SAconnects, Volume 1, Number 6

VOL. 1, NO. 6 • OCTOBER 2015

the magazine

summer of

SALVATION El ministerio del Ejército en los festivales, los campamentos de música y en Costa Rica page 8

SACONNECTS.ORG

new music

Camden, N.J. KROC CENTER hosts President Obama

JETTROUBLE

page 4

page 32

our leaders

IN focus

doing

‘a new thing’ It’s already October, and here in the northeastern United States, the days are much shorter as we move through the calendar to the Winter Solstice on December 21st —the shortest day of the year. October is just at the beginning of the fall season, and for most people, it carries the benefit of seeing the leaves change to bright orange, yellow, and red.

If you look at the big picture, you might consider that we are in an inexorable march in an endless cycle of seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer. You might say that the same thing happens every year and nothing ever changes.

Solomon said as much in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

Another way to look at life is to recognize the newness that is found in every season. Every year is a bit different from the previous one and things do change. The prophet wrote this in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

God is doing a new thing in The Salvation Army and a new thing within each of us, if we will allow Him to do so.

As you read this issue of SAConnects, you will hear the stories of God’s new work in His people and in His Army.

Are you willing to hear God’s voice and allow Him to do a new thing in you?

— Colonel / Coronel Steven M. Howard Territorial Secretary for Personnel / Secretario Territorial de Personal

hagamos

‘algo nuevo’ Ya es octubre y aquí, en el noreste de Estados Unidos, los días se van haciendo más breves a medida que avanzamos con el calendario hacia el solsticio de invierno, que ha de ocurrir el 21 de diciembre, el día más corto de todo el año. El mes de octubre inicia la estación otoñal que, para la mayoría de las personas, ofrece el beneficio de mostrar la manera en que las hojas de los árboles cambian de color a un anaranjado, un amarillo y un rojo intenso.

Si observas el panorama general, podrías decir que estamos en una inexorable e interminable marcha cíclica en la que se suceden el otoño, el invierno, la primavera y el verano. Podrías decir que es exactamente lo mismo cada año y que nada cambia.

Eso fue lo que dijo Salomón en Eclesiastés 1:9 (NVI): “Lo que ya ha acontecido volverá a acontecer; lo que ya se ha hecho se volverá a hacer ¡y no hay nada nuevo bajo el sol!”

Otra manera de ver la vida es reconocer lo novedoso que ofrece cada estación del año. Cada año es un poco distinto del anterior y las cosas ciertamente cambian. El profeta expresó esto en Isaías 43:19 (NVI), “¡Voy a hacer algo nuevo! Ya está sucediendo, ¿no se dan cuenta? Estoy abriendo un camino en el desierto, y ríos en lugares desolados.” Dios está haciendo algo nuevo en el Ejército de Salvación y puede hacer algo novedoso dentro de cada uno de nosotros si se lo permitimos.

Al leer este número de SAConnects, conocerás historias sobre la nueva obra que Dios está llevando adelante en el seno de su pueblo y en su Ejército. ¿Estás dispuesto a escuchar la voz de Dios y a dejar que Él haga algo nuevo en ti?

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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Vol. 1, No. 6

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2015

IN focus

1 leader letter 4 from the editor

ON file

5

5 relevents Captain Lorena Castillo talks about her musical talents and growing up in Chile.

21 testimony Soldier Skyela Bussey shares the importance of drama and art programs in youth ministry.

6

10

28 wholly living Cadet Lizette Medina’s “dream job” and spiritual journey will move you.

30

SPECIAL SECTION

unity 9

What gifts and abilities do you see demonstrated at your corps? Officers share their findings.

9 Summer Brass

How Dan Wajda’s friends inspire him.

10

tar Lake Musicamp S

Ian Wettlaufer touches lives through his gifts.

FAITH in ACTION

12 Territorial Arts Ministry (TAM)

Oracia Morris grows spiritually.

6 post-potus

Reflecting on the President’s historic visit to the Camden, N.J., Kroc Center; what now?

21

13 Hands On Missions

Katie Betts trusts Christ for everything.

14

ollege for Officer Training C Summer Assignments

Cadet Melanie Ortiz witnesses to others.

22 corps news What’s happening in a corps near you?

Cover Photo by Douglas Kerr.

Summer of Salvation

25 a thriving church

The Philadelphia (Korean) Corps is an integral part of the community.

appearance at New England’s largest East Coast Christian music festival.

17 Live from SoulFest

The Salvation Army makes an

finds 32 From the concert stage, to the movie screen, to the “Great White Way,” you’ll find Christians who are making a difference.

Para leer más artículos en español por favor visite

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SACONNECTS.ORG/ENESPANOL

Correction: The link that appeared in our Boundless Congress story (SAConnects, Sept. 2015) was missing a reference to Flickr.com. The correct link is flickr.com/photos/boundless2015. find us on facebook / estamos en facebook / 페이스북 방문 환영 www.facebook.com/saconnects

2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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IN focus

from the editor the magazine

your connection to The Salvation Army

being ‘connected’ siempre ‘conectados’

USA EASTERN TERRITORY TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner Barry C. Swanson Commissioner E. Sue Swanson CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel William A. Bamford III SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Lt. Colonel Cheryl A. Maynor

There’s nothing better than smelling good aromas from the kitchen. They tell you that something great is coming. The thought makes you excited—and hungry.

As we continue rolling out SAConnects, we want you to be hungry for what’s cooking in our literary kitchen.

And starting now, such aromas will arise from this editorial column. In addition to continuing from time to time as a traditional commentary, its primary role will shift to essentially being a preview of things to come. And we want you to be in the loop as a participant in this process. That means offering you a “taste from the spoon.”

We’ll also introduce you to the people who are making these stories happen. On occasion, we’ll quote our writers, editors, and interviewees. From their perspective, you’ll get an “inside scoop” on how these stories are being developed and why. And in time, you’ll see video clips posted on the website, giving you an on–location look into the “pot” like never before.

Currently, we’re working on stories that will honor our veterans—the men and women who’ve sacrificed themselves for our freedom. We’ll also feature an incredible story about the Mercy Ships that bring health and healing to people around the world. The before– and–after pictures will amaze you.

These are exciting times and we want to share them with you and to stay “connected.”

— Warren L. Maye

Editor in Chief / Editor en Jefe

Nada mejor que oler los ricos aromas procedentes de la cocina. Te dicen que algo realmente bueno está por venir. Y esa idea te despierta la curiosidad, y el hambre.

Conforme seguimos publicando nuevos números de SAConnects, queremos que seas el primero en saber lo que estamos cocinando en nuestro horno literario. Y a partir de ahora, los aromas saldrán de esta columna editorial. Además de continuar ocasionalmente como comentario tradicional, la finalidad principal de esta columna es convertirse en un anticipo de lo que vendrá. Te queremos como partícipe de este proceso. Eso quiere decir que te daremos una probadita.

También te presentaremos a las personas que están haciendo estas historias. De vez en cuando, citaremos a nuestros escritores, editores y entrevistados. Desde la perspectiva de cada uno de ellos, obtendrás una primicia en cuanto a cómo y por qué se desarrollan estas historias. Y, a su tiempo, podrás ver esa “olla” en los videoclips de nuestro sitio web, como nunca antes.

Actualmente estamos trabajando en una edición en la que honraremos a nuestros veteranos: los hombres y mujeres que se han sacrificado por nuestra libertad. También brindaremos una asombrosa historia sobre los “Mercy Ships” (en español, “Barcos de Misericordia”) que llevan sus servicios de salud y sanidad a personas en todo el mundo. Las gráficas te impactarán.

Estos son tiempos emocionantes y queremos compartirlos contigo. ¡Queremos estar y permanecer siempre “conectados”!

EDITOR IN CHIEF Warren L. Maye MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo KOREAN EDITOR Lt. Colonel Chongwon D. Kim ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Keri Johnson, Karena Lin, Joe Marino CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brenda Lotz, Major Young Sung Kim CIRCULATION Deloris Hansen DIVISIONAL NEWS CORRESPONDENTS

ARCC Major Charles Deitrick PENDEL Randall Thomas Major Kathryn A. Avery EMP Jaye C. Jones MASS Drew Forster NEOSA Major Thomas Hinzman NNE Cheryl Poulopoulos PR & VI Linette Luna SNE James Gordon WEPASA Captain Kimberly DeLong NJ Siran Farrar Territorial Music Liaison Ronald Waiksnoris Territorial Youth Liaison Captain Gillian Rogers New divisional and command correspondents will be appointed soon for

CFOT, GNY, SWONEKY

THE SALVATION ARMY

MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SAConnects is published monthly by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per month for 25–100 copies.

Single subscriptions are available. Write to: SAConnects, The Salvation Army, 440 W. Nyack Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994–1739.

Vol. 1, No. 6, October Issue 2015. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SAConnects, 440 West Nyack Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SAConnects accepts advertising. Copyright © 2015 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory. Articles may be reprinted only with written permission.

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

www.twitter.com/saconnects

relevents

interview by Hugo Bravo

Captain Lorena Castillo, corps officer (pastor) of the White Plains, N.Y., Corps, talks about her musical gifts, her love for the nation of Chile, and an eternal friendship made through The Salvation Army.

When I was 9, I left Santiago, Chile, to live in Spain, but my country always remains in my heart. My mother shared Chilean cuisine with me, and my father loved to listen to Chilean music. I saw Chile in my home every day. Thanks to my parents, no matter where I live, I proudly feel Chilean.

Family is so important to me. My parents are officers in Spain and my husband’s family are officers in Chile. I also have siblings who have answered the call to officership. Though we are apart, The Salvation Army is a bond that connects us, no matter where we are.

Background and timbrel photos by Susan Magnano; bottom inset courtesy of Lorena Castillo

Since I was 7, the timbrel (tambourine) has been with me. I am thankful to the Lord for this instrument and for what Corps Sergeant Major Alicia Garrido, my timbrel leader, taught me while growing up in Chile. Through her example, I learned discipline, stage presence, proper wearing of my uniform, and the importance of working in a timbrel brigade (group).

