17 November 2018 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 17 NOVEMBER 2018 | Issue 6705 | $1.50

Helping Children Talk About Family Violence These Three Things— Andy Westrupp on What Really Matters The Hidden History of Rangiriri

Should Christians be on Tinder?

Whatever Happened to the Christian Rock Star?

ZEAL & AROHA The National Māori Ministry Hui and New Zeal— our extended coverage of a weekend to remember

05

06

12

14

WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine 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.

MANAGING EDITOR Ingrid Barratt | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Hugh Collins, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major Jill

Gainsford, Vivienne Hill OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.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.

10

Difficult to Love As I reflected on the words of Commissioner Andy Westrupp at New Zeal, urging us towards love in Christ, I was struck with a disturbing notion: I find it relatively easy to love the so-called ‘sinner’, but the ‘saints’ are another story. I often feel closest to Jesus when I am sharing my life with people who would never cross the precipice to church. But I find it difficult to love ‘Outraged from Remuera’ sitting in the pew across from me.

I am sure you’ve also wondered to yourself: ‘We’re both Christians, how can we think so differently?’ Isn’t it frustrating how faith in Jesus allows for so many differences of opinion?!

Then, I was struck by an even more disturbing notion: to others, I am the fellow Christian who is difficult to love. A regular trickle of correspondence to War Cry gives me a hint that some readers are graciously bearing with me. Is there anything more humbling than to know that others are showing you grace?

Jesus—with his searing insight into the human condition—said others will know we are his disciples because we ‘love one another’. He knew that nothing would keep us at the foot of the cross like the mandate to love each other.

Unity takes humility—but how like God to turn our expectations upside down: it is humility, not shouting the loudest, that strengthens us. When we choose to love each other—despite our hurts, betrayals and disagreements (because we will disagree)—we are walking closest to Christ.

Ingrid Barratt Editor

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

Publishing for 135 years | Issue 6705 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

God is not doctrine. God is not denomination. God is not war. God is not law. God is not hate. God is not hell … God is love.

Brian Zahnd

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 Hoani 4:7 E ngā hoa aroha, kia aroha tātou tētahi ki tētahi: nō te Atua hoki te aroha; ko te hunga katoa hoki e aroha ana, kua whānau i te Atua, e mātau ana hoki ki te Atua.

Flick lives beneath the beech woods at the end of Holyrood Lane. She dances with butterflies in spring, and basks in golden sunshine all year long. Except when it storms.

Flick never knows when a squall will strike or how long it will last. Whenever angry clouds muscle in and wild winds bully the curtains, she hopes with all her heart they will just blow over …

T

he End of Holyrood Road is a new picture book by author Dimity Powell, with whimsical illustrations by Nicky Johnston.

It is a delightful book—but tackles the dark and difficult world of family violence.

‘Feeling scared of something is a normal emotion and generally okay. But there are some sorts of fears that should not be part of normal life and children should know that they are not alone, that it’s okay to ask for help,’ Dimity tells War Cry. ‘The message here, being that true love should always feel safe.’

According to the It’s Not Okay campaign, there is an incident of domestic violence every five minutes in New Zealand—that’s over 100,000 call-outs to police each year. Research shows that children are just as impacted by viewing violence, as they are by experiencing it directly. A study by the Ministry of Social Development found that ‘witnessing physical violence (against children, against adults and in the media) had more impact on children than their own direct experience of violence’.

Dimity had never considered writing about such a dark topic—but Deirdre Hannah, founder of children’s trauma charity Paradise Kids, urged her to give it a go, saying there is a desperate need for resources to help kids cope with family violence.

‘I was initially shocked at her suggestion,’ reflects Dimity. ‘No one else had attempted this seemingly insurmountable task in mainstream children’s literature. It was deemed a subject too niche, and too taboo for kids.’

But since releasing the book in September, Dimity has found it has offered a source of ‘reflection, refuge and hope’. ‘Stories offer safe environments to encourage emotional plasticity in children,’ says Dimity. ‘Every moment I spend with a new owner of this book is profoundly significant.

We share stories, memories, tears and hope.’

White Ribbon Day, on 25 November, aims to raise awareness of men’s violence towards women.

Partner and family violence affects the whole whānau—‘Say “yes” to respectful relationships and “no” to violence,’ urges White Ribbon Day. The End of Holyrood Lane is available at bookstores, or purchase directly from exislepublishing.com

BY INGRID BARRATT

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 3

Free Glasses Help Clients See Clearly It was a real spectacle—in the best possible way—when qualified optometrists volunteered their time and expertise at five different Salvation Army centres last month, providing hundreds of free glasses to our clients.

The team came from OneSight, a charity that provides eye screenings and glasses for those in need.

Throughout the week, OneSight visited Community Ministries in Auckland, Whangārei and Hamilton, doing eye tests for almost 500 participants.

Around 80 per cent of people needed prescription glasses, and 443 brand new specs were given out.

Almost half of patients were able to walk out with their brand new glasses on the day, thanks to brand new technology. It was the first time OneSight had used the new ‘Ready 2 Clip’ product, where lenses are pre-cut to fit the frames. ‘It was incredibly special and exciting for our team members to see the expressions of delight on peoples’ faces when they put their glasses on for the first time,’ said OneSight programme manager Jenny Harnett. ‘[The week] was definitely a highlight in our clinic calendar this year.’

Around 80 people were identified as having complex eye health that needed further testing. They were given vouchers for OPSM, who partner with OneSight in New Zealand, where they can get further treatment for free. ‘Thank you once again for the incredible opportunity,’ said Jenny. Thank you OneSight for your incredible vision and setting your sights on The Salvation Army!

You’ve certainly got your eye on the prize. (Okay, eye’ll stop now. It’s just too cornea).

4 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

TOPFIVE

Drama, Crime King of Thieves (M, coarse language) James Marsh

Director James Marsh’s latest offering re-tells the 2015 Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary, perhaps the largest heist in English history. Led by Michael Caine, the cast reads a bit like a who’s-who of former leading men in British cinema.

The film plays like a farewell tour for these veterans—and while this adds backstory to the characters, it comes across as more than a tad self-indulgent. As someone who has always enjoyed heist films, their entertainment value must be weighed against the moral consideration of why we want to see thieves succeed. Fortunately for King of Thieves, it offers no romanticised vision of these men being ‘diamonds in the rough’ (a la Aladdin). A life of crime corrupts, and the film’s biggest success is in portraying what happens to the psyche of ageing crooks who trust no one. (Reviewed by Sam Coates)

In honour of The Salvation Army gathering together for New Zeal: You know you’re a Salvationist when …

3 You know the difference between the blue and maroon epaulettes—and you've been mistaken for an ambulance officer!

1 You know why timbrels are more biblical than tambourines.

4 You think ‘blood and fire’ are perfectly normal and not at all disturbing words to use in a sentence.

2 You did a knee drill, fired a volley and read your Articles of War, all before you got out of bed this morning.

5 Your band leader is your aunty’s niece’s cousin, twice removed.

QUIKQUIZ 1 The Great Dane was designed using which three breeds of dog?

