 16 March)

2011-03-16T13:37:00.002-04:00

THREE Salvation Army teams in Japan are providing vital assistance to people affected by the country's earthquake, the resulting tsunami and ongoing problems at a nuclear power station. The Japanese Government has recognized the Army's work and given its teams permission to enter the disaster area and use access roads that are closed off to the public.

The first of the three teams went to Sendai, where about 1,000 meals were served to evacuees. Hot meals and drinks were prepared in The Salvation Army's mobile emergency canteen and given out at Sendai Corps (Salvation Army church). Handy towels and Salvation Army publications were also distributed.

Another team went to a relief office in the Mito area and unloaded bottles of water, biscuits, blankets, nappies (diapers) and tissue boxes for distribution to evacuees.

The third team headed to an area where people had been evacuated from the vicinity around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, but snow and shortage of petrol meant they had to divert to other areas to support evacuees.

Offers of support are pouring in from around the world. Two experienced International Emergency Services workers have flown to Tokyo from International Headquarters in London to assist their Japanese colleagues. The BBC reports that volunteers from a British group which failed to obtain clearance to work in the affected areas 'donated their food and medical supplies to The Salvation Army working in the country'.

The Salvation Army's Korea Territory has arranged for the K-Water Corporation to provide 100,000 bottles of water to be sent to Japan – 30,000 bottles by the end of the week, followed by the rest within a short time – and the Korea Disaster Relief Association will be sending 5,000 first-aid kits. Salvationists in Korea are holding a month of prayer for the people of Japan.

In a touching show of solidarity 1,500 young Salvationists in Haiti – who themselves have recent experience of a devastating earthquake – made prayer for Japan a focus of their rally in Fond-des-Nègres on 11-12 March.

Help Japan by purchasing a cool t-shirt

2011-03-14T10:14:00.004-04:00

By now we're all aware of the earthquake in Japan that triggered a horrific tsunami resulting is devastating damage and mayhem. Help The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan by purchasing the t-shirt pictured below:

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this shirt will go directly to The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan. You can buy the shirt here: TSA WARdrobe.

Thanks to our friends at Hydro 74 for the design & goodwill!

Japanese Salvation Army Emergency Relief Teams Swing into Action

2011-03-14T09:51:00.004-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Japan has three emergency service relief teams operating in areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the north-east coast of the country last week. One of the teams is assisting people who have been evacuated from areas where there is potential danger because of damage to nuclear power generation stations.

At this time there are no reports of any loss of Salvation Army personnel or damage to corps buildings.

Immediately following the earthquake and tsunami an assessment team was sent from Tokyo to Sendai (the city nearest the center of the earthquake). It took the team 20 hours to travel a journey that usually is accomplished in six hours.

Road and rail systems have been severely affected. There is a shortage of petrol, with many petrol stations closed and queues up to three kilometres long at stations that are open.

The disaster has affected a 2,000 kilometre north-south stretch of Japan. Official reports now state that more than 10,000 people are dead or missing.

Arrangements are being made for emergency service personnel from The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) to go to Japan to assist with the Army's relief effort.

A number of Salvation Army territories have informed IHQ of financial and prayer support for the Army's relief effort in Japan. The Salvation Army in South Korea has set aside the next four weeks specifically for prayer and fundraising for Japan.

A Japan Disaster Fund appeal has been established at IHQ.

Click HERE to Donate directly to the Japan relief effort.

Salvation Army in Japan Begins Earthquake Response

2011-03-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

THE Salvation Army in Japan is responding to the earthquake and tsunami that brought devastation to the north of the country. Communication and travel have been badly hit by the disaster, and at the moment the true cost in human life and property can only be guessed.

The most damaged city is Sendai, about 400 kilometres away from Tokyo. Commissioner Makoto Yoshida, leader of The Salvation Army's Japan Territory, was at territorial headquarters in Tokyo and reports: 'Our building swayed tremendously. It was hard for us to keep standing and many of us were really frightened.'

He adds: 'We are sending a team to Sendai tonight [11 March] and tomorrow we will start providing the basic necessities as well as assessing the level of damage so we can decide what else we can do.'

Public transport in Tokyo stopped because of the earthquake, leaving many commuters unable to leave work. Commissioner Yoshida says: 'We opened our hall on the ground floor of territorial headquarters to those who could not go home. We served them with hot drinks and packed meals.'

General Shaw Clifton, the international leader of The Salvation Army, has already been in touch with the commissioner to assure him of the prayers and support of Salvationists around the world.

Salvation Army in Italy Responds to Request for Help with Refugees

2011-03-09T16:29:00.001-05:00

ITALIAN authorities have asked The Salvation Army to arrange for its Atena Lucana Center to be used as a temporary home for refugees from northern Africa fleeing the turmoil in Tunisia and Libya.

Lieut-Colonel Daniel Naud, Officer Commanding of The Salvation Army's work in Italy, reports that he agreed to have the center prepared and that within the next few days it will be ready to accommodate at least 50 people.

The center in Atena Lucana, more than two hours' drive south-east of Rome, was used in 2008 to accommodate immigrants from other African countries. The program ran for several months and was acknowledged by the authorities as one of the most effective in the country.

Lieut-Colonel Naud says there is much to arrange before the center is ready for refugees but added: 'We will do our best with the aid of our team of professionals to manage this new situation.'

Salvation Army Earthquake Response in New Zealand Focuses on Food and Psychosocial Support – Update 24 February

2011-02-24T13:45:00.001-05:00

THE Salvation Army in New Zealand is focusing on providing food and psychosocial support to people affected by the earthquake that devastated the Canterbury region on 22 February. Local Salvation Army staff and officers (ministers) have been joined by others from around the country.

Reinforcement personnel are boosting the psychosocial team that was already established as part of the ongoing recovery work from the September 2010 earthquake. The Salvation Army has been asked to provide up to 40 staff to accompany assessment teams (one Salvationist per team) that will travel through affected areas. Salvationists have also been asked to assess social and welfare needs.

The Salvation Army's earthquake response team is working out of a temporary location at Sydenham Corps (church) because its buildings in Christchurch sustained significant damage. Salvation Army IT staff have arrived on site, traveling overnight from Wellington, and are setting up computer and phone networks.

Salvation Army church members in Christchurch are taking part in the feeding program. Emergency services coordinator Major Rex Cross says: 'The Salvation Army was up and running almost instantly. We are thrilled with the local response.' Team members at Cowles Stadium were about to start serving breakfast when engineers told them the building might be unsafe. They simply moved outside and served breakfast there.

Reports suggest that the situation in Christchurch remains chaotic. There are also concerns that needs in outer Christchurch suburbs are not well understood.

More news is emerging about an international track meet to raise funds for the earthquake response. The event – held in place of a meet that should have taken place in Christchurch – will take place at Wellington's Newtown Park on Saturday 26 February.

'Track Meet 4 Christchurch' is organized by the athletes themselves and is to be run in association with the New Zealand Olympic Committee, which will present Nick Willis with his long-awaited Olympic silver medal at the beginning of the event. Nick came third in the 1,500 metres in Beijing but was promoted to second when the winner was disqualified in November 2009 after failing a drugs test.

Spectator entry to the track meet is free. However, The Salvation Army will collect donations for the Christchurch relief effort.

Nick says that in response to the events in Christchurch the athletes wanted to do something to help. 'We hope to see at least five athletes break the magic four-minute barrier [for the mile],' he says. 'And we hope to get a large crowd and raise as many funds for the Christchurch people as possible.'

Salvation Army Earthquake Response Under Way in New Zealand – Update 23 February

2011-02-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

THE Salvation Army’s earthquake response program in Canterbury, New Zealand, is under way. Salvation Army officers (ministers) and volunteers are feeding and caring for Canterbury residents displaced by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the region around Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February. With large loss of life reported and many people still missing, sorrow continues to engulf the South Pacific nation.

Salvation Army teams from its three North Island divisions, along with teams from the South Island corps (churches) of Mosgiel and Queenstown, comprising 50 people, are on the way to Christchurch. Other teams across South Island are on standby.

Last night, the first since the earthquake struck, Salvation Army volunteers served 1,500 meals to those unable to go back to their homes and staff provided support at emergency welfare centers.

Damage to The Salvation Army's Southern Divisional Headquarters, as well as to Christchurch City Community Ministries Centre and Christchurch City Corps, means a temporary operations centre to oversee recovery work has been set up at Sydenham Corps. Southern Division and territorial headquarters (THQ) staff are now assessing the situation across the affected area to determine the exact nature of the Army’s response. With mobile communications in the region patchy at present, communications equipment including radios, satellite phones and computers is being transported from THQ to Sydenham.

Linwood Corps and Community Ministries, which has shouldered a large part of The Salvation Army’s recovery work since the larger but less deadly September 2010 earthquake, suffered mainly superficial damage. Its officers, staff and volunteers are preparing for a steep increase in demand. Christchurch City Community Ministries Centre will not reopen in the immediate future due to quake damage and its staff are being redeployed to Linwood.

Major Campbell Roberts, who is coordinating The Salvation Army's emergency response, says the quake is a tragedy beyond description but that the Army’s experience since September and the high morale of officers and volunteers puts it in good stead to respond effectively.

Salvation Army teams are at Wellington and Auckland airports to meet hundreds of people who have been evacuated from the quake zone and offer support and light refreshments.

The Salvation Army relaunched its Canterbury Earthquake Appeal yesterday. There has been a strong response from the public and from potential corporate donors. The Salvation Army's USA Western Territory is donating US$200,000 to assist with the Army's earthquake recovery efforts. The Australia Southern Territory is donating Aus$50,000.

Large and small-scale fundraising is being organized around New Zealand. An international track meet scheduled for Christchurch this weekend was canceled after the quake. Athletes now plan to stage a fundraising meet in Wellington to support The Salvation Army’s earthquake appeal.

The Salvation Army's international leader, General Shaw Clifton, was New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territorial Commander from 2002 to 2004. He informed current territorial commander Commissioner Don Bell that the prayers of International Headquarters were with the victims of the earthquake. ‘We are shocked, unhappy and downcast to hear overnight of a further quake in lovely Christchurch,' he said. 'We stand with you and your people in what you will do to offer relief.'

Commissioner Bell will soon visit the earthquake zone to encourage Salvation Army personnel.

Salvation Army in New Zealand Responds After Earthquake Brings Destruction

2011-02-22T09:11:00.001-05:00

THE Salvation Army in New Zealand is responding after the city of Christchurch was hit by a huge earthquake on Tuesday 22 February – the second major earthquake to affect the city in less than six months. At least 65 people are known to have been killed and – at time of writing – hundreds are trapped in the debris.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck at 12.51 pm local time, causing structural damage and total destruction of some buildings. Vehicles were crushed by falling debris. Medical triage centers have established around the city and the mayor of Christchurch has declared a state of emergency.

The city of Christchurch and parts of the surrounding region were still rebuilding after a 7.1 earthquake that struck in the early hours of 4 September 2010. While that earthquake damaged buildings and made some homes inhabitable, there were no deaths and only a small number of injuries. The 22 February earthquake – said by seismologists to be an aftershock to the 2010 quake – was of a lesser magnitude than that in September but it was closer to the city center and nearer to the surface, which is why the damage is more significant.

By late afternoon The Salvation Army was assisting more than 1,000 people at a welfare site established near the inner city at Hagley Park. Shocked and grief-stricken locals are temporarily being housed in large marquees that were already on site for a flower show.

Major Rex Cross, emergency services coordinator for The Salvation Army in Christchurch, said that The Salvation Army was calling its emergency response teams together. Travel across the city was extremely difficult, however, and people are being told to stay away from the city center.

Catering supplies have been organized for around 1,500 people, says Major Cross, giving assurance that 'food is on its way and people will be fed’.

He adds: 'You just cannot imagine the enormity of this [quake] compared to the first one.'

Some Salvation Army buildings have been damaged. The Salvation Army’s community ministry center in Christchurch has been severely damaged, with significant damage to Christchurch City Corps (Salvation Army church). The Salvation Army’s South Island headquarters has also been affected.

The Salvation Army was involved in the initial response to last year’s earthquake and has continued to assist with welfare and psychosocial support.

‘The situation in Christchurch is extremely serious,’ says Commissioner Don Bell, commander of The Salvation Army's New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. ‘Our prayers are with the city of Christchurch – we pray for our own people, for their friends and neighbors. We pray that God will give strength and hope to those who are in shock, and help rescue efforts.

‘The Salvation Army stands ready to continue to help the city in this terrible time of great grief and human need.’

The Salvation Army has relaunched its Canterbury Earthquake Appeal in expectation of great humanitarian need. National fundraising coordinator Major Robbie Ross says the region has suffered terribly since last September’s earthquake and a tremendous effort was now required to help those already living with the hardships and psychological effects of the original quake and its aftershocks.

‘Our experience with the September quake showed us the great emotional shock such an event can have on people – and now there is the added dimension of people grieving for loved ones,’ he says. ‘There will be a myriad of material needs by those who have lost possessions and homes. We are appealing for cash donations to strengthen our response.’

Advice for a new General

2011-02-15T09:50:00.003-05:00

This is taken from Stephen Court's blog over at ArmyBarmy:

ADVICE FOR BOND

Here are four things that General-Elect should emphasize during her term as General around the world via various media and in meetings and personal contacts if we are to confidently hope to win the world for Jesus.

Holiness.
Liveliness in meetings.
Seeking the poorest and worst.
Red-hot religion.

There you have it.

Now, before you get too carried away, the advice doesn’t come from us, it comes directly from General William Booth. It turns out that the key advice he left for his successors is right there. Strange collection, isn’t it.