My parents always said I could sing. They had an old cassette recorder that they used to record me and kept a cassette of me singing at age 2. The first time I sang in front of a group, I was terrified! But being the child of officers, I was always called on to sing during services or family reunions. I eventually lost my shyness and fear of performing and have since developed a love for it. Through so many songs, the Lord has spoken to me.

Psalm 40:3 reads; “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” This verse has been on my mind for a few months now. It reminds me that, despite any difficulties in my life, there is always a new song inside me to sing and to praise the Lord. He is so glorious and loving, and He can get us through any hardship.

He is always there to renew our life.

In July, Captain Zaida Rivera, my best friend, was promoted to Glory. She had a special influence on my life, and continues to do so. Throughout the years, I’ve lived in so many cities and countries and it’s difficult for me to make lasting friendships.

But when I met Zaida, we bonded immediately, and made the effort to stay in touch. Our friendship was based on unconditional love, and I miss her dearly.

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ON file

by Major Vicki S. Berry

POST–POTUS

Photo by Associated Press/Amy Newman

FAITH in ACTION

(President of the United States)

Reflecting on the President’s visit to Camden, N.J.

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

by Major Vicki S. Berry

Two years ago, the police department in Camden, N.J., doubled the size of its force, cut desk jobs, and got more officers to walk the streets and to know residents.

As a result, Camden’s crime rate plummeted, and observers have lauded the department as “a model for community policing.”

And during this process, The Salvation Army helped by offering office space to the police at the new Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. So when President Barack Obama decided to visit Camden in mid–May to spotlight the police department’s good work, the Kroc Center became the host venue.

Camden is one of America’s poorest cities, with 40 percent of its 77,000 residents living below the poverty line, compared to the state average of 10 percent. The Kroc Center’s work reaches a broad swath of Camden residents, and providing office space for the police department is just one of its many services. Other programs include job training, after–school activities, an early child education center, and a social and family services center.

The Kroc Center is a 120,000–square–foot facility that covers 24 acres along the Delaware River. Majors Paul and Alma Cain, who were the Kroc Center administrators and the area commanders in May, had just three days to work

with the Secret Service to ready the facility. This was the Cains’ first collaboration with the Secret Service, and it proved to be quite an education, as they had to allow officials to search every inch of the grounds. The Secret Service also conducted background checks on invited guests.

A FESTIVE DAY On Sunday, May 17, Salvation Army personnel set up the center’s “Town Plaza Area” to prepare it for the crowd.

Early the next morning, the Secret Service took over, escorting everyone out of the building. Even the Cains, who had established the center in Camden, were among them.

Crowds lined the center’s wide sidewalks, waiting to be screened by Secret Service agents and their bomb–sniffing dogs. Ribbons adorned tree trunks along the thoroughfare for the President’s motorcade. Television news trucks lined the center’s front drive.

AN APPRECIATIVE PRESIDENT

is supportive, and non–profit organizations like The Salvation Army and others who are doing some great work—if it’s working here, it can work anywhere. It can work anywhere!” he said.

Afterwards, he walked down from the podium to the front row, where he shook hands with Salvation Army representatives and thanked them for their work.

NEXT STEPS Majors Susan and Terry Wood now oversee the Kroc Center. They say the President’s visit spotlighted The Salvation Army’s crucial work. “President Obama’s visit raised much positive awareness of The Salvation Army’s dramatic expansion in the region,” said Major Susan Wood.

“Many local Salvation Army donors, members, and friends attended the President’s speech. And, with extensive media coverage, The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden became an integral part of the storyline throughout the region and beyond.”

— Major Vicki S. Berry, now retired, was at the time of this writing the New Jersey Division’s director of Women’s Ministries, Women’s Auxiliary secretary, and Retired Officers’ representative.

Photo by Associated Press/Tim Hawk

Official White House photo by Pete Souza

Against a backdrop of clicking cameras and news reporters, President Obama played basketball with members of the

Camden High School basketball team and with the police.

Attending the President’s speech were community leaders, police officers, and hand–picked representatives from the City of Camden, including children. Among the Salvation Army leaders were Commissioner Barry C. Swanson, territorial commander; Majors Donald E. and Vicki S. Berry, then New Jersey divisional leaders; Majors Barbara A. and Edgar C. George, program secretary and divisional secretary for New Jersey; Majors Raphael C. and Sandra J. Jackson, then Harlem Temple Corps leaders; and selected employees from the Kroc Center.

Corps Sergeant Major Mark Morton led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Major Sue Dunigan sang the National Anthem.

During his address, the President thanked the Camden Police Department for its effort to aid the community with positive programs to help youth. “If we’re seeing such extraordinary improvement in Camden because of the good efforts of elected officials, an outstanding police chief, some wonderful police officers, a community that

(Above) President Barack Obama and Majors Alma S. and Paul E. Cain, the then–Kroc Center administrators, participate in a photo line. (Left) The President talks with members of the Camden High School basketball team and members of the Camden County Police Department before shooting a few hoops.

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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ns o i iss M n sO d ass r n B er Ha amp m C c i m s Su e Mu k a L Star

summer of SALVATION 2015

Colle ge fo r Of f Sal icer T vat ion rainin Te Ar m g Su rrit mme y’s or r A ss yA firs ignm t ap r ts ents p ear Mi anc nis ea tr y t So (TA ulfe M) st

The following stories will share with you the joy, the excitement, the fun, and the feeling of being bathed in “Sonlight.”

You’ll experience this through the eyes, ears, and hearts of Dan Wajda, Ian Wettlaufer, Andrew and Stella MacKereth, Oracia Morris, Katie Betts, Melanie Ortiz, Lily Beth Ciriaco, and Jet Troublefield, among many other contemporary evangelists.

They’ll show you how music helped God’s people evangelize; how, through creative arts they ministered in song, dance, and drama; how “Hands On” and “summer assignments” took them to places near and far; and how the witness of Adult Rehabilitation Center beneficiaries helped spread the Gospel message in a unique way.

Summer Brass

by Robert Mitchell

The touch of brass

From top: Photo by Robert Mitchell; Stephen Ditmer; PhotoBureau Inc.

TOUCHING LIVES THROUGH SUMMER BRASS DAN WAJDA says his favorite part of playing with Summer Brass was the group’s trip to the Old Orchard Beach (OOB) Camp Meetings.

The band performed each night at the busy Pier as vacationers stopped to watch, an experience that was “very special” for Wajda, who plays the cornet at the Schenectady, N.Y., Corps.

“You have this big stage and people are milling around and doing their own thing and they just come by and stop and after that they’re hooked,” he says.

“They stay there for a couple of hours sometimes. Instead of being on the beach or whatever, they’re part of what The Salvation Army has to offer.”

Wajda said, besides OOB, Summer Brass spent a week at Camp Tecumseh in Pittstown, N.J., teaching young people about music before taking trips to the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps and Community Centers in Boston, Mass., and in Philadelphia, Pa. The band, led by Derek Lance, ended its tour in August at Star Lake Musicamp with a finale concert.

Wajda said the entire experience was something he will always remember.

“Summer Brass is a unique experience because it brings you together with other people who have similar interests as you,” he says. “We all play

music, we’re all in a band together, and we’re all spiritually connected as Christians and believers. It’s a unique environment to be in and it’s reinforcing.

“It’s just really special because you’re on the road for a month with these people and you really get to know them and it brings you close together with other believers. Like any Army group, you’re drawn together as Christians and as fellow musicians and players.”

Summer Brass is also a great opportunity for fellow musicians to “develop ideas and to bounce things off each other,” Wajda said.

“It’s a safe space where you know you can talk about anything and you know these are people you can trust,” he says.

Wajda, a recent high school graduate who plans to attend Union College in Schenectady this fall, comes from a rich musical background.

His grandfather, Don Ross, played the euphonium in the New York Staff Band in the 1950s and 1960s, and taught Wajda the cornet when he was 7.

“I grew up in a music–oriented corps,” Wajda says of the Schenectady Corps. “Playing an instrument in the Army has really opened me up to so many opportunities.”

Wajda, who has played in the senior band at his corps since age 11, was also chosen to play with a Salvation Army band last January at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

“That’s an opportunity I never would have had without the Army,” Wajda says.

(From top) Dan Wajda. Wajda plays on the pier at Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings. The Star Lake Band ministers in concert.

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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Star Lake Musicamp

by Robert Mitchell

‘ It’s a family…’

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

Ian Wettlaufer

As a family it’s a lot of fun to be able to go out and play together and to worship together.

—Ian Wettlaufer

Photos by Robert Mitchell

When Star Lake Musicamp rolls around each summer, IAN WETTLAUFER looks forward to a week of honing his tuba skills and seeing old friends and acquaintances.

“I come because is it all fun and a place to be with your family,” he says. “The Christian family is really important here.

It’s a big aspect and I come just to get away from all the outside stuff and to get in touch with myself and with my friends and my Christian community.

“It’s a great week to improve my music and myself.”

Wettlaufer, who comes from the Lancaster, Pa., Corps, attended Star Lake from Aug. 8–16 for his fourth year.

Besides the tuba, Wettlaufer loves to sing in the chorus.

“That’s my type of worship,” he says. “I come and I play my horn, and people see me as a brass player, but I’m actually a natural vocalist. I just love singing and that’s God’s gift to me and I want to go places and to use it.”

He currently uses his skills to help teach a variety of music programs at his corps, including singing, banding, and timbrels. He also helped teach at his divisional music camp.

“We teach them how to use their gifts and to teach the world about Jesus,” he says.

Wettlaufer went to a Methodist church near his home when he was younger, but he started attending the Lancaster corps seven years ago when his officer grandparents, Majors Catherine and John Wettlaufer, retired and moved there.

“I just loved it,” he says. “It was something completely different from the Methodist church. It was something new and exciting and I’ve loved it ever since.”

Wettlaufer said retired Lt. Colonel Ada Southwood taught him to play the cornet. Bandmaster Harold Burgmayer, PENDEL’s former divisional music director, switched him to tuba, and “I love playing that even more.”

