Salvationist June 2018

Love Is a Battlefield: Fighting for Marriage

New Strategy Focuses on Corps Planting

Power to the People: Embracing Holy Protest

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

June 2018

MESSENGERS OF THE GOSPEL

Salvationist.ca

New officers ready to share the good news

Now Available From Triumph Publishing

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ACROSS AN OCEAN AND A

CONTINENT The Salvation Army as a Canadian Immigration Agency 1904–1932

R.G. MOYLES FOREWORD JOHN LARSSON

2018-01-25 10:55 AM

Brass bands, Christmas kettles, thrift stores—these are what most Canadians commonly associate with The Salvation Army. Few know, however, that between 1904 and 1932, the Army was an official immigration agency, approved and financially sponsored by Canada’s Department of Immigration. During that time, the organization brought to Canada approximately 111,000 British settlers, most of them juvenile male farm helpers and young female domestics.

Across an Ocean and a Continent is an account of the Army’s immigration work that includes reports of trips across the Atlantic and Canada in its chartered ships and trains, its dealings with Canada’s Department of Immigration, and the public’s perception and reception of its efforts.

“R.G. Moyles knows how to make historical data come alive through striking facts and gripping first-hand accounts.”

—General John Larsson (Rtd) Visit store.salvationarmy.ca to order your copy.

Also available in Kindle through Amazon.ca.

Feed a hungry child

saworldmissions.ca 2 June 2018 Salvationist

CONTENTS

Salvationist June 2018 • Volume 13, Number 6

6 High Council Quiz: Test Your “General” Knowledge

Meet Four Generations of Newfoundland Nurses

How to Talk About End-of-Life Care

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

May 2018

Salvationist.ca

Ke e p Connected

A Friend in Need

“CALL LOU ANN” P.13

NFLer’s Aim is True

BRANDIN COOKS P.21

faithandfriends.ca

Arms of Love

• Tanzanian Bienvenue Musogota has found two new homes: in Canada and at The Salvation Army.

• When Shelly Mercredi was afraid to leave a toxic relationship, God sent people to help.

Commissioner William W. Francis provides a step-bystep guide to the election of a Salvation Army General.

Faith & Friends May 2018 • This past winter, The Salvation Army was there for 83-year-old Elsie.

• Now that his daughter is a mother, Phil Callaway has something to tell her.

HOW A SUMMER VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE TURNED INTO A FOREVER FAMILY. P.16

James and Henrietta Bean never expected to find love again. But God had other plans.

This Month:

Inside the High Council

Ke e p Connected

I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

MAY 2018

A Match Made in Heaven

Match Made in Heaven

Bermudian Salvationists find love after loss

Armoury to Sanctuary

ARMY HELPS OUT P.27

Faith&Friends

Salvationist May 2018

Across an Ocean and a Continent

True Patriot’s Love

Arms of Love

NFL wide receiver Brandin Cooks knows he would not be where he is today without his mother.

A summer volunteer experience turned into a forever family for Shoshanna van Dijk and her four children.

From 1904-1932, The Salvation Army’s immigration department assisted thousands to make their home in Canada.

Just for Kids May 2018

This Month:

Zacchaeus the Tree-Climber

Spot the Sport

Luke 19:1-10 ISSUE

21

G H B G O L F F N O A F A Q O G I C S U Q O S N L K E O T Q I

I

R E B B C Y N I U Y A K J C N K

Hi kids!

This month on Salvationist.ca, Aaron White, ministry leader at The Salvation Army’s Anchor of Hope Corps in Vancouver, considers the cost of discipleship.

5 Inbox 6 Frontlines 17 Ethically Speaking Sites of Conscience

by Major Doug Binner

22

25

Beyond Charity

by Major Campbell Roberts

25 Calling the Courageous

27 Cross Culture

30 Salvation Stories All Fear Is Gone

by Captain Rob Hardy

Columns 4 Editorial Armed and Dangerous?

by Geoff Moulton

9 Onward The Whosoever

by Commissioner Susan McMillan

26 Grace Notes Love Is a Battlefield

by Lieutenant Erin Metcalf

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esus came to a town called Jericho.

Zacchaeus, a man who lived there, wanted to see Jesus. But he was short.

He could not see Jesus because of the crowd. He asked taller people to move over, but they ignored him. Nobody would help him because Zacchaeus had cheated them all out of a lot of money.

C L L C V D E S L

I

L C N G T R

E S S O R C A L S K A T

I N G M

BASEBALL CURLING FOOTBALL GOLF HOCKEY LACROSSE SKATING SKIING SOCCER TENNIS

Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to your house.”

• Wish your mom a happy Mother’s Day. • Celebrate Pentecost, the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

• Take a boat ride with Jesus.

So Zacchaeus climbed a tree and waited. Jesus stopped under the tree and said, “Zacchaeus, come down. I must stay at your house today.”

• Meet Zacchaeus, the treeclimber.

The people were shocked. They said, “Can you believe Jesus is having dinner with him?”

Zacchaeus climbed down the tree. He wanted to do what was right. He told Jesus he would give half of everything he had to the poor. He promised to give back four times anything he had stolen.

Help the boy find baseball, then help his get to his trophy.him

• Plus stories, puzzles, colouring, jokes and more!

Want to highlight Army ministry at your worship meetings? Take advantage of our “Keep Connected” promotional materials.

They include PowerPoint slides for on-screen announcements and bulletin inserts that summarize all the great articles in Salvationist, Faith & Friends, Foi & Vie (French version of Faith & Friends) and Just for Kids.

Download the materials at salvationist.ca/editorial/ promotional-material or write to ada_leung@can. salvationarmy.org.

Back to Her Roots

by Ken Ramstead

28 People & Places

Your friend, Kristin

Join the J4K Birthday Club

Just for Kids wants to wish YOU a Happy Birthday! Join our birthday club and get a message on your special day.

Fill in the coupon below and mail it to Just for Kids, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON, Canada M4H 1P4. Or you can email justforkids@can.salvationarmy.org.

J

Keep Connected

Departments

18 Live Justly

Now that it’s almost June, it’s finally time to get outside and play sports again! Do you play soccer?

Maybe you’re more of a baseball person.

The man in this week’s Bible story wasn’t an athlete, exactly. But he did enjoy climbing trees. Find out why in this issue of Just for Kids.

Features 10 Gospel Mission New lieutenants ready to share the good news with the world.

14 Planting Possibility Multiplying corps through small seeds of community engagement and big vision.

by James Watson

20 Holy Protest Lt-Colonel Wendy Swan explains why a public response to injustice is essential to Salvationism.

Interview by Kristin Ostensen

Cover photo: Carson Samson

Read and share it!

Two Missiles to Paradise

7 MINUTES TO LIVE? P.8

TV’s Mister Rogers

FRED’S FAITH P.11

Army Helps

HOUSING HOPE P.29

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

JUNE 2018

Pascal Siakam’s One Shot

22 Defining Disability Accessibility is about more than ramps and automatic doors.

by Dion Oxford

TORONTO RAPTOR WAS DETERMINED TO MAKE HIS FATHER’S DREAM A REALITY. P.16

Salvationist June 2018 3

EDITORIAL

S

Armed and Dangerous?

ince its earliest days, The Salvation Army has been a social justice movement. Our Founders put their radical faith to the test with a series of social protests: • In 1891, William Booth took on match manufacturers by renovating a derelict factory, paying people a fair wage and instituting safety measures to prevent phossy jaw, a disease that led to terrible infections for workers.

• Catherine Booth fought for women’s right to preach the gospel, a rare phenomenon in a world where women had few civil rights.

• The Salvation Army aligned itself with journalist William Thomas Stead, who “purchased” a girl to expose the horrors of child prostitution, and advocated to have the age of consent in England raised from 13 to 16.

Social justice is more than just offering charity and good works, as Commissioner Campbell Roberts points out in the start of our new series “Live Justly” (page 18). It’s speaking out against systems and powers that continue to oppress and marginalize people, and it’s a fundamental part of living out the gospel.

Elsewhere in this issue, Lt-Colonel Wendy Swan talks about protest theology and how we shouldn’t let a preoccupation

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Copy Editor and Production Co-ordinator (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 June 2018 Salvationist

with being “respectable” diminish our prophetic voice to society (page 20). Also on the social justice front, housing support worker Dion Oxford helps us understand the importance of accessibility for persons with disabilities, and calls us to treat everyone with dignity (page 22).

What else does social justice mean for us today? It means standing up to racism, advocating for people living in poverty, promoting restorative justice for the incarcerated and supporting the #MeToo movement and climate justice.

God is calling us to this work.

Of course, we must not come across as though we have all the answers. When we tend toward triumphalism, we alienate the very people we are trying to reach.

But we do have enough experience and expertise in our appointed positions— be it social services, public relations or government affairs—to “speak truth to power.” Doing so effectively requires a co-ordinated approach as well as wisdom and discernment.

For that, we must be armed with the truth of Christ and his salvation. It’s this good news that the newly commissioned Messengers of the Gospel aim to share with the communities where they have been appointed. Read about their passion and purpose on page 10.

We’ve heard William Booth’s “I’ll

Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011.

All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Fight” speech so many times it’s almost become a cliché. But read it again through the lens of social justice and you’ll see the radical power of his vision: “While women weep as they do now, I’ll fight.

While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight—I’ll fight to the very end.”

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On a personal note, the editorial department would like to thank Lt-Colonel Jim Champ for his leadership over the past 10 years, first as editor-in-chief and then as secretary for communications.

We wish him well in retirement.

Subscriptions

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Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; email: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

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Inquire by email for rates at salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist youtube.com/salvationistmagazine instagram.com/salvationistmagazine

INBOX CALLING THE COURAGEOUS

For Brian and Natalia DeBoer, soldiership in The Salvation Army means complete surrender.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

hen you’re wearing a Salvation Army uniform,” says Brian DeBoer, “it’s a symbol that you’re a part of the body of Christ. You’re involved in something bigger than you.”

“You’re giving yourself up completely to following him,” continues his wife, Natalia.

“That’s what soldiership is all about.”

person. We complement each other, and The Salvation Army plays to both our strengths.”

The DeBoers became soldiers in April 2017.

Called While they are still getting to know the corps, Brian and Natalia are now playing an active part in the life of The Salvation Army’s Cornerstone Community Church in MissisRequired Reading sauga, Ont. Brian was raised in a Christian “I feel a strong sense of home and even studied to calling in this position, workbecome a pastor and worked ing with the corps, working for a time in his denomination. with community services “But as time went by,” he and working with the passays, “I kept asking myself the tors, Lieutenants Daniel and same question: ‘Does this minBhreagh Rowe.” istry look like Jesus to me?’ I Brian and Natalia DeBoer’s different personalities complement each Brian is the director of chilother.

The Salvation Army plays to their strengths was having a hard time condren and youth ministries, and necting what I was doing to Natalia participates alongside what I felt the gospel was.” theology that matches the work helps him. Their children, Kylynn, seven, and So Brian stepped back and evaluated me feel a part of the mission of God. Carson, four, are often involved in special his life, wondering what were the most It makes every task more spiritual and music presentations. important priorities in his understanding clearly done for Jesus, not just for an Brian, a Christian singer-songwriter, of the gospel. organization.” has also been called upon to lead worHe looked at Luke 4:17-21, where ship, and Natalia—who plays the violin— has occasionally sat in with the worship Jesus quotes from Isaiah, and James All In 1:27, where James defines true religion.

The couple started attending Georgeteam. In addition, the couple are helping “Those are formative Scriptures from town, but Brian and Natalia were not to build up the corps’ Sunday school my understanding of the gospel.” content to simply sit in a pew and program and Brian helps out with the Brian wanted to find a church that worship. They had always intended to food bank and does kettle pickups durprioritized the saving of souls, caring for become soldiers. ing the holidays. the poor and holiness. “That seemed like “It’s second nature for us to want to be What’s more, they’ve been welcomed The Salvation Army to me.” everything we can for the church,” says into the candidates’ fellowship (see page Encouraged, he contacted two Brian. “We wouldn’t settle for less. If we 18 of this issue for more information on local Salvation Army officers, Majors were going to be part of The Salvation the Army’s Not Called? initiative), sigDarrell and Lise Jackson at Georgetown Army, we were going all in.” nifying their interest in Salvation Army Community Church in Ontario, who Brian and Natalia have always officership. gave him The Salvation Army Handbook dreamed of being in ministry together, “We are taking this as a time to pracof Doctrine, and he read it from cover and feel the Army is the right place to tise our co-ministering fellowship,” says to cover. make that dream come true.

