Southern Spirit AUG 2022 - Vol 38 Issue 5

THE SALVATION ARMY STEPS UP TO MEET RISING NEED PROMPTED BY NATIONWIDE HEAT WAVE

BY BRAD ROWLAND

Across the Southeastern United States many face heat-related challenges, especially during the summer months. In 2022, record-high temperatures are occurring in various communities, causing challenges both physically and mentally. In response, The Salvation Army is deploying targeted efforts to “beat the heat” in the Southern Territory, tailoring service to local need and responding with flexibility and a passion for helping others.

One prominent avenue for relief is the presence of cooling centers designated to allow individuals to simply escape the scalding-hot temperatures. The Salvation Army of Lynchburg, Virginia opened its doors as soon as temperatures reached 90 degrees this summer, with a daily dispersal of snacks and water followed by a dinner meal in the evening. Cooling centers are also present in Danville and Roanoke, Virginia, among other locations, and The Salvation Army is partnering with emergency medical services, likeminded agencies, and the city government in Wheeling, West Virginia to provide refuge in Ohio County.

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, unseasonably high temperatures led to the launch of a 24-hour cooling center housed at The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope. This offering will be in place through at least September, with dozens of individuals in

need finding comfort in the temperature environment. The Salvation Army is also partnering with local service providers in and around Oklahoma City, including participation in Home Energy Aid Month, aimed at raising funds for emergency utility assistance that will help families to pay skyrocketing energy costs.

The Salvation Army of Paducah, Kentucky opened a pair of cooling centers in mid-June, utilizing the corps community center and its Southside Family Store location. Visitors can enjoy cool drinks, snacks and access to clean restrooms, as well as the opportunity to meet with professional caseworkers. A local “Beat the Heat” fan collection drive also generated meaningful traction in partnership with a television station in the area.

“We need to bring that to light and help people get resources to help them,” said Lt. David Donegan, corps officer, who also noted that this is simply one step in The Salvation Army’s comprehensive plan to help low-income families and to address issues related to homelessness in the region. “We exist to fulfill that call to serve others, in His name, and so we are pleased to help.”

Beyond the presence of cooling center locations, The Salvation Army is intentional about meeting need in any way possible, including several efforts to collect and disperse fans for inhome aid. The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta engaged in a partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta that led to the distri -

bution of more than 1,500 fans in the region, and The Salvation Army of North Texas partnered with Reliant and Westlake Ace Hardware to provide bottled water and portable fans to many.

Outreach persists as the summer months continue and need grows, with corps and service centers across the territory stepping up to help those facing challenges. The Salvation Army of Aiken, South Carolina is also a prime example, hosting

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Bessemer Corps Reopens

BY CYRONDYS JACKSON

The Salvation Army Greater Birmingham, Alabama Area Command held a rededication and reopening of the Bessemer Corps, on June 12, 2022, after the renowned corps shuttered worship services almost five years ago. In 2017 following the New Year holiday, employees returned to the building to find a pipe had burst in the ceiling of the sanctuary, causing significant water damage. The cost of repairs was prohibitive to the struggling corps, and the decision was made to

close the doors.

Although social services remained available to neighbors living in western Jefferson County, the once vibrant corps, formerly filled with Salvationists reaching the broken in nearby communities, sat empty with plywood covering striking, stained glass windows. Graffiti began to cover the red brick exterior, while copper thieves pilfered heating and cooling units until there was only a shell. A shell was what it was yesterday. An opportunity of hope for today.

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“Bessemer” continued from page 1

Renovations of the fellowship hall, kitchen, classrooms, and the chapel began in late February, and were completed by a local contractor in late May. Area commanders and corps officers, Majors

Robert and Karen Lyle, said they felt a calling to restore the Bessemer Corps after driving around the city last year.

“When Karen and I got here, we knew ministry was needed in this community, and the Holy Spirit just put it on our hearts to return this into a ‘Salvation Station,’ where people can experience the love of Christ, and be led to salvation,” said Major Robert Lyle.

Retired officers, Majors James and Lois Allison, delivered remarks and prayers during the rededication. Speaking on the need to further outreach, Major Allison said, “Our future is not confined to the walls of The Salvation Station. All I can dedicate is brick and mortar; I can’t dedicate your heart and spirit. You have to do that.”

The Salvation Station held its first Resurrection Week events leading up to Easter, with tent revival services, a community carnival and Easter egg hunt, and held its first service in the newly renovated fellowship hall on Easter Sunday. In March, the Seasoned Adult Lunch and Teaching (SALT) program, a twice weekly fellowship for seniors, began as a safe place for older neighbors to come together. Students were also able to enjoy Vacation Bible Study during their spring break holiday.

“This was a lively, family Corps,” said Major Beverly Lawrence who grew up in the Bessemer Corps, and later met her husband there, Major Jim Lawrence. Majors Lawrence served on the ad-hoc committee that worked tirelessly to see the rededication and reopening come to fruition, and they also split their time between The Salvation Station in Bessemer and Birmingham’s Adult Rehabilitation Center.

As work continues to meet human needs of

neighbors, through social services programs, a movement is underway across western Jefferson County, to reach souls for Christ, whether at the doorstep of The Salvation Station or in the streets.

The Bessemer Corps has returned.

The Spirit of God never left.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”- Acts 4:12 NIV

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individuals within its doors and taking to the streets to disperse water and other necessities via a designated mobile unit.

Captain April Tiller, corps officer, views this ministry as vital and, with financial hardship striking many as the heat wave continues, The Salvation Army stands in the gap.

“With the challenges we are seeing in every area of our economy, this is a wonderful way to show our community that we are here for them and understand that times are hard,” said Captain Tiller. “However, the simplest acts of kindness can make huge impacts towards the spiritual, mental, and physical vitality of someone’s life.”

Lt.

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An Interview With Commissioners Willis and Barbara Howell

Southern Spirit: What are your thoughts going into retirement?

Commissioner Willis: There’s a surrealness to it all. Retirement has always been this date way out there past the horizon. Suddenly, it’s standing on your doorstep. As a result, I find myself more introspective and retrospective. It’s like looking into a rearview mirror trying to gain the sense of whether or not you’ve made a difference, a positive difference.

Commissioner Barbara: I’m thinking and looking forward to more. I also want to be sure we’re finishing well and managing this transition. I want to make sure we aren’t leaving undone things out that we should have taken care of.

Southern Spirit: What do you wish The Salvation Army world knew about the Southern Territory?

Commissioner Willis: What a very passionate bunch of Salvationists we have. Southern Territory Salvationists are giving, forgiving, gracious, inclusive, and willing. Southern Salvationists are very willing. You need something? We’re willing. You want some help? We’re willing. Do you have enough? We’re willing. I think that’s a good word for Southern Salvationists.

Commissioner Barbara: The South is famously known for its Southern hospitality that includes a strong willingness to welcome folks in. Southerners are eager to have you not just come in the front door; they want you to come in and sit down around the kitchen table.

