Salvationist + Faith & Friends May 2021

Farewell to Colonels Edward and Shelley Hill

Welcoming Our New Chief Secretary

Ministry in Australia With Majors Tim and Krista Andrews

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

May 2021

Be Ready for Anything The Salvation Army’s extraordinary year in emergency disaster services

Salvationist.ca

May 2021 • Volume 16, Number 5

CONNECT ONLINE Visit Salvationist.ca to add your comments and read web-exclusive articles

DEPARTMENTS

@salvationistmagazine Follow us on Instagram for the latest and best Army photos. Tag your photos #salvationists

5 Frontlines 7 World Watch 10 Perspectives Designed for People

by Jan Barton

/salvationistmagazine Like us on Facebook for photos and updates. Interact with our community of 38,000+ fans

20 Global Focus Life Down Under Interview with Majors Tim and Krista Andrews

25 Millennial Voices Real, Authentic Church

by Brianne Zelinsky-Carew

26 Not Called?

“Are You Listening?”

by Ken Ramstead

27 Cross Culture

8 FEATURES 8 “God’s Still Using Us!” New chief secretary Colonel Evie Diaz shares leadership lessons and hopes for the Army’s future.

Interview by Geoff Moulton

28 People & Places

11 Be Ready for Anything

30 Salvation Stories

The Salvation Army’s extraordinary year in disaster services.

by Perron Goodyear

In This Together

by Stacey Dlamini

COLUMNS 4 Editorial Disturbing the Present

by Geoff Moulton

5 Onward Just the Beginning

by Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd

23 Grace Notes Time to Play

by Captain Laura Van Schaick

24 Positive Reinforcements Lead Time

by Major Deana Zelinsky

15 Equal to the Task Dr. Kimberley Mullins on challenging assumptions and creating opportunities for women.

Interview by Geoff Moulton

16 Disturbing Present Darkness Salvationist women shine light on what this new theme means to them.

Compiled by Leigha Vegh

@Salvationist Follow us on Twitter for the Army’s breaking news. Use hashtag #SalvationArmy for your own updates and photos issuu.com/salvationist Catch up on all the Salvation Army news and features on your tablet, desktop or smartphone.

Cover: Emergency disaster services personnel lend a hand in Fort Vermilion, Alta.

READ AND SHARE IT! Mayor Gives to Army

THE RIGHT THING P.26

Gerry’s Story

HERE TO HELP P.12

Making a Difference

ACTS OF LOVE P.10

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

faithandfriends.ca

MAY 2021

18 The Adventure of New Life Young mom finds support and meaningful connections at Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa.

by Leigha Vegh

22 Oshawa Temple Tales Our mission: create children’s content for online Sunday services.

by Simon Hopkins

The Call

IT CHANGED THE LIVES OF TRINA GALLOP BLANK AND HER ADOPTED DAUGHTER, ELLIANA, FOREVER. P.16

Salvationist May 2021 3

EDITORIAL

Disturbing the Present

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“

ome of my best men are women,” declared William Booth. If that sounds a little patronizing to the modern ear, that’s because it is (try flipping the phrase around and you’ll see what I mean). But Bill Booth meant well, and he can probably be forgiven since he had the wisdom to marry Catherine Mumford, a powerhouse preacher and his equal in every way.

Catherine Mumford Booth was born into a society that gave women few rights, shut them out of professional life and suppressed their voice in the church. That didn’t hold Catherine back. She fiercely advocated for the equality of men and women before God, becoming one of the Army’s foremost evangelists, preachers and theologians. She saw nothing to contradict this in life or in Scripture.

“If the Word of God forbids female ministry,” wrote Catherine, “we would ask how it happens that so many of the most devoted handmaidens of the Lord have felt constrained by the Holy Ghost to exercise it? … The Word and the Spirit cannot contradict each other.”

It wasn’t easy. Catherine cared for a household of six (and eventually raised eight children), all of whom became officers, as well as caring for an ailing William in his later years. Fortunately, she resolved to “set aside her sewing” to attend weightier ministry matters. As

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Brian Peddle General Commissioner Floyd Tidd Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel John P. Murray 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) Leigha Vegh Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 May 2021 Salvationist

her reputation grew, she was hailed as “the Army Mother” and acknowledged as co-founder. Her mantra was, “If we are to better the future, we must disturb the present.”

