‘IGNITE GOOD!’ KROC EMPLOYEE NAMED NATIONAL AMBASSADOR
BY BRAD ROWLAND
A background and focus on education led Julia DeSerio to Camp Walter Johnson as a member of the staff at the North and South Carolina Music & Arts Conservatory program, where she was immediately taken with The Salvation Army and its mission.
“I quickly fell in love with the Army and what they stood for,” DeSerio states. “What truly drew me in was how the arts are so integrated into worship. I’ve never felt more connected to Christ than I have when I am worshiping in this space. I’m very thankful for that.”
That connection eventually led DeSerio to her current position as the music coordinator at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center of Atlanta. DeSerio brings four years of experience as a public school teacher to her role, and, with her passion for helping young people, DeSerio was identified and selected for a unique opportunity.
Earlier in 2024, DeSerio was named as a national ambassador for the Global Game Changers (GGC) Student Empowerment Program. This program — which has the motto of “Ignite Good!” and involves lessons following the “Superpower Equation of my talent + my heart = my superpower!” — is project-based and designed for Pre-K through fifth grade. GGC also aims to provide curriculum and resources that are teacher-backed with tools focused on social, academic, emotional, and leadership growth for students.
DeSerio’s initial introduction to GGC
emerged from her work with the Miss Georgia pageant program, leading to what she describes as a prime opportunity to “use my platform there in the work that I do within The Salvation Army and utilize the curriculum to benefit youth.” DeSerio is also the first GGC ambassador for the state of Georgia and only the fourth ambassador in the United States.
“We were thrilled to have Julia join our growing team of National Ambassadors,” says Jan Helson, co-founder and board chair of GGC. “Her commitment to helping students build pathways to success through music directly aligns with our Superpower Equation, and her ability to speak to teachers and non-traditional educators means she can be a great advocate for Global Game Changers users across Georgia.”
“The more I learned about the Global Game Changers program, the more I wanted myself and our kids at the Kroc Center to be a part of it,” DeSerio remarks. “Its focus on empowering students to make a difference, all while teaching them essential social, emotional, and leadership skills can really set them on a pathway for success.”
The GGC curriculum is used in classrooms, after-school programs, summer programs, and homeschooling across the country, with documented effectiveness in behavior improvement and student motivation. DeSerio refers to the curriculum as “incredibly flexible,” noting that it is “jam-packed” with options. “It’s been really cool to see the kids buy into the concepts,”
“Ignite Good!...” continued on page 2
Divisional Women’s Retreats
Foster Community and Discipleship
BY KRISTIN MUDGE
Hearts were stirred, souls were strengthened, and spirits were lifted all over the Southern Territory this spring through women’s retreats in every division. Divisional leadership carefully planned, prepared, and implemented beautiful weekends, crafted to enrich the lives of their ladies spiritually while bringing them closer together in community.
ALABAMA–LOUISIANA–MISSISSIPPI
The ladies of ALM experienced God’s presence in all four seasons: in the warmth of summer, the beauty of fall, the barrenness of winter, and the rebirth of spring. Guest speaker Barb Roose taught the group to Flourish in the tough times with faith over fear. The Holy Spirit made Himself known through impactful testimonies of those living in dark times and coming back to life through God’s grace. In an incredible showing of faith, the women gave more than $2,000 over the weekend for the Children’s Home in Mexico. The weekend was concluded with a passionate plea for God’s people to trust Him and live every moment in His presence, no matter the season.
ARKANSAS–OKLAHOMA
In AOK the ladies focused on Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may Overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Guest speaker Lily Dunbar shared her life story, encouraging the ladies to love deep, pray big, hope full, and stand strong, releasing what ails them inside and approaching the Lord in a mighty way. The Territorial Arts Ministry (TAM)
DeSerio teaches piano lessons as part of her role as music coordinator at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center of Atlanta.
Julia DeSerio is the fourth person in the U.S. to be selected as a national ambassador for the Global Game Changers Student Empowerment Program.
she says.
“It’s also a social-emotional learning curriculum, and we have truly seen the benefits of that as well using color-coded emotions,” DeSerio continues. “Kids can identify where they are feeling, and we try to give them words they can choose from that they won’t be able to verbalize in that moment. But they do know how they’re feeling, and they have options to communicate that, and we work with them. It’s really helped with behavior and reaching kids ten-fold.”
The curriculum’s initial implementation at the Kroc Center was within its after-school programming, and it has become a smash hit, with planned expansion into the upcoming 2024-25 program year.
“We started introducing the general concept that [GGC uses] of ‘my heart plus my talent equals my superpower,’” DeSerio notes. “To me, that is a perfect segue into ministry, right? Just thinking about how we can use the gifts that God has given us and our talents.”
“I was immediately drawn to the mission of empowering kids to make a difference with their gifts and talents which aligns well with our ‘Salt and Light’ initiative with youth ministry,” comments Lt. Sam Mhasvi, senior Kroc Center officer. “In ‘Salt and Light,’ we emphasize how God calls us to be influencers and game changers where God has placed us and in our sphere of influence.”
DeSerio and Lt. Mhasvi cite the strong benefits of the GGC curriculum being free and evidence-based, in addition to its alignment with national education and curriculum standards. This is also a program that could be utilized in other Salvation Army units, and the GGC curriculum is designed to either stand alone or fold into existing programming.
“I think having a network within Kroc Centers across the country is key in the work that we’re all doing,” DeSerio remarks. “I’m eager to meet with others within the Army to share what GGC has done for us, and I think we can work together as well.”
“Looking through Global Game Changers’ practical approach of ‘being the good,’ we see it helping us bridge the gap between faith and practical real-life implementation as it demonstrates to our youth how we might practically embody being ‘Salt and Light’ in our communities,” says Lt. Mhasvi. “My hope is we can combine faith and practical action and mold this initiative into a powerful tool for nurturing the next generation of empowered and impactful youth.”