1. HOLINESS. Booth asserted that it was only experiential holiness that distinguished us from any other movement and justified us in having any separate existence at all.  

2. LIVELINESS IN MEETINGS. Wow. You’d have to travel pretty far and wide (at least in the Western world?) to find anything YellowRedandBlue resembling a Salvation Army Corps, according to this principle. Granted, there are exceptions- I’ve experienced them in various countries, here and there. But if this is the standard, we’re left with two options- change or take off our uniforms. Oh wait, many of us already took off our uniforms- what I meant was, stop pretending to be the Army and in so doing, compromise The Salvation Army.  

3. SEEKING THE POOREST AND WORST. Praise God. Let’s get after them. They need freedom. Impact through contact is the best method. You have to be close to someone to touch them. You can’t email in your compassion.   

4. RED-HOT RELIGION. See our comments on #2. We really have to come to the realization that we’re in a war, that there is an enemy that is out to destroy us, that there are captives that are going to hell forever, that there are dangers and weapons and strategies and rules of engagement and strict disciplines and a Commander and casualties and victories and defeats and blood and glory and heroes and traitors and rewards. And we have to come to an understanding that our King is a magnificent, wonderful, omnipotent, beautiful, benevolent, compassionate, sensational God who loves us and gave Himself and gives Himself for us.

  If we are not willing to change so that we abide by the first principles then we are not worthy of the high calling of soldiership and the heroic legacy of Salvationism and we might as well lay down our uniforms and sulk back to church.

What would we add as keys to focus on in the next General's term? Here are just two:

Great Commission. Let’s finish the ‘all nations’ component of the great commission. We can do it by the end of the decade if we are intentional.

Covenant. Let’s emphasize junior and senior soldiership and officership covenants, shooting for universal embrace of them as a means not only of reversing the fragmentation and decline but positioning us a the ‘bulldozer of salvation’ (to quote on general) to complete the other components of the great commission.

YStv - February 2011

2011-02-10T22:48:00.001-05:00

Strategic Partnerships to fight Cholera Epidemic in Haiti

2011-02-08T14:12:00.000-05:00

The Salvation Army Works with Médecins du Monde to Fight Cholera Epidemic in Haiti

LAND on a Salvation Army farm in Fond-des-Nègres, Haiti, has been transformed into a new cholera treatment center (CTC). The project required the leveling of land, clearing of roads and installation of waste removal and water delivery systems but the center, set up with partner agency Medécins du Monde, was erected in just 15 days.

The CTC features a carefully designed maze of tents that are sanitized and prepared to receive and care for patients through every stage of infection. From triage to recovery, the CTC delivers intensive rehydration therapy and monitors patients' fluid levels in order to balance rehydration efforts.

There have been nearly 4,000 confirmed cholera-related deaths throughout Haiti since the epidemic began in late 2010. The Salvation Army’s Bethel Clinic in Fond-des-Nègres saw 250 cases in only two months. The opening of the CTC will increase the Army’s capacity to effectively treat people in the surrounding communities.

According to the United Nations, the cholera mortality rate in Haiti is down from 10 per cent to two per cent. With the opening of the CTC, The Salvation Army and Médecins du Monde are doing their part to insure survival rates continue to improve.

In addition to setting up quarantine and treatment areas at Bethel Clinic, The Salvation Army has been taking steps to prevent the spread of cholera since the epidemic began. Vital supplies – such as soap, disinfectant, oral rehydration packets and antibiotics – have been distributed via Salvation Army centers, including its churches and schools, throughout the country. In the capital city, Port-au-Prince, efforts have continued through the primary health clinic, College Verena Primary and Secondary Schools and at the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp next to The Salvation Army’s compound.

The Salvation Army’s efforts to treat and prevent the spread of cholera have been made possible through partnerships with Medécins du Monde, The Salvation Army’s Canada and Bermuda Territory and a donor in the Bahamas.

Interview with General-Elect Commissioner Linda Bond

2011-02-07T09:39:00.002-05:00

by Lieut-Colonel Laurie Robertson

Please tell us about yourself and your background.

Recently I contributed to a book in the Australia Eastern Territory, and this is how I described my background.

I was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, as the youngest of 13 children. My mother was British, migrating to Canada with her parents when she was 17 years old. My Canadian father was a coal miner. You can't grow up in a large family, having a mother with a keen mind and a fiery spirit and a father as gentle as a lamb and selfless as Jesus, without being influenced. I am my mother's child by nature, and my father's child by desire.

The coal mining town and political environment in which I was raised also affected the way I view life and I thank the Lord for this. The marginalized, the poor and the addicted were part of the community landscape, and my parents were committed to seeing things change for the hurting. This was consistent with what I later learned to be the Lord's mission – and the Army's.

Can you please describe your thoughts and feelings when you were nominated for and then elected as General of The Salvation Army?

When I was nominated I felt it was an affirmation from my peers. My overall feeling was that 'this is of the Lord'. He had been speaking to my heart through Scripture, and although I had not intended to, I accepted nomination in obedience to the Lord. I felt that I had to wait to see what he wanted to do. When I was elected I was humbled, but I had a real sense that this was the Lord's doing. To me it was a miracle – it was a work of grace.

In what ways is the High Council a daunting experience?

It is daunting - and this was my third High Council - because the whole Salvation Army world is watching and wanting the leaders to get it right. I don't mean that in terms of it being a human decision, but that Salvationists are wanting the leaders to be open to the Spirit of God. High Council members want to be sensitive not only to God but also to Salvationists who are trusting them with this decision.

How is the election of a Salvation Army General different from the election of a political leader?

Well, there is no lobbying, for one thing! The major difference is that it is bathed in prayer. Unlike a political election, only a certain group have a vote yet all the Salvationists are praying for the High Council members to be granted wisdom by the Spirit.

Please describe spiritual leadership in a Salvation Army context.

I have very deep convictions about spiritual leadership, and for many years I taught classes on spiritual authority. To me the first point of spiritual authority is that power belongs to God. The power that he delegates to us has to be a power of love, the power to die to self, the power to live for others, the power for people and not over people.

Also, whatever gifts he's given you, influence how you serve. So if he has given the gift of leadership, you serve best when you lead. If he has given the gift of preaching, you serve best when you preach. For everybody in spiritual leadership – we come under the authority of God. Ours is a delegated influence.

How do you connect with God?

For many years now I have set aside an hour of devotional time in the morning, but I am aware of the presence of the Lord all through the day.

Because I live alone I have a lot of private time. I like to have day retreats. When I have a Saturday free, I like to spend quality time in the Word and reading a good book. But mainly I love the Word. I pray the Word.

Jesus said to go into the closet [to pray]. The closet to me is the Psalms. When I enter the Psalms I meet with Jesus. I guess I could say that of the whole Bible. The Bible to me is where I enter into the presence of God and I hear his voice, and so I pray the Bible back to the Lord.

Please outline the Army's mission and explain how it is relevant and valid around the world today.

Well, everybody seems to quote Retired General John Gowans and I, too, think he captured the mission of The Salvation Army in his phrase 'Save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity'.

Salvationists seem to know instinctively that the Army was raised up by God to connect people to Jesus. They also know that we believe that people can be holy now, that they can be Christlike. It's in our DNA to serve. So that is the mission of the Army and those are the guideposts for us.

How is it relevant? Well, the world needs Jesus – that's pretty relevant, isn't it? The ills of mankind are not going to be addressed by any other means, except through the Cross of Christ. When we talk about the relevance of holiness, this world needs to see that the people of God make holiness believable. It needs to see authentic, deep Christians who live out the life of Jesus and do not just talk about it.

There is suffering humanity – all we have to do is watch television on any given night or look around our communities and say: 'We need Christians with their sleeves rolled up.'

How is The Salvation Army distinctive from other Christian denominations, missions and movements?

I have often felt that our name not only identifies us but also tells us what our mission is. I love the fact that our very name is Salvation, and for the Salvationist that salvation means everything. It means salvation from sin, it means a full salvation that invites us to holy living. It is salvation for the whole person. This salvation moves us to address human need and to do so in his name. We are known for serving suffering humanity.

We are also an 'Army', which reflects mobility, flexibility, discipline, active service. That's distinctive.

Our symbols are distinctive and our worship is often very spontaneous – as it should be. I love the Salvation Army testimony period and where it has been lost it needs to be revived, because we are in a day and age that loves to share and hear stories.

I think our Mercy Seat is brilliant – and I don't mean to be sacrilegious in saying that! There is something about being in worship and knowing that the Word of Christ, when proclaimed, can be responded to then and there. To me there's always something special about kneeling before God in front of the community of faith. It's not just coming to the Lord, believing he meets us there. You know you are surrounded by people who have seen your commitment, and that they also covenant to pray for you.

I truly believe in our stand on the sacraments. The Lord needs some part of the Church to prove that you don't need ceremonies to be truly saved, committed and Christlike. That in no way is a negative comment about how other people view the sacraments, not at all. The Lord has brought us all up with different views of things, and I feel the Army's teaching is sound. It's a wonderful prophetic witness.

Is it important for people who worship at the Army to commit to junior soldiership, soldiership and local officership/leadership?

I am absolutely convinced we have to be asking people to step up and sign up. I often use that phrase. Jesus called people to radical discipleship and in The Salvation Army that is soldiership and officership.

We need to be asking people not just to be members of the Army. I don't see soldiership as membership or officership as professional clergy. Our people must believe the Army was raised up by God to be at war against anything that limits the human spirit or keeps it in bondage. We need a fighting force, and soldiership and officership are that for me.

Why are more officers needed?

Officers are not better than anybody else – we need to be clear about that. Officership by its nature is about availability and mobility. In a worldwide Salvation Army we need people who are prepared to serve anywhere and be of service to the cause of Christ, with all their gifts. We need people who are available.

So the more officers the better! We need officers who see this not as a profession in a secular sense but as sacrificial service. Officership needs to underscore sacrifice.

Are gift-oriented ministry appointments practical for all officers? If so, how can this be achieved? If not, what are the barriers?

I do believe in gift-oriented ministry appointments, but I would have to be honest with you – I have been given appointments where not just the gifts I had were needed. They were requiring of me something else that I didn't feel gifted for.

I believe the Lord honours obedience. When he called me to officership, I just had to say: 'You have all there is of me.' If he asks something of me he will grace me for the task.

In my earlier officership no one would have thought I had a gift of administration, but I kept getting administrative appointments. I never stopped preaching, I never stopped teaching and I never stopped relating to people. They were my gifts, but I had to rise up to the challenge of administration. The last gift test I took, lo and behold!.. I had the gift of administration!

God has gifted us and we need to be available to use our gifts. I would never minimize that, but I sometimes wonder if we put more stress on gift-oriented ministry than we do on obedience.

Again, if we obey the Lord Jesus Christ and he asks us to rise to a challenge, we have to believe that there will be grace to rise to that challenge.

What are some of the strengths of the Army worldwide?

Our name, because we are known in most places and are found trustworthy. Trustworthiness is a huge part of what makes us effective. People trust us and we never want to lose that.

Another strength of the Army, I believe, is its mission, which is so clearly defined. You would be hard pressed to find a Salvationist who did not know the mission. There is something about being very clear about our purpose that makes The Salvation Army as effective as it is.

Our visibility is also a strength. People recognize our uniforms and logos.

We have a long history yet we are known in society as an organization that is able to change its methods to relate to each generation while holding true to its essential principles. We must continue to do this, to be adaptable and flexible but principled.

How can the Army use these strengths to lovingly introduce people to Jesus Christ?

Because we are trustworthy, the Army does have an entrance point in people's lives. There is a graciousness about evangelism that the Army must have. We have so many open doors of opportunity through our service to suffering humanity We can touch people's lives, not just to help with their social needs, but to reach into the deep recesses of their hearts with the good news of Jesus. This means that we need to pray for such opportunities and then when they come, to take advantage of them with grace and clarity.

What will be the main challenges facing you as General?

It is a challenge to serve in a very complex world without losing sight of our mission. We must also serve in a secular world and never be ashamed of Jesus. Both will take courage, wisdom and grace.

And for the Army, would they be the same sort of challenges?

Yes! We are all called to serve the present age. Sometimes we use the term relevance. Well, relevance is fine as long as we don't mean compromise. While serving the present age, there are some things that we could never compromise. The primary one is the universal saviourhood of Jesus. He is the only Saviour and we must never compromise our stand on the gospel.

Please comment on the importance of bringing children to personal faith in Jesus Christ? What specific plans do you have in mind regarding the spiritual nurture of children?

This is a passion for me and it's not just about spiritual nurture. I am passionate about bringing children to Jesus. I guess I served in the years when we had the Sunday School Movement and the Bus Ministries and the big Sunday Schools – and it seems to have died out.

I am surprised at how many corps don't have youth or children's ministries. The Salvation Army needs to focus on reaching children for Jesus.

There are children in dysfunctional homes, there are children in violent neighbourhoods, there are children who will grow up without the gospel at all. The Salvation Army needs to make reaching children for Jesus and training them up in the faith one of its main priorities. This will be a major focus of my ministry.

How do you hope to use the latest technology in communicating with the worldwide Army? A question has been asked already: Are we going to have a blog?

I like using technology actually – I just love it! We need to explore every means to use technology to best advantage in order to fulfill our mission to the world.

As for a blog – again, for me it would be a matter of finding the time. But more importantly, I hope to visit and travel frequently, and I know from experience that in many parts of the Army world, it can be extremely difficult if not impossible to get on-line. But the Office of the General will require me to communicate by every means possible. I will do that. For many, they will expect to hear of these travels through a blog. Others will welcome regular electronic letters. But best of all is face-to-face contact and traveling will give lots of opportunity for this.