Wettlaufer said he is a fifth–generation Salvationist, “but a third–generation bandsman.” His father, John, is a former member of PENDEL Brass.

“It’s fun at Christmas because we all take our instruments out to kettles and we just play,” Wettlaufer says. “As a family it’s a lot of fun to be able to go out and play together and to worship together.”

Photo by PhotoBureau Inc.

AT STAR LAKE MUSICAMP

God’s beauty awes camp guests Salvation Army composer ANDREW MACKERETH and his wife, STELLA, have been to U.S. music camps before, but this summer was their first trip to picturesque Star Lake. And you might say they liked what they saw.

“I’ve been impressed with the quality of the facilities and the quality of the musicianship,” Andrew says. “I absolutely love the setting. I’ve been to other settings where the facilities are all new and health club–standard … but the camps themselves lack such an abundance of beauty. The lake is an absolute Godsend.”

Stella adds, “It’s certainly the most beautiful camp. And what else could you want with these surroundings?”

The bucolic mountains of northern New Jersey caught Andrew’s eye. But more than that, he called the spiritual dimension of Star Lake Musicamp “very, very strong.”

“I like the fact that they hear their instructors in their rehearsals, but those same instructors will give a word of testimony in a morning service or in an evening meeting,” Andrew says. “It really kind of reminds the young people of the reasons why we do all of this stuff. It comes through strongly.”

The MacKereths live in Nuneaton, England, near Birmingham. They attend the Nuneaton Citadel Corps, where Andrew serves as bandmaster.

Andrew, who has had several of his compositions published and featured in concerts by Salvation Army bands, is also the principal of a high school called The Parker Academy.

(Above) Star Lake Musicamp staff and participants.

(Left) Andrew and Stella MacKereth at Star Lake Musicamp

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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Territorial Arts Ministry (TAM)

by Oracia Morris

Delegates of TAM’s class of 2015 sing in chorus.

‘ THE POWERFUL PLAY GOES ON AND YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE A VERSE. What will your verse be?’

A WALT WHITMAN QUOTE LEADS THE TAM MINISTRY

Oracia (second from right) takes part in a dance routine at the TAM Finale.

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

spiritually and in my performance life.

During my first year at TAM as a dancer, I worked with Laura Danette. One day, she told us the story of how she started dancing at age 16. I was so amazed and inspired because I was also 16 at the time, and had yet to take a dance class. Honestly, I thought I was too old to take classes and to become a dancer.

But there I was, listening to this woman, who has performed on Broadway and has had a successful dance career, talk about her first time dancing at age 16.

So I started taking classes. Today, I can honestly say that TAM has made a difference in my life.

There are so many little things that TAM has helped me see for the first time: a live musical and play on

Broadway, doing street ministry, learning to square dance, really performing, performing in a musical, and being a member of the Creative Arts Service Team (CAST).

I have been so inspired by the amount of experience our leaders at TAM have and how humble, kind, professional, and strong their relationship with God is. And that relationship passes down to the students.

I always experience this kind, encouraging atmosphere whenever I’m at TAM. It’s always a refreshing change from the world. TAM is truly a blessing to me and I thank God for placing the vision of the TAM Conservatory in Carol Jaudes’ heart. I’m sure TAM has touched many lives.

Photos by PhotoBureau Inc.; Inset photo courtesy of TAM

ORACIA MORRIS, a young Salvationist from the Caribbean Territory, has attended the Territorial Arts Ministry (TAM) Conservatory for four years. Here is her testimony: Each year, the TAM Conservatory is an amazing spiritual experience. I look forward to TAM because I am challenged as a young Christian. I’m always thinking about ways to improve my relationship with God. TAM has been such a blessing and it has made such an impact on my life. You can tell because I look forward to it each year and my parents also look forward to it for me.

TAM has made an impact on me

Hands On Missions

by Katie Betts

‘ Hands On’ God’s power Katie Betts

Photo courtesy of Katie Betts

This summer, I received the unique opportunity to travel to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and to serve as a Hands On missions team leader. Going in, I felt excited to serve and to love Christ’s people in ways and in places that were unfamiliar to me.

I knew that I had a passion and a heart for people, but I had never put myself in a program quite like Hands On, in which those passions and desires to serve were stretched and given so much freedom.

In St. Thomas, offering people our time, our love, and our encouragement was a big deal to them. So I had the chance to love people endlessly and to help them understand how valuable they are in the Lord’s eyes. Those encounters were an enormous blessing to me and they strengthened my love of people and serving even more.

My team and I were also able to experience familiar types of Salvation Army ministry in new and refreshing ways. We helped the local corps officers work within the corps and in the community to make Christ known on the island. We assisted with various outreach events and helped to develop and run a Vacation Bible School program for the children of the St. Thomas Corps.

We had all participated in these forms of ministry at our home corps back in the United States, but it was incredible how much of a difference and effect the culture of the island had on our ministry experience.

For example, it was a daily blessing to me to see the simple contentment and joy of the children that we worked with every day. They did not need much in the way of entertainment because they were

satisfied with and excited about anything that we did with them. They simply appreciated our love and attention. Not much else was needed, and that was a new experience for my entire team when it came to working with children.

I learned so much from my experience and the people there. The Lord definitely blessed my team’s time in St. Thomas, as well as with each of us. He was faithful this summer and worked through us in amazing ways that were beyond our anticipation.

My willingness to depend on the Lord completely, and to follow His leading daily, grew this summer. Rather than be a vacation or an easy experience, Hands On definitely made me so thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness to provide for and empower me when I doubted my abilities or effectiveness.

My team and I came to better understand our Father’s power and how our ministry could be incredibly effective if we allow His greatness and love to flow out of our hearts and our hands.

I had never put myself in a program quite like Hands On.

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—Katie Betts

2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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College forhOfficer SECTION ead Training Summer Assignments

by Robert Mitchell

Hearing God’s voice Melanie Ortiz, a second–year cadet at the College for Officer Training (CFOT), has always felt called to overseas work, but she wanted God to confirm her calling.

When she was sent to Costa Rica for her CFOT summer assignment, from June 15 to Aug. 10, God spoke loud and clear.

“Many of the corps were not the best,” Ortiz says.

“That’s when God really spoke to me. It was very hot, there was no cement on the streets—it was just dirt. There was much walking and long, hot days.

“We would start at 6 a.m. and would finish around 9 or 10 p.m. One night, God spoke to me and said, ‘This is what it’s about—going out of your comfort zone as well as working with the nice corps and the corps that are stable.’”

Ortiz, along with Messengers of Light sessionmates Lilybeth Ciriaco and Jonathan Quatela, spent eight weeks in Costa Rica.

The trio spent time at Costa Rica’s training school and at several corps. They also participated in a two–week evangelistic campaign in a remote area of the country.

“There was a lot of evangelizing,” Ortiz says. “I really was able to get out of my comfort zone, just giving my testimony out in the street and talking to people.”

Oritz, who hails from the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Guayama, Puerto Rico, said when she first arrived in Costa Rica, she saw that there was no trade store and many soldiers made their own uniforms. “I realized how much we have in our territory.”

Ortiz said that, for her, the experience was a summer of spiritual growth.

“At times, it was very challenging,” she says. “It was only by the grace of God that I was able to do what He had asked of me, especially when it came to evangelizing one–on–one.

That was a different experience for me.

“It was hard, but I understood that with Him by my side, I was able to accomplish everything.”

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La voz de Dios se escucha EN COSTA RICA Melanie Ortiz, una cadete de segundo año del Colegio para Entrenamiento de Oficiales (CFOT), siempre se ha sentido llamada a servir en el extranjero, pero esperaba que Dios le confirmara su llamado.

Cuando fue enviada a Costa Rica, tras ser nombrada por su CFOT a servir en ese país durante el verano, desde el 15 de junio hasta el 10 de agosto, Dios le habló alto y claro.

“Muchos de los Cuerpos no eran de lo mejor”, dice Ortiz.

“Fue ahí que Dios me habló. Hacía mucho calor, las calles no estaban pavimentadas, todo era sucio. Había que caminar mucho y los días eran largos y calurosos.

Solíamos comenzar el día a las 6 de la mañana y finalizábamos hacia las 9 o 10 p.m. Una noche, Dios me habló y me dijo: “De esto es de lo que se trata, de dejar lo rutinario del trabajo que has hecho en Cuerpos cómodos y estables”.

Ortiz, junto con sus compañeros de sesión “Mensajeros de Luz”, Lilybeth Ciriaco y Jonathan Quatela, pasó ocho semanas en Costa Rica.

Los tres compañeros asistieron a la escuela para entrenamiento en Costa Rica y sirvieron en varios Cuerpos.

También participaron en una campaña evangelística de dos semanas en un área remota del país.

“Hubo mucho trabajo de evangelización”, afirma Ortiz.

“Fui capaz, realmente, de salir de mi rutina; en particular, al dar mi testimonio en las calles y hablar con la gente”.

Ortiz, que viene del Centro Comunitario Ray y Joan Kroc de Guayama, Puerto Rico, dijo cuando pisó suelo costarricense que —por primera vez— se dio cuenta de que no había ninguna tienda de suministros y que varios de los soldados tenían que hacerse sus propios uniformes. “Me percaté de lo mucho que tenemos en nuestro territorio”.

Ortiz indicó que, para ella, la experiencia de verano fue de crecimiento espiritual.

“A veces, era un tremendo desafío”, reflexiona. “Fue sólo por la gracia de Dios que pude hacer todo lo que Él me pidió, especialmente cuando se trataba de evangelizar a otra persona. Esa fue una experiencia distinta para mí.

“Es difícil, pero entendí que, con Él a mi lado, puedo hacerlo todo”.

Photo courtesy of Melanie Ortiz

IN COSTA RICA

Melanie Ortiz chats with a young man in Costa Rica.

College for Officer Training Summer Assignments Cadete Lilybeth Ciriaco

Una esperanza renovada en Dios

Photos courtesy of Lily Beth Ciriaco

(Arriba) Cadete Lilybeth Ciriaco disfruta de la compañía de sus compañeros Los cadetes Melanie Ortiz y Jonathan Quatela. (Izquierda) Lilybeth se reune con Los Salvacionistas en Costa Rica.

