05 March 2022 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 05 MARCH 2022 | Issue 6786 | $1.50

It’s the climb Dangerous Christianity ‘I married a man on death row’

Rebels working together Female heroes are for everyone!

04

06

10

12

WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS Catherine

& William Booth

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Nicole Gesmundo, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Holly Morton, Bethany Slaughter, David Youngmeyer | PROOF READING

Major Colleen Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,

PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

16

Our brothers and sisters Over the past two years we have by necessity focused on internal issues in each of our nations, particularly since our respective borders are closed. This is unusual for Kiwi in particular as we do like to travel, and there is a high percentage of us living and working overseas.

One international news item that is holding people’s attention is the unfolding Ukraine crisis. I know that I am not alone in feeling a growing sense of alarm as daily updates highlight the helplessness of the Ukrainian population as the political manoeuvrings play out at their borders.

Recently, a friend sent me a short Instagram clip of a church in Ukraine meeting and worshipping. The worship was vigorous and enthusiastic, with everyone participating. It was a brief clip with great impact as it reminded me of the preciousness of our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine.

On page 12 we highlight the plight of Christians around the world who are currently persecuted for their belief in Christ. Currently Ukraine does not feature, but the oppression and pain many of our fellow believers experience daily makes for grim reading.

In 1 Corinthians 12:25–27 it says: ‘So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’

Let us take the time to pray and support the international Church as, I am sure, they have prayed for us during our times of need.

Vivienne Hill Editor

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

SalvationArmyNZFTS

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

@SalvationArmyNZ

TS Eliot

Publishing for 138 years | Issue 6786 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

salvationarmy.org.nz

salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Rōma 12:18 Ki te taea, whakapaua tā koutou kia mau te rongo ki ngā tāngata katoa.

Many happy returns

I

n recent months, I’ve become reacquainted with an old friend, one that I believe is still underappreciated in many good cities: the humble library.

My childhood was filled with happy afternoons spent on my tiptoes trying to reach the taller shelves, searching for my surname in the holds shelf or enjoying school holiday programmes (like completing an Amazing Race around the library or baking angel cakes in the adjoining community kitchen).

When I first moved to Wellington, with neither a car nor a polished knowledge of the public transport network, the nearest library to my flat was a halfhour walk away. The only time I ventured near it was for the weekly fruit and vegetable markets, which I left already struggling to balance two grocery bags on the handlebars of my bike. Among the many to-do tasks of settling into a new city, library registration slipped down the priority list.

Then, late last year, I realised that more than two years had passed and I still hadn’t got myself one of those magical laminated cards. I set aside the time to walk down to the library and make a morning out of getting my card and perusing the collection. I admired the spines of novels I had enjoyed in recent years. Books which I had been searching for in-store and online were tucked into the shelves like hidden treasure. I piled titles up in my arms, before realising I should only borrow what

was feasible to finish within the lending date.

Even once the books were borrowed and safely gathered in a canvas bag, I stayed for another hour reading through Frankie magazines. Right now, when some of the places and people we love are out of reach, it is nice to realise that the heart of the library doesn’t change—whether you are a child or adult, happy or sad, at home or overseas.

The feeling was similar to that of walking into a new church on my first Sunday in Wellington and finding something familiar amidst a period of upheaval. There was a particular comfort in stepping into a place where I knew scores of people before me had once rocked up for the first time too, and been welcomed in. Then there was the relief as I settled into the community and found they shared the same values that I treasured, an ocean away from the place I’d grown up.

I hope the same is true for all people discovering Salvation Army communities. Whether they move within the territory or traverse the globe. Whether they have been Christians their whole life long, or if it has been a while since they last visited any church.

Whether they connect at an in-person service or online. In these turbulent years of the pandemic, I hope that they find something steady within it, a place with a heart that doesn’t change.

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

3

School Bags, Stationery and Sponsorship Hundreds of children in Fiji have returned to school with brand-new backpacks and stationery, thanks to Child Sponsorship funds from our territory.

With the goal of encouraging children to attend school, the funds were provided to bless children with a back-to-school gift.

Throughout January, 400 new school bags and 1000 stationery kits—packed by Fiji Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) and School for Officer Training teams—were distributed throughout Fiji.

Tauveni Corps celebrated the gifts. ‘Praise God for his love and his faithfulness during this time … We thank God for the DHQ team at this kind of time for thinking about our children and putting smiles on tiny faces and giving a boost to parents.’

Sixteen corps and two outposts were provided with the resources to give a school bag containing a stationery kit to children in need, as well as extra school bags and stationery for other children and youth in their communities in need of support.

‘We would like to thank the sponsorship department for this timely response to the community during this time of Covid-19 at Navua.

It was an overwhelming and encouraging experience to see smiling faces and tears from their eyes during this time of delivering,’ Navua Corps wrote.

Three Family Care centres, Street Boys ministry and the DHQ Court and Corrections team also received supplies to distribute.

Christian Living Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World (available from Amazon or Manna Christian Stores)

By Thomas and JoAnn Doyle If you have read any of Tom Doyle’s previous books, you will be well-acquainted with his passion for the persecuted church in the Middle East and the courageous and self-sacrificing stories of Christians who have come to faith in their home countries and faced unspeakable persecution. His latest book, co-authored with his wife JoAnn, brings to our hearts and minds the incredible faith, courage and perseverance of women from Muslimmajority societies who have come to faith and fearlessly shared the gospel with their families and communities in the face of great danger. A heart-warming and faithbuilding read. (Reviewed by Vivienne Hill) 4 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

QUIKQUIZ

1 What is the name of the giraffe on The Longest Drink in Town milkshake cups?

2 Tallinn is the capital of which country?

3 What social media platform is known as ‘Douyin’ in China?

4 In 2004, there was an NBA brawl which became known as ‘Malice at the Palace’ between fans of the Detroit Pistons and what other club?

5 In the Bible, what two sisters from Bethany had a brother named Lazarus and were close friends of Jesus?

Answers on page 22

Cauliflower and Cheese Frittatas 220g cauliflower florets

Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fanforced). Grease a 12-hole muffin pan.

8 eggs, lightly beaten

Place cauliflower in a microwavesafe dish with just enough water to cover the bottom of the dish. Cover with a paper towel and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Allow to cool and roughly chop into pieces.

¾ cup grated tasty cheese ¾ cup frozen peas 1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley

In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower with remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared pans.

Bake for 15 minutes or until firm.

WARCRYINHISTORY

This clipping from the 2 December 1995 edition of War Cry celebrated the arrival of two new marquees in Tonga, which were purchased with funds donated by other territories.

Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Plowman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Tip: You could use broccoli instead of cauliflower, or half and half.

Source: countdown.co.nz

TOPFIVE

Weird of the Week: There are only two countries where you cannot buy Coca-Cola: North Korea and Cuba.

Here we go folks, this week’s Top Five is a list about … lists. Yup, here are five great excuses to buy a new notebook and start a meaningful list for the future you.