Southern Spirit: What appointment was the one that taught you the most about what it meant to be a Salvation Army officer?

Commissioner Willis: I’d rather not specify the location but there was a particular appointment that if not for what I experienced, learned, and went through, I would be a very different officer—in a negative sense. The appointment was a crucible experience. It was anvil time. But I thank God for this appointment and how it grew and developed me. Would I ever want to go through that experience again? No. But that’s the place where the Lord broke me, where He was able to then shape me as was more suiting Him and His requirements.

Commissioner Barbara: I can see where each appointment has molded and shaped us. It’s kind of like the uniform we put on every day. The material it’s made from has been fashioned by many different threads. In the same way, each appointment has contributed to our development like

the threads in the uniform that I wear every day in the fabric of my life. That one appointment Willis mentioned is where I grew an extreme amount and it really helped shaped me in areas where I was not properly equipped, previously. It really started filling in the holes I might have had, started equipping me and making me more into that vessel that God wanted to use.

Southern Spirit: What has provided you the greatest joy as a Salvation Army officer?

Commissioner Willis: Seeing people come to the Lord—that has got to be paramount. Those times when you’re either at the altar with someone or talking with them after the fact. But other things that bring me joy are first, relationships that connect and deepen. Second, in a figurative sense, seeing light bulbs come on over people’s heads when they come to an “aha!” moment, whether it’s spiritual, whether it’s personal, whether it’s relational. You can often see it on their faces as, all of a sudden, the puzzle pieces just click. That absolutely fuels my flame.

Commissioner Barbara: Seeing lives change, especially young adults. When you see how they start growing and shaping and developing into

that person who God wants to use, that’s exciting. Another is when you pour over prayer about something—or someone—and God answers that prayer and you to get to see it.

Southern Spirit: How would you like to be remembered?

Commissioner Willis: I’d like to be remembered for having passion and zeal for the Army’s mission and the wide array of things and issues that matter deeply to God. People these days can be passionate and zealous over a great number of things. But is that passion and zeal helpful? Is it focused in the right areas? I would like to be known for having a heart like Jesus. Don’t we all aspire to that? You’ll know that I’m very partial to the image and symbolism of fire and that which burns. I would like to be remembered as someone who had—and hopefully still has —a fire inside. My life verse is Leviticus 6:13, “The fire on the altar must always be kept burning. It must never go out.” That’s a great image and a great challenge. I would like to be remembered as someone who’s fire continued and continues to burn.

Commissioner Barbara: For me, it’s that people would think, “She cared for me.”

Southern Spirit: What is unfinished that you wish you could have finished?

Commissioner Willis: On one hand, there’re things we couldn’t do because of Covid. It frustrates me to lean on that, but it’s true. I would have liked to have seen the territory further down the line in restoring a sense of why we do what we do. Before COVID rewrote everything, we were gaining some initial traction as we were focusing on the why behind anything and everything The Salvation Army does or sets its hand to. If whatever we’re involving ourselves with doesn’t contribute to the ability to introduce somebody to Jesus, or take them deeper in their experience with the Lord; if it doesn’t give us the opportunity to eventually have a discussion about what’s going on in a person’s soul, do we need to retool? And if whatever we’re involved with can’t be retooled for those opportunities, then why are we doing it in the first place? To borrow from General Peddle’s recent comments, “the world does not need another well-run charity” (i.e. social services agency). And it grieves me to see our insistence on becoming one. Let’s come back to our original WHY why we do what we do as opposed

Commissioners Willis and Barbara Howell, Territorial Leaders of the USA Southern Territory

Dallas Cowboys Aid Salvation Army Fundraising in North Texas with Reliant Home Run Derby

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Dallas Cowboys aimed for the fences in early June with the Reliant Home Run Derby benefiting The Salvation Army. Thousands of fans cheered on the Cowboys at Riders Field in Frisco, Texas, and the ninth annual charity competition resulted in Reliant donating $135,000 to 22 nonprofit organizations, the largest amount in the event’s history.

“The Cowboys’ show-stopping performance helped make the return of the Reliant Home Run Derby even more special, and it’s amazing to reflect on the program’s collective impact as it reaches more than $715,000 in nonprofit donations,” said Andrea Russell, vice president, Reliant. “Now in our ninth year, we are thrilled to continue this fun tradition and give back to nonprofits that positively impact our North Texas communities.”

The Reliant Home Run Derby, which was free and open to the public, gave fans a chance to see some of their favorite players in action, raising a total of $81,000 for The Salvation Army. Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was named the

2022 Reliant Home Run Derby champion. The full Dallas Cowboys’ lineup included Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Anthony Brown, Trevon Diggs, and Zack Martin.

PRESENTED BY

“A huge thanks to Reliant and Cowboys Nation for showing up in a big way this year, making the experience both rewarding and fun for our players to give back while interacting with fans,” said Charlotte Jones, executive vice president and chief brand officer, Dallas Cowboys. “Our players love a little friendly competition, especially for a good cause, and look forward to this event every year.”

In addition to the Cowboys trying their hand on the diamond, Reliant also invited local media personalities to swap their mics for baseball bats in the sixth annual Reliant Home Run Derby Media League. The event raised nearly $44,000 for nonprofits of their choice, with Rick Rogers of Star Local Media playing on behalf of The Salvation Army.

Nearly 50 local students involved with The Salvation Army attended and one deserving youth from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Youth Education Town earned the opportunity to throw out the first pitch to a Cowboys player. Rowdy, the Cowboys’ mascot, was joined by Reliant’s mascot Hugo to create a lively atmosphere. The national anthem was performed by The Salvation Army band, while the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and The Salvation Army’s mascot, Captain Kettle, also joined the fun.

“The Salvation Army of North Texas is incredibly grateful for the generosity and partnership of Reliant and the Dallas Cowboys,” said Major Todd Hawks, then area commander for The Salvation Army of North Texas. “The Home Run Derby is such a fun way to engage the community to support our mission. The funds received will be put to immediate use serving those experiencing poverty, addiction, and homelessness in North Texas.”

We are a Salvation Army.

Not a bed and board army.

Not a musical army.

Not a money collecting army.

Not a recreation army.

These are but the battlefields, the weapons, and the logistics of the fight.

- Major Ted Palmer

Stained Glass Tribute to General Edward Higgins

BY LT. COLONEL DANNY R. MORROW

The earliest known “stained glass” was glass with color infused to soften the brightness of the much-needed sunlight in homes, buildings, synagogues, and churches and still provide protection from the elements. The craft/art-form of coloring glass evolved, improved, and became a way to communicate biblical stories to largely illiterate worshipers in cathedrals throughout medieval times. The primary purpose of stained-glass windows was now more for information and inspiration rather than for artistic and esthetic expression.