Brian. “Helping the sick, the marginal“Natalia and I were happy to see “Brian and I have very different perized, people that don’t always fit in and sonalities,” laughs Natalia. “He’s more that those tenets we held dear, such are outcasts in society, helping to point as assurance of pardon, were also part of an academic while I’m a roll-up-mythem to Jesus, that’s what The Salvation of the Army,” says Brian. “Having a sleeves-and-get-my-hands-dirty kind of Army is for us.”

20 February 2018

Salvationist

Photo: Sarah Williams

A Miracle I’m writing in response to the Ward family’s story of the heart transplant that saved their daughter’s life (“Heart to Heart,” March 2018). What an incredible journey, Heart to Heart requiring stamina and fortitude by the parents. God is always present with us in all circumstances and in W all outcomes of life. Baby Laura’s life was spared. And to think she doesn’t seem to suffer mental damage after several lengthy cardiac arrests and being on full life support each time—amazing! One cannot help but use the word miracle reading of these circumstances.

Lorna Rogers Sarah and AJ Ward, with their daughter, Laura, whose life was saved by a heart transplant

Their newborn daughter faced a life-threatening illness, but Sarah and AJ Ward knew God was with them.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

hen Laura Ward was born at 2:54 a.m. on September 11, 2016, she was, by all accounts, a beautiful, healthy baby.

“Everything went really well,” says Sarah, her mother. “She came out crying, and all her tests were normal.”

A few hours after her birth, a nurse came to check on Laura. At nine pounds 12 ounces, she was a large baby. As the nurse noted, larger babies often have low blood sugar, so it wasn’t a surprise when Laura’s test came back low. She was given formula, but her levels didn’t improve, even after a second and third

feeding—the first sign that something might be off. When further tests revealed that Laura’s oxygen levels were also low, she was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Still hopeful that the problem was nothing serious, Sarah and her husband, AJ, were waiting for results with Laura in the NICU, when a pediatric cardiologist came to see them.

“As soon as I heard his specialty my heart sank,” Sarah remembers. “Why did my perfect little girl need a cardiologist?”

The news he delivered was both the worst and the best they could have imagined.

“There’s something wrong with Laura’s heart,” he told them, “but we can fix it.”

Shocked “Other than the usual sickness, I had the perfect pregnancy,” Sarah says. The couple found out they were expecting on New Year’s Eve, and their excitement only grew as Sarah’s due date approached.

They left their home in Saskatoon on September 10, expecting to be at the hospital for a couple of days; in the end, they were away for more than five months.

“When we heard the diagnosis, I was

8 March 2018 Salvationist

Testimony Time Testify!

Colonel Lee Graves called for a renewal of the testimony period (“Testify!,” March 2018). I’m all A for sharing, but I feel like it should be intentional, i.e., asking specific people and giving some direction.

I’ve been in one too many random testimony periods that haven’t had anything to do with pointing to God, or where things are shared that are not appropriate for a worship service.

If it’s intentional, people give more thought to what they are going to say.

Jacki Joy CHIEF PRIORITIES

Sharing the hope we have in Christ is central to our faith.

s Easter approaches, a time when we rejoice in what Christ has done for us, I am reminded of a practice in the Army that seems to be increasingly left out—the testimony period, once a much-anticipated part of the Sunday evening service.

Some were short: “Saved and satisfied.” You could expect someone to quote a favourite Bible verse or a stanza from the song book, often the beloved line: “When I first commenced my warfare many said I’d run away; But they all have been deceived, in the fight I am today” (SASB 856). But the real gems were the accounts of what the Lord had done in the testifier’s life that week— perhaps an encounter where they were able to share their faith, or how they had experienced God’s promises.

The format of the testimony period varied. Sometimes it was planned ahead, with a few people, such as the newly enrolled, asked to share. Other times it was the “popcorn” or “snowball” style— often dreaded, because you never knew when you might be called upon to stand up and testify.

But sharing the hope we have in Christ is central to our faith. We should “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Have our services become so neat and tidy that the testimony period has lost its place? Has it been all but squeezed out? Have our services become so sanitized and scripted that there’s no room for the Holy Spirit to speak

spontaneously through his people? “For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20).

The testimony period is one of the hallmarks of our worship services, and part of our practical training. If we are accustomed to sharing our faith indoors, we will be more likely to share it outdoors.

Let us not forget the example of the early church, and the power of testimonies. Peter, the untrained yet inspired speaker after Pentecost? Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit? Paul, once Saul?

Salvationists were once known to be ready, in season and out of season, to share that word of witness noted in our song book: “I want to tell you what the Lord has done, what the Lord has done for me” (SASB 852). Are Salvationists ready today?

You might expect that the chief

secretary would look to our orders and regulations for guidance on this subject. For corps officers, it reads: “Testimony should have an important place in meetings. The officer should encourage voluntary testimony in addition to testimony by invitation. New converts should be urged to testify.

Such testimonies will often help strengthen the resolve of the convert and at the same time encourage and inspire others.”

For soldiers, “the victorious life demands open and courageous confession before other people about one’s wish to live as a Christian. Because it has always been the conviction of The Salvation Army that those who have experienced the salvation of Christ are called to be witnesses for him, right from the moment of his conversion the convert should be prepared to witness by his word of testimony.” I encourage soldiers to read the rest of the relevant sections in Chosen to be a Soldier under the headings “Witnessing and Working” and “Public Speaking.”

If we are not doing so already, can we consider giving the testimony period more prominence in our worship services? Surely as we prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, we are reminded that personal witness is of high importance. “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12).

Photo: © 60kean/iStock.com

BY COLONEL LEE GRAVES

Colonel Lee Graves is chief secretary of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

16 March 2018 Salvationist

Nothing is stopping us from sharing our testimony within our corps at any time. Our transformed lives can be shared person-to-person or with the larger body as we greet each other, have coffee, serve together. It does not need to wait to be scheduled. Let’s not stop talking about what amazing work God is doing in us just because we miss the old format—that would be a win for the enemy. Fellow Salvationists, I’d love to hear your testimony—please share with us!

Major Cathy Burrows

An Oasis of Light Th is wa s a wonder f u l stor y (“Disturbing My Present,” March 2018). I was in Kibera, the informal settlement just outside Nairobi in Kenya, about 10 years ago and, after making our way through the dirty, dark, narrow alleys, we also found the Kibera Corps to be an oasis of wonderful light in the midst of many kinds of darkness. The smiling children, teachers (who had few supplies) and dedicated officers were a delight.

Dave Langford

The Kibera slums are home to an estimated 1.5 million people. Many houses are built with mud, sticks and sheet-metal roofing

Disturbing My Present

It took a trip to Kenya to make me realize that denying myself elevates others.

L

ast year, I travelled to Kibera, Kenya, with The Salvation Army as a youth ambassador for the Ontario CentralEast Division and Partners in Mission communications intern. Kibera is a slum settlement of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, home to an estimated 1.5 million people, many of whom live in abject poverty, earning less than a dollar a day.

With mass unemployment, Kibera’s residents face housing issues as a result of underdeveloped infrastructure, with limited access to proper sewage disposal, clean water and adequate health care, and are vulnerable to a host of illnesses that ripple through the densely populated environment.

In the heart of this slum, The Salvation Army operates a church, nursery and microfinance project.

Bettering Their Future I first glimpsed the Army’s Kibera facility from our van as it squeezed between the

BY BRIANNE ZELINSKY sheet-metal storefront of a coal merchant and a mud wall, and entered a guarded entrance. When the iron doors closed behind us, the roar of the slum became a hushed hum in the spacious compound.

Since many families living in Kibera cannot afford to send their children to school, the Army employs local teachers to instruct two full classes for young children. Upon arrival, the children are provided breakfast, which often consists of porridge. For many, this is their only meal of the day.

It was in this schoolyard where I met Pamela and Caroline, two mothers whose children attend the nursery. I watched as they joined other mothers in a shaded area. Each took a plastic chair and began stringing brightly coloured beads onto chicken wire. These strands of beads were then modelled into red reindeer figurines, which are sold to visitors for 450 Kenyan shillings ($4.50).

Though the microfinance project only affords the women a small, infre-

quent income, for these HIV-positive mothers it is an alternative to sex work and often compensates for the jobs many

Photos: Joel Johnson

Many Blessings Not Settling for Less After reading Brian and Natalia DeBoer’s account of becoming sol- W diers, and their interest in officership (“Not Settling for Less,” February 2018), I have three words: Go for it!

I was commissioned 63 years ago.

I’ve been retired now for 20 years, and have led a full and satisfying life.

As a marine engineer with the Royal Navy, my first visit to the Army in Scotland was for a bit of a laugh, but God had other ideas. If your heart is in the right place and your ambitions are only to serve God, then you will not become distracted and will never regret it. Many blessings from this 85-year-old veteran.

Colonel Michael Pressland

A young girl cleans a plastic water pail in front of a mural that reads, “Kibera Art Institute”

20 March 2018 Salvationist

Love, not War I recently read Articles of War: A Revolutionary Catechism, highlighted in Salvationist, which blends writing

by General William Booth and Major Stephen Court. I respectfully disagree with the vision cast by Major Court. He writes disparagingly about those who do not share his understanding of holiness, so-called “casual Christians who disgrace the Holy Spirit ... How can you trust such a person at your shoulder?” (page 219) and, “The vast majority of solid Salvationists—note, we’re not talking about the slackers or pew warmers here, but solid Salvationists— don’t even buy that we can be holy” (page 255).

There is another understanding of holiness that has truly freed, inspired, motivated and sanctified a great number of people. There are Salvationists who believe in holy living, but do not think it can be defined as adherence to the cultural expectations of a holiness sect. These are Salvationists who do not believe the love of God demands we continue in an Old Testament fashion of legalistically separating ourselves from others who have different cultural paradigms. Holiness depends on a continued deepening of our understanding of the love of God, not on resurrecting a Victorian-era revivalist culture.

We will never strengthen the Army by shaming or controlling the actions of others, fuelling division by unfavourably labelling others as “casual Christians” or part of a “grace crowd”—suggesting they are somehow less authentically Christian, a hindrance to the gospel, or even the enemy. I pray The Salvation Army is delivered from catechisms of cultural superiority and colonial-style kingdom building.

Major Robert Sessford All letters must include your name and address, and a phone number or email address where you can be contacted.

Letters may be edited for space and clarity, and may be published in any medium.

Correction Notice In “Above and Beyond,” our article about Salvation Army volunteers (April 2018), we incorrectly identified Ryerson University in Toronto as Dr. Catherine Hajnal’s previous workplace. She was a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa. We regret the error.

Salvationist June 2018 5

FRONTLINES

I

Salvation Army Provides Support After Humboldt Tragedy

n April, a horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos, a junior hockey team from Humboldt, Sask., claimed the lives of 16 people and injured 13 more. Within hours of the accident, Salvation Army personnel from Nipawin, Sask., were at the local Apostolic church offering emotional and spiritual care as families of the hockey players and community members anxiously awaited updates.

“As time went on it became more evident that the situation was serious and our personnel were able to pray with some folks,” says Major Mike Hoeft, area emergency disaster services director, Prairie Division. “Over the next few days we participated in prayer vigils, offering a listening ear and support to people who were trying to cope in the aftermath.

We just wanted to be helpful.”

Major Hoeft says the tragedy touches everyone in Saskatchewan. “We all have had kids in hockey. Thousands of us have ridden the bus. We all have hockey sticks in the garage.”

Just days after the crash, the Salvation Army corps in Nipawin opened its doors for a time of conversation about the accident and people expressed their feelings. “We wanted to

be part of the healing process,” says Major Hoeft.

“This is a tragedy that isn’t going away. Helping people work through their grief—that will be our role for the next number of days, weeks and years.”

Salvationists across Canada—including at Ont. CE Divisional Headquarters in Toronto—showed their support for the victims and families affected by the tragedy by wearing a hockey jersey on Jersey Day in April

Young People Let Their Lights “Shine!” for Jesus

A

cross the Canada and Bermuda Territory, and around the world, young people were the focus of ministry during the annual international children and youth weekend in March.

The theme of the weekend was “Shine!” based on Isaiah 60:1. Young people and families were encouraged to shine God’s light in every dark corner of the world as they respond to his call to “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” The Canada and Bermuda Territory’s children and youth ministries department partnered with International Headquarters to create the resource material used worldwide for the event.