1. New words or facts you learn—it’s like building your own personal dictionary or encyclopaedia.

2. Stuff you buy, and really like—then, there’s no longer a need to wonder, what was that brand/product I liked so much?

3. Books you’ve read—by the end of the year, you might be surprised by how many you’ve read, and you can reminisce about your favourite content. If books aren’t your thing, you can list the movies or podcast episodes you’ve enjoyed.

4. Cities which you’ve visited and your favourite thing you did there—if keeping a travel diary is too laborious, this is a great way to track the places you’ve been and remember the best thing(s) you did there.

5. Compliments you receive—on the days when things are feeling bleak, you can revisit this list for some joy and truth.

Love is when you meet someone who tells you something new about yourself.

Andre Breton

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

5

The Beisly family at Mount Tongariro, south-west of Lake Taupō.

Gregg and Sal Beisly’s love of all things outdoors and adventurous has travelled with them from New Zealand to international mission trips and back again, with BMAC as their most recent destination.

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

B

lue Mountain Adventure Centre (more commonly known as BMAC) has been a fitting home for Gregg and Sal Beisly’s family for the past three years.

‘We always love taking people on adventures and out into the outdoors,’ Sal says.

They have been doing just that for more than twenty years, sharing their adventuring skills with people of all ages. Sal and Gregg also share a particular passion for working with young people, which has been threaded through their mission journeys and professional work.

Gregg grew up in the North Island, and after university he found his niche in outdoor instructing and started working at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre (as it was then named). In the years since, both his professional and recreational time have been filled with rock climbing and mountaineering.

Sal first trained as an occupational therapist and worked in this field for ten years. She also went to Bible College of New Zealand for three years in preparation for mission work, to which she has always felt called.

‘I had a lot of struggles growing up and I desperately needed Jesus in my life,’ Sal says. ‘I became a Christian and then just devoured mission books from a very young age, and always absolutely knew that was my heart, more than anything else.’

When Sal and Gregg met, she already had plans to travel. ‘I was on my way to India … he was like, “Oh, well, I could come”, even though the last place he wanted to go in the world was India!’

‘It’s too hot,’ Gregg explains (and Sal agrees).

Serving in India For three years, they served in India—first in Delhi, then in Kolkata—with Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor, a missional organisation with its roots in New Zealand and a vision to live in the slums of Asia, working holistically in community.

They didn’t have their own running water and would line up for it every day.

The toilet serviced thousands of people. Their home was a six by eight-foot room.

Sal and Gregg were the first couple sent to the area, which meant they had to figure out how everything worked—like how to rent a house or how to get gas put in—so that other team members could arrive down the track.

The ethos of Servants to Asia’s Urban Poor was to live within and get to know the community so that the work could be directed by what they believed would benefit them most, such as setting up a sports programme and teaching computer skills.

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

7

‘The youth often don’t have very constructive things to do in slum communities, so they very often get into trouble and the trouble tends to get deadly quite quickly, so a sports programme seemed to be one of the most useful things that we could do,’ Gregg explains. ‘That carried on for many years, so that was probably the most significant thing that we set up.’

After three years of being unable to secure a long-term visa, they decided it was God’s timing for them to return to New Zealand.

Bolivia Seven years later, they heard of a similar mission opportunity in Bolivia.

The location was a much better fit for their family. The city of El Alto sits at an average elevation of 4000 metres, and both Sal and Gregg far prefer to live in cold weather. The people in Bolivia were very reserved, which suited them as introverts.

They were very close to the mountains, which meant they could use their skills to train the local youth in outdoor pursuits.

During their time in Bolivia, they were able to give hundreds of young people an incredible experience in the mountains.

‘It’s wonderful to see how God works things out,’ Sal says.

Their children came with them, and it was always Sal and Gregg’s intention for the whole family to feel called on the journey.

‘When we left, they were five, seven and nine, and we said, ‘We have to know that as a family we’re being called to Bolivia, and you’ve got to know yourself,’ Sal says. ‘We sent them all off to pray about it, and then a week later they came back and all of them said yes.

‘It might be purely that they were excited about flying on a plane, but they all owned it. And we definitely always tried to make it so that they felt very much part of stuff.’

For example, when there was a destructive landslide and thousands of people lost their homes, the family fundraised through a sponsored walk up one of the mountains. Although

the journey was challenging, the kids all completed it for the sake of the cause.

At Christmastime, they would all do things with the street people and help their church to fundraise and package parcels for hundreds of children. ‘Even our home pretty much became a youth centre … so they were always interacting with the youth,’ Sal remembers.

Home to BMAC After years of moving around from city to city, when Gregg and Sal returned to New Zealand their daughter asked if she could stay in the same high school until she finished her education.

They were happy to agree and, due to some family health issues, they based themselves in the central North Island, halfway between each of their families. For three years, they were busy with contract work, including Gregg doing a few jobs for BMAC. During this time, they began fostering their three youngest children, which was something that had always been on Sal’s heart.

The first time that Gregg was asked to come to BMAC full time, he said no, because of their daughter’s comment. But when he was asked again a year later, after the little kids had joined their family, Sal and Gregg felt that working at BMAC could provide a routine, more stability and that it could be a good place for the kids to grow up and experience. With that in mind, they asked their daughter again.

‘And she said, “...I’ve been three years in Tūrangi, I’m ready to move”,’ Sal remembers.

Gregg hoped that he could step into the role and leave the centre in a healthier position.

‘Having done a little bit of contract work for BMAC, I was keen on BMAC being successful and also knew that it was in a little bit of a sticky situation,’ he says. ‘There hadn’t been someone in the operations manager role for a year.’

‘We love BMAC. We think it’s an amazing, fantastic place.

We got to know what The Salvation Army was all about,’ Sal says. ‘It was awesome to feel that we could give something to BMAC and leave it in a stronger position.’

WHILE THE WORK WAS HARD, [GREGG] APPRECIATED THE PEOPLE HE WORKED WITH THROUGH PROGRAMMES LIKE THE BRIDGE, ASPIRE AND SCHOOL CAMPS. 8 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

The climb Gregg is one of the most well sought after climbing and mountaineering instructors in New Zealand, owing to the

The Beisly family mountaineering in Bolivia.

‘THE YOUTH OFTEN DON’T HAVE VERY CONSTRUCTIVE THINGS TO DO IN SLUM COMMUNITIES, SO THEY VERY OFTEN GET INTO TROUBLE AND THE TROUBLE TENDS TO GET DEADLY QUITE QUICKLY…’ significant amount of time he has spent working in the area instructing and assessing others, while also spending his free time improving his skills and going on adventures. Naturally, the team at BMAC were thrilled to have him on board.

‘My role was mostly training, supervising and supporting the instructors, and then working on programmes alongside them when that was necessary,’ Gregg explains. ‘I got to work on a good range of programmes and meet some really awesome people.’

While the work was hard, he appreciated the people he worked with through programmes like the Bridge, Aspire and school camps.

‘Seeing people being put in challenging situations—and sometimes having come from challenging backgrounds—but then just having an amazing time out of it and learning great things, and teaching great things to others, it’s a fantastic thing to see.’

Building relationships with the staff team was a pillar to their time at BMAC, from regular games nights to making the best of their surroundings together.