To read this article in english, please visit saconnects.org/finding-hope-in-god-again/

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

Photo by Douglas Kerr

Este año, mi nombramiento de verano en Costa Rica me recordó la razón de lo que hago. La experiencia me desafió, me motivó y confirmó mi llamado a convertirme en oficiala del Ejército de Salvación.

Cuando supe que iba a ese nombramiento con mis compañeros de sesión, los cadetes Melanie Ortiz y Jonathan Quatela, me emocioné. Yo ya había servido en Costa Rica dos veces, una en 2011 como líder de un Equipo de Misiones de Servicio (en inglés, “Hands On Missions Team”) y otra en 2013 como miembro del coro juvenil de la División del Gran Nueva York.

Si bien estaba familiarizada con algunos de los lugares previstos en nuestra agenda, ese ministerio al que había sido nombrada era muy distinto al de mis anteriores visitas. Gracias a ese viaje, pude renovar el amor y la pasión por el evangelismo. Los salvacionistas en el Territorio Norte de Latinoamérica son apasionados en su trabajo evangelizador; quieren ganar a todas las almas para Cristo, por lo que harán todo lo que sea necesario para que eso suceda.

Durante una campaña evangelística de dos semanas en la ciudad de Nicoya, conocí a una mujer que se llamaba Carmen. Le hablé y descubrí que había asistido cierto tiempo al Cuerpo de su localidad pero, tras la muerte de su marido y —siete meses después— el trágico deceso de su único hijo, dejó de asistir y perdió toda su esperanza en Dios. Durante mi estadía allí, la visité y la invité a cada una de las actividades que realizábamos. Llegué a conocer su historia personal.

Al fin llegó el momento en que debíamos emprender el regreso a San José.

La idea de decirle “adiós” a Carmen me rompía el corazón. Mi último domingo en Nicoya, ella vino a despedirse. Con los ojos bañados en lágrimas, me dijo: “¡Dios te envió aquí por mí! Y gracias a ti, he recobrado la esperanza en Dios”.

Lloré con ella.

Este verano me sentí más bendecida de lo que podría expresar. Ahora me siento más deseosa y dispuesta que nunca a servir en el ministerio al que Dios me ha llamado.

Salvation Army’s first appearance at Soulfest

by Hugo Bravo

Live from Soulfest For the first time, 20,000 followers of Jesus heard the Salvation Army’s message of love and redemption from the platform of Soulfest, the 18th annual Christian music festival held in Gilford, N.H. In 1998, Dan Russell, a music producer, began Soulfest as a welcoming experience that would allow particularly young Christians to be in the presence of both God and the music they enjoyed. Along with three platforms for various Christian rock, rap, pop, and dance acts, this year’s three–day festival included family activities, such as face painting, zip lining, and wall climbing. Also involved were communion, candlelight services, Bible studies, and prayer gatherings. Attendees purchased Christian literature in one tent, and enjoyed deep fried snacks in another tent.

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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Soulfest!

El Ejército de Salvación acaba de participar, por primera vez, en Soulfest, un festival de música cristiana que se celebra en Gilford, New Hampshire, y que fue creado en 1998 por Dan Russell para que los jóvenes cristianos pudiesen vivir su fe y disfrutar de música cristiana moderna al mismo tiempo.

La presencia del Ejército —representada por los oficiales, voluntarios y beneficiarios de los ARC de diversos estados— estuvo organizada por el Tte. Joe Swistak, administrador del ARC de Toledo, Ohio, y cumplió un doble propósito. Por un lado, ofrecer a los beneficiarios de los ARC un evento musical y de encuentro cristiano que ayudara en su proceso de recuperación y redención personal.

El mensaje cristiano de la música hablaba directamente a sus corazones les ayuda en su proceso de recuperación y a reafirmar su confianza en sí mismos. Por otro lado, en la tienda del Ejército que se preparó al lado del escenario principal, pudieron dar a conocer a otros cristianos lo que es y lo que hace el Ejército de Salvación; además, constataron que el festival es terreno fértil para atraer a sus filas a futuros líderes salvacionistas.

Drew Foster, director de comunicaciones de la División de Massachusetts, habló a la multitud desde la plataforma principal sobre las tres “R” que inspiran la misión del Ejército: “Reciclamos bienes”, “Rescatamos vidas” y “Reflejamos a Jesús”. Gracias al éxito de Soulfest, tanto entre los beneficiarios de los ARC como en cuanto a la tarea de dar a conocer la misión del Ejército a otros cristianos, Joe Swistak anticipa que la presencia del Ejército en este festival será todavía mayor el próximo año.

Para leer este artículo completo en español, por favor visite saconnects.org/en-vivo-desde-soulfest/

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‘MUSIC WE NEED TO HEAR’ Lieutenant Joe Swistak, administrator of the Toledo, Ohio ARC, organized the Army’s appearance at Soulfest. He believes that an event such as this can play an important role in healing someone who is fighting drug and alcohol dependency. “Being here, surrounded

by Christians and God’s love, lets our beneficiaries know that they can live life to the fullest and meet new people,” said Swistak. “They don’t have to worry about someone knowing the details of their lives, or condemning them for it. No one is judging them here.”

Swistak, who had fought addiction in his youth, continued, “I loved certain genres of music, but the message just wasn’t right for me and what I had gone through in my life. Later, I was introduced to contemporary Christian music and I loved how multiple genres spoke to me.

“Now, I introduce music like this to men and women entering recovery,” said Swistak. “We can like the sound, yet still hear the words so that the hope and positivity that goes in us, later comes out of us.”

‘THE JOY OF RECOVERY’ For the beneficiaries, Soulfest was a gift that went beyond music. It became one of the many events that re–counted their steps to recovery and to faith.

“Here at Soulfest, our beneficiaries can clear their mind,” says Swistak. “It’s important for them to know that recovery is never just about being told by God, or by us, ‘you can’t do this’ or ‘this isn’t good for you.’ There should be joy in recovery. They need to see that fun can be had without drugs and alcohol.”

Melissa, one of the beneficiaries from the ARC in Saugus, Mass., celebrated both her birthday and one month of sobriety. She hopes that next year, she’ll bring her kids to the festival.

“At the Saugus ARC, we are all family, and this is what families do. They go out, enjoy music, make memories, and eat delicious food together,” she said.

Major Thomas E. Taylor, ARC administrator in Saugus, says the spirit of Soulfest is great for people in the ARC program.

“Many times when you are using [drugs], you may not remember what you did. Or in feeling ashamed, you may forcefully block it out [of your mind].

But when you bring folks in recovery to something like Soulfest, they remember it, and God touches their hearts.”

“People in recovery want to be accepted, forgiven, and feel loved,” said Taylor. “Soulfest is a good venue to show them that they can have that.”

Captain Leo Lloyd, administrator for the Hartford, Conn., ARC, sees the pride that beneficiaries have when they begin the program. That same pride, he says, is here with them at Soulfest.

“Earlier, a few of the beneficiaries asked for Salvation Army t–shirts,” said Lloyd. “We had the shirts, but I thought that maybe they wanted to be incognito here and just enjoy themselves. But they told me, ‘No! We want to represent. We want everyone to know how happy we are, and how we got here.’”

‘REDEEM THROUGH RECOVERY’ On Friday night in front of thousands of music fans and Christians, The Salvation Army took the main stage.

Photos by Douglas Kerr

¡En vivo desde

Officers and volunteers from the Adult Rehabilitations Centers (ARCs) came from as far as Ohio to support the Army’s first Soulfest appearance. ARC beneficiaries made the festivities part of their recovery and redemption process.

With a tent only feet away from the main stage, members of the Army greeted visitors and their families, many of whom were only familiar with the Army through local thrift stores and Christmas kettle collections. Some visitors asked for information on the ARC’s work, and took a moment to pray with the officers.

(Left) Jettrouble prays with officers (pastors). (Above) Officers and ARC beneficiaries talk with festival attendees and with Hugo Bravo, a writer and editor for SAConnects.

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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does not discriminate. But fortunately, neither does The Salvation Army.”

Forster concluded by encouraging the crowd to seek The Salvation Army near their own homes, reminding them that no matter where they are, there is a corps near by.

“We are, and have always been, a volunteer army,” said Forster.

The Army at Soulfest (standing l–r): Captain Leo Lloyd, Lieutenant Joe Swistak, Captain Scott McNeil, Captain Nora McNeil, and Lieutenant Matt Hamilton. (Seated): Lt. Colonels Kathleen and Hubert Steele III, and Major Tom Taylor.

Jet Troublefield, a Hip–Hop artist from Dallas, TX, performed his latest single, “Not Tonight,” a piece he wrote after being inspired by the ARC’s mission. Said Jet before his performance in an interview with SAConnects, “’Not Tonight’ is about going from darkness to life, and the transformation that comes with recovery and finding your identity and purpose in Christ.

“Soulfest is great! It’s easily the largest gathering of Christians I’ve ever seen. Being here is beautiful. And having the support of The Salvation Army is encouraging.”

After the performance, Drew Forster, director of communications for the Massachusetts Division, stood on the main stage with 30 beneficiaries from the ARCs. He asked people if they were wearing anything from an Army thrift store or one like it. Many people cheered.

“When you clean out your closet, you may find clothing or objects that, to you, no longer have value. But when you donate them to us, a piece of clothing becomes the dress someone absolutely wants to wear, or a sofa for a

dorm room.”

“Just as those unwanted products get redeemed,” said Forster, “so do people who have been cast aside and forgotten become redeemed through recovery and through the reminder that they are loved and are children of the living God. “This happens every day at The Salvation Army. We ‘Recycle Goods,’ we ‘Reclaim Lives,’ and we ‘Reflect Jesus.’ These folks are transformed into people of hope and great value,” said Forster, motioning to the beneficiaries behind him, each wearing a shirt adorned with the Salvation Army shield.