Ted Palmer, writing in Marching On, A Fresh Look at Salvation Army History, proclaims proudly, “The Salvation Army is the stained-glass window of the Christian Church. It is the world’s most colorful expression of the light and life of Christ. Through its worldwide ministry has come a technicolor experience for thousands of those for whom existence would otherwise always have been grey or black.”

As one who has admired the stainedglass window produced as an 80th birthday salute to the first elected General of The Salvation Army, Edward J. Higgins, I read Palmer’s words as more than hyperbole.

The window, suggested by Southern Territorial Commander Commissioner William C. Arnold and South Atlantic Divisional Commander, Major Ernest Pickering, was dedicated during a celebration in late November 1944 that included most of the leadership of the city of Sebring, Florida, and all of the leadership of the Salvation Army USA Southern Territory.

But the saga of The Salvation Army and the city of Sebring is much deeper, much wider, and much more colorful than one weekend in the sunny South which on that weekend was, according to the General George Carpenter was a time when “many hearts in many lands will turn in love and gratitude to sunny Sebring today.”

Any account of the window, including this one, must begin with the City of Sebring itself. It happened this way according to a contemporary newspaper article authored by Elaine Levey. “The Salvation Army has been in Sebring since the beginning of the tow. (1912) George E. Sebring was a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army and donated land to them and two years later in 1914 The Salvation Army moved into their new building at 120 N Ridgewood Dr where they are today in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Sebring.

“George Sebring was no stranger to The Salvation Army. His son Payne wrote the following about his father, ‘while he was working in the pottery company, he was converted on a street corner in East Liverpool Ohio on a Saturday night by the Salvation Army. He was 16 at the time and he later played a cornet in their band on that same street corner.’”

That band is recognized as the first Salvation Army band in the United States. Founded by Dick Albright and, by the time George E. Sebring moved to Florida he had served for a time as bandmaster of the East Liverpool Band.

Sebring and his family moved to the area surrounding Lake Jackson in South Central Florida, purchased land and worked toward chartering the city of Sebring. The city grew rapidly primarily because The Seaboard Air Line (SAL) Railroad was extended from Jacksonville and because of a

marketing campaign Mr. Sebring launched in the Northeastern States.

George Sebring’s interest in and affection for The Salvation Army was not left behind in East Liverpool.

An outpost of The Salvation Army from Tampa was established in Sebring and even though no officer was assigned, the outpost was officially recognized as a place of worship and included in a “census of religious leaders” document indicated eight members in 1914.

Which brings us, again, to the window.

In 1929 The Salvation Army found itself in crisis when Founders William and Catherine Booth’s son and second General fell ill and was unable to continue his leadership of the Army, and yet refused to retire. Using a caveat built into the Deed Poll (Articles of Incorporation), Commissioner Edward J. Higgins, Chief of the Staff, summoned the collective leadership of the Salvation Army worldwide to convened as the High Council to remedy such a situation. (The latest historical account of these proceedings is in 1929-A Crisis That Shaped The Salvation Army’s Future by General John Larsson.)

Imagine this scenario: It’s sometime early in 1944, a conversation between the territorial commander of the Southern Territory and the divisional commander for the South Atlantic division that included most of Florida, including Sebring where retired Salvation Army General Edward Higgins was a soldier. Both, knowing Higgins was a very active and engaged soldier, well known, and well liked throughout Sebring, the division and the territory, they also knew he would celebrate his 80th birthday later in the year. The details of any such meeting and conversation are lost to the records

located for this article, but what is known is that November 26-30, 1944, a birthday celebration was held in Sebring, Florida that is still remembered and revered as an historic event in Sebring.

Rather than a party, this was a coming together of a grateful community for the mission and ministry The Salvation Army in Sebring, the United States, and the entire world, at that time still at war.

Every meeting for four days was filled with gospel preaching, hymns and Salvation Army songs declaring the claims of Christ on all those who will respond to His seeking them. The retired General and Mrs. Higgins spoke of the faithfulness of Christ in their lives and ministry on several occasions over that long and event filled weekend. It was clear from the community leaders who attended and participated in this celebration, that even in retirement the Higgins, were fully active in the “Soup, Soap, and Salvation” tradition and commitment of The Salvation Army.

It was also clear that Salvation Army leaders around the world were grateful for the leadership gifts and soul saving passion of these two Salvationists.

The weekend was beautifully reported in the War Cry December 16, 1944, in superb prose and photographs. Few, if any, details of the seven major events is missing from this report that begins with: “General Edward J. Higgins (R) Celebrates Eightieth Birthday Anniversary. All roads lead to Sebring, Florida as Commissioner William C. Arnold directs world attention on former international leader. Anniversary observance unique in Army annals.”

Events included two open-air meetings, two public meeting at the local high school and the largest hotel in town led by the mayor and the territorial commander and featured major addresses by General and Mrs. Higgins. Also featured were messages from the Florida governor and Salvation Army leaders from around the world. The Sunday Holiness Meeting at the corps and an officers’ council on Monday filled the chapel to capacity.

Pulpits around the city and county were filled by Salvation Army officers as the entire area worshiped with and in the spirit of the Army.

The War Cry reported, “A unique event was that of Monday afternoon in the unveiling and dedication of a Window of Tribute. In this writer’s experience it is the first time such an event had occurred.

“A short time ago Commissioner Arnold with Major Pickering, conceived the idea of a Salvation Army window in stained glass for the front of the Sebring Hall. The window has for its centerpiece a picture of the Founder, and first General, William Booth, and the colors are yellow, red, and blue.

“The whole is a beautiful and impressing sight. Inspiring. This service of dedication was not long, and its climax was reached when the congregation, reversing its position, turn to face the window and in the spirit of dedication sang one of the old Army songs led by Commissioner Arnold.

“The Dedication inscription reads: ‘In Tribute to General Edward J. Higgins (R) on his 80th Birthday, Born November 26, 1864, The First Elected General of The Salvation Army.’”

The ministry of The Salvation Army in Sebring no longer includes a worshiping congregation, so in June 2022 the window was retired and has been hung in tribute to the Sebring Corps in the lobby of the Army’s Florida Divisional Headquarters.

Farewell to the Howells

BY LT. COLONEL ALLEN SATTERLEE

If you stare into the heavens on any given night, in addition to the moon you will see two types of lights. There is the meteor that suddenly blazes, streaks across the sky and then fades from view. Impressive for a moment, it meets its end as a tiny grain of space dust, lost in the debris of earth.

Then there are the stars themselves. So reliable in their positions, they have been used for navigation for millennia. If you can remember the first time you saw a particular one and then on your last day on earth could see it again, it would be shining as brightly as before. You would see it never surrendered its place, never dimmed in spite of all the push and rush and chaos that fills the days on our little planet.