2 What is ScoobyDoo’s full name?

Chorizo & Baby Pea Bake This recipe just takes 10 minutes prep and the oven will take care of the rest! Watch the peas rise to the top while it cooks away in the oven. Serves six.

1 onion, diced 75g spicy chorizo sausage, chopped into small pieces 75g cheese, grated 1 cup frozen baby peas 4 eggs 1½ cups milk ½ cup self-raising flour

Preheat oven to 160°C (fan assisted).

Heat a dash of oil in a frying pan.

Add onion and chorizo and cook over a medium heat until onion softens.

Spoon into the base of a 26x17.5cm baking dish (1.4L capacity).

Scatter over grated cheese and frozen baby peas.

3 What is the world’s largest fast food chain?

4 Eton mess is a type of?

5 What was Moses mother’s name?

Answers on page 22

Beat together eggs, milk and flour until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour into the dish over the filling.

Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before cutting into pieces to serve. Serve warm with your favourite tomato relish or chutney and a crisp green salad on the side.

A criminal mastermind put googly eyes on a monument in Savannah, USA, and the local government was not amused: ‘Who did this?! ...

It may look funny but [it’s] no laughing matter,’ they ranted on their Facebook page. But they really misunderstood the whole point of the internet, because local citizens were most definitely amused, and now can’t stop putting googly eyes on everything from unassuming pumpkins to innocent dustbins.

‘This is the best thing that has ever happened here!’ LOLed one local fan.

WARCRYINHISTORY

Courtesy of foodinaminute.co.nz

OURPEOPLE

Colson Verdonk (War Cry contributor) Colson is the intern at the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, but also moonlights as a full-time university student. His faith drives his passion for social justice, alongside a strong belief that our God is serving, giving and restorative. He is passionate about the church taking the lead on fighting climate change. He is also passionate about Māori being at the table. In his spare time, Colson loves going tramping and connecting with our Father through his magnificent creation. Colson feels the call upon himself and the modern church to bring people to Jesus through our actions.

Weird of the Week:

Googly eyes make everything better.

Savannah resident

A journalist who visited the Army’s ‘Sanatorium for Inebriates’ on Rotoroa Island in 1946 wrote that, ‘One could not fail to be impressed with the magnificent atmosphere of this little island, nor could one help but think it must be an influence for good in the lives of these unfortunates.’ War Cry added: ‘Thousands of men, sadly beaten by the drink, have had the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves … the fact that 60 percent have not come back proves that the influence of the Salvationists has been most helpful.’

Source: Booth College of Mission Heritage and Archives Centre 17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 5

these things

The launch of New Zeal was celebrated throughout the territory.

The scandal of Jesus Christ is that his love is available freely to all. Yet, we continue to be drawn to the comfort of rigid rules. At the launch of New Zeal, Territorial Commander Commissioner Andy Westrupp challenged The Salvation Army to turn away from our self-reliance, and return to God’s all-embracing love. This is an abridged excerpt from his sermon.

T

he first Christians did not have a Bible as we know it. The New Testament had yet to be written. Their Christian faith was not based on any Christian teaching. There was no New Testament.

There were not yet any written accounts of Jesus’s life. There were no recorded sayings of Jesus. There were no letters to the churches … because that had yet to come.

All they had were the first-hand witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. All they had was this remarkable, spectacular truth: that Jesus had died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. And that’s it.

That was why those three things—that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again—are repeated over and over in the book of Acts. This was the driving momentum in the early church. These three things.

‘We are witnesses of everything [Jesus] did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen,’ says Acts 10:39.

When any of the new Christians spoke, this is actually what they spoke about: Jesus’ death and resurrection. (The list of available sermons topics was very narrow!)

A covenant of the heart Later in the New Testament letters, we see the new Christians struggling with this new relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. They struggled to maintain the primacy of their relationship with Jesus.

This is understandable because the vast majority of the new Christians were Jews. They had been brought up in the Jewish faith of the Old Testament. The law was their default setting. While they were trying to figure out what it meant to be a follower of Christ, it was almost too easy for the wheels of their faith to fall into the very deep ruts of Old Testament teaching.

Their world was full of rules. To name just a couple: they were banned from eating fruit from a tree within four years of planting it. They were banned from eating fat.

They were banned from planting different seeds in the same field, and banned from slaughtering a cow, or a sheep and its young, on the same day.

Some of the rules seem barbaric, like stoning your rebellious son to death, or testing a wife’s fidelity using water and dust from the temple. Be very afraid.

These were the rules by which people lived their lives.

But Jesus was establishing a new covenant, which called people to work from the heart rather than from external rules (see Matthew 5). No wonder 17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 7

the early disciples struggled to get their heads and their hearts around what Jesus said. They were bewildered at times, they were confused.

Love your enemies, said Jesus: ‘You have heard it said, love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies,’ (v. 44). Jesus was moving away from the letter of the law, to the spirit of the law.

Crossing the precipice This was the background hum to Acts 10. There are some huge cultural clangers in this passage that we don’t necessarily understand because we’re not part of that culture. But to understand them, is to understand the huge gulf that was bridged by the Spirit of God. In Acts 10, we hear about the Gentile Cornelius, a nonJewish man who is emerging to become a Christian. He is led by the Spirit of God to call for a man named Simon Peter, a Jew. Around the same time, Peter is praying and having a vision or a dream. In the vision, he’s presented with food that his old faith had very strict rules against. God instructs Peter to eat the food. Peter protests, saying, ‘Please don’t make me eat this, you know that it’s wrong. I can’t do this. Surely not Lord, I’ve never eaten anything impure or unclean,’ (v. 14).

God replies: ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean,’ (v. 15).

This, again, is another example of how these new Christians were struggling with, ‘How do we remove ourselves of our default setting and come into this new way? This new Christway of following God from our hearts?’

While Peter is struggling with this, the men Cornelius sent arrive looking for him: ‘While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you so get up and go downstairs’’,’ (v. 19).

Here’s the first thing I want you to notice: the Lord says, ‘Don’t hesitate to go to them. I have sent them’. So there’s a discussion at the gate—Peter is checking these Gentiles out.