In Canada and Bermuda, corps focused on celebrating and praying for the children and youth in their congregations and communities, that they would know the true light that comes

from knowing Jesus. Salvation Army churches held events such as movie nights, glow-in-the-dark parties and “A Day at Camp” events to connect with children who had previously attended summer camp. Youth and children were given opportunities to assist in leadership roles as they led their congregations in worship, Scripture readings, calls to worship and Palm Sunday celebrations. Sermons, youth devotionals and children’s times focused on the importance of shining for Christ in a dark world.

Families were encouraged to pray together and equipped to shine God’s light in their neighbourhoods.

“It is our prayer that the youth and children in the Canada and Bermuda Territory would continue to allow the one who is the true light to flood their lives,” says Sheryl Slous, youth and children’s ministry consultant, “and that they would shine brightly for him in their world.”

Toronto’s Cedarbrae CC hosts a glow-in-the-dark party during the Shine! weekend

Kids at Meadowlands Corps in Hamilton, Ont., make glowing galaxy jars

6 June 2018 Salvationist

FRONTLINES

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A New Approach to Addictions

alvation Army personnel from across Canada gathered at territorial headquarters in April to learn a new approach to helping people overcome addictions. Hosted by the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s social services department, the 2.5-day workshop educated 21 participants in the community reinforcement approach (CRA), with renowned psychologist Dr. Robert J. Meyers conducting the training.

As Major Tom Tuppenney, consultant in the social services department, explains, the territory intends for CRA to be the “preferred treatment model” going forward. Unlike the Army’s current treatment model, based on the 12-step program, which has a rigid step-by-step structure, CRA is client-centred and -directed. “It asks people what they want to accomplish while they’re in treatment,” Major Tuppenney says.

The goals of CRA are two-fold: to eliminate the positive reinforcement a person receives from using; and enhance the positive reinforcement they receive from staying sober. “In order for that to happen, they have to set goals,” Major Tuppenney notes, “and then we help them plan how they are going to get there.”

“Those suffering with addictions usually experience great shame,” says Donald Fritz, a participant from the Army’s addictions services in Chilliwack, B.C. “The CRA model, with its non-judgmental, compassionate, client-centred approach, was refreshing and Christlike.”

“Dr. Meyers enunciated the efficacy of the CRA approach as the most effective evidence-based method of addictions intervention and treatment available,” says Harout Tarakjian of the Montreal Booth Centre. “We are committed to establishing CRA as the method of treating clients in our program.”

The CRA model has been adopted at one ministry unit in Canada and Bermuda so far: the Halifax Centre of Hope. “Having transitioned to the CRA model in spring 2017, this workshop helped me see areas where I can refine the work I am currently doing with my clients,” says Paul Surette, addictions program supervisor. “It also provided me with a better understanding of how the other components of the CRA process are integrated so as to offer our clients the ‘complete package of support’ as they move forward with their personal recovery plan.”

Ajax Army Fights Hunger With Fines

Thrift Stores Campaign for Children Overseas

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overty finds ways to hide, and homelessness finds a way to blend in,” says James Dark, community services co-ordinator and youth director at Hope Community Church, in Ajax, Ont. To combat hunger in the suburban community, the corps partnered with the Town of Ajax and the Ajax Public Library to organize a food drive called Food for Fines. For nearly three weeks, barrels were placed in public libraries around town. To encourage community involvement, the library waived fees in lieu of donations, with each non-perishable food item equaling $1 in fines. “Food for Fines is a good way to take responsibility for returning an overdue book and rather than paying the late fee, you are giving back to the community,” says Dark.

“We have clients signing up for our food bank every day,” he continues, “and with Food for Fines happening in the springtime, it helps us make sure that our shelves are staying full during the summer months.”

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Food for Fines resulted in the donation of more than 750 pounds of non-perishable food items.

A Food for Fines campaign in Ajax, Ont., collected more than 750 pounds of food

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he lives of hundreds of children overseas will be improved because of funds raised through The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations’ (NRO) Brighter Days campaign.

The campaign, which is one of NRO’s GoodWorks@Work initiatives, ran throughout March in 108 thrift stores across Canada, raising $73,975.95, a 17 per cent increase over last year’s campaign. These funds will be used to support educational, health and recreational initiatives in Zambia, Pakistan, South America, Brazil and Bangladesh, through The Salvation Army’s Brighter Futures children’s sponsorship program.

“These initiatives are not only assisting with immediate needs but also building a stronger and sustainable future for these children and their communities,” says Michele Walker, NRO director of retail operations.

Over the past five years, the Brighter Days campaign has raised more than $250,000 to help children in need overseas.

“Brighter Days provides significant assistance to impoverished and vulnerable children and youth in the developing world,” says Major Donna Barthau, sponsorship co-ordinator in the world missions department. “There have been many great stories of how sponsorship in the past has enabled children and youth to go on to higher education, training and leadership development. These young people are leaders in their communities and can provide for their families and keep the local economy going.”

Got a story idea? Let us know!

Email salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org Salvationist June 2018 7

FRONTLINES

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International Secretary, Zonal Secretary Visit Canada

he Canada and Bermuda Territory welcomed Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole, international secretary and zonal secretary for women’s ministries, Americas and Caribbean Zone, at the end of March.

Commissioners Heatwole landed first in Winnipeg, where they toured The Salvation Army’s Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre, Booth University College, Ethics Centre and College for Officer Training (CFOT).

A highlight of their visit was a united Palm Sunday service, which brought together all six corps in the Winnipeg area.

Commissioners Heatwole led the service with the support of Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, and Majors Shawn and Brenda Critch, divisional leaders, Prairie Division. Special recognition was given to several people in attendance who are part of the newly formed North End church plant, which is just beginning to take shape.

The service was supported in music by Heritage Park Temple Band (supplemented with band members from Living Hope Community Church, as well as cadets and staff from CFOT), Heritage Park Temple Songsters and the Southlands Community Church worship team.

Commissioner Merle Heatwole spoke about Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, focusing on the crowd of people who were gathered, and challenged those present to “follow the cross, not the crowd”—not just at Easter, but in everyday life as well.

Following their time in the Prairie Division, Commissioners

Heatwole travelled to territorial headquarters (THQ) in Toronto, where they conducted a review of the territory’s activities.

As they were visiting during Holy Week, Commissioner Merle Heatwole spoke at a special chapel service. In his address to those present at THQ and those watching online by livestream, Commissioner Heatwole encouraged everyone to think about the legacy they will leave as Salvation Army leaders and Salvationists.

Mjr Darlene Burt (third from left), executive director, Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg, welcomes Commissioner Susan McMillan, Comrs Merle and Dawn Heatwole, and Mjrs Brenda and Shawn Critch to the centre

Quebec Division Holds Vision Breakfast

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Danièle Henkel addresses friends and supporters of The Salvation Army at the Que. Div’s Vision 2018 breakfast

8 June 2018 Salvationist

alvationists, friends and supporters of The Salvation Army gathered at the Mount Stephen Hotel in Montreal for the Army’s Vision 2018 breakfast in March.

The event was led by Major Grant Effer, divisional commander, Major Rock Marcoux, area commander, and Colonel Glen Shepherd, divisional secretary for business administration, Quebec Division. They talked about the history of The Salvation Army, its mission and its efforts to help the most disadvantaged communities of Quebec, since its establishment in Montreal in 1884.

The municipal authorities were represented by Giuliana Fumagalli, mayor of the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough, who acknowledged the need for the services provided

by The Salvation Army and congratulated its members for the work accomplished in Montreal.

The final speaker was Danièle Henkel, author and businesswoman, who pointed out that no one knows when he or she may have to rely on The Salvation Army, whether it is a marginalized child, a victim of domestic violence, an addict or a person whose world has been turned upside down and is on the verge of homelessness.

Making a connection between the past, the present and the future, the Vision 2018 event reminded those in attendance that The Salvation Army has a legitimate raison d’être, as the community still faces many challenges.

ONWARD some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:1-3).

This is how to make God’s Word and his wonderful plan of salvation accessible to the whosoever: show them hospitality, welcome them, go to visit them in whatever situation they find themselves, be generous.

It is the responsibility of all Christians to be open, welcoming and generous.

The Whosoever Making the gospel accessible.

BY COMMISSIONER SUSAN McMILLAN

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his issue of Salvationist has some wonderful articles about welcome, inclusion and accessibility, something so important in the kingdom of God. In fact, Scripture mentions it again and again. Jesus had such an open and welcoming manner that people were drawn to him.

At times, this openness put Jesus in a difficult position with the people in power.

Prejudice was rampant, and people of a certain class did not associate with those of a lower class. If there was any suspicion of wrongdoing, especially, they were shunned. Luke tells a story about a dinner Jesus attended: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’ ” (Luke 15:1-2).

The tax collectors were considered corrupt—whether or not they actually were—and “sinners” could have included many different groups of people, all of

whom the Pharisees believed were of low status and not the type of people with which to associate.

But Jesus was on a different kind of mission—a mission to the lost. It didn’t matter how lost or how lowly, he was open to sharing with anyone (even the high and mighty Pharisees). In the rest of Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables about things that are lost, diligently sought after and found: a sheep, a coin and a son. In every instance, the finder is overjoyed to be reunited with that which had been lost.

Jesus’ openness toward tax collectors and sinners, as well as toward Pharisees, was because they were lost. On one occasion, Jesus said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick … I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13). This is the reason we are The Salvation Army!

The writer to the Hebrews said this: “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing

In 1 Peter, we read: “Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.

Love makes up for practically anything.

Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time.

Oh, yes!” (1 Peter 4:8-11 MSG).

Jesus said: “Proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.

Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8).

In other words, it is the responsibility of all Christians to be open, welcoming and generous, proclaiming a message of hope and acceptance to the whosoever.

The gospel should always be accessible to everyone!

Commissioner Susan McMillan is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Follow her at facebook.com/ susanmcmillantc and twitter.com/ salvationarmytc.

Salvationist June 2018 9

Gospel Mission

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n June 16, the Canada and Bermuda Territory will commission 16 new lieutenants in the Messengers of the Gospel Session. As they prepare for a new chapter in their ministry, these Salvationists reflect on their calling and the meaning of their sessional name.

Principal’s Commendation On behalf of the College for Officer Training (CFOT), it is my pleasure to introduce you to the cadets from the Messengers of the Gospel Session who will be ordained and commissioned as officers of The Salvation Army this month.

Over the past 22 months of training they have developed a sound framework for mission, including theological studies, pastoral disciplines, administrative capacities and, above all, spiritual discernment. Their calling has been affirmed and their future is secure under God’s precious promises.

In the presence of the greater faith community, fellow soldiers and family, they will dedicate their lives in sacred covenant, believing the mission of the gospel is truly worth 10 June 2018 Salvationist

Photos: Carson Samson

New lieutenants ready to share the good news with the world.

living for. In keeping with the prophets, we join our voices in song: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ ” (Isaiah 52:7).

Brenda and I invite you to support our Messengers of the Gospel, praying for fresh anointing, protection and blessing.

For thy mission make me holy, For thy glory make me thine, Sanctify each moment fully, Fill my life with love divine. (SASB 682) In joyful service, Major David Allen Principal, CFOT

Rick Apperson I originally came to The Salvation Army as a food bank coordinator and later became executive director of the Army’s Bulkley Valley Social Services in Smithers, B.C. Over time I felt the Lord saying that this was the place he had called me to do ministry. My placement in Chatham-Kent, Ont., taught me that when a team works together, they can achieve amazing things.

Seeing hundreds of hampers put together in mere hours was awe-inspiring. My time in Lethbridge, Alta., was also meaningful—as I saw hearts opened to truth through relationship building, I was reminded that people matter more than programming.

Sarah Apperson We discovered The Sa lvat ion A rmy about 12 years ago.

After exploring the Army’s mission and vision, and ministering in northern British Columbia in an Army context, we began to ask the Lord if he was leading us to soldiership. He confirmed this for us and we were enrolled in 2013. Unlike some who have wrestled with their call, we felt officership was a perfect way to live out the calling that had always been on our lives. My experience at CFOT has been a gift. Through the good and challenging times I have learned to look for God at work around me, and to trust his provision and care.

Appointed corps officers, Terrace Corps, B.C. Andrew Benson My winter assignment in Medicine Hat, Alta., affirmed my call to live and love a mong t he poor. During my time there, I spent one night at the shelter and ate most meals in the food line with everyone else at the centre.

We became friends and it was all I could have wanted. At CFOT, I have learned that grace is everything and I need to love others the way God does. I have learned so much from the other cadets and will be forever thankful for their impact on my life. I think I’m still figuring out what it means to be a “messenger of the gospel,” but I know this: it’s more of a story that we invite others to be part of than it is a story I tell on my own. The gospel is good news; if it isn’t good news, it isn’t the gospel.