Kentucky Salvationist Wins International Music Competition
BY AMBER SMITH
Micah Roberts, soldier and musician of the Frankfort, Kentucky Corps, was declared overall winner and public commendation prize winner of the International Brass Ensemble Composer Competition 2023 for his piece, “Mount Auburn” for trombone choir. Micah is currently studying for his master’s degree in music theory at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, previously receiving his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and music education at Austin Peay State University. His future plans include getting his PhD in music theory at a school in New England.
Micah’s journey in composing began through arranging pieces of music for marching band where he was able to “practice writing in different styles.” Later, he began taking composition lessons and now writes for many diverse groups, including traditional pieces for chamber ensembles as well as Salvation Army brass band music for his divisional band in the Kentucky-Tennessee Division.
“Mount Auburn” is based on Micah’s experiences while moving to a new city. Moving from Nashville, Tennessee to Cincinnati, Ohio was a momentous change in his life, especially while “adjusting to being a real adult.” Micah hopes that the piece shows “the optimism that one can have during troubling times.” The piece was sparked by Micah’s experience with stress during this period of change and instability in his life; anytime he felt stressed, he “took his feelings and put them into” music. Writing the piece helped him process and deal with the stress of being in a new place and a new point in life.
Micah remarks that he felt blessed when he learned he made it to the final rounds of the competition. He began following the YouTube voting very closely and saw he was “gaining momentum in the public voting.” His response upon winning the competition was that it “felt like blessing after blessing.”
Micah’s affiliation with The Salvation Army has had a major impact on his composing. He looks up to many Army composers, admiring
their compositional styles and skills, as well as the Salvation Army music leaders who have inspired him and guided him on his journey. When writing music, Micah finds that he must see a meaning and a purpose behind the music, otherwise he feels he is working for nothing. He has found that setting an arrangement of a hymn tune or preparing something for worship can be incredibly meaningful. Micah says, in The Salvation Army, “what separates [us] from other traditions is that our music has a higher message.” Our music is meant to “glorify God,” not to merely make ourselves look and sound good. Micah reveals that he spends time in prayer before composing such a piece to make sure he is truly capturing the spirit of the hymn and crafting it for the glory of God. The best advice he has for anyone interested in composing music is to pray about it first. He urges that when writing, you must write with a purpose, and you must do it for the right reasons. Soli Deo Gloria – glory to God alone.
Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, Territorial Commander
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Delivering Hot Meals and Prayer to Texas Communities After Hurricane Beryl
BY PHILIP BURN
The Salvation Army has delivered hot meals to thousands of hungry Texans in communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl in and around Houston. Large-scale Salvation Army feeding operations provided much-needed food and relief to residents left without power and dealing with the intense summer heat after the storm made landfall on July 8.
In the days immediately following the storm, sixteen mobile feeding units were loaded with food and stocked with water and ice before heading out to begin meal distribution around lunchtime in multiple locations in Houston, Pasadena, Cleveland, Liberty, Wharton, West Columbia and more. Hot meals were prepared by onsite field kitchens operated by Southern Baptist partners, loaded onto Salvation Army mobile feeding units, and delivered into communities by trained disaster staff and volunteers.
“The fact that so many people have been without power makes this a particularly challenging situation. Not only are they unable to cook food, but they also can’t keep anything refrigerated and have lost everything in their freezers,” said Alvin Migues, emergency disaster services director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “Add to that frustration the extreme heat and humidity and you have very difficult circumstances. The Salvation Army team is working tremendously hard to get warm, nutritious food out to those in need, along with a cold bottle of water, a smile, an encouraging word and a prayer.”
A long-standing partnership between The Salvation Army and the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has continued to make a difference throughout this disaster response, delivering relief to thousands of people in crisis.
Two Baptist kitchens deployed to work alongside The Salvation Army teams: the Southern Baptist Texas Convention (SBTC) kitchen in Wharton, and The Texans on Mission (TBM) team in Houston. Each kitchen, staffed entirely by Baptist volunteers and team members, can produce up to 10,000 meals each day for delivery from Salvation Army mobile feeding units.
“We are so appreciative of our Southern Baptist partners who, for more than fifteen years, have worked with The Salvation Army to prepare and cook food for daily distribution during disasters of all kinds. Hurricane Beryl has left more than 1.6 million households without power, resulting in a massive need for meals,” Migues said. “Utilizing two kitchens in this way will double the number and reach of hot meals to those in need across the affected area.”
Access to the over 150 miles of affected area was particularly challenging after Hurricane Beryl caused widespread flooding and downed trees. The SBTC kitchen in Wharton was up and running in time to produce hot meals on Tuesday, July 9, for distribution, while the TBM kitchen team, located at The Salvation Army’s Disaster Warehouse in Houston, set up on Tuesday and
provided its first meals on Wednesday morning. Walmart generously donated 26 pallets of water on July 9 to support ongoing response efforts.
“Our brothers and sisters from the Southern Baptist team have seamlessly integrated with our Salvation Army staff. It’s a relationship that works and greatly enhances our disaster service efforts,” said Migues. “The food produced is excellent, and we constantly receive great reports and feedback from storm survivors enjoying what might be their first hot meal for a couple of days.”
Trained Salvation Army staff and volunteers deploy for up to 14 days at a time during a disaster response. Dedicated Emotional and Spiritual Care staff are an integral part of the team, and
their specific job is to listen and pray with those who come for assistance. “Our staff and volunteers are experienced at working under difficult conditions. They are committed to helping individuals and families experiencing crisis and are ready to listen and pray with anyone they meet,” said Migues.
Mobile feeding units and trained disaster teams from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Victoria, Kerrville, Granbury, Bryan/College Station, Conroe, Freeport, Beeville, Lubbock, Texas City, and Wichita Falls deployed to the Houston area. Additional response units and many trained disaster volunteers from the neighboring Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Division of The Salvation Army provided additional support.
