From the editor’s desk
What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church
JANUARY is the most popular month for people to book their annual holidays. Travel experts recommend the start of the year as the time to get the best deals. On cold, dark winter evenings there is also something heartening about looking ahead to sunnier, warmer days – and the freedom that holidays bring from the daily grind. A quest for freedom encouraged 19-year-old Christopher Schacht to make his own travel plans – though not for a fortnight’s break, but for a trek across the world, with only 50 euros in his pocket. As Chris says in this week’s War Cry, his travels took him to the jungles of Venezuela, a goldmine in Guyana and a football field in the Andes. His journeying changed his life, but it was not without risks. During one fierce storm at sea, Chris wondered if he would survive. In this issue we also highlight another sea voyage that was far from plain sailing. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s journey from Plymouth to the New World, crossing the Atlantic Ocean in sometimes perilous weather conditions. Derek Wilson recounts how a group of people, remembered today as the Pilgrim Fathers, came to be aboard the ship. The historian tells how they made the trip because they wanted to be free to follow their own religious traditions. The desire for freedom is a core aspiration of humankind – whether that is being free from day-to-day chores on an annual holiday or moving to another country to pursue a life-changing liberty. The Bible quotes Jesus as saying, ‘Know the truth, and the truth will set you free’ (John 8:32 New International Version). Over the course of this new year, the War Cry will endeavour to show the truth of the positive changes the Christian faith brings to individuals and communities. Our hope is that, as people read the magazine, they will find the freedom that only Jesus can bring.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7455
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN
Contents
Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Secretary for Communications: Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant
Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper
Your local Salvation Army centre
FEATURES 3
Cool moves
Dancing on Ice returns
4
New beginnings
A message of hope for 2020
6
Travelling light
Teenager’s life-changing global trek
9
Ship’s company
Who were the travellers on the Mayflower?
6
REGULARS 12
Browsing the Bible
13
Out of the Mouth of Babes
14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: ITV
2 • WAR CRY • 4 January 2020
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