They’re sent by a Gentile master. Simon Peter is a devout Jew— albeit a follower of Christ—but he’s listening to the prompting of the Spirit within: ‘Do not hesitate to go to them, for I have sent them’.

This is one of those pivotal moments in our history, the history of the church, and the history of the Christian faith.

Because there are vast gaps in culture, religion and even prejudice that are being bridged right at this moment.

8 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

The next thing Peter does is remarkable. It’s astounding, and that’s why it’s recorded here in the book of Acts. Peter, up to that point, would have never been under the same roof as a Gentile, because the law had forbidden it. But, ‘Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests,’ (v. 23). That was a huge thing to do. Jews just did not associate with Gentiles. A God-fearing Jew lived in a binary world: In or out. Us or them.

It would just be a huge cultural clanger for this to happen.

But what happens next is beyond the pale. In verse 25, ‘Peter entered the house’ of Cornelius, and ‘Cornelius met him’— along with all his Gentile relatives.

If you have any doubt that this was a big deal, look at the following verses—Peter goes into the house and addresses everyone there: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean,’ (v. 27).

‘ALL THEY HAD WAS THIS REMARKABLE, SPECTACULAR TRUTH: THAT JESUS HAD DIED, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY. AND THAT’S IT.’ I just love the pathos of this Scripture. I wonder where Peter was looking when he said this. Did he hold eye contact when he was calling them impure and unclean, or did he look them up and down?

Cornelius explains how God led him to send for Peter. He’s not exactly sure why, but he feels prompted by God within, by the Spirit. And he says that he thinks that Peter has something to share with them. So Peter begins to speak: ‘[You are aware how] God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him … They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead and on the third day caused him to be seen,’ (v. 34–40).

There it is. The message of the church. In fact, pretty much the only message.

‘OUR SELF-CONFIDENCE HAS ROBBED US OF A DEEP HUNGER FOR MORE OF GOD. IT HAS DULLED OUR DESIRE TO CONNECT WITH THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD.’ Then, this happened: ‘While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message,’ (v. 41). To Peter’s astonishment, the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles.

Great expectations Peter did not attempt to fill their expectation with lots of words, with lots of rules, with law, with things to do or not to do. Do you notice that? He didn’t fill up their open hearts with stuff. With religious stuff. He simply held up the truth: that Jesus died on a cross, but God raised him from the dead and that there were lots of witnesses to the fact that there was a risen Christ. That was the power—the power of the story of the resurrection.

The people gathered at Cornelius’ house did not have Scripture. They were there with only their expectation. They had no credentials. No track record. They had nothing to offer except their expectation.

These people are in contrast to us in these days. And when I say us, I mean The Salvation Army. It’s a contrast to us, this picture of them.

There are two things that I think rob us from that kind of experience of the Holy Spirit. Firstly, it’s our self-assurance, our self-empowerment. We feel good about ourselves as a culture. It has dulled our perceived need of God. Our self-confidence has robbed us of a deep hunger for more of God. It has dulled our desire to connect with the supernatural power of God. I suspect we often come to God with what I’ll call ‘virtual offerings’—offerings that make us feel good about ourselves, but actually miss the point with God. These are things that we can feel humbly proud about—like our service for Christ, or our virtue, or the fact we have a moral compass. Or that we’ve done the right thing, and continue to do the right thing.

Maybe some people come to God with a track record of being great givers. Maybe people try to come to God by pointing out that they have forgiven someone who didn’t deserve being forgiven. Or they love someone who’s quite unlovable. Or, we come to God with our offering of being faithful to him. Or we come to God with our suffering.

All these things are good! But the trouble is we bring them like virtual offerings, expecting to get some kind of response from God rather than relying on him. Friends, I think it cuts us off from the blessing of God when we rely on our offering rather than rely on him.

Secondly, I think that we’ve robbed ourselves of a true connection with God because we’ve lost our belief in God’s immediate intervention in our world. While we believe that there is an all-powerful God, a loving God, an all-knowing God, he is a God at a distance.

I’ve read that we have this picture of God as a combination of ‘Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist’. And the only thing we can expect from God is that he would help us feel better about ourselves.

I think that cuts us off from the immediacy of knowing God in a fresh and new way. We desperately need a new encounter with God and the Holy Spirit in these days. We so desperately need him.

We need the God of the New Testament. We need the God of power. We need the God of purity. We need the God of holiness.

We need the God of full salvation. We need, need, need the power of God. Friends, I’m inviting us to be desperate for a new touch of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

View the full sermon at salvationarmy.org.nz/newzeal

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 9

Should Christians be on Tinder?

Online dating is now a fact of life for singles. But what does this mean for Christians? How do we maintain our integrity in the cut-throat world of online dating?

Imagine a time when the only way you could communicate with a potential love interest was by writing a letter, or literally going and knocking on their front door! Imagine having to ask someone out in person! *shudders* While internet dating is not a new phenomenon, it would forever change in 2012 with the launch of Tinder. Its simple format made it a huge success—if you like the look of someone you swipe right. And if they swipe right on you, boom! By 2014, the app was registering a billion swipes per day.

Since then, online dating has become a normalised part of our culture. You may have heard that Tinder and co. are used purely for ‘hook-ups’. This is unfair, as there are a plenty of singles on these apps who are genuinely looking for love and commitment. But, if this could be a temptation for you, then perhaps it’s best to keep away from it altogether.

With that in mind—how should we, as Christians, approach dating apps? It’s vital to think about how online dating can alter our perspectives of a potential partner. Here’s a few questions we can be asking ourselves when engaging with technology: • Is endlessly swiping on Tinder causing us to objectify people?

Are we potentially becoming too preoccupied with how physically attractive people are?

• Are these apps consuming me? How often am I checking them?

• How is it affecting my self-esteem and sense of worth?

What is it doing to my confidence?

Regardless of what our intentions may be, dating apps can quickly require us to objectify others. By its very nature, Tinder’s ‘swiping’ function means a person’s physical appearance can become the only thing we consider when browsing potential matches.

As Christians, is this really how we want to judge people? You might argue that this is no different to walking into a church and choosing to approach someone we find attractive. But when we’re presented with hundreds of images of different strangers, it’s easy to forget that these guys and gals are people too—people loved by their friends and families, people with hopes, dreams and aspirations, people made in the image of God. People are not commodities to be ‘shopped’. As followers of Christ, we are called to honour the dignity of all people.