What do you imagine or hope The Salvation Army will be like at the end of your term as General? In what ways might it be different to what it is like today?

I don't really have a good answer for that, as I haven't even started yet! All I know is I am committed to uplift the name of Jesus. I am absolutely confident that when we do that, the Spirit of God blesses The Salvation Army.

I do believe in revival and pray for it on a regular basis. There has been revival in some places. We have certainly been an Army in renewal.

I have a sense deep in my spirit that God is wanting to do something in the Army, through the Army, that I can't quite articulate. There is a sense of his Spirit moving me and saying: 'Keep faith with who I am, keep faith with what I have given the Army to do.'

If at the end of my term, this message has been communicated and the Army's strong sense of identity and commitment to mission continues to impact society, then he will be pleased. And if he is pleased, that's what matters most to me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have to thank The Salvation Army. I've had hundreds of messages from all over the world and I am a bit overwhelmed by it all. I want to thank people who offered Scripture – people keep sending me Scripture. People offer congratulations but they also promise prayer support. There is no greater gift that someone can give to me. I need prayer.

I would love to be strong and energetic and healthy and totally committed to what the Lord called me into this position for. I just want to do what he has called me to do.

The Salvation Army newly elected General

2011-01-31T12:45:00.002-05:00

The Salvation Army has today announced its new world leader and the 19th General will be Canadian-born Commissioner Linda Bond.

Commissioner Bond becomes the third woman and the fourth Canadian to hold the post of General of The Salvation Army since the international church and charity organisation was founded 146 years ago.

The commissioner, who currently heads up the church and registered charity’s work in the Australian Eastern Territory, was elected by The High Council of The Salvation Army made up of senior leaders from around the world who met this week in Sunbury-on-Thames near London.

Commissioner Linda Bond (64) will have the title General-elect until she succeeds the current world leader General Shaw Clifton, who retires at the beginning of April.

Once in post as General of The Salvation Army, the commissioner will become the head of more than one million Salvationists in 123 countries. The Salvation Army also has more than 100,000 employees who between them communicate in 175 different languages.

In recent days and months, The Salvation Army has been involved in relief work in the aftermath of the Australian floods, the devastating mudslide in Brazil, floods in Sri Lanka, and the New Zealand earthquake.

Commissioner Bond comes to the role of General of The Salvation Army with 42 years' experience of Christian ministry and leadership.

Since 2008 Commissioner Bond has headed up The Salvation Army’s work across Eastern Australia, a huge territory with its headquarters in Sydney. This includes the recently devastated state of Queensland where The Salvation Army continues to be heavily involved in assisting victims of widespread flooding.

Prior to this, the commissioner worked at Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, as the Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and International External Relations. This was her second spell at IHQ where she had previously served as Under Secretary for Personnel in the mid 1990s.

As a Salvation Army officer (ordained minister of religion and leader) Commissioner Bond has served in local corps (church) ministry, on the staff of Salvation Army national and regional (divisional) headquarters and as part of the training staff for new officers in her home territory of Canada and Bermuda. During those years she also served as a divisional and subsequently a leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

Other appointments have included divisional leadership roles in the Manchester region of the United Kingdom between 1998 and 1999, and as Territorial Leader in the USA Western Territory of The Salvation Army.

The announcement of the new General of The Salvation Army was broadcast live on the worldwide web. Speaking just after her election Commissioner Bond said:

‘I love the Lord Jesus Christ and pledge my utmost obedience to him. I am absolutely committed to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. We, the Salvation Army need to be an Army of praise and thanksgiving to God and we must place our trust in God. We need his Holy Spirit to come mightily on The Salvation Army.’

High Council 2011 Nominees for General: Who Are They?

2011-01-28T09:45:00.013-05:00

Click on the Candidate's name to read more:

Commissioner Linda Bond

Commissioner Maxwell Feener

Commissioner William Francis

Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek

Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan

Commissioner John Matear

Commissioner William Roberts

Commissioner Robert Street

Commissioner Barry Swanson

Salvation Army Steps Up Response to Brazil Mudslides (Update 19 January)

2011-01-19T13:03:00.000-05:00

THE Salvation Army's response to flooding and landslides in Brazil – now known to have killed more than 650 people – is growing by the day. Donated goods, including much-needed mattresses, were taken by truck from São Paulo and São Miguel Paulista to The Salvation Army's Lar do Méier Community Center in Rio de Janeiro in readiness for distribution. Some goods will go to the town of Areal, which has been identified as a priority area, and some to Petrópolis, where 58 people were killed. The truck will remain in the area for use in the emergency response.

A meeting in Rio with the Director of the General Department of Civil Defense, Colonel Rossi, confirmed that The Salvation Army's participation will initially be concentrated on providing logistical support. Donations from the fire department in Vila Isabel are being directed to the most critical areas as defined by Civil Defense.

Supplies are being taken to Santa Maria Madalena and 10 tonnes of donations, along with goods from the city of Joinville, are scheduled to be taken on Wednesday to Teresópolis, where 276 people died.

The Salvation Army’s Territorial Communications Director for Brazil, Major Téofilo Chagas, who is coordinating the Army’s response, is now being assisted by Major Jorge Silva from Santa Cruz, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, and Cadet Fagner Castanho, who is on summer assignment.

Over the coming days Major Chagas plans to visit the places affected by the disaster so that he can determine where The Salvation Army's assistance is most needed.

Doing the Most Good - Are you? Are we?

2011-01-13T10:33:00.001-05:00

I am doing the most good.
I am hope.
I am compassion.
I am strength.
I am faith.

I am doing the most good.
I serve a community.
A region.
A nation.
A world.
I serve heroes.
I serve victims.
I serve a sovereign God.

I am doing the most good.
I am an Army.
Drafted by the Creator.
Commissioned by a man who defied death.
My enemies are despair and destruction.
My ammunition is grace and mercy.
My allies are generosity and benevolence.
I am an Army.
Helping others be all they can be.

I am doing the most good.
I feed empty stomachs and hungry souls.
I rebuild ruined homes and shattered lives.
I am a willing listener for a veteran with stories to tell.
I am a bottled water and an encouraging smile for a weary firefighter.
I am an answered prayer.
A silver lining.
A second chance.

I am doing the most good.
I am a humble steward of other people’s generosity.
I am a grateful courier of a stranger’s kindness.
I am the faithful executor of others’ goodwill.
I take my responsibility seriously.
I am blessed.
I am a blessing.

I am The Salvation Army.
I am doing the most good.

Interview with the new National Leaders of The Salvation Army USA

2011-01-11T08:55:00.002-05:00

Captain Amy Reardon, editor of the YS magazine (Young Salvationist), interviews Commissioners Bill & Nancy Roberts in a friendly, informal conversation in this episode of YStv.

Episode I - January 2011 from YStv on Vimeo.

Unprecedented Flood Crisis in Australia

2011-01-03T09:25:00.001-05:00

SALVATION ARMY emergency services personnel from the Australia Eastern Territory have been working around the clock for a number of days in their relief effort to help tens of thousands of people impacted by an ‘unprecedented’ flood crisis in central and south-east Queensland. Expectations are that the worst is yet to come for many areas.

Dozens of cities and towns have been affected by the floods – the deluge continuing largely unabated since Christmas Eve – with some areas recording more than four times their average monthly rainfall for December.

A number of rivers have burst their banks, inundating town centers and leaving many smaller communities completely cut off. The floods already encompass an area larger than the combined size of France and Germany.

‘The level of rainfall has been phenomenal,’ said Central and North Queensland Divisional Commander Major Rodney Walters who has been helping to coordinate The Salvation Army’s relief effort from Divisional Headquarters in Rockhampton where residents are bracing for the worst floods in 20 years.

‘It’s been raining virtually non-stop for days on end and with many rivers still to reach their predicted peak the worst is yet to come in terms of flooding,’ he added.

More than 200,000 properties across Queensland are still without power – most of them in the Bundaberg region – with thousands of people being forced to evacuate their homes. It is expected that it will be at least several days before they will be allowed to return to their homes.

Other areas hard hit include Emerald – where up to 80 per cent of the city is inundated – and the communities of Gin Gin, Dalby, Theodore and Chinchilla.

Eight areas across southern and central Queensland are the subject of government disaster declarations with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh describing the floods as ‘an unprecedented situation in Queensland’.

In Rockhampton, The Salvation Army has been involved in feeding more than 1200 people at three evacuation centers in the city while also providing meals for dozens of volunteer and support staff.

Further west at Emerald – where the Nogoa River is expected to peak at 16.2 meters – and south at Bundaberg, more than 1400 people are being provided with meals by Salvation Army emergency services personnel.

The Salvation Army is also feeding more than 350 travelers at Gin Gin who have become stranded after all major roads in the area were cut off by flood waters. Rail services have also been affected.

The emergency relief effort is being assisted by The Salvation Army Flying Padre helicopter service through the transportation of supplies to stricken communities over the vast area impacted by the flooding. The newly commissioned helicopter is also being used to rescue people trapped by the floods in dangerous.

‘The Salvation Army emergency services teams are providing care and feeding programs to flood-evacuated people at a number of designated evacuation centers,’ said Central and North Queensland Divisional Communications and Public Relations Secretary Captain Megan Gallagher.

‘These emergency teams are mostly made up of Salvation Army volunteers who are also in some circumstances, themselves the victims of the floods.’

At Warwick, in south-east Queensland, The Salvation Army is involved in feeding more than 800 motorists who have become stranded in the city with all major roads in the area cut by flood waters.

With river levels in many areas not forecast to peak until early next week, The Salvation Army is bracing for the relief effort to continue well into this new year.

Salvation Army in Haiti Responds to Cholera Outbreak

2010-12-15T15:53:00.001-05:00

THE Salvation Army is taking steps to protect people from the cholera epidemic in Haiti that so far has led to 2,000 people losing their lives. Clinics and hospitals throughout Haiti report people with the disease needing treatment. The Salvation Army's Bethel Clinic in Fond-des-Negres set up a quarantine area for infected patients and additional support staff have been hired.

Other than at Bethel Clinic, The Salvation Army's response has been prevention. Soap, disinfectant, oral rehydration packets and antibiotics are being distributed through Salvation Army community centres. In the Port-au-Prince area these include the primary health clinic, the internally displaced persons camp next to the Salvation Army compound and at the College Verena primary and secondary schools. Outside Port-au-Prince the response is handled through 60 Salvation Army centres, including corps (churches) and schools.

Violence that erupted following disputed presidential elections is causing difficulties but Salvation Army staff are doing all they can to ensure vital supplies get to where they are most needed.

The prevention effort is being supported financially by The Salvation Army's Canada and Bermuda Territory and a donor from the Bahamas.

Several students at The Salvation Army's Rossignol School are reported to have died in the outbreak. A water treatment plant has been sent to Rossignol because the infection is mainly spread through contaminated water. The need for water treatment plants in all 49 Salvation Army-run schools in Haiti is being assessed.

To date, no cases of cholera have been reported in the camp managed by The Salvation Army in Port-au-Prince. Drinkable water and clean latrines are being provided in partnership with Concern Worldwide and Viva Rio, and every effort is being made to ensure the health and safety of the 13,000 people who still live in the camp.

Salvation Army Now Working in 122 Countries

2010-12-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

GENERAL Shaw Clifton has approved the official commencement of the work of The Salvation Army on the Turks and Caicos Islands, as of 1 January 2011. This means that the Army will now be officially at work in 122 countries.

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays (low banks of reef, rock or sand), eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola, which is split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The Army has had a presence in the islands since 2007, under the supervision of the Caribbean Territory. There has been a developing expression of social service, and local relationships have been steadily developed.

Captains Matthew and Rebecca Trayler, officers of the USA Southern Territory, were appointed as Development Officers for the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2008 and have been resident there for some time.

A number of mission teams have visited the islands in recent months, stimulating the development of evangelistic outreach in the islands, through visits to schools, open-air meetings, etc.

A local lawyer has donated the use of premises for Sunday worship and there is a positive response to meetings that are being held.

The General asks Salvationists around the world to pray for God’s continuing blessing upon this new outreach. God bless The Salvation Army on the Turks and Caicos Islands!

ROCK THE RED KETTLE

2010-12-09T12:50:00.002-05:00

The traditional sound of bells ringing at Salvation Army Red Kettles will be joined by a decidedly unique groove this year. The Salvation Army, Sky Blue Group and Caruso Affiliated are proud to present the first annual Rock the Red Kettle Concert, featuring a mix of today’s top and up-and-coming performers, including Emily Osment, Ashlyne Huff, New Hollow, One Call, Savvy, Stevie Brock and a few special surprise guests. This free concert, which is open to the general public, will begin at 7 PM PST at The Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, CA on Wednesday, December 15.

In keeping with The Salvation Army’s continued efforts to reach young and aspiring American philanthropists, the concert will also be streamed live at www.ustream.tv/rocktheredkettle, where supporters can click to donate while watching the show. Donors can also make a $10 donation to the campaign by texting the word “GIVE” to 85944.

“What a great show this will be!” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary for The Salvation Army. “We are honored by the creativity and enthusiasm of these bands. By performing at our inaugural Rock the Red Kettle Concert, they will be helping to educate America’s youth about the importance of giving all year round, starting with The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign this Christmas season.”

The Rock the Red Kettle Concert will raise awareness for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign, the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind in the United States. Money raised during the campaign helps the Army serve nearly 30 million Americans in need each year in communities nationwide through a wide array of programs including toys for kids, coats for the homeless and food for the hungry.

"This show is about finding the next generation of Salvation Army supporters and spreading the message of doing good with the help of music artists who believe in the cause," said Ned Specktor of Sky Blue Group, who will be co-producing the concert with David Swift of Caruso Affiliated.