We are at a place of saying farewell to a couple who have shone brightly, consistently, depend -

ably across the years of their service as Salvation Army officers. Throughout their service, Commissioners Willis and Barbara Howell have spoken about a Savior whose blood can make the vilest clean, have been as willing to move chairs around a room as to stand in front of thousands proclaiming the good news, who sought to keep themselves within whispering distance of their heavenly Father so they might glorify Him despite demanding emails, time-consuming meetings, family concerns and all the rest that have filled their hours. Not a flash across the sky, but consistent lights that never cooled in their zeal, they were unmoved by shifting winds, certain that their calling had fixed their fate.

We honor them as they move toward retirement. They are not to fade away as a burned-out meteor, but to continue giving and ministering and seeking to glorify God. Long ago they discovered their why and find now as their lives transition to something else, the why still fires their souls.

Thank you, Commissioners Howell. We thank God for you.

Unremarkable

BY DAVID NEW

This past weekend my wife and I went to see Top Gun: Maverick. Growing up, there was no outing I enjoyed more than going to the movies. The popcorn, the comically oversized sodas, the chairs we convinced ourselves were clean… all these things bring a nostalgic sense of relaxation to me. Regardless of where the movie theater was, in a mall or at a drive in, I was home.

I wish I could say adulthood has carried the tradition forward, but that’s just not the way life works. There are seasons for everything. And perhaps I wouldn’t have this fond memory of movie theaters had I not stopped going as frequently.

Without plunging into the plot of the film, allow me to describe it to you in the vaguest way possible without any real spoilers.

The movie can pretty much be summed up by the following:

• The most basic love story

• The most basic character arcs

• The most basic action scenes

• The most basic redemption tropes

• The most basic nods to the original

• The most basic storyline

• The most basic everything

The Ultimate Weapon

BY DR. STEVE KELLNER

At the main entrance to Fort Dix, New Jersey, the U.S. Army base where I underwent my basic training many years ago, there was (and is) a towering statue of an American soldier. I often saw it as my platoon marched or ran by the gate. The soldier is depicted in full combat gear, rifle at the ready with fixed bayonet, and running into combat. The inscription below the statue reads, “Fort Dix, New Jersey, home of the ultimate weapon: The American fighting man!” The statue was erected in the 1950’s, so the inscription is a little dated. Nowadays, it would include the American fighting woman as well.

The message of the statue and inscription is twofold. First, that the primary, and really the only, purpose of Fort Dix is to train soldiers to fight. At the time I went through there were thousands of trainees on the base, all in various phases of basic and advanced infantry training, night and day, weekdays and weekends, year-round. There was, to my knowledge, no other kind of training going on there, no artillery ranges, no airplanes or helicopters flying overhead, and certainly no ships or submarines! And there was no technology in use to speak of unless you consider a rifle or compass technology.

The second message is that no matter how technologically advanced and awesomely impressive the weaponry of our military is, sooner or later victory in war comes down to “boots on the ground,” the individual infantry soldiers who

take and hold ground. After the field of combat is electronically surveilled, bombs dropped, and missiles launched, flesh and blood infantry soldiers must finish the job.

Certainly, we in today’s Salvation Army do many things differently than early day Salvationists. Those pioneers could not have imagined the tools and technology we have available to spread the gospel and meet human need. To cite but one example, one “viral” tweet or YouTube video can potentially reach millions of people with the gospel message, something that would have taken thousands of Salvationists years to do not so long ago.

Once all the tools and technology have laid the groundwork, it still takes individual flesh and blood (or should I say Blood & Fire?) Salvationists to complete the mission, whether that is praying with a seeker at the mercy seat, teaching a Sunday school class, leading worship on Sundays, or serving sandwiches and coffee to a homeless person or disaster victim. In this we are no different than our Army forebears, and they would have no problem recognizing us as one of their own.

We individual Salvationists must be ready to be the boots on the ground of our movement, and that means training night and day, weekdays and weekends, and yearround. Our training doesn’t include shooting a rifle or using a compass, but it does include daily time in the Word and in prayer, the meaningful worship and rich fellowship of a healthy corps congregation, and specific training for the role in which we are serving. Then we can truly become the ultimate weapon in the war against the powers of darkness and the rulers of this world: The Salvationist man or woman!

That list is intentionally ambiguous, but nonetheless true. You could read that list and likely think that this film is nothing special and clearly not worth the money. But it was the most enjoyable film I’ve seen in a long time.

I won’t dive into my self-proclaimed film snobbery. I’m no film critic. However, I can’t help but wonder… Why was this predictable, cheesy, remake of a classic movie so refreshing to watch? There were no major twists, no epic monologues, not even an end credit scene!

I want to change gears for a moment and talk about another day I had with my wife recently. It was a very lazy Saturday. Now, I’m not complaining… I have a wonderful life filled with wonderful people. However, that doesn’t erase the fact that we don’t get many lazy days anymore. So just this once to give us a completely free day, we took advantage of it.

The day had no plot to it. No action. It wasn’t particularly romantic nor did either of us attempt some grand gesture to please the other. There were no twists. And yet, it was one of the best days I’ve had in a long time.

So much of my life has been spent repeating things. Doing the same tasks over and over. Going to the same places again and again. Eating the same foods day after day. I trick myself into thinking that doing something out of the norm or trying something extravagant is the key to believing I’m enjoying myself. But in the end, the times I enjoy the most are those filled with the people I love and things I love to do. Even if those things don’t change. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.

When I was a kid, I had a bedtime. It was so agonizingly vivid. Up until the sixth grade, I wasn’t allowed to stay up past 9:00. And regardless of how tired I was or how little there was to even do after that time, I was always so frustrated. Well, the better word would be scared. Not of monsters or the dark, but scared of missing out on something. Surely the reason I had to go to bed was because after 9:00 was when all the adults all over the world began to really have fun! I was so convinced of this, I’d sneak out of my room and just sit at the top of the stairs hoping to get a glimpse of life after 9:00. This often just meant me struggling to

“Unremarkable”

A column exploring how the principles, practices and culture of our military services might apply to The Salvation Army

WE ARE AN ARMY!

A Beam of Light in a Jail Cell

Testimony of Captain Ann Hawk

In 2004, Ann Hawk sat alone in a jail cell for possession of meth. By this point in her young life, she was “not actively suicidal—but (I) didn’t want to live.” It was during that dark hour something came to her mind—a memory from when she was child. That image was like a shaft of light beaming in her darkest moment.

Ann self-describes her childhood and young adult life as “a hot mess.” Both her parents were alcoholics, and her father severely abused her mother. He finally abandoned the family when Ann was seven, and her mom remarried several times. One of Ann’s stepdads committed suicide. Little wonder, then, that by age 13 Ann was experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, psychedelic drugs; and later on, cocaine and meth.

“But God had His eye on me,” she says, and thanks to the Christian influence of her maternal grandmother, seeds were planted during Ann’s childhood that would one night literally and figuratively save her life.

“I was bullied a lot in school, and I lived in a small town where everybody knows everybody, and all their secrets,” Ann says.