‘We had lots of good staff trips which were really fun,’ Gregg recalls. ‘It’s quite a close team down there, because Raurimu is such a tiny community. You kind of end up doing personal recreation and stuff with other staff members too, so getting to know other staff by having adventures with them was always memorable.

‘I’d try to take everyone out ice climbing, which is a thing that we don’t offer clients but we can do as a staff, and those sorts of higher-level adventures together were always good fun.’

‘We’ve certainly made the most of living near the mountains, that’s for sure,’ Sal adds.

Sal says she felt like ‘the grandmother’ of BMAC and appreciated being able to bring some maturity and life experience to the centre. She agrees that beyond the adventuring, the people of BMAC are what stick out in her memories.

‘My work was mostly in the office … but any contact that I did have [with clients] was awesome. I had a little bit to do with some of the women that came to the Women’s Camp, and that was really cool.’

What’s next?

Having seen out their three-year commitment to BMAC, the Beisly family are now taking a six- to twelve-month ‘sabbatical’ to dedicate time to the younger kids and finish some personal projects. ‘We realised last year that we have had 24 really fullon years in a row,’ Gregg says. ‘If we keep on going like that, we might burn out.’

Going forward, they are keeping their eyes peeled for the right property in the South Island, where their ultimate ambition is to find some land and create ‘a place where it’s a total open home for people to come and get taken on adventures and stay.’

‘That’s a bit of a dream of ours. We’re just waiting on God’s timing as to when we find the right place down there,’ Sal says.

They are quick to note, however, that they are not leaving because they haven’t enjoyed their time in Raurimu.

‘We still believe in BMAC’s mission and think it’s going to do great things and have been very impressed with The Salvation Army as an organisation,’ Gregg affirms. ‘The quality of people in it and their heart is just top notch.’

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

9

Unemployment Anxiety No one is sure how they will handle unemployment— whether it has come through being laid off, the end of a contract that hasn’t followed into a new opportunity or just not being able to get your foot in the door.

It’s a time period which can impact your mental health. Not having a job can represent a loss of far more than a vocation— such as your perceived reputation, sense of self or role within the family. And while your head might be full of résumé revision, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of yourself to keep putting your best foot forward.

• Challenge negative self-talk. Don’t say, ‘It’s all my fault’, ‘I’ll never succeed’ or ‘Why bother trying?’ This kind of talk isn’t realistic and won’t spur you on.

• Keep a routine. Schedule times for meals, job-seeking activities, exercise and leisure.

• Plan your job hunt without overworking yourself. Don’t spend all day refreshing vacancy websites; set certain times to look for the day’s opportunities, write cover letters and tailor résumés. Break down your goals and priorities.

•

Be healthy—sleep well, eat well, stay active.

• Treasure your strengths. It’s easy to get stuck looking for what might be holding you back, but don’t let that overshadow what you bring to the table. List your achievements, positive traits, skills and attributes; think about things that people have affirmed about you over the years.

BEING UNEMPLOYED CAN FEEL LIKE A FULL-TIME, UNPAID POSITION. Supporting a Friend Without a Job

• Find meaningful activities. Join a class. Volunteer for a cause that matters to you. Participate with beach clean-ups.

Choose a hobby or task to work towards—like knitting a baby blanket for a new family member, learning a language or expanding your cooking repertoire.

Simply telling someone, ‘If I know anyone who’s hiring, you’ll be the first to know’ isn’t always the most helpful thing to do. Always ask first whether it would help them if you supported them through the process.

If they say yes, here are some tips to support them.

• Focus on what is controllable. The process can get discouraging, but don’t fall into a pit. Set your own goals about things you have control over.

Reach out consistently.

• Reach out. If you’re feeling sad or hopeless for a prolonged period, seek help from professionals. Talk to your family and friends who can help you build the right support network.

Being unemployed can feel like a full-time, unpaid position.

Where possible, it’s best to find ways to make the most of this time and grow as much as you can. But if thriving during this period means keeping your head above water and staying positive, that’s what matters most.

Allow them to wallow occasionally if they need to grieve a little. Be there to listen.

Don’t put pressure on them or hassle them to find a job.

Never imply it’s their fault for not working hard enough.

Remind them of all the things you value about them.

Acknowledge every forward step they take.

Offer practical help, like babysitting their kids during interviews or driving them there.

Sources: www.psychologytoday.com, www.beyondblue.org.au

10 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

TESTIFY! Antonia Haslam, the new Christchurch East Community Ministries Manager at Linwood Corps, has an interesting story behind how she got into her role— starting from an interaction she had during last year’s Red Shield Appeal.

At the time, I was covering maternity leave as a dental assistant, but I have a background in social work and have also previously been employed as a family therapist. I was no longer sure I wanted to be a social worker, and I knew I definitely didn’t want to be a social worker in any secular capacity.

I felt that I really needed to be working for a genuine, authentic Christian organisation, so that I didn’t have to compromise my Christian values, morals and theology in the workplace, which is increasingly difficult to do in our current climate.

I felt that God was saying to me, ‘you’ve got to use it somehow, you’ve got these skills and I want you to use them’ and I’d had very specific words from him around Linwood and Aranui. I made an assumption that I could do something there in a volunteer capacity. I was still thinking about where to go to church as well, but I wasn’t really committed to anything in particular.

During the week of the Red Shield Appeal last year, I was shopping at Ferrymead Countdown, where Major Rex Cross was collecting donations for The Salvation Army. I knew they were an organisation who did good grassroots work in the community, so I popped all the coins in my wallet into the bucket, a whole seventy cents.

Major Rex thanked me for my donation and said, ‘God bless you’, even though I didn’t really give much at all. But in the spur of the moment, I asked him where he worshipped, and he directed me to Linwood Corps.

NOBODY WOULD HAVE KNOWN IF I HAD NEVER TURNED UP TO LINWOOD CORPS, BUT I DECIDED I WOULD, SO I WENT ALONG. Nobody would have known if I had never turned up to Linwood Corps, but I decided I would, so I went along.

Thinking it was completely separate from everything that had been going on between me and God up to this point, I then considered being able to help out at The Salvation Army as a volunteer.

At my second service at Linwood Corps, I was talking to Major Graham Medland. He was asking me about myself and my work, and I mentioned that I used to be a social worker.

He kind of looked at me sideways and asked if I’d seen the Community Ministries Manager job opening for Linwood Corps. I had seen it, but I didn’t know it was for this corps, and I was unsure that I would fit the criteria.

But I thought, well, it’s one of those things where you apply and see what happens.

If you aren’t suitable, you aren’t suitable and that’s okay. The next steps were up to God, but I applied for the job and here I am.

Working in a Christian organisation does make a difference for me. It’s like the difference between a public school and a church-based school, there’s just an ethos that underpins it that makes it special.

It might be a bit cheesy, but I believe this has all been a God thing right from the start—from getting a word from God and meeting Major Rex Cross during the Red Shield Appeal, to coming to Linwood Corps and getting the job. It’s good to remember that it’s all for God’s glory and my work can only be done in his strength.

