ISRAEL HOUGHTON
wants his music and ministry to be where God is
WHO WE ARE
| 8 |
Programs The Joy ministry brings performers with a message of hope to a very special audience.
| 9 |
People Captain Dustin Fitch holds those in recovery close to his heart.
| 10|
History Kensico is the final resting place of many Salvationists.
| 12|
Faith in Action Last year, Olivia Williams went to six different summer camps.
FEATURE
| 20|
The Proverbs 31 Woman and Jesus She’s trendy, but Jesus is the role model.
| 24|
Thrift Store Finds Go on a quest for “pairs” at a Salvation Army thrift store.
LIVING
| 28|
Spiritual Life Development
You too could be in the room where it happens.
| 30|
Editors’ Picks We’re talking podcasts.
| 31|
Health Learn about the science behind broken bones.
| 32|
Volunteer Spotlight
Marisol Williams and Rosa Lewis fill many roles for The Salvation Army in Rochester.
Testimony
Jonathan Torres has overcome demons and now shares Christ with the people of York, Pa.
FOUNDER William Booth
GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham
TERRITORIAL LEADERS
Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz
Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz
CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Ivan K. Rock
DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Joseph Pritchard
EDITOR IN CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS
Warren L. Maye
MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell
EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo
COPY EDITOR / PROOFREADER Donna L. Ng
ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines
PUBLICATION CONTENT
MANAGER AND DESIGNER
Lea La Notte Greene
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Dave Hulteen Jr., Joe Marino, Karena Lin
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lu Lu Rivera
CIRCULATION Doris Marasigan
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.
Member since 2015. Award winner 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief
“‘Truly I tell you,’ [Jesus] said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ ”
—Luke 21:3–4
I read this passage to prepare for my morning prayer call. In it the values of selflessness, sacrifice, and genuine faith come into focus. The widow’s act of giving two small copper coins demonstrates deep trust in God. She gives everything she has, believing her needs will still be met. It’s not the size of the gift that matters but the heart and intention behind it. This story encouraged me to reflect on the importance of giving with a humble spirit.
It also reminded me of a woman who made a significant effort to donate $10 to The Salvation Army by taking two city buses and walking several blocks to the headquarters. Her gesture so moved Commissioner David Hudson (now retired) that he later shared her story at a national conference, highlighting her generosity despite her financial struggles.
Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. Vol. 11, No. 3, 2025. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SAconnects, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SAconnects accepts advertising. Copyright © 2025 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory. Articles may be reprinted only with written permission. All scripture references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless indicated otherwise.
The Bible addresses the theme of selfless generosity through a variety of scenarios, proverbs, and parables. God instructs us to give without expecting anything in return. The implication is that our faith will lead to outcomes that may exceed our expectations. But the concept goes far beyond copper coins to encompass what happens when we engage in sacrificial giving. The widow and the woman demonstrated a level of love and faith that is essential for true generosity—and they trusted that there is a greater plan at work.
In this issue of SA connects, we see how various individuals have reached a pivotal point where their faith serves as a catalyst for fulfillment, be it spiritually or practically (“Israel Houghton Is in His Element,” p. 14; “The Proverbs 31 Woman and Jesus,” p. 20; “ ‘The Rifle Didn’t Shoot,’ ” p. 25). We hope you find these inspiring stories and testimonies both enjoyable and insightful as they shed light on the transformative power of deep faith in God.
The Salvation Army
SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS
10 Locations in the Northeast! 20 25
An overnight camping experience where kids go to create new and lasting memories with their peers, enjoy the outdoors and fun activities, and grow closer to God at the same time! Summer work opportunities also available.
WHO WE ARE
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
The Salvation Army offers open gyms in corps and in Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers across the U.S., with everything from basketball to pickleball.
Strawberry Field
John Lennon’s childhood memories of playing in the gardens of Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army children’s home in Liverpool, England, inspired his lyrics for the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.” The site is now a tourist attraction with proceeds supporting the Army’s charity work.
“May I never rest till I have the witness of the Spirit, that my heart is the temple of an indwelling God,”
wrote Phoebe Palmer, a 19th-century Methodist evangelist whose teachings influenced early Salvationists like Catherine Booth. Palmer donated her New York City residence to The Salvation Army to become a home for unwed mothers.
Donor Corner
Last July, OceanFirst Bank made a gift to The Salvation Army in Atlantic City that would give 14 children from the Atlantic City Corps a summer of fun and ministry at the Army’s Summer Day Camp.
“We are so grateful for the people at OceanFirst Bank,” says Reed Brunell, caseworker at the Atlantic City Corps. “Their donation helped provide scholarships for our campers to attend our Summer Day Camp program. They also had representatives come to teach our kids about finances and how money works. We are so glad that they not only support us but other programs like us all around New Jersey.”
Did you know?
In 1906, over 100 years before the Boston Kroc Center debuted, The Salvation Army in Boston, Mass., opened the People’s Palace (left), a five-story multipurpose building with over 280 single rooms, dining rooms, a library, a gym, a swimming pool, and an auditorium.
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. ... Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
—1 CORINTHIANS 15:57–58
At last year’s annual memorial service at Kensico Cemetery, Major Dwayne Barnes carried a wreath to lay at the grave of General Evangeline Booth, accompanied by Major Eric Rodriguez and Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz, the USA East territorial president of women’s ministries and territorial leader for officer development.
Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz, territorial commander, spoke to the assembly. “There are numerous names on stones throughout the Salvationist section of this cemetery that represent lives that transcend the dates on their headstone. But they live on,” he said, “first of all, in eternity where our hope is based, but also in our lives, in our memories, in our hearts.”
Founded in 1889, Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y., lies just north of New York City. It is the final resting place for many prominent figures within The Salvation Army. Each year, at the section reserved for officers and soldiers, services are held to remember those who have been promoted to glory. As the New York Staff Band plays and the graves are decorated with Salvation Army flags, we offer prayers of thanksgiving for the lives and contributions of those who dedicated themselves to serving others through The Salvation Army.
For more about Kensico, see History on p. 10.
A Moment of Joy
by HUGO BRAVO
Inside the lobby of Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City, a group of performers from The Salvation Army Eastern Territory’s Joy ministry do costume and choreography test runs. A Spider-Man practices the flip he’ll do for his entrance, while Jessie, the cowgirl rag doll from the movie Toy Story, helps adjust the mask of Woody, her partner.
They will present a variation on an act that can be seen every summer at The Salvation Army Pier Festival in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, plus some interactive games and callout songs.
Right before starting, the group takes a moment to pray—for one another, and for the young hospital patients and their fami lies who will be watching.
“We do have some practices and preparation, but it all really comes together at that last rehearsal before the show,” says Resa Berry, who is an arts ministries specialist and the director for Joy. “The first time we did this, I cried. Almost every patient had to be wheeled in with their parents and nurses.”
The Salvation Army’s work to comfort the sick isn’t new, but Berry has created a show-based, family-centered ministry around it with a timeless message of love and inspiration.
“In other countries, The Salvation Army runs professional hospitals and health care centers,” says Berry. “If we had places like that here, I think the arts would have a role to play in that ministry too. I hope that the memories we bring through Joy can connect the families with the love, grace, and hope of Christ in their own way.”
The Joy ministry is as much for the parents as it is for their children, whose days are filled with doctors and nurses,
Bible verses to comfort the sick
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28
“ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:17–18
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
—Isaiah 40:30–31
“Pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. … for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
—Proverbs 4:20–22
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27
To learn more about Joy, scan the code.
medical tests and procedures, and uncertainty. Berry has talked to many parents who were people of faith at one point but whose lives changed dramatically to care for their children.