Despite all this, Ann remained in school and even graduated college on the Dean’s List, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA) from Georgia Southern University. Continuing to function well only fueled her rationalization during her alcohol and drug abuse.

For years prior to 2004, Ann had many close calls with the law and was arrested numerous times—each time behind bars for no more than a week. She admits, “There hardly was a time I wasn’t ‘under the influence’ behind the wheel” of her car. She was even pulled over, but “my innocent looks, and smooth talk always got me off!”

Despite an excellent job after graduation, she just could not stop using.

“I hated my life. I experienced a lot of drama and had a lot to escape from!”

It all caught up to her one night at 3:00 a.m. with a knock on her door.

“It was the kind of knock that you just know, that must be the cops!”

The police were actually looking for a friend of Ann’s on the run from the law; but since she was on “intense probation,” the drugs they found in her house landed her in jail for possession of meth—this time for nearly three months.

It turns out, “God’s will for my life came as a knock on the door by the police.”

That extended stay behind bars became “the first time I was ‘clean’ since the age of thirteen!” With a clearer mind she began thinking more about God, and the gospel truths impressed on her through her grandmother by attending Sunday school, VBS, and Christian camps. She even remembered that at age seven, she was confirmed in her grandmother’s Methodist Church— and the Confirmation Bible she received that day.

“It was like a beam of light in that dark cell— the image of that little Bible!”

“Unremarkable” continued from page 6

make out what was playing on the TV downstairs. Anything to deceive myself into thinking I was a part of the nightly party adults got to experience after every sunset.

But the truth is there’s no epic party. Life has its moments of fun and laughter, but it’s more-so filled with familiarity and quiet. That’s just not a reality a kid likes to accept.

I realize this sounds disappointing, maybe even depressing. But I’ve learned that in reality there’s nothing sad about it. There’s a reason that

She still has that Bible. Upon her release from jail, she found it and took it with her to the halfway house she was assigned to for nine months as part of her parole. Ann took Isaiah 51:11 as the key verse for her recovery: “Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

Ann landed a job at a Microtel motel just around the corner from the Atlanta Temple Corps. There she discovered “Celebrate Recovery” and began attending. She also started ALPHA, which she describes as “a beginner’s Christianity 101 course.” Involvement in Temple Corps activities soon followed, and she was mentored by (then) corps officers, Lt. Colonels Allan & Fiona Hofer. She became a soldier in 2006.

In fact, the Hofers figure prominently in Ann’s spiritual walk: as her corps officers, then training principals, then divisional leaders in Arkansas-Oklahoma (AOK) as well as now in the Potomac Division, where she currently leads the corps in Front Royal, Virginia.

Captain Ann Hawk was commissioned in 2012 with the Friends Of Christ Session. She has served in corps appointments in the Carolinas, and two in the finance departments of Texas and AOK.

“I realized in that jail cell that I didn’t want to live that way anymore,” Captain Ann explains. “I did not want to wake up every day worrying if I was going to use. I knew God had something much better for me!”

Working through Trevecca Nazarene University, she is only five classes away from her goal of a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. She has a heart for ministry among the homeless, “Although I was never homeless myself—there’s just something about helping desperate people in need!”

Hers is a brand-new life. “God led me to the Army,” she says. “The Army became my family; something I had lacked all my childhood. People ignored me until I met the Army!”

As she approaches 20 years of sobriety,

times of normalcy can be the most special. It’s the same reason why Top Gun was so much fun. And the reason why the lazy day with my wife was exactly what I needed.

We don’t get to experience the amazing stories in the Bible for ourselves. Sure, miracles happen every day, but none as obvious as a man walking on water. So does that mean that our lives are useless? Or that if I can’t travel the world performing miracles, I shouldn’t even bother reading the Bible? How does my boring, repetitive life have anything special to offer?

Reality tells us that the Bible is a book. A

Captain Ann no longer questions the “whys” of her unfortunate circumstances before the moment a shaft of light illuminated her psyche one dark night in jail. Her life is a sermon illustration. Her message to others “on the brink” is simple.

“God steps in and does something really amazing!”

—Major Frank Duracher

book with a finite set of words printed through thousands of languages filled with the same old recurring themes. But these themes are anything but unremarkable. Themes of love, sacrifice, family, war, etc. Themes we still experience today. Themes our children and their children will experience. We are built on fundamental and basic principles. We are made in Someone’s image. I don’t know the next time will be when I see a movie like Top Gun or have a lazy day with my wife. But I know I’ll be sure not to take it for granted. I’ll know how remarkable those unremarkable moments are.

Captain Ann Hawk treasures the Confirmation Bible she received as a child.

Captain Ann Hawk teaches a Bible Class in her Front Royal Corps.

Willis and Barbara Howell

World Services Report

Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory (with Thailand)

BY MAJOR RAY COOPER, TERRITORIAL OVERSEAS PROJECTS OFFICER

One of the great disciplines of serving within the ranks of The Salvation Army is the gift that is given to each of us to in turn support our Army brothers and sisters around the world through our World Services effort. The territorial office of Overseas Projects exists to process such requests and to give financial assistance to these projects. A portion of our annual territorial campaign is reserved to support these ventures.

On behalf of a grateful international Salvation Army, thank you for your support – both financially and prayerfully.

This month...

Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory (with Thailand)

Coming from the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory (with Thailand) was a request to help create a refugee center in Puchong (near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) at the cost of $81,000.

Prior to the major refurbishment and establishment of a Regional Office in Puchong, the territory made an assessment of the refugee community needs within the vicinity of Puchong in view of the threats and challenges encountered in our refugee ministry in Pudu.

Through our discussion with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aka The UN Refugee Agency, in 2016, we were informed that there are at least 1,500 registered refugees living in the Puchong area comprised of mainly Rohingyas.

UNHCR welcomed The Salvation Army to initiate a refugee outreach in Puchong where only a handful of community-run services were available for refugees.

Some of the advantages in establishing a refugee ministry in Puchong are:

• With easier access by public transportation to Puchong with the operation of the Taman Perindustrian Puchong Light Rail Train (LRT) station that sits right across where our Puchong Regional Office, there is greater convenience for beneficiaries and the ability to attract more volunteers.

• Safety and protection of our beneficiaries and staff is paramount. Refugees would be able to move in and out, and around our Puchong premise with less disturbances than at Pudu. They are not subject to the constant intimidation and harassment that prevails in Pudu. Also staff have a safer place to carry out the refugee ministry work.

• Mission partnership opportunities with community-based schools in Puchong for refugee children who have no access to formal education. Each school has 30 to 100 young people where we can develop and run programs for children and youth that can take place at our facility in Puchong. This will help promote greater awareness and presence of The Salvation Army in the Puchong area amongst the refugee community.

God is working through The Salvation Army! God is working through our communities! God is working through you! God is working through this territory! We express our deep appreciation for the generosity of soldiers and friends of The Salvation Army for helping make such an incredible difference through choosing to sacrifice something in your life, which enables you to GIVE to Salvation Army World Services.

