Salvationist 8 February 2020

SALVATIONIST For everyone linked to The Salvation Army

No.1742 Price 70p

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist 8 February 2020

A landmark of faith The Wall of Answered Prayer

PLUS ENCOUNTER PRAYER GATHERING G

QUOTES FROM THE MEDIA

WE ARE LEAVING THE EU BUT NOT EUROPE, CHURCH LEADERS INSIST

REDBRIDGE COUNCIL FIRST IN UK TO LAUNCH FAMILY THERAPY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF JOINING GANGS

THOUSANDS ‘LEFT BEHIND’ IN POVERTY IN IRELAND

Families are Forever, the first programme of its kind in the country, will have specialist clinical therapists working with eligible families where young people are deemed at risk of becoming involved in gangs and help them overcome negative patterns of behaviour…

Councillor Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge council, said: ‘Tackling crime is not just about policing and arresting – it is also about preventing and deterring from a very early stage. If we can deter young people from gangs and crime, we’d be securing their futures and stopping a generation of our children from deviating down a dark path.’

Ireland’s economy isn’t working for everyone and many are being left behind, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has warned, as it revealed that 700,000 people are living below the poverty line.

Ahead of the country’s general election … the charity unveiled its ‘SVP Election 2020 Priorities’ in which it calls on the next government to introduce a Poverty Reduction Act to ensure that consistent poverty is reduced to 2 per cent or less by 2025.

Dr Tricia Keilthy, SVP head of social justice, said: ‘Enshrining commitments for poverty reduction into law would send a clear signal that the interests of those most marginalised in society are at the top of the national agenda.’

Ilford Recorder

The Tablet

Years of Brexit negotiations have left the UK ‘bruised and divided’ – but the Christian values of kindness, humility and respect must live on, church leaders have told the government.

The UK is … to leave the European Union … three-and-a-half years after the EU referendum. A statement … by the leaders of 10 denominations – including the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union, the Church of Scotland, the United Reformed Church, the Quakers and the Scottish Episcopal Church – called on politicians ‘to set an example over the next weeks and months as we move towards negotiations which will require further decisions about priorities for the nations of the UK’…

The country should offer sanctuary to refugees and be intolerant of discrimination and hate, the church leaders stated. International agreements must also continue to ‘address effectively’ the climate crisis, global inequality and conflict.

‘We greatly value the love and friendship of our sisters and brothers in other European churches,’ the statement goes on. A public letter was … sent on the same day ‘to assure them that these relationships would continue’…

The statement goes on ... ‘The deeply held convictions that fuelled the Brexit debate will not simply go away, but our Christian faith urges us to be people of peace and reconciliation.’

Only 14 per cent of the UK responds to social media hashtag appeals to pray.

According to a poll commissioned by Premier Christian News, only one in seven say they have ever prayed as a result of a #prayfor online campaign.

Jonathan Oloyede, leader of the National Day of Prayer, told Premier having support structures for corporate prayer is more effective...

‘I think more people will pray in churches locally when they meet, in their home groups, in their cell groups, Bible study groups … and coffee mornings,’ he said.

However, Oloyede said technology does have a place in facilitating prayer...

‘There are many ways and various platforms which more people can engage in prayer, if they, and the churches that they attend, facilitate and support that.’

Church Times

Premier

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(tel) 020 7367 4890 (email) salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk (web) salvationarmy.org.uk/salvationist EDITOR Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts – (tel) 020 7367 4901 MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford – (tel) 020 7367 4891 EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Shanelle Manderson – (tel) 020 7367 4894 Simon Hope – (tel) 020 7367 4892 Melita Day-Lewis – (tel) 020 7367 4887 Major Margaret Bovey ART DIRECTOR Hannah Holden – (tel) 020 7367 4883 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Mark Knight – (tel) 020 7367 4895 Louise Phillips – (tel) 020 7367 4896 PROOFREADER Chris Horne

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Salvationist 8 February 2020

PREMIER SURVEY REVEALS ‘#PRAYFOR’ SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS DON’T WORK

DISTRIBUTION Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (Periodicals), 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2QH (tel) 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) (email) subscriptions@satcol.org TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN (tel) 020 7367 4500 (tel) 0845 634 0101 Published weekly by The Salvation Army and printed on paper from sustainable sources by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell. © The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. The Salvation Army is a Christian church and a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

ISSN 2516-5909

THE SALVATION ARMY FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL Brian Peddle TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Commissioner Anthony Cotterill EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHING SECRETARY Major Mal Davies

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Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

CONTENTS

LEARNING TO PRAY ‘LORD, teach us to pray,’ said one of the disciples after they had witnessed Jesus praying in Luke 11:1. That may well have been the desire of people who attended the Encounter Prayer Gathering featured on pages 10 and 11. They were not disappointed – they were treated to a masterclass. As well as opportunities to engage in prayer of all kinds, a range of speakers across the weekend provided valuable insights.

One of the speakers was Richard Gamble, whose project to build the Wall of Answered Prayer is featured on pages 12 and 13. Reflecting the Old Testament idea of building stone monuments as testimonies to God’s acts of deliverance, this wall will display thousands of answered prayers to remind people of God’s goodness.

No matter how far we progress in the school of prayer, there is no technique that guarantees we always get what we ask for. That doesn’t mean our prayers go unanswered. It simply means, as Melanie Beynon says in the article, that sometimes the answer from God is ‘no’ or ‘not yet’. That’s a good lesson to learn, but it’s not always easy to accept, especially when we are going through tough times or praying for someone in desperate need. Instead of a wall of answered prayer, it can feel as if we’re talking to a brick wall.

That kind of experience is expressed in many of the psalms. Often, when the psalmist can’t sense God’s presence or they’re praying for relief from a trying situation, they cry out, as in Psalm 13:1: ‘How long, Lord?’

In Psalm 35, the psalmist says: ‘When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother’ (vv13 and 14). These are honest, desperate, heartfelt prayers. But they are made in the context of a faithful relationship with God, so there is always a note of hope. That’s why Psalm 35 concludes with the words: ‘My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long’ (v28).

Throughout history people have turned to prayer in times of desperation. Many of the Jewish people who were remembered on the recent Holocaust Memorial Day would have used the words of familiar psalms to express their anguish. The 19thcentury slaves mentioned in the Bible study on pages 16 and 17 sang their prayers in the form of spirituals.

This weekend is the 25th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday, and those seeking a world without discrimination pray for it in sorrow and hope, and commit themselves to help bring it about.

On page 7 Laurence Sandman highlights some prayerful action in pursuit of justice. He writes about the Refugee Response Gathering he attended with a man called Peter, ‘a precious brother from Iran’. Peter had escaped persecution and was hoping his wife and son could join him in the UK. As well as supporting in practical ways, Laurence’s corps has been praying for the family – and those prayers have been answered.

Learning to pray and learning how to respond to the answers – whether they are ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘wait’ – is a lifelong experience, and the key to making progress is having a desire to learn. So, like the disciple of Jesus, we need constantly to say: ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’

Quotes from the media

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News

4 to 6

Reflection Dropping crumbs along the path

7

by Laurence Sandman

Feature A changed life

8

by Jackie Birch

Reflection All in the genes

9

by Major Peace Ekari

News feature 10 and 11 Discovering boldness in prayer and mission

by Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

Feature 12 and 13 Building faith brick by brick

by Shanelle Manderson

Viewpoint Making the case for democracy

14

by Tor Martin Ødegaard

Reviews More Green Book Favourites

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reviewed by Major Darren Shaw

Jesus According To The New Testament reviewed by Basil Canvin

Bible study 16 and 17 A slave girl’s deliverance

by Major Steven Turner

Through the week with Salvationist

16 and 17

by Major Howard Webber

New commitments

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Letters

19

Announcements Adverts

20 and 21 21 to 23

The Salvation Army and me

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featuring Rachel Taylor

From the Editor Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS Scripture quotations in Salvationist are from the New International Version (2011), unless otherwise stated

Salvationist 8 February 2020

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NEWS

STAPLE HILL: The first evening meeting of the year, a Songs of Praise, featured 10 of Charles Wesley’s songs. Major Colin HyltonJones led the well-attended meeting, which began with ‘Soldiers Of Christ, Arise’, and explained how the songs came to be written.