Forster shared with the Soulfest crowd the troubling statistics of addiction. Deaths from opiate drug use have doubled in the last 15 years. One in five Americans can be classified as an alcoholic. Drugs or alcohol have crushed 65 million American lives.

“That doesn’t even count the mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and children whose lives are destroyed by addiction every day,” he said.

“Whether you’re rich or poor, dropout or holder of a doctorate, addiction

Photo by Douglas Kerr

‘WE ARE SHOOTING FOR THE STARS’ Swistak hopes that, in the future, The Army has an even larger presence in Soulfest, with numerous tents offering its services, such as disaster relief, summer camps, child sponsorship, and Kroc Center ministries.

“We need to showcase what we do, not for our glory, but for God’s Glory. And what better venue to introduce The Salvation Army to fellow Christians than at Soulfest? Everything we do can be represented here. We could find the future leaders of our church here in this crowd.

“I have a saying: why shoot for the top of the tree, when you could shoot for the stars? If we ask God for help, we could shoot for the stars here at Soulfest. You can’t out–ask, out–give, or out–speculate God. We can ask Him for the world. He is the only one to whom we can ask for the world.”

Lt. Colonel Kathleen J. Steele is excited to see what the Lord had planned for future Soulfest events.

“Many people that we spoke to here want to help us through donations, volunteering, and goods when they learn about what we do,” said Steele.

“The future of our partnership with Soulfest is in the hands of God. It’s His vision now. He wanted us to be present here, at this time.”

che

looking forward summer of SALVATION 2016 Old Orchard Beach July 30 – August 5 Soulfest August 4 – 6 for Hands On Missions dates Territorial Arts Ministry (TAM) August 6 – 13 uth.com o y h Star Lake Musicamp August 13 – 21 until next year t o o ck b

testimony

ON file

the art of God

by Hugo Bravo

my favorite verse

Photo by Hugo Bravo

“ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough worry on its own.”

—MATTHEW 6:34

Skyela Bussey

God speaks through us and to us in exciting, mysterious ways.

Skyela Bussey is a soldier at the Spring Valley, N.Y., Corps in the Greater New York Division. For the past four years, she has worked hard to develop her gift for drama and acting. The skills needed for a great performance, such as passion, focus, and memorization, now come naturally to her.

“I wasn’t good at all in the beginning!” says Skyela, smiling. “I couldn’t remember a single word, and I had no focus in bringing emotion to the performance piece. I found it strange that, as humans, we are naturally emotional beings, but it was just so different having to turn it on and off.”

For Skyela, drama is more than just a fun activity; it’s a powerful ministry that an actor can use to communicate God’s message of love to an audience, sometimes without the performer saying a single word.

“With performing, I can use my talent

for God, and share His love with people.

Personally, acting has made me fearless in how I live my life,” says Skyela.

“Art programs such as dance and drama bring a community together.

Young people bond in their common interests, talents, and love for the Lord.

“In drama, I have met people who love the same things I do,” says Skyela.

“We’ve become friends, and even when drama classes are over, you look forward to going to church to worship God even more, because you are in the presence of both Him and those special people with whom you share the stage.”

Skyela remembers a moment early in her life when she was in the presence of God on a different stage.

“When I was 11, I had a dream that God told me He wanted me to be a missionary in China,” says Skyela. “Of course, at that age, I didn’t know much about China, or even about being a missionary!

“The next morning, I casually told my parents, ‘By the way, I think God spoke

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to me about what He wants me to do with my life.’ They were shocked. But they wanted to know every detail.”

In 2015, Skyela won 1st place at the Territorial Star Search for Drama Monologue, Level 3.

In the fall, she will attend college and major in education, the first step in what may take her on the path to fulfilling her dream.

For an actor addressing an audience for the first time, or a young person beginning his or her path to adulthood, the unknown can be a scary place. But Skyela knows Who is directing her, on stage and in life.

“My favorite verse is Matthew 6:34: ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough worry on its own.’

God has helped me deal with my worry, my stress, and my fear, and He reminds me to not worry about it,” says Skyela.

“I will always know that God is in control.”

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corps news

Around the territory, corps and special teams are engaged in innovative and effective best practices. From annual “Christmas in July” events to sudden rescue operations to soldier enrollments to computer acquisitions, the Salvation Army is ministering to the specific and common needs of people. Take a look at these stories, starting in Springfield, Ohio.

MICHAEL W. SMITH ROCKS SA CONCERT Springfield, OH—Nearly 900 people heard popular Christian singer Michael W. Smith headline the town’s 9th annual Salvation Army–sponsored concert.

Christian artist Nathan Tasker joined Smith at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

Chris Grindrod, resource development manager for the corps, said 860 people attended, including Majors Janet and Larry Ashcraft, SWONEKY divisional leaders. Also attending were Majors Barbara J. and Thomas W. Duperree, administrators of The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps and Community Center in Dayton.

Captain Justin Caldwell and Lieutenant Evelyn Caldwell, corps officers in Springfield, and son Jordan hosted a special preconcert meet–and–greet with Smith.

All proceeds from the concert went to the corps, which was the focus of a 5–minute video shown before the concert.

LAS CAMPANAS SUENAN… ¡HASTA EN JULIO! Chester, Pensilvania.

Estos campaneros no llevaban puesto un abrigo ni una bufanda, ni sorbían una taza de chocolate caliente.

Todo lo contrario, llevaban puestas unas guirnaldas hawaianas rojas y verdes, y estaban vestidos de verano.

Se trataba del programa “Navidad en julio” y los voluntarios de la comunidad tocaban la campanita junto a la tradicional olla roja durante la semana del 20 al 24 de julio en el Supermercado ACME, ubicado en Concordville Town Centre, en Glen Mills.

Algunas personas se detenían para mirar antes de depositar su dinero, el cual se estaba recolectando para financiar dos campamentos de verano: uno de una noche para 51 niños en los Poconos y otro diurno en Chester. Los Mayores Anna y Ervin McKoy, oficiales directivos en Chester, precisaron que el costo ascendía a más de 20.000 dólares.

“Una de nuestras pasiones con los campamentos de verano es brindarles oportunidades a los chicos para que disfruten y tengan recuerdos perdurables”, dice el Mayor Ervin McCoy, oficial directivo en Chester. “Saber que este año hemos sido bendecidos con el tremendo apoyo que nos han brindado los integrantes del Rotary Club, varios grupos empresariales de nuestra localidad y muchos otros donantes generosos, nos hace sentirnos muy agradecidos a todos ellos”.

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EDS SUPPORTS SEARCH FOR BOY East Stroudsburg, PA—The East Stroudsburg Emergency Disaster Services team (EDS) played a role in helping find a 7–year–old autistic boy.

The EDS team was dispatched at 9:30 p.m. on April 18 to help rescuers who were looking for Justice Soto in Chestnuthill Township, Pa. Throughout the night volunteers served hot beef stew, coffee, water, and Gatorade™ to about 125 search– and–rescue workers.

“In the morning, we passed out 100 sausage sandwiches, donated

by McDonald’s™,” says Cari Friend, executive secretary of the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army. “Our dedicated EDS crew stayed until the boy was found, almost 14 hours later.”

When Justice was found, workers wrapped him in a Salvation Army blanket (see photo).

Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army Coprs and ARC’s.

FAITH in ACTION

GOSPEL LITERACY Kittanning, PA—For the second summer in a row, The Salvation Army has been involved in family summer reading programs and celebrations at three local libraries and at a school.

The corps in Kittanning has a Mission Literacy Team, said Lieutenant Amber Joy Imhoff, pastor of the Kittanning Worship & Service Center.

“This has allowed us to reach different families than we normally would,” Imhoff says. “We have been able to share the Gospel and love to many new families this summer and we’ve seen some of our people really step up into leadership roles.”

The locations visited in June and July included Ford City Library, Worthington West Franklin Library, Kittanning Library, and Lenape School.

MEJORAS EN LAS INSTALACIONES DEL CUERPO DE RED BANK Red Bank, Nueva Jersey. Los Tenientes Brennen y Allison Hinzman han rediseñado el vestíbulo principal del edificio del Cuerpo para hacer de él un lugar más acogedor y de encuentro social.

Jesabel Cruz, la gerente administrativa del Cuerpo, lo ve como algo sacado de la revista Better Homes and Gardens.

“Con el crecimiento de nuevos programas en el Cuerpo, ambos tenientes querían disponer de un área más acogedora aún, como si quisiesen decir: ‘Vengan a mí todos ustedes que están cansados y agobiados, y yo les daré descanso’”, afirma Cruz.

Cruz agregó que el vestíbulo se ha convertido en el punto de convergencia no sólo para las actividades del Cuerpo, sino en sala de espera para los clientes, quienes han disfrutado de manera especial la remodelación de este espacio.

“Con el nuevo servicio de Wi-Fi, también cubrirá las necesidades de las personas que estén buscando trabajo a través de BYOL (bring your own laptop [traiga su computadora])”, comenta.

El área ofrece ahora mesas y sillas de estilo tipo restaurant, un mesón con fruta fresca, café y un televisor de pantalla plana en el que se muestran videos sobre los eventos que se han realizado en el Cuerpo.

Durante la semana de Pascua, los niños y las familias que integran el programa de música y artes pudieron utilizar este espacio.

“Fue un lugar ideal en el que todos pudimos reunirnos, comer juntos y disfrutar de una taza de café mientras celebrábamos la resurrección de Jesús”, dice ella.

ENROLLING 17 SOLDIERS Glens Falls, NY— In July, the corps welcomed 17 new junior soldiers.

Major David Dean, corps officer, said that on July 12, 15 soldiers were enrolled and Inahra and Eliana Mack performed a dance.

“All children enrolled that day had parents and families in attendance. The worship welcomed them into the worldwide Salvation Army family. And afterwards, they enjoyed a family fellowship,” Dean says.

Two other soldiers were enrolled on July 19. All 17 junior soldiers received a children’s Bible. The Deans reminded them that they are the first soldiers to be enrolled in the new corps building.