As of July 21, The Salvation Army served 97,391 meals, 76,021 drinks, 12,877 snacks, and made 11,642 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts since service began on Tuesday, July 9 in affected communities across Houston and Southeast Texas.
Photo Credit: Lt. Karim Shuaib
Photo Credit: Jay Pritchard
Photo Credit: Jay Pritchard
Photo Credit: Lt. Karim Shuaib
Photo Credit: Lt. Karim Shuaib
Photo Credit: Jay Pritchard
BY MAJOR ANITA CALDWELL
Contagious Holiness DISCIPLE
One cough and we worry people may think we are sick. We stay home from work and take our temperature to be sure we are not contagious. Over the past few years being contagious has been a very real threat in the world.
What if holiness was contagious? What if people chose to walk with us in our day-to-day life hoping to “catch” holiness?
Holiness was my father’s passion. He seldom preached a sermon without preaching on holiness. To him, holiness was about listening and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit in his day-to-day life. Holy living for him was daily surrender and seeking out others who needed his Savior. He loved to laugh with family, but he would also cry with the brokenhearted. Few people would know that his one goal was winning them to Jesus and discipling them in their faith.
Our garden was another great passion for my father. Every year, Dad carefully planted for the best results: harvesting the most delicious veggies. Each day, we watered, fertilized, and pulled weeds. Every year, he continued to expand and enrich the fertile area. He would spend hours moving precious rich dirt from a nearby creek to enrich the soil. The harvest was always amazing. Why? The fresh vegetables were just one of his tools for loving people to Jesus. He would watch for the slightest opportunity to invite people to our home, and, while they always left with fresh vegetables, they could not leave without a conversation that led to Jesus and closed with prayer.
Take a peek with me over the shoulder of Jesus, the best example, as He shows us how to disciple others in the Bible.
Jesus walked with people. He had no office, no building, no expectation that people would come to Him. He built a relationship with them. Holy discipleship is built on holy relationships.
He ate with people, and people enjoyed being with Him. His first miracle was at a wedding, being in fellowship and community. Watch Him as He eats with the tax collectors. As they enjoyed life together, people wanted to follow Him and learn from Him.
Remember those moments when He prayed with people. He exemplified love, joy, peace, and goodness, and therefore, people sought Him. They longed to know Him.
Watch as He sits at the well of Samaria and invites a woman to find Living Water. He did what no one else would do in His day.
People with leprosy felt His touch when no one would touch them.
Smell the fish cooking by the sea as He prepares breakfast for His disciples.
Holiness and discipleship go hand in hand. Dr. Bill Ury, national ambassador for holiness for The Salvation Army says, “Holiness
is nothing less than self-giving love. More than conceptual, this love is tangibly self-offering, self-dispensing, and self-emptying. It is the essence of biblical discipleship.” Not only will holy living drive us to disciple others, but we will value each person God brings across our path, and He will give us the tools to disciple them. The Holy Spirit gives us the desire to lead people to Christ. We can try in our own strength, but we will always be too busy, too afraid.
People in our world today hunger for relationships that engage, and they are even more hungry for those relationships that are filled with joy, laughter, and positivity. These characteristics are birthed in our hearts through surrender and holy living. When we give our lives totally to God and trust Him with each day, people want to be discipled by us for Christlikeness because they see Christ in us!
Steps to discipling:
• Know you are forgiven and have turned away from sin –“go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
• Ask the Holy Spirit to sanctify you and set you apart for His glory and service.
• Seek Him and grow in His grace every day through prayer and reading God’s Word.
• Pray that God will lead you to someone who either does not believe in Jesus or is new in faith.
• Spend time building a relationship. Eat with them, have coffee with them, listen to their story.
• Let the Holy Spirit guide you and speak to you as you lead that person to see and know Jesus.
• Don’t rush the process. Remember the worth of fresh veggies and cookies!
• Share God’s Word together. Pray together. Be contagious by living out holiness with pure love!
My father first had a deep love for the Holy Spirit and surrendered his life to God. With that surrender, he wanted nothing more than to lead someone to Christ and disciple them to know God as he knew God. Love for gardening was a blessing which became his tool to engage and build relationships with others. Contagious holiness will lead us to enjoy discipling others to Christ.
The Salvation Army founder, General William Booth said, “We are a salvation people – this is our specialty – getting saved and keeping saved, and then getting somebody else saved, and then getting saved ourselves more and more until full salvation on earth makes the heaven within, which is finally perfected by the full salvation without, on the other side of the river.”
With the joy of the Holy Spirit, now let us go and disciple others. Let holiness be contagious through us!
Complete in Christ ’Words of Life‘ Launches
BY CHRIS BENJAMIN
July marked the shift from the territorial focus on leadership development to holiness, still under the territorial priority “Disciple.” Beginning July 28, Words of Life launched a new series called “Complete in Christ” as a complement to the new focus. This six-week series is a panel discussion on the gift of holiness God offers to every Christian featuring Dr. Bill and Reverend Diane Ury, Lt. Colonel Ken Luyk, and Lt. Colonel Vern Jewett. As the National Ambassadors of Holiness for The Salvation Army, Bill and Diane Ury travel the country reminding the Army of the importance of keeping the topic of holiness front and center in all that we do. Lt. Colonel Luyk is a retired officer who has taught extensively on holiness throughout the Southern Territory. And many regular Soundcast listeners will be familiar with Lt. Colonel Jewett. Not only is he a well-studied teacher on holiness but he is also the host of the show, “The Holiness Podcast,” a monthly deep-dive Bible study also produced by Soundcast.
In preparation for this series, the panel members each received a copy of the book, “Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic
New Holiness Series
Theology” by Matt Ayars, Christopher T. Bounds, and Caleb T. Friedeman. The book defines the six questions the panel focuses on: What is entire sanctification? What is Christian perfection? Can an entirely sanctified person sin? How can I be entirely sanctified? What is The Salvation Army’s view on holiness? Can I lose my salvation?