Appointed outreach officer, Downtown Toronto

Barry Austin My calling to officership came out of a time of hardship in my life. I felt like God had abandoned me, but the opposite was true—he was calling me to full-time ministry. My experience at CFOT has been nothing short of amazing. I am now better equipped to listen to and walk with Christ. For me, to be a Messenger of the Gospel is to be bold in my calling and outspoken about the work of the Lord. My dream for The Salvation Army is that we would continue to see and meet the needs of others, and help our people grow so that they are equipped to do ministry and love like Jesus loved.

Appointed corps officer, Point Leamington Corps, N.L.

Jesse Byers As a teenager, I didn’t know that of f icersh ip w a s open to anyone. I had this idea that only certain people could preach. But God placed a clear desire in my heart to be an officer and faithfully affirmed this calling over and over aga in.

During my summer assignment, I had the privilege of participating in the Hope Café in Saint John, N.B., where I learned what it means to minister over a cup of coffee. The unconditional love and acceptance I felt each day in the café was inspiring. As an officer, my dream is that God will use The Salvation Army, with all of our unique tools, to bring about his will.

Appointed corps officer, Point Leamington Corps, N.L. Salvationist June 2018 11

Carlos Cuellar Being called to ministry is a great honour and a huge responsibility. After attending Richmond Corps, B.C., for seven years, I was encouraged by the corps officers to embrace the fact that God had been leading me to ministry for a long time and that I was meant to be an officer. Going back to college after many years has been challenging; however, I have enjoyed being around younger cadets and I have learned from them. To be a Messenger of the Gospel is to reflect God in every aspect of my life and remain obedient to his Word. My vision is to reach as many people as I can through The Salvation Army.

Appointed corps officer, Nelson Community Church, B.C. Jenny Marin I’ve always wanted to embark on a life that reflected the love of Christ, and that desire became a reality when my husband, Carlos, told me he felt we were called to be officers. I told him I had been waiting to hear that for years and I was praying God would confirm my call by calling us both to ministry. Through my assignments, I have learned how to love people and be a servant leader. Whether marching through the streets of Panama in 40-degree weather, or getting lost in a blizzard in Moncton, N.B., I have experienced unconditional love from individuals who are now part of my Christian family.

Appointed community and family services officer, Nelson Community Church, B.C. Brian Dueck I have had so many eye-opening experiences during the past 22 months! From Kenya, to Hazelton, B.C., to Yellowknife, I’ve witnessed some amazing kingdom work. To see people simply being who God has called them to be—even outside “ministry settings”—has taught me to be more attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I envision the global Salvation Army as a community that represents a safe place for all people, regardless of background. I see people finding dignity, not only as people created by God, but as people whom Christ died to redeem. Jesus’ message of good news is for those who have k now n not h i n g but exclusion and oppression, and he freely offers salvation to all.

Appointed corps officer, Weetamah Corps, Winnipeg 12 June 2018 Salvationist

Dominika Domanska I was introduced to The Salvation Army by my uncle when he invited me to a territorial congress in Germany. I had no idea that this weekend would completely change my life.

From the beginning, I felt that the Army was the right place for me. The problem was that there was no Salvation Army in my city—we have only four corps in Poland. I wanted to help spread the Army mission in my country, so I decided to become an officer. At first, I felt some pressure when I learned that I am the first-ever cadet from Poland. But after attending CFOT, I know that I will do my best as an officer and God will guide me in every situation. I hope that I can be an example for other people in Poland who are thinking about officership.

Returning to Germany, Lithuania and Poland Territory Adriane Cartmell I have always felt c a l le d to s er ve others and be involved with ministry. While working in government, I started to explore the possibility of full-time church ministry, and as I followed God’s leading, I applied for officership as a step of faith and obedience. When I did, I had an overwhelming sense of peace that it was the right step. As a cadet, my experiences with corrections ministry and street ministry out of the Winnipeg Booth Centre have been instrumental in shaping how I view and interact with others, especially in showing me that at the core, as people, we aren’t all that different from one another. Everyone is an image-bearer of God. We all deserve dignity and respect.

Appointed corps officer, London Hillcrest Community Church, Ont.

Thomas Marsh My most memorable placement was at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. Sitting at the bedside of people in their final hours taught me that the minor details of life are not important; relationships, love for others, peace and generosity are what matters at the end of the day. In general, my placements showed me that God’s people, God’s community and God’s work are not just in your building. God is at work in the streets, as well as within the church walls. People need to know the love of God right where they are, and people need to see Christ’s love through me. I understand that it will be hard, and some people will reject my message, but I also know while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.

Kristina Marsh My experience at CFOT has been great. I have learned many things about ministry through our various assignments and f ield placements and through observing many gifted officers at work. I did a field placement at Golden West Centennial Lodge in Winnipeg. I was able to spend time with a war-bride from Holland and hear her story. She was a lovely, elegant woman who reminded me of my own great-grandmother. Through that experience, I learned that everyone needs someone to love them and listen to their stories.

Appointed corps officers, Rideau Heights Corps, Kingston, Ont.

David Haggett I surrendered my life to the Lord at a youth councils weekend in Truro, N.S., many years ago. Even though I was young, I felt the Lord calling me to be an officer, following in the footsteps of my parents; however, for various reasons, the timing never seemed to be right. I thought that perhaps I had misinterpreted the Lord’s calling on my life. Then one day, my wife, Gina, received a call from the divisional youth secretary who asked if we were still interested in officership. We said yes and applied. When we were accepted I was speechless. Both of us feel blessed to be in this position, and we were fortunate to be able to complete our second year as field-based cadets at Agincourt Community Church in Toronto.

God is good.

Gina Haggett As a cadet, I had the opportunity to create a ministry at a hospice house for HIV patients.

I would arrive around noon, make them lunch and then facilitate a Bible study and prayer time. I learned a lot about that horrible disease, which keeps its sufferers in solitude because families and friends isolate them out of fear. Through “Soup, Sandwich and Scripture”—as the residents called it—the Lord broke through their stories of loneliness. He dined with us each time. Being a Messenger of the Gospel means living like Jesus. Giving complete control over to him enables the Holy Spirit to use my life in response to the needs of others.

Appointed corps officers, Agincourt Community Church, Toronto

April Ward I’m a fourth-generation Salvationist who grew up in rural Newfoundland a nd L a br ador.

Participating in life at the corps was important to me, and from an early age I knew I was called to be an officer. CFOT has been a great experience, with many stretching moments throughout.

Among many things, I have learned the value of spiritual formation, relationships, giving and receiving feedback, and participating in community life. I count it a privilege to be a Messenger of the Gospel. For me, this means journeying with people, contributing to the community and sharing Jesus with those that I meet.

Appointed corps officer, Glovertown Corps, N.L. Salvationist June 2018 13

Photo: Timothy Cheng

Kaitlyn Young While at CFOT, I took part in the food truck street ministry that operates out of the Winnipeg Booth Centre. This experience taught me to honour the time it takes to build relationships— unhurried and consistent effort to really engage in people’s daily lives. Through that time in the community, I learned that God is constantly working in the hearts of people. Their faith was so honest and beautiful it has profoundly shaped my understanding of who God is. My vision for The Salvation Army is found in Luke 4:18-19: “To proclaim good news to the poor … to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” so that all may know God and be saved.

Appointed corps officer, Southridge Corps, Medicine Hat, Alta.

Planting Possibility Multiplying corps through small seeds of community engagement and big vision.

BY JAMES WATSON

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cross the Canada and Bermuda Territory, God is at work in our communities. As The Salvation Army, we are part of his mission to redeem and restore all of creation. The corps ministries department is encouraging Salvationists to respond to God’s initiative through a new strategy for corps planting called Multiply.

At her New Year Address in January, Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, spoke about the territory’s commitment to the strategic priority of the gospel and transformation, and announced that an increase in funding would be available to plant new corps.

“Our corps are vital to the mission of The Salvation Army— they’re the building blocks,” she says. “Through our corps, a dedicated workforce continues to be developed to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Our goal going forward is to plant three new corps every year.”

Corps planting can take place in many ways. Small groups, outposts, second congregations; through a social services unit, from a mother corps and pioneering a new corps are all possible options, each with its own variations as we respond to unique and changing communities.

The following stories are a glimpse into four corps plants currently underway. They vary in approach, but what’s common to all of them is discipleship. Faithful ministry over many years of service has created connections and opened doors to explore starting a new community of faith. This is similar to Jesus’ approach to discipleship, where he gathered people together around his teaching, but also empowered them for his mission, sent them out and then reflected on what they had learned from their experiences (see Luke 10:1-24 as one example).

Our hope for Multiply is to enhance our ability to perceive when new things are springing forth, to look for what God is doing in our communities and join him.

14 June 2018 Salvationist

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

— Isaiah 43:19 NRSV

team

Photo: © Chet_W/iStock.com

Mjrs Murray and Annetta Jaster (le ft) with those who gather for wo rship at the resou rce centre

Medicine Hat, Alberta and Northern Territories Division Majors Murray and Annetta Jaster, corps officers at Medicine Hat Community Church, noticed that as people ate together and participated in programs at the Army’s downtown resource centre, they were forming spiritual community. They came up with a plan to encourage more spiritual development, inviting Ian and Deanna Scott, who are now lieutenants, to build

Lt Connie Cr istall (second from the right with voluntee ) rs at “Messy Ch urch”

Calgary, Alberta and Northern Territories Division The Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre in Calgary is a remarkable place of ministry. They have intentionally created an environment that is both relational and spiritual. During a tour of the main building, it is obvious that the programs are highly relational and offer opportunities for conversation and spiritual support. The weekly calendar includes discipleship classes and “Messy Church.”

When leaders in the division identified the need to nurture the spiritual community that was forming, they appointed Lieutenant Connie Cristall, who has a background in corps planting and has served in a variety of corps roles for the past eight years.

Lieutenant Cristall is building relationships in the community and partnering with the staff of the centre. An upcoming Alpha course will include a diverse collection of people, including newcomers to Canada, some from addictions treatment and some from the community. Lieutenant Cristall has been discovering that social justice is a common interest for everyone.

Café talks on human trafficking and creating winter emergency packs are starting points for working and talking together.

“The Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre has been doing such a good job of connecting with the community that there are people who identify Messy Church as ‘their church’—even before the plant has officially started,” she says.

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Winnipeg North End, Prairie Division In recent years, divisional leaders have discerned a need for The Salvation Army in Winnipeg’s North End, a part of the city that has been without a corps since 1976. “It’s an area of extreme poverty, with low graduation rates, low employment, gang activity and opioid abuse,” says Lieutenant Mark Young, who lives on the edge of the North End and is spearheading the Army’s work there. “But there are people becoming serious about dealing with these issues. We have young advocates rising up, such as Michael Champagne, who started ‘Meet me at the Bell Tower,’ a regular gathering of neighbours who want to make a difference.”

The neighbourhood is currently undergoing urban revitalization. Within just a couple of blocks, there is gang graffiti on the side streets and community education and business development agencies on Selkirk Avenue.

Lieutenant Young is working with a small planning group to develop the plant in partnership with their neighbours and other community agencies. They are honing their “guiding ideas” to allow them to articulate who they are to the community. “We have had some excellent discussion, and also some training on how to have conversations within the community, to find out what people would like to see happen and how they see The Salvation Army fitting into their community,” says Lieutenant Young.

relationships in the downtown area.

When the Scotts were moved to another appointment, Major Annetta Jaster took on the role of planter. As relationships continued to deepen, they started worship services at the centre. Today, more than 50 people attend.

“On Christmas Eve they experienced family in a way that some of them had missed for many years,” says Major Annetta Jaster. They used candles as a central focus to encourage everyone to shift from darkness to light. “Grieving the past and finding a way to let it go, that was very moving.”

The new corps brings together people from many different social settings—those who live in supportive housing along with business people. Every Sunday, there are people seeking God at their own pace, in their own way. Their ministry continues to develop with guitar lessons and Bible studies during the week.

Photo: Malak

Photo: Anthony Mark Photograp

hy

Lt Mark Young (left) and planning

(right) with staff Lts Jennifer and Robert Henson y thrift store from the Westbank Salvation Arm

Are You a Church Planter?

Whether you are discerning a call to start a new congregation, planning the process or need support, the corps ministries department has resources available.

Discerning a call to start a new congregation is primarily spiritual discernment. How has God been pointing you in this direction? An in-depth assessment of behavioural competency is available.