“Sometimes you can see the pain in the eyes of the parents as they try to help their children communicate with the Joy cast members,” Berry says. “We always tell them that they don’t have to burden themselves with that. We’re here for them.”
Joy’s performances are professionally recorded by the hospital’s video staff, then play on a loop on the hospital TVs, so patients who can’t attend can still see the show. Berry hopes that the Joy ministry can one day incorporate bedside interactions with children undergoing care.
The performers would have to take precautions, but Berry says the ministry would require less preparation and a smaller cast, making it possible to perform more frequently and meet children who are unable to leave their hospital rooms.
“When any child can see their favorite character standing in front of them, it’s almost like they’re seeing a long-lost friend,” says Berry.
“But children at the hospital have serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. They may never be able to visit a theme park and see these characters, so it’s even more important for them. It takes them out of their situation, even for moment, to a place where they can feel like superheroes and princesses too.”
We Are His Vessels
Interview by HUGO BRAVO
Captain Dustin Fitch, corps officer at the Columbus East Main Corps Community Center in Ohio, talks about his first EDS trip as a cadet, bonding with Salvationists over online video games, and difficult conversations he’s had with people in recovery.
ON CALL FOR CHRIST
Captain Dustin Fitch is ready for ministry, whether near or far.
I have great love for people in recovery, and doing Bible study at the Columbus Adult Rehabilitation Center is one of the biggest blessings of my ministries. Every time I walk in and see those gentlemen, I see my uncles, cousins, and all the loved ones in my family who have dealt with similar struggles. I can see that those men are in pain, and I know that they have families dealing with pain too. My own father had his issues with substance abuse and recovery, but I’m grateful that he found the Lord and got clean for five years before he passed away.
As a former police officer, I can come off a bit blunt or straightforward. But that raw authenticity is appreciated when I’m talking to a man who has overdosed six times, with the intention of taking his own life, yet is still here today. I tell him the truth: “The only justifiable reason you are alive today is because God has something planned for you. Even if you are done with yourself, He is not done with you. Our lives aren’t ours; they each belong to the Lord. When you realize that and put Christ first, then you’ll be ready to start your recovery.”
Officer life can sometimes feel like you’re alone on an island. That’s why I’m happy that I have hobbies that let me connect with others. I love playing video games like Madden and Rocket League online with officers, soldiers, and people who are thinking of joining The Salvation Army across the Eastern Territory and beyond. In Columbus, we also have a ministry of men who are into tabletop electric football. We design our sets, paint team players, and compete against each other. It’s important to show that as pastors, we can have fun and still be committed to our mission.
In 2022, I lost my father, In IN.
In 2021, I lost my father, stepmother, grandfather, and uncle, all within less than six months. It left me questioning God about everything I was doing. I wasn’t even sure if any of this was for me anymore. The verse that carried me through this pain was the same one that I carried since I came to God at 12 years old—John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” All my value comes from Him. Alone, my best is not all that good. God Himself can do anything, but it requires all of us to show up. The Lord cannot work if we, His vessels, are not available to Him.
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, I was a cadet at the College for Officer Training. Even though I didn’t speak Spanish and wasn’t sure how I could be of help, I requested the opportunity to travel to the island with Emergency Disaster Services. At the first house I visited, I heard a woman call out to me from across the street. In minimal English, she said the resident of the house had just died from the storm. It took me some time to process that information emotionally, but that encounter still drives me to this day. Since then, I’ve answered the EDS call to Puerto Rico twice more, as well as to New Jersey, Florida, and various disasters here in Ohio. Like Isaiah in the Bible, I’m always ready to go where I am needed on behalf of the Lord.
HARRY ACOSTA
KENSICO
A resting place for God’s warrior saints
by ROB JEFFERY
Take a few turns off the busy highways that intersect Westchester County, and you’ll come to the rural hamlet of Valhalla, N.Y. There you’ll find Kensico Cemetery, a sprawling 460-acre tract of rolling hills and valleys with stunning views.
To call it simply a cemetery or a graveyard feels incorrect. The size of a small town, it is a resting place for thousands of people, with many communities represented among the orderly plots. Kensico (Kensico.org) was established in 1889, when cemeteries throughout the five boroughs of New York City were reaching capacity. New space for burying loved ones was needed, and nearby Valhalla in the township of Mount Pleasant was aptly suited.
Organizers built a private railroad station on the grounds to receive mourning parties directly from Grand Central Station in a special funeral train called Car Kensico. A U.S. district court judge, John Fitch, was the first to be interred there, and other notables include “Pride of the Yankees” Lou Gehrig, composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, bandleader Tommy Dorsey, and actors Anne Bancroft and Danny Kaye.
In the 1920s, The Salvation Army acquired land within Kensico where the maturing movement could lay to rest their loved ones in a dignified, bucolic setting. The 1920s and ’30s was when many of the early Army pioneers who came to America in the 1880s began to receive
their summons home to Heaven. For the great concentration of Salvationists clustered around New York, Kensico provided a space for the faithful to gather to share in the grief and the joy of Army loved ones “laying down their sword.”
The Salvation Army funeral hymn, “Promoted to Glory” by Herbert Booth, invokes stirring military symbolism around the life and death of the departed Salvationist: “Summoned home! the call has sounded/Bidding a soldier his warfare cease;/And the song of angels resounding/ Welcomes a warrior to eternal peace.”
In the presence of God
Walking through the rows of headstones in the Salvation Army section of Kensico, you can find some of the greatest figures from the Army’s founding chapters, such as:
• General Evangeline Booth, the Army’s fourth General and leader of the movement here in the U.S. for three decades.
• General Edward Higgins, who spent his early officership in America and retired to Florida after serving as the Army’s third General. In 1912 he directed a spiritual “Siege of London” that enrolled hundreds of new soldiers.
• Consul Emma Booth-Tucker, the daughter of William and Catherine Booth, who, along with her husband, led the Army in the U.S. until her tragic death in a train derailment in 1903.
• Herbert Booth, William and Catherine’s youngest son and a former commissioner, who pioneered the work in Australia and created a multimedia show that combined film, slide projections, music, and oratory to tell the story of the gospel.
• Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, the first American officer to receive the rank of commissioner. He became the Army’s foremost teacher, speaker, and writer on holiness and sanctification.
• Commandant Emma Westbrook, one of the seven pioneering “Hallelujah Lassies” who brought the Army to America in 1880.
• Staff Captain Joseph Garabedian, or “Joe the Turk,” an Armenian soldier of the cross who was jailed over 50 times for preaching the gospel in the open air. He’s regarded as one of the Army’s pioneering evangelists.
There are also scores of regular officers and soldiers who served their present age with distinction. They contributed greatly to The Salvation Army and to God’s kingdom, winning many souls for Christ through their surrendered, obedient lives.
A moving memorial
An annual Kensico Memorial Service, usually held on the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend, is a stirring experience open to one and all. The tradition goes back a long time but exactly when it began is uncertain. Photos in the Heritage Museum’s archives from the 1920s and ’30s
CALLED HOME
depict services at Kensico being led by the likes of Samuel Logan Brengle and Edward Justus Parker.
The program for the annual memorial service hasn’t changed much from the early days. The New York Staff Band provides the music, while attendees congregate under a simple white tent and offer prayers of thanksgiving for the lives of those who have gone before. A roll call of names is read aloud of those who have been interred within the grounds of Kensico in the past year. Salvation Army flags are placed in front of every headstone, and a wreath of remembrance adorns Evangeline Booth’s gravesite. Cadets from The Salvation Army College for Officer Training, in full uniform with white gloves, participate in this part of the ceremony with precise and synchronized movements.