“Nine families were represented by the new enrollees and nine of the children have begun attending within the last year,” Dean says. “Fourteen of the children have parents who attend weekly.

The soldiers included Makalo Atkinson, Jeremy Atkinson, Bryce Atkinson, Nisiah Maldonado, Zoey Hammond, Lexie Hammond, Mark Hammond, Noel Deming, Autumn Deming, Olivia Hoffman, Owen Duket, Noah Duket, Ella Duket, Amelia Campbell, Delilah Campbell, Inahra Mack, and Eliana Mack.

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COMPUTERS FOR THE SHELTER Allentown, PA—The Rich Fleming Family Hope Center has always provided shelter for women and children in need, but a lack of computers meant a trip to the local library for resume development and job searches. The children’s homework had to be done in the dining room.

However, thanks to a $25,000 contribution from the Harry C. Trexler Trust, the shelter will soon have six new computers.

“We’re very excited,” says Michael Kukitz, resource development manager. “The women and children can do everything they need right here and we can help them.”

Kukitz said the shelter served 272 women (including 147 children) in the last year, a slight increase over the 257 people helped the year before. The shelter served 9,837 meals in the last year.

2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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youth news

SAMANTHA KEATON

SHANNON DRIES

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“The Gathering,” a young adult retreat at the Wonderland Conference Center in Sharon, Mass., was a much–needed weekend for the young adults of the Massachusetts, Northern New England, and Southern New England divisions.

As a fourth–generation Salvationist from the Massachusetts Division, I was reminded of the wonderful family of believers that I have in The Salvation Army.

An important part of this weekend was the interest groups, which provided an opportunity for us to learn more about the problem of human trafficking, Christian relationships, the Holy Spirit, and more. Someone passionate about a particular subject led a group discussion on that subject.

Each leader’s passion shone through as they brought these subjects to life.

Our time of worship, led by the music group TransMission, really spoke to me. Each time they played for us, they brought the Word to life.

As they played, you could feel the Holy Spirit moving as people prayed, raised their hands in praise, and listened for what God had to say to them.

On Sunday morning our speaker Jim Sparks, said, “It’s not about the weekend; it’s about making life– altering decisions.”

JAMES DEANE

AMANDA COLLINS

Being able to attend a young adult retreat like The Gathering is important because we get to share ideas with fellow Christians. Going somewhere with someone who’s 60 is different from being with people our age, where we can actually be ourselves.

During the weekend, Cornell Jordan really stood out to me. He is an amazing speaker.

I learned more about God from that weekend than I have in my entire life!

As members of the Brockton, Mass., Corps, we absolutely see fruit from the weekend in our corps and in our lives. We’ve also grown closer in our relationships.

The retreat helped us to focus on God first. Regardless of how ill equipped we may feel, He has “got us.”

The song “Your Love Never Fails,” it has became our anthem at the corps.

As a young couple, we’ve been praying for God to reveal to us whether we are meant for each other. We feel a strong calling to ministry. He made that clear.

Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army Coprs and ARC’s.

The Young Adult Retreat at Camp Allegheny in Ellwood City, Pa., is the only place I would have wanted to spend the last official weekend of summer.

Young adults from the Empire, NEOSA, SWONEKY, and WEPASA divisions came together to connect with God Samantha (left) gathers with her new friends. and with each other in many different ways. It was a relaxed weekend with great worship leaders, great speakers, and great fellowship.

Marty Mikles and Phil Laeger, special musical guests, led us in worship.

Having spirit–filled worship leaders was a huge deal to me because I am a music–oriented person and that is how I often connect to God best. But worshiping through music with other believers my age was a rare and wonderful experience for me.

During the worship services, Marc Eckel, a visual artist, made a beautiful painting of Jesus by using only his hands and four colors of paint. It was great to see that we can use our talents to glorify God and to encourage other people in uncommon ways.

Steve Carter, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and Major Larry Ashcraft, SWONEKY divisional commander, were the guest speakers. Each meeting seemed particularly anointed and ended with large numbers of my peers praying and worshiping at the altar.

On Saturday morning as Carter taught about reconciliation, one thing really spoke to me. It was a simple prayer he suggested when you are unsure how to move forward. “Lord, may you father me through this,” he said. “I don’t know how to do it.”

This approach to prayer was relevant to me because many of us are in a place where we have to figure things out on our own and make decisions that will influence the rest of our lives. I saw this as a prayer that could mend a broken relationship and help in many other areas of life.

I loved the entire weekend—from the food, to the music, to the guest speakers, and to staying up really late and talking with new friends. This was a wonderful getaway from the responsibilities of life and a spiritual renewal to better prepare me for “normal” life.

Photo by photobureau/Joe Vericker

FAITH in ACTION

a thriving church

by Hugo Bravo

the Philadelphia (Korean) Corps

Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Korean populations in the United States. There are as many as 200 Korean churches in the city, some with congregations numbering in the thousands. Through God’s power and the hard work of Captains Do Sung and Jae Eun Park, The Salvation Army Philadelphia (Korean) Corps, one of three Korean Corps in the Eastern Territory, has prospered among the hundreds of Korean places of worship in the city. It has become an integral, beloved part of the Korean community of Philadelphia.

THE ‘BABY CAPTAIN’ In 2003, Lt. Colonels Chongwon David Kim and Myong–Ja Kim retired as corps officers of the Philadelphia (Korean), Pa., Corps. At the time, members consisted mostly of Korean adults and senior citizens and had been under the leadership of the Lt. Colonels Kim in the six years since the corps began. So it was a bit of a shock to the members when a pair of captains in their mid–30s, along with their infant daughter, arrived as the new corps officers from the Korean corps in

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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구세군 필라델피아 한인교회 나로, 약 200개의 한인교회들이 있습니다. 박도성, 정재은 사관은 2003년에 필라한인교회를 개척하고 6년간 사역하다가 은퇴하신 김종원, 양명 자 부정령의 후임으로, 젊은 사관 부부가 신생아를 데리고 부임해 왔을 때 교인들은 적지 않은 충격을 받았습니다. 당시 연세가 많은 성도들은 젊은 사관 이 담임 목회자로서 어떻게 할 수 있을지 걱정하시 며 심지어 몇 분들은 박 사관을 ‘어린 종’이라고 불렀 습니다. 한국 문화는 나이와 경험을 중요하게 생각 합니다. 그러나 목사라는 직함은 한인사회에서 존중 을 받기에 성도들도 젊은 사관이지만 존중하고 신뢰 해 주었습니다. 필라 지역의 한인교회들은 대부분 장로교회입니다. 그 외 교단들은 교인 수를 유지하는데 큰 어려움이 있습니다. 구세군 교회가 창립된 초기부터 교회로 인 정받는데 어려움이 있었습니다. 구세군 교회는 교회 라기보다는 자선단체로 알려져 있었기 때문입니다. 몇 년 전부터는 자선냄비에 동참하는 한인교회와 목 회자들이 생기게 되었으며, 또한 자선냄비 사역의 시 작을 알리는 자선냄비 베네핏 콘서트도 많은 한인들 의 관심으로 풍성한 음악회를 치룰 수 있었습니다. 필라한인교회 사역으로는 미국에 새롭게 정착하려 는 사람들을 돕는 사역도 있습니다. 이민자들을 위 해서 공항 픽업부터 새로운 터전에 정착하기까지 돕 기도 합니다. 한인교회들은 단순히 주일에 예배드리 는 장소뿐만 아니라, 그보다 훨씬 이상의 사역을 필 요로 합니다. 한인 어린이들을 위해서는 한국의 역 사, 문화, 언어를 가르치는 한글학교를 운영하고 있

Englewood, NJ. Because of his age, the members of the church affectionately referred to Captain Do Sung Park as their “Baby Captain.”

Captain Park understood their feelings. The Lt. Colonels Kim had been peers to many of the corps members.

Some wondered how an officer with a family of his own, yet young enough to be their son or grandson, would be able to take care of them.

“The Korean culture puts a lot of importance on age and experience,” explains Captain Park. “When Koreans meet someone for the first time, the first thing we ask isn’t always ‘What’s your name?’ but rather, ‘How old are you?’”

Says Captain Jae Eun Park with a smile, “They may have called my husband ‘Baby Captain,’ but the role of the pastor is held in very high regard in the Korean community. They respected him and his position, and though it took the corps some time to get used to the new leadership, when they did, the corps grew in numbers and in age ranges.”

Soon, the corps realized they had nothing to worry about under the leadership of the “Baby Captain.” They trusted the Parks to continue the work of the Lt Colonels Kim.

으며, 매 주일 예배 후에 함께 식사를 나누며 교제하 는 곳이기도 합니다. 이민자로서의 삶을 함께 하다가보니, 때로는 멀리 한 국에 있는 가족들보다 더 끈끈한 정을 나누기도 합 니다. 이민자들은 이동이 많습니다. 한 해에는 열다 섯 분이 한국 또는 타주로 갔습니다. 그분들이 갈 수 밖에 없는 상황을 이해 하지만 언제나 작별은 안타 깝고, 교회 출석하는 성도도 줄어들지만, 그 때마다 하나님께서 새로운 성도들을 보내주셔서 채워주십 니다. 그래서 교인의 수는 항상 롤러코스터 같이 올 라갔다 내려갔다를 반복합니다. 한글 전체 내용은 다음 웹사이트에서 읽을 수 있습 니: saconnects.org/구세군-필라델피아-한인교회/

Para leer este artículo completo en español, por favor visite saconnects.org/los-parks/

EMBRACED BY THE CHURCH COMMUNITY Being accepted by the larger community of Korean Christians was also a challenge for the Captains Park and the corps.

Presbyterianism is a major denomination in Philadelphia and accounts for as much as 90 percent of all Korean churches.

Methodist, Baptist, and other denominations are much smaller and struggle to find and keep members.

Captain Do Sung says, “When we arrived, many residents and members of the Korean churches did not know that we were also a church. Pastors told their members to avoid us. They thought we were a business.”