Thank you, and God bless you!

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs Hard at Work with Help from Optimum

In Charleston, West Virginia, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs are hard at work, investing in the lives of young people on a daily basis. Thanks to a recent donation from Optimum, one of the largest technology providers in the United States, The Salvation Army is even better equipped to serve and foster the development of local youth.

The Salvation Army and Optimum, formerly Suddenlink, have partnered over an extended period of time, including the sponsorship of a school supply drive in 2021 and multiple local events. In 2022, Optimum elected to sponsor a technology corner for The Salvation Army, purchasing more than $15,000 worth of computers, software, furniture and equipment to help young people in and around Charleston.

“Optimum, and our parent company Altice USA, know our responsibility to customers goes beyond providing a product and service. We are committed to leaving a meaningful, positive impact in the communities we live and serve,” said Bob Lillie, regional vice president of local market engagement for Optimum. “This donation will provide access to technology for dozens of children on Charleston’s West Side, equipping them with the skills needed to be successful as they move through life.”

The ribbon cutting and unveiling for the technology corner took place in July, with fellow community partners in attendance. The event also

featured tours and personal testimonies from young people who have seen their lives change from the ministry of the Boys & Girls Club.

“The idea for the Optimum Technology Corner stemmed from our partners at Optimum identifying a need and quickly taking action,” said Justin Clark, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club in Charleston. “At the Boys & Girls Club, we recognize the role technology plays in today’s world, and we are so thankful to Optimum for their continuous partnership and critical investments that provide our members access to technology and STEM learning opportunities, which contribute to strong digital literacy skills and inspire interest in STEM opportunities.”

In the summer of 2022, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs also launched the “Readers are Leaders” initiative, with tremendous support from the community. Several prominent local figures volunteered to read to the young people, including United States Senator Shelley Moore-Capito, who distributed books from the Library of Congress.

West Virginia First Lady Kathy Justice, and West Virginia State University President Ericke Cage, as well as countless local political figures, city council members, and others have

also participated in the reading program. In addition, The Salvation Army, under the leadership of Majors Joe and Jayne May, area commanders, was also chosen recently by West Virginia’s Promise as the recipient of the “Red Wagon Award,” given to an outstanding organization devoted to improving the lives of young people, raising awareness, encouraging action, and engaging in advocacy to provide children key support through five fundamental resources. Those resources, referred to by the organization as the Five Promises, are carding adults, safe places, a healthy start, an effective education, and opportunities to help others.

Spirit of the South

100 Years Ago

Officer salary reductions were announced by Lt. Colonel Joseph Atkinson, commanding officer of the Southwestern Division. Single officers will see theirs reduced by $1 a week while married couples will lose $2 per week. Colonel Atkinson shared with this reporter that already no officer makes enough money to pay income tax so the sacrifice of losing this amount is significant. Atlanta Constitution (August 5, 1922)

75 Years Ago

The tenth annual “Singing on the Mountain” will take place at The Salvation Army in Maple Springs, North Carolina. The program includes several quartets, a string band and singing classes. Guests include Brigadier Gus Stephan, Brigadier and Mrs. Ernest Pickering, Major and Mrs. John Sharp, Captain Lattie Henderson and Major Ora Kayes. Colonel Stephan and Major Kayes will make colored movies of the day’s festivities. If you are not planning on bringing your own picnic lunch, coffee, cold drinks, ice cream sandwiches, watermelon, plate lunches and fried chicken may be obtained. Asheville, NC Citizen-Times (August 3, 1947)

50 Years Ago

The Salvation Army in Newport News, Virginia is asking everyone to help it purchase a new bus by donating their S&H Green Stamps. Donations can be given through the specially marked boxes at any Be-Lo Market. Let’s drum up a bus for The Salvation Army! Daily Press, Newport News, Virginia (August 3, 1972)

25 Years Ago

The Southern Territory Summer Service Corps has returned after an eventful ministry in the country of Moldova. The country has a fledgling Army trying to get its footing under the able direction of Majors Will and Sue Cundiff. The team was comprised of Emily New, Kim Sweeney, Lorelie Hagen, Kristina Vick, Nik Ellis, Jeremiah Mullins, Anne Costas, April Lancaster, and Jeba and Rachel Pandithurai. Although with a mindset to serve and give, the team found that the Moldovan Salvationists greatly enriched their lives by their vibrant witness and hunger for the Word. The Southern Spirit (August 11, 1997)

Helping Veterans in Paducah, Kentucky

In July, The Salvation Army of Paducah, Kentucky took over administration of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program in the city and other areas of western Kentucky. According to the Veteran’s Administration (VA), the SSVF program “provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a veteran’s home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family.”

The SSVF program aims to rapidly rehouse veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness and who might remain homeless without this assistance. Specialized services offered include health care system navigation, financial counseling, legal services, and help with transportation. In addition to McCracken County, the program will serve 10 other counties throughout Western Kentucky.

“Veterans are the backbone of our nation. They volunteered to serve and defend us all, and the least we can do is provide them with a stable place to live back home,” said Lieutenant David Donegan, corps officer. “Knowing that The Salvation Army was able to bring this program under our umbrella of services is a win for the community, and a win for the work we are doing here in the Purchase Area Region. I speak for myself, Lt. Brittney (Donegan), our Advisory Board, and Corps, that we are excited about this opportunity to continue to ‘Do The Most Good’ here in our community.”

The Salvation Army in Paducah will house two staff members dedicated to the SSVF program. The Program Director for the 11-county region to be served will work from there, along with a Case Management Specialist. The Salvation Army in Hopkinsville will also have a SSVF Case Management Specialist.

Staff were in place on July 18, and a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on 9:00am on July 20.

A grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 20, 2022.

to the mere how’s and what’s that have become so routine for us. I can’t help but feel that the rug was pulled out from under us because of the wide-ranging travel restrictions coupled with the inability of being able to come together in order to push that agenda deeper and farther.

Commissioner Barbara: I would love to have had a sharper look at our various policies and practices. Are they all still relevant? Are they helping us? Do we need to streamline them? Do we need to look for better ways of doing it? Do we need to better equip our people?

Commissioner Willis: I would have liked to have pushed the role of soldiers even more. We’ve given it a fairly decent push, I think, but nowhere near what it ought to be. When I think of the early Army and the value, the importance, and the overall role of soldiers compared to what we have now? I think that in far too many cases, we have turned our soldiery into pew warmers and mere “congregations.”

Commissioner Barbara: Elevate their value.

Commissioner Willis: In The Salvation Army, we were never meant to have congregations . We want soldiers . Active and involved troops . Our Territorial Sergeant Major, Jeremy Rowland, has been incredible in coming alongside the various divisional sergeant-majors. And their combined efforts across our territory have been incredibly helpful and critically important. That group of soldiers has been growing and they are becoming far more focused, churning and burning within their divisions. I would have liked to have seen us get further down the road with transferring important elements and aspects of ministry to more and more soldiers. Soldiers in the pulpit. Soldiers taking the lead in many different areas. What’s wrong with that?