It is a truly special service in the life of our USA Eastern Territory, and if you can’t be there in person, it is available to livestream via SAconnects.org.
True, faithful soldiers
Around the world there are resting places set aside for Salvationists. In Newfoundland, Canada, for instance, the small, rural corps maintain numerous cemeteries. And in London, there’s Abney Park Cemetery, where William and Catherine Booth, as well as many other Army leaders from England, are buried. Delegates to the International College for Officers all make a pilgrimage to Abney Park to read the tombstones of some of The Salvation Army’s greatest firebrands. But large Salvation Army cemeteries—like Abney Park, Kensico, and Laurel Hill in Saco,
Maine—are the exception in terms of size. All are definitely worth checking out if you have the opportunity to explore them.
Salvationists lay buried in countless cemeteries across the country, but the beautiful grounds of Kensico help tell the story of The Salvation Army in America. These were real “Blood and Fire” saints, who although they were far from perfect were used by God to spread the gospel to every rural village, bustling town, and busy metropolis.
As the refrain to “Promoted to Glory” goes: “Strife and sorrow over/The Lord’s true faithful soldier/Has been called to go from the ranks below/To the conquering host above.”
Rob Jeffery is director of the USA Eastern Territory’s Heritage Museum.
Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle (center) leads a Kensico memorial service in 1931. He would be buried at Kensico in 1936.
Camp, Ministry, Repeat
by HUGO BRAVO
TWIN PADDLERS
Olivia Williams (left) and fellow camper Lillian West get ready for a day of kayaking at Camp NEOSA in Ohio.
Instead of spending a summer at one Salvation Army camp, Olivia Williams spent time at six
This summer, children across The Salvation Army Eastern Territory will take part in a ministry that has brought more young people to the Army’s mission than perhaps any other. At Army summer camps, children experience fellowship, team sports, music lessons, and more, and develop a relationship with the Lord amid His creation. Many of these campers come from cities and urban environments, far from nature.
Salvation Army Junior Soldier Olivia Williams, who attends the Newport Corps in Rhode Island, first went to camp at age 7. She spent the summer of 2023 at Camp Allegheny in Pennsylvania. In 2024, at age 10, with her parents’ help and support, Olivia arranged to spend shortened periods of one to two weeks at six different Salvation Army camps, road-tripping with her parents or family friends between locations.
What could have been an overwhelming logistical challenge became an adventure within a ministry close to her heart.
Six camps, one summer
Olivia began the earliest, hottest weeks of summer at Camps SWONEKY and NEOSA, enjoying water fights with fellow campers, dance parties in the rain, and high-speed zip lines at the camps in Ohio.
“NEOSA also has their rope courses next to their zip line. It’s elevated and going up its stairs drains all your energy before you even do the zip line,” says Olivia.
Around this time, Olivia’s parents, Captains Chris and Kiley Williams, had become the new corps officers at Newport. Camp CONNRI, which serves Connecticut and Rhode Island, was the closest of the six camps, and they accompanied Olivia there on the first day. It was important to them all that Olivia experience its music week.
“I participated with advanced choir and timbrels,” says Olivia. “And we got to see the CONNRI goats and other animals they raise there.”
Next, at Camp Wonderland in Massachusetts, Olivia took part in its brass music program and evening carnival, with stations and games at each stop. Campers were treated to snow cones, popcorn, and other summer fair goodies.
At Camp Sebago in Maine, the water was colder than at any camp she’d been to, but Olivia passed her swim test, as she’d had to at all the others. “Without passing my swim test, I couldn’t participate in water slides, diving, and other lake activities,” she says. She also played soccer at Sebago for the first time in years, having previously avoided the sport after an injury.
Finally, at Long Point Camp in New York, Olivia’s last stop for the summer, unsafe conditions meant swimming wasn’t allowed in the lake. But campers enjoyed themselves collecting beach glass—broken glass that’s been polished by water and sand. And they could still swim in the pool.
A special experience
By seeing so many camps in a short period of time, Olivia gained a unique perspective on their operations. Some divided their activities by clubs; others let campers sample a bit of everything. Multiple locations offered the program Jesus Theatre, which tells the gospel story in a way that can be understood by every camper, no matter their age.
“Every time I watched it, no matter where I was, I cried,” says Olivia.
“Also, there were people from Spain, Germany, England, and Poland, spending their summer working at camp. At Long Point, just about everyone there was from another country. Because phones weren’t allowed at camp, I was always jotting down people’s numbers and taking notes. I made friends I still connect with today.”
This summer, Olivia will finish visiting all 10 of the Eastern Territory’s camps with stops at Camp Ladore in Pennsylvania and Camps Tecumseh and Star Lake in New Jersey. And when she turns 13, she’ll have an all-new experience as a volunteer
staff member at the camp of her choosing.
“All of my children have gone to camp and worked at camps as they got older too,” says Captain Chris Williams. Olivia is the youngest of three daughters. “With Olivia, it was different. There was a lot more to plan, such as the logistics and scheduling of when she would be where and how she would get there. But I think this was a special experience for her. She became a better, more confident person from it.”
Her own ministry
With Olivia sharing her experience at the Salvation Army camps, Captain Chris hopes more first-timers will be led to fill the camps’ summer season, especially from their own Newport Corps. Summer camp is popular in Rhode Island, but most parents send their children to camps within the state’s borders. Going an hour and a half to Connecticut’s Camp CONNRI, he says, can make some parents nervous.
“Traveling is second nature to us Army officers,” says Captain Chris. “But I want the families in our corps to see that Camp CONNRI is closer than they think. We just need to show a few of them what we have there, and from that, they’ll tell others. And when Salvation Army summer camp becomes part of their lives, then they’ll see we have so many other programs for them here in Newport.”
And thanks to her summer adventure, Olivia herself could be the corps’ best recruiter to encourage other young people to experience camp too.
“In Ohio and here in Rhode Island, we grew our youth programs through Olivia,” says Captain Chris. “We call her the ‘Pied Piper,’ because she has an ability to not just bring people her age to the corps, but to also get them involved in our activities. It’s a gift.”
“I’d call it my influence,” says Olivia, laughing. With a smile, he replies, “I’d call it your ministry.”
Learn more about Salvation Army camps near you.
ISRAEL HOUGHTON IS IN HIS ELEMENT
by
The 7x Grammy-winning Christian singer-songwriter—who will lead worship at Commissioning Weekend in Hershey, Pa., in June—talks about his inspirations, why we must seek to go where God is, and the challenges new church leaders will face in ministry
PIANO MAN “I love the process of writing music. I write something every single day. It’s not good every day, but I still write.”
HUGO BRAVO photographsby JULIO MIRANDA
THE GIFT
“The average nonbeliever doesn’t know our language, our testimonies. We must start by giving them the love of Jesus in the most basic way.”
Israel Houghton was supposed to be in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards in February. He was nominated in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category for his contributions as a singer, songwriter, and producer to “One Hallelujah,” a powerful, arena-filling worship anthem that announces our united praise under one Lord, backed by gospel harmonies, R&B vocals, and electric guitar riffs.
“We all have different stories,” the lyrics go, but “when it’s all said and done there’s only one.”
“Singing about the grace of God across nations and uniting in worship … that’s red meat for what I do,” says Israel.