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

11

Dangerous Christianity

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

USA: The USA is one of the most Christian nations; Pew data estimates 76 percent of the population is Christian (compared to one percent Muslim) but they are also estimated to have the third-highest perception of religious conflict in the world (49 percent of respondents).

MEXICO: Mexico has ranked on the WWL for two years (number 43 in 2022) despite the country’s main religion being Christianity.

Organised crime and corruption are the main forms of persecution; criminal groups target Christians for elimination wherever the church is seen as a threat against their criminal interests, and church buildings are vandalised.

AFGHANISTAN: Clan oppression makes Afghanistan the most dangerous place to be a Christian. When a family discovers that one of their own has become a believer, they disown or in some cases kill them to save their family, clan or tribe’s honour. Because leaving Islam is considered insanity, converted Christians may be forcibly sectioned in psychiatric hospitals.

NIGERIA: The main source of persecution in Nigeria, ranking number seven on the 2022 WWL, is Islamic oppression. The violence in Nigeria is brutal; while the current report does not have exact figures, last year 3530 martyrs were confirmed, the most of any country.

What is it like to practise Christianity around the world? Where is the most dangerous place to be discovered as a follower of Jesus?

Most of us know how fortunate we are to live in this territory. It’s a very safe place to practise the Christian faith and tell people who we are without fear. There are churches dotted around our suburban streets, some ringing their bells and welcoming people into Sunday services (pandemic permitting!).

For many countries, it’s a completely different story.

For starters, millions of people-groups scattered across the world have never even heard the gospel. Some countries have national tendencies towards irreligion, and then there are places where being a Christian is very dangerous.

Every year, Open Doors USA releases a report called the World Watch List (WWL) which details the Top 50 12 firezone.co.nz 05 MARCH 2022

countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian and the types of persecution they face. In the 2022 report, for the first time Afghanistan was rated as the most treacherous country, leapfrogging and swapping places with North Korea.

On the map above, we’ve noted a few countries and how being a Christian looks different there—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot—compared with our own territory.

WHAT ABOUT OUR TERRITORY? The majority of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga’s population consider themselves Christian. In New Zealand, Christianity is still the highest stated religion. However, SBS Cultural Atlas reports that almost half of Kiwi stated that they had no religion in the 2018 census, and younger people are less likely to have a religious affiliation.

While the Christian faith might not be popular with

FRANCE: Pew research estimates that 58 percent of French people consider themselves Christian, although the country also has the second-highest perception of religious conflict (56 percent of respondents). However, France has not officially collected religious data since the ’70s. The concept of laīcité (loosely translated in English to ‘secularism’) is a cornerstone of their culture and extends to many religions; for example, headscarves are banned in French secondary schools.

Reportedly, one religious building disappears every two weeks.

NORTH KOREA: Open Doors ranked North Korea as the hardest place to be a Christian for 20 years in a row, due to communist and post-communist oppression. It’s still in the top two in 2022, with an estimated 50 to 70 thousand Christians held in prisons or labour camps. When discovered, Christians are instantly killed or taken to brutal labour camps, where very few survive the inhumane conditions. Their families will often share the same fate.

CHINA: Persecution of Christians due to communist and post-communist oppression has continued to rise in China, which was ranked number 17 on the WWL in 2022. Churches are closely monitored or shut down. Anyone under the age of 18 is forbidden to attend church. The pandemic, as well as the sophistication and proliferation of technology, has heightened the impact of increasing video and digital surveillance of religious groups. When pandemic restrictions began to lift, many churches were still forced to remain shut, and quietly dissolved.

ERITREA: Eritrea has consistently ranked in the top 10 of the WWL (in 2022, ranking at number six) due to ‘dictatorial paranoia’. Only three Christian denominations—Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran— are recognised by the government, and the state will persecute any Christians who do not belong to these. Government forces may monitor phone calls or conduct raids, sometimes utilising networks of citizens who spy on their neighbours. These lead to arrests and imprisonment without trial or being formally charged. The country has an inhumane system of imprisonment; loved ones may have no way to know if a prisoner is still alive. Even upon release, they may be moved to military service or house arrest, neither of which bring freedom.

everybody we meet, the likelihood of persecution in our territory is currently very low.

INDIA: Christians in India face persecution due to religious nationalism. Hindu extremists seek to rid the country of all other religions—such as Christianity and Islam—often resorting to extreme, carefully-orchestrated violence or shunning religious minorities from their communities.

This affects their ability to work or buy food. The pandemic has given persecutors a new tactic and, in some areas, Christians have been ‘deliberately overlooked’ for government aid and accused of spreading the virus.

THREE THINGS WE CAN DO

For more information, look to the websites of trusted ministries working with the persecuted Church around the world: Voice of the Martyrs, International Christian Concern, Barnabas Ministries or Open Doors.

2 Give to causes which actively work to support the Body of Christ in at-risk countries.

To read through the full WWL report, visit OpenDoorsUSA.org/christian-persecution/ world-watch-list

3 Pray for these Christian brothers and sisters— whether they live in secret, in fear or in prison.

Sources: www.OpenDoorsUSA.org, CatholicNewsAgency.com, TheGospelCoalition.org, Christianitytoday.com, CulturalAtlas.sbs.com.au

1 Be informed and care deeply about these issues.

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

13

Mind Your Own Business: Coworking at Johnsonville Corps

BY HOLLY MORTON

Tony Henderson-Newport is the founder of the Rebel Business School Aotearoa, which was based on a UK model and brought to New Zealand. The school was established in April 2017 and has had around 1400 graduates come through their 10-day business programmes. The most recent addition to the Rebel family is the Coworking Space currently running out of Johnsonville Corps, which offers a place for small businesses to work and connect with other entrepreneurs.

‘The Rebel Business School has a really clearly defined vision which is to transform lives through small business,’ Tony explains. ‘We enable people to come to the school for free and to set up their businesses for free. Five years ago, none of this existed. There was hardly anybody working in the space where people who are not university graduates or who might be unemployed actually got a chance to start businesses and learn all the essential skills and knowledge.’

Out of the success of the Rebel Business School, Tony was inspired to start up a coworking space after making use of Biz Dojo in Wellington—a hot-desk space used by around 250 small businesses at its peak. When the company changed hands, Tony was interested in finding somewhere to set up his own coworking space connected to the Rebel Business School.

14 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

Partnering with The Salvation Army Having had some collaboration with The Salvation Army in hosting business workshops around New Zealand, Tony approached Wellington City Corps in late 2019 about using their building in which to operate, and the corps were more than happy for Tony to use the children’s space during the week. The intention was to support the work of The Salvation Army by paying for the use of an often-empty part of the building. But when the Vivian Street site was ruled out, Tony had to come up with another solution.

Johnsonville Corps was suggested, and Tony was impressed by the amount of usable space available for an ongoing coworking space, both offices and meeting rooms. Since they moved in and began to pay rent to Johnsonville Corps, Tony

THE VALUES OF THE REBEL BUSINESS SCHOOL AND THE COWORKING SPACE ALIGN WELL WITH THE VALUES OF THE SALVATION ARMY… and his team have set up a reception area and an open-plan coworking space, using a collection of desks from op-shops, as well as dedicated meeting rooms and a breakout area for more collaborative working.