To listen to this new Words of Life podcast series visit https://salvationarmysoundcast.org or your favorite podcast store. For further study on the topic of holiness, check out “The Holiness Podcast,” and Bill Ury’s podcast, “The Hour of Holiness.”
Photo Credit: Steven Nolan
Dynamic Duet
BY MAJOR FRANK DURACHER
A superb music instruction program at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Corps attracted a brother/sister duo to become ardent Salvationists—first Julio Archila, and three years later, his sister, Jasmine.
“I was eight years old when we heard about music classes that were offered at The Salvation Army,” Julio shares. “My dad wanted me to learn guitar, and so I was allowed to come to the corps.”
But as the age of eight is the minimum for students, his kid sister, Jasmine, who was only five at the time, had to wait.
“Mom let Julio come to ‘test the waters’ to find out what these Salvationists are all about before she let me go,” laughs Jasmine.
But it wasn’t long before this brother and sister fully bought into the mission and ministry of the Army. During the dozen years or so they have attended, Jasmine became a junior soldier, and both Archilas were enrolled as senior soldiers when each reached the age of fourteen.
“There was a time early on when I was attending two churches,” Julio says, “the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturdays where our mom was attending, and The Salvation Army on Sundays.”
But when Jasmine started attending the Army, they both settled in there.
Of course, the Army’s School of Music was a big draw for them, but there were more things at the Fredericksburg Corps that felt like home.
“I love the family atmosphere here,” Julio
says. “Everyone was so welcoming and accepting of us both from the start.”
“The Army’s intentional ministry is what appeals to me,” Jasmine shares. “I love that there are so many ways to serve people.”
Through their years attending the School of Music, Jasmine and Julio have become proficient in their musical skills. While percussion is by far Julio’s preferred instrument, he also plays cornet, guitar, and piano. Jasmine is excellent at baritone. Both Archilas are members of the National Capital Band and the Potomac Youth Band.
They attend the Potomac Division’s music camps and conservatories each summer (where Julio has worked as a staff instructor) and enrich their skills at the Territorial Music Institute. Julio even marched twice in the Rose Bowl Parade, representing his division and the Southern Territory on a national stage.
Back home, Jasmine teaches the primary Sunday School class, and Julio is an instructor each Tuesday night at the School of Music, where this all started.
“The School of Music operates two semesters which correspond with the school system’s calendar. At the end of each semester, we hold a recital where family and friends attend the concert to hear everything the students have learned,” Jasmine explains.
“Before we became soldiers here, the church we were attending was Hispanic, and my Spanish is not very good,” she confesses. “So, when I heard all these Bible stories as a kid, I really didn’t understand what was being said—that is
until someone came along and translated into English all these miracles Jesus did. I thought that was so cool, and I soon gave my heart to Jesus!”
“For me,” Julio contrasts, “my conversion was a very gradual process.”
That difference makes sense, since to look at these two, for all their similarities their personalities say otherwise: Julio is quiet and contemplative; Jasmine is outgoing and is rarely seen without a broad smile.
Their plans for the future differ as well. Julio is currently working on earning his Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering at Germanna Community College, while Jasmine plans to major in music education at George Mason University.
Julio recently finished writing his first com
position and it was played for the first time by the divisional youth band at Youth Councils. Their (then) corps officer, Captain Kelsey Bridges cannot say enough about this dynamic duet: “Julio and Jasmine have both excelled beautifully and are two success stories coming from our School of Music. Their stories are a beacon of hope across the Potomac Division and have been inspiring young people all over our region.”
The Dynamic Duet, siblings Julio and Jasmine Archila, became ardent Salvationists through a quality music education ministry at the Fredericksburg Corps in Virginia.
Julio Archila fills in on cornet in the Fredericksburg Corps Band. He is also an instructor for the corps’ School of Music.
Jasmine Archila joins other youth in worship during Sunday morning services.
(Above) Julio Archila is a percussionist in the Fredericksburg Corps Band and the National Capital Band.
(Left) Jasmine Archila plays baritone in the Fredericksburg Corps Band, the National Capital Band, and the Potomac Youth Band.
team participated in powerful times of worship and also led the ladies in song and dance during their Saturday night Disco. Sunday morning featured a beautiful time of healing, where women were invited to visit stations around the room where Salvation Army officers washed their hands and prayed over their lives.
GEORGIA
FLORIDA
The ladies of the Florida Division were encouraged, “GIRL, read your BIBLE” as their theme this year as they gathered in Orlando. Together they have been reading through the Bible in a year by following “52 Weeks in the Word” by Trillia Newbell, one of their guest speakers. A special Q&A session with all the guest speakers was a highlight of the weekend, their testimonies and stories of God’s goodness and faithful
ness providing great encouragement.
Camp Grandview welcomed the ladies of the Georgia Division for a weekend of rest and fellowship while seeking to Find the Beauty in all things: music, the Bible, God’s presence, and in the gifts God gives us. They were able to take advantage of intentional downtime to truly spend time with their creator and each other, enjoying camp activities along with a crafted prayer walk and prayer stations. They also exceeded their Mexico offering goal, many of the corps and ladies of the division making sacrifices and being truly generous in their giving.
“Divisional Women’s...” continued from page 1
KENTUCKY–TENNESSEE
The women of KT began with Olympic style opening ceremonies, each corps displaying their spirit and creativity. A highlight of the weekend was a meeting where delegates met with a prayer partner from another corps, spending time in meaningful prayer and exchanging prayer cards. The Holy Spirit was palpable on Sunday morning, speaking through music, testimony, and dance, as well as through Territorial Ministry to Women’s Secretary Major Anne Westmoreland’s powerful message. The weekend ended in celebration as the announcement was made that through corps fundraisers, the weekend’s Fun Run, and the Sunday offering, the incredible ladies of the division raised $30,000 for the Mexico Children’s Homes – all For His Glory!
NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINA
The goal of NSC’s weekend was to bring a revival of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of their ladies through prayer, Bible study, discipleship, and worship. This year they introduced small group sessions, the corps officers leading their own women in discussion and prayer to foster fellowship and build community and sisterhood within each corps’ ministry to women. A specially designed devotional book for the weekend provided additional opportunity for personal spiritual growth. A highlight of the weekend was a concert with Babbie Mason, a renowned vocal gospel artist. Many ladies approached the altar during her concert, moved by the Holy Spirit through her music and testimony. The ladies left the retreat OVERFLOWING with the knowledge of hope in Jesus.
POTOMAC
The ladies of the Potomac Division entered The Fitting Room for the weekend, where they learned that they are chosen, holy, and loved through teachings on their theme verse, Colossians 3:12. TAM provided powerful dramas over the weekend, depicting the transformation of a woman’s character as she put on a life tailored for her by Christ Himself. Corps officers brought an item of clothing from someone in their community in need of prayer, and those clothes were placed on clothing racks, becoming an extension of the altar for the weekend as women came and prayed over the needs represented. During Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Donna Igleheart’s Sunday message, the room was filled with full-length mirrors where the women were invited to see themselves as God sees them.
TEXAS
The women of Texas focused on the importance of being Made to Shine, to reflect the light of Christ as they also enjoy fellowship in Him. Guest speaker Jeniffer Dake taught on the story of Ruth, bringing words of salvation and healing. Over 200 women responded to the moving of the Holy Spirit, lining the altar in prayer before the Lord. A highlight of the weekend was a special room set up with prayer stations, a quiet place of worship open to the ladies throughout the retreat.
Potomac
Potomac
North & South Carolina
Potomac
North & South Carolina
North & South Carolina
Kentucky – Tennessee
Kentucky – Tennessee
Kentucky – Tennessee
Kentucky – Tennessee
An Unholy Separation
BY KRISTIN MUDGE
Since the very beginning of humanity’s existence, God has desired to have close relationship with us. He created man in His own image, breathing life into him and setting him up for a life of blessing and abundance (Genesis 1-2). He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden so often that the two recognized the sound of His footsteps on the day they yielded to temptation (Genesis 3:8). The price of their sin was banishment from God’s presence; they were no longer holy.
In Exodus, God guides the people of Israel during their escape from Egypt as a pillar of smoke or fire, hovering nearby, but not in their midst. When they arrive at Mount Sinai God tells Moses in Exodus 19:12, “Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.’” He yearns to be among His people, but the people are not holy enough to be in His presence. Sin has severed the possibility of close relationship.
The books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers spend numerous chapters defining the processes for becoming holy through sacrifice. It can be a bit gory to read through, but it all comes down to this: God wants to be with His people, and that’s not possible without them being cleansed of their sin. God cannot be with
someone who is unholy; He is too absolutely holy. They would have to die because their unholiness cannot coexist with His holiness.
God’s plan for the Tabernacle, its construction, its maintenance, and its transportation, is outlined throughout these three books as well. His instructions are specific, even down to assigning by name those in charge of everything from artistic design to packing up utensils. He assigns the Kohathite clans to transport the most holy things during travel, but Aaron and his sons must pack it all up. The Kohathites cannot touch or even look at the holy things or they will die. They may only touch the carrying poles as assigned by Aaron and his sons (Numbers 4).
And when the tribes of Israel set up camp in the wilderness, they each have an assigned area. “The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the covenant law so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelite community,” God says in Numbers 1:53a. The Levites acted as a physical buffer between the rest of Israel and the presence of God. If anyone outside the tribe of Levi approached the tabernacle they had to be put to death (Numbers 1:51).
But all the sacrifices and physical barriers of protection were just a stopgap measure. With Jesus, God’s holy son, dying as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, humanity was offered the chance to finally be holy once again. We no longer have to keep our physical distance from our Maker, He can now take up residence in our hearts, allowing us to be together in holy communion—what He has desired from the beginning.
A column exploring how the principles, practices and culture of our military services might apply to The Salvation
Army
What Unit Are You With?
BY DR. STEVE KELLNER
In the spring of 1863, Daniel Butterfield had a problem. General Butterfield, Chief of Staff of the Union Army of Potomac, was having trouble organizing the army into line of battle for the impending spring campaign. He and his officers could not quickly and easily identify the units to which each soldier or group of soldiers belonged. Worse, some units had begun wearing their own unauthorized homemade unit patches, which only caused more confusion. So, Butterfield designed his own patches and had them distributed to the entire army (incidentally, Butterfield is also credited with writing or rewriting the bugle call “Taps” around the same time and publishing the first official book of bugle calls and drum taps).
Each of General Butterfield’s unit patches had a distinctive shape that made it easily identifiable at a distance, particularly important in organizing for battle and for moving troops around quickly once the fighting began. Some of these shapes are still used in modern unit patches and have become famous in wars and in movies, like the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) patch and the 1st Cavalry Division patch with its familiar horse head.
But these patches had another positive effect that officers and NCOs noticed right away. They helped produce “espirit de corps ,” that intangible combination of unit pride, loyalty, cohesion, and high morale so important to battlefield effectiveness. Yes, the soldiers were part
of the larger Union Army, but they were most proud of their particular unit’s battle record and loved wearing its distinctive patch on their uniforms for all to see.
There was a time when the soldiers of nearly every Salvation Army corps wore on their uniforms epaulet tabs identifying their corps, and local officers wore the distinctive insignia of their positions. Yes, they were part of the worldwide Army, but they were primarily members of their local corps and proud of its record of service in their community. These identifying markings signaled a corps organized for battle and enthusiastic about its mission.