He and his wife, the singer and television personality Adrienne BailonHoughton, had planned to fly from New York to L.A. after a live recording of Coritos, Israel’s upcoming music project that combines traditional worship hymns and gospel with Latin music genres such as salsa and bachata. The couple chose to skip the awards show and instead went to a worship service in Brooklyn led by their friend Marcos Witt, one of the most renowned and beloved names in Spanish Christian music.
“I gave our two Grammy tickets to my son Sonny and his girlfriend, who were already in California,” says Israel. “As soon as I offered it to them, I had a feeling inside me that we would win.”
That Sunday, as Marcos Witt sang “Tu Fidelidad,” a song about God’s unending love and commitment to His people, Israel received a text message from Sonny that “One Hallelujah” had won the Grammy. Sonny had even tried to run up and accept the award in his father’s name but could not reach the stage in time.
“What a blessing,” says Israel. “They were both so happy and grateful for the opportunity to attend the show, and I was able to stay for a beautiful worship service in New York.”
Israel Houghton’s own walk with the Lord has been filled with such moments and opportunities to make his own path and put himself in his element, where he knows that his gifts will honor God best.
“For the first half of my life, I didn’t always think that God was working in my life like I see Him now. Sometimes we grow up being told that accepting His salvation immediately makes everything go great from now on. But then the hardships of life kick in, and you wonder where those abundant gifts that you were told about are,” says Israel.
“I want to make music that says God is good and faithful, no matter who or where you are. It’s what I would have liked to hear myself when I was young.”
|| Style and ‘Graceland’
Israel Houghton was born in San Diego County, Calif., and grew up in Globe, Ariz., a small, mostly Hispanic mining town near Phoenix. Israel’s parents both had diverse musical tastes, with a record collection including pop acts like the Beatles and Michael Jackson, as well as Christian musicians like Keith Green and the gospel
departure from his work as half of the folkrock duo Simon and Garfunkel, and even from Simon’s previous six albums as a solo artist. Graceland opened Israel’s mind, showing him how music across the world was connected to African beats and rhythms.
“But it took a long time for some Christian music executives and churches to accept that. It can be very discouraging when someone tells you that your music is not black enough to be in one lane, yet not white enough to be in another,” says Israel, who is of mixed race.
When a music executive asked Israel what he would do regarding those two lanes, Israel replied that he would buy a bulldozer and build his own path. He wanted the industry to bend to his lane, not the other way around.
“I was tired of being told to either do black music or do white music. So I asked, why don’t I just do kingdom music, then?” says Israel.
|| The sounds of worship
For years, Israel was a member of Lakewood Church, the Houston-based evangelical Christian church led by pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen. Along with leading musical worship, Israel was asked to occasionally minister to a congregation of 45,000, a task that to this day he admits makes him feel uneasy.
“There’s an element to a musical performance that is understood and expected. It’s not foreign to me,” explains Israel. “I know the instruments, the words, and the appreciation in a room for what I’m doing. Music is powerful and I take it very seriously, but there’s a different sense of gravity to preaching, or even leading a Bible study. It’s a big responsibility.”
Israel says that the role of a singersongwriter is closer to that of a theologian, writing music about ideas and universal truths that can reach people of all ages through symbolism, stories, and defined
“I was tired of being told to either do black music or do white music. So I asked, why don’t I just do kingdom music, then?”
crossover superstar Andraé Crouch.
“My dad was a pastor and a tough audience himself,” remembers Israel. “But there was one album he brought home one day that he loved: Graceland by Paul Simon. He would light up hearing Simon sing with traditional African musicians like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I took notes on what I was hearing, why it sounded the way it did, and why my father liked it.”
There is no single style or musical genre on Graceland. It’s a mix of African sounds and rhythms and Paul Simon’s pop melodies with lyrics inspired by America as well as Simon’s travels in South Africa. It was a huge
This kingdom mindset and distinctive cross-cultural sound has carried over to all of Israel’s work. When he recorded New Season, the first album alongside his worship group ensemble New Breed, he also recorded Nueva Generación—the same album translated to Spanish.
“Some of the best Latin musicians of all time are on Coritos. I’m talking percussionists and horn players who’ve performed with singers like Marc Anthony and Luis Miguel,” says Israel. “Those musicians said they agreed to be part of Coritos because they had listened to Nueva Generación years ago, and it changed the way they did ministry.”
structures. Just as theology can change and develop over time, so does a song writer’s themes and abilities. Israel admits that some of his earlier music featured personal theology that doesn’t fit where he is today.
“I’ve had to undo some songs that I did in the past, such as times when I sang about being so beneath the Lord or begging for a piece of His bread. I’d be mortified if my children, who have so much, were singing songs like that. A sense of false humility doesn’t honor God; it can be a very fine line.”
Israel released his first album, Whisper It Loud, in 1997, at age 25. “Sometimes when I work with younger singers, they’ll come
up with something and immediately love it and want to record it that day,” says Israel. “I tell them, ‘That music is never leaving this room!’ If they think I’m being too tough, I ask them if they want to create something that will be remembered for six months or six decades.”
|| Be where God is
In 2007, while on stage at a massive worship event in Houston, Israel remembers being so caught up in the excitement that he declared to the audience, “God is here! His presence is right here!”
“But then I heard a voice say, ‘I’m not even here.’ This was God, talking so clearly to me that I was almost floored,” says Israel. This message left him confused. The Bible says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20, KJV ). Was God not there among so much praise?
The next day, Israel spoke with Darlene Zschech, a fellow Christian singer and former pastor. He asked her if she had ever heard God say such words to her.
“All the time. When I’m too much in the moment of here and not understanding how He moves,” Zschech told him.
She suggested that Israel read Amos 5, from The Message translation Bible. The Scripture is a powerful warning (coincidentally, to the house of Israel) about the divide between flashy rituals and activities for God and true moral deeds done in His name. The Lord did not want music and gatherings that revolved around self-fulfillment and ego: “All Show, No Substance.” Instead, He wanted to see work done in the name of justice and fairness—enough to fill rivers and oceans.
“Through Amos, God was saying, ‘I’m tired of your programs, slogans, and all the commercial works that come with it. I’m where none of you are. I’m with the orphan, the widow, and the man clinging to life in a hospital bed. Go there.’ ”
Israel gathered his team and organized a new plan. Between the morning worship session and the evening, they drove to inner-city areas of Houston, inviting people who may have never heard of Israel
or his music, or even seen a worship session before. These folks would be the designated VIPs for the night’s events. Israel arranged buses to pick them up and bring them to sit among the worship service’s regular attendees. He wanted them to see if anyone felt out of their own element sitting among the people that God was truly with.
“If you feel uncomfortable right now,” Israel said to crowd, “figure out why that is. You’re comfortable attending a worship event, but if social justice is somehow involved, you’re not anymore? Because this is what Jesus did for all of us.”
That day permanently changed the way Israel ministers. Even when traveling overseas to places like Kenya, he and his team arrive a day early and make time to visit the little towns and poorest spots where they know God will be.
“Now, I can pray to God and ask Him to
to happen. You see what He sees, feels what He feels, and move like He moves.”
|| Answering the call
Israel’s upcoming June performance at The Salvation Army Commissioning Weekend in Hershey, Pa., will celebrate the newest lieutenants of the Army’s Eastern Territory, the Champions of the Mission, as they are ordained to serve God. Having seen a pastor’s responsibilities from his time at Lakewood, Israel says that answering the call to lead a church is one of the most noble, courageous decisions a person can make.
“It’s as important as choosing the person you will marry, and as powerful as when you first accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior,” says Israel.