Tony expressed the importance of modelling practical business set up in the way he has outfitted the Rebel Coworking Space. ‘I have to live under the values that we ask of our small business owners. It’s about dispelling the myths, like “it takes money to make money”. If it’s going to cost you a lot of money to set up the business then you may be putting yourself in debt. But you actually don’t need much to start. That’s why I buy all the stuff for the Coworking Space from The Salvation Army Family Stores.’

Alignment of values The values of the Rebel Business School and Coworking Space align well with the values of The Salvation Army, which is in part why Tony has been so excited to work together. ‘Our vision is to transform lives and communities through small business, but then the mission is to provide tools and processes that enable a sustainable business. As well as that, if we can help somebody to start or grow their business, and if it changes things for them in terms of knowledge and income, then it can make it easier for them to support their family. I think people forget about how small business can change everything for people.

‘But also, you can look at two things that I think are a real benefit to The Salvation Army. One is that we create revenue through renting an underutilised space, where the money can be used for good. The second thing is that people are going to come into the coworking space that might never have been in a church or a church setting in their life, and I think that’s of real value.

‘It’s important to consider how we as Rebel Business School Aotearoa can be a good partner to The Salvation Army and how they can be a good partner to us as well. At the start of the pandemic, like other small businesses, we were adversely impacted and yet The Salvation Army was by our side, just as they are supporting whānau and communities across Aotearoa.’

seen as a valuable tool to enable these small businesses to build connections and create longevity. Tony explains that while there are options to work from a café or at home, the difference you get in using a coworking space is the ability to collaborate with other small businesses and feel that you are not on your own.

‘There’s a different vibe when you come into a coworking space and there are other people there also trying to start businesses. You can collaborate with them, you talk over coffee, you could say “I really need some help with graphic design”.

And somebody else might say, “Oh, I’ve got somebody who can help you with that”. And that is irreplaceable. The ability to collaborate is a core element for growing a business.

‘No small business owner should be left alone or feel that they’re isolated from everyone else. They need to think there’s somewhere they can go. We want to create that sense of community as we grow at Johnsonville. There is also a real possibility to recreate this model in Rotorua or Christchurch or Dunedin or across the country.’

Although the coworking space offers a graduate discount for those from their Business School, the Johnsonville Corps space is open to all and is often used by those living in the surrounding suburbs. The casual daily rate to use the coworking space is $30 ($25 for Rebel Business School alumni), whereas a month-bymonth cost is $275, and a 12-month plan is $225 each month, so there are different options depending on individual need.

For more information about the Rebel Coworking Space or Business School, or to book a spot at the Coworking Space, visit the website: rebelbusinessschool.nz/co-working.html For officers interested in setting up a Rebel Coworking Space in their corps, contact Tony tonyhn@rebelbusinessschool.nz

Connection and collaboration As the Rebel Business School’s vision centres around helping people set up businesses who may not have the resources or knowledge to do it on their own, the coworking space can be

‘WE ENABLE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE SCHOOL FOR FREE AND TO SET UP THEIR BUSINESSES FOR FREE.’ 05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

15

‘I Married a Man on Death Row’ When Feby Chan joined a prison ministry, she did not expect that she would begin a relationship with a man given a death sentence for drug trafficking. She describes the events leading her to that point and how she kept her faith. Interview by Sarah Olowofoyeku.

Mere hours after walking down the aisle, Feby Chan waited nearby as her new husband walked to his death. Andrew Chan had been arrested 10 years earlier and put on death row in Indonesia for drug smuggling. By the time Feby met him, however, he had turned his life around and was teaching people behind bars about Jesus.

Before meeting Andrew, Feby was part of a prayer movement in her home country of Indonesia. She wasn’t thinking about a relationship or marriage or even working in prisons, but was focused on her ministry teaching people about God and prayer.

One day, she received an email from a friend, Eugen, who volunteered his time to run Alpha—a course about the Christian faith—in a prison in Bali. There, he had met an inmate named Andrew. Eugen’s email explained how Andrew wanted to start a prayer movement in the prison and was looking for someone to teach the inmates about prayer. Eugen thought Feby would be great for that role. She wasn’t keen.

‘The moment I read that Andrew was in prison, I didn’t know if I could do it,’ she admits. ‘Eugen emailed again to ask. I wanted to say no but, because he was a good friend and he kept emailing me, I promised him that I would pray about it.’

Shortly after, Feby and another friend, Linda, met to pray, which they always did at the end of the year. They travelled to a prayer centre built on Mount Merapi, where, over the course of three days, they prayed for their ministry, for the world and for their lives to align with God’s plan.

‘IT’S HARD FOR THE WORLD TO SEE THAT PEOPLE LIKE THAT CAN CHANGE … BUT THOSE WHO SPENT TIME WITH HIM COULD SEE HOW HE WAS A DIFFERENT MAN.’ Just as they were packed up and ready to leave at the end of their stay, Feby realised there was one thing she had forgotten to pray about—meeting Andrew Chan.

So the two of them went into one of the small prayer rooms and sat down to pray. As they prayed, they both sensed that God was with them and they recalled a few words from the Bible where Jesus spoke about setting captives free. Although they still had many questions and doubts, they decided to go to the prison.

Feby went alone to meet Andrew first. She did not know what to expect. Andrew was the co-ringleader of the Bali Nine, a drug smuggling operation. He had been arrested and convicted in 16 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

Feby and Andrew Chan. Photo by Naomi Reed.

2005 of taking heroin from Indonesia to Australia, the country where he was born and raised.

‘The prison was so crowded,’ Feby says. ‘It was full up right to the front door. It was my first time in a prison, and I was so scared. I just kept praying. The moment I stepped in I thought, “I’ve made the biggest mistake, and I shouldn’t have come here.”

‘I sat down and they called Andrew to come. I waited maybe 10 to 15 minutes, but it felt like for ever. People were swarming around me, and I was asking God to protect me. But then, in the middle of that crowd, someone came and with a strong Aussie accent said, “Hi.” I didn’t know what Andrew looked like, but I knew immediately that was him. He did not look how I thought he would—scary or weird. He was wearing sunglasses and a navy blue basketball jersey.

‘The moment I saw him, that’s the face I’ll remember for the rest of my life. The only way I could describe it is that he looked clean, like someone without heavy burdens or baggage. He was so bright, so happy, so cheerful. So we sat down and started to talk, and to arrange the plan for teaching prayer and worship in the prison.’

From their first meeting in early 2012, a friendship and ministry partnership developed.

‘Prison ministry is intense,’ Feby explains. ‘From the moment we met, it was all about prayer and praying for people. Andrew helped so many people, so he needed prayer. Every time we met, he’d be talking about how he could help people who needed support or medicine or those whose families on the outside were in need.

‘Andrew was busier than people outside the prison. It was as if every day he had something to do from seven o’clock until lockdown. Even at night, he’d have something. We used to joke that if you wanted to get in touch with him, you needed to make an appointment. He lived his life to the fullest every day.