Coaching is a standard resource for corps planting. Coaches are available to meet on a regular basis with planters in person or via the web to clarify issues and work out future steps in the planting journey.

Church plant design shops are conducted in partnership with the New Leaf Network using a “flipped classroom” approach to training. Video sessions are discussed with the coach in advance of a two-day, face-to-face boot camp experience with other planters. Online videos of the main sessions allow planters to work through the issues with their team according to their own timeframe.

The Multiply Network (for dreamers, encouragers and planters) is a regular video conference for planters to discuss the issues facing them and receive prayer support. Discussions and presentations are also planned to address themes that have been raised by planters. Anyone who is exploring planting or wants to encourage and pray for planters is invited to join the network.

Church Planting Canada is a broad-based Canadian network of planters and those who catalyze planting. The congress takes place every two years and features Canadian and international voices tackling a broad range of issues in contemporary society, as well as essentials for planting among diverse communities.

For more information, visit churchplantingcanada.ca.

Community research can give you a bird’s-eye view of the people around you (demographics) or a good reason to ask people questions (through surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.).

The Salvation Army has access to census data and expertise in survey design. Think carefully about what might be accomplished by asking some strategic questions, talk to a few people with a bit of experience and connect with some people in your community.

A guide for church-based community research is currently available through Outreach Canada (outreach.ca) and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (evangelicalfellowship.ca).

For more information visit salvationist.ca/multiply or contact james_watson@can.salvationarmy.org.

16 June 2018 Salvationist

West Kelowna, British Columbia Division Kelowna Community Church has created a vibrant community ministry. Their work across the lake in West Kelowna includes an integrated thrift store and community life centre. This investment has created an opportunity for further development of ministry.

Lieutenants Robert and Jennifer Henson were appointed this past summer and have been building relationships with the corps, thrift store staff, volunteers and customers, community partners and their new neighbours.

“We were appointed as corps officers of a plant, but we have, in a way, stepped into a tent-making position as we engage the community and family services ministry in our community,” says Lieutenant Jennifer Henson. “Through this, we have been able to grow relationships in a variety of contexts, such as providing spiritual and emotional care at the thrift store and community life centre, and with parents at the hockey rink.

From there we experiment, through trial and error, with how to create opportunities and communities of belonging, for people to encounter Jesus and truly be his disciples.”

Smaller and Longer The Multiply strategy represents a shift in how we encourage the development of new things—we are thinking bigger by thinking smaller and longer.

We think it is possible to multiply new things by starting small, and developing in organic, possibly incremental ways.

In the past, new corps often grew as outposts, with soldiers providing leadership for a local ministry and officers providing supervision. We would love to encourage the multiplication of new initiatives that are spiritual and relational. When big vision develops from small seeds of community engagement, it can lead to sustainable development, because it is emerging out of the fruitfulness of local faithfulness.

We also want to encourage a longer view on how plants take shape. Relationships take time to develop. We are shifting our focus from a five-year start-up plan to a 10-year developmental pathway. This allows us to acknowledge the slower steps many people are taking toward faith, and challenges us to think through sustained involvement in the community.

From a financial perspective, there may need to be years of relationship-building and discipleship before external funding (through grants or donations) is used to support the next phases of development. Finding ways to accomplish “tent-making,” where people involved in leading the new initiative will also have work in the community (through current Salvation Army roles or other creative partnerships), can further increase community contact and enhance the sustainability of mission.

Dr. James Watson is a corps health and planting consultant in the corps ministries department.

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Sites of Conscience Are we doing enough to remember the atrocities of the residential school system?

n the 19th century, the Canadian government adopted an aggressive assimilation policy toward Indigenous people, establishing residential schools as a way to “civilize” and integrate Indigenous children into the dominant culture. Attendance at these government-funded, church-run schools was compulsory, and it’s estimated that about 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their families and communities.

Students were forbidden to speak their first language or practise their traditions. Many experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Death rates were so high that the government stopped recording them, but as many as 6,000 children may have died while in their care. Young people who returned to their communities often found they no longer belonged in either world.

Approximately 140 residential schools operated across Canada. The last institution, Gordon Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996.

These buildings are a haunting reminder of the legacy of the residential school system. Some have been demolished. Some have been repurposed as elementary schools or colleges. One has been converted to a golf course and casino. Another is home to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

A few have been designated as provincial heritage sites.

The Assembly of First Nations is seeking to find all of them, whether demolished or standing, and plot their location by GPS, before the memories are lost.

What should be done with the handful of residential school buildings that remain? Should they be demolished, or preserved?

Ry Moran, director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba, calls them “sites of conscience,” and told CBC News they should be marked and acknowledged,

even though they “represent a dark and difficult chapter of this country’s history.”

“That’s why we hang on to concentration camps,” he says. “It’s essential for us, as humanity, not only that we celebrate who we are when we’re at our best, but also we never forget who we have been when we’ve been at our worst.”

Major Shari Russell, Indigenous ministries consultant for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, agrees. “There is value and importance in remembering our history, whether or not it’s positive,” she says. “To quote Henri Nouwen in The Living Reminder: ‘We want to forget the pains of our past—our personal, communal and national traumas—and live as if they did not really happen….

Forgetting the past is like turning our most intimate teacher against us.’

“We need our history to teach us how to reframe our relationship for the future.”

There is a significant risk that getting rid of these buildings could make it easier for us to minimize, and maybe even for-

Major Doug Binner is the corps ministries secretary in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Photo: Library and Archives Canada/PA-134110

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BY MAJOR DOUG BINNER

get, this once-hidden part of Canadian history. Even as these buildings remained standing during the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, the story of residential schools was not part of most elementary or high school curricula. Students have not learned this shameful part of our history. Eliminating the buildings could, in fact, more permanently eliminate the story.

In Brantford, Ont., the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School, which operated from 1828 to 1970, is now part of the Woodland Cultural Centre, which serves to protect and promote First Nations heritage. The centre offers tours of the school, and guides share survivor stories.

Perhaps the remaining residential schools scattered across Canada could also be preserved in such a way, in order to honour survivors and remember a system accused of carrying out cultural genocide. Perhaps visiting a residential school should be part of the educational curriculum for Canadian students.

What do you think? How should we teach the dark chapters of our history, along with stories of Confederation, the railroad and the Halifax Explosion?

How do we respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? How do we take reconciliation seriously?

Cree students with their teacher in a classroom at All Saints Indian Residential School, Lac La Ronge, Sask., in March 1945

Salvationist June 2018 17

LIVE JUSTLY

Beyond Charity The call to justice is at the heart of the gospel.

BY MAJOR CAMPBELL ROBERTS This is the first in a seven-part series exploring the nature of social justice, originally presented to the Territorial Leaders’ Conference in fall 2017.

18 June 2018 Salvationist

Illustration: © solar22/iStock.com

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n the words of our fifth doctrine, we are all “sinners … justly exposed to the wrath of God.” True as that is, an increasing number of people in our world are also sinned against. They suffer social injustice that stops them from experiencing the abundance of life Christ offers. God’s redemptive plan is to free people both from personal and structural sin.

My realization of this began when I was a cadet, grew in my time as a chaplain at an industrial complex, and continued to grow when I was sent to the area of greatest social need in New Zealand, to a community with no expression of The Salvation Army. No appointment, no reports to write, no job existed—I was just there to listen to the community.

I soon realized that a whole range of decisions—some by the local authority, some by the government, some by business—were causing people to be “sinned against” and stopping the Christian vision. People were experiencing injustice and unfairness. I started to see that creating a Christian community was going to require changes in how politics and business worked. To be true to the gospel, I needed to be involved in advocacy and policy change.

One of the ways we did this was through a report on the criminal justice system called “Beyond the Holding Tank.” This report received widespread interest, prompting community meetings and media articles. The prime minister contacted us after reading the report, and ordered copies for every member of the cabinet. The report became a cabinet agenda item, leading to action from ministers in implementing and working toward some of the report’s recommendations.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to imagine a changed world when they prayed, “Your kingdom come.”

Why is social justice important for the Army at this time? One of the obvious immediate answers to this question is, if the Army wants to engage and convince millennials of the truth and validity of the gospel message, we will need to pay attention to social justice.

As we know, millennials are far more oriented to matters of social and ecojustice than previous generations.

But more critically, social justice is important for the Army because it is at the heart of the Christian gospel

and message. It is central to the biblical redemption story.

Many leaders in the Army accept and welcome the good that can come from engaging in a social justice ministry, but they would be reticent to see such a ministry displace evangelism and loving social action. I suspect some of you may feel that way.

The argument is that the Army’s historical approach has emphasized personal salvation and loving action to those in need. This has been the Army’s central

LIVE JUSTLY

Charity and Justice: What’s the Difference?

Charity

Justice

Charity = social services.

Charity provides direct services such as food, clothing and shelter.

Justice = social change.

Justice promotes social change in institutions or political structures.

Charity responds to immediate needs.

Justice responds to long-term needs.

Charity is directed at the effects or symptoms of injustice (e.g., volunteering at a soup kitchen).

Justice is directed at the root causes of social problems. Justice addresses the underlying structures or causes of these problems (e.g., working to end the inequalities that make soup kitchens necessary).

Charity is private, individual actions.

Justice is public, collective actions.

Examples of charity: soup kitchens, clothing banks and homeless shelters.

Examples of justice: legislative advocacy, changing policies and practices, political action.

be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

When God created the world, he wasn’t dreaming of prisons and kidnappings, child abuse and murders, racism and discrimination, greed and poverty, pollution and exploitation. God’s dream was for freedom and creativity, kindness and justice, generosity and peace, diversity and harmony.

My challenge is not about starting something new—social justice ministries and engagement already occur in the Army. Rather, my challenge to you is to place biblical justice in the very centre of mission theology and practice.

How you operationalize a biblical justice mission is what you will discover in your context, under the hand of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t a program, technique or a particular political action. It is a way of living and acting as Christians and as the Christian church.

At its centre, it will be a vision of a creation, a world and a community where faith, love and justice dominate everyday life. It will be an Army that lives justly, and spends time and energy articulating what social justice looks like in the lives of Canadian and Bermudian Salvationists.

I have described my own journey

and ministry of social justice in New Zealand. We know that translating the approach of one place in the Army world to another does not guarantee its success. Conditions and contextual difference produce a different result. And social justice ministry by its very nature is essentially contextual. So what it will look like here, I can’t say.

I have no doubt that people in Canada and Bermuda hold in high esteem the social care of The Salvation Army. It is a risk to speak out in a way that some will not appreciate. However, the Army’s public respect and reputation is a Godgiven asset, and as with all assets, we must be prepared to take risks with it, on behalf of the gospel and the world’s most vulnerable.

Leaders will not be able to do this if they are detached. We need personal connection to human suffering and need. It is those personal encounters that keep the fire and vision alive. May we be advocates not only to call people to individual holiness and salvation, but to end the suffering of people who are sinned against.

Major Campbell Roberts is the chief consultant for the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory’s social policy and parliamentary unit.

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Source: Office for Social Justice, Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis

mission, the core of what we believe and practise. Social justice is not rejected; it is seen as one of the ways of achieving this evangelical and social mission, but not more than that.

My challenge to you is to rethink this basic mission. In my view, social justice can no longer be merely an adjunct to the main mission of the Army. Biblical justice must stand alongside personal salvation and social care as the primary drivers of the Christian message that The Salvation Army presents in the 21st century.

Justice is a major theme of Scripture.

Remember Jesus’ challenge to the scribes and Pharisees: “Woe to you hypocrites!

You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). Note that Jesus puts justice first.

Micah echoes Jesus. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Have we in the Army sufficiently attended to the requirements to act justly? Do we need to change our mission metaphor, from the two wings of a bird representing evangelism and Christian love, to the Micah triangle?

The emphasis on helping people find faith in God and then acting with godly love to others is needed as much as it was. I am not arguing for us to change or replace this emphasis. The Army of salvation, holiness and godly love continues to be central to our Christian message.

What I find myself increasingly questioning, however, is whether containing our ministry to individualized faith and mission sufficiently expresses the width and depth of the redemption and hope offered through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. In his Crucifixion, Jesus released the redemptive possibility to annihilate all sin and evil, while in his Resurrection, Jesus offered the possibility of a new world order and hope. Are we in the Army preaching such a powerful gospel, or have we individualized its power away?