A talented list of up-and-coming artists are scheduled to perform, including Disney Channel actor and recording artist Emily Osment ; Savvy, stars of the TV series The Wannabes and Ohio-based teen rock band, New Hollow. Other performers include pop singer Stevie Brock, singer-songwriter Ashlyne Huff and pop-rock band One Call.

The General's Christmas Message 2010

2010-12-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

No Room for Them in the Inn

EVERY Christmas we are reminded of the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph and their baby away. We do not know his name, but we do know he tried sincerely to make amends by at least offering space with the animals.

Luke's Gospel records 'there was no room for them in the inn' (Luke 2:7 New International Version). The main accommodation was packed out, due to the national census under which all citizens were required to return to their places of origin in order to be registered.

'Have you any room for Jesus?' asks the old gospel hymn. Poets and hymnwriters down through the years have found in this sacred birth narrative much to inspire them. They picture the holy family outside the inn, seeking admission, and find in that image a powerful metaphor applicable to us all still today. Another writer urges us to offer Christ 'the best of rooms', with the final words of the song affirming softly that 'the best of rooms' is 'the heart'.

Jesus still knocks! Still he awaits admission! Long ago I heard that knocking sound upon the door of my heart. I was very young, but I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt the identity – and even the name – of the One standing outside. I had seen the famous painting known as The Light of the World by Holman Hunt. It depicts Jesus with a shining lantern as he stands outside a door seeking admission. It is the door of my heart and it has no handle on the outside. Only from the inside can I open it and let the Master in. How glad I am there was a day when I did just that.

I wonder what would happen were the Lord Jesus to arrive suddenly in our midst. Where would he stay? Some of us would rush to reserve for him the plush, luxurious presidential suite in the best hotel in town. Others, not knowing him and thus unable to recognise him, might try to run him out of town. What about you? How would you respond? 'Come home with me, Lord,' you could say. He would like that, but as you walk along together he would in all probability be saying, 'You know, child, all I seek is your loving heart. Can you make space for me there?'

Can you? Have you done so? If not, do it now. He is the most gracious of guests.

By General Shaw Clifton

Sam’s Club®, Off the Field and The Salvation Army Join Forces to Make Holiday Dreams Come True

2010-11-29T13:09:00.002-05:00

Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family Program to Receive $100,000 in Food and Gifts

BENTONVILLE, ARK., Dec. 1, 2010 – Sam’s Club and Off the Field professional football players’ wives association will host the Fourth Annual Dream Drive for The Salvation Army and its Adopt-a-Family program. Through this program, 10 pre-selected families in 10 cities across the country will receive $1,000 worth of food and holiday gifts, including clothes, personal items, electronics and toys from Sam’s Club.

“Sam’s Club is excited to continue its partnership with The Salvation Army and Off the Field,” said Sharon Orlopp, senior vice president of People at Sam’s Club. “Now in its fourth year, Dream Drive will help brighten the holiday spirit for families in need by providing them with the food, gifts and other essentials on their wish list to help make this season memorable.”

Dream Drive will be held Thursday, December 16 at Sam’s Club locations in select U.S. areas: Baltimore; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas; Houston; Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; San Francisco/Oakland and Washington, DC. Off the Field participants shopping for this year’s Salvation Army families include Roxi McNabb in Washington, D.C., Dottie Palmer in Cincinnati, Denise Clark in Chicago and Kimberly Alexander in Dallas.

“Participating in Dream Drive is such a rewarding experience for all of the volunteers involved,” said Ericka Lassiter, Off the Field President. “Sam’s Club and The Salvation Army have helped to make a difference in the lives of so many families across the country.”

In addition, Walmart and Sam’s Club will once again host Salvation Army red kettles and bell ringers outside store fronts nationwide during The Salvation Army’s 2010 Red Kettle Campaign between November 26th and December 24th. Walmart and Sam’s Club have been partners of The Salvation Army for more than 20 years, providing a place for volunteers to collect donations that benefit local communities nationwide.

Join the Conversation Online
Sam’s Club now offers unique ways for members to engage with one another and receive information. Twitter and Facebook users can get the latest news and hot items of the day by following or becoming a fan of Sam’s Club. To find Sam’s Club on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/samsclub. Tweet on Twitter by following @samsclub and @samsclubdeals to stay up-to-date. Special Dream Drive updates will be posted throughout the day, December 16.

The Salvation Army will also provide updates and information about the partnership with Sam’s Club and Off the Field for the Dream Drive through Facebook and Twitter. For the latest updates, visit www.facebook/SalvationArmyUSA or follow @SalvationArmyUS.

Installation of New National Leaders for The Salvation Army USA

2010-11-20T08:43:00.002-05:00

SEVERAL hundred people packed The Salvation Army's Mayfair Community Church (formerly Chicago Korean Corps) in Chicago, USA, to witness the installation of new USA National leaders by the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry C. Swanson, and Commissioner Sue Swanson (World Secretary for Women's Ministries). The new National Commander, Commissioner William A. Roberts, and Commissioner Nancy Roberts (National President of Women's Ministries) were delighted that the event was taking place in their home territory, USA Central.

The commissioners take up their new roles having served the past nine years on three different continents as they ministered in the South America East Territory, at International Headquarters in London and, most recently, as the first leaders of the Kenya West Territory. During these years of them being away from the USA, their number of grandchildren grew from one to 10, all of whom were present at the installation meeting. Each grandchild held a flag that represented the country their grandparents were serving in when he or she was born.

A letter of greeting from General Shaw Clifton, read by the Chief of the Staff, encouraged the new leaders with these words: 'The God who equipped you will empower you.'

The new leaders had requested that the song 'In Christ Alone' be included in the meeting as a symbolic response to their appointments. Commissioner Nancy Roberts reflected on this in her remarks, saying: 'Here in the strength and power and love of Jesus Christ I stand.'

Commissioner William Roberts told the congregation: 'I come to you in weakness so that your faith will not rest on man, but on God.' He spoke about his time serving overseas and said it has given him 'an appreciation for those who are different from us. God has made of one blood all nations on earth. Our Father is the same.'

Speaking for his wife and himself he said: 'We give our lives to the Potter's hands. So long as The Salvation Army remains as clay in the hands of the Potter, we will be all he wants us to be.'

The celebration included music by the Chicago Staff Band, Mayfair Community Church Songsters and vocal soloist Heidi Strand.

~ Report by Major Ed Forster

I'll Fight Day 2010

2010-11-17T09:06:00.001-05:00

December 4, 2010

2010 I'll Fight Day Promo (Full Color) from CentralYouthNetwork on Vimeo.

Salvation Army iPhone Apps for Christmas

2010-11-12T14:35:00.002-05:00

‘Bellringer’ app

o This is a free update for the existing iPhone virtual “Bellringer” application.
o The update includes new video content and also enable donations to The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign via text message.
o The free app enables friends and supporters of The Salvation Army to share in the tradition of being a Salvation Army bellringer – by ringing a virtual bell right on their phone.
o With 12 different musical notes to choose from, users are able to create unique sounds, play favorite holiday songs, or make up an on-the-spot jingle.
o Introduced in 2009, this free app has been downloaded nearly 60,000 times in 47 countries.
o Available via iTunes

‘Christmas Music’ app

o Digital music firm Melodeo is offering “The Salvation Army Christmas Music” app for the iPhone.
o The app streams a variety of Christmas favorites.
o Priced at $2.99, $1.00 of each download will be donated to the Red Kettle Campaign.
o Available via iTunes

‘Online Red Kettle’ app

o For the first time ever, supporters of The Salvation Army will be able to manage their Online Red Kettles directly from their iPhone by downloading this free app.
o Users can track their personal fundraising progress and send emails to their friends asking for support directly from their iPhone.
o Photos can be uploaded from the iPhone and added to the user’s personal fundraising page.
o Available soon via the ORK home page, participant pages and email blasts

Salvation Army in Indonesia Provides Food, Medical Help and More to Volcano Evacuees (Update 9 November)

2010-11-09T09:09:00.001-05:00

SALVATION Army teams in Indonesia continue to provide assistance to people affected by the eruption of Mount Merapi on the island of Java. At least 138 people are now known to have been killed in the disaster and more than 200,000 have been evacuated.

A team from the Salvation Army’s William Booth Hospital in the city of Semarang attended the disaster area within days of the first eruption on 26 October. When the most violent eruption occurred on 3 November the emergency team was working approximately eight kilometres from Mount Merapi. Along with other non-governmental organisation (NGO) workers and local people the team members were evacuated immediately for their own safety – with no time to recover tents, medical supplies and other resources.

The government issued an order that all residents and NGO workers must remain at least 20 kilometres from Mount Merapi. The Salvation Army base is now at a safe distance of 36 kilometres from the mountain at Tlogoadi Village Elementary School, where the team is assisting 692 displaced people, including 140 children.

Life in the makeshift shelter is hard and there is a lack of nutritious food, clean water for bathing and drinking water, as well as a shortage of toilets (10 for 692 people). Displaced people are sleeping on thin mats on the hard floor. The Salvation Army is providing medical care, nutrition such as noodles, sardines and eggs, milk for adults, children and babies and a local porridge high in nutrients. Local women from Tlogoadi are assisting with the cooking.

The Salvation Army Emergency team will continue working in the area until the volatile mountain settles and people are allowed to return to their homes. A re-assessment of the needs will be carried out in the coming weeks to determine if a long term reconstruction and rehabilitation response is required.

Salvation Army in Indonesia Provides Medical Assistance After Volcanic Eruption

2010-11-05T14:53:00.000-04:00

SALVATION Army medical workers are providing assistance to people affected by the eruption of Mount Merapi in Indonesia. At least 64 people are known to have lost their lives in the disaster and an estimated 75,000 people have had to be evacuated from their homes, with many now living in temporary camps.

An assessment was carried out by personnel from the William Booth General Hospital in Samarang and The Salvation Army's Java and Bali Divisional Headquarters. They reported that the government is providing meals, shelter and general health services but that there is an urgent need for nutrition and milk for children, and for health provision for children, nursing mothers and pregnant women.

The Salvation Army response team is based in Yogyakarta, about an hour's drive from the volcano. Team members expect to be in place for three to four weeks although this may change after a more complete assessment and when it becomes clearer how long people will be displaced.

A sum of US$17,400 has been made available for the initial response but it is thought likely that more funds will be needed in the longer term.

Ten For Haiti

2010-11-03T14:02:00.003-04:00

The resilience of the Haitian people is truly inspiring. Despite the utter devastation wrought by the earthquake that hit on January 12, 2010, hundreds of Haitians continue to joyfully attend Sunday services and thousands continue to roll up their sleeves day in and day out to help their neighbors in need in any way they can.

The Salvation Army have also rededicated their efforts to minister to the remarkable people of Haiti, but they need your help. For just $10 a month for the next two years, you can help raise the $1.5 million needed to rebuild The Salvation Army facilities in Port-au-Prince so that the Army can continue to provide the vital physical and spiritual support that has helped sustain those most in need in this struggling undeveloped country since 1950.

This unique opportunity can be yours simply by visiting the TEN FOR HAITI website and pledging your support!

Emergency Intervention Needed

2010-11-02T09:41:00.003-04:00

When are we going to stop putting kids up on pedestals? I'm not talking about raising good, healthy kids and promoting self-confidence; I'm referring to the kids that we see on television parading around as child actors who become mega stars before they hit the age of 18.

In this morning's news feed, I saw this headline: "Camp Rock Star Enters Treatment." The story is about Disney star Demi Lovato who checked herself into a treatment facility recently for "emotional and physical issues." Sure, teenagers have many things to deal with in life, but are we exasperating things by promoting them to star status?! If a kid's got talent they ought to be able to use it. But I contend that we're giving them far too much to handle without the necessary means to cope.

If you have kids, think for a moment what life would be like if you couldn't change a channel on the television without seeing an image of your child. Suppose that the next time you needed to go grocery shopping you were followed by an army of photographers? My heart breaks for child stars who are forced to deal with not only the normal pressures of life, but with those that come with fame at such a young age. We've all seen the casualty list of child stars who have imploded and life for them becomes unbearable. Lovato may be on the brink of something similar.

The Bible sums it up perfectly in Luke 17: 1-3 - "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around your neck than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves." How much are we, the consumers to blame for a child star's downfall? Maybe it is indeed time for an intervention?

THE SALVATION ARMY AND JCPENNEY OFFER ‘ANGEL GIVING TREE’ ADOPTIONS ONLINE

2010-11-01T15:10:00.003-04:00

Supporters can add an Angel to their Christmas list at jcp.com/angel

The Salvation Army and JCPenney have joined forces again this holiday season to give joy to even more children and seniors in need by offering an online option to Angel Giving Tree adoptions. The annual Christmas gift drive provides clothing, special-needs gifts and other wish list items to kids and senior citizens experiencing financial hardship. The Salvation Army expanded this 40-year-old Christmas tradition by partnering with JCPenney to make it easier for supporters to participate this holiday season.

In a few easy steps, customers can visit jcp.com/angel to request an Angel by zip code, city/state, age range and gender. An Angel who matches the criteria will be e-mailed to the customer along with a list of requested items. The confirmation e-mail will also include a link to view drop-off locations in the recipient’s area and ship-to addresses for online orders. The Angel Giving Tree online program allows customers to shop for an Angel online at jcp.com, in JCPenney stores or at any retailer they choose.

In collaboration with UPS, Angel Giving Tree gifts purchased through jcp.com can be shipped free of charge to a local Salvation Army collection center – putting the entire selection, shopping and delivery process at the customer’s fingertips. December 10 marks the deadline for supporting children and seniors in need this Christmas through The Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree program at jcp.com/angel.