‘He believed that God had a purpose for him and a reason why he was in prison. He always had hope. He was very humorous and a little sarcastic. Everyone laughed, even the guards, whenever he was sharing a story.’

Andrew, Linda and Feby were seeing people’s lives transformed. They held prayer meetings and worship services.

Andrew’s cell was in a maximum security block, but every day people lined up at the fence to talk to him. They would ask for help and prayer. Andrew was also studying for a diploma from a Bible college in Melbourne.

Andrew preaching in the prison chapel. Photo by Feby Chan.

While the media were quite harsh towards Andrew, Feby believed he had truly been transformed.

‘Because Andrew was convicted of drug trafficking, he was called names in the media,’ Feby says. ‘It’s hard for the world to see that people like that can change. People were sceptical. But those who spent time with him could see how he was a different man.’

The change had occured soon after his arrest. When in police custody, he was so desperate that he considered hanging himself. But he remembered some things he had heard early on in his life. As a young boy in Australia, he and his brother had been invited by neighbours, who became friends, to their Salvation Army church. There, Andrew had heard about Jesus.

Years later, in his cell, he recalled those lessons and he cried out to God, asking him to send someone to help him.

The very next morning, that help arrived. His brother and one of the neighbours—both Christians—visited and, over time, helped him to learn about Jesus. His life was transformed.

Months later, when he had a court date, he wasn’t released, but he felt that, while God hadn’t set him free from prison, he had set him free from the inside out.

Feby had got to know this changed man through an intense friendship that revolved around serving God and serving others.

After about two years, however, their relationship started to change. They became a couple.

In a book she has written to tell her story, Walking Him Home, Feby writes: ‘I always wanted to be with him. We could talk about anything together and it was always so comfortable.’ She describes how she had brief concerns about the fact that Andrew was on death row, but was committed to him and believed God could work a miracle.

Feby’s faith was strong, but the miracle she hoped for never happened. About a year after they made their relationship public, Andrew’s third plea for clemency was rejected. On 3 March 2015, he was taken to a prison on the execution island Nusa Kambangan. Friends, family and people all over the world, including members of The Salvation Army who stood outside the prison, were still praying for Andrew and hoping for a miracle.

‘I flew in to Java to stay close to the area, so that the moment we were allowed to visit, I could go,’ Feby says. ‘It was eight weeks from his clemency being rejected until the day of his execution.

‘Andrew had asked me to marry him before, when we were still in Bali, but because relations between our nations were tense, we did not want to create any bad impact that might affect his process. After his plea was rejected, we couldn’t find the right time to get married. But before he was executed, he was given three last wishes. One of them was that we got married.’

Feby had some doubts, but after praying about it, she agreed.

And, with less than 72 hours until his execution, they were married in the prison chapel.

‘Even when I was standing in front of him, I still had this battle in my mind,’ she says. ‘I kept praying, but I wondered what was going to happen to him. I wanted a chance to enjoy my life with him. I had mixed emotions, but I was happy to finally marry him. I was also happy because he was happy. Even when I look at the pictures now, it brings tears to my eyes. I’m glad I made the decision to marry him, because it gave him strength to face the next two days.’

Feby held on to her faith in a miracle until the last minute.

But Andrew was executed by firing squad in the early hours of 29 April 2015.

‘I was so angry, and I really hit rock bottom,’ says Feby. ‘I realised that I was never going to see him again, never have a conversation, never touch him. I didn’t know what to do. I could not read the Bible, I could not pray, I had so many questions. I was shaken to the core of my belief in God. The pain was crazy.’

For almost two years, Feby faced an intense struggle with grief and with her faith. But she held on, and slowly her healing came. She says that she began to hear God speaking to her again.

‘I felt God say that I was called to Andrew’s life to help him in his last moments, so that he didn’t feel alone, so that he didn’t give up on life or become bitter.

That’s why I called the book Walking Him Home. Because my part in his life was to walk with him to the end. It is painful, but it was an honour.’

Reprinted with permission from War Cry (United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Territory), 08 January 2022.

Walking Him Home (published by Authentic Media) can be purchased from Amazon or other online book retailers.

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

17

Salvation Army Leadership Comes Together For the first time in history, the international, national and territorial leadership teams from all four USA territories met for a Leadership Summit. During the two-day event, the leaders sought God’s guidance and vision for The Salvation Army in the United States of America.

Gathering in south Florida, international leaders General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle (World President of Women’s Ministries), along with Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development) and Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill (zonal leaders, the Americas and Caribbean, International Headquarters [IHQ]), were guest leaders at a Leadership Summit with the national and territorial leadership teams from across the USA. To commence, the General and Commissioner Peddle, along with hundreds of officers, soldiers and friends of The Salvation Army, shared in worship. Under the ministry of the Chief of the Staff, the day began with exuberant worship at Fort Lauderdale Adult Rehabilitation Center where the redeeming work of the Lord was celebrated as graduates were acknowledged for their achievements. Worship then moved to Fort Lauderdale Corps (church), with other local corps contributing through dance, praise and song.

The highlight of the meeting at Fort Lauderdale was the enrolment by the General of 20 senior soldiers and eight junior soldiers from local corps. The General challenged the new soldiers to follow their covenant and promise, whilst reminding them of their commitment to the Lord.

General Peddle further challenged those gathered to live out the mission of the Army, and asked the question from Isaiah 6, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ Answering this, the General continued: ‘The Salvation Army must listen to God’s

State of the Nation report makes media splash The Salvation Army’s fifteenth State of the Nation report continued its tradition of attracting wide coverage in the New Zealand news media, even gaining a mention in the UK-based Guardian newspaper.

Titled ‘Navigating the Rapids’, the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit report draws on existing data to provide a snapshot of our social progress as a nation across six sections: Children and Youth, Work and Incomes, Housing, Crime and Punishment, Social Hazards and Māori Wellbeing.

Due to the current Omicron outbreak, the 16 February launch moved to an online format where the five Salvation

18 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

call and answer, “Send me. Send me to my neighbour. Send me to my casual acquaintances. Send me to my co-workers. Send me to the family nearby. Send me, if God wills, to the training college.

Send me to the ends of the earth if that is what he wants.”’

The General said, ‘One of the great delights for me as General of The Salvation Army is to meet our officers, soldiers and friends around the world. The pandemic has made this especially challenging for us all, and nothing beats being able to have meaningful conversations with people face-to-face.’

The national leaders of The Salvation Army for the United States of America, with Chief of the Staff Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President for Women's Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle and General Brian Peddle (all front row, from left).

Army spokespeople—Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson, Paul Barber, Ronji Tanielu, Ana Ika and Aux Captain Amiria Te Whiu— gave an overview of the report and answered questions from the online audience.

The spokespeople devoted several days to do interviews with journalists representing a large swathe of New Zealand media. This included television stations TVNZ, TV3 and Prime, and radio stations such as Radio NZ, Newstalk ZB, Magic Talk, Star FM and Radio Rhema.