In this issue of Salvationist, we profile other strong women. We look at the exceptional care at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa, where young mothers are getting the support and resources they need to nurture their newborns (page 18). We speak with Dr. Kimberley Mullins, chair of the gender equity task force (page 15), about the changes that are needed in our movement to ensure women are given the same opportunities as men (full disclosure: I am a proud member of that task force). And we meet four Salvationist women with incredible testimonies of how God is working in their hearts to “disturb present darkness” and shine a light through their life and service (page 16).

Elsewhere in the issue, we mark Emergency Preparedness Week (May 2-8) with the theme “Be Ready for Anything!”—fitting given the pandemic year that we’ve endured. Our photo feature looks back on a year’s worth of emergency disaster service and the incredible impact it made on communities across the territory.

Brandon Laird Senior Graphic Designer Hannah Saley Digital Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Christian Communicators Association. 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.

The Salvation Army used to be ahead of the curve when it came to gender equity, but in recent years it’s often reflected the gender gap that is present in the wider culture. I’m reminded that it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that Catherine was formally acknowledged as “co-founder” in the pages of this magazine.

We haven’t always lived up to our reputation when it comes to valuing and respecting women. It seems we need to do a little more “disturbing the present” with the goal of a brighter future for all.

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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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

ONWARD

Just the Beginning The wind of the Spirit is blowing across The Salvation Army.

BY COMMISSIONERS FLOYD AND TRACEY TIDD

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ver the last year, as the COVID19 pandemic has enveloped the

world, last words have been spoken by too many before their time.

Last words become lasting words, etched upon our hearts and minds.

Just a few short weeks ago, we stood and gazed again upon a cross on a hill and, three days later, an empty tomb.

The last words of Jesus from the cross took deep root in his followers’ lives, then and now. The clarity of his final words from the cross are important. Jesus declared, “It is finished.” He did not say, “I am finished.”

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” he made known that the work he came into the world to accomplish was now complete. Jesus’ death was part of a divine plan to save humanity. It is through Jesus’ death that humanity’s broken relationship with God can be restored.

In these weeks following Easter, let us be reminded again that Jesus did not say, “I am finished.” In fact, in many ways, his death and Resurrection were just the beginning. Before he ascended to heaven, he charged his disciples with

the Great Commission and sent them out, as John’s Gospel records: “Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ ” (John 20:21-22).

There was more that the resurrected Jesus would yet do. He wasn’t finished.

He has chosen to continue his mission through his followers, promising to never leave them.

As we anticipate celebrating Pentecost—when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus who were gathered in Jerusalem—let us prepare to open ourselves to the breath and work of the Spirit across his Army again. May it be said of The Salvation Army, today as it was in the days of Ezekiel, “ … breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army” (Ezekiel 37:10).

Commissioners Tracey and Floyd Tidd FRONTLINES

Islamic Relief Canada Donates Care Packages

I

The IRC donates care packages for The Salvation Army to distribute to those experiencing homelessness

slamic Relief Canada (IRC) provided The Salvation Army with care packages for shelters in Abbotsford, B.C., Halifax and Saskatoon, in March.

“The pandemic has severely impacted the homeless and organizations who work to help them, such as The Salvation Army,” says Asana, team leader for IRC in Halifax. While the organization provides relief to impoverished communities internationally, this year it was all about meeting the needs of those close to home. “With the ongoing pandemic, we wanted to focus on helping our local communities,” he says.

Fifty kits were delivered to the Centre of Hope in Abbotsford, B.C., which is one of the largest shelters in the region, and 150 more kits were donated to the Centre of Hope in Halifax.

After a successful partnership, the organization hopes to join forces again. “We hope to continue working with The Salvation Army into the future on this annual winter kit project and others,” Asana concludes.

Salvationist May 2021 5

FRONTLINES

Territory Hosts Brave Event to Empower Young Women

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oung women from across the Canada and Bermuda Territory tuned in virtually on February 27, either with their host corps or individually, to watch “Brave,” an online event hosted by The Salvation Army’s women’s ministries department to empower young women.