I have had the opportunity as part of my job to visit many corps over the years, and I’ve noticed that the corps where these tabs and insignia are worn have a certain energy and spirit – an espirit de corps, if you will – and are still serving the community well and drawing people to the corps and to Jesus. Sadly, I don’t see these tabs and insignia in many corps nowadays, and these corps have lost some of the espirit de corps of old, and typically show a similar decline in service to the community and souls won to the Lord.
If our Army is going to continue to have soldiers, officers, local officers, and all our other “quasi-military” nomenclature, as I believe it should, then it makes sense to embrace our tradition fully and wear our corps and position insignia on our uniforms. It may seem a little old fashioned to do so in today’s anti-authority and anti-uniform culture, but it will show that our corps are organized for battle and help us develop the espirit de corps necessary to accomplish the mission.
So, what unit are you with?
A
Harvest Delayed
is Not a Harvest Denied
BY LT. COLONEL ALLEN SATTERLEE
Some years ago, Captain Bill Crabson was the corps officer in Morgantown, West Virginia. In the course of his duties, he sought to have some public service announcements made at the local radio station, WAJR. The radio announcer who helped him was Jim Turner, a cynical man whose father had taught him that The Salvation Army was not worth respecting. And he fully agreed. He ridiculed the captain and the Army along with the station staff, fearing no repercussions since he was living a self-confessed ungodly life.
Later, Turner hosted a talk show in the northeast part of the country. He loved to jeer at Christianity, fueled by the unfortunate news of several scandals by Christian radio and television personalities at the time. But somewhere along the way, one of the radio preachers had planted a seed in him. When the thought came to mind, he pushed it back.
He bought a Bible but set it aside. He wasn’t ready to give up the life he was living. Once in a while, the “Jesus matter” would crop up, but he would push it back. Nothing was going to interfere with the life he was living.
Then in 1998 someone invited him to church. He responded, “I am not in the market for a religious sales pitch,” but he went anyway. He was shocked to find he liked the music. He liked the preacher’s sermon. And there the “Jesus matter” was front and center in his mind again. A month later he accepted Christ as his Savior.
It wasn’t long before Turner was involved in prison ministry, Christian writing, and doorto-door soul-winning. But there was unfinished business. There was that Salvation Army officer he had ridiculed years ago, that representative of Christ and His mission that he had so despised. This new life in Christ was wonderful, but Jim knew that in some way his journey toward faith started when he saw a genuine witness for Christ who humbly and sincerely overlooked his cynical attitude and treated him well. Jim felt he had to find Captain Crabson, tell him what had happened, how he had found Christ, and ask for forgiveness for the way he had acted.
By now, fifty years had passed. What were the chances he could find someone he knew half a century ago in West Virginia? But through the wonders of the internet, he began exploring, first writing an initial email to ask, “Are you the guy?”, assuring the now Lt. Colonel Crabson that he was not a scamster.
When Lt. Colonel Crabson informed him he was indeed that same Captain Crabson from Morgantown, Jim Turner poured out his story.
The good colonel has shared the story with us to remind us that a harvest delayed is not a harvest denied. We sow seeds, not knowing when or where they might bloom. Sometimes we are privileged to see the results: a head bows in prayer; someone kneels at the altar. Sometimes we hear, like in this instance, at a much later time. But the work of faith is not tallied on a calendar, marked out on a ledger, or keystroked as data entry. So, we keep sowing, remaining faithful and leaving it in God’s hands for Him to do what only He can do. In His time.
WE ARE AN ARMY!
Dedicated El Paso Volunteer Makes a Difference
BY BRAD ROWLAND
Salvation Army units rely on volunteers for a wide spectrum of activities. Perhaps most notably, the iconic Red Kettle campaign helps to support The Salvation Army financially while the sound of a ringing bell serves as a reminder of the organization’s work in communities across the globe. Volunteer efforts go well beyond bellringing, however, and each individual or family lending a helping hand is crucial to uplifting those The Salvation Army serves. In El Paso, Texas, Felix Casas embodies that ideal with dedication and a clear contribution to the overall mission.
Casas first became acquainted with The Salvation Army through his daughter, Nancy, who is an attorney and serves as an auxiliary board member in El Paso. Casas is also a member of the Zaragoza Rotary Club of El Paso, and it was there that he encountered Brenda Sanchez, special events and volunteer coordinator for The Salvation Army in El Paso.
Quickly, Casas became an integral part of The Salvation Army as a reliable and trusted volunteer, particularly with the preparation of food boxes distributed to those in need.
“I prepare 15 food boxes in the morning, but they are gone in 24 hours,” Casas explains. “It is a reminder that the fight against hunger is an ongoing challenge, but I know we are making an impact.”
“Felix has made a significant impact through his dedication to preparing food boxes,” Sanchez remarks. “That plays a huge role in feeding the El Paso community.”
Casas, who retired in 2012 after more than four decades working for American Airlines, has accumulated hundreds of hours of volunteer service for The Salvation Army. He was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for El Paso during National Salvation Army Week in 2023, and Casas is renowned for his kind spirit.
“He is quiet, friendly, and just likes to help out,” says Joanna Estrada, public relations manager.
“Felix is a quiet person who loves helping out in the community,” Sanchez comments. “If you ask him for help, he’s likely to say yes about 90 percent of the time. He’s also still involved with the Zaragoza Rotary Club and has great relationships in the community.”
Casas continues to volunteer on a near-weekly basis in El Paso’s food pantry. He has also lent his hand to assist other Salvation Army programs, including aid in the local migrant processing center.
“Whenever we have a project at The Salvation Army that needs volunteers, we know we can always count on Felix,” Estrada declares.
Though Casas does not seek acclaim or recognition, he is a beaming reminder of the positive influence that one dedicated individual can have. To a person, all who serve alongside Casas in El Paso speak glowingly of not only his prac -
tical contributions to helping others, but also of his character and spirit.