Newspapers across the country carried the story, as did the National Business Review. Māori and Pasifika media showed a strong interest, with coverage including Te Ao Māori News, Radio Waatea, Te Korimako o Taranaki, Radio 531 pi, and Niu FM. Key themes highlighted by reporters included the impact of the pandemic on already vulnerable people and that the ongoing housing crisis had become a ‘catastrophe’.

Read the report | salvationarmy.org.nz/SOTN2022

Update from Tonga In the latest update received from The Salvation Army in Tonga (at the time of printing, received 20 February), Tonga Regional Co-Leader Captain Kenneth Walker reports that recent lockdown orders, combined with patchy internet access, have quietened their recent relief efforts. They have been confined to their quarters under recent restrictions, however, these were due to be relaxed on 21 February, allowing the leaders to return to Regional Headquarters in a limited capacity.

They have been in continuous communication with the Town Officers of affected areas, to pledge The Salvation Army’s commitment to supporting these villages. ‘This coming week will allow us the opportunity to get out and about and reassess the situation,’ writes Kenneth.

The good news is that they were able to send their Tongan cadets to Fiji on 15 February, and some corps officers required to take Covid-19 tests have returned negative tests.

‘We have three personnel preparing to travel to the Ha’apai island group as part of a psycho-social relief team. Lieutenant Samisoni Akoteu, Kasipale Kolo (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre tutor) and Sesilina Palu (regional children’s worker) will spend two weeks in the islands most affected by the tsunami.

They will be working under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with oversight of the Church Leaders Forum.

Lieutenant Akoteu will lead one team,’ Kenneth writes.

He thanks Salvationists around the territory for their prayer support. ‘‘Ofa atu mo e lotu lahi (love and prayers).’

Subscribe today!

War Cry DIRECT to your door Annual subscription (including p&p) $75 (within NZ) To subscribe, contact Salvationist Resources, p: (04) 382 0740, e: mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz

DON’T ASSUME THAT THERE IS A RIGHT OR WRONG WAY TO PRAY OR HEAR FROM GOD. This year has seen many changes for our family. We have moved from Auckland to Wellington. Ian and I have started new appointments at Territorial Headquarters. Our daughter Sophie will commence university studies soon, and our son Malachi has started Year 12 at Wellington College. Then there is the dog, Dusty, who has come with us but probably doesn’t even know we’ve moved.

In his book Day by Day, Call to Mission, Commissioner Robert Street writes that ‘God … wants us to have relationship with him—to get to know him’ (John 14:23). This started me thinking about what it means to be in relationship with God. When I look at Sophie and Malachi, although they are only two years apart and have been raised in the same environment, they are very different human beings. Both relationships are based on love and are valid, they just look different.

I believe it is the same with our relationship with God. How we outwork our relationship with Jesus does not need to look the same as how our partner relates to Jesus, how our friend practises their faith or even how our corps officer connects with God. All relationships are different.

I have grown up in the church. I learnt to read my Bible and pray from a young age, but there are times in my life when I have honestly thought I was doing my faith ‘wrong’. I was in a seminar on Praying and Hearing the Voice of God when we were asked to share what we had heard from God. In that moment I panicked, was distressed even, as I had not ‘heard’ anything. Thankfully a trusted friend helped me to realise that we are all created uniquely and therefore relate to God in unique and different ways. There is no right or wrong way.

People foster their relationship with God in different ways—some by praying, being in nature, reading the Bible, journaling or listening to music. Others like to do indepth studies of Scripture, have discussions with peers, use their creative gifts to draw, write or build something. Still others have dreams and visions or participate in accountability groups. I wonder what works for you?

Just as I find ways to connect differently with each of my kids, let me encourage you to explore the best way for you to be in relationship, to connect with our loving God. Don’t worry what your neighbour is doing. Don’t assume that there is a right or wrong way to pray or hear from God. Be bold. Discover for yourself what works. Perhaps you will find a number of ways which resonate with you and will help you this year to grow in faith and the knowledge of Jesus. May it be so for all of us in 2022.

Major Liz Gainsford Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

19

Why we all benefit when we celebrate women

As The Salvation Army celebrates International Women’s Day on 8 March, Ingrid Barratt from Women’s Ministries asks, why do we still need to lift up women?

And for the love of military-based metaphors, what about the men?

‘As a boy I only related to girl characters, but when you’re a boy people think that’s funny or weird,’ writes artist Damian Alexander in his comic ‘That’s For Girls’. He recalls getting an assignment at school to write about a favourite character—and quickly chose Matilda, from Roald Dahl’s classic novel. ‘The rest of the class laughed at me and the teacher tried to sway me in a different direction—suggesting Spiderman or Luke Skywalker,’ he says.

20 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

At the same time, the girls were able to choose male characters without question. Damian makes the point that in subtle ways like this, ‘boys grow up to learn that “girl” things are embarrassing and inferior’.

‘Boys are led to believe that girls are second best and only objects in their own narrative because [boys] are barred from stories that show women as leaders,’ he concludes.

Equality: done and dusted?

It’s easy for us in Aotearoa New Zealand to believe that gender equality is done and dusted, yet we continue to experience these subtle marginalisations all around us. A ‘tomboy’ who likes sports and wears hoodies is cool, but the only nicknames for a feminine boy are far too cruel to repeat.

A woman may aspire to be a CEO, but how comfortable are we with a male EA? At the extreme end of a system that elevates men over women is the ongoing horror of domestic violence. Last year in New Zealand, police investigated around 165,000 incidents of family violence. And ‘globally, women aged 15–44 years are more likely to be maimed or die from male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined,’ according to the Army’s Positional Statement on Sexism.

Yet, we also know that when women are lifted up, all of society benefits.

According to United Nations research, ‘when women and men have equal opportunities and rights, economic growth accelerates and poverty rates drop more rapidly for everyone’.

IF WE BELIEVE IN GENDER EQUALITY, WHY HAVE ONLY THREE OUT OF TWENTY-ONE GENERALS BEEN WOMEN? We all benefit from female role models, that’s why our theme for International Women’s Day, held on 8 March, is ‘Female Heroes are for Everyone’.

‘We encourage all corps and centres to celebrate their female heroes,’ says Territorial President for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Julie Campbell.

‘Women have so much to bring to society, so it’s a day to acknowledge and honour the incredible part that women play in all spheres of life.’

A WOMAN MAY ASPIRE TO BE A CEO, BUT HOW COMFORTABLE ARE WE WITH A MALE EA? Confounding nature It was Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Booth who wrote that crossing gender norms only feels unnatural because we’re not used to it. In her pamphlet ‘Female Ministry’, Catherine wrote that the problem was in ‘confounding nature with custom.

Use, or custom, makes things appear to us natural … [while] novelty and rarity make very natural things appear strange and contrary to nature.’

She went on to argue that ‘we cannot discover anything either unnatural or immodest’ about women taking the pulpit.

Catherine based her arguments in Scripture, recalling the women who prophesied and prayed in the early Church and turning to Galatians 3:28: ‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’.

The 1895 Salvation Army Orders and Regulations made gender equality an official part of our mission, stating that

‘women must be treated as equal with men in all the intellectual and social relationships in life’.

Catherine’s legacy has echoed through the generations to the Bramwell-Booth sisters, our three female generals and thousands of women leaders, each creating a rich Salvation Army heritage for us all.