Three hymns – ‘And Can It Be That I Should Gain?’, ‘A Charge To Keep I Have’, and ‘Rejoice, The Lord Is King!’ – were read out, and all music sections contributed to the evening, with the band playing ‘God Be With You’ as a tribute to a former bandsman. – VW

Funding ‘not enough to break cycle of homelessness’ LONDON THE Salvation Army has issued a response to an announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions of £3 million in funding for Jobcentres in the UK to help people experiencing homelessness.

The new funding will help staff from Jobcentres join outreach teams on the streets to talk to people sleeping rough, helping them to claim their benefits, find new work, secure stable accommodation and seek additional support.

In response, Director of Employment Services Rebecca Keating (THQ) said: ‘We welcome the £3 million investment to help homeless people access essential benefits,

but it is not enough to break the cycle of homelessness.

‘Accessing benefits is not enough to prevent someone from sleeping on the streets, you must help them recover from the reasons they ended up rough sleeping in the first place … including spiralling mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions and abusive relationships.

‘We need to make sure employment support is linked to other support services like health, counselling and employment and skills training.’

Minister for welfare delivery Will Quince, MP, who announced the new fund, visited the Army’s Riverside Complex in Tower Hamlets where homelessness services and Employment Plus programmes work together to help women move towards work or training. – AR

Christmas appeal raises record-breaking sum THQ

BARROW-IN-FURNESS: A pilot initiative to renovate donated bicycles has been extended after a successful first year. The rejuvenated cycles are sold at the corps shop, with more than 100 bikes finding new homes since the scheme started. The initiative has been named the Barrow Bike Shed. – MD 4

Salvationist 8 February 2020

THE 2019 Christmas fundraising appeal raised a record-breaking sum of £20 million.

The Individual Giving and Legacy Unit received more than 500,000 donations from supporters and the public, which will enable The Salvation Army to continue helping the most vulnerable people across the territory.

Head of Marketing and Fundraising Julius Wolff-Ingham (THQ) said: ‘About half the donations we receive in a year are given between November and December.

People tend to think more about giving to charity at Christmas. Even street collecting in the right spot will work better at Christmas than any other time.’

Julius adds that for every £1 an Army member gives, the public contribute £5:

Halifax corps officer Major John Irvine presents a certificate to retiring Songster Leader Bob Batchelor after more than 31 years’ service

‘This is a huge privilege; these additional funds enable us to put our belief into action and be what we are. ‘[The Christmas appeal] is very much about giving people an opportunity to support a wonderful organisation at a time they want to. It really is a campaign that protects our future.’ – AR

Online campaign launched to end rough sleeping THQ THE Public Affairs and Social Policy Unit has launched an online campaign to eliminate rough sleeping, calling for Salvationists to share their concerns with MPs. Since 2010 the number of people sleeping rough has increased by 165 per cent. In its election manifesto, the government committed to eliminating rough sleeping by the end of this parliament, potentially 2024 or 2025 – more ambitious than the previous commitment to end rough sleeping by 2027.

The Army is keen to work with the government to put into place a roadmap to end rough sleeping. To make sure this issue doesn’t fall off the list of government priorities, the Public Affairs and Social Policy Unit is encouraging everyone linked to The Salvation Army to share why this issue is important for them and their communities through an online platform called Engaging Network.

This platform is a new approach to lobbying for the Army and goes directly to decision makers. It will allow the Public Affairs and Social Policy Unit to monitor what MPs have been receiving as part of the campaign. This information will not be shared with anyone outside the unit.

A similar campaign was launched in Scotland and yielded positive results, including visits from MPs and MSPs to corps and homelessness services across the country and, ultimately, opportunities to expand the Housing First initiative in Inverness.

‘We want to replicate the success we’ve had in Scotland across England,’ said Public Affairs Adviser Ryan Gow. ‘We want to ensure the government focuses on this really important priority. MPs are always influenced by people like you who live and work within their constituencies. This short, online action will just take a couple of minutes.’ – SM O To contact your MP and share your views visit action.salvationarmy.org.uk/ page/54432/action/1

Lilian Loach marks her 100th birthday with a week of celebrations at Hednesford, including flowers presented by the corps and two surprise parties

OLDHAM CITADEL: A new banner designed by Victoria Wilde was presented at the corps.

As worship is held in a hired room, which other organisations and groups use during the week, hung banners are a way for the corps folk to witness. Victoria is pictured with Majors Brenda and Robert Stones, Corps Treasurer Janice Garlick and Pamela Leach. – RS

Harlow corps officer Major Karen Sandford and HLS Ruth Howes present Retired HLS Barbara Clark with flowers to celebrate more than 60 years’ commitment to the home league

Women’s Ministries ‘Reimagining’ launch to stream live IHQ THE launch of the Army’s ‘Reimagining’ of International Women’s Ministries will stream live online this week.

The launch meeting on 12 February at International Headquarters will be led by World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham.

It will challenge Salvationists and friends around the world to consider what could be done for and alongside women and girls in their own countries and communities. It will include the announcement of the new International Women’s Ministries vision statement and logo.

The launch comes at the end of a time of research, prayer and planning that has its roots in the last High Council, in May 2018, when Commissioner Rosalie shared the vision that God had given her for Salvation Army Women’s Ministries.

A ‘Reimagining’ exhibition will open on the same day in IHQ’s Gallery 101, featuring photos that demonstrate the power of God’s women working together in his name. – AR O The launch meeting will begin at 9.30am on 12 February with the live stream available at salvationarmy.org, sar.my/youtube and sar.my/facebook Like our page at facebook.com/ salvationistonline to keep up to date Find Salvationist on Twitter @SalvationistUK

Salvationist 8 February 2020

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NEWS

LEADGATE: In 2019 the corps challenged itself to donate 1,000 quality items to a local food bank. Every month corps members bought items that were in short supply, such as tins of meat, long-life milk, jars of jam and bags of sugar. The items were sorted and delivered to the food bank by corps member Liz Bailey. Within eight months that target had been achieved. Corps folk were keen to continue with this community venture so a new target of 2,000 items has been set for 2020. The corps is well on the way to meeting its new target. – DP Please do not send your copy to any individual’s email address as this could delay publication. Copy should be sent to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk

After 73 years’ service, Bandsman Bernard Greatrick receives a retirement certificate from Chelmsford corps officers Majors Macdonald Chandi and Diana Macdonald; also pictured is Bandmaster Alex Campbell The Anglia Division Emergency Group supports 70 firefighters called out to tackle a fire in Barningham, Suffolk

Barrow-in-Furness Friendship Circle members donate £100 to Strawberry Field

GRAVESEND: More than 70 people attended the first corps pop-up café, enjoying homemade cakes, pastries and snacks. Bandsman Roland Purchase, a retired baker, took responsibility for the exciting new ministry expression alongside his wife, Margaret, and family and friends. More than two thirds of the people were invited by corps folk and do not usually attend. One woman attended the meeting the next morning and many affirmed they were looking forward to the next pop-up café. – KB

Portsmouth North celebrates the new year and corps anniversary with a fish-and-chip supper 6

Salvationist 8 February 2020

Dereham Cameo members enjoy a new year buffet

REFL RE FLE EC CT TIION ON REFLECTION

Dropping crumbs along the path Laurence Sandman shares his thoughts about a Salvation Army refugee response conference

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RECENTLY had the privilege of spending 24 hours at the Refugee Response Gathering in the company of ‘Peter’*, a precious brother from Iran, and an amazing, inspiring group of people involved with the Army who were united by one thing: the desire to help and support refugees and asylum seekers.