Salvation Army Clinic in Haiti Prepares for Possible Influx of Cholera Patients

2010-10-27T17:23:00.000-04:00

THE Salvation Army clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, led by Dr Danielle Prosper, is preparing to treat a possible influx of cholera patients.

In recent weeks Haiti has experienced a rise in the number of people contracting cholera. It is primarily spread through contact with dirty water.

The clinic is surrounded by an Internally Displaced Persons camp, managed by The Salvation Army in partnership with Concern Worldwide and Viva Rio, where more than 13,000 residents are living in difficult circumstances. The camp has a sufficient supply of safe drinking water and toilets, combined with a good drainage system.

For some months classes have been conducted in the camp teaching women and children the importance of thorough hand washing and cooking of food.

The Salvation Army is communicating with Haitian health officials regarding the government's recommended course of treatment for victims and also to acquire an adequate supply of vaccine for medical staff and response workers.

Salvation Army Represented at Lausanne Congress

2010-10-23T15:31:00.001-04:00

THE Salvation Army has a strong representation at the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation in Cape Town, South Africa. Eighteen delegates from nine Salvation Army territories and International Headquarters are at the event, continuing the strong bonds between the Lausanne Movement and the Army.

Commissioner Christine MacMillan, Director, International Social Justice Commission, conducted a congress workshop on sex trafficking and was a featured speaker during the Tuesday morning plenary session.

Doug Birdsall, executive chairman of the congress, described the gathering as 'the most diverse gathering ever in the history of the Church and the most united expression of the Church the world has ever seen'. The 4,200 delegates were drawn from 197 countries.

Originating in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974, through the vision of Billy Graham and scholarship of John Stott, the Lausanne Covenant stands as an evangelism standard-bearer for evangelical Christianity. The Second Congress in Manila, The Philippines, in 1989 expanded the original call for evangelistic clarity with corresponding social action. It is thus a natural setting in which The Salvation Army is strongly represented.

The Cape Town congress is marked by a clear emphasis on biblical exposition and active delegate participation. Every day commences with an in-depth textual study of Ephesians, and each delegate sits at a table group to allow constant dialogue and interaction.

The congress is reaching out to young, ethnically diverse, influential evangelical leaders. Issues of pluralism, world faiths and globalization are all being addressed. Additionally, it is hoped the gathering will mark a shift in the empowerment of a lay evangelism movement. ‘Evangelism has become too event-centered and too professional,’ commented workshop presenter Becky Pippert.

At the invitation of the Western Cape Divisional Commander, Major Patrick Booth, on the opening Sunday morning of the congress the visiting Salvationists participated with testimony and preaching at the eight corps in the Cape Town area.

Many of the main congress events are available through the weblink at the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation website, www.lausanne.org

~ Report by Lieut-Colonel Richard Munn

View From the Field: A Report from the 'Salvation Army Tent City' in Pakistan

2010-10-14T14:37:00.002-04:00

Major Raelton Gibbs, a member of The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services team based at International Headquarters in London travelled to Pakistan to provide help and advise to the Army's response to floods that brought devastation to much of the country.

He reports:

THREE hours' drive from Karachi in the Sindh Province, southern Pakistan, is the city of Hyderabad. It is the sixth biggest city in Pakistan and is situated on the banks of the Indus River.

Around the city are some of the worst-affected flood areas, particularly where the river broke its banks and destroyed homes and crops. People have been left with nothing and many have made their way to this major city from the outlying districts in the hope that they will receive some assistance.

Near the city is Khuda Ki Basti, the location of what has become known as the Salvation Army Tent City. On the edge of what can only be described as a desert, away from the floods, this camp of more than 3,600 people has established itself.

The Salvation Army has already distributed 600 tents financed by the Hong Kong Government, and we were at the camp to observe the latest distribution of bedding and non-food items to 100 families by Major Khuram Shahzada (Divisional Commander, Hyderabad) and his team.

Families are getting rations and water delivered by the local government. 'But is it enough for the family?' I asked a district official. It seems that it is just sufficient; this is confirmed during the visit in conversations with families.

I went with a representative from NCHD – another non-governmental organisation (NGO) working in the camp – to see what they are doing to try and keep children in school. Two small tents provide schooling for 400 children. 'We do our best,' the worker tells me. 'We have teachers that come in and we try to keep things as normal as we can.’ But it is clear that normality is impossible.

Medical help is provided by the local government, with one tent for people with diarrhoea and another for other problems.

Talking to families I heard the same story time and time again – they have nothing left and worry what the future will hold. Wali, a farmer who travelled with his family for more than three hours to get to the camp, says he is overwhelmed. He has never experienced anything like this. He explains that only his son can work to try and gain an income.

I sympathised with Wali but there was little practical help I could offer. I told him that the people working in the camp are trying to increase the support they can offer.

Major Shahzada had a little experience in a previous disaster in Pakistan but this is the largest response he has been part of. I wondered, did he feel he had been thrown in the deep end?

'I don't feel overwhelmed,' he reassured me. 'I have a good team here and we have had support from both territorial headquarters and International Emergency Services who have helped us with the processes needed to do the best we can.' This certainly showed in the distribution I observed. It was well organised, records were kept well and the relationship between the local leaders, officials and NGOs was good.

The field trip, conducted in temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, was exhausting. I took time out for interviews with the local press to give an insight into what The Salvation Army is trying to achieve in this community, which is more than 90 per cent Muslim.

This was not my first emergency response but nothing had prepared me for the scale of this disaster. This feeling was emphasised when we moved on to another camp some miles away where around 16,000 people had gathered. This was where Major Shahzada planned to begin distributions next.

We passed people on the side of the road who were also victims of the flood but who do not seem to have accessed any support. We are still in the emergency phase but this will pass into recovery which will increase the complexity of the situation as people return home and try to rebuild their lives.

There is always something more you can do, more people you can help.

International Theology and Ethics Symposium Draws to a Close (Report 4)

2010-10-13T10:40:00.002-04:00

THERE was a shift in proceedings on Saturday 9 October at the International Theology and Ethics Symposium, held at Sunbury Court Conference Centre near London, as delegates moved from doctrinal discourse and debate to resolution and recommendation.

Two final papers were presented, concluding the eight-part series. Captain Juliana Musilia from the SALT College, Kenya addressed 'Socio-Political Holiness in the World – Service'. The captain focused on this global hallmark of Salvation Army ministry and mission but warned: 'Being highly gifted yet lacking love is a waste of time and may cause harm to the body of Christ, for great works of service without love are of no use and have little effect.' The dialogue that followed indicated this material touched on heartfelt desires for integrity and purity.

Dr James Read (Booth University College, Winnipeg, Canada) concluded the morning session with 'Socio-Political Holiness in the World – Social Justice'. Drawing social justice principles from William Booth's In Darkest England and the Way Out, Dr Read concluded with a profound challenge: 'The simple and utter sacredness of each and every human being should make us stand in awe. That same human being needs redeeming and transforming, it is true; but it is the redeeming of a being who already demands profound respect from every other human being.'

During the afternoon, small group review and assessment commenced the process of crystallising salient matters for future exploration. The task was to choose one issue of importance to The Salvation Army and its understanding and practice of holiness in the 21st century. Three hours of discussion ensued, with both the large and small meeting places of historic Sunbury Court animated with the conversational buzz of holiness theology and ethic proponents.

All these discourses fused together in the concluding plenary session, 'Global Issues and Concerns Relating to The Salvation Army'. In a series of swift, carefully prepared statements group representatives each focused on one pertaining issue, showing the rationale for its importance, making clear the cultural differences of understanding that may pertain and offering suggestions for a future practical response. The business was conducted with clarity, conviction and courtesy. The ensuing open dialogue demonstrated similar grace from this diaspora of Salvationist emissaries. There was graceful holiness in the proceedings.

In a way fitting for this day of orderly decorum, the final evening prayers – led by Captain Mary Mizinga from Zambia - were characterised by African spontaneity and jubilation.

The symposium concluded with the sacredness of Sunday worship. Song, personal testimony, small group prayer and Commissioner Bill Francis's message of the morning – 'Walking With The Spirit' – combined to bring the entirety of the proceedings before God. The Sunbury Court mercy seat was lined with row upon row of delegates, many praying together as colleagues in Christ.

The final stanza of Charles Wesley's song 'And Can It Be' brought the five-day symposium to a triumphant close:

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Richard Munn

Symposium Delegates Combine Discussion with Recreation (Report 3)

2010-10-13T10:38:00.000-04:00

FRIDAY 8 October, the mid-point of the five-day International Theology and Ethics Symposium being held at Sunbury Court near London, contained doctrinal discourse, recreation and aesthetic expression.

Following morning prayers Colonel Johnny Kleman, from Sweden, spoke on the subject 'Relational Holiness "In Community" – Gathered in Community' and said that the teaching of holiness doctrine needs to be combined with the vitality of life. 'To only love yourself is a sin. Holiness can only be cultivated and developed in a community,' Colonel Kleman stated.

Bringing a fresh Pacific Rim perspective, Major Elsa Oalang from The Philippines concluded the morning sessions with her paper 'Relational Holiness "In Community" – Mobilised for Mission'. Her succinct closing statement excellently expresses Salvationist thinking: 'The greatest challenge for every Salvationist and every corps is to grow in holiness so that their compassion for the lost will naturally overflow to mission.'

The formal presentations were followed by a prepared response, forum questions for clarification and then lively small group dialogue. There was no room for passivity as every delegate participated in some active fashion.

Delegates spent the afternoon touring historic Hampton Court (less than three miles from Sunbury Court) or visiting The Salvation Army's International Headquarters in central London where they met the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Barry C. Swanson, who prayed with them in his office.

On Friday night musicians from Staines Corps (church) visited Sunbury Court to present a Holiness in Song festival, featuring holiness hymnody and melody composed by Charles Wesley, William and Herbert Booth, Albert Orsborn, Brindley Boon and John Gowans. Lieut-Colonel Janet Munn brought the Revelation 1 Scripture passage alive through choreography.

The stirring Elwood Stokes holiness song, popular in Korea (some lines below), has had a positive impact on every participant.

Fill me now, fill me now,
Jesus, come and fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, O come, and fill me now

Report by Lieut-Colonel Richard Munn

Symposium Delegates Discuss Holiness (Report 2)

2010-10-13T10:33:00.003-04:00

WITH many delegates shaking off the effects of long travel and swiftly adapting to British Summer Time, the global gathering at the International Theology and Ethics Symposium commenced day two – the first full day together – in prayer. There proved to be a sequence and natural unfolding in the progression of the day.

Commissioner William Francis presented the day's first paper, focusing on 'Our Heritage of Holiness – Biblical Foundations'. 'Sanctification is an initial crisis followed by a never-ending process,' noted the commissioner in his treatise on Romans 6:18. 'You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.'

Dr Jonathan Raymond followed with the paper 'Our Heritage of Holiness – Historical Heritage'. Tracing a Salvationist theological lineage that includes the incomparable John Wesley, Dr Raymond stated: 'Wesley's practical theology has promoted a theology of free salvation for all people and full salvation from all sin (holiness) that has had an immeasurable impact on the world.'

Courageously commencing the early afternoon hour, Lieut-Colonel Philip Cairns addressed 'Personal Holiness – Perspectives of the Holiness Experience', noting the influences of Christological holiness (living life in Christ) and pneumatological holiness (an emphasis on the sanctifying event) upon current Salvationist thinking. 'I believe that the future of the Army's holiness doctrine lies in a synthesis,' concluded Cairns.

The final presentation was from the seasoned pen of Commissioner Robert Street: 'Personal Holiness – Holiness for a New Generation'. Here the plea was for nurturing relationships. 'Any teaching on holiness which has its emphasis away from relationship – centred on terms, labels and defined experiences – runs the danger of detracting from the main issue,' cautioned the commissioner.

Commencing with a biblical basis, recognising a precious legacy, acknowledging the need for a personal experience and always seeking to relate to the present day in terms of mission – there was shrewd brilliance to the sequence of the day.

Each paper was immediately followed by a prepared response, forum discussion and debate. Throughout this series, the dialogue was courteous, intelligent, diplomatic and engaging. Here was scholarly debate at its finest.

Following the opportunity for increased examination naturally provided by small group discussion a full day ended with corporate evening prayers in which delegates warmly affirmed the holy truth of the beloved song by Albert Orsborn:

My Life must be Christ's broken bread,
My love his outpoured wine,
A cup o'erfilled, a table spread
Beneath his name and sign,
That other souls, refreshed and fed,
May share his life through mine.

Yes indeed, today our cups were full and overflowing.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Richard Munn

Salvation Army International Theology & Ethics Symposium Begins (Report 1)

2010-10-07T18:43:00.002-04:00

THE anticipation was palpable as 49 officer and soldier delegates from 26 Salvation Army territories gathered in the historic mansion of Sunbury Court near London in the UK for the commencement of the International Theology and Ethics Symposium, a global gathering of Salvation Army theological thinkers and ethicists.

A symposium is defined as 'a formal meeting where several specialists make presentations'. In that purposeful regard this gathering of Salvationists is accurately convened.

This is the third in a series of symposia, following on from gatherings in Winnipeg, Canada, in 2001 and Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2006. Collectively they have produced a collation of doctrinal and theological papers that articulately convey Salvationist scholarship. Sunbury Court 2010 will augment this collection.

Called by the international leader of The Salvation Army, General Shaw Clifton, and steered by the International Doctrine Council (IDC), these appointed delegates, representing a wide array of appointments and ministries, communicated a collective sense of privilege for the opportunity to attend and participate.