Yet, this is also our conundrum. If we believe in gender equality, why have only three out of twenty-one generals been women? And why have they all been single? It seems to hint at this same marginalisation of women—if a woman is partnered with a man, it is far more likely that he will be elevated over her.

Yet, Salvation Army women are heroes for everyone.

Equity vs equality: and why should I care?

Gender equality is our deeply embedded belief that men and women are equal in Christ, and each has the freedom to fully express the gifts God has given them. But gender equity is the acknowledgement that we haven’t always lived up to these beliefs.

‘Gender equity recognises that historically women have had less opportunity in leadership roles, so we need to work towards making them equal partners in God’s mission,’ explains Major Ian Gainsford, chairperson of the Moral and Social Issues Council (MASIC).

‘We are all blind to some aspects of the culture we’re immersed in, and we still have to grapple with the fact that less than 10 percent of our territorial leaders are women. Yet, we certainly have women capable of these roles,’ he adds.

But this doesn’t simply mean putting more women in the ‘top jobs’, it means

grappling with a system that places more value on traditional masculine traits.

You couldn’t get a much more masculine metaphor than an ‘Army’, and Ian points to the ways our hierarchical structure has valued competitive leadership styles. ‘Women, who might have more relational or consensus-building forms of leadership, are sometimes excluded by the very systems we use,’ he says.

On the other hand, at our corps and centres, there are often many more women than men in caregiving roles.

In this case, gender equity would mean more men given implicit permission to occupy these spaces.

It would mean elevating the status of roles like teaching, caring for the elderly and the young, feeding people and providing emotional support. We need to ask ourselves why these vital roles are considered lower on the social hierarchy, and therefore paid less, than traditionally masculine roles.

This, of course, doesn’t mean that men and women can’t choose traditional gender roles. But the hope of equality is that we each have the freedom to be fully alive in Christ.

‘When we talk about gender equity it ensures that we don’t lose sight of God's intention for us. We’re all created in his image, and we all have a part to play in God’s Kingdom. We’re more powerful when we're all using our gifts and abilities,’ concludes Julie.

But we’ll leave the final words to a hero for us all, the mighty Catherine Booth: ‘After all, what does God want with us? … He wants us to be like his Son, and then to do as his Son did, and when we come to that, he will shake the world through us’.

BUT THE HOPE OF EQUALITY IS THAT WE EACH HAVE THE FREEDOM TO BE FULLY ALIVE IN CHRIST. 05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

21

PRAY We continue to pray for the Kingdom of Tonga in this time of need, Territorial Human Resources Department, Hutt City Corps, Territorial Information Systems Group, Internal Audit Services, Invercargill Corps and The Salvation Army in the United States of America.

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Join us online

Commissioners Mark (Territorial Commander) and Julie Campbell (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 9 March: College Worship, BCM, Upper Hutt 9 March: First Year Officer Review, Fiji (online) Colonel Gerry Walker (Chief Secretary) No engagements at this time.

Major Liz Gainsford (Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development) No engagements at this time.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

salvationarmyNZFTS FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

@salvationarmynz

BCM Library to the rescue!

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

@salvationarmynzfts

TE OPE WHAKAORA

THE ARMY THAT BRINGS LIFE

From reference books for study and sermon prep to biographies and Christian living, enjoy unlimited access to the EBSCO eBook Religion Collection as part of a Booth College of Mission Library membership.

Email library@salvationarmy.org.nz for more info.

A COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS ON THE SALVATION ARMY & MAORI 1884-2007 EDITED BY HAROLD HILL

The life and legacy of former Territorial Leaders Commissioners Earle and Wilma Maxwell

$30.00

Visit Salvationist Resources website: shop.sarmy.net.nz For more information email: mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz

Available in print from The Trade, Australia Territory

tinyurl.com/MastersPlanSalvos

Want to Know More?

Available for Kindle from Amazon.com

I would like: to learn about who Jesus is

tinyurl.com/MastersPlanKindle

information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

Earle and Wilma Maxwell were a force for God. Called to be Salvation Army officers from a young age, they enlivened and enriched the spiritual lives of thousands of people throughout the world over five decades of service together.

The Master's Plan traces the Maxwells' journey from their early ministry years as corps officers in Australia to their time at International Headquarters in the 1990s, when Earle served as the Chief of the Staff and Wilma as the World Secretary for Women's Organisations.

You will be inspired and encouraged by the paths of service God placed before them and discover the truth of Earle's steadfast conviction that, ‘The Master's Plan is the master plan’.

Quiz Answers: 1 Toby the Giraffe, 2 Estonia, 3 TikTok, 4 Indiana Pacers, 5 Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42, John 11).

22 WarCry 05 MARCH 2022

Why did the little tree get lost in the forest?

Because it took the wrong root.

‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?’

DIY newspaper plant pots YOU WILL NEED… • Newspaper • Scissors • A glass or cup to use as a mould (if possible, it should have a small indent in the base) • Potting mix • Seeds or seedlings of your own choice • Water • Twine

Luke 15:4

IMPORTANT: Make sure an adult is helping you with the potting mix. Use gloves to handle, wear a disposable mask and always wash your hands afterwards.

METHOD… 1. Fold a length of newspaper in half.

2. Roll the newspaper around the mould at least twice, leaving about 3–5cm to tuck into the base.

Where do you find forests without trees?

3. Tuck the paper up into the indented base tightly. Tie the twine around the outside of the cup.

4. Slip the paper off the cup. Make as many newspaper pots as you need.

5. Fill up each pot with potting mix.

6. Sow the seeds or plant seedlings into the potting mix and repeat until you have filled each pot.

7. Store the seedling pots in a low-cut cardboard box or Styrofoam box.

On a map

8. Water the pots regularly (but don’t over-water and ruin the newspaper) and keep an eye on them. Depending on the seeds, hopefully they will begin to sprout within the week.

One famous parable which Jesus told was about a shepherd whose sheep wandered off one day.

9. Once the seeds have sprouted into seedlings, you can plant the whole thing—including the newspaper—into the ground.

The pot will break down and the plants will continue to grow in the ground.

When the shepherd counted his flock, he soon realised one was missing: ‘1, 2, 3 … 97, 98, 99 …’ Where was number 100? Whether it had been too busy chewing grass or had wandered off on its own adventure, the sheep had been separated from the group.

Source: kidspot.com.au

Add some colour!

What do you call a cow that eats your grass?

Rather than think well, at least I’ve still got these 99, the shepherd left them safely in an open pasture and went to find the lost sheep. He hoisted it up onto his shoulders to carry home. Once he made it back, the shepherd called all of his neighbours to rejoice together—the lost sheep had returned to the flock.

Jesus was showing how there are times when we are like this sheep. We wander away from God and the good life he wants for us. But even then, God searches for us. He wants us to come home, and when we do, he is filled with joy.

A lawn moo-er!

THINK ABOUT...

Have you ever lost something so precious that you celebrated when you found it again?

05 MARCH 2022 WarCry

23

Thank a woman today!

International Women’s Day 8 March 2022