During our time together we heard about and shared experiences of the hope and pain of navigating the often tortuous, sometimes tragic but – mercifully, for some – life-changing path that starts with a brother or sister desperate to find a new life of safety away from the threats and dangers they face in their own land.

For some, thankfully, it has ended in a new home where they will be happy, safe, loved and productive. Others, sadly, are still lost in the labyrinth – or that is how it must feel for them.

Each of their stories touched and inspired the hearts of all who were there, and the many tears shed were a real testament to the uniting power of God’s love and the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit.

In each case it was clear that God

was right there with every single person on that journey. Now, thanks to the caring guidance of our amazing God, we stand alongside them as well to share their joy and pain.

It was also obvious that, for every refugee who has come into contact with the Army and been blessed by the response, it is we, the ones seeking to help, who have been blessed beyond anything we could have imagined. It reminded each one of us that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

For me, the overall vision was of faithful travellers slowly making their way along a path but dropping breadcrumbs to help show those following behind how to avoid the traps and snares, the dead-ends and the false detours. But how do we capture and share all that precious and hardwon manna? Learning from our experiences and mistakes is one thing; making it available to others in a form that they can use is another.

During the seminar we gathered many valuable breadcrumbs of advice.

We were able to tap into the experiences of those who have welcomed resettled refugees or supported people in the asylum system.

We were able to swap contact details and share resources that have helped us along the way. Perhaps most valuably, we heard directly from – and learnt from – our refugee brothers and sisters who have come to the UK. But those ideas need some sort of

structure to allow people in a similar situation to get straight to the information they seek. This is a challenge that the conference organisers, Intercultural Mission Enabler Major Jonny Smith (THQ) and Territorial Refugee Response Co-ordinator Major Nick Coke (Raynes Park), were keen to take forward as a next step.

Conferences like this are great but the real benefit is when they make a difference and change things for the better for others.

One more ambition came out of the conference. Many organisations, the Army included, have advised the government that the existing asylum system is broken and causes unnecessary harm to those having to pass through it. Perhaps the greatest legacy this conference can leave behind is a renewed determination by us all to lobby as hard as we can to change that system once and for all. Perhaps we, as a Movement led by God’s Spirit, can be the catalyst to make that happen. * Since this article was written, ‘Peter’ has been granted indefinite leave to remain by the Home Office and can now begin the process of bringing his wife and young son to the UK. Ellesmere Port Corps is delighted at this answer to prayer.

LAURENCE IS CORPS SECRETARY, ELLESMERE PORT Salvationist 8 February 2020

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FEATURE I Leaving a legacy

A changed life Having recently arranged to leave a gift to the Army in his will, Phil C shares his reasons with Legacy Fundraising Manager Jackie Birch

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OW retired after a successful business career, Phil’s childhood was marred by dreadful hardship and terrible experiences. And it was then, when he was just a boy, that The Salvation Army changed the course of his life for ever.

Phil was born out of wedlock as the result of an affair. Back in the 1940s this was a terrible badge of shame and, to begin with, his mother’s husband refused to acknowledge him or have him in the house, and Phil was sent to a home for illegitimate children. This eventually changed and the man offered Phil a home, but he was hard-hearted and selfish. Later in life, Phil discovered that he only took him in to get the 55 shillings a week that the foster agency paid for his keep.

Where Phil lived could scarcely be called a home. He was treated appallingly. He was, at first, made to sleep under his half-brother’s bed, before being moved into a shed at the end of the garden. He was still given very little to eat. Forced to call his half-brother and half-sister ‘master’ and ‘mistress’, he was beaten if he didn’t do what he was told.

Every so often, Phil had to move out of his shed altogether. This was especially the case during holidays because his foster father did not want him around the house when members of the family came 8

Salvationist 8 February 2020

to stay. For weeks at a time, Phil – still a young child – had to sleep rough on the streets and beg for scraps of food.

Then an opportune meeting with The Salvation Army turned Phil’s life around.

On Christmas Eve, he saw an Army van in the street, distributing food to rough sleepers.

Phil was too timid to approach the van, but the woman in charge saw him shivering in the bitter cold. She gave him some blankets to keep him warm and six slices of bread to keep him going. He ate two that night and saved the other four for his Christmas dinner.

Phil went back to the Army van every day for two week, and he was given chicken soup and as many slices of bread as he could eat.

‘I had never seen such kindness and it gave me hope that my life would get better,’ he says.

By the end of the second week, his father’s visitors had gone and he was allowed to return to living in his shed.

Phil was a resourceful young boy.

When his father refused to pay for his school dinners, he took on a paper round and got a job sweeping up in a shop. He worked hard at school and, even though he was doing night shifts at a laundry to pay for food and clothing and sometimes fell asleep in the classroom, he won a place at university.

Having achieved a bachelor of

science degree, Phil went on to achieve an MSc in engineering before being accepted to study a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This was the start of a career that took him to senior posts in the nuclear energy industry.

‘The first 18 years of my life I hated, I just wanted to get rid of them,’ Phil says.

‘But from 18, everything fell into place. If that Salvation Army lady hadn’t seen me, I honestly don’t think that I would be here today. I was nearly gone. I kept the blankets she gave me for years, even taking them to America with me. I had so much attachment to them because they kept me warm and alive. If she hadn’t come over to me I honestly believe that I would have died.’

Phil has never forgotten what The Salvation Army did for him. It was there for him when he was starving, cold and friendless.

‘If The Salvation Army hadn’t fed me and kept me warm, I don’t believe I would be alive today,’ he affirms.

That is why he has decided to leave a gift to The Salvation Army in his will.

Find out how to leave a gift to The Salvation Army in your will by visiting salvationarmy.org.uk/gifts-willsenquiry-form or contact the legacy team on 0800 144 4774 or email legacy.enquiry@salvationarmy.org.uk

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REFL FLEC ECTI EC TION ON REFLECTION REFL ECTIO CTI O N

All in the genes Major Peace Ekari considers the DNA of The Salvation Army

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URING my time at the International College for Officers some years ago, the principal walked into the classroom and introduced the topic of the day as ‘the Army’s DNA’. I became curious, anxious to know what connection DNA has with the Army. So I decided to research it.

I found out that ‘DNA’ is short for deoxyribonucleic acid – a self-replicating material that is present in living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes.

DNA exists in the nucleus of every cell and is the carrier of genetic information, having all the instructions that a living organism needs to grow, reproduce and function. Genes are short sections of DNA that carry information for particular characteristics, such as the shape of a person’s ears or the colour of their eyes.

Organisations sometimes talk about their DNA. It is a way of describing fundamental characteristics that are unlikely to change. It might not be scientifically accurate, but it can be a helpful image.

What then is the DNA of The Salvation Army? What are the innate characteristics that make it what it is – and us who we are?