Southern Spirit: What’s next for Willis and Barbara Howell?

Commissioner Barbara: We’re doing something a little bit different. I’m taking an appointment at the Evangeline Booth College until my retirement date. I’m looking forward to coming alongside leaders and the opportunities for developing soldiers and employees. It isn’t just officers. It’s everyone.

Commissioner Willis: I’ll be back in the classroom at the Training School. When we first went as principals those years ago, I thought it seemed like an odd appointment for us. After all, we had never served on the training staff before. But I very quickly saw that being in a teaching role lends itself to some of those exact points that I was sharing earlier. Light bulbs come on. This is a very formative time for our cadets—the next generation of officer leaders for our territory and our Army. The imagery that I use to describe what I think this is like relates to leaving an impression on freshly poured cement before it hardens. To use another comparison, the Training School is something akin to a launch pad. Working with the cadets allows you to affect the trajectory, the telemetry. There are so many things that can happen there. I’m very excited to get back in the classroom to get shoulder-to-shoulder with those that the Lord has brought to us there. And to be part of that process, if the Lord allows, to speak into, to hear from, to help shape, to help affect the future Salvation Army leaders. That revs my engine.

Commissioner Barbara: My other hope is having more time to deepen some relationships.

Southern Spirit: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Commissioner Willis: I want to commend to the territory Commissioners Kelly and Donna Igleheart. What a blessing they are going to be to us and for us. They are certainly known to all of us, and we thank the Lord for bringing them back home. It’s been a long time since we’ve had backto-back Southern leaders. The Iglehearts have proven themselves to be absolutely stellar in the leadership they bring to bear. We’re eager to fall in line and follow where they go.

Holy Love Launched

BY MAJOR ANITA CALDWELL

For those of us who have heard Dr. Bill Ury preach, whenever he steps into the pulpit, we are ready for a message of holiness, but the heart of his message is holy love. To honor her husband, Rev. Diane Ury surprised him at the National Training Seminar opening banquet with a book titled, Holy Love: Essays in Honor of Dr. M. William Ury. Fourteen authors including Thomas H. McCall, David Buschart, Roger J. Green, Victor Hamilton, Dennis F. Kinlaw and others, submitted essays.

Dr. Ury was born in Taiwan, the son of United Methodist missionaries. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Asbury College in 1978, a Master of Philosophy degree in 1986 and Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1991. For 24 years he taught at Wesley Biblical Seminary and continues as a guest lecturer. He has been the guest speaker at conferences, camp meetings and The Salvation Army Southern Bible Conference. He has presented a weekly podcast for twenty-five years called “The Hour of Holiness” and today serves as The Salvation Army Ambassador of Holiness. Students he has taught serve around the world as pastors, teachers, and missionaries, influenced by his Wesleyan theology teaching. Many of his students now in Kenya, Norway, Japan, USA, and other countries have written messages on his behalf in the appendix of Holy Love.

In the words of his wife, Rev. Diane Ury, at the unveiling of this book, “His loving devotion to Jesus formed all areas of his life. For several years I have dreamt of creating a festschrift in honor of Bill’s ministry. Bill’s life of scholarship has been exceptional because of the way it was never separated from his commitment in his personal life to pursue living the reality of holy love.” Essays include “Holy Love and Personhood,” “Holy Love and Creation,” “Holy Love and Human Nature,” “Holy Love, and the Church” and many more. Dr. Ury was surprised at this honor and expressed his overwhelming gratitude to all who participated. His children admire their father deeply, and you will find their witness in the final appendix. From his oldest daughter, JoAnna, “Holy love is watching my father change hundreds of his grandbabies’ diapers. It’s always being the last person to get food and then the moment a child is restless being the first one to offer to walk with them outside.” From his daughter Maighdlin, “If you’ve had the privilege of meeting him, you know he lives with a passionate love for Jesus.” From his daughter, Meredith, “When I think about how my dad embodies holy love, the word ‘gener-

ous’ comes to mind. There is not one area of his life that he withholds from other people.” From Seth, “He is my father, and I am his son. His love for me is good and true. He has never given up on crafting his love towards me in Holiness from the Father.”

A humble man, Dr. Bill Ury seeks to teach and preach a clear message of holy living based in holy love. Those who know him, know this sincere love that can only be given by the work and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a life surrendered daily. May each of us seek to live in holy love, bathed by the Holy Spirit, the giver of agape love.

To purchase a copy of Holy Love, please visit http://mytradesouth.com.

“Howell Interview” continued from page 3

WORTH A LOOK : BOOK REVIEW

Major Barbara Branscum Major Pete D. Costas, Sr.

Major Barbara June Tolcher Branscum, wife of Major Richard Branscum, was promoted to glory at 5:25 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in Nixa, Missouri. Barbara was born on October 14, 1947, in Covington, Virginia to Salvation Army officer parents, Roy and Violet Tolcher. She speaks of her calling at Territorial Youth Institute in 1963, describing the meeting and mentioning the service as being directed to her.

“When they started playing and singing the song ‘Breathe Upon Me,’ I heard God’s voice saying, ‘Now is the accepted time,’” she said.

In 1966, Barbara entered training and was commissioned on June 8, 1968, with the Messengers of Faith session of cadets. She and Richard married on June 29, 1970, and together they had two wonderful children, Christopher and Elizabeth.

Barbara served in the North & South Carolina Division at Waynesville, Lexington, Greensboro, and Reidsville. She also served in Texas (Tyler, Pasadena, Austin, Victoria, Plainview, Borger, Houston Harbor Light), Kentucky & Tennessee (Nashville North, K-T DHQ, Louisville Citadel), and Alabama, Louisiana & Mississippi (Greenwood) over the course of more than 27 years of active service. The Branscums then retired from active duty, and Richard ministered to Barbara over her final years as her health declined.

She is survived by her husband, two children, seven grandchildren, her brothers, and a loving extended family.

Pete Dennis Costas, Sr., 91, was Promoted to Glory on July 1, 2022, from his home in Snellville, Georgia. Major Costas was born on March 12, 1931, in Norfolk, Virginia to George and Ruth Costas.

He served in the U.S. Army from 195152, and in 1955 entered the training college as a member of the Sword Bearers Session, devoting over 38 years as a Salvation Army officer. His appointments include ten posts as corps officer (Charleston Oakland, WV; Petersburg, VA; Huntington, WV; Charlottesville, VA; Arlington, TX; Dallas Temple, TX; Midland, TX; Tyler, TX; Anderson, SC; Statesville, NC) and as finance officer in the North & South Carolina Division. Major Costas retired from active service on March 31, 1995.