“There’s a revival of new believers in the church today. Many of them are young people who did not grow up in the church
“ Through Amos, God was saying, ‘I’m tired of your programs, slogans, and all the commercial works that come with it. I’m where none of you are. I’m with the orphan, the widow, and the man clinging to life in a hospital bed. Go there.’ ”
make my heart break for what makes His break too,” says Israel.
But there’s also joy and delight in such a partnership with God and His plans.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart,” says Israel, quoting Psalm 37:4 (ESV ).
“I used to think that meant God goes down the list of things we want for ourselves and then approves your list. It’s not that. Delighting yourself in the Lord is like receiving a heart transplant. You get an urge to pray for places you’ve never visited. You declare things that you’ve never imagined. You wish to happen what God wishes
but have discovered God on their own. But simultaneously, there is another group that did grow up in the church and have made the choice to distance themselves from it. It can be for personal or political reasons, but they have made that decision. So how will the church continue to grow with their new members, while at the same time reaching out to those who have lost that connection?”
It’s no easy task.
“Everyone will have their own ideas on how to fill that breach. But if God is in those plans, they will succeed,” says Israel. “And I’m going to do my part to help, because we still have people out there to reach.”
GUITAR PRAYER “Sometimes I get asked to write a song to a melody that belongs to someone else. I’m not great at that. But give me a guitar, a Bible, and 40 minutes, and I’ll do my best to write something that will be sung with passion in 25 years.”
The Proverbs 31 Woman and Jesus
Some view her as the ideal to live by, but should every Christian woman set out to be just like her?
by COLONEL CHRISTINE J. ROCK
“Her, again? Isn’t that overkill? Because I swear, if I hear one more thing about that woman...”
This was my 34-year-old daughter’s lessthan-enthusiastic response when I told her I was asked to write about the “valiant,” or “noble,” or “excellent” woman idealized in the last chapter of the Book of Proverbs.
I could almost feel my daughter’s frustration over all the attention given to that imaginary woman in the Bible. Was the focus on her excessive? My daughter seemed to think so. To be honest, I had my doubts too.
Don’t get me wrong. The “Proverbs 31 Woman” (with a capital W ) deserves all the admiration she has attracted. We could do far worse than to try to be like her. She is capable, hardworking, strong, courageous, and civically minded. All good things. It is notable, too, that she is praised not for her beauty or status, but because of the work of her hands. She is referred to as “valiant,”
not because she conquers in battle or rises above her enemies, but because she persists in doing the challenging work that is laid before her, service that benefits not only her family but the greater community. Her heroism is in “showing up,” seeing what must be done, fearlessly tackling it, and using the rewards of her labor to bless and benefit others.
By giving honor to this unnamed woman, the writer of Proverbs 31 elevates unseen women in every part of the world, throughout time. Such praise is long overdue. While monuments are built to honor the powerful men who command nations, little recognition is given to the women who quietly serve in the background, providing support, sustenance, and the “glue” that keeps institutions and societies intact.
These women, like the excellent woman in Proverbs 31, have adapted to the demands of their situation—working fields, producing goods, raising families, building
businesses, helping those in distress. No wonder women are attracted to the woman in this proverb. She represents them. When she is held in high esteem, by extension, so are they.
Her highness?
But has the fanfare gone too far? Is the woman from Proverbs 31 the ideal, the goal? Should every Christian woman set out to be just like her? Is her example the one we should be advising our daughters to follow?
Maybe not. There are some drawbacks to putting this Old Testament figure on a pedestal.
First, she’s not real. According to Proverbs 31:1, she’s a description of the type of woman that King Lemuel’s mother recommends to her son as good marriage material. Even if we acknowledge that this passage can speak to everyone regardless of marital status (since Scripture supports both married and single lifestyles), we still have a problem. It’s tough to live up to a work of fiction. No wonder Ms. Proverbs 31 never tires or feels worn out. Of course, she can get up “while it is still night” (verse 15) and yet find that “her arms are strong for her tasks” (v. 17). She is make-believe.
That explains how she can make things happen that are outside the control of the rest of us mere mortals, like when she “sees that her trading is profitable” (v. 18), or is credited because “her husband is respected at the city gate” (v. 23), or magically finds that her children (obviously not teenagers) “arise and call her blessed” (v. 28).
Real women do not have that kind of power. We have influence. But we cannot control events and people with that level of predictability. Real women learn that they can do everything “right” and still face disappointment, humiliation, disrespect, and heartache.
What are we missing?
Second, the Proverbs 31 Woman is not the antidote for all the unrealistic expectations that women encounter. It’s comforting to think we can use her example to gain a sense of identity that immunizes us from cultural pressures to be beautiful, sexy,
The Wife of Noble Character
(Proverbs 31:10–31)
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
glamorous, powerful, and desirable. And, yes, pouring our efforts into adding value to our families, our places of work, and our communities rather than just looking beautiful or exuding charm (v. 30) is a wise choice. But taking care of others will not fix what is broken within us.
We may reach excellence. We may gain the praise of those around us because of our devoted service and desire to please God (v. 30). We may even change lives and bring honor to God. But we are still missing something. Like the rich young man in Luke 18, who keeps the commandments all his life, we are still incomplete, even when our “to-do” list is done. And Jesus can see what is wrong, even when no one else can, even when we cannot see it ourselves.
Can you imagine what Jesus would say to the Proverbs 31 Woman, who “fears the Lord” (v. 30), who “can laugh at the days to come” (v. 25), who is “clothed with strength and dignity” (v. 25) and is the recipient of “praise at the city gate” (v. 31)?
Would He say to her, “Go, Queen! You’ve got this! You don’t need any help from me! You are nailing it!”?
No. He would see her heart. He would see how hard she is trying. He would delight in her aim to live for God and respect her diligence and hard work. He, too, knows what it is to labor for the kingdom.
But if she were a real woman, dotting all those i’s and crossing all those t’s, giving it her all and still, being human, failing at times—or, because she lives in the real, broken world, getting it right and still having it all blow up in her face—I think this is what Jesus would say to her: “Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your (soul). For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). And He would say to her, as He says to us, “Follow me” (Mark 10:21).
Jesus—not the Proverbs 31 Woman—is our role model. He understands us—and He calls us to follow Him.
And finally, when I compare myself with
the Proverbs 31 Woman, and I, being made of flesh and blood, fall short, what can she do for me?
Nothing. She’s not a living, breathing person. She cannot help. She cannot understand. She has no experience with the real world, no history of disappointment, no shame to overcome, no broken pieces. What advice can she offer me? Keep going? Work harder? Get up earlier? Hustle more?
When I compare myself with Jesus, and I, being human, cannot even come close, then what?
Jesus, who knows temptation and suffering and shame and disappointment, who sees right through the façade of my dotted i’s and crossed t’s, that Jesus feels my pain. He loves me. He embraces me. He cleanses and restores me. He gives me hope. That’s the good news of the gospel. Jesus loves us, not because we measure up, but because we are His.
Who I am in Jesus’ eyes I am not a “Proverbs 31 woman” (lowercase w ). I am a follower of Christ. I do not identify as a Proverbs 31 woman in the sense of embodying all the characteristics associated with her. Instead, my primary identity is rooted in being a devoted follower of Christ.
Book of Proverbs offers good guidance for all of us, both women and men. We are wise if we seek greater things than fleeting pleasures, which make us feel good in the moment but leave us empty inside. Regardless of our gender, male or female, we should invest ourselves in developing some of the same noble characteristics that the excellent woman of Proverbs 31 exemplifies.