At the first International Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force meeting in 2015, the then World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Silvia Cox said that charity, love, compassion and social justice are part of the Army’s DNA. Mobilising against evil is a result of our belief that holiness and social justice are linked, she said, and summed up the Army’s DNA in our ministry’s philosophy of ‘heart to God, hand to man’.

DNA as a concept can also be applied to our individual lives. DNA is at the centre of all human cells and is responsible for characteristics being passed on from parents to children. As children carry their parents’ genes, when there is doubt about their identity, a test of their DNA can determine it.

Similarly, true Christians can be

identified when characteristics of Christ are found in them – evidence that they are children of God. That illustrates what happens in the life of a believer; we have been born into his family, so we have his characteristics. Having passed his character on to us through conversion and spiritual rebirth, he expects us to live out his character as ambassadors – as true replicas, sincere representations of him on Earth. His life of holiness, love and compassion for a world lost in sin – groping in darkness, looking for a way out – should be our aim.

That reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 15:5: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’ Without Jesus we cannot achieve a life of charity, holiness, love and compassion. We need to receive him in the centre of our lives.

The Salvation Army’s DNA is to preach and preserve the gospel. A gospel lived out attracts sinners to the cross and ushers them into God’s family to share in his DNA. Our DNA can affect our responses to elements of our lives. So too must Christ affect our responses. The DNA of preaching and reaching out, loving others and living out the gospel as Christ’s representatives should run in our blood.

Without God’s transforming work of salvation through Jesus, this DNA would not exist in us. ‘Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’ (John 1:12).

MAJOR EKARI IS EDITORIAL OFFICER AND PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE TERRITORIAL LEADERS, NIGERIA TERRITORY Salvationist 8 February 2020

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NEWS FEATURE

Discovering boldness in prayer and mission HAYES CONFERENCE CENTRE, SWANWICK THE delegates at the Encounter Prayer Gathering enjoyed a rich variety of sessions with a number of inspiring speakers, Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts reports. The weekend, themed Boldness In Prayer And Mission, also included plenty of time for reflection, worship and fellowship.

Territorial Prayer Network Co-ordinator Captain Pauline Milner welcomed almost 200 delegates and announced that this was the largest gathering yet, before handing over to Abi and Gary Pitt (both Nottingham Sneinton), the session hosts.

Abi and Gary ably led the opening moments of each session, with worship leaders Jo and Joel Thomas (both Cheltenham Citadel), and introduced and prayed with each speaker during the weekend.

On Friday evening Richard Gamble spoke about his project to build the Wall of Answered Prayer (see pages 12 and 13). He told the remarkable story of the project’s development, which is the result of a series of answers to prayer. Delegates were invited to write down their own answers to prayer, which could be featured on the Wall.

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Prayer Warfare The Jesus Way was the theme of the Saturday morning sessions led

by Territorial Prayer Consultant Lyndall Bywater. She identified three things Christians struggle with: self, Satan and the world or ‘the system’. By giving examples from the life and ministry of Jesus, Lyndall showed how to overcome these challenges by reconnecting with God, resisting Satan and reimagining the system in the likeness of God’s Kingdom.

Free time gave delegates the opportunity to browse a book stall, share in one-to-one prayer with a member of the prayer ministry team or take part in prayer reflection led by Captain Sarah Johnson (Sacriston and Sanctuary 21).

Later in the afternoon Methodist minister the Rev Clive McKie introduced Taketime, an initiative that promotes Ignatian meditation in churches, prisons and schools.

He led the delegates through a meditation on Luke 9:1–10 and explained that 140 short meditations are available at taketime.org.uk for use in personal devotions, small groups and outreach to non-Christians.

Secretary for Mission Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe presented a study of Ephesians 3:14 to 4:16 focusing on unity in Christ and the need for the Church to include the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers (APEST). Delegates were asked to look at which of these ministries they identified with.

During a prayer evening delegates were asked to sit with others who identified with the same APEST ministry and discuss the prayers from the heart that were associated with it.

On Sunday morning Gary interviewed Territorial Envoys Darryn and Karen Hook (left) about the work of Sanctuary 21 in Durham, with its practical and spiritual ministry of ‘soup, soap and salvation’. They described their own calling and spoke about the impact Sanctuary 21 has had on some of

Lieut-Colonel Drew McCombe

Colonel Lee Graves

Delegate views DEREK NORTON Douglas We’re at a stage within our corps where we’re looking at mission supported by prayer, and this provided us with the opportunity to think things through, to get resources and ideas, and to network with other people. It’s been really good. I feel reinvigorated and I’ve got some ideas to take back to the corps. I enjoyed the teaching we had on APEST and the opportunity for personal reflection as to which APEST area I fall within, as well as thinking about the different gifts of our corps members.

CADET AMANDA SEWELL Evesham This was my first prayer gathering. It was a spiritual formation opportunity for me because I believe that prayer is the foundation for everything. There is a real drive within the corps for prayer, and I wanted to be more equipped to equip our congregation. There’s been so much to take away. Every session has been amazing. One of the things that struck me was the need to share answered prayer, and I’ll be encouraging people to do that in my corps.

STUART SHAW Stenhousemuir I’ve been to the annual prayer gathering three times. It is a special weekend and it’s growing in popularity. The fellowship is fantastic, and I enjoy meeting people and finding out where they’re from. One of the most important meetings is the prayer meeting, so I want to find out as much as I can. We need prayer because without it the Church would crumble. I want to encourage people to become prayer orientated.

the people they work with and serve, from those experiencing homelessness to university students.

Chief Secretary Colonel Lee Graves and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Debbie Graves attended the weekend, and in the Sunday morning session the Chief Secretary asked the delegates: ‘How big is your God?’ He encouraged them to seek God everywhere, acknowledge their need of his help and live the life of his Kingdom.

‘We are to understand that his activity is everywhere,’ he said, ‘and we are invited to join him. With Scripture in one hand and on our knees in prayer, we align ourselves with his will.’

The gathering concluded with worship, which included time for personal reflection or prayer with others. There was also opportunity to testify about what had been learnt or experienced during the weekend.

Delegates left encouraged to take the next steps that God had in mind for them.

ELLEN CASEMENT Sacriston I attended last year and it was so good that I attended again. Prayer is a passion of mine because I believe it is the only way to get closer to God. I got a lot out of Lyndall’s teaching. She has given me pointers about how to pray and how to get the best out of my prayers. She speaks with such passion and in a way that everybody can understand. I’ll definitely be back next year!

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FEATURE The Wall of Answered Prayer

Building faith brick by brick Shanelle Manderson finds out about a national monument that will ignite belief in prayer

T

HERE are many examples of answered prayer in the Bible, such as Hannah’s prayer for a baby (1 Samuel 1:1–20) or Moses’ intercession for Israel (Exodus 32:9–14).

Testimonies of answered prayers strengthen faith and offer hope and reassurance. That’s what the Wall of Answered Prayer on the outskirts of Birmingham will aim to do: remind generations to come of God’s goodness and how he has answered prayers since the beginning of time.

The Christian piece of public art will be made up of a million bricks, each one linked to an answered prayer submitted by a member of the public. Visitors will be able to place their phone against a brick and a bespoke app will reveal the prayer associated with that brick through text, audio or video. Tourist-style binoculars will be used for bricks higher up and the answered prayers will appear on a screen.

‘Anyone can submit a prayer,’ says the Wall’s ambassador, Melanie Beynon, ‘and every prayer is included, even 12

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when the answer from God is “no” or “not yet”. We have to understand that God is not going to give us what we want just because we want it. He’ll give us what is good for us and in his own time.’