And while a spark is important, it’s a person’s values, integrity and faith that will make them a good partner for you. More

10 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

LET’S JUST BE MINDFUL THAT WE’RE SWIPING HUMANS, NOT ROBOTS. importantly, maintaining these values yourself are what will make you a good partner for someone else.

All these thoughts aside, dating apps are a valid way to meet people in 2018—especially for Christians who don’t have a lot of opportunity to meet potential partners. Many happy Christian couples have found each other via dating apps. There’s no reason you couldn’t be one too! Let’s just be mindful that we’re swiping humans, not robots.

TESTIFY! From being evacuated as a child during WWII, to a recent diagnosis of cancer, Don Postins says he has developed a deep trust in God’s healing hands.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, my first thought was, ‘I’m not sick, I’m in his hands’. I had found a lump in my leg and eventually got around to seeing a doctor and getting it taken out. However, a week later, I received a phone call asking me to come in again.

With a stern look, the doctor gravely told me that the lump was tested as a metastatic melanoma. She went on to explain that this meant cancer, but not just a melanoma skin cancer. A lump like this was evidence of a larger source of cancer somewhere else in the body. It could be in my lymph nodes, brain, liver lungs, or bones, and was very serious.

Yet, I knew that through every phase of life, God has always held me in his hands—even when I wasn’t aware of it. I come from a working class family from Birmingham, UK, and was frequently ill as a child. This meant I didn’t get the chance to learn to read, write, or tell time. I spent many months in a convalescent home, right up to the outbreak of World War II. Through God’s providential care, I was evacuated to a beautiful home and family in Wales. Over the next four years, the family taught me to read, play piano, and I went to church three times every Sunday.

‘I THINK YOU TO NEED THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS,’ SAID THE ONCOLOGIST. I TOLD HER THAT, ACTUALLY, I THANK A MUCH HIGHER POWER THAN THAT! placed alongside a Salvationist—a man who remains a close friend even today.

My parents diligently prayed for me throughout this whole time. When I returned to them, I joined my father’s Baptist choir and learnt many of the songs I still hold dear today. I haven’t stopped singing since I was 12.

In 1978, a choir I belonged to was invited to attend the Newton Salvation Army. Hearing the band and meeting the soldiers made me question why I had never joined the Army before.

My mother had warned us back in England not to join those rabble-rousing Salvationists. But I now felt at home and I have been with the Army ever since.

When we moved to New Zealand, I joined the local Baptist church, but eventually slipped away. God’s hands never left me, though. On my very first day working at Air New Zealand, I was

There are many other instances in my life that have developed my absolute trust in God. My wife Pauline was in a fairly serious car accident and walked away without a scratch. We attest to

his love through the sale and purchase of the home we live in. So I knew that even through this cancer, I was still in his hands.

A week after the diagnosis, I had the full body PET scan. Two days later, I had a call to come and see the oncologist again. At this meeting, the oncologist told me there was no evidence of cancer anywhere in my body. ‘I think you need to thank your lucky stars,’ said the oncologist. I told her that, actually, I thank a much higher power than that!

We can have absolute faith in God, because he doesn’t let us down. I’m in his hands, and so are you.

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 11

BY HUGH COLLINS

WHATEVER HAP

CHRISTIAN R Fewer musicians and songwriters are labelling and marketing themselves as ‘Christian’. But why?

Is Christianity as uncool as ever? Or could this actually be a good thing?

I vividly remember my first Parachute Music Festival. It was 2005 and dozens of Christian bands and artists had descended upon the Mystery Creek Events Centre to showcase their God-glorifying tunes.

Parachute was an annual Christian music festival where 20,000-plus would converge outside of Hamilton for four days of music, speakers, seminars and sunburn.

Many Christians today will tell you it was once the highlight of their calendar.

Fast-forward to March 2014 and Parachute Music CEO Mark de Jong announced that, after 23 years, the showpiece event of the New Zealand Christian community was coming to an end. Sadly, with dropping ticket sales the festival was no longer commercially viable—the 2014 event had lost close to a quarter of a million dollars.

A CULTURAL SHIFT In an interview posted by Parachute Music, Mark said this was due not only to an increase in competition with other summer festivals but a dramatic shift in the Christian cultural landscape.

‘There was a time when mostly a Christian young person would listen to music made by Christians,’ Mark said. ‘Now our Christian young people listen to the same music that everyone else listens to. They listen to the same radio stations, they consume the same media.’

He said this had a huge impact on the festival because it meant a Christianspecific event had gradually become less appealing. On top of this, he spoke of a major shift amongst Christian musicians where many had steered towards bands with a more mainstream and secular focus.

While he believed this was a good thing,

12 firezone.co.nz 17 NOVEMBER 2018

many of those artists didn’t want to play at an event specifically tagged ‘Christian’—ultimately this meant the organisers couldn’t get many of the bands they wanted.

‘We have found ourselves in a situation where we tend to be having the same bands year after year— particularly the same international bands year after year.

It’s very hard to grow an event when you’re having similar artists every year.’

Today we have Festival One, a much smaller, pareddown Christian music festival.

COULD THIS BE A GOOD THING? Christian musician and cultural thinker Sam Burrows says ironically this change isn’t due to a stigma towards Christianity, but rather a shift in Western culture that’s becoming more open to spirituality—and, to some extent, religion.

‘This is interesting, because the height of “Christian music” as a genre and its corresponding subculture sort of emerged when this kind of coalescence [merger] wasn’t so much of an option.

‘But when people started turning to spirituality, the cultural lines started to become blurred and so it isn’t surprising that music did too.

‘Secular musicians began to discuss spirituality and God in an exploratory, rather than condescending manner, and Christian artists followed suit, far more willing to acknowledge doubt and the problems with tribal mentalities.’

PPENED TO THE

ROCK STAR? Christian musician and Doctor of Theology Michael Frost says historically the Christian music subculture was one way of responding to the secularisation of Western society.

‘For Christians who felt uncomfortable with the way New Zealand was moving away from what they perceived to be Christian values, Christian music felt like a safe place.

‘This was a space where you could feel cool without having to go along with some of the wider changes in culture. But I think the next generation of Christians haven’t felt this same level of anxiety—probably because this new world is all they’ve known. They’re generally not so worried about some of the things that were a big deal for Christians 10 or 20 years ago.’

Christian writer Joel Heng Hartse has an interesting take on his shift from being a youth group kid who listened exclusively to Christian music. In Relevant magazine he discusses an experience he had as a teenager at a Christian rock concert—during the show the front man made it clear to the audience that the only reason they played music was to tell them how Jesus was their personal Lord and Saviour.