'We come as Salvationists, [as part of] God's divine design,' observed Commissioner William Francis, Chairman of the IDC, in his opening welcome.

The central theme of the presentation of theological papers during the ensuing days is the doctrine of holiness. This will be 'studied carefully' said the commissioner, 'for when we focus on holiness, we study the very character of God.'

During the opening evening delegates saw a documentary video of the historic first High Council convened at Sunbury Court in 1929, culminating in the election of General Edward Higgins, the Army's first elected international leader.

Commissioner Robert Street, vice chair of the IDC, presented the opening paper by General Shaw Clifton: 'Our Holy Heavenly Father – Characteristics of a Holy God'. The tone for the symposium was set with a cogent, scholarly and forthright treatise that arrayed essential attributes of the first person of the Trinity.

The opening hours could not have concluded more poignantly than under the devotional leadership of Lieut-Colonel Karen Shakespeare, who asked delegates: 'What are you bringing to the Symposium?' and 'What will you take back from the Symposium?'

The words of Salvationist writer Colin Fairclough outlined in the closing song beautifully summarize the shared aspirations of the Symposium:

Gracious Lord, thy grace apply,
Both to save and sanctify;
All my life wilt thou control,
Calmly ordering the whole,
That the world may ever see
Christ, and only Christ, in me.

Report by Lieut-Colonel Richard Munn

Storms in Haiti

2010-09-27T14:23:00.001-04:00

Salvation Army in Haiti Responds to Freak Thunderstorm (Update 27 September)

THE Salvation Army in Haiti is responding quickly after a freak thunderstorm hit Port-au-Prince on Friday 24 September. The city was battered by hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. More than a million people are still living in makeshift shelters around the city following the January earthquake so the immediate concern was for loss of life and injury in the camps. Early reports say that in one camp five people were killed and many injured.

An assessment at the Place de la Paix camp managed by The Salvation Army indicated no loss of life but many injuries and a large number of shelters damaged or destroyed. The camp is currently home to around 13,000 people. Captain Monael Many, the camp management director, has been in contact with the camp committee and together they are seeking to identify the families hardest hit by the storm.

A shipment of tents from The Salvation Army's Canada and Bermuda Territory was scheduled to arrive in April but was delayed and only released from the port on the day of the storm. In fact, Brian Burditt, the territory's world mission consultant and former director of the world mission and development office, was in Port-au-Prince and witnessed the storm. He is pleased the tents have arrived and has agreed that they can be distributed to those affected by the storm.

It is hoped that by today (Monday 27 September) procedures will be in place to begin distribution of tents in The Salvation Army's camp.

Suggested Priority Agenda

2010-09-27T09:51:00.002-04:00

Over at ArmyBarmy, Steve Court offers a suggested priority agenda for the forthcoming High Council - January 2011. Below is the list; what do you think?

...for those gearing up for the next high council (early 2011), here is a re-post of some stuff that should be on the agenda:
TOP FIVE for the decade

1. Finish the 'every nation' part of the great commission by 2020. 82 are left. That's just over eight each year. If we are intentional and if God endorses it, we can do it.

Why? This is what we're about - winning the world for Jesus. This point is picked up below.

2. Return holiness and covenant to their rightful place as priority in The Salvation Army. The General has started this process with holiness. A universal embrace of covenant (soldiership particularly) will reverse fragmentation and decline).

Why? The universal embrace of covenant will bring about a unity that commands a blessing. The pervasive holiness will be like adding a rocket booster to every initiative in which we engage.

3. Get our praxis right on women. Teach Biblical equality. Live it. How will it look? It might be reasonable to make 60 married women DCs in the next two years, a dozen married women CSs (from the 60) in the two years following, a handful of married women TCs (from the dozen) in the two years following that. That might mean that by the High Council to elect the 20th general there will be several married women TCs.

Why? Some of Booth's best men are women. Why should we fight an unleashed and desperate enemy with one hand tied behind our back? There are excellent women leaders who could be significantly improving our effectiveness in senior responsibilities if we get this right. This will affect every marriage, every family relationship, every corps throughout the Army - it could revolutionise our warfighting.

4. Internationalise Salvation Army leadership. The next steps might look like this. Appoint African and Asian leaders as TC in western FITs (Financially Independent Territories). From a human standpoint, it removes the hindrance to electing such leaders as general.

Why? There appear to be great leaders in some of these places who have proven track records of supernatural advance. Why should western FITs be deprived of their expertise and authority? Why should they be limited to territorial commands if they have a global anointing?

5. Nail the Ss. We're saved to save. Even those who refuse to line up behind General Booth on this important point must realise that if they insist that they are saved to serve, they must at least determine that they are saved to serve the Lord and not the whims of the people (but really, we're saved to SAVE, so let's not compromise our historic and current witness!).

Why? Settling this subject will keep us from teetering back and forth with every wind of the latest trendy approach to Christianity. It is one thing to lurch from church growth to Sunday Schools to men's ministry to mega churches to seeker sensitivity to emergent church to postmodernism to justice to ... but when the ship is global (as is The Salvation Army) and the moves are happening territorially there is significant stress on the system. Remember, the goal is to win the world for Jesus, and these changes are aimed at helping to do that.

Salvation Army in Paraguay Celebrates Centenary

2010-09-22T13:38:00.003-04:00

A SPIRIT of joy and gratitude permeated Salvation Army centenary celebrations in Paraguay. The celebrations, in Asunción, included the presentation of the first Salvation Army red shield translated in Guarani, the native language of Paraguay. Guarani is one of the two official languages used in Paraguay – the other being Spanish.

Historical highlights throughout the celebrations reminded the congregations of the sacrificial and consecrated spirit of many officers and other Salvationists who were faithful and determined to hold high the Army banner in a country that has limited resources and has experienced political turmoil and economic difficulties.

Salvation Army ministry in Paraguay began in 1910 when Captain Thomas Frïsch, with his wife Eliza, were appointed by the territorial commander of the then South America Territory to begin the work in Asunción, capital of the Paraguayan Republic.

Guest leaders for the weekend were Colonel Susan McMillan, Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army's South America East Territory – of which Paraguay is part – and Lieut-Colonels Ricardo and Sonia Bouzigues, Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Prior to the centenary celebrations Major Thore Paulsen, the current District Officer for Paraguay, made contact with Captain Frïsch's grandchildren, now living in Montevideo, Uruguay. Through this contact Pastor Diego Frïsch and his wife Ruth, representing the Frïsch family, participated in the centenary celebrations.

There were emotional moments when Pastor Frïsch related some anecdotes that his grandfather had told him about the early days of The Salvation Army in Paraguay. In recognition and gratitude he was presented with a special edition Bible, with the Army Shield in Guarani on the cover.

Hundreds of Salvationists marched through the streets of central Asunción to the main square for a concert.

In the centenary festival on the Saturday evening greetings were received from representatives of the ecumenical community in Paraguay. The festival included many different music items representing all the Paraguayan corps (churches). On the Sunday morning a united holiness meeting included the enrolment of 12 senior soldiers (full members) and 34 junior soldiers.

The Bible message given by Colonel McMillan encouraged Salvationists of Paraguay to consecrate their lives to the service of God and the extension of his Kingdom in their country.

The crowning glory was to see the mercy seat lined with Salvationists, kneeling and giving themselves to the Lord. The hearts of the people were filled with gratitude to see how God’s work is developing in Paraguay.

San Bruno Fire Relief Update – September 11, 2010

2010-09-13T13:31:00.002-04:00

Immediate assistance to fire survivors:
The Salvation Army is partnering with other relief organizations to provide aid, counseling, and practical immediate support to those families displaced by the fiery gas line explosion on September 9. At the Local Assistance Center (at the San Bruno Veterans Recreational Center), The Salvation Army is providing families with:

· Vouchers to Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores, to assist with the purchase of household items, clothing, or other resources as families begin to move into new housing.
· Target gift cards, giving families the ability to purchase the supplies they need
· Long distance phone cards
· The option to sign-up for FREE appointments with a Salvation Army Caseworker, for helpful assistance and additional counseling well into the future.

Long-term assistance to fire survivors:
After the smoke clears and families begin to think about long-term recovery and rebuilding, The Salvation Army will be available to provide counseling and caseworker services. Some of the services include rental assistance, utility assistance, clothing/furniture vouchers, food, and referrals. San Bruno Fire survivors seeking caseworker or counseling support can contact The Salvation Army of South San Francisco at 650-266-4591 to schedule an appointment or inquire about additional services.

Donations to assist survivors:
Thanks to the generosity of the San Bruno and greater Bay Area communities, The Salvation Army have been inundated with donations of clothing and blankets from the public. While clothing donations are always good, the following items are VERY helpful for rebuilding homes or just bringing comfort to those displaced:

· furniture (couches, tables, chairs, desks, dressers)
· small appliances (microwaves, small refrigerators, coffee machines, etc.),
· electronics (TVs, radios, clocks, DVD players, etc.)
· pictures, art
· shoes
· DVDs, videos, CDs
· Other misc. household goods (kitchenware, etc.)

Approved donation drop-off locations in the Bay Area include:

SAN FRANCISCO:
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store - 1500 Valencia (at Cesar Chavez)
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store – 3921 Geary Blvd. (at 4th )

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store - 1170 S. Mission Road
Salvation Army Donation Drop Box - 409 South Spruce Avenue (in parking lot)

SAN BRUNO
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store - 300 El Camino Real

DALY CITY
Salvation Army Donation Drop Box - 3 Serramonte Center (in Serramonte Center parking lot)

Please note: In kind donations are always needed for our local recovery programs. Families displaced by the San Bruno fire are being issued vouchers to purchase the materials they need at our Family Thrift Stores -- giving families the ability to select what fits their needs best. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that all material donations collected at this time will go to fire victims, however, they will be provided to them along with our available inventory for them to select from when using their voucher.

While material donations are indeed helpful, financial gifts give a greater ability to provide the appropriate goods to families for rebuilding their homes and lives. 100% of all donations made to the Salvation Army San Bruno Fire Disaster Relief fund will go to help those affected by this catastrophe.

ONLINE: www.SalvationArmyUSA.org

PHONE: 1-800-Sal-Army (1-800-725-2769)

MAIL:
The Salvation Army
PO Box 80066
Prescott, AZ. 86304-8066

Be sure to designate donations for "San Bruno Fire Relief"

Salvation Army still offering assistance in Pakistan

2010-09-13T09:48:00.001-04:00

Salvation Army in Pakistan Prepares to Distribute Tents as Floods Move through the Country (Update 10 September)

THE Salvation Army is continuing its work in the flood-hit regions of Pakistan, where it is estimated that 20 million people have been affected by the disaster – more than 10 per cent of the population. The flooding began in the north-west of the country but continues to move to the south, with people now having to leave their homes in Sindh province. Five weeks after the downpour that began this crisis, water continues to impact on new areas, families and communities.

Salvation Army relief teams are working in three provincial areas – Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The teams continue to distribute household goods including bedding and cooking utensils. For most families these goods are the first they have received and they are very grateful for the help. Ministers from the Pakistan federal and local government have offered their thanks for the help given to their communities.

Tents have been purchased and are ready for distribution in the South Punjab area. This weekend is the end of the Muslim festival of Ramadan and the distribution will occur within the next few days as the celebration of this festival ends. Preparations are under way for the distribution of nearly 5,000 tents to be given to families in the south of the country.

So far almost 2,000 families have received goods from Salvation Army teams and in the coming weeks many more will be helped. The relief effort is quickening pace as the needed supplies are becoming more available. Plans are in place to help more than 16,000 families in the next month.

International Emergency Services worker Major Drew Ruthven (International Headquarters) reports from Pakistan: 'I have met so many who have been impacted by these floods. One man told me that he and his son had to climb onto the roof of their house and remained there for two days without food or water. He smiled as he then went on to say they had some of the family cows on the roof so they milked the cows and that is how they kept the hunger away! One woman told that she does not know how they will rebuild their house. Her husband is in jail for committing murder and she and her four children don’t know what to do.'

Every family has a story. They are happy to tell what happened but they also are watching and waiting to see how the government and humanitarian groups now in the country are going to help.

The Salvation Army is a part of this response and Major Ruthven concludes: 'It is good to see the work done here by the local Salvation Army. Many people have been helped but so many more need help.'

Salvation Army in Indonesia Responds to Volcanic Eruption

2010-09-10T11:06:00.002-04:00

SALVATION Army personnel in Indonesia are providing emergency assistance to some of the thousands of people made homeless after the eruption of the Mount Sinabung volcano on the island of Sumatra.

The volcano, which had been inactive for 400 years, sent huge plumes of ash thousands of meters into the atmosphere, covering surrounding towns and villages in thick ash. With little time to gather their belongings approximately 29,000 people living in the shadow of the volcano were evacuated to government and non-governmental (NGO) emergency shelters in surrounding towns.

A second, more powerful eruption two days later was described by locals as accompanied by a tremor resembling an earthquake. On Tuesday a taskforce reported that the volcano was showing a high level of activity, with 18 tremors and 18 projections of volcanic material – some of which were 100 metres high.

The local Salvation Army Compassion in Action (CIA) team is working out of the nearest Salvation Army corps (church) in the town of Kabanjahe. There are many families sheltering in government buildings near the corps so the team is well placed to offer assistance. Kabanjahe is 1,000m above sea level, making for cold nights and cool mornings. The initial assistance was to distribute 400 mats and 150 blankets to evacuated villages staying near Kabanjahe.