The event was emceed by Mikayla Nembhard and Hannah McNeilly, hosts of the Brave Girl podcast. The event featured guest speakers Cheryl Nembhard, a Brave journal author, speaker and social justice advocate, Major Shari Russell, territorial Indigenous ministries consultant, and Danielle Strickland, co-founder of Brave Global.

The event kicked off with Danielle Strickland, who shared how she started Brave to fight against oppression. “I’ve always wondered how this happens to women who are so strong, brave, incredible and gifted,” she said. “I’ve been a student of oppression; if I understand it, maybe I can stop it from happening.”

As Strickland shared stories of abuse, including her own, she marked up tissues with words such as “lie,” “shame” and “racism” and placed them on a plastic female action figure. She explained how although the heroine remains strong and capable underneath, the layers of adversity cover up a woman’s personal strengths.

Then, peeling back the layers of discouragement, Strickland encouraged women to work as a community to confront it. “Speak up and get help to undo the oppression,” she urged.

Captain Laura Van Schaick, divisional secretary for women’s ministries, Ontario Division, hosted a panel with guests Cheryl Nembhard, Major Shari Russell and Danielle Strickland where the women shared about the adversity they had faced as young women and how they overcame it.

Nembhard spoke on her turbulent childhood, which included sexual assault and joining a gang at a young age. “I was just piling anger on top of hurt,” she explained. “When you love away anger, and heal away anger, you’ll see there’s a very wounded child underneath.” A few years later, she was reached by an urban missionary. “They loved me back to life and the rest is history.”

Major Russell told how she was a part of the Sixties Scoop, where the government took Indigenous children and placed them in non-Indigenous homes to be assimilated.

6 May 2021 Salvationist

Clockwise, from top left, Cpt Laura Van Schaick, Mjr Shari Russell, Cheryl Nembhard and Danielle Strickland take part in the virtual Brave event

She also spoke on how she spent years of her life in and out of foster care homes, where she experienced various kinds of abuse.

Strickland spoke again, explaining that she had believed the lie that rebellion was freedom. That led to bad choices, which eventually landed her in a jail cell. When a woman from The Salvation Army visited her and showed compassion, it changed her life. “Where I had thought I was an enemy of God because of my behaviour, I realized that he was not mad at me,” she says. “He loved me unconditionally.”

Nembhard concluded the event with an encouragement to young women to be brave. She spoke on the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how various hardships, including bullying, poor selfimage, job loss and a tough living situation, could be affecting them. “You can only fake it until you make it for so long,” she said.

“Crying out for help is one of the bravest things that you can do.”

According to Nembhard, bravery is not always a grand gesture. Sometimes it looks more like just getting back up on your feet after being knocked down. And, bravery isn’t one-size-fits-all either. “It looks different for every single person in their life,” she said.

Brave Global is a network of seminars held across Canada and the United States meant to empower girls, particularly ones

that come from vulnerable situations. The goal is to engage young women before they end up as victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. The idea was conceptualized in California in 2014, with the first Canadian event being held in 2018.

Strickland describes Brave as “a campaign to reach out to the most vulnerable girls with a message of empowerment in every community across the western world.”

“Most of the risk, in terms of being victimized through human trafficking in Canada, tends to be for those groups that are either socially or economically disadvantaged,” notes Trevor Bhupsingh, director general, law enforcement and border strategies directorate for the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in a 2018 report to the House of Commons on human trafficking.

Brave events are trying to curb this, by reaching girls in this vulnerable demographic.

Prior to the virtual event, the British Columbia Division had twice hosted Brave events, but this was the first time The Salvation Army hosted the Brave event territorially, thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Tracey Tidd, territorial president of women’s ministries, and Colonel Shelley Hill, then territorial secretary for women’s ministries.

WORLD WATCH

Reports by IHQ Communications

International Leader Signs COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Declaration

G The Salvation Army Begins Work in Bulgaria

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ulgaria has become the 132nd country in which The Salvation Army is officially at work. The country became part of the Eastern Europe Territory, under territorial leaders Colonels Cheralynne and Kelvin Pethybridge.

“I am delighted to welcome Bulgaria into the worldwide Salvation Army family,” General Brian Peddle said when he made the announcement in March. “In these days of difficulty, it is fantastic to see God answer prayers made in faith so many years ago in creating this opportunity.”

The new operation is led by Captains Eduard and Inna Lebedev, regional leader and regional director of family ministries in Bulgaria.