MUSIC IS ART AND ART IS EXPRESSION. WHY DOES OUR CREATIVITY AS CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE CLEARLY CONFINED TO A SINGLE THEME?

To Joel, this kind of attitude was brutally inauthentic.

He felt lied to and cheated. After years of being a fan and buying their records they were now telling him the music didn’t matter.

‘How dare you make me fall in love with rock and roll and then tell me it’s a farce, tell me that the only reason it’s marginally OK that I’m listening to it is that behind it all is the “right thing to believe”.’

Subsequently he shunned a lot of Christian music.

However, this eventually enabled him to see a different side of God. ‘This was a push I needed, a felix culpa [blessing] that would eventually open up a world in which God could be experienced in a thousand places that were not a church and a thousand songs that were not praise choruses. Once, I didn’t think such a thing was possible.’

OUTSIDE THE BOX I feel many artists have fled the Christian label because they feel it puts them in a box—where there is an expectation about how they should approach their art.

But music is art and art is expression. Why does our creativity as Christians need to be clearly confined to a single theme?

Worship music still has an important role in the church, in helping people honour and praise God through music. But Christian culture has discovered God can be worshipped in many forms and often through songs that question—much in the tradition of the Psalms. Even non-Christian artists—like Sam Smith with his song ‘Pray’—can help us understand how our wider world is relating to God. And that’s just worship through music … there are so many other ways we connect with God. I think this shift is refreshing and exciting for the church. Ultimately it inspires our musicians to give their art a broader appeal, something which will no doubt break down the tribalism that often separates us from non-Christians. After all, I’m confident I’ve worshipped God in a range of genres—even in heavy metal!

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 13

The Motorway and the Mound

A trip to Rangiriri, as part of the National Māori Hui on Labour weekend, was a day that no one present will ever forget. It brought our hidden history out of the shadows and demanded a response.

BY INGRID BARRATT

Just off State Highway One, as you head into Auckland, is a small corner of New Zealand called Rangiriri. Literally thousands of us drive past every day, but for most of us, the story of the land and its people has been buried and forgotten.

At the National Māori Hui, though, this story was brought vividly to life. Rangiriri is the site of the one of the bloodiest battles in the New Zealand land wars.

‘I want the world to know why Waikato was invaded. It was to annihilate our people. But I want the world to know that they were unsuccessful. We survived. We live on,’ Brad Totorewa of Ngāti Naho, director of the Rangiriri Museum and Cultural Centre, told Stuff. He led our hui whānau into an immersive experience of Rangiriri’s hidden history.

From the depths of the earth We learnt how the Kīngitanga movement was deeply Christian in origin. Wiremu Tāmihana—known as the ‘Kingmaker’—was famed as saying, ‘Without a vision, our people perish’. Later, when he was converted to Christianity, he found these exact words echoed back at him in the Bible.

The Kīngitanga movement was ignited to ‘stop warfare, stop the flow of blood, unite iwi, hold to traditions and reign as equals with the Queen of England’, recalled Te Oko Horoi Totorewa in his kōrero.

14 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

The first Māori King, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, was appointed unanimously by 39 chiefs. But Governor Grey was not happy with this choice. He wanted to control the decision. The British rule in New Zealand was on a determined path to gain Māori land, and a united Māori people presented a serious threat. Grey vowed to wage war until Te Wherowhero gave up the Kingship.

In the oral history tradition, Te Oko Horoi recalled the conversation: ‘ “Really?” says Te Wherowhero to Governor Grey, “This taonga does not belong to me but if you wage war we will resist you, we will not go away”.

“I will block off all your waterways until they are no more”, says Governor Grey.

“We are from the depths of the earth, we will not dry up, we will not go away”, replies Te Wherowhero.’

Then, 20 November 1863, 1500 British forces invaded Rangiriri. Many of the local warriors were away fighting in the land wars elsewhere, so they were met by only 500 Māori—including women and the elderly. Despite being hugely outnumbered, they fought through the night. Over 100 elderly, women and children—strapped to the adults’ backs—were shot as they tried to escape via Lake Kopuera.

At dawn, Māori raised the white flag, in what has been a contentious moment ever since. Māori had observed the white

flag used to begin negotiations, and believed they were starting cease-fire talks. The British troops saw it as surrender, and took almost 182 prisoners.

The government seized over 1.2 million acres of Waikato land as ‘compensation’ for the war—with soldiers given allotments. This marked the beginning of the catastrophic loss of land and culture for Māori.

THIS TAONGA DOES NOT BELONG TO ME BUT IF YOU WAGE WAR WE WILL RESIST YOU, WE WILL NOT GO AWAY.

and for Māori Ministry. ‘You can drive past this historic reality and know nothing about it. But once you have been there, once you have had this encounter and you know, what do you do? That is the journey in Jesus Christ—if you don’t know right from wrong you are not accountable, but once you know, you have to give an account. We experienced the joy of fellowship as the light came on in different ways for different people.

There are a lot of people in the waka, but only a small amount are rowing—this encounter helped push Māori Ministry forward so that everyone is rowing the waka. We all became part of the encounter, it was quite extraordinary—it was an encounter with the Holy Spirit, afterall.

Tau summed up with this final challenge: ‘But the encounter is not the end. We have seen the “motorway and the mound”— what do we do now?’

As I heard this story, I couldn’t help but wonder why I wasn’t taught this at school? We learn about the atrocities of the World Wars, but we do not name the atrocities on our own land. Rangiriri was just one example of one group of people oppressing another. The echoes of this invasion continue to reverberate in our nation.

Becoming the story We were then taken to the local gravesite, where British causalities of the war were each given a gravestone and burial, while Māori were buried in a mass grave—now a simple mound covered in grass. ‘Not all were dead, some were reaching up. It’s as if the soldiers were trying to cover up what they had done,’ recalled Wairuaiti Tumai.

The Great South Road (SH1) was cut through Rangiriri Pā, as if to symbolise the devastation of the Māori land and people.

But the most heart-wrenching moment was still to come.

We were taken to the restored Pā site, where a replica of the battle trenches has been recreated. Brad divided our group in two—with people of Māori descent going one way, and the rest of us another. Then we were told to march toward the Pā. Brad led our division, yelling: ‘They are nothing! They are nothing!

Rape and pillage! We will destroy their land and we will destroy their people. They are nothing!’

Then, he continued: ‘That is why we have high numbers of incarceration today. That is why we have high numbers with mental health issues. Rape and pillage!’

Then, on the bow of the hill appeared a woman giving a plaintive karanga, and a Māori warrior doing a fearsome haka.

Suddenly, others appeared over the hill—no longer were they our fellow hui members, they were warriors. They descended towards us doing the haka, until we were face to face. We were at war.