Some assistance has been provided by the government and NGOs but more is required because the number of evacuees is so high. Major Marthen Pandorante, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army's North Sumatra Division, has made an initial assessment and identified the need for additional assistance in the following areas: health services, bedding, warm clothing, and nutrition and drinking water for children.

Some of the evacuees who live 10-15 kilometres from Mount Sinabung have returned home to their villages, however those who live within 6 kilometres will remain in emergency shelters until it is deemed safe for them to return to their homes.

The Salvation Army Compassion In Action team plans to work in Kabanjahe for the next few weeks until such time as a more comprehensive assessment has been carried out and there is a clearer picture of how long people will be displaced.

Earthquake Response - New Zealand

2010-09-07T14:48:00.001-04:00

TWO days after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the Canterbury region of New Zealand, The Salvation Army in Christchurch was caring for more than 400 people made homeless by the disaster.

Salvation Army emergency services personnel and volunteers are staffing welfare centres in the Christchurch suburbs of Burnside, Linwood and Addington. Each centre provided around 400 meals yesterday. Rangiora Corps (Salvation Army church) provided accommodation, food and comfort to 50 people overnight in Kaiapoi.

The Salvation Army also supplied food parcels from its centres, including a bulk consignment for members of the Samoan Seventh Day Adventist Church, who were sheltering in their church.

Major Clive Nicolson, commander of The Salvation Army's Southern Division in New Zealand, expects similar demand for welfare services to continue for the foreseeable future. ‘Beyond that,' he said, 'there will be an ongoing need for clothing, furniture and food, as well as advocacy for people needing help with Government agencies and other organisations.'

For more information, go to The Salvation Army New Zealand.

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

2010-08-31T09:43:00.006-04:00

What a year this has been - and we've got more to experience! As August comes to an end, we've witnessed opposite ends of the pseudo-Christian spectrum. First, in January Pat Robertson uses his pulpit to declare the earthquake in Haiti occurred because the country was cursed because of a pact made with the devil. Read about it here.

Then, just this past weekend Glenn Beck took to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to officiate an American Revival. While people were waiting for a political rally, Beck delivered something that looked more like a Promise Keepers rally. A report of the event in the Huffington Post described it like this:

When Beck took the stage, he set the tone that this would be anything but a secular event. "We must go to God boot camp." The event opened with a prayer and closed with a prayer and a rendition of Amazing Grace. Beck urged his audience to pray more.

These two events provide an odd set of bookends, wouldn't you agree? And between them, a poor representation of true Christianity has been forged. Believers in Jesus don't condemn an entire nation like Robertson has; nor should they hoist someone who isn't a believer in the Jesus of Scripture to such a prominent spiritual platform. Scripture makes it clear in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 that people will just look for what they want to hear: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Let's not allow this to portray who Christians are in this world. Let's look to Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:2) and none other.

Letter to the Church in North America

2010-08-27T21:00:00.003-04:00

You’re in danger of losing an entire generation. You may not realize it but your young people are growing increasingly dissatisfied and unfulfilled in how you are presenting the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. You’ve turned his sacrifice into a show, complete with laser light shows and crowd-surfing. You’ve turned his call to discipleship into a members-only club, where membership has its privileges. Please look just outside your doors and see the lost, the least and the lonely – they’re looking for acceptance and not finding it with those who call themselves Christian. Walk down the street and see those who have everything that is offered by the world, yet remain without the one thing that will quench their thirst. Go to the public square and observe the community that is growing, but without roots in the Creator of the universe. They need to be loved and cared for, fed and nourished, nurtured and cultivated.

Are you aware that what was once tried and true is now tired and worn? Do you notice the empty eyes when your words leave your mouth? How about the backs of those who you are attempting to squeeze into your mold instead of allowing God to fashion the inherent beauty they’ve been created to display? Return to the simple, yet profound truths of God’s Word. Return to the passion of your youth. Allow a lost and seeking generation to see you at your moment of need. Stop building a network of worship centers and return to the art of living among the people. Stop manufacturing plastic pew-sitters and allow God to raise up impassioned activists; work together to find me at work already in your neighborhoods and communities. Extend your hand in friendship rather than solicitation.

God has promised that new things will be created and that dreamers and visionaries will be born. God has made an everlasting covenant with the Bride of Christ that the lost will be found, the blind shall be given sight and tears will be dried. You have a part to play in that miraculous scenario. You were raised up to be the vehicle for God’s grace and mercy to be given to the world. You are being called to shed the excess baggage that has accumulated over time. You’ve become heavy and lethargic. Rise up once again and take you place at the forefront of God’s divine intervention to a sick and dying world.

##

VIEW MORE LETTERS @ the EIGHTH LETTER SYNCROBLOG

Scholarships for Teens

2010-08-25T15:33:00.003-04:00

If you have teens in your house or you are part of a ministry to/with teens, then you need to look into the programs listed below:

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards - If you've made a difference by volunteering in your community over the past year, you could win $1,000 and a fabulous trip to Washington, D.C., by applying for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award! Even more importantly, you could win recognition that might inspire other young people to follow your example.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program - The Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation supports over 1,400 college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.4 million through two nationally recognized programs on behalf of the Coca−Cola System.

Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program - The Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) who help make their communities a better place to live.

It's not your fault

2010-08-25T11:28:00.001-04:00

Salvation Army on GMA

2010-08-24T18:33:00.002-04:00

From Southern Territorial Headquarters -

Last week Good Morning America's Robin Roberts visited a family that have been helped by The Salvation Army during the Nashville floods back in May.

The visit was covered by the local ABC affiliate and can be viewed an the following link:

WKRN Nashville

It is our understanding that Ms. Roberts will feature the family on Good Morning America during the program's broadcast on Thursday morning, August 26, 2010.

Salvation Army in Pakistan

2010-08-24T10:05:00.003-04:00

Here is some information from USA National Headquarters about The Salvation Army's disaster response efforts in Pakistan...

The Salvation Army established work in Pakistan more than 125 years ago, in 1883.

20,000,000 people are affected by the flooding.

The Salvation Army is distributing kits made up of a mattress, a pillow, a blanket, and kitchen and household utensils.

A donation of $50 pays for one kit.

Donations may be made online at the International Headquarters' website -- http://www.salvationarmy.org, or via check to The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-072800.

Regular updates are available on the national blog -- http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/ and/or the IHQ website.

Top Baseball Player is a Salvationist

2010-08-22T08:31:00.004-04:00

A young Salvationist from California is making a name for himself in the Atlanta Braves organization. Freddie Freeman has had an exceptional minor league career and by all accounts is ready to take his place with the big club as soon as this September and most definitely by the start of next season.

Freddie has been chosen as one of five finalists for the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year. While that is a great honor, you can have a say in who wins. By casting your vote, you can help Freddie claim the top honor. More importantly, you will be showing your support of an upstanding young man as he pursues his dream of playing in the big leagues.

$5 Youth Leader Training Event

2010-08-18T13:06:00.004-04:00

Find a location near you & Register Now!

A MUST READ...

2010-08-17T15:32:00.000-04:00

Salvation Army Provides Aid to Further Three Hundred Families in Pakistan (Update 17 August)

2010-08-17T13:13:00.003-04:00

~ Adapted from a report by Captain Imran Sabir

THE Salvation Army in Pakistan continued its initial response to the floods that have are now thought to have affected 20 million people by distributing bedding and cooking utensil packs to 300 families in Charsada. An assessment team visited Charsada a week earlier and discovered that the floods had devastated the town, wrecking homes and businesses.

The distribution team included Lieut-Colonel Yousaf Ghulam (Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army's Pakistan Territory) and Lieut-Colonel Rebecca Yousaf (Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries).

The first distribution, to 100 families, took place at Charsada Bible Church. Lieut-Colonel Ghulam spoke to community members, offering sympathy.

The Bishop of Peshawar arrived during the distribution and thanked The Salvation Army for its work. Members of the local media were also present and asked many questions about The Salvation Army.

The next distribution was in a hujra (an annex to a main building) in Charsada for two hundred Muslim families. There was a large crowd of people already gathered when the team arrived but the proceedings went smoothly. The chief secretary gave a short message for the community and the bishop offered words of comfort. Local Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mr Javed Prince added a few words of sympathy for the community.

One of the recipients in Charsada was Noor Ali, a student. He told the Salvation Army team that his family fled their home when the waters began to rise. When they returned home the house was full of water.

He said: 'We are determined to face this big challenge. We will do hard work to reconstruct our houses. At the moment we are having problems but we are brave and we can fight.'

Imran Azm, a policeman who works in Peshawar, collected supplies for his parents. He told team members that he is determined to provide for his family.

Both Noor and Imran expressed their gratitude for what they described as a 'token of love' given by The Salvation Army.

The next day, the team visited Academy Town Corps (Salvation Army church) to meet affected families. Assessment visits were also made to Nowshera, Pabi, Jahangia and Aza khail, all communities near the River Kabul.

In Aza khail the team saw people in desperate need. The community of around 15,000 people was near to the river and its houses were washed away. The people who remain explained that many bodies have yet to be found because they were swept away by the flood or buried under rubble.

The community members asked for tents to provide shelter. The Salvation Army is putting together funds so it can look to buy a large number of tents that will begin to address some of the people's most urgent needs.

Setting a High Standard....

2010-08-16T11:02:00.002-04:00

I am so taken by ArmyBarmy's recent blog entry concerning the High Council and suggested goals that I am compelled to (re)blog it in it's entirety:

===

We posted on the upcoming High Council last week and suggested that voters need to be considering statistical trends and causes behind them. Of course, there are many other things to be considered. It seems like a strategic opportunity (the HC) to discuss some of them - maybe for a few days before the event. Here is the first:

Global Strategy. Maybe there is one that we don't know about. We know that Commissioner DuPlessis was responsible for world evangelisation until his retirement. But her wasn't replaced. Commissioner Krommenhoek did serve for awhile as the General's representative for world evangelisation but now he's a TC and wasn't replaced. Such a strategy might encompass some of the following:

i. take seriously Korea's aggressive 2020 plan. Open doors, provide finance, deploy Koreans through target countries;
ii. take seriously the S2S (Saved to Save) School's vision for house churches through Scandinavia and northern Europe by training up mobile salvos and deploying them strategically;
iii. take seriously India's Soldiers of the Cross soldier evangelists model by financing it but also by replicating it around the world;
iv. take seriously MMCCXX, the plan to see new outposts in 2000 cities in 200 countries in 20 years (that is five years in and several countries advanced - hallelujah);
v. take seriously The War College training system that produces proven warriors by promoting and facilitating strategic replication around the world (there is a plan);
vi. take seriously the 10/40 Window challenges by mobilising powerful prayer battalions around the world, studying relatively successful ministries into those regions, identifying potential pioneer leaders, and preparing to finance the invasion;
vi(b). 'finance the invasion' - take seriously the opportunities latent in the investment portfolios of some FITs (financially independent territories) and prepare to invest them strategically and directly into these new invasions;
vii. restructure IHQ such that ISs are actually responsible coordinate the salvation war - the winning of the whole theatre of war under their responsibility (responsibility implies accountability);
viii. take seriously one of the great bottlenecks to raising candidates to officership - that is, training colleges (and fix them);
ix. take seriously the fragmentation of the army around the world by focusing on our shared covenants - JS / SS / officer - and actually holding to them - as the sinews of the strategy;
x. global non-stop strategic prayer to drive the attack;
xi. preach holiness as taught by Paul, Wesley, and Brengle as the content of the campaign;
xii. set goals.

We know lots of people don't like goals, shy away from them (some 'cower'!). The General has taught that healthy things grow. And we know that God has commissioned us to win the world for Jesus. Goals help us from settling with the status quo. Let's set some biggies. Here are a few suggestions:

- 2011 in 2011 - that is, 2011 cadets by the end of 2011 (close to doubling statu quo);
- 202 by 2020 - that is, every country invaded within the decade. That means about 8/year. That's not unrealistic.
- celebrate Rader's Million Marching (by the millennium) achievement and recognise our failure at Larsson's 2 Million by 2010 (to include JS/SS/adherents), repent of it, and then hit the target. We're at about 1.7 mil right now (300,000 left? Let's do it!).
- Bring back the big goal-setters like Rader and Noland (and others) to help on vision and strategy.

What's the plan?

2010-08-12T13:36:00.003-04:00

Yesterday on Twitter, Rick Warren declared: "For 30 yrs our plan was to turn spectators into participators, consumers to contributors, an audience into an army. It worked!"

Ten years ago, he stood before The Salvation Army world and told us that we were a sleeping giant and he challenged us to wake up.

I wonder what our game plan has been for the past 3 decades? One territory came up with a game plan to convert Army corps into community churches. Another territory attempted to develop worship centers that were "a ministry of The Salvation Army." I can remember the volumes of binders that were handed out with the latest and greatest "church growth" methods and principles with the expectation that the local Salvation Army corps were to implement them and miraculously see attendance numbers explode.

Only recently, I think, have we discovered that we need to embrace our "army" heritage and get serious about what it means to be a soldier of Christ. I wonder if Rick Warren will be making any moves in the future to enact a "take-over" of The Salvation Army - after all, he has been building the Saddleback Army...

Salvation Army in Pakistan Starts Distribution Program (Update 11 August)

2010-08-11T11:35:00.002-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Pakistan has distributed relief packages to 150 families affected by the flooding that continues to cause misery across a large region of the country. The packages consist of a mattress, quilts, pillows and a set of kitchen utensils.

The distribution took place in a health centre run by the Church of Pakistan in Risalpur, about 36 miles from Peshawar in north-west Pakistan. The packs were given to Christian, Muslim and Hindu families sheltering in St Mary's and St Joseph's school.