How we express those traits will look different in our modern society, which
separate camps or hinder us from becoming who we are meant to be in Christ alone. We often find ourselves divided and opposing one another over how we are meant to show up in the world. Let’s not fall into the same trap as those who claimed to follow Paul or Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:10–13), as if these Christian teachers had more to say to them or could do more for them than Jesus, Himself.
While we’re at it, we must not perpetuate the myth that certain passages of Scripture, like those with female characters, are really “for women,” more than others. Let’s not elevate these passages above the others by claiming (or even implying) that they summarize what it means to be a “godly woman.” Why do we settle for such a limited (and limiting) view?
As we become more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will become more patient (v. 13, 16). We will grow in wisdom (v. 26). We will be diligent in whatever we are called upon to do (v. 17). We will care for others in need (v. 20). We will hunger and thirst for God (v. 30).
While I appreciate the virtues and qualities that are celebrated in Proverbs 31, such as strength, dignity, and wisdom, I focus on nurturing my relationship with Jesus and living out my faith daily. My journey is about embracing grace and understanding that my worth comes from Him rather than striving to meet specific ideals or standards set by others. Ultimately, it is this commitment to following Christ that defines who I am at my core.
When we read this chapter of Scripture, let’s keep its teaching in perspective. The
calls for skills and collaborations not needed in previous eras. But as we become more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will become more patient (v. 13, 16). We will grow in wisdom (v. 26). We will be diligent in whatever we are called upon to do (v. 17). We will care for others in need (v. 20). We will hunger and thirst for God (v. 30).
But we cannot make the mistake others have made. We must not let this example of the Proverbs 31 Woman divide us into
There’s so much more for women, for us, than the “pink passages” we associate with Mother’s Day or women’s Bible studies. Every one of those 1,189 chapters of the Old and New Testament are for us—all of us. Women can gain just as much inspiration from Moses, Elijah, David, or Paul as we can from Sarah, Ruth, Mary, or the fictitious Proverbs 31 Woman, and the reverse is true for men.
These characters all have their moments. They all, however fleetingly, demonstrate a few virtues to which we can aspire. They all, however imperfectly, show us a tiny glimpse of God’s character, pointing our eyes toward Him.
But only One sets a perfect example of godliness. Only One gives us a complete picture. Therefore let us “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2) through whom we can see God wholly revealed. Let us always, only, identify ourselves with Him.
Colonel Christine J. Rock is the USA East territorial secretary for Officer Development and Care.
Go to sastores.org to locate a Salvation Army family thrift store near you.
by HUGO BRAVO
Two Are Better Than One!
Finding unexpected product pairings turns thrifting into a creative shopping quest: matching styles, similar products, or pop-culture collector’s items that go together by chance or design. At your Salvation Army thrift store, you could come across a classic album along with a shirt featuring the same artist. Or you might score a vintage cookbook and a beautiful bowl. What pairs will you find on your next thrift store visit?
Every purchase you make at a Salvation Army thrift store helps fund local Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where people who are struggling from a variety of social and spiritual problems can find help and hope. Learn more at gethelp.salvationarmyusa.org
AN INCREDIBLE FIND Movie novelizations can go into more detail and depth about a film’s plot and characters.
STAY CLASSY
Thanks to Hot Wheels, Anchorman’s iconic Channel 4 News Van could be yours.
DIRECTOR’S CUT
Along with an eye for filmmaking, Orson Welles had a voice for radio programs.
GO JOE! Before the cartoon series or movies came out, G.I. Joe started as a line of exciting action figures.
LOVE STORIES
Was the book better than the movie? Find both at your thrift store and decide for yourself.
‘ The rifle didn’t shoot’
Jonathan Torres has faced demons and survived an attempt on his life, and the former gang leader is determined to serve Christ with whatever time he has left
by ROBERT MITCHELL
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
—2 Corinthians 5:17
photographsby MICHAEL PARAS
It took looking down the barrel of a rifle for Jonathan Torres to finally pay attention. After years of drugs, alcohol, violence, and lengthy prison sentences, he began to seek God.
Torres grew up in Yauco in southern Puerto Rico, the son of an attorney and a secretary who tried to raise him with morals. But the apartment building he called home was overrun with drugs and criminal activity. He was smoking pot by age 10, using cocaine at 11, and shooting heroin into his veins two years later.
To fuel his drug habits, Torres engaged in burglaries and robberies. In 1999, he ended up in juvenile prison for the first time at age 14.
“The juvenile prisons in Puerto Rico are really tough,” Torres recalls. “You had to fight for your food. You had to fight for everything. The only way to make it was to fight and be tough. I started making a name for myself. I was the gang leader by age 15.”
When he was released, Torres returned to his old ways and was sent back to juvenile prison, where he was stabbed in a gang leadership struggle and nearly died.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the Lord saving me,” he says. “I came back to prison and took a year to recover.”
Torres got released again and his grandmother, Ines, suggested that he move to the mainland in 2004 to be near his father, Willy, in Jersey City, N.J. She was worried that her grandson would be killed or spend his life in prison if he stayed on the island.
“When I got here to the United States, the story didn’t change,” Torres says. “I started using drugs again. I started doing robberies in the streets and all that. When I got locked up for four years here, since I was a gang leader, my name was already known so I spent most of my time in solitary.”
The first miracle
After serving his sentence, Torres was released to the streets again in 2009, but he had little support and fell back on the only thing he knew.
“I hit rock bottom,” he says. “I was eating out of garbage cans. I was like a bum
in the streets. My drug habit took over and I was homeless for years. I was hungry and living in abandoned houses.”
Found guilty of a home invasion, Torres was sent back to prison for six years and did most of his time in solitary again. He vowed to change his ways when he got out, but in 2015 he moved to York, Pa., and was soon back to dealing drugs. Rival drug dealers started following him and even tried to kidnap his family.
I’m 39 years old and I’ve spent more than half of my life in prison. It’s time for me to live for Christ now.” “
One night he was going to the store when a car pulled up next to him. Someone pulled out a rifle and pointed it at his face at point-blank range.
“When they pulled the trigger, the rifle didn’t shoot,” Torres says. “I realized something was watching over me. I knew this was no human thing. These people weren’t there to make a scene. They weren’t the kind of people to act like they were going to kill somebody and not do it. When I saw that, I started walking a different way.”
Soon Torres got a visit from a woman who used to buy cocaine from him, but this time she had something else in mind. The woman had surrendered her life to Christ and kicked her drug habit. She was talking to Torres’ wife, Elizabeth, but at one point she asked him, “Aren’t you tired of suffering your whole life?”
“I asked, ‘Why are you doing this? You don’t know me.’ She said, ‘I don’t know you, but Jesus does.’ I started crying and I felt
different. I told God, ‘I don’t care if I have to go to prison to pay for everything I did wrong in my life, but I don’t want nothing evil in my life no more.’ I felt like a big pressure came off me.”
A second miracle
His wife used to beg Torres to go to church, but he’d always refused and considered the Bible “scary.” At last, on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, Torres entered The Salvation Army’s Spanish Temple Corps in York, Pa.
“When I walked through the door, I was crying like a little baby,” he says. “I never felt like that before. I got on my knees, and I told the Lord, ‘Why are you doing this? Why are you saving me because I am the dirtiest person in the world? I don’t deserve for you to do this to me.’ I heard His audible voice say, ‘Don’t say that, my son.’ They had an altar call and I went to the front. I fell to the ground, and I had an amazing experience with the Lord.”