Costas was preceded in death by his first wife, Major Ruth (Anderson) Costas; and a daughter, Major Patricia (Costas) Parker. He is survived by children, Bonnie (William) Metz; Major Pete D. (Catherine) Costas, Jr.; and Linda Costas—and by his second wife, Deborah Davis Costas; and their sons, George Costas and William Costas. Major Costas is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Interment was at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Music Students Hit All the Right Notes

El Paso Citadel Hosts Music Celebration to Recognize Students in Summer Music Camp

BY JOANNA ESTRADA

Fifteen students graduated from the 4th Annual Summer Music Camp in El Paso on Sunday, July 10. Although this free four-week program was the first introduction to music theory and performance for several students, beginner and intermediate musicians all shared the same goal: to perform together at graduation.

“We’ve seen music education make a big difference for children,” says Major Floiran Estrada, commanding officer. “They develop essential skills and build discipline, but music lessons can be too expensive for many families. That’s why we offer this program completely free.”

While the camp’s primary purpose is music education, traditional summer activities such as outdoor recreation and field trips were also part of the weekly schedule. Their first excursions were to the El Paso Museum of Archeology and the National Border Patrol Museum where they also explored the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Hike. Their next field trips were to the movies, the El Paso Zoo, and Camp Cohen Water Park.

The students performed five musical selections together. Their brass selection “Ode to Joy” was the highlight of the program, showing just how much the students had improved as brass was generally the most challenging class. The students also performed selections for choir and hand bells, but campers weren’t the only ones to perform on Sunday. All three music instructors also presented their own solos. Jessica Porter sang “Thank You” in appreciation of the camp’s generous volunteers. Brisa Serrano sang “Part of Your World (The Little Mermaid),” and Hugo Hernandez played Goedicke’s “Concert Etude” for his trumpet solo. It was a wonderful celebration of music with multiple solo and ensemble performances.

Thirteen-year-old Christopher Martinez shared his testimony. He first learned music during The Salvation Army’s summer program in 2017 and now plays with the Citadel Brass Band. He is a member of his school’s honor band and was selected to participate in All-Region Competition. He earned 1st Division awards at the 2022 YISD UIL Solo and Ensemble. Christopher was a volunteer for the music camp, leading sectionals and helping the younger students. He played

“2022 All Region Etude” for his trumpet solo.

“This isn’t just a summer camp,” says Jessica Porter, Music Camp Director. “It is a demanding educational program. The kids have been studying and practicing for four weeks during their summer vacation, so it’s important to recognize their hard work.” Majors Floiran and Eloisa Estrada presented all students with graduation certificates and medals. Additionally, the top four students Jazmyn Zuniga, Julian Gonzalez, Zeanney Zuniga, and Ahtziri Rivera were awarded trophies for outstanding work.

The service concluded with a special selection by the Citadel Brass Band, “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.” Although the Summer Music Camp has concluded, The Salvation Army in El Paso continues its music ministry throughout the year. The Citadel Brass Band accompanies worship every Sunday and plays Christmas carols at Sam’s Club during the Red Kettle Campaign. Bandmaster Hector Martinez volunteers every week to teach beginner band, guiding the next generation of Salvation Army musicians in the borderland.

PROMOTED TO GLORY

PROMOTED TO GLORY

Major Juanita Tharp Major Glenn D. Fite

more, Maryland. She later went to Sand Springs, Oklahoma to serve at the corps there as assisting officer.

She married 2nd-Lieutenant John Tharp on January 31, 1955, and joined him as corps officer in West Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other corps appointments included: Sand Springs (returning as corps officer with her husband); Clinton, Oklahoma; Altus, Oklahoma; Tulsa Citadel, Oklahoma, Ada, Oklahoma; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Jacksonville, Florida; Cumberland, Maryland; and Lubbock, Texas.

Juanita Lee (McFarland) Tharp was Promoted to Glory on July 4, 2022. She was born in Atkins, Arkansas on December 27, 1931. After graduation from high school in 1949, she entered the training college in September 1950 from her home corps in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a member of the Ambassadors Session.

Her first appointment was to the Army’s Day Nursery in Durham, North Carolina, and then to The Salvation Army Home & Hospital in Balti -

Majors John and Juanita Tharp were area commanders in Austin, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana. They retired from active officership on June 30, 1996, to their home in Panama City, Florida.

Major Tharp was preceded in death by her husband and is survived by her children John Andrew (Annette) Tharp, Jeffrey Alan Tharp, Nicholas Eugene (Connie) Tharp, Rebekah Jane (Steve) Tharp-Hudson, ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Interment was at the Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.

WORD SEARCH

Corps in the ALM Division

ALEXANDRIA

BATONROUGE

BESSEMER

BIRMINGHAM

COLUMBUS

DECATUR

DOTHAN

FLORENCE GADSDEN

WORD LIST:

GULFCOAST

HATTIESBURG

HUNTSVILLE

JACKSON

LAFAYETTE

LAKECHARLES

LAUREL

MERIDIAN

Answers on page 11

Glenn DeWayne Fite, Sr., was born on January 24, 1940. As a Salvation Army officer, he served faithfully for over 41 years. On July 9, 2022, as his family gathered round him singing, “I’m in His Hands,” Glenn was Promoted to Glory.

Following graduation from Lawton High School in 1959, Glenn attended Cameron College, earning his degree in Arts and Sciences in 1962. One year prior, he married Mildred Young on June 12, 1961. They entered the training college out of Lawton, Oklahoma as members of the Proclaimers Of The Faith Session, and were commissioned as officers on June 5, 1964.

Major Fite’s corps appointments were to: Ponca City, Oklahoma; Nashville Magness Citadel, Tennessee; Danville, Kentucky; and, High Point, North Carolina. Divisional staff appointments were to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division (divisional youth secretary and divisional music director); Texas Division (divisional youth secretary); North and South Carolina Division (divisional youth secretary & divisional music director); and Kentucky-Tennessee Division (divisional secretary, general secretary).

He also served as area commander in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Mobile, Alabama.

His final two appointments were to the Community Relations Department at the Southern Territorial Headquarters, as director of advisory board development and CRD Secretary.

Majors Glenn & Milly Fite entered honored retirement on August 1, 2005.

Major Fite is survived by his wife of 61 years, Major Mildred Fite, and children Glenn D. Fite, Jr.; Major Connie (Steve) Long; Cynthia (Todd) Long; Major Christine (Michael) Harris; and Major Candace (Jose) Marquez. He also leaves 24 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with one more on the way; nieces and nephews (too many to count and name); and a plethora of brothers and sisters in Christ.

His “Homegoing” verse is Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the mark for the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ.” A favorite phrase of Major Fite that he would share now is, “Be your best for God and do your best for the Army.” He has left a legacy of faithful service and has heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A celebration of life service was held at the Atlanta (Temple) Corps on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 4 PM.

Death did but sink the ship And set the captive free To step ashore Then to explore God’s land of great discovery.

- Commissioner Catherine Baird