In my view, a ministry that only addresses individual salvation is unlikely to redeem the structural evil and sin blighting human life and our earth.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to imagine a changed world when they prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will

Photo: Love Makes a Way

Australian Salvation Army officer Cpt Craig Farrell is arrested after participating in a Love Makes a Way protest in October 2014. With permission from territorial headquarters, Cpt Farrell joined the group’s peaceful occupation of the offices of Richard Marles, a member of the Australian parliament, to protest the country’s treatment of refugees

Holy Protest

Lt-Colonel Wendy Swan explains why a public response to injustice is essential to Salvationism.

Human trafficking. Unsafe working conditions. Homelessness. Today’s headlines are dominated by stories of injustice. But as awareness of injustice grows, so does the protest movement that says it must end.

So why should Salvationists engage in protest? Lt-Colonel Wendy Swan, a Canadian officer serving as command president of women’s ministries and chair of the Moral and Social Issues Council, Hong Kong and Macau Command, recently completed her PhD thesis at King’s College London, proposing a theology of protest for The Salvation Army.

In this interview with Kristin Ostensen, associate editor, she discusses protest as political holiness and why the Army shouldn’t be afraid to upset society.

20 June 2018 Salvationist

How do you define protest?

Protest is a visible, public response to an issue. There are two parts to that. One is making some form of pronouncement— saying, “Something’s not right here. This is not the way God wants the world to be.” The pronouncement calls for a halt to whatever the injustice may be. But when you take out the injustice, what are you going to replace it with? The second component of protest is an announcement—saying, “This is how God wants us to live. This is how it should be.”

How important is it for Salvationists to engage in acts of protest?

I think it’s non-negotiable. We say we are followers of Jesus, and he protested injustice wherever he found it. His love compels us to share that love in prag-

matic ways. Do our protests need to look identical? Absolutely not. We live in different contexts, families, neighbourhoods—Jesus never said we had to be cookie-cutter Christians.

As Salvationists, how does our call to holiness drive our call to protest?

God calls us to be holy as he is holy. It’s not optional. When we say yes to Christ, we believe that Jesus comes to live in us by his Spirit, and that means we’re going to live differently. If Christ is in us, as we are in the world, then we become the visible, physical representation of him in the world. Even though we are not of the world, we’re called to be in the world. Jesus died for this world, not the next one.

In the 1990s, The Salvation Army

established an International Spiritual Life Commission which, in its final report, issued a number of calls to action. One of them states, “We call Salvationists worldwide to restate and live out the doctrine of holiness in all its dimensions—personal, relational, social and political.” The word “political” comes from the Latin word polis, which means community. If we are a holiness people, that must be evidenced in how we respond to injustice in our community. Protesting, then, is part of our understanding of political holiness.

We often think of The Salvation Army as being “apolitical.”

How does that impact our call to protest?

I think there’s been a misunderstanding around what it means to be political and apolitical. Should a Salvationist be involved in politics? Absolutely. Politics is about community. Everything is political. What we are is non-partisan, which means we do not align ourselves with a particular political party. Catherine Booth wrote about this subject in 1883, in a pamphlet called The Salvation Army in Relation to Church and State. She says, “Work with whoever you can in order to resolve the issue, and when you’ve resolved the issue, don’t align yourself with a particular political party; just carry on to the next issue.” In other words, use your networks, be intentional, but focus on the issue.

How did Jesus protest the injustices of his time, and what can we learn from him?

In the beginning of his public ministry, we are told in Luke 4 how Jesus understands his mission: he is anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind and to set the oppressed free. There’s no messing around, no soft-spoken words.

There’s a lesson for us there. He was prepared to identify, in public, his mandate.

I think he was saying, “When you look at my life, you need to find these things in it.” I wonder if Salvationists today are prepared to do that.

When we look at the life of Christ, we also see that Jesus protested injustice as

Low wages and dangerous conditions at match factories in England prompted The Salvation Army to open its own match factory in 1891, producing “Lights in Darkest England.” This act of protest forced other factories to change their practices

he found it, in his everyday dealings with people. He saw situations where people were not flourishing—he saw how women and children were treated, how Israel looked at its neighbours—and he addressed them. He observed, he acted. His example challenges me. Do I really see people? And what do I do once I’ve seen them?

Interestingly, many of those who were angered by Jesus’ protests came from his own community—the religious leaders who didn’t want him to mess up the status quo. And sometimes, that’s what happens within the church. Protest makes people uncomfortable because once an injustice has been identified, you either choose to ignore it, or you choose to do something about it, but you can’t pretend you don’t know about it.

In your thesis you talk about how protest is, by its nature, sacrificial.

What do you mean by that?

Sacrifice is never done on behalf of myself. Sacrifice is about self-emptying; it’s saying “no” to self so that I might say “yes” to others. Protest means saying “no” to the selfish part of me that says, “That’s your business and this is mine.” Instead, it’s giving of yourself, in a physical way, on behalf of others. We know there’s a cost involved in sacrifice. Are people going to disagree with us? Is it going to be tough? Could there be persecution?

Perhaps, but I’m prepared to face that, out of my own gratitude for what Christ has done for me. And so, when we act on behalf of others by protesting, we are doing what Jesus did. He gave his life, he

sacrificed all, so that we can be saved.

Christ’s sacrifice happened at a particular point in history, but the effects of that are still felt today because Jesus is continually at work reconciling the world to himself. So, in a theological sense, protest is a way to participate in God’s redemptive activity in the world.

We are not bringing salvation as Jesus did on the cross, but because he has invited us to participate with him in this world, our actions can also be redemptive. We can demonstrate to the world the scope of salvation—it’s not just your soul, it’s also your body. You are a whole human being. When God redeems you, he wants to redeem it all.

Can or should Salvationists ever engage in civil disobedience as part of an act of protest?

I’m not going to say yes or no, but I will say that when you look at the life of Jesus, on occasion, he chose to do so. In Mark 2, when Jesus and his disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees call them out for doing something unlawful. But Jesus is doing it to prove a point. He is saying, this law is hurting people who are already marginalized. By saying that people can’t work on the Sabbath, you’re making it harder, if not impossible, for these people to eat, and you’re marginalizing them even more. And that’s wrong.

By breaking the law, Jesus was physically, visibly drawing attention to this issue.

How else would people have paid attention if he hadn’t done it that way?

Continued on page 24.

Salvationist June 2018 21

Defining Disability Accessibility is about more than ramps and automatic doors.

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ometimes, it seems like the only testimonies I hear in church are from someone who was an addict or diagnosed with an illness—and then they met Jesus, and were cured.

Even though these stories are often true, they are the exception and not the rule. I’ve grown weary and annoyed by these testimonies, which I’ve come to refer to as “the ones that make the cut.”

What about those who love Jesus but continue to get sicker? Does this mean Jesus loves us less than others? Jean Vanier put it best: “I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.” I pray he’s right.

This Could Get Ugly I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the summer of 1997, so I’ve been the “sick guy” for more than 20 years. I’ve tried to take the “Jesus way” the whole time but I’ve still struggled because it affects everything in my life. I was engaged to be married when I received my diagnosis, so I told my then fiancée that MS can be ugly and that I wouldn’t hold it against her if she wanted to opt out.

Erinn never wavered so we got married in January of the following year and made vows to stick beside each other in sickness and in health. As a married couple, MS has not just been my disease; it is our disease. It affects us both in profound ways and has been an uninvited third party in our relationship the entire time.

My prediction has come true. This disease has gotten ugly. Over the Christmas holidays this past year, I felt a significant decline in my health. On January 25, just one day after our 20th wedding anniversary, we called an ambulance to take me to the hospital because I could not get out of my own bed. I’ve been in a hospital for months now doing rehab and will be away from my home this entire summer while our house is renovated to fit my new needs.

Over the years as I’ve gotten sicker, 22 June 2018 Salvationist

BY DION OXFORD I’ve had a lot of time to think about issues related to disability. In my work with The Salvation Army’s Toronto Housing and Homeless Supports, I have learned two principles that have carried over into my thinking about disabilities. The first is that we are all people, created in the image of God and therefore beloved. I never talk about homeless people or the homeless, but instead refer to people experiencing homelessness. This puts the emphasis on the personhood of someone; not their homelessness. I have a disability, but I don’t think of myself as a disabled person. I am a person with a disability. My disability does not define me. It is just one of many adjectives that describe my personhood.

new place that was accessible. I missed my usual spot, and my friend.

I was scooting by there recently and saw my barber through the window. I rolled up to the door and waved him out so I could explain why I had not been around. I even suggested he could make his shop accessible with a $50 wooden ramp that many local businesses were using. It was then that he said something that surprised and hurt me more than I would have expected. He told me my disability was not his problem and that he would not buy a ramp just for me. I was speechless. I had been wrong to think I mattered to him, not only as a customer but as a fellow human being. He—and so many others—need to understand that

Sometimes people assume that a disability makes a person less able, less talented or less intellectual than everyone else.

The second principle is that there is no such thing as “us and them.”

Regardless of our socioeconomic status, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or physical abilities, God loves us all equally. In a perfect world, that kind of unconditional love would be extended between all people, but sadly that is not the case.

I had been a regular customer at a local barber shop for years and especially enjoyed the pampering I received from a straight-blade shave—hot towels, close shave and warm conversation. I’d come to think of it as my little version of a spa treatment, and that I had formed a friendship with the barber. As my mobility decreased and I became dependent on a scooter, I could no longer walk up the steps of the shop and had to find a

there is no “us and them.” We are all in this together.

Susan Palwick, a writer and associate professor at the University of Nevada who struggles with depression and anxiety among other physical issues, puts it better than I ever could. “One of the steepest barriers anyone with any disability faces is the us-them divide that our culture has tried to erect between the disabled and the able, the partial and the perfect, the wounded and the whole…. We are all wounded, all partial, all disabled, just as we are all loved, forgiven, and gifted….

The best thing each of us can do to make the church more welcoming to wounded people is to name and acknowledge our own wounds. Our sensitivity to disabilities needs to be an act not of generosity, but of self-recognition.”

Breaking Barriers There are four areas of accessibility that would be much better if we took these two principles more seriously.

1. Physical/structural. This is by far the

most expensive to overcome, but also the easiest. Ramps, elevators, doors and accessible washrooms are some of the things that are crucial to think about and implement in order for all people to feel welcome. A communal accessibility audit is often the best and quickest way to discover what is needed.

2. Social. The impact of not being able

3. Relational. This is often rooted in

(mis)perception. Relational accessibility is all about moving beyond the stigma or misunderstanding of a person’s needs and abilities. As is so often the case, and I confess I am guilty of this at times, people can be judged and assumptions made based on outward appearances. For example, if someone is in a wheelchair or just

looks different than the majority of people around them, it is possible to assume things about that person without ever knowing a single thing about them. Sometimes people assume that a disability makes a person less able, less talented or less intellectual than everyone else.

4. Theological/spiritual. Brett Webb-

Mitchell, a writer and teacher at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, notes: “In communities of faith we are there, members, identified with the group, not because of what we can or cannot do, but because of who and whose we are: God’s own creation.”

The Apostle Paul shares his vision of the body in Ephesians 4:5 when he reminds us that we are all connected by “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

Again, we are all in this together. There is no “us and them.” In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that we all have

Illustration: Marc Audet/rocket57.com

to get to where you want or need to

go can’t be overstated. It’s easy to feel socially isolated if a group of people invite me somewhere, and when I ask if it is accessible they say they don’t know but they go there anyway. Overcoming social barriers can be a lifelong venture.

Salvationist June 2018 23

gifts to be used, not for ourselves, but for the glory of God. If we miss this, we’ve missed the whole point.

Everybody Hurts I don’t want to over-spiritualize things.

I confess that I don’t want to be disabled nor do I understand why God allows some people to struggle more than others. I hate MS. It sucks. However, I do believe that God’s grace is enough, even though it doesn’t always feel that way. When well-meaning people say things intended to help me through my struggle, such as the Christian platitude of “God has a purpose in store for your pain” or “Just trust God and everything will be fine,” I sometimes groan. And the time I was offered a book that outlined some major diseases, MS included, and the sins attached to them, and told that Continued from page 21.

Is the Army too “respectable” or “safe” today? Does that sometimes prevent us from protesting and seeking societal reform?

Absolutely, there’s a danger in being respectable. God hasn’t called the Army to be like everybody else. We were never meant to be respectable. Over the course of its history, the Army has done some fabulous work—people have given sacrificially, all across the globe. The danger comes when we begin to believe our own hype; when we begin to believe that we really are wonderful. I’m not saying that’s happened, but the danger is always there. And last time I checked, the job is not done—we are perhaps more aware of injustices now than ever. So if being respectable means that we no longer seek people on the margins; if being respectable means that we act in such a way so that we don’t upset anybody—we’re in trouble.