Lieutenant Erik Johansson and Captain Kathleen Johansson have been designated as pioneer team members. All four officers received their appointments in April 2020 from Colonel Jostein Nielsen, then commander of the Eastern Europe Territory.

The Army’s presence in Bulgaria is a dream come true for Colonel Nielsen. In 2006, while serving as the divisional commander for Moldova, he attended a congress in St. Petersburg, Russia, which recognized the 15th anniversary of the Army’s return to Eastern Europe. A Bulgarian flag was presented during the congress to recognize a country where it was believed the Army would eventually “open fire.”

Nine years later, while serving in his native Norway and having recently received an appointment to return to the Eastern Europe Territory, the colonel had a vivid dream of an Army band playing in Bulgaria. Later that year, he was living in Chisinau, Moldova, and received a phone call from Geir Joesendal, a friend of his brother, who was staying nearby. When the two met, Joesendal revealed that he had properties and contacts in the country and that he would be willing to help with the expansion.

After discussion with his territorial leaders, a year later, Colonel Nielsen met with a representative from the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital. In 2019, registration was granted for the Army to begin work in Bulgaria.

In Bulgarian, “The Salvation Army” is Армията на Cпасението.

A Bulgarian Salvation Army Red Shield has been designed and registered accordingly. (above) Cpts Eduard and Inna Lebedev are installed as regional leaders in Bulgaria (left) The Bulgarian Salvation Army Red Shield

eneral Brian Peddle signed the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Equity Declaration in March on behalf of The Salvation Army.

“We know that not every country has access to the vaccine.

Challenges of cost and logistics must be overcome. We continue to pray for justice and the fair distribution of vaccines around the world,” the General said, adding that the vaccine was an “answer to prayer.”

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general, WHO, made a harrowing announcement in January. “The world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure,” she said. “The price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the world’s poorest countries.”

The declaration was made as a way to ensure that by World Health Day on April 7, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines would be administered in every country. The Salvation Army supported this call for all governments to work in solidarity to achieve this goal.

To support the WHO initiative, the international Salvation Army published public health messaging posters in more than a dozen languages. The General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, also released a video in which they expressed how COVID-19 can be overcome “together.”

General Brian Peddle signs the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Declaration

Salvation Army Helps Families Affected by Polar Vortex

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hen a polar vortex of historic proportions hit parts of the United States in February, The Salvation Army responded immediately by making its 7,600 locations across the nation available as warming centres.

“The toll the pandemic has taken on Americans was already great and then the most vulnerable found themselves without a safe place to shelter from the sprawling winter storm,” said Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, national commander for The Salvation Army in the United States.

Some complications of a polar vortex reaching warmer climates include water pipes freezing, rolling power cuts and dangerous road conditions. To help those experiencing homelessness, The Salvation Army mobilized outreach units to transport people, distribute warm clothing, serve hot meals and drinks, and feed first responders.

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“I see the most hope right on the front lines,” says Colonel Evie Diaz

“God’s Still Using Us!” New chief secretary Colonel Evie Diaz shares leadership lessons and hopes for the Army’s future.

O

n May 1, the Canada and Bermuda Territory welcomed Colonel Evie Diaz as its new chief secretary.

Most recently, Colonel Diaz served as the chief secretary at International Headquarters. In this interview with Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief, she shares her journey of officership, perspective on leadership and hopes for the future of the Army.

Tell us about your calling to officership. What inspired you?

And what have been the highlights along the way?

I grew up as a child of officers, and that was a positive experience. My parents included me and my siblings in ministry in practical ways. I have memories of helping clean the building before Sunday services and going along to open airs. They were great role models and spent their entire career as corps officers. I loved to watch how they interacted with and impacted people in their communities. I didn’t appreciate it as much when I was a child, but as I grew older, I recognized the value and wanted to do something similar.

I’ve had an interesting and diverse officer life, which is good because I like variety. I started as a corps officer and had three opportunities to be on the College for Officer Training staff in Chicago. Developing leaders is one of my passions, and I got to learn how to do that in practical ways. I also spent time in the youth department, both as 8 May 2021 Salvationist

a divisional and territorial youth secretary. That all linked together with my love for developing people and seeing them grow.