“It’s important for people to understand that you don’t need to donate money to make a difference,” Sanchez says. “Just giving your time as a volunteer like Felix does can really help out. What he does allows us to help more people.”
Casas warmly greets Territorial leaders Commissioners Igleheart.
Casas was named Volunteer of the Year for El Paso in 2023 for his efforts preparing food boxes and more.
Felix Casas has volunteered hundreds of hours at The Salvation Army, playing a huge role in fighting hunger in El Paso, Texas.
Tea Party Steeped in Etiquette
BY MAJOR FRANK DURACHER
Ladies of all ages donned their finest hats and fashionable dresses to learn etiquette for attending and hosting a proper tea, while also learning about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Davidson County, North Carolina.
Hosted by the Thomasville Woman’s Club, the event was the first in a planned series of occasions designed to nurture awareness of the Army’s presence and provide opportunity to meet new friends and foster partnerships with other agencies in the community, according to Major Whitney Morton, Davidson County corps officer.
The event served as a fundraiser for the local Army, which includes the Boys & Girls Club and other prominent corps and community outreach ministries.
“We were brainstorming last year, looking at possible program expansion, and we wanted a signature event such as this to share the story of The Salvation Army in Davidson County,” Major Whitney says. “While this is not a million-dollar fundraiser, we feel the public awareness of what we are all about is priceless.”
The Thomasville Woman’s Club was an appropriate venue for the tea, the rich history of the facility since its construction in 1937 providing a stunning backdrop for the event. The club has become a “go to” venue for weddings, showers, formal occasions, cooking classes, and weekly civic groups meetings, and is also known as a choice spot for excellent cuisine.
Owner/operator Steve Teglas serves as president of ReVILLEing, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the city’s beauty and significance. “Steve The Food Guy,” as he is known locally, promotes proper nutrition and teaches food preparation classes. He is also an expert in proper British tradition for conducting and participating in a variety of “teas”—
breakfast, afternoon, and high. His presentation for this event was well received and particularly poignant, as he was heavily involved in the Boys & Girls Club program as a child.
Upon arrival, the ladies were offered their choice of exquisite teacups and flavors of tea to sample. After a short program, the ladies were invited to put into practice etiquette tips presented by Steve and his fellow presenters, enjoying finger sandwiches and scones while sipping piping hot tea (never put your pinky out, by the way!) and listening to a lovely serenade from the Boys & Girls Club chorus.
“It’s quite improper for tea to be poured by the waitstaff,” the ladies were informed. “Friendship has always been at the heart of afternoon tea, and out of respect for your guests, you should offer to pour their cups of tea for them—from friend to friend.”
Other tips include:
• Eat with your fingers; no silverware needed.
• Napkins should stay on your lap.
• Sandwiches first, scones second, desserts last.
• Take small sips and tiny bites.
• Sip your tea quietly; do not blow on it—let your tea cool down.
“Many people think that a tea is for the elite or high society,” Steve explains. “It’s actually a casual, break-bread kind of occasion for people—all people—to come together. For friends, old and new.” Even so, this particular tea party definitely held an air of class and sophistication while also providing a deeper understanding of the mission of The Salvation Army.
Groups celebrated their time in fellowship together in a beautiful photo booth.
Ladies are offered teatime treats, from cucumber sandwiches to tasty scones.
Teapots filled with scalding hot water are ready for steeping a variety of tea flavors.
April and Libby Gundaker, sisters-in-law, report the history of tea events and customs that include high fashion.
Hot tea and ladyfingers are the order of the day for a tea event to benefit The Salvation Army in Davidson County, North Carolina.
Major James Deuel, Sr. Commissioner Willard S. Evans
Major James Deuel, Sr. was Promoted to Glory on March 16, 2024, at the age of 92.
James William Deuel (Sr.) was born on June 29, 1931, to parents William and Cora Deuel. He was the first of five siblings.
James and his family lived in the Erie, PA area for most of his early life, graduating from Harbor Creek High School in Erie in June 1949.
At the age of 17, a friend invited James to visit The Salvation Army in Erie. Back then the Erie Corps was Scandinavian, but all were welcome, and James felt great acceptance and love. On October 15, 1948, after attending just a few meetings, James was gloriously saved. From that day forward, he knew that God had something important for him to do, and that he was going to do it in and through The Salvation Army. He dedicated himself to becoming a good soldier and to preparing for future officership.
With the start of the Korean conflict in 1950, James entered the U.S. Air Force. His superiors in the military were impressed with his aptitude, placing him at an Air Force base in Amarillo, TX. While there, he attended the Amarillo Corps, still with an eye toward Salvation Army officership someday.
Upon his discharge on September 9, 1953, James was contacted about entering the Training College that year. He joined the Shepherd session of cadets with his training application still in hand—making him one of just a handful of officers entering training before they were “officially” accepted.
Cadet Evelyn Goodson caught James’s eye, and their affection for one another grew. Commissioned in June 1954, they knew they would marry. She was appointed to Atlanta Bellwood, while he was sent to Clarksburg, WV. Knowing the couple’s intention to marry, the territory transferred Evelyn to Parkersburg, WV on March 16, 1955. They were married at the Clarksburg Corps on August 4, 1955, by Major Harry Ulyat.
In January 1957, they were sent to the Atlanta Fulton Corps. Subsequent corps appointments include Hattiesburg and Greenwood, MS; and Decatur, AL.
In August 1968, they were appointed to the Texas Division where Captain Deuel served as assistant divisional financial secretary. In February 1970, they were transferred to Territorial Headquarters. From 1986-1990, the Majors Deuel served in Brazil. They also had other special assignments, serving in Argentina, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Portugal.
One of Major James’ major accomplishments was the creation and development of the electronic data processing department for the Southern Territory—propelling The Salvation Army into the Computer Age.
Majors James and Evelyn Deuel entered honored retirement on June 30, 1996.