The prayers will remain anonymous, partly for confidentiality but also to encourage people to share personal experiences. A section of ‘heritage bricks’ will also display historical answered prayers, such as the miracles that occurred in the Dunkirk rescue operation after King George VI called the nation to pray for the stranded men on the French beaches during the Second World War. These inclusions will be reminders of what God has done in our recent history as well as farther back, with answered prayers dating back to the seventh century.

Melanie, who is a descendant of William Booth, has chosen to submit a testimony of provision from Bramwell Booth’s Echoes And Memories. It reads: ‘Wonderful indeed have been the answers to prayer in special

Melanie Beynon

predicaments. Sometimes in bygone days I have signed cheques, and stood them up against the inkpot, saying, “I cannot let them go until the Lord has sent along the wherewithal to meet them.” And even while I have been waiting in headquarters casting up my heart to God for help, people have

Pictures: SNUG ARCHITECTS

Artist impression of the Wall

‘

The continuous nature of the band represents God’s eternal nature and how he is always listening and answering prayers

called and said, “I feel the Lord would have me come and give you a hundred pounds” – or two hundred pounds, or five hundred pounds, as the case might be. That kind of thing has been repeated in practically every department of the Army, and in every land... It ought to teach us to believe hard as well as work hard.’

Melanie explains its importance: ‘I felt it was very poignant for the team because we pray for finance and donations for the Wall of Answered Prayer. Crowdfunding is at the heart of the Wall. We wanted it to be built by people who wanted to get involved. This passage just shows that God provides, even when you feel like you’re at your last penny.’

The idea for the Wall was born out of a vision that God brought to Richard Gamble, the Wall’s chief executive officer, when he was carrying a cross around Leicestershire at Easter time to lead people to think about Jesus. In 2014, after praying over the vision for 10 years, he felt the nudge to act upon

it. Through a word of knowledge the team were connected with a landowner who had received a vision to fund a national landmark about Jesus six months before Richard received his.

The landowner gave them 10 acres near Coleshill Manor, and construction is expected to begin on the site this year, with a completion date of 2022.

The Wall’s design, following a global competition run by the Royal Institute of British Architects, is by Snug Architects and based on the Möbius strip. This infinity loop running fluently in an ever-connecting line means that a person can never be on the outside or the inside of the structure; the continuous nature of the band represents God’s eternal nature and how he is always listening and answering prayers.

There is a scriptural basis for the Wall of Answered Prayer too, says Melanie: ‘There are at least three cases of biblical characters laying stones as a memorial to the Lord and his victories. These become significant locations throughout biblical history.’

The Wall has taken inspiration from these biblical monuments, aiming to reignite faith in God, reminding us of what he has done before, what he can do and what he will do again.

On site there will also be a visitors centre, which will feature a 24/7 prayer room, trained chaplains providing support, an exhibition describing what

’

Christians and those of other faiths believe about prayer and Jesus, a café, a Christian bookstore and a landscaped park area for prayer and reflection.

As well as donating profits from the Wall to other charities once it’s built, a million bricks will be given to social housing initiatives to build 100 houses.

‘We didn’t want to just build a structure to celebrate God’s goodness without giving back to the people,’ says Melanie.

‘Homelessness is on the rise and giving people a home is vital.’

It is estimated about 500,000 people a week will travel past the monument, which will be visible from the M6 and M42, and between 150,000 and 200,000 people will visit the site every year.

Melanie believes that generations will come to the Wall and see Jesus’ miraculous and loving nature through the many testimonies of answered prayer.

How can people get involved?

‘Share your answered prayers with us,’ she enthuses. ‘We’d love to hear your stories. Pray for the building of the Wall too, as there are a lot of practical and legal elements that we have to go through, and if you can donate anything or have any skills or passions you can contribute, then get in touch.’

O To find out more about the Wall of Answered Prayer or to share how God has answered your prayer visit thewall.org.uk Salvationist 8 February 2020

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VIEW POINT

Making the case for democracy

Tor Martin Ødegaard argues that members of The Salvation Army in Europe should have a stronger voice

I

AM a member of Rotary, a political party and a housing society, a citizen of Norway and a member of The Salvation Army. There is one significant difference between these memberships: I have the right to vote in all these bodies, except The Salvation Army.

If I had spent as much time in these other organisations as I do in the Army, I could have reached top positions just by making myself known and doing a proper job. But I have chosen to spend most of my free time in the Army as a soldier and bandsman.

As a member of The Salvation Army I have no rights. I have no influence on how the money I contribute is used. As a soldier I have no influence in the strategic discussions on how the Army is prioritising its work and money. I have no influence in choosing its leaders, from the top level to the bottom. I fully accept that leaders make their decisions, but it is very difficult to accept that they make their decisions without seeking the opinions of members. In the other organisations, I can have an influence through voting and the possibility of being elected to steering committees where decisions are made.

At the same time the decline of the 14

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Army in Europe is evident. Reading The Salvation Army Year Book it seems that the number of soldiers and officers is going down every year. But I cannot see that anybody is raising this issue or discussing why it is happening.

One reason is the lack of democracy in The Salvation Army. Europe has the most developed democracies in the world. It is in the backbone of the population. The right to free speech, to vote, to organise in labour unions, to take part in open discussions, to demonstrate in the streets – these are all part of European culture.

Against this reality the Army tries to get people to join. It wants young people, fully occupied in their education or in daily work, to sign the soldier’s covenant and put on the uniform. But they will have no say in the organisation’s development, spending of money, strategies, social services and so on. This might be possible in other parts of the world, but not in Europe.

It is not possible to get insights into details of the Army’s accounting on a national or international level. That kind of transparency is important. In other organisations, members are elected to

be part of the audit committee to scrutinise how money is spent, and to ensure it is spent according to the solutions decided in the steering committees where the members take part. That is proper accountability.

Why should people join an organisation with this kind of structure and lack of democracy – where the leaders are not asking for opinions while at the same time speaking of transparency and accountability?

Instead of asking their own members for support when they need business or consulting competence, they often bring in expensive consulting firms with no knowledge of the Army.

My concern and analysis is about The Salvation Army in Europe. If we want to expand instead of decline, we need a new sort of governance; the soldiers must be involved in making decisions.

O Do you have a viewpoint on this matter? Write to our letters page at salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk or 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN

TOR MARTIN IS A SOLDIER AT OSLO TEMPLE CORPS

REVIEWS

A rousing celebration Major Darren Shaw (Maltby and Dinnington) reviews More Green Book Favourites by Norwich Citadel Band

I

N their follow-up to Green Book Favourites, Norwich Citadel Band presents music from The Salvation Army’s Triumph Series, spanning the 1930s to the 1960s.

An element of nostalgia accompanies this fertile period of Army music-making.

Most of the featured composers went on to become significant contributors to our musical heritage, and their quality is unmistakable. In the context of the band’s 135-year history, it’s a fitting celebration of all that has gone before.

General William Booth’s call to Norwich Citadel’s first musicians is transmitted through today’s band, as they seek to ‘rouse Norwich’ with their music. Aware that the audience may include those with past ties to the Army, the repertoire, along with Bandmaster Richard Woodrow’s notes, gently encourages the

listener to rekindle faith and fellowship.

Thoughtfully put together, the programme shows the band’s full range, encompassing an assortment of genres.

The playing is clear and controlled throughout, with an excellent awareness of style and dynamic range. The opening march, Stanley Ditmer’s ‘Workers Together’, demonstrates this superbly with its light touch and effective use of dynamic contrasts. Listen out, too, for some accomplished articulation in ‘Stapleford Citadel’.