Finally, at the end, Brad asked us to describe how we felt during this experience. Many said ‘shame’ or ‘whakamā’. Others said, ‘roimata’, ‘grief’, ‘devastated’. But still others said, ‘mana’, ‘mauri’, responsibility’ and ‘aroha’.

‘Today, you didn’t hear the story, you became part of the story,’ said Brad. ‘Behind all this is peace and whānau.’

In the waka National Māori Ministry leader Tau Mataki says that the ‘motorway and the mound’ serve as a metaphor for the weekend 17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 15

Atua and Aroha at the National Māori Ministry Hui Day Two: Mana It was a day we will never forget, as we were taken on a powerful journey back to the land wars in Rangiriri (see previous page). The tears flowed, but so did the mana.

During the evening session, Joanne Rosandich led a session on discipleship programme Te Whare Io, in an atmosphere of praise and celebration. ‘Look at all the people on this planet, every colour and culture and every one created in the image and likeness of God,’ said Joanne. ‘God gave us our culture, God gave us our reo and a cloud of witnesses is dancing around us because God wants our language!’

Day One: Aroha Tamariki played in the sun, and there were plenty of kisses, hugs and hongi as we gathered together from around Aotearoa at Horahora Marae, on 19–22 October 2018.

In glorious sunshine, we were welcomed on to the marae with a pōwhiri. Salvation Army Chief Secretary Colonel Suzanne Fincham made history by being the first woman ever to be invited by the marae to sit in the front row during the whaikōrero.

Special guests at the hui were Sue Hodges and Shirli and Chris Congoo, from The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries in the Australia Territory. Taking the first session, their ministry resonated with those present: ‘When I was little I wasn’t allowed to speak my language because otherwise I would be taken away from my parents, so we suffer a loss of language. But most Australians have been blinded to our experiences. We need to be educated about the history of our country, then we can start to heal,’ said Sue. 16 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

Day Three: Wairua The presence of Wairua Tapu fell strongly during New Zeal at the National Māori Hui, as we flooded forward to the mercy seat.

And the presence remained during the day, as we heard speaker Graham Bidois Cameron kōrero about our tikanga.

Then, ‘recovering racist’ and former New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd mixed humour with his insights into racism in

New Zeal Launched Across the Territory After months of planning, preparation and prayer, ‘New Zeal—A Season of Encounter’ was launched across our territory, on Sunday 21 October 2018.

New Zealand. Andrew spoke about how he woke up to racism within our government systems, but also within ourselves. ‘I think I’m experiencing … racism,’ he recalled. As Wayne Moses reflected, ‘If it wasn’t so real, it would be the best stand-up comedy ever.’

The final day ended with a celebratory feast, with elders from Horahora Marae and kaumātua kuia from the Kīngitanga paepae.

It was a life-changing weekend for many. ‘I’ve learnt a lot about my culture. I wasn’t very culturally connected but it’s given me a drive to know where I come from and find my roots,’ said Shanty from the Bridge.

Ritihia from Tokoroa reflected deeply during the weekend: ‘It was quite overwhelming. Even though the Bible tells us that people are equal, in the world there are still inequalities—even within churches,’ she said. ‘It’s made me appreciate what God has done for me. Māori can walk with our head up high, we do have our culture.’

Māori Ministry leader Trish Mataki summed up the atmosphere of the weekend: ‘For me it’s about seeing people come together as one in Christ and being able to manaaki and awhi our people—that’s the privilege we have. It’s the joy of the moment, it’s the harikoa, it’s the Holy Spirit, it’s the wairua that wells up.’

Over 4600 people gathered together throughout the territory for New Zeal. The live event—held at Wellington City Corps with an almost capacity crowd—was live-streamed across New Zealand, and a pre-recorded version of Commissioner Andy Westrupp’s message was sent to Fiji, Tonga and Samoa in advance.

Ten hubs were set up across New Zealand for multiple corps to gather together, including Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Invercargill and Palmerston North. They had their own live worship before tuning in to the live-stream of Andy’s message.

A further 18 corps streamed the entire service.

The central division made buses available for corps to travel to either the Wellington or Palmerston North locations. In Wellington, doors opened an hour before the start and a couple of corps were ready and waiting, wanting to get a good seat.

The mercy seat was lined with people during the response time, with dozens of others standing, filling the front as they received prayer and more of the Holy Spirit.

The Palmerston North hub hosted almost 400 people, including 50 children and eight leaders in the kids’ programme.

Captain Michelle Lee said it was obvious that God was moving and people were encountering the Holy Spirit. ‘[There were] even decisions from people wanting to become soldiers, which is awesome. All the corps coming together brought a real sense of unity and fellowship,’ she said.

Tīmaru Corps reported that those who attended found the territorial commander’s message challenging and something for further reflection. Some even said they’d love to listen to the message again. (See salvationarmy.org.nz/newzeal to watch as often as you like!)

Queenstown Corps commenced the morning with a breakfast and then sat at café-style tables during the service. Corps Officer Major Glenys Fairhurst said, ‘It was really moving to see the entire leadership team kneeling in commitment at the mercy seat, during the appeal time.’

The Dunedin/Mosgiel service also sat around tables for the service, while Rangiora Corps began with a pancake breakfast with 50 people attending the morning.

The hub in Tauranga had 147 adults and 13 children attend.

After the service they had lunch and then a ‘fantastic afternoon rally which featured all the participating corps,’ said Major Heather Kopu.

There were three hubs in Fiji. The Savusavu hub included Labasa, Taveuni and three outposts, with about 200 people attending. There was a great response to the service according to divisional leader, Major Anne Irwin.

BY SHAR DAVIS To stay engaged with New Zeal happenings over the next year, follow the Facebook page (facebook.com/newzealnzfts) or check out the website (salvationarmy.org.nz/newzeal).

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 17

Snapshots of New Zeal Our reporters were at two hubs, asking the people of The Salvation Army how they felt about New Zeal.

Auckland Hub: ‘Love’ was the word that summed up the New Zeal launch at Auckland City Corps.

The hall was filled to capacity as people gathered from around Auckland to hear the message and experience the power of the Holy Spirit.

‘Love is for everyone, it doesn’t matter who you are,’ said Sione, of Auckland City Corps.

‘The word of God should be driving us to go out and love others,’ agreed Jean of Waitakere Corps.

The music team from Westgate Corps created a lively and joyful atmosphere.

After the powerful message, people flooded forward to the mercy seat and rested in the Holy Spirit’s presence.