Torres gave his gold chains, an earring, cigarettes, and money to Major Miguel Robinson, then the corps officer in York, as a sign of his new life before Robinson prayed over him. Two nights later, the major and his wife, Major Francisca Robinson, went to the Torres home for prayer. Torres believes demons were cast out of him that night, as he fell to the floor and had unexplained scratches on his back.
“It was something supernatural,” Torres says. “I felt delivered.”
Thinking back to the episode today, Robinson remembers Torres falling out of his chair to the floor and making noises during the prayer. No one touched Torres, but he later lifted up his T-shirt to reveal the scratches. To this day, Robinson can’t explain it. “That was something amazing,” says Robinson, now the corps officer at the Army’s Philadelphia Tabernacle. “It was the first time I saw something like that. There was no explanation because there was no way for him to get hurt on the floor. There were scratches on his back. I saw it.”
Not just doing time
Now a new creation in Christ, Torres was still arrested three days later on old charges.
He served close to three years in prison, but things were different.
“I didn’t feel like I was locked up,” he says. “I felt like I was on a missionary trip inside the prison, preaching the Word. I ministered and served as a pastor to 42 inmates.”
He’d been sentenced to seven years but got out in less than half that. One of the parole officials quoted 2 Corinthians 5:17 to Torres at his hearing, and he was released to a halfway house, where he started a program to help ex-addicts.
Today, Torres is part of the men’s ministry at The Salvation Army in York, where all four of his children found Christ. He’s taking the GED as part of the process to become a Salvation Army officer in the future. He owns his own tree service company but is willing to give it up to serve God.
“I’m 39 years old and I’ve spent more
than half of my life in prison,” Torres says. “It’s time for me to live for Christ now.”
Lieutenant Pedro Molina, the current corps officer in York, who’s served in ministry with Torres for the last four years, calls it a “journey of growing and maturing” for the former gang leader. He believes Torres would make a great Salvation Army officer, given his background.
“That’s what makes a good officer,” Molina says. “He has been there. When you know where you’re coming from, you can speak of what you know. When you’ve had a transforming experience, you can share that and speak to that with people. He knows how to meet people right where they are.”
Hope in Jesus
Every Tuesday night, Torres goes out with The Salvation Army canteen into the
streets of York to minister to people who were once just like him.
“Hope is the first thing we have to establish,” Torres says. “When I was in their position, I didn’t think there was hope. When you live this kind of lifestyle, you don’t think there is a God. You say, ‘This is not fair. Is this my life?’ The first thing we need to do is let them know there absolutely is hope and the hope is in Jesus. They have to know they are valuable to Jesus.
“When they see that, things are totally different. The only way that’s going to happen is through the Holy Spirit interceding in the moment and touching their heart. That can be an awakening.
“We see people who are restored to life, we see people going to rehab, we see people accepting Jesus, and we see families coming together.”
MOBILE SERVICE
Jonathan Torres in the back of a Salvation Army canteen. He’s part of the men’s ministry in York, Pa., and active in street outreach.
In the Room Where It Happens
Rediscover the communal power of the Holy Spirit
by MAJOR PHIL WITTENBERG
A few things may capture our attention as we read about the Pentecost account from the Bible in the Book of Acts, Chapters 1 and 2. What we notice might cause us to pause and reconsider our approach as we seek a deeper, fuller, and wider experience of His Holy Spirit.
Both in speech and in song, much of the language of our worshiping communities has become very private. Count the words I, me, and my in a typical gathering with other believers—what might the tally be?
In Acts, Chapters 1 and 2, the words they and them set the tone for the anticipated arrival of the Holy Spirit. The number of times is significant; the word choice is intentional and instructive, especially in the context of our individualized world.
It’s mentioned that 120 people gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:15). Fewer than 20 are named or alluded to indirectly. When the Holy Spirit enters that space, the Bible uses communal language toward the anticipating saints (Acts 2:1–4*): “It filled the whole house
where THEY were sitting.” “There appeared to THEM tongues as of fire … they rested on each one of THEM.” “THEY were all filled with the Holy Spirit the Spirit was giving THEM utterance.”
We can be encouraged to seek a deeper abiding of the Holy Spirit as we retreat to our prayer closet (or recliner!). Individually we cry out to Him for a deeper, fuller, and wider filling—but we must never forget nor neglect the multiplying power of the Holy Spirit when encountered in community with other believers.
All together now Acts 2:6 says, “And when this sound occurred, the CROWD CAME TOGETHER,
and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.”
From one (individual tongue of fire to every sitting believer!) to the 120 to the world—their experience of the Holy Spirit naturally and organically spread to the larger community surrounding them.
How might this change how we see the goal, purpose, and intention of our worship gatherings? They’re not meant to be seen solely as an injection of the Holy Spirit to get us through the week but as an infilling to attract the world. It is an experience for us to share with others. The worship experience is more than an emotional high that might correspond with how we feel in the moment, like seeing our favorite performer in concert. The experience of true worship through the Holy Spirit is long-lasting. Take a moment and track the reactions of the crowd that gathered on the doorstep of the upper room (Acts 2:6–13). They
“ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
—Psalm 27:14 ( NIV )
were “bewildered,” “amazed,” “astonished.”
There was “great perplexity,” yes, and even “mocking.” We are given the nationalities but not the crowd size. One would guess it was substantial. What brought about this range of emotions was nothing less than the people of God, 120 in number, in community, filled with the Holy Spirit and “speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:11).
Thank you for sharing
There is nothing to fear as we ask the Holy Spirit, both personally and corporately, for a deeper infilling of Himself! Our Pentecost brothers and sisters experienced the wind of the Holy Spirit without being knocked off their feet. They experienced the fire of the Holy Spirit without any first-degree burns—and so can we.
I invite you to join the last day’s prayer of Peter from Acts 2:17–21, taken from the prophet Joel, as your own. Perhaps you can share it in community as you sit and wait.
‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.
‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Major
Phil Wittenberg is the territorial secretary for Spiritual Life Development.
SLD Resource: Waiting
Our lives are filled with moments of waiting. Some can be routine, like waiting in line at the drive-thru or checking out at the grocery store. Other times, there can be deep emotions attached, such as when we’re waiting for test results or to hear about an outcome out of our control. Extended waiting periods can cause us to be restless, impatient, or anxious. It’s all in how we experience the waiting that matters. It might not change the outcome, but it can change how we enter the waiting period. This resource is a guide to identifying how God patiently waits with you and how to surrender, let go, and give yourself space in the waiting. No matter the scenario, there are ways to be present while waiting. It won’t look the same for each person or for each experience. But we can learn to acknowledge and live consistently, trusting God to be present while waiting.
Stream or download these podcasts on your favorite platform, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.
In Praise of Podcasts
These podcasts keep the focus on Christ
HOLY POST
Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales, and Skye Jethani, author and pastor, host the Holy Post. Their dynamic and often funny conversations make a wide range of topics accessible and enjoyable. They cover theology, culture, politics, and current events, providing in-depth analysis and thoughtful commentary on contemporary issues to help listeners navigate their faith in a complex world. Some listeners may feel that the podcast skews left in its political and cultural commentary, but universal themes of faith, ethics, and social justice run through it.
FAITH OVER FEAR
Hosts Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken provide practical strategies to overcome fear and anxiety and experience joy, peace, and spiritual vitality. They offer insights that help listeners build confidence and live boldly in their faith. Recent episodes include “When God Says Do Not Fear” and “Maintaining Faith Amid Financial Uncertainty.” To foster a sense of community, listeners are encouraged to join the private Faith Over Fear – Podcast Listeners Facebook group, which allows members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and support one another.