Captain Washington Daniel (Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army's Islamabad Division) reports: 'Our team unloaded the trucks with the local volunteers. We all worked as a team with duties allocated. Pastors from the Church of Pakistan and St Mary’s school principal helped us check the identification of the affected people against the registered list.'

The local Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mr Javed Prince visited the centre. Captain Daniel says the MPA and his team were 'pleased to see the distribution and gave appreciation to The Salvation Army'. They also made arrangements to ensure the Salvation Army team's ongoing safety.

The distribution had to finish earlier than planned because of heavy rain but the rest of the 200 packages should be given out today (11 August) and plans are in place to distribute packs to a further 300 families in Charsada on Saturday 14 August. This will depend on the necessary security arrangements being put in place.

The bedding materials are being sourced in Peshawar to keep delivery costs down and the kitchen utensil packages are being put together by staff and young people at The Salvation Army's Pakistan Territorial Headquarters in Lahore. The ongoing floods are causing power cuts and transport problems which mean that supplies of vital goods can be sporadic at best!

The Salvation Army Provides Flood Relief in Romania

2010-08-06T13:15:00.002-04:00

FLOODING is a regular occurrence in some regions of Romania but this year several areas not usually affected have been devastated by lightning floods.

The regional township of Dorohoi, in the north-western corner of the country, was worst affected. The corps officers (Salvation Army church ministers) from Iasi travelled 90 miles to the area to help with the emergency response. They and a team of volunteers are working with the local administration to provide the families in greatest need with cleaning products, toilet paper, bedding and towels.

'A sudden stream of water came and took everything people had,' report the officers. 'In less than 30 minutes the water rose two metres. Six people lost their lives in Dorohoi and 22 have died in the flooding across Romania. We found the people scared, desperate, hungry, naked and covered in mud. They had no dry clothes and no beds to sleep in.

'The floods destroyed 520 homes in Dorohoi alone, affecting 2,200 people.’

The Salvation Army will continue to work in the flood-hit areas to meet the needs of people as they recover from the devastation of losing their homes, possessions and livelihoods.

$5 Challenge

2010-08-02T14:40:00.004-04:00

It's August, and across North America parents are beginning to prepare their children for the return to school. In most schools, a school supply list is available that instructs the students what they are to bring to class with them on the first day. These lists vary, but included on most lists are the basic school supplies - pencils, erasers, paper, binders, rulers, kleenex, dry erase markers, etc.

Unfortunately, a lot of families simply cannot afford to provide everything that appears on the list. In a growing number of situations, even the bare necessities are near impossible to afford. In light of this, we were issued a $5 challenge yesterday during church. Our corps officer/pastor challenged us to return to church next week with $5 worth of school supplies that will be distributed to children whose families cannot afford to obtain what is on the school supply lists.

What makes this challenge great is the fact that stores are having incredible school supply sales right now. Staples, Office Depot, OfficeMax & Target have great deals right now that can help $5 go a long way.

If you're in the Northern Virginia area, join with us in the $5 Challenge. Drop off what you can at The Salvation Army on 518 South Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22204-1625. Or, you can drop off school supplies at any Salvation Army location. There are kids who will be very thankful that you did!

12 Reasons Why Every Corps Should Invest in Junior Soldiers

2010-07-31T14:19:00.003-04:00

~ Taken from Steve Bussey, co-director of The Salvation Army Railton School for Youth Leader Training, in Suffern NY

Here are 12 reasons why I believed that every Corps should be promoting Junior Soldiers. I have recently embarked on an analysis of the 10 courses over 5 years and have become absolutely convinced that if every Corps invested in Junior Soldiers, that this could change the world!

Here are the 12 reasons:

1. It grounds our kids in biblical knowledge.

2. It lays the foundation of sound doctrine into their lives

3. It connects kids to the historic Salvation Army - familiarizing them with our history, key personalities, structures and symbols

4. It relates all of this to the challenges of childhood and early adolescence

5. It approaches kids from a theology of childhood that emphasizes agency - believing children can be saved, sanctified, discipled, engaged in ministry... and that they can even suffer if needs be for their faith.

6. It focuses on a covenantal pledge (promise) that is a sacred rite of passage that helps a child confirm their faith.

7. It prepares our kids at an early age to sharpen their minds - thinking about their faith as they navigate through the pressures of today's child/youth cultures.

8. It is standardized (the curriculum in the American territories is nationally standardized) so that wherever a child were to move, they would be able to continue their training.

9. Research has shown that if a person puts 10,000 hours of practice into something, this can really define the impact they will have later in life. Junior Soldiers starts the discipleship journey on at a very young age - allowing them early on to put in the time, gain this knowledge and engage in discipleship and ministry experiences.

10. Junior Soldiers leads the child towards ACTIVE faith. It breaks the misunderstood perception that kids need to be passively kept at bay until they are 'old enough' to engage in ministry.

11. The uniform and the promise unite our kids with a historic and worldwide movement of peers who are covenanted to a similar standard.

12. Hey... It's a load of fun!

What would The Salvation Army look like in eighteen years if we all committed to this?

Who are the leaders we are entrusting this sacred trust to? How are we training them?

Salvation Army Still Supporting Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Chile (Update 29 July)

2010-07-29T10:52:00.003-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Chile continues to serve people affected by the earthquake and tsunami that brought devastation over a wide area in late February. Support is concentrated in central and southern Chile at Talca, Rancagua-Doñihue, Santa Clara, Dichato and Caleta Tumbes.

Two feeding programs operate to help elderly people and vulnerable families through the cold and damp winter. As resources become available The Salvation Army is replacing clothing and other essential items that were lost in the disaster. Schemes are also in place to provide temporary housing and employment.

Women's support groups which have commenced in some communities are providing an opportunity for people to share their concerns with each other, especially as most are dealing with the same disruptions to their lives. These groups have created new networks of support and encouragement.

Caleta Tumbes, a coastal community, was all but swept away by the tsunami that followed the earthquake. The Salvation Army has provided fishermen in the village with new boats so they can resume their work. More have been requested.

There is ongoing contact with local and government leaders.

Programs in damaged Salvation Army properties are being operated at reduced capacity. El Faro, the men’s residence in Santiago, needs to be completely redeveloped due to the severity of the earthquake damage.

Salvation Army officers, soldiers and staff involved in the disaster response have demonstrated courage, care and determination to help their fellow Chileans through this difficult time. There has been great appreciation shown by those receiving help, not just for the material needs that have been met but also for the spiritual comfort given.

Salvation Army Provides Assistance After Floods Devastate North-East Brazil

2010-07-29T10:39:00.001-04:00

THE Salvation Army in Brazil is continuing to provide assistance after heavy rains led to devastating floods in the north-east of the country in mid-June. In the state of Pernambuco, where The Salvation Army has been working for more than 25 years, 54 towns were affected by the disaster, which left 83,000 people homeless.

One month on, more than 38,000 children and young people still cannot return to school. Around 50 schools remain closed because of the flood, either because of damage or because they have become shelters for 9,000 people who cannot return to their homes.

Kerolainy Inácio now lives in the place that was once her school. 'For me it is sad,' she says. 'I wish each person could have their own home and we wouldn't all have to live in a school.' Cícera Maria Ferreira, a mother living in the same school, adds: 'We feel lost, as if the ground has been taken from under our feet. We have no hope in what will happen to us, how we will rebuild all that we lost. It is difficult to start all over again.'

The Salvation Army is engaged in relief work in the state capital, Recife, and also in Palmares, 118 kilometres from the capital and one of the worst-affected towns. An emergency relief team made up of members of Salvation Army corps (churches), supplemented by volunteers from the community, helps with the collection and organisation of donated goods, putting together parcels of cleaning materials and distributing them from house to house, bringing comfort and encouragement to the families affected by the disaster.

'All our corps in the north-east are involved in some way in helping those who have lost everything,' says Major Maruilson de Souza, Divisional Commander of the North East Division of The Salvation Army's Brazil Territory. The major says it has been gratifying to see local Salvationists involved on many different fronts.

He adds: 'The Salvation Army is doing all it can – or should I say more than it is able!' Resources are scarce with new challenges, and needs to be met, appearing all the time.

Members of The Salvation Army in Boqueirão, in the neighbouring state of Paraíba, recently took to the streets, knocking on doors and asking for donations. They collected goods and set up a solidarity campaign in aid of the flood victims.

Captain Rosseli Fernandes, corps officer (minister) in Boqueirão, says: 'We collected a large quantity of food and clothes and took them to a collection point in Campina Grande from where they were sent to Pernambuco. Since then the donations haven't stopped coming in. We are already preparing new parcels to be sent out.'

Major Maruilson says that the items most needed are fuel, food for volunteers, clothing that will provide protection against diseases (boots, masks, gloves), drinking water, personal hygiene kits, bedsheets and towels. He estimates that the cost to obtain and distribute these items is R$30,000 (US$17,500) a month.

The Salvation Army is working with the Ecumenical Committee for Aid of the Flood Victims of Pernambuco. Together they have already distributed more than 200 tons of food, 2,000 mattresses and many hygiene and cleaning kits.

Major Maruilson says this is the worst disaster ever recorded in this region. He concludes: 'The north-east is considered by the federal government to be the poorest region of Brazil. The floods have impoverished the local people even more.'

Holy Now!

2010-07-26T15:20:00.002-04:00

Steve Court has a great blog that is worth a daily read - and more...

His latest soundbyte is this:

So it seems like it is time to be holy. Individually, yes. Of course. Now. By God's enabling power and expectation. Hallelujah.

But more than that. Corporate holiness. Holiness in community. Locally at your corps. Divisionally. Territorially. And Globally. It's time to be holy. All of us.

Let's do it!

Long-Term Commitment to Rebuilding Communities Continues with Hurricane Season Underway

2010-07-14T13:12:00.001-04:00

From NHQ / SAWSO -

Salvation Army Builds 600 Transitional Shelters in Haiti Following Destructive Earthquake

Alexandria, VA (July 13, 2010) – The Salvation Army will complete the construction of 600 housing shelters through the Transitional Shelter Program in Jacmel, Haiti this week, to assist in relocating earthquake-displaced Haitians back to their home communities. Over the past six months The Salvation Army has transitioned from providing for immediate needs, including temporary shelter, food, water and medical attention to providing long-term recovery services to help return survivors to a level of normalcy in their lives. The long-term rebuilding process has employed more than 400 Haitians as carpenters and construction crew-members to assist in reconstruction efforts.

“The level of care and steps taken to rebuild Haiti has been astonishing, with this transitional housing project highlighting the significant strides everyone has made over the past six months,” said Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett Executive Director of The Salvation Army World Service Office. “Housing shelters have been built in some of the most heavily impacted areas in Haiti, including Jacmel, Bainet, Lilette and Bellami. The Salvation Army has had a major presence in Haiti since the 1950s and we’ll continue to provide earthquake relief services for as long as the need is there.”

Haitian officials and residents worked closely with The Salvation Army to plan and manage the transitional housing shelters project which allowed for a quick design and building process. Through both volunteerism and temporary employment by The Salvation Army, residents of Haiti have been directly involved in the reconstruction of their communities. The Salvation Army provided technical specialists as needed for the project and Haitian teams were trained by The Salvation Army’s transitional housing team. Others were hired to clear land for the construction of the homes. In all, more than 400 Haitians, comprising at least 45 construction teams, were trained to supervise and build 600 homes.

With what is expected to be an intense hurricane season already underway, the shelters were designed to withstand strong winds and periodic rain storms. Development plans for the shelters incorporated designs for the proper drainage of water and prevention measures for waterborne illnesses during the flooding that is likely to occur this season. The shelters, standing 10 X 20 ft, are designed to last one to three- years. Overall, approximately 3,000 individuals will be receiving a new home – at an average of five per household.

“For the safety and well-being of the thousands of Haitians who have been displaced, it was critical that we constructed these homes as quickly and strongly as possible with the hurricane season here,” said Lt. Colonel Starrett. “The ultimate goal of our emergency service in Haiti is to provide the resources for the community to return to self sufficiency at a level that exceeds conditions before the earthquake. These homes are the first steps of many in that direction.”

Following the construction of the 600 shelters in Jacmel, which began on June 5, The Salvation Army will work with government officials in Haiti to plan the second phase of development for an additional 500 homes in Jacmel and another 1,000-1,500 homes in Petit-Goâve, which felt a strong 5.9 magnitude aftershock on January 20. The quake’s epicenter was almost directly under Petit-Goâve, severely damaging the city. Each home will take one day to complete, with each costing approximately $1,800. Like in Jacmel, the homes will be built on existing home sites. Individuals and families who have lost their homes due to the earthquake must own the property on which their new home will be built in order to obtain a shelter. Families are helped first, followed by single women with children and other vulnerable populations.

The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Donors can also give via www.salvationarmyusa.org, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $20.5 million has been donated to The Salvation Army to assist in the development of the housing units, provide 5.4 million meals, as well as other immediate and long-term recovery services in Haiti. Through the shelter campaign, The Salvation Army will continue will provide over 4400 shelters in the next 6-12 months in Jacmel, Petit-Goâve and Port -au-Prince.

Prior to the earthquake, The Salvation Army in Haiti operated schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country. One Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people.

Since January 12, The Salvation Army, along with the United Nations, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations has cared for the 20,000 individuals who have been displaced from their homes, living at a soccer field adjacent to a Salvation Army facility in Port-au-Prince. To establish a safe environment, a Camp Security force has been formed made up of 45 Haitian members from the camp itself. The team has been trained in security techniques by The Salvation Army and the United Nations. Medical care and nutritional services are also being provided to meet the needs of all individuals at the camp; including water purification units that supply 20,000 – 30,000 gallons of purified water or 4.2 million gallons of water daily.