Given the intent to ‘rouse’ listeners, I enjoyed the track transitions approaching the heart of the recording. Ray SteadmanAllen’s ‘Before The Cross’ ends softly and meditatively, followed by the exuberant opening to ‘Gloryland’. I was undoubtedly roused! I looked at the associated songs and heard the heartfelt words ‘then I from

this hour will follow thee’ (SASB 481), before the strident challenge ‘shall you, shall I, meet Jesus by and by?’ (SASB 528) and the call to trust carried in the lovely hymn setting ‘Bullinger’.

Another highlight was the tender and worshipful ‘St Agnes’. As with the other devotional pieces, the band keeps the music flowing and resists the urge to wallow where others might have yielded to temptation.

‘Exultation’ (Ray Steadman-Allen) and ‘The Martial Hosts’ (Michael Kenyon) transported me straight back to my YP band days. Perhaps similar, positive memories could stir some soul to revisit their spiritual roots? Let’s pray that they do.

More Green Book Favourites is available from SP&S priced £12.95 (plus postage and packing)

O

A tour of early Christian wonder Basil Canvin (Guisborough) reviews Jesus According To The New Testament by James Dunn

A

S Christians, part of our discipleship must be a continuing quest to know more about Jesus.

In this book, James Dunn, one of the foremost New Testament scholars of today, explores all the New Testament writings to ‘focus on the distinctive features of what the Christians remembered about Jesus’. Dunn provides brief introductions to the texts and, as he explores the different emphases, provides copious biblical references for study.

From the beginning, the disciples shared their memories of Jesus’ life and teaching, and then his death and

resurrection. The New Testament shows how the first Christians struggled to answer the questions of who Jesus was and what those events meant.

Dunn lists the characteristics of each of the Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke – which he describes as ‘similar but different’ in their narrative accounts of Jesus’ ministry. John’s Gospel is distinct from the others, and Dunn contends that John was emphasising the significance of Jesus’ ministry and reflecting on it.

Because Paul’s teaching is so significant, and was so prolific, two chapters are devoted to his letters. His emphasis was on the death and resurrection of Jesus, whereas the writer of Hebrews explored the theme of Jesus as the ‘great high priest’ (4:14).

For the disciple wanting to learn more about Jesus, here is the opportunity to

join a guided tour of the wonder expressed by those first Christian writers, including a multitude of suggestions for preachers.

Let James Dunn have the last word: ‘[What] a fascinating sequence of testimonies... For Christians, of course, one of the great features of the story of Jesus is that the story is not yet... finished... The impact Jesus initially made in the early first century... continues to exert its influence… How about “Jesus according to you”?... And what a fresh challenge and stimulus might [that]… give to a generation for most of whom the story of Jesus belongs solely to the… distant past. Jesus for today! Jesus according to us! Who’s for it?’

Jesus According To The New Testament is available from amazon.co.uk priced £14.99

O

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BIBLE STUDY

Delivered from slavery

Major Steven Turner considers an issue of social justice

STUDY PASSAGE: ACTS 16:16–24

M

UCH of the wealth and prosperity of the British Empire came through its international trade links. Slavery was a very profitable trade. Africans would be shipped to the Caribbean to be sold as slaves, and the same ship would return to the UK with valuable sugar or cotton.

All this supposedly ended in 1833 with the Slavery Abolition Act yet, from 2011 to 2019, The Salvation Army assisted around 10,000 people who had been rescued from modern slavery in England. Experts believe this is just the tip of the iceberg.

QUESTIONS O How do you view modern slavery?

O What actions and attitudes in our society facilitate or encourage exploitation?

The British Empire raised the slave trade to an industrial scale, but its origins stretch much farther back.

Through the week with Salvationist – a devotional thought for each day

by Major Howard Webber

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The Roman Empire relied heavily on slaves to maintain the smooth running and prosperity of their civilised society.

The slave girl in our study passage would have been considered the property of her owners, to do with as they wished. She could not hold property in her own right and could not become a Roman citizen. She was, in effect, a stateless person.

While some slaves risked their lives carrying out forced labour in mines, building projects and the arena, most were employed domestically, in trades or even in public service. Slaves with a skill were highly prized, sometimes rising to positions of authority within a household or community, as Joseph had done in Egypt with both Potiphar and Pharaoh (see Genesis 39 and 41).

We don’t know why this girl in our study passage was a slave, but it’s clear that she was trapped in an exploitative relationship; her owners were taking advantage of her fortunetelling gift to make money (v16).

Escape was not an easy option, as runaways would be returned to their owners for a beating – or worse.

QUESTIONS O When does employment become exploitation?

O In what ways is it possible to hold someone in servitude or slavery against their will?

The evil spirit in the girl repeatedly declared: ‘These men are servants of the most high God, who are telling you the way to be saved’ (v17). Salvation was a popular topic of discussion in ancient Greece and Rome, and debates drew many listeners. Perhaps the girl was also seeking her own salvation.

Paul eventually became ‘annoyed’ (v18), probably at the injustice perpetrated by the owners as well as the presence of an evil spirit. He drove out the spirit ‘in the name of Jesus Christ’, and the girl was immediately set free.

There are echoes here of Jesus’ declaration at the start of his ministry: ‘He has sent me … to set the oppressed free’ (Luke 4:18).

QUESTIONS O Do you still believe in the power of Jesus to set people free?

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,/ Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;/ Into thy freedom, gladness and light,/ Jesus, I come to thee;/ Out of my sickness into thy health,/ Out of my want and into thy wealth,/ Out of my sin and into thyself,/ Jesus, I come to thee.

(SASB 472)

‘He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.’

(Luke 4:18)

Tell me what to do to be pure/ In the sight of the all-seeing eyes;/ Tell me, is there no thorough cure,/ No escape from the sins I despise?/ Tell me, can I never be free/ From this terrible bondage within?/ Is there no deliverance for me/ From the thraldom of indwelling sin?

(SASB 736)

Prayer Father God, whatever my good intentions and my best efforts, sin often seems to gain the upper hand. Even when my words and actions appear virtuous, my thoughts and motives fall short.

Deliver me from this bondage.

Fill me with your Spirit; take control and make me whole.

O How does the Army’s work with victims of modern slavery fit in with this?

This demonstration of supernatural power would have caused amazement in the crowds and meant the girl could no longer be exploited. Unhappy at the loss of a source of income, the girl’s owners sought revenge. Roman citizenship was conferred upon the Philippians through the city’s status as a Roman colony. They therefore told the magistrates: ‘These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans...’ (vv20 and 21).

The same ‘us and them’ attitude is prevalent today across the globe in populist politics, with people declaring others to be of lesser status or a threat to their way of life. It is part of the philosophy that allowed slavery and exploitation, and today encourages mistreatment of people from other cultures.

QUESTION O When faced with people different from us, how do we view them?

It was essential that the authorities put down the ensuing riot to preserve the Pax Romana. Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten. This process, designed to humiliate prisoners, was not permitted against Roman citizens before trial.

Roman jails were dark, smelly places with no bedding or hygiene facilities. An airless, lightless inner cell with wooden stocks was reserved for people of low status or violent rebels. This was another sign of the disdain of, and desire for control over, the Jews. In all this time, Paul did not claim his rights as a Roman citizen.

QUESTIONS O How do you feel about the lack of condemnation of slavery in the Bible?

O As Salvationists, should we fight modern-day slavery?

QUESTIONS O Why did Paul not speak up about being a Roman citizen?

O How should we respond to unfair treatment?