Eventually, the community saw the Army for what it is and saw how the money it collects through kettle campaigns helps support Korean senior citizen centers. Other people were impressed to see the Salvation Army’s outreach to Korean children. Though many Korean churches offered schooling, the Korean corps was the only one to also have a music and arts program.

Today, Captain Do Sung says that every Korean church leader in the community knows The Salvation Army and

Photos by photobureau/Joe Vericker

필라델피아는 한국인들이 많이 모여 사는 도시 중 하

what it does. Along with his duties of corps officer, he serves as secretary for the Council of Korean Churches of Greater Philadelphia, which represents 65 Korean churches.

“The pastors tell me that, to see us thrive as a church, rather than just be here, is very impressive. They congratulate us on what we bring to our neighbors.”

“We went from church leaders warning their members to stay away from The Salvation Army, to now those same members telling us that they cannot wait for our next Christmas concert, or asking how they can volunteer for Kettle

collections,” says Captain Do Sung.

“And even the pastors are volunteering. They stand at Korean markets, ringing the bells, representing the Army—as a church. I find that amazing!

Sometimes I even stop and ask myself How did it happen?”

‘AN IMMIGRANT CHURCH’ The Korean Corps is also a ministry for people who are new to the United States.

“We are proud to be a church with a large immigrant population,” says

“Likewise, many of our church members are the only ones from their family in the States. After a few weeks of them coming to the Korean corps, we get to know each of them very well, better than we know our own families back in Korea.”

But as in many immigrant cultures, there is an urge to return home.

“One year, 15 members of our church returned to Korea,” says Captain Jae Eun. “We understand why it happens, why they save up to go home.

But it still makes us sad to say goodbye to our members. Our enrollment numbers look like a roller coaster, going up and down. Some people tell us ‘It’s ok, because you’re still keeping your numbers even,’ but I tell them ‘No, I don’t want even. I want to see them go up!’”

“The Korean corps community is family in every sense. They’re our moms, dads, and grandparents.”

“IT’S WHAT I PRAY FOR”

Captain Jae Eun Park. “Sometimes we have everything they need to get settled as soon as they arrive in the United States, starting with a ride from the airport to their new home.”

As in many Hispanic and African– American communities, church for the Korean people is much more than just a Sunday service. Many children from Korean families go to church to learn the Korean language, history, and culture. Families gather in church for meals and bond socially as well as spiritually.

Says Captain Jae Eun, “Both Do Sung’s and my family are in Korea.”

Captain Do Sung agrees that higher numbers are always a blessing from God, but spiritual growth in each person is what he wishes to see.

“When corps members call me to say that they were moved after our last sermon, that it has inspired them to live a better life for Christ, it’s the greatest gift you can give me as a pastor. It’s what I pray to God for, to bring them closer to Him. The larger churches may have higher numbers, but I’m not always sure that their people are growing spiritually, like I’ve seen at the Korean corps.”

The Parks acknowledge that they have been in Philadelphia longer than they could have imagined, but they leave their future in His Hands.

“Thirteen years is quite a long time to be at a single corps,” says Captain Do Sung. “We may not have control of where we go. But we continue to serve the Korean community, and we pray for many more years in Philadelphia and in this beautiful corps.”

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Music at the Corps Both Yennah Park and her older sister Hannah grew up with a love of music, thanks to their parents, Captains Do Sung and Jae Eun Park, corps officers of the Philadelphia (Korean), Pa., Corps.

Yennah says, “I remember hearing my father play a song on the piano that I called the Golden Goose song. Years later, I found out that it was really called “Fur Elise”. It made me want to play the piano too, but it was so difficult!”

Yennah’s older sister Hannah also became interested in playing the piano.

In 2015, Hannah and Si Yeon Hwang, another soldier from the corps, took 1st place in the Star Search piano competition in Level 2 and 3, respectively.

Yennah hopes to one day learn piano, as did her sister and her father. For now, she enjoys playing timbrel (tambourine), an instrument with a strong historical connection to The Salvation Army.

Two years ago, the Korean Corps debuted a music and arts program.

With 40 students and 10 professionally trained teachers, the children received high-level classes. Now every Saturday, the building is alive with the sounds of guitar, timbrel, piano, and art classes.

“The art school is another wonderful way to reach the Korean community,” says Captain Jae Eun Park.

“We are the only Korean church in Philadelphia with a program like this. It’s a benefit to us and to the community,” says Captain Do Sung Park. “Parents tell us how happy they are that we can do this for their children. Those children are now competing in Star Search, and getting to know the Army in new and exciting ways. “

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ON file

wholly living

a ‘dream job’

the THQ Prayer Ministry

by Chris Stoker

leave your prayer requests at

www.SACONNECTS.org › under the Ministries tab, click Pray.

› fill out the form and click submit.

› u nder the Ministries tab, click Spiritual Life Development for more on the SLD Prayer Ministry and to see this article as well as a Q&A.

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officers, she has been invested in the Prayer Ministry since day one. “I can’t tell you how many times [reading the requests] brought me to tears,” she says. “I would be in my cubicle, crying.”

Even before Medina arrived at THQ on May 28, 2007, she was already a prayer warrior at home. She made her bedroom a sanctuary and prayed daily for people in need. When she took this job and made prayer a central function, she felt it to be an opportunity ordained and anointed by God. In those days, our “Prayer Hotline” was a voicemail–driven system, which allowed people to call in and have their messages recorded and documented

by Lizette.

The requests included prayer for financial and physical healing, as well as for many other concerns.

This fledgling ministry soon expanded to include retired officers. Lizette added to her Excel sheets and daily prayer lists emailed requests from the Retired Officer Bureau and from the then–Office of the Ambassador for Prayer.

Once the lists were done, she would email them to a small network of territorial ambassadors, and divisional leaders, as well as to a few members of a wider prayer network. Soon, word

Photo by the Communications Department

The Prayer Request Ministry is one of the biggest little things the Spiritual Life Development (SLD) Department does at Territorial Headquarters (THQ).

Lizette Medina,* administrative assistant, takes on this enormous task, but it’s one that motivates her each day. Indeed, she calls it her “dream job.”

Although she had been responsible for conducting secretarial duties for as many as 12 Army of the ministry spread, and eventually, many volunteers joined the network.

Prayer Warriors throughout the Eastern Territory were responding to these hotline and email requests. And they would do so within a single day of receiving a request.

When the department launched armyonitsknees.org, also known as “Fusion,” the ministry expanded from being solely a hotline to becoming an online web page. Fusion caught on quickly. Dozens, and occasionally hundreds of requests would come in a day.

While sometimes overwhelming, Fusion did streamline the operation.

The website allowed Prayer Warriors to see the requests. As the administrator, Lizette would view each request, and to maintain confidentiality, edit them as necessary.

With the development of the website SAConnects.org, SLD saw an opportunity to join many other territorial ministries and to share audiences.

—Chris Stoker is the Spiritual Formation Developer

* This fall, Lizette Medina entered the College for Officer Training as a cadet in the “Joyful Intercessors” session.

wholly living

Call to the

Family

Photo by iStock

by Colonel Janice A. Howard

We call Salvationists worldwide to restore the family to its central position in passing on the faith, to generate resources to help parents grow together in faithful love, and to lead their children into wholeness, with hearts on fire for God and His mission.

We affirm that the family plays a central role in passing on the faith. We also recognize that families everywhere are subject to dysfunction and disintegration in an increasingly urbanized world in which depersonalization, insignificance, loneliness, and alienation are widespread.

We believe that in the home where Christ’s Lordship is acknowledged, and the family is trained in God’s word, a spiritual enriching and strengthening environment is provided.

Further reading on the Call to the Family can be found in Called to Be God’s People. A free download of the entire book is available at www1.salvationarmy.org/ihq/documents /called-to-be-gods-people.pdf.

This Call begins with an assumption that the family has moved away from being the central avenue for the generational succession of faith. Salvationists are called to “restore” the family to its position of being the faith center.

Called to Be God’s People: The International Spiritual Life Commission lists numerous reasons why the family has abdicated its responsibility to pass on the baton of faith: social changes since WWII, the decline in birthrates, laws on abortion, births outside of marriage, the changing view of marriage, high divorce rates, marriages of mixed cultures, both parents working, influence of the media, and newer forms of technology.

Nevertheless, we must stay focused on the needs of the changing family.

Psychiatrist and scholar Dr. Robin Skynner reminds us of our responsibility. “The family faces inward to the individual and outward to society. [The family] has enormous potential, including that of life itself and it is not surprising that, when it becomes disordered, it possesses an equal potential for terrible destruction.”

The Salvation Army promotes and values the family’s role in passing on religious faith. How can this baton pass from one generation to the next within the context of family? One way is through family meals, which are shared around the table. Such gatherings encourage conversation among family members and the sharing of activities with one another. A second way to contribute to the passing of faith is through prayer.

Such prayer is more than, “thank you, Lord, for this food"; it includes praying for one another. A third possibility is worshiping together at the local church or corps. A fourth opportunity is through shared social activities within the context of Christian fellowship.

The family is an essential part of the Church and of the world.

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

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ON file

unity

Gifts from God come in many forms, such as good health, special blessings, and unique abilities. In this month’s Unity section, three officers talk about the gifts that they have observed in themselves and, during the course of their ministeries, seen in other people.

재능 교육 어릴 적 재능교육 이라는 아주 유명

Using our gifts and talents As a Salvation Army officer, I had the privilege of being stationed in the great city of Newark, N.J., one of the more diverse areas the state has to offer. In particular, the Ironbound section is home to several cultures and languages. On some streets, people speak Polish.

On others, it’s Italian. However, no matter where you go, you will hear Portuguese and Spanish.

As diverse as these spoken languages are, the gifts and talents of the people there are even more varied. You’ll soon find artists, athletes, scholars, musicians, dancers, and orators, to name a few. And that’s just within the Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Club and corps population!

When I walked in the doors of “The Club” for the first time, I saw walls there that were covered with the achievements of the young people. Several pieces of art, trophies from sporting competitions, and awards from “National Youth of the Year” candidates captured my attention. I quickly discovered that this community is quite talented.