The children also learnt about the power of the Spirit, as they created windmills that showed how we experience the Holy Spirit, and made popcorn to show how the Spirit helps us change from the inside out. ‘I was in the kids’ band and it was cool to see the kids jumping, and you could totally see that the Holy Spirit was in the place,’ said Petiola.

Everyone agreed it had been an inspirational time together. ‘I found 18 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

it very inspirational. It speaks to me of a new form of worship and type of expression,’ said retired officer Lieutenant Colonel Faye Rive from Auckland City Corps. ‘It was uplifting, the people were throwing themselves into it heart and soul. I did feel old! It speaks of a whole different generation.’

‘I felt encouraged and inspired, the worship was full-on and powerful. I felt a unity in the Spirit. Anyone who doesn’t know Jesus will want to know him because I felt a lot of love,’ said Rubyanne Potae, of Manukau Corps.

Christchurch Hub: As people gathered at Sydenham Corps in Christchurch, Divisional Commander Major Earle Ivers opened the service with a rousing call for the Army in the South Island. Sharing a word from his installation, with Major Christine Ivers, as Divisional Leaders of Southern Division, he affirmed: ‘I still am expectant. This is not a programme or a project to complete. It’s not a meeting. It’s an expectant call to an encounter with the living God who was, is and is to come.

I pray that it begins in us afresh today.’

A rousing time of worship followed before and after the sermon and the

mercy seat was covered as people responded to the call.

Speaking afterwards, Nakita Halleen said she felt God powerfully during the worship time. ‘I really felt God’s presence.

I was actually meant to be serving and I couldn’t leave the worship, I couldn’t leave the feeling at the time.’

She was hopeful New Zeal would be a time of seeking God and trusting God to be there, both personally and for the wider Army.

Carol Kennedy, from Linwood Corps, said the day was different to previous New Zeals—she enjoyed the sermon, especially looking back at the sense of community among the early church in Acts. She was looking forward to increased fellowship and connections between corps in the city.

David Moreton from Nelson said he felt the season was a time for the Army to regenerate and for Salvationists to encourage each other as the church steps out in faith to carry out the mission.

‘That’s what I got out of this morning, it’s time for us to regenerate, to get back into the basics of what God wants us to do and then step out in faith and do something with what we learnt today.’

I WAS IN THE KIDS’ BAND AND IT WAS COOL TO SEE THE KIDS JUMPING, AND YOU COULD TOTALLY SEE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS IN THE PLACE.

IT WAS REALLY MOVING TO SEE THE ENTIRE LEADERSHIP TEAM KNEELING IN COMMITMENT AT THE MERCY SEAT, DURING THE APPEAL TIME

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 19

White Ribbon Day, on 25 November, is asking men to ‘stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence towards women’. Twentyyear-old Colson Verdonk, from The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, reflects on what this means to him.

Not to brag, but my girlfriend is training to be a doctor, is currently doing a year of breast cancer research, and is one of the most intelligent people I know. Her star far outshines mine. I’m happy with that and I am incredibly proud of her in everything that she does.

20 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

I am hopeful that my generation of men see the importance of supporting their partners in their success and careers.

Women can be breadwinners. While men can be exceptional, loving, adventurous stay-at-home dads. The value of parenting and the value of work are both equal. Women and men are equally able to be parents, or professionals, or both.

We are all called to live up to our Godgiven potential and calling.

In September, we were proud as a nation to celebrate 125 years of Women’s Suffrage. We have a 38-yearold mother as our Prime Minister; our Chief Justice is a woman, along with our Governor-General. Women in New

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE TEACHING BOYS HOW TO BE MEN. THAT WE PAVE THE WAY FOR MEN TO BE STRONG, EMOTIONAL AND EMPATHETIC. Zealand are being elected or appointed to high level roles in government, based on their competency and ability to get the job done.

But the picture for the rest of New Zealand is a little bit bleaker. Pay equity is a major issue. Women are not getting paid equally for the same roles, in too many cases. More broadly, femaledominated industries such as nursing, carers, teacher aides and social workers are not getting fairly paid, despite their vital and continual work. Caring roles such as these need to have more value attached to them; they are hard, difficult and vitally important.

The shocking statistics We have a long way to go for women to have an equal and fair go in New Zealand. A huge area of concern is domestic violence. We have to confront the frightening statistics. Around 20 percent of cases are reported to police.

In 2017, that equated to 105,000 calls.

If all incidents were reported, it would be more like 500,000 calls. We have the worst rate of intimate partner violence in the OECD. One in three women experience intimate partner violence during their lifetime. One in three.

The statistics speak of children and women who feel hopeless, who feel they have nowhere to go. This absolutely has to change. The people who are affected need to know that they are not alone— that there are people to go to, who care and want them to be safe.

Domestic violence ruins the lives of all involved. We need to confront this reality, working with families to get the help they need. We need to talk about it more and confront it head on. The time for hushed voices and avoiding the topic is over. We have to do better.

Positions of power We cannot keep blaming, victimising and dismissing those affected by physical, emotional and sexual violence. Something

has to give. The #metoo movement is so utterly vital at this moment. It is moving things that have stayed in the dark into the light. We need to ensure that we are not only sharing our stories and supporting survivors, but that we are also pushing for culture to change. We need to keep telling our girls that they are important, intelligent, strong and powerful. We need them to know they do not have to put up with sexual assault or sexism. That they can speak up and push for change.

We need to ensure that we are teaching boys how to be men. That we pave the way for men to be strong, emotional and empathetic. It cannot just be about holding open doors anymore and being a ‘gentleman’. It has to be about treating women as equals, as partners in life and in work. It has to be about respecting them as friends, not just as girlfriends and wives. It has to be about cheering them on in their success, in their intelligence and acumen.

But it is also about us, about men. Too many think the only emotion they can show is anger or respond to things with a quiet silence. We need to be able to cry, to be joyful, to be sad and to discuss the hard stuff that goes on in our lives.

We need all our boys to know that their success is not just in work and financially supporting their family—it’s in being a caring dad, loving husband and a great friend. We need to talk with our mates about more than rugby and what the missus is up to. We need to show up for our kids, girlfriends, friends and wives.

We need to be better and do better.

Take the Pledge White Ribbon Day is about men speaking out against violence towards women. If you want to be part of changing our culture, so that violence is unacceptable, White Ribbon challenges you to take this pledge—committing to taking at least one of these eight actions: Listening and believing women.

Reflecting on and changing my behaviour.

Disrupting other men’s violence towards women.

Treating women as equals.

Choosing how to be a man and how I will act.

Talking to a young man about breaking out of the ‘Man Box’.