O

For many years, slavery was excused on the grounds that the Bible does not directly condemn it. Perhaps this is because of the generally good treatment of Roman slaves. Or people may have thought that, if Jesus were to return very soon, slaves would be released anyway.

Paul highlights in various letters that Christian slaves and masters should honour each other as brothers and sisters (see Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22 to 4:1). And he strongly advocates that Philemon respond to the freedom he found by freeing his formerly useless slave Onesimus (see Philemon vv8–18).

Get to know the signs of modern slavery and find out more about helping victims at salvationarmy.org.uk/ modern-slavery

MAJOR TURNER IS CORPS OFFICER, PRESTONPANS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

(Romans 7:21–25)

Out of my shameful failure and loss,/ Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;/ Into the glorious gain of thy cross,/ Jesus, I come to thee;/ Out of Earth’s sorrows into thy balm,/ Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,/ Out of distress to jubilant psalm,/ Jesus, I come to thee.

(SASB 472)

‘Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

(Matthew 6:9–13)

My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,/ They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong;/ Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see,/ O come, mighty ocean, and roll over me!

(SASB 509)

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NEW COMMITMENTS

FELTHAM: Jimmy Clarke was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Captain Ellie Shakespeare. He first linked up with the corps in December 2018 in need of practical assistance after experiencing homelessness. He is a much-loved and respected community volunteer and member of the corps. Jimmy testified to the life-changing impact of being made welcome. – ES

NORWICH MILE CROSS: Sarah Jarvis and Pat Horne were enrolled as soldiers. Sarah described this as an honour. Her life was changed when she met a Christian and was challenged by their promotion to Glory. Sarah tried to fit in with others, feeling always on the outside of life and, when alcohol proved no help, the life and death of her friend revealed God’s love and purpose, and a new way of living. Pat shared her testimony using the words of ‘This Is My Father’s World’ (SASB 66). Holding the flag is Peter Jeffries. – PR

AYR: A Christian of many years’ standing, Peter Nicol had always said that he would not become a member of one particular church.

Having found his spiritual home, however, he surprised family and friends when he was welcomed as an adherent member by corps officer Major Linda Watson. – LW

STAINES: Julieta Maile was enrolled as a soldier by corps officer Major Gill Billard. Julieta was born and raised in the Philippines and spoke of having to trust God through many hardships, including being unable to hug her grandchildren, because they all live in the Philippines, and the death of her first husband. Julieta works at Marks & Spencer and, through their generosity in allowing her to use their end-of-stock flowers, has raised more than £2,000 towards the Big Collection. Pictured with Julieta and Major Gill are Ceinwen Gardiner, who helped Julieta through soldiership classes, and Major Paul Billard. – MJ 18

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EXETER TEMPLE: Corps officer Major Margaret Fozzard welcomed Jill Battishill as an adherent member. Jill first attended the Army at Burnthouse Lane outpost and later became a singing company member at the corps. Jill expressed a decision to become an adherent member and was guided by Recruiting Sergeant Major Sue Camp-Richards. Also pictured is Major Gordon Fozzard. – JW

LETTERS

A FRESH LOOK AT CHRISTMAS IF you think we are running out of fresh ways of celebrating Christmas I would recommend Christmas Then And Now by Myra and Peter Woods. The 64-page book comprises images that Myra and Peter have created or used on their Christmas cards over a 20-year period – images ancient and modern that illustrate the Christmas story, together with quotations from the Gospels and poets. On the front cover there is an image of a coin from Roman Syria, which depicts the star of Bethlehem. On the back cover there is a photo of a Norfolk Island pine tree, the ‘living Christmas tree’.

Towards the end are sections on a Christmas spent in New Zealand and a touching story and photos of friends Myra and Peter met on visits to Aleppo and Damascus – friends who, one fears, may be in need of our prayers.

In exchange for the book, the authors request a donation to the Army’s Christmas appeal.

Myra and Peter have already raised £1,000 – the cheque presentation was reported in Salvationist (11 January) – and I understand that orders for next Christmas are already coming in. Further details are available from Myra and Peter at arestos@btinternet.com.

David Harding London

MY CORPS HAS CLOSED

HAVE you ever wondered how it feels when you are told your corps is to close?

That happened to mine on 22 December 2019: after 129 years Redhill had its valedictory service (such an old-fashioned word). The meeting was led by divisional leaders Majors Mark and Linda Herbert and was themed God With Us. It was a moving service with plenty of time for people to reminisce about ‘the old days’, and the hall was packed with standing room only – the first time in many years our church has experienced that.

Feelings of shock, great sadness, bitterness and many others go through my mind. Could we have done more to save our corps? Or was it really too late to save? Each officer who served did their very best for the corps.

The road to decline started when fewer people came to worship: some moved away, others through poor health could no longer make the journey and, of course, you had people who had different things to do on Sundays.

As time went by, there were only a few regulars left.

Our community work did well but, try as we might, the people we reached could not be persuaded to attend Sunday worship.

Why? I have asked myself that many times, and always find the same answers: ‘We have our own church.’ ‘Your music and songs are oldfashioned.’ ‘We prefer a different style of worship.’ And, of course, there were the non-believers who were never going to change their minds.

The building is now almost empty and will eventually be sold. As I stand by the mercy seat and look around at the emptiness, there is an eerie silence. The hall looks old and tired. Tears fill my eyes once again, as they have many times since 22 December. I say to myself: ‘If only we could have found some way to save God’s house.’ I wonder what God would be thinking about the choice that had to be made.

I pray that in the not too distant future the Army will rise once again in the town of Redhill.

Lesley Webb Redhill

KEEPING THE ARMY ALIVE I WOULD like to thank Julius Wolff-Ingham for his informative article on ‘The ministry of Christmas fundraising’ on page 4 of Salvationist (7 December 2019). Of particular interest was the paragraph on the role central fundraising plays. I was absolutely staggered by the £40 million raised each year from the appeal letters sent out to the public and the £50 million from legacies in wills. I was inspired and uplifted when I read, and I quote: ‘This is the funding that keeps The Salvation Army alive. These funds are not “THQ funds”, but … support everything we do, including Lifehouses, social work, mission support to corps and other programmes.’

After the Big Collection, I have read very brief ‘thank you’ notes in Salvationist for the £2 million collected in 2019, and the £1.5 million the year before. I recall feeling very downhearted at what I considered an insufficient amount to fund our social work.

When I was active in the social work of our organisation, I remember an article in Salvationist prior to the annual appeal stressing the need to reach a target of £6 million, which the organisation relied upon from public giving to fund just the deficit (despite local authority funding) of social work programmes. Clearly, the fundraising system has changed, hence my delight. How can anyone now say we are a dying Army? Changing, yes, but not dying!

I visited my (non-Salvationist) sister during the Christmas period. She gave me a letter to read that she had received from Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant after sending a donation. It couldn’t have been more appreciative. Thank you to Dean for that. I think next year’s donation is secure!

Mavis Blyth Captain Ramsgate Salvationist 8 February 2020

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARMY PEOPLE DEDICATED TO GOD O Darcie Rose, daughter of Oliver and Ella Goldsmith, at Romford by Territorial Envoy Phil Goldsmith O Zack James, son of SL Matt and Laura Ramsay, at Govan by Commissioner Keith Banks RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Major Eileen Palfrey (85 on 17 February) O Mrs Major Joyce Birch (90 on 18 February) O Major Joan Woodman (85 on 20 February) BEREAVED O Marie Upton, Guisborough, of her father Harry Walters O Joan Laviolette, Guisborough, of her husband Les O Adherents Sec Christine Radburn, Cradley Heath, of her husband B/Sgt Paul Radburn O Rita Richardson, Bexleyheath, of her husband Stanley O Denis Sackett of his wife Carole, Major Lori Richards, Cumbernauld and Easterhouse, Jacqueline Robins, Tomi Sackett and Ben Sackett of their mother

PROMOTED TO GLORY Elsa Gillson, Airdrie O Ellen Linkin, Bexleyheath O Patricia Page, Bexleyheath O

TRIBUTES ROY LEWIS, WESTONSUPER-MARE THE youngest of four children, Roy was born in Woolwich Barracks in 1930. He grew up in Eltham, and worked all his life in lift engineering.

