Doing the Most Good
October 25, 2011 New Frontier
3
My first year as an officer Sonora Rose Cooper (far right) and Katy Roxanne (second from right) lead a hip hop class at the Tempe (Ariz.) Corps.
Photo by Robyn Bridgeo
Kickin’ it old school n Arizona’s Tempe Corps reaches youth through hip hop dance. BY ROBYN BRIDGEO, CAPTAIN Ever since shock rocker Alice Cooper committed his life to Christ more than 10 years ago, he has been on a mission. He has a heart to reach out to troubled teens through the medium that gained him his fame—music and the arts. For years, Cooper has been doing this through his Solid Rock Foundation, based in Phoenix, Ariz. When I discovered that the foundation was working on converting an old warehouse into a Rock Outreach Center, I met with executive director Jeff Moore to see how we could partner together. After a year of sharing a lot of great ideas, Solid Rock offered us free music and hip hop lessons. When Sonora Rose Cooper, Cooper’s 18-year-old daughter, caught wind of this partnership, she quickly volunteered to teach hip hop and recruited her friend, Katy Roxanne, a film student, to help her. Sonora grew up around dance at her mother’s dance academy. Katy plans on creating a “rocumentary” of the whole experience, hoping to submit her finished work to the Sundance Film Festival. Sonora and Katy were a huge hit at the first hip hop class. Before class, Katy wrote on her Facebook page, “I can’t wait to
start teaching hip hop tonight at the Tempe Salvation Army.” After class, I asked her if she still felt that way and she said, “Definitely, hip hop made a huge difference in my life and I am so excited to get a chance to share something that has meant so much to me.” We have never seen the girls in our corps so excited—so much so that they helped us pass out candy and flyers about the program to 1,000 students in their middle school.
TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Major Evelyn Chavez Property Secretary, effective Nov. 1, 2011
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Delegates to the Alaska youth councils
Photo by Michelle Thielenhaus
Alaska youth councils n “Epic” weekend reveals “epic” purpose for Alaskan youth. BY DONALD WARRINER, CAPTAIN Alaskan youth and leaders descended on the Juneau Corps for youth councils, intent on discovering their part within God’s creation. Supporting the young people in their quest were special guests Lt. Colonel Judy Smith, territorial secretary for program, Majors John and Pamilla Brackenbury, territorial candidates’ secretary and associate secretary, respectively, and Captain Roy Wild, territorial youth secretary. Developing the “epic” theme, leaders conveyed that although young in age and lacking experience, each camper has a larger-than-life part to play in God’s scheme of things. Friday’s message revealed epic failures,
while on Saturday, delegates delved into epic purpose and the responsibility to live holy lives. Later, the message was epic calling, accepting that each person is God’s unique creation with his or her own purpose. A whale-watching trip illustrated God’s creation and how small humans are physically in comparison. Back at camp, this point was emphasized with a golf ball representing humanity, comparing its size to God’s expanse. The final session emphasized epic responsibility, with each delegate challenged to say no to sin and to love and listen to God. Sunday morning’s message reminded the youth of their most epic choice—to choose Jesus and his will for their lives. At the conclusion, three students stood in answer to God’s call to officership.
BY MAUREEN LAWLISS, LT. Many blessings have come my way this first year as an officer—and many challenges. During the short time I’ve been in charge of the Albany (Ore.) Corps, the first and primary thing I have learned is not to rely on myself. This service for the Lord is a partnership with him; he is my authority who has called me to service in The Salvation Army. I am grateful for the training at Crestmont, which gave me an overall picture of the ministry of The Salvation Army. Throughout training, the more I grew in understanding of the work of an officer, the bigger the job seemed, and sure enough, I was not mistaken. However, one great thing about being an officer is that I can fall back on the fact that God has called me. At times, when I am discouraged, feeling like I am making little progress on my goals and mission, I remember it isn’t about me—it’s the work of God and I’m just his servant whom he called. His calling for me is unique and individual, yet it is for the greater good of his purpose. This privilege keeps my mind focused on the right things. After several years in business and overseas as a missionary, this current position is the most rewarding and challenging. For years, God placed it on my heart to serve him fulltime. Now he has called me to the people of Albany, and here doors have opened for me to minister in ways I could not before I was an officer. The potential of bringing people to a place of salvation, to a place of safety and assurance, for me has abundant eternal significance. My heart desires to encourage and help people spiritually, yet it is not what happens daily. However, in seeing the deep needs of people, I learned that often they simply need a caring hand, and I have discovered the importance of a kind word—that small gift of yourself is one of the most important ones we can offer. One of the challenges here is that our building is in disrepair, and I’ve learned quickly how to run a capital campaign. This often diverted my attention from daily routine needs but it also introduced me to the greater community of Albany. Each day presents new opportunities for service, which makes this work unique and exciting. No matter what I’m doing, whether administrative or pastoral, it is all God’s work. I find that you cannot separate the social work from the corps, for God’s work is in the people, wherever they are. And where the Lord is working, there is where I want to be. As long as I view my ministry as God’s call, and let him do the transforming of lives through me, this is what is important in my officership. Success comes in many different sizes and shapes, but no matter its form, it is the success of God, not me. I joined the Rotary this year and the first item of its four-way test is “service above self.” As a Salvation Army officer, it is “God and his service above self.” I don’t do this alone—I have an awesome partner who does most of the work! “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). As I walk this journey, this verse is critical for me. May God be blessed!