Thinking about what you watch and the media you use.

Talking with young men about respectful relationships and pornography.

If you have taken this pledge and want more information on how to put these into practice, email: contact@whiteribbon.org.nz

‘I’m not interested in a world where men really want to watch porn but resist because they’ve been shamed; I’m interested in a world where men are raised from birth with such an unshakeable understanding of women as living human beings that they are incapable of being aroused by their exploitation.’

Jonah Mix

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 21

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 27–28 Nov: Fiji Governance Board visit, Fiji 30 Nov: Fiji School for Officership Training Covenant Day 1–2 Dec: Fiji Commissioning Colonels Suzanne Fincham (Chief Secretary) and Melvin Fincham (Territorial Secretary for Programme and Communications) 17–18 Nov: Woodville Corps Hall opening, Woodville 27–28 Nov: Fiji Governance Board visit, Fiji 30 Nov: Fiji School for Officership Training Covenant Day 1–2 Dec: Fiji Commissioning Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 26–30 Nov: Spiritual Life Development Conference, UK

GAZETTE

Resignation: Effective 10 January 2019: Captains Murray and Suman McIntosh.

Following his commissioning on 13 December 2003, Murray was appointed as Assistant Officer in Miramar. In 2005, he was appointed as an assistant in the Territorial Headquarters finance department before becoming the Assistant to the Financial Secretary in 2007. He was then appointed to the Fiji Division as the Divisional Secretary for Business Administration. Murray and Suman were married in 2008. In 2010 they moved from Fiji to Upper Hutt where Murray was the Secretary for Business Administration at Booth College of Mission.

It was here Suman completed her cadet training. Following her commissioning on 10 December 2011, Murray and Suman were appointed as Corps Officers, Alexandra.

Effective 7 January 2019: Captains Epironi and Sera Toloi. Epironi and Sera were commissioned on 20 January 2007. Following their commissioning they were appointed as Corps Officers in Lomaivuna. In 2009, Epironi was appointed as Divisional Youth Secretary, Fiji Division, and Sera was appointed Divisional Children’s Mission Secretary, Fiji Division. From 2013 to 2015 they served in New Zealand as the corps officers at Mt Albert, then Officers in Training at the Bridge in Auckland. On their return to Fiji in 2016 Captains Epironi and Sera Toloi were appointed as Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader, respectively, at the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Service in Suva.

‘ZEAL HAS THE ABILITY TO TRANSFORM THE FEARFUL AND THE FALTERING.’ Passionate people are fantastic fun, I love being around them.

Steve Irwin AKA the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ was a passionate man. His zeal for wildlife and for the natural world was infectious, legendary and world famous— quite literally. You may not know it, but only weeks before his untimely death Steve Irwin committed his life to Jesus. The Bible tells us that in our Father’s house are many mansions. Imagine if Steve Irwin ends up being your next door neighbour—I can tell you one thing, it isn’t going to be boring!

Zeal is an incredibly powerful thing; it has the ability to transform the fearful and the faltering into courageous people energised with fervour and an inner fire that refuses to go out.

There is a magnificent scene in the movie Braveheart where the armies of Scotland have been mustered to cast off the cruel and oppressive tyranny of King Edward I of England.

Gazing across the battlefield, the Scots—mostly peasant farmers—see the slick, heavily-armed war machine of the English and are overcome with fear. Then, William Wallace rides through their motley ranks. Staring down their fears, he calls for courage and for passion, to live, to fight and to die if necessary, for freedom—for to live as free men is the only life truly worth living.

The battle of Stirling Bridge was a pivotal point in securing the eventual freedom of the Scottish people. Braveheart had a remarkable impact on many of the people who went to see the movie. In Scotland itself, stories of people rising up out of their seats to cheer on William Wallace and his men were soon reported.

I sense in these days that we, The Salvation Army in this territory, also face a great choice—even greater than the cry for freedom that the Scots faced.

We are called to be zealous, to be passionate, and to recapture our fervour for souls. We stand on a spiritual battle field where we can choose to move forward and fight, or we can run away. The one thing we cannot do is to stay where we are. Both choices, to fight or to run, are costly decisions—but only one carries the hope and promise of freedom.

I pray that the Holy Spirit would grant each one of us the courage and the grace we need to enter the fray and to serve with a new zeal and a renewed passion for the lost.

May it be true of us, as it was of Jesus, ‘that zeal for your [God’s] house consumes me,’ (John 2:17). May God by his Holy Spirit baptise us afresh today.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Jarvis Assistant Secretary for Personnel Quiz Answers: 1 Irish Wolfhound (height) Mastiff (muscle mass) Greyhound (speed), 2 Scoobert, 3 Subway, 4 Traditional English dessert featuring meringue, strawberries and cream, 5 Jochebed (Exodus 6:20).

22 WarCry 17 NOVEMBER 2018

One of a kind!

‘No other god can save in this way …’

Just like there is only one God, there is one unique bear in the group here. Can you find it?

Daniel 3:29 NIV

Spot the difference!

Summer is upon us! Can you spot 10 differences in these summery pictures?

A long time ago, in a kingdom far away, there were three friends with three funny names called Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar ruled this kingdom and he thought he was a god. He made a huge gold statue of himself and demanded that everyone bow down and worship it.

But the three friends knew there was only one true God—the creator of heaven and earth. The King said, ‘Bow down to the statue!’ The friends said, ‘No way!’

The King got so angry that he had the three friends thrown into a giant, fiery furnace. But when the King looked into the fire, he jumped to his feet in amazement.

Colouring in!

Finish colouring in the picture of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego safe in the fire with their heavenly friend looking over them.

‘Weren’t there three men tied up and thrown into the fire?’ he asked. ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed.’

There were now four people walking around in the fire, totally safe. How was this possible? God was with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire—God was looking after them.

The King called out to them, and the three friends walked out of the fire. Now the King knew that God was always with them, too!

HAVE YOU EVER …

had a time where you felt scared, but God looked after you?

17 NOVEMBER 2018 WarCry 23

Saturday 1 December, 2pm

Sunday 2 December, 10am

Suva Central Corps

Suva Central Corps

Friday 7 December, 7pm

Saturday 8 December, 2:30pm

Sunday 9 December, 10am

Hutt City Corps

Wellington City Corps

Wellington City Corps

Commissioning & Ordination Booth College of Mission Graduation Corner Cornwall St & Kings Cres, Lower Hutt

Commissioning & Ordination Service

Commissioning & Ordination Service 92 Vivian St, Wellington

Celebration Service

Celebration Service

92 Vivian St, Wellington