In 1959 Roy met and married Mary and they had three children.

Roy found the Lord in 1968 and attended a Baptist church in Macclesfield. After moving to Clevedon in 1983 the couple began attending the Army. They became soldiers and Roy immersed himself in corps life, becoming corps sergeantmajor, corps cadet guardian and Red Shield co-ordinator. He was well known for selling the War Cry in the marketplace.

Roy’s health began to deteriorate and in 2014 he and Mary moved to Weston-super-Mare, transferring to the corps there. Roy loved the Lord

ENGAGEMENTS GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE O ICO, Th 13 Feb O ICO, Sun 16 O Zimbabwe and Botswana Territory, Mon 17 – Tu 25 O Aberdeen Citadel (140th corps anniversary), Fri 28 – Tu 3 Mar O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM O Korea Territory (installation of territorial leaders), Th 6 Feb – Sun 9 O Brazil Territory (welcome to cadets), Th 13 – Mon 17 O ICO (farewell to session), Fri 21 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 Mar THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL O Basingstoke, Sat Sun 9 Feb O Poole (Youth Makes Music festival), Fri 21 O Poole, Sat Sun 23 O Warwick (youth and children’s workers conference), Sat Sun 1 Mar O Northampton (divisional leaders training and consultation), Sun 1 – Th 5 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES O Central East (divisional officers retreat), Mon 10 Feb – Wed 12 O Poole (Youth Makes Music festival), Fri 21 O Herts and Essex Division, Th Fri 28 O Northampton (divisional leaders training and consultation), Sun 1 Mar – Th 5 O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND O Poole, Sat Sun 23 Feb INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS O Sunderland Millfield, Sat Sun 9 Feb O Fairfield Halls, Croydon (ISS 40th anniversary), Sat 7 Mar O Croydon Citadel, Sun 8

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and would take every opportunity to share his faith.

Roy and Mary had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before the Lord called him home. – DN

PHILIP BARRETT, CLOWNE PHILIP was born in Sheffield to Salvationist parents and was taken to Sheffield Citadel as a baby. He asked Jesus to come into his life in the primary Sunday school when he was a young boy. He joined the YP band and at 16 transferred to the senior band, where he was principal cornet for many years.

After 45 years of service he retired from the band for health reasons. He also served for a time as YP band sergeant.

Philip married Valerie in 1976 and enjoyed a happy marriage for 45 years.

In recent years Philip and Valerie worshipped at Clowne. In his last months Philip suffered severe and chronic pain but is now at peace with the Lord. – GH

ROGER TETCHNER, WEYMOUTH ROGER became a junior soldier at Sunderland Monkwearmouth and joined the singing company and YP band. He learnt to play cornet and baritone before progressing to the euphonium.

The family moved to Renfrew and Roger settled at Govan. There he became a soldier and was commissioned as a bandsman and songster. He went on tour with the band to Denmark, and then later to America and Canada.

Roger spent much of his working life as an engineer connected with defence work, which involved many family moves.

He held various roles and soldiered at Birmingham Citadel, Sparkhill and in Swansea, Chippenham, Bristol and Weymouth.

Roger and Irene married in September 1972 and had two daughters, Shireen and Lorraine. A true Christian gentleman, Roger was not only a dedicated bandsman and songster, but is also greatly missed for his humour, encouragement and sincerity.

Well done, good and faithful servant! – MR

JACQUELINE BRYANT, ABERTILLERY JACKIE was promoted to Glory after a short illness, a few months before her 89th birthday. She studied for teaching and piano qualifications and was head of a local school. She linked up with the Army when her church closed down and a soldier at the corps invited the family to come to meetings.

Widowed early in her marriage, Jackie encouraged her two young daughters to join the junior sections.

She was the corps and songster pianist for more than 40 years and was a valued member of the home league and over-60 club, also serving as home league treasurer for 21 years.

Arthritis curtailed Jackie’s playing in later years, but her attendance and strong faith never wavered. She is greatly missed, but leaves behind memories of a faithful servant of God. – AB

GERRY THOMPSON, BOURNE GERRY was born in Mablethorpe and spent his childhood there until his family moved to Peterborough. He spent his working life in retail, first with shops then market stalls, and worshipped at the Methodist church in Deeping St James.

One day Gerry felt unfulfilled in his spiritual life and decided to try The Salvation Army in Bourne. He eagerly became involved in corps activities and was enrolled as a soldier.

Gerry was appreciated for the help he was able to give in all areas. He was a great family man, but unfortunately an old medical problem returned unexpectedly and he was promoted to Glory in a short time. In his last days he testified that he was ready to meet the Lord. – CG Please note that soldiers’ and adherent members’ tributes submitted for publication should be no longer than 150 words. Good quality pictures will be included with tributes.

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Salvationist 8 February 2020

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Salvationist 8 February 2020

22-23

‘

I felt that God had a place and a plan for me within the Army

’

All kinds of people attend, join, volunteer with or work for The Salvation Army.

We’ve asked some to tell us about themselves.

This week…

RACHEL TAYLOR Sunderland Monkwearmouth How did you first come into contact with the Army?

My family and I walked into the hall one Sunday after trying out several different churches. We have never looked back since.

What made you want to become a Salvationist?

After much consideration and prayer throughout my late teens and early twenties, I felt that God had a place and a plan for me within the Army. I felt convinced that my next step was to become a soldier.

What one thing would you change about the Army?

I would love the Army to have lots more open discussions about how we can best include the LGBTQ+ community within our churches and centres.

What is your favourite kind of holiday?

A mixture of resting, relaxing and exploring the local area.

What is your day job?

I have two part-time jobs. I am a children’s worker at the corps and a psychotherapeutic counsellor in schools across North East England.

What is the most interesting thing about your jobs – and the most frustrating?

I have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people from lots of different backgrounds. It can be frustrating, however, to learn about the challenging situations that some people are in and wonder how I can best support them.

If you could be in a film, which would it be and what character would you play?

I would love to play Jovie in Elf, because it would be a lot of fun to be in scenes with Will Ferrell.

What other language do you speak?

Spanish.

What was the first record, tape or CD that you ever owned?

Probably an album by Busted.

What is your favourite food?

Tofu stir-fry with vegetable spring rolls.

Which Bible figure would you like to meet and what would you ask them?

I would love to meet the woman at the well and ask her how it felt to be loved and accepted by Jesus. I would want to know what it was like for her to live as a Samaritan woman, and what her hopes were for the future.

What is your favourite hymn or worship song?

I absolutely love ‘In Christ Alone’, especially the key change for the last verse.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of Hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from his hand; Till he returns or calls me Home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!

(SASB 861) If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

Racism.

Did you have a nickname growing up?

My family call me Ray. Which book (apart from the Bible) would you want on a desert island?

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai or Becoming by Michelle Obama.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Often people say ‘take one day at a time’, but someone once said to me ‘just take five minutes at a time’, which is sometimes more realistic and helpful when facing a challenging day.

Something interesting people might want to know about you is…

I am getting married this year!