I was in a conversation one time, in an ecumenical setting, and someone commented that “Christians should never go to a pub.” I said, “Why not?” and they said, “Because it’s that kind of place.”

I countered, “Well, wouldn’t that be a good place to be to have conversations with people?” That interaction reminded me that there’s a danger in becoming so sanitized that we pull ourselves out of the world. We don’t want to be “tainted.” But when you read Scripture, Jesus continually sent his disciples out into the community to meet people where they were.

24 June 2018 Salvationist

if I could just root out those sins from my life God would and could heal me, I wanted to scream. People who are in pain just need a friend to sit and be with them, not to offer suggestions as to how to “fix” the problem.

It’s a fallen world. Things are broken.

Everyone dies. Everyone suffers or will suffer. No one gets out without suffering, though we keep lying to ourselves about this Christian utopia. Jesus didn’t come to eliminate pain but to join us in it. Each of us that are taking the Jesus way needs to recognize that our path involves the cross. It’s gonna hurt.

But the true beauty is that this is not the end of the story. Resurrection is coming.

Dion Oxford is the director of mission integration for Toronto Housing and Homeless Supports.

How should Salvationists respond to people, or even governments, who oppose our protests?

Richard Mouw, former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, speaks of “convicted civility.” It means maintaining your conviction while still nurturing a spirit that is kind. I like that because when people push back, our natural response is to get angry and offensive, and I don’t believe that approach accomplishes much. You’ve got to keep the communication channels open and believe in creative possibilities. Two steps forward, with one step back, is still one step forward.

How can we fight back against the pessimism which says “nothing will change, so why bother”?

One practical consideration that can guide us when we protest is the idea of approximate justice. If you hold to an all or nothing approach, it is easy to become discouraged. Approximate justice says that some justice is better than no justice.

Making the world a better place is not our mission, it’s God’s mission, and he calls his people to join him. It may be a hard slog but it’s going to work, and in the end, we win.

The act of protesting can transform the world. How can it also transform us?

It gives us a pragmatic, experiential, invigorating understanding of what

holiness is. It’s the reality of John 10:10, where Christ says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” I know, intellectually, that the Spirit is working in me, but when you place yourself in the gap, in whatever way that you protest, you realize that this is what it means to be a believer. It’s living right and righting wrongs. In Chinese, we have three characters for The Salvation Army, and the literal translation is, “Save the World Army.” That’s what protesting is—it’s participating in saving the world!

Ultimately, we know when we’re supposed to do something. We just do. We get the nudging, and then we have to choose: Are we going to do something or not?

Lt-Col Wendy Swan is command president of women’s ministries and chair of the Moral and Social Issues Council, Hong Kong and Macau Cmd

CALLING THE COURAGEOUS

“In my heart, I never stopped being a Salvationist,” says Linda Leigh, who attends Oshawa Temple

Back to Her Roots Linda Leigh always knew she would go back to The Salvation Army.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

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ever in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d wind up as a recruiting sergeant,” laughs Linda Leigh, who attends Oshawa Temple in Ontario. “And yet here I am, teaching soldiership classes.” She wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I have a better appreciation of becoming a soldier my second time around,” she continues. “It’s opened my eyes to the depth of commitment involved.”

A Need to Serve Linda was born into a Salvationist family.

When she was 10, her parents felt called to full-time ministry, so the family headed to the training college in Toronto. As with most officer families, they were sent to various postings across Canada.

Linda was 14 and very involved in the Army when she became a soldier. “I’d go to band practice, songster practice.

I helped lead the youth group. I was out four evenings a week.

“I’d been in the Army all my life,” she says. “Back then, I don’t remember thinking too deeply about my commitment, if I’m being honest. I just knew that it was an organization I wanted to be a part of.

I wanted to serve.”

Away From the Army But when Linda was 40, she met a man named Steve. The couple soon fell in love and decided to get married. But there was one hitch.

“Steve attended another church,” Linda explains, “so we had to decide where we would worship. At the time, it seemed easier for me go to Steve’s church. Being an Army kid, I was used to moving around. And let’s face it: The Salvation Army can be bewildering for a newcomer, what with our terminology, rules and uniforms.”

Linda attended Steve’s church for 15 years.

“It was a healthy stay,” she says, “but the Army was always in me. And I was able to bring some ‘Army’ to the church.

For instance, they didn’t know how to clap during worship. I showed them how. I still played trombone, and I was often asked to accompany hymns on special occasions.

Plus, I led their choir for six years and I taught them some Army songs!”

“That’s My Roots” Linda always knew that one day she would return to the Army.

The opportunity came soon after both

of Steve’s parents passed away, and their church went through a leadership change.

By this point, Steve had become more familiar with the Army through Linda’s family, her work colleagues at territorial headquarters and attending Army services and concerts.

“Steve had asked his share of questions over the years,” smiles Linda, “so he had a good knowledge of what the Army was all about. The timing was good for him, too.

“In my heart, I never stopped being a Salvationist,” says Linda. “I’d always said to Steve, ‘I really want to go back to the Army, that’s my roots.’ And he wasn’t opposed to that.”

In Good Hands The couple started looking at Salvation Army churches to attend, and when they arrived at Oshawa Temple, they knew they were home.

“One of the things that attracted us were the greeters at the door, who made us feel so welcome,” says Linda. “We felt as if we were part of one big family.”

Linda also reconnected with friends from her younger days who attended the corps.

“What do you think about Oshawa Temple?” Linda asked Steve one day.

“Let’s go back,” was all he needed to say.

At first, Linda and Steve were simply content to sit in the congregation, but after six months, they realized that it was time for them to step up. Linda joined the band and Steve became a part of the worship team.

They met with the then corps officer, Major Robert Reid, who proposed that Linda be reinstated as a soldier while Steve became an adherent.

A year later, Steve took the soldiership classes. “Steve was my first recruit!”

Linda beams. Later, she was asked to be the recruiting sergeant for the corps.

Participants range from teens to seniors.

Linda is impressed by the quality of the new soldiers-to-be.

“Becoming a soldier is a big ask,” she believes. “The participants are very serious about what they put their names to. They’re thinking about it, which is a good thing. If the people I mentor are any indication, the future of the Army is in good hands.”

Salvationist June 2018 25

GRACE NOTES

Love Is a Battlefield Fighting for marriage.

Photo: © AndreyPopov/iStock.com

BY LIEUTENANT ERIN METCALF

M

arriage is hard. It’s hard because each and every day, my husband and I share living space, run a home, raise children and generally operate in a constant state of chaos.

We also work as pastors of a church, and that requires us to share ideas, theology and practical duties. We have to solve problems, navigate relationships and create things together. We have to process the same challenges while balancing our different personality traits and leadership styles.

Most of the time, we are forced to agree to disagree, which is never smooth or easy. As lines are drawn on yet another battlefield, we often end up voicing our opinions at the top of our lungs. We are not always careful in these war-like moments, and I’m ashamed to admit that, at times, we hash things out well into the night while our children listen from their beds.

This is not ideal, but it is life.

Marriage is hard because my partner sees all the worst parts of who I am, usually combined with old pyjamas and zero makeup. Marriage is hard because it requires constant sacrifice and release of control. It demands compromise while desiring victory.

When laundry baskets, kitchen sinks and garbage cans are simultaneously overflowing, intimacy slowly creeps out 26 June 2018 Salvationist

the back door, taking romance with it.

Marriage is hard because sometimes a little person shuffles into our room in the dead of night, announcing a nightmare and pleading for unconventional sleeping arrangements. With convincing tears and trembling adding to the dramatic request, “no” becomes impossible. It feels like 775 years since we spent a whole night asleep in the same bed, alone.

Marriage is hard because teenagers belong to an alternative universe and earth-dwelling parents often have a difficult time even knowing how to communicate—much less deal—with this creature from another world. This is tension inducing … trust me.

Marriage is hard because the world encourages us to move on to the next person when things become difficult, because our happiness is what’s important, right? Life is short, love is disposable and monogamy is a myth. These are the messages that attempt to enter the weak places when we are tired and worn down.

But marriage is also a beautiful gift to be held with tender hands. It needs eyes that see the good. It takes work and commitment.

When I consider all the times I fall short, all the moments I mess things up and drop the ball, I am overwhelmed at the grace I find in Jesus. His love is relentless. No matter what I do, his forgiveness is there for me—I am his beloved child.

This I know without a doubt.

I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t always offer that same grace and forgiveness to my partner in life. Ignoring the proverbial wisdom, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,” my method of communication is far too often critical and defensive, even accusatory. That should never be the case, but it’s hard to say “I’m sorry” when feelings are hurt and egos are bruised.

Why does admitting my mistakes and extending forgiveness feel too costly, when forgiveness is freely offered to me?

It’s so easy to hang on to anger. But in those moments of impasse, when each side is unwilling to budge—arms folded, steely eyed—there is an opportunity to invite grace.

How? I think grace shows up when we throw our hands in the air and admit we are helpless. I think grace shows up when we are willing to admit that our partner deserves better than the harsh words we use to try to win yet another argument.

I think grace shows up when we are at a loss for words and a way forward.

I believe grace shows up through prayer, tenderness and forgiveness. And I know grace shows up when we create space for Jesus.

Lieutenant Erin Metcalf is the corps officer at Niagara Orchard Community Church in Niagara Falls, Ont.

CROSS CULTURE

ON THE WEB Northern Lights

sar.my/northernlights

Nuuk, Greenland, is the world’s most northerly capital city in a sparsely populated country of approximately 56,000 people.

The Salvation Army opened work in Greenland five years ago, partly in response to a direct request from the local government, and since then has set about providing practical and spiritual care in Nuuk—particularly to the local homeless population. Homelessness is a big problem in this area, making life incredibly tough in one of the coldest places on earth.

Northern Lights, a new short documentary, shows the conditions faced by people living in tents, shipping containers and even underneath boats, who struggle for food and with health issues. The situation seems bleak, but this film shows how The Salvation Army and community members are responding—offering “light” in this Arctic outpost.

IN REVIEW Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Fred Rogers is an iconic figure in the history of children’s television. For more than three decades, this minister-turned-television host used his show, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, to preach a message of kindness, affirming that everyone should be loved exactly as they are. A new feature-length documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? explores the lessons, ethics and legacy of Rogers, demonstrating how radical his message was when the show aired, and still is even today.

Not shying away from difficult topics, Rogers used his platform to address issues such as racism, war, divorce and death. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a moving portrait of the man behind the friendly face we all know that ultimately encourages viewers to ask themselves, Am I a good neighbour?

Everybody, Always

Becoming love in a world full of setbacks and difficult people

IN THE NEWS National Geographic Issues Apology for Racism

For 130 years, National Geographic has given readers windows into other worlds—stories and images that bring people to places they’d never know otherwise. This spring, however, the magazine acknowledged and apologized for the fact that their coverage of non-western peoples and cultures was often racist.

In an editorial, Susan Goldberg, editor-in-chief, notes that, historically, “National Geographic did little to push its readers beyond the stereo- A special issue of National Geographic addresses the types ingrained in white American magazine’s problematic culture.” Referring to a 1916 article history of racism about Australia as a particularly egregious example, she points to a caption beneath photos of two Aboriginal people that reads: “South Australian Blackfellows: These savages rank lowest in intelligence of all human beings.”

The magazine made a commitment to do better going forward. “I want a future editor of National Geographic to look back at our coverage with pride,” Goldberg writes, “not only about the stories we decided to tell and how we told them but about the diverse group of writers, editors and photographers behind the work.”

BY BOB GOFF Loving God and loving others is the central message of the Christian faith. Yet in a challenging world full of difficult people, keeping that commandment can seem impossible. But it shouldn’t be. “We make loving people a lot more complicated than Jesus did,” writes Bob Goff in Everybody, Always, a follow-up to his bestselling book Love Does. How can we make loving others simple again? “God’s idea isn’t that we would just give and receive love but that we could actually become love,” writes Goff. Exploring what that means, the strength of Everybody, Always lies in Goff’s insightful storytelling, as each chapter reveals a lesson he has learned, often the hard way, about loving people. Whether he’s skydiving or befriending a Ugandan witch doctor, Goff aims to show readers how they, too, can become love.