THE GRACE MESSAGE
Dr. Andrew Farley is known for his insightful teaching of the Bible. He connects the dots of Scripture to help listeners understand the New Covenant more profoundly. The Grace Message presents his sermons and radio shows, in which he addresses questions from callers on theology as well as practical applications of faith in everyday life: “Is suicide an unforgivable sin?” “What does repentance really mean?” The message of God’s unconditional love and the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross comes through loud and clear.
PASTOR RICK’S DAILY HOPE
Excerpts from Pastor Rick Warren’s many sermons are introduced by an announcer much like earlier Christian ministry radio broadcasts. “Rick Warren will guide us through a deep biblical exploration of how to overcome the hurts, hang-ups, and habits that really hold us back,” says the announcer in one episode. Pastor Rick provides daily encouragement and practical advice based on biblical principles. His uplifting messages, and his clear and relatable teaching style, help listeners navigate life’s challenges with faith and hope.
THE TABLE
This weekly podcast from the Hendricks Center at Dallas Theological Seminary is hosted by Dr. Darrell Bock, Bill Hendricks, Kymberli Cook, Kasey Olander, and Milyce Pipkin. (Warren L. Maye, editor-in-chief of SA connects, joined Pipkin on a recent episode, “Probing the Pressures of the Press.”) The rotating hosts are joined by expert guests to discuss the Christian faith in ways that are relevant to everyday life. They aim for constructive talk and varied perspectives even about difficult issues, keeping things accessible to both seasoned theologians and newcomers to the faith.
From Broken to Whole Again
How your bones heal and rebuild
by HUGO BRAVO
If you’ve ever broken a leg or an arm, you’re not alone. Broken bones, or fractures, are among the most common injuries for people of all ages. On average, people will break two bones in their lifetime. Many breaks are minor, such as a bone chip from an ankle injury, but some, such as a hip fracture, can require surgery and a long recovery period, especially for older people.
How does your body heal a broken bone?
When your bone breaks, a protective blood clot forms at the injury site right away. A doctor will set the bone and apply a cast to keep it aligned and immobile. Next, a soft callus forms to help reconnect the bone’s broken edges. Your body deposits stored calcium and other minerals to harden the callus. New bone cells connect the broken pieces together again, gradually replacing the callus. The full healing process can take a year or even longer, until the bone returns to its normal shape (the final stage of “remodeling”).
Source: HealthU/Hackensack Meridian Health
A gradual process
Do broken bones heal stronger?
You might have heard that a healed broken bone will be stronger than before the break, or less likely to break again. Unfortunately, a healed bone is no more and no less likely to break than any other bone.
While an injured arm or leg is in a cast or walking brace, the bone and muscle become weaker because they’re not being used for movement. But as the bone gets built back to heal the fracture, the calcium-fortified section can actually be stronger than the surrounding bone. This may be where the rumor of bones healing stronger than before came from. The difference is only temporary, but there are ways to keep your bones healthy, whether they’ve suffered a break or not.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Two routes to bone health
1) Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. These two nutrients are an important tag team for strong bones. Bones are like storage containers for calcium, which gives them their mass and density. Dairy products, green vegetables, multigrain cereals, tofu, and orange juice are some good sources of calcium. Vitamin D, found in foods like fish, liver, and egg yolks, helps your body absorb calcium. Your doctor may also recommend calcium or vitamin D supplements if you cannot get enough of these nutrients in your diet.
2) Exercise regularly.
Bones are living tissue and therefore require movement to get strong. Any type of exercise is good for your body, but weight-bearing impact exercises and muscle-strengthening exercises are the best for your bones.
Weight-bearing exercises stimulate bones to create fresh bone tissue. Activities can be low impact, such as brisk walking; moderate impact, like jogging; or high impact, like playing basketball or volleyball.
Exercises that strengthen muscles— like lifting weights, using resistance bands, or even doing push-ups and pullups—make your muscles pull on your bones, which respond by replacing old bone cells with new ones. As your muscles get stronger, they pull harder, making your bones stronger too. If you are new to strength-training workouts, consult a professional trainer or your doctor for help in pacing yourself and avoiding injury.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
by HUGO BRAVO
Every few years, Salvation Army churches welcome new officers as their pastors and representatives. For the officers, it might be their first time in that new city or state, so they will look to the corps’ longtime members to get them up to speed on the active programs, ministries, and needs in the community.
Rosa Lewis and Marisol Williams, soldiers at The Salvation Army Rochester Temple Corps in upstate New York, have seen several leadership changes. Marisol, a former member of the Movement Church International in Brooklyn, N.Y., was invited to attend the Rochester Corps by her sister in 2008. One year later, Marisol became a Salvation Army soldier.
“My former church was very strict when it came to studying the Bible. We were required to take years of classes,” remembers Marisol. “Here, I like to tell new Army officers that I’m the corps’ hole-filler: If there’s a hole in the wall or in a ministry that needs to be filled, I’m happy to do so.”
Rosa became familiar with the Army when Captains Josefina and Rubén Rodríguez, former pastors at Rochester, visited Rosa’s mother, who lived next door to Rosa.
“My mother wasn’t even a member of the corps, but she had attended a few Sundays. The pastors still remembered her and came to see her when she was sick,” says Rosa. “I was trying to leave my house without them seeing me, but Captain Josefina spotted me. The next day, they came to visit me at my own house, and I became a Salvationist right there.”
Rosa says she has seen 12 changes of leadership at Rochester; Marisol has seen seven. The current pastors, Lieutenants Janet and Luis Menendez, were familiar with Rochester, but this was their first assignment as new Army officers.
“They needed a different introduction. They were new to being this town’s pastors, but not to the town itself,” says Marisol. “Every officer needs to be able to see their new ministry and be themselves within it.”
Volunteers and soldiers like Marisol and Rosa are crucial for a Salvation Army corps to run smoothly during pastor transitions. Even once a pastor has settled into their new corps, they still need devoted people in their ministry to step up when the officers are away.
“When they’re traveling on business, we stay in communication with them. They know that we are there to clean, teach, or preach if we need to,” says Marisol.
“Well, Marisol is the one who can do the preaching,” admits Rosa. “I get nervous standing in front of large crowds. What I love to do is teach others the Bible.”
IT
TAKES TWO
“The Bible says where God decides to put each of us is where we’re meant to be,” says Marisol Williams (left, with Rosa Lewis). “If someone ever makes you feel like you don’t fit in, you don’t need to fret or doubt yourself. God has placed you there for a reason.”
When Rosa first began volunteering at Rochester, she mostly worked in the kitchen, not really paying much attention to what was going on spiritually at the corps. “I was filling every space I could to help, but I wasn’t personally filling myself with the Word of God. That changed when Marisol came to the Rochester Corps.”
“I believe that being able to help Rosa is one reason that God brought me here,” says Marisol. “I wanted to be there for her and others like her as they grow in their own walk with Christ. A good Bible study lesson focuses on the Word and how it is present in the person learning it. It’s molded to the people you’re teaching, because everyone learns differently. When you show the importance of making time at home to read your Bible and pray, the person you’re teaching develops their ‘personal God.’ Within that direct relationship is where God reveals His presence.”
Rosa says, “Sometimes we need to be spiritual leaders, or shoppers, or take afterhours calls from the ministry. But a church can’t stop running just because officers are learning something new or must be away. That’s the attitude we’ve maintained for every officer who comes to Rochester. We welcome them and love them all. But like them, we also come here to serve God.”
ROBIN FOX
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