Our young people are gifted in distinctive ways and in various amounts. Nevertheless, they all use their talents to bring recognition to themselves, to their families, and to the place where they first cultivated and nurtured these gifts. They all have something to show for what they have received or been taught. What a great example!

Lieutenant Houseton with Timothy Jefferson (left) and Edward Hardy I’m reminded of Matthew 25:14–30, the para(right) at Star Search 2015. ble of the ten talents. The master went away for a long time. He left to each servant a different amount of talents (currency). To one servant, the master gave five talents; to another, he gave two; and to the last servant, he gave one. Upon the master’s return, he found that the servant he gave the five talents now had ten. The servant he gave two now had four. But the servant he gave one talent, still had the one.

Romans 12:6 (ESV) reminds us, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them….” I hope to be as amazing as those young people in Newark, so when the Master (Jesus) returns, I will have something to show for the gifts and talents that He has given to me.

—Lieutenant Darell Houseton

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OCTOBER ISSUE 2015

한 가정용 학습지 가 있었습니다. 텔 레비전에 광고를 할 정도로 인기가 높은 학습지였는데 자식을 똑똑한 아이로 만들고 싶은 부모님들의 열망에 힘입어 아마 대부분의 친 구들이 학교에서 그 학습지를 공부하던 기억이 납 니다. 30여 년이 지난 지금도 재능교육에 대한 열 의는 별반 다르지 않아 보입니다. 아마 과거보다 더 심할지도 모릅니다. 조금 달라진 거라면 과거의 재능교육은 철저하게 지적 능력 향상에 초점을 맞 췄지만 현재는 예술, 체육 또는 다른 종류의 재능 개발까지 그 범위가 확대되었다는 것입니다. 그럼 에도 불구하고 여전히 공부 잘하는 아이가 다른 분야에 뛰어난 아이보다 조금 더 월등하다는 지 식 우월주의는 과거나 현재나 크게 달라진 것 같 지는 않습니다. 이렇게 재능교육이 예나 지금이나 각광을 받는 이 유는 재능이 가지고 있는 가치 때문이라 생각합 니다. 사람들이 일반적으로 이해하는 재능의 가치 는 아마 희소성일 것입니다. 보통 재능이라 하면 모든 사람들이 가지지 못한 뭔가 특별한 능력, 평 범하지 않은 비범함을 의미합니다. 이러한 희소성 때문에 재능 있는 사람은 더 나은 대우를 받고 더 나은 삶을 살 기회가 더 많이 주어집니다. 그래서 많은 이들이 희소성과 특별함에 대한 열망으로 재 능교육에 열을 올리고 있습니다. 그런데 성경은 재능을 약간 다른 시각으로 바라보 고 있습니다. 고린도전서 12장에 보면 재능을 하나 님의 선물로 표현하고 있습니다. 그리고 여러 종류 의 하나님의 선물들을 예로 듭니다. 즉, 성경적 의 미의 재능은 하나님의 선물이고 한 가지가 아닌 여 러 종류의 선물입니다. 더욱 중요한 것은 이러한 재능이 모든 사람에게 주어졌다는 것입니다. 비록

En las manos del Señor 종류와 개수는 다를지라도 모든 사람이 하나님으 로부터 재능을 선물로 받았기 때문에 거기에는 더 훌륭하거나 월등한 재능은 없습니다. 모든 재능은 똑같은 가치를 가지고 있습니다. 그리고 재능의 가 치는 그 희소성과 특별함에 의해 매겨지지 않습니 다. 하나님의 선물이라는 한 가지 이유만으로 모든 재능은 특별한 가치를 가지게 됩니다. 그렇기 때문에 성경에서의 재능교육은 세상과 달 리 그 목적을 재능의 소유나 개발에 두지 않고 재 능의 사용에 두고 있습니다. 마태복음 25장의 달 란트의 비유를 보면 각기 다른 개수의 달란트를 받 은 세 사람이 있습니다. 그런데 세 사람 중 한 사람 은 받은 달란트를 사용하지 않았습니다. 그리고 주 인의 노여움의 대상이 됩니다. 모든 사람은 하나님 의 계획에 따라 재능이라는 달란트를 받았지만 불 행하게도 모든 사람이 받은 달란트를 사용하지는 않습니다. 거기에는 여러 이유가 있겠지만 가장 큰 이유 중의 하나는 하나님께서 주신 재능을 하찮게 여기는데 있습니다. 다른 사람의 재능을 부러워 할 때, 뭔가 특별하고 월등한 재능을 욕심낼 때, 하나 님의 선물은 땅속에 묻혀 사용되지 못한 채로 잠 자고 있게 됩니다. 재능교육이 “나”의 가치를 “증명”하는 목적이 되어 서는 안 됩니다. 재능교육의 목적은 하나님의 선물 을 나의 소원이 아닌 하나님의 소원대로 “사용”되 어지는 것에 있어야 합니다. 베드로 전서 4장 10절 은 성경적 재능교육을 명확하게 보여주고 있습니 다. 무슨 재능이든 받은 재능을 다른 사람을 섬기고 하나님의 은혜를 행하는데 충성되이 사용하라. 이 제는 재능의 종류와 개수의 집착에서 벗어나 주어 진 재능을 하나님의 목적에 맞게 사용하는 것에 초 점을 맞추어야 합니다. 재능의 종류와 많고 적음에 관계없이 하나님께 받은 선물을 다른 사람을 섬기 는데 사용하는 사람이 가장 재능 있는 사람입니다.

- 정위 임재석(Captain JaeSeok Im 구세군 뉴저지지방본영 부재무관)

Mis padres me enseñaron a amar a Dios sobre todas las cosas, desde muy pequeño, y siempre me mantuvieron participando en diversas actividades y grupos que ayudaran a forjar mi carácter y mi disciplina en el Señor.

A medida que fui aprendiendo y adquiriendo madurez, descubrí que me gustaba adorar a Dios a través del canto y la adoración. Participé muy activamente en los cultos y actividades especiales de la iglesia donde me congregaba junto a mi familia. En mi adolescencia aprendí a tocar la guitarra —por oído—, lo cual me motivó a seguir aprendiendo otros instrumentos como el piano, la guitarra y el bajo. Desarrollar esos talentos me brindó la oportunidad de tocar la música en los servicios de la iglesia; acompañaba los himnos especiales, no solo en el ambiente de mi iglesia, sino también a nivel de otras congregaciones y con diversos grupos musicales.

Al salir de República Dominicana por voluntad del Señor en el año 1991, conocí al Ejército de Salvación en Reading, Pensilvania, donde ayudaba con denuedo al Enviado Roberto Santos a desarrollar la obra hispana en ese Cuerpo. Mis dones musicales, la adoración y el liderazgo juvenil fueron una ayuda importante en el establecimiento de ese ministerio. Después de un tiempo de estar muy activo y adiestrándome para lo que Dios tenía preparado para mí, supe por qué Dios me había llevado a ese lugar. Así que respondí al llamado del Señor y fui enviado junto con mi esposa Giselle al Colegio de Entrenamiento para Oficiales en 1992; lo cual ayudó a pulir y a madurar lo que Dios había depositado en mí.

Terminado el entrenamiento y comisionados en 1994, nos enviaron a Bayamón, Puerto Rico, donde el Señor nos bendijo de una manera especial. El favor de Dios y mi disposición a obedecerle me ayudaron con la música a atraer a mucha gente al conocimiento de Cristo, especialmente jóvenes; lo cual nos condujo a un nombramiento como Secretarios de Juventud en la División del suroeste de Ohio y el noroeste de Kentucky. Filadelfia fue nuestro próximo reto y el Señor no dejó de hacer maravillas en el canto, la adoración, la predicación, el evangelismo así como también lo hizo en Albany, Nueva York.

Actualmente el Señor me ha devuelto a Filadelfia con la responsabilidad de seguir haciendo su voluntad, ahora a escala no solo local sino también Divisional y Territorial. Estoy en las manos del Señor para que me siga usando como un instrumento en sus manos.

—Mayor Israel V. Acosta

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2015 OCTOBER ISSUE

31

finds

a box office

‘smash’ new MUSIC

Jettrouble Photo by Douglas Kerr; above photo courtesy of Jettrouble

Dallas Hip Hop artist Jettrouble was the The Salvation Army’s special guest at its first appearance at Soulfest 2015, the Christian music festival. A crowd of 15,000 people saw him perform his latest single, “Not Tonight.”

From the award–winning creators of “Fireproof” and “Courageous,” comes ‘WAR ROOM,” a compelling drama with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives. Filled with more of the authentic characters loved by millions in previous Kendrick Brothers’ films, “WAR ROOM” is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon.

“ WAR ROOM” is a vivid reminder that prayer is a powerful weapon.

found on Facebook Jettrouble said “Not Tonight” is inspired by The Salvation Army’s ARC program and its work of transforming lives and connecting ARC beneficiaries with the Lord.

“When I was offered the chance to write a song for the ministry, I jumped on it,” says Jettrouble. “The Salvation Army loved it, and the rest is history. I’m excited to be here at Soulfest to represent The Salvation Army.”

For more information on Jettrouble, visit www.jettrouble.com DOWNLOAD Jettrouble’s latest single, “Not Tonight” at boston.satruck.org/soulfest WATCH the music video here: vimeo.com/135508475

The Territorial Arts Ministry team (TAM) program reaches young adults in many ways. To find out how you can participate next year go to SAConnects.org.

Cadet Ramiro Enamorado a TAM delegate from Norwalk, Ohio

While at TAM, I received this cross as a reminder of God’s presence. And although it was last week when it was given to me, He is still present.

And He said “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”—Exodus 33:14 God spoke these words to Moses but I believe they’re just as true now as they were then.

at the THEATER “AMAZING GRACE” is a new original musical based on the awe–inspiring true story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion, and redemption, this radiant production follows John Newton, a man whose improbable journey ignited a historic wave of moral and social change.

Brimming with emotion and adventure, “AMAZING GRACE” is a memorable musical saga that captures the spirit of history’s sweetest and most powerful word—freedom.

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