Pope Francis: A Man of His Word

From award-winning director Wim Wenders comes a new documentary about Pope Francis, now in theatres. The film takes viewers on a personal journey with the Pope, combining face-to-face footage, directed straight at the viewer, as well as video of Pope Francis going about his ministry around the world. Taking questions from people of all walks of life, Pope Francis responds to farmers and workers, refugees, children and the elderly, prison inmates, and those who live in favelas and migrant camps. At a time when lies, corruption and alternative facts are the order of the day, Pope Francis: A Man of His Word depicts a person who practises what he preaches. Throughout the film, Pope Francis shares his deep concern for the poor, for environmental issues and social justice, and his call for peace in a conflict-filled world—an inspiring, timely message for everyone.

Salvationist June 2018 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

BRACEBRIDGE, ONT.—David Bond and Marsha Bond are enrolled as senior soldiers at Bracebridge CC. From left, Lt Ian Robinson, CO; David Bond; Marsha Bond; Lt Kam Robinson, CO; and CSM Nancy Turley.

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—The Salvation Army’s EDS truck is stocked and ready to assist at a moment’s notice thanks in part to the efforts of the women at the Curves fitness location in Lethbridge, who donated food and raised $710. Making the presentation to Cpt Isobel Lippers, CO, Community Church of Lethbridge, are Pat Faber, Frances Dosso, Marly O’Toole, Judy Erickson, Margaret McDiarmid and Teresas Boe.

CAMBRIDGE, ONT.—On junior soldier Sunday at Cambridge Citadel, three junior soldiers are enrolled and Ava Caron receives the Junior Soldier of the Year Award. Front, from left, Mitchell Lavender, Philip Samuel and Jessica Hurst, new junior soldiers. Back, from left, Cpt Joyce Downer, DYS, Ont. GL Div, who conducted the enrolment; Cpt Heather Samuel, CO; Ava Caron; CSM Baxter Freake; YPSM Gloria Freake; Cpt Nicholas Samuel, CO; and Cpt Josh Downer, DYS, Ont. GL Div. All 16 junior soldiers present were invited to renew their Junior Soldier Promise at the mercy seat.

LONDON, ONT.—Paul Brian Dunk receives a certificate of appreciation from Matt Clarke, bandmaster at Westminster Park Corps, in recognition of his 50 years of faithful service as a Salvation Army band member.

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.— Cpt Isobel Lippers, CO, Community Church of Lethbridge, receives a thank-you note from Dan Monaghan, principal, École St. Mary School, in recognition of The Salvation Army’s assistance with the school’s carnival night. The thrift store provided 250 stuffed toys to be given away as prizes.

28 June 2018 Salvationist

OFFICER RETIREMENTS Colonels Lindsay and Lynette Rowe retire July 1 following 93 years of combined service. Lynette was commissioned in 1972 as a cadet in the Lightbringers Session, and Lindsay as a member of the Blood and Fire Session in 1973. For more than 17 years they ministered internationally throughout the Caribbean, in Bermuda and in South and East Africa. As corps officers, training officers, divisional and territorial leaders, they have seen God’s hand move mightily in their ministry.

Highlights of their officership include membership on the High Council held in London, England, that elected André Cox as General, and helping with the reopening of The Salvation Army’s work in Namibia. It’s been an incredible journey and they are grateful to God for the many opportunities given to serve him and his people through The Salvation Army. In retirement, they look forward to spending relaxing hours in their home by the ocean in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Majors James and Gwen Hagglund give God the glory for his faithfulness and provision. While in their 30s, they entered the Messengers of Joy Session at the College for Officer Training in Toronto with their two daughters.

When commissioning day came they were excited to get going to tell others about God’s love. They feel privileged to have been stationed to Yorkton, Sask., where their adventure began. The Hagglunds experienced a variety of appointments as Salvation Army officers, including in corps, men’s social services, National Recycling Operations, Harbour Light, corrections (running a federal halfway house for seven years), emergency shelters and, finally, community and family services. All of these had rewards, joys, challenges and tears. Blessed by the many comrades, friends and employees they have met along the way, the Hagglunds thank them for their love and support. Retiring July 1, they appreciate having been able to serve God as a team and look forward to what God has in store for the future as their adventure continues.

PEOPLE & PLACES

GUELPH, ONT.—During a visit of the Canadian Staff Songsters to Guelph Citadel, Songster Winnie Watson, 91, joined the group as a featured soloist. Sharing a moment together after the concert are, from left, Donna Harris; Lt-Col Wendy Waters; Winnie Watson; Cathie Koehnen, deputy songster leader; and Heather Robertson. Back, from left, Aidan Turley and Mjr Len Ballantine, songster leader.

TRIBUTES TORONTO—George Howarth was born in Blackpool, England, in 1934, to George and Ruth Howarth. He was raised in a Christian home and came up through The Salvation Army at Blackpool Citadel. George loved music and attended the Royal College of Music in Manchester, England, and was a member of Blackpool Citadel Band until 1957, when he moved to Canada. George spent many years in the music industry, expressing his love for music through his work as a successful piano tuner and rebuilder. After he retired in 2015, he continued to service his closest clientele throughout 2016.

George met Margaret in 1972 and they were married on December 18, 1976. They adored each other and their relationship blossomed into 41 amazing years of marriage. Their love for each other was endless, with him expressing his love for her every day. George attended North York Temple in Toronto where he served in the band from 1976 until 1994, and again from 2003 until he retired from playing in 2010. George was the proud father of Catherine and Gerald, and treasured Papa to Jessica, Richard, Laura and Justin. He will be greatly missed and remembered forever.

FERGUS, ONT.—Joyce Lewin (Calderwood) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1927, and peacefully promoted to glory in her 91st year from Caressant Care Retirement Home. Joyce moved to Toronto at the age of 21 and met the love of her life, Ray Lewin, whom she married at the age of 25. She was a loving wife, mother and full-time homemaker. Joyce had a strong faith and loved the Lord, living by example, always putting others before herself. She loved unconditionally and was always willing to lend a helping hand, with a bright beautiful smile. Joyce was an active senior soldier from 1960 to 1985, serving at Peterborough Temple, Ont., as a songster, and as the singing company sergeant at Hamilton Temple, Ont. (now Meadowlands Corps), before retiring at London Citadel. Prior to her promotion to glory, Joyce relocated to Elora, Ont., to be close to family. Joyce is remembered by Ray, her husband of more than 65 years; children Murray Lewin (Barbara) and Cindy Millar (Cameron); grandchildren Heather Bouck (DJ) and Kristin Whittaker (Matthew); seven great-grandchildren; in-laws Davida Calderwood, and Murray and Fairie Lewin; nieces and nephews.

OTTAWA—There is much celebration at Ottawa Citadel as, from left, Rha-ya Connolly, Aszanna Connolly, Grace Maillet, Graciela Arkell, Rebecca McDormand and Anne-Lise Pierre Charles are enrolled as junior soldiers. Supporting them are, from left, CSM Linda Colwell; Cpt Graciela Arkell, CO; ACSM Jorden McDormand; Kathy McDormand; and Cpt Jeff Arkell, CO.

GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Aug 1—Col Hannelise Tvedt, TC, Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Tty, with rank of comr; Mjr Christina Jeppsson, TC, and Mjr Bo Jeppsson, Denmark and Greenland Tty, with rank of lt-col TERRITORIAL Appointments: Mjr Naomi Dalley, community services officer, Woodstock, Ont. GL Div; Jun 29—Mjrs Ron/Tonilea Cartmell, Oshawa Temple, Ont. CE Div; Mjr Margaret McLeod, DC, DDWM and divisional secretary for spiritual life development, Alta. & N.T. Div; Mjrs Frank/Rita Pittman, Corner Brook Temple, N.L. Div; Mjr Sandra Stokes, DC, DDWM and divisional secretary for spiritual life development, Bermuda Div; Mjrs David/Brenda Allen, North York Temple, Toronto, Ont. CE Div; Mjrs Andrew/Darlene Morgan, principal/director of spiritual formation, CFOT; Cpt Elizabeth Nelson, assistant principal, CFOT; Mjrs David/April McNeilly, corps ministries secretary/territorial secretary for spiritual life development, THQ; Cpt Barb Stanley, director of pastoral services, THQ; Mr. Paul Carew, leadership development secretary, THQ; Cpt Mark Stanley, leadership development consultant, THQ; Jul 1—Mjrs Owen/Sandra Budden, administrator/school chaplain, Lae School, Papua New Guinea Tty Promoted to glory: Mjr Leonard Millar, from Winnipeg, Mar 28; Mjr George Prior, from Shelburne, Ont., Apr 3

CALENDAR Commissioner Susan McMillan: Jun 10 CFOT; Jun 12-15 Territorial Executive Conference/Territorial Leaders’ Conference, Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport and Conference Centre; Jun 15-17 congress and commissioning, Toronto Congress Centre; Jun 22-24 women’s retreat, Camp du lac de l’Achigan, Que. Div Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves: Jun 10 CFOT; Jun 13-15 Territorial Executive Conference/Territorial Leaders’ Conference, Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport and Conference Centre; Jun 15-17 congress and commissioning, Toronto Congress Centre; Jun 18 10th anniversary Golf for Hope Tournament banquet, Silver Lakes Golf and Country Club, Newmarket, Ont.* (*Colonel Lee Graves only) Canadian Staff Band: Jun 9 Canadian Staff Band 49th anniversary festival, Toronto Centre for the Arts; Jun 16-17 congress and commissioning, Toronto Congress Centre Canadian Staff Songsters: Jun 16-17 congress and commissioning, Toronto Congress Centre

Salvationist June 2018 29

SALVATION STORIES

All Fear Is Gone From prison to recovery to officership, God was with me all the way.

BY CAPTAIN ROB HARDY

30 June 2018 Salvationist

Photo: Timothy Cheng

W

hen a prison cot and three meals a day sounded better than my life, I knew my addictions were out of control. Taking matters into my own hands, I committed a crime and turned myself in. That’s when God and The Salvation Army changed my life.

I was born in 1958 in Toronto as the oldest of six children and raised in Moss Park, a low-income area of the city filled with gangs and drugs. My mother was an alcoholic, and going to church was not a part of our lives. I endured physical, mental and sexual abuse, and began drinking and taking drugs at a young age to hide from my pain and fear.

I remember seeing the Army’s Harbour Light and Maxwell Meighen Centre in my neighbourhood as I grew up, but I had no idea the significance the two buildings would have for me.

I married young and had two sons, but the marriage did not last. I wanted to be a better father than mine had been, but I wasn’t, and I was a bad husband. It was about that time that I came up with the idea of going to jail.

While sitting in jail, my lawyer suggested I go to an addictions treatment centre and that The Salvation Army was the best place for me. Pleading guilty, I received probation and was remanded to Turning Point, a 28-day program at the Maxwell Meighen Centre for people coming from jail with addictions issues.

For the first time in my life, I was introduced to God. When I finished that program, I walked one block to the Harbour Light and started a 90-day recovery program.

Knowing I couldn’t do anything on my own, I accepted Christ and began reading the Bible. I especially love James 1:2-4 which says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This was a new beginning for me and I was at peace for

Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, greets Cpts Rob and Micheline Hardy during commissioning events in London, Ont., in 2016

the first time in my life.

I completed the program and Harbour Light Corps became my church home. I enrolled as a senior soldier and became president of the men’s fellowship, sang in the New Beginnings group, taught Sunday school and soldiership preparation classes, and looked after the community soup line program. When I felt called to be an officer, I knew I had to trust God to help me.

I did not have a high school diploma, so I enrolled at the Adult Learning Centre in Toronto and graduated at the age of 37. While in school, I met Micheline and we were married.

I eventually became the director of outreach ministries at Harbour Light Corps, which included an after-school program for children and a drop-in centre for teens in Moss Park. While the yearning to become an officer was still with me, I feared it would not happen. I owed thousands of dollars in child support, my reading and writing skills were not as good as I thought they should be,

and I wasn’t sure how I would manage the academic side of training college. Then I heard about the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s auxiliary-captaincy program.

By the grace of God and the support of his people, Micheline and I became auxiliary-captains in 2010 and were appointed to Hope Acres Rehabilitation Centre in Glencairn, Ont. Since being commissioned as captains in 2016, we have been blessed to serve as the corps officers of Trenton Community Church, Ont. When I first accepted Christ, I thought God would fix everything that was wrong with my life. That was not the case, and I’ve had my share of problems since then. I am still estranged from my sons, and in 2015, I underwent the amputation of my right leg, but I know God is with me.

I would love to speak to the child I once was to tell him he is loved and not alone in his pain. I would assure him I am no longer that scared little boy. I am a new creation, and I am loved by God.

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794