Major James Deuel, Sr. is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years, Major Evelyn Deuel. Four children survive him: James, Jr., Carol, Judi, and Brent; as well as eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (a 20th great-grandchild is due January 2025). Of their family, three serve as Salvation Army officers.
Commissioner Willard S. Evans was Promoted to Glory on July 11, 2024, at the age of 99.
Willard Evans was born on September 2, 1924, in New York City to Lt. Colonel Willard and Faith Evans as a fourth generation Salvationist. He would grow to become a wellknown and highly respected Salvation Army leader during his lifetime.
He graduated from high school in New Orleans and completed a year of university before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served for two and a half years during World War II. Upon discharge, he enrolled in Bob Jones University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and met his future wife, Marie Fitton, whom he married in 1947.
Commissioned as Salvation Army officers in 1949 in Atlanta, Lieutenant and Mrs. Evans were appointed to the command of the Goldsboro, NC, Corps where their two children, Sherry and Willard, were born. Additional Corps appointments followed in Wilson, NC (where then Captain Evans was named Man of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce), Raleigh, NC, and
St. Petersburg, FL.
After fourteen years as a corps officer, which the future Commissioner often confessed was his first love, Captain Evans was launched on a career of administrative positions which would take him to three of the four United States territories and to the highest levels of Salvation Army leadership.
Appointments as divisional youth secretary in Maryland and Northern West Virginia Division and divisional secretary in the National Capital Division preceded his becoming the Southern Territorial youth secretary. His transfer to the Western Territory as training principal came in 1971. Additional appointments in the West included Southwest divisional commander, territorial program secretary and territorial personnel secretary.
In 1982, the then Colonel Evans was named chief secretary of the Eastern Territory in New York City, and two years later he returned to the Western Territory as the territorial commander with the rank of commissioner.
During more than thirty years of retirement in Clearwater, FL, Commissioner Evans remained active in the League of Mercy, Men’s Club, Seven Men of Prayer, and other corps activities. Because Commissioner Evans was a veteran of World War II, he volunteered for six years at the local VA Hospital.
Commissioner Evans is survived by his loving wife of 77 years; two children, Sheridan Marie Day of Sun City, AZ, and Willard R. (Pamela) Evans of Hendersonville, NC; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and fellow Salvationists who thank God for the ministry and influence of a true soldier of the Cross.
Salvation Army Family Store, San Antonio, TX
Camp Keystone Holiness Center Starke, FL
Camp Keystone Multipurpose, Starke, FL
Georgia Divisional Youth Minister in Mississippi
BY DAKOTA MEEKS
“What are you willing to sacrifice to follow God?” Lt. Sam Mhasvhi asked the Biloxi Kroc Center congregation on Sunday, May 26, as the Georgia Divisional Youth helped to lead worship. The Georgia Division had not taken a ministry trip in over 10 years, and this was the Divisional Youth Band and Dance’s first time travelling to Mississippi. The group arrived at the Center of Hope in Gulfport, Mississippi where they received great hospitality from Area Commander and Senior Kroc Center Officer Major Jerry Friday and Corps Mission Associate Omar Perez.
On Friday, May 24, the group started their day with mission projects involving landscaping at the Center of Hope and helping at the Family Store Warehouse. Those that chose to go to the warehouse completed a variety of projects from building beds and dressers to sorting and folding clothes for the thrift store. “It was a fun, enjoyable experience that served the community well,” said participant Caden Thomas. Those who stayed at the Center of Hope helped to create a fresh look for the courtyard, working to clear away weeds, dig holes, and plant new shrubbery, receiving many compliments for their teamwork and beautiful results.
The Georgia Division performed three concerts at various locations over the weekend.
Their first concert was on Friday outside the Bay Saint Louis Community Center on Beach Blvd. The band performed various patriotic tunes as well as recent repertoire from the season. The group sang “Christ Be Magnified,” and Dance
performed their number “Nothing Else.” In an interview with WLOX News, Major Jerry Friday commented, “What a great opportunity for these young people to come experience the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and what a great opportunity for the communities to see The Salvation Army doing what we do best.”
On Saturday, the group traveled to the Armed Forces Retirement Center where they performed for retired veterans in honor of Memorial Day. When Major Friday asked attendees if The Salvation Army had impacted them while they were in active service, several hands went up around the room. The Georgia youth then received a tour of the facility, showcasing the center and the impact veterans still have on the country today.
The group then made their way to the home of a local Salvation Army donor, the Lucas family, where a small ensemble played a short selection of music. The final concert of the day was held in Ocean Springs outside a retirement home where they performed for not only the retirement home community but also those driving or walking past on the busy street.
“What are you willing to sacrifice to follow God?” After their full weekend of ministry, these young people can share their experiences and how the music they played and the message they spread touched the hearts of those they encountered. “It was a wonderful ministry trip in my many years of involvement with Salvation Army music, both as a participant and leader,” says Georgia Divisional Music Director Daniel Meeks. “I believe it was rewarding for our young people who helped offset the cost of this trip by raising a portion.”
New THQ Officers Welcomed
BY KRISTIN MUDGE
Southern Territorial Headquarters (THQ) welcomed five new staff officers on July 10. Entering the room with Olympic fanfare, the new officers joined in a “parade of nations” where employees were encouraged to celebrate the cultural heritage of everyone represented, displaying flags while the new officers carried festive Olympic torches.
Those welcomed were Lt. Colonels Stephen and Susan Ellis, territorial secretary for business administration (designate) and territorial risk management secretary, Majors Bobby and Natalie Jackson, adult rehabilitation centers command (ARCC) commander and command leader for mission advancement & officer development, and Captain Wendy Parsons, territorial coordinator for child and adult safety (Safe from Harm).
THQ employees and staff officers joined together in this time of fellowship and celebration, welcoming the new officers into their THQ family.
Photo Credits: Rachel Wiley
Photo Credit: Joseph Chang