As the training officer in the Latvia and Sweden Territory, I helped create a training college for Latvian cadets. I spent the last few years as a divisional leader in the Kansas and Western Missouri divisions in the U.S.A. Central Territory before embarking to London, England.

What was it like to serve as chief secretary at International Headquarters (IHQ)?

London was a great place to live—not just because it’s a great city, but because it’s a global city. Being at IHQ with officers and employees from around the world was a unique and treasured opportunity—having that global view and connection each day.

What are you looking forward to most about serving in the Canada and Bermuda Territory?

As much as I loved my role at IHQ, it was somewhat

removed from front-line ministry. I’m looking forward to being closer to what’s happening on the front lines in Canada and Bermuda and joining in and supporting that work. It will bring me a new perspective.

What is the key to thriving in Christian leadership these days?

It’s challenging for all of us during a pandemic. At IHQ,

we’ve been talking a lot about transition. Not in the sense of physically moving or taking up new appointments, but rather in the way that the world around us is shifting. In our changing world, thriving means maintaining connections, both personally and in ministry. I strive to stay connected to people who are engaged in mission and learn from and listen to them. I’m a team player, and I want to hear from my team.

“It’s important to stay connected to each other—for support, but also to be challenged.”

Where have you seen The Salvation Army stepping up to serve in COVID?

I am so proud of The Salvation Army during these days. At IHQ, I read exciting reports every week from the COVID working group about how we’re supporting projects around the world. Some are simple, like providing a hand-washing system for a grade school so kids can be COVID-safe. Others relate to our non-discriminatory policies, how we are reaching out to people we’ve never had a chance to reach before. The beauty of the Army is that we serve people regardless of who they are, what they believe or where they come from.

Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd are inviting you to join an online Zoom conversation around the new territorial vision.

Our next session is May 28 at 7 p.m. EDT where Commissioner Christine MacMillan will discuss the need for ministry “wherever there is hardship.”

Register Today at Salvationist.ca/Together

As a leader, how have you tended to your own walk with the Lord?

I’m a social person. I love to be in corporate worship. I love to connect with friends, pray with them, share concerns, and talk about the Bible and life. All of that feeds my own soul care. I’m not very good when I’m isolated, which can be a challenge in COVID. But I’ve also found that the Lord has spoken to me through my daily walks. Getting out to the park, into nature, I have an even a deeper appreciation for God as Creator.

What encouragement would you offer to other ministry leaders?

I think it’s especially important to stay connected to each other—for support, but also to be challenged. And to be sure that we’re being accountable and on the right track. Because when we isolate, we can just make up our own answers. It’s also important not to always be looking inward, but to look out into the community and be aware of why we’re doing what we’re doing. Who are the people that God is calling us to serve? What are their true needs?

What brings you hope as you look to the future?

I see the most hope right on the front lines. I am always inspired when I see a corps officer, employee, soldier or volunteer who sees people’s needs and jumps in and does something. God is using people in their communities to reach others, practically or with a prayer or a word of encouragement. And as long as that’s still happening, I have hope for The Salvation Army. God’s still using us!

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Designed for People One team, nationally resourced, poised to serve.

BY JAN BARTON

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ur lives are defined by relationships. Whether with our Creator, parents, spouse, children or friends, each connection helps us find our place in the world. That primacy of relationship doesn’t end when we come to work, whether it’s the front line of need on a street corner, a corps or thrift store, or the spare bedroom of our house during the pandemic. Relationships permeate why and how we work, and the value we place on that work. Honouring the fundamental nature of these connections is why The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda recently changed the name of “employee relations,” which is typically known as “human resources,” to the human relations department.

This is more than simply a different department title. It reflects the new way the Army will develop, deploy and value its most important relationship, the one with the people who carry out our mission.

Reciprocity is integral to this change. The Army needs engaged and motivated staff to be an agent of hope. And officers and employees need the Army not just for a paycheque, but also as a God-inspired organization through which we can live our calling to be a transforming influence. As in every relationship, we need each other.

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The human relations name change is one of many ways the Army will forge a new relationship with employees. When I was hired as the chief human relations officer last August, work began right away on developing a territorial human relations strategy. In terms of the renewed culture we are working to put in place, the Army’s values will be translated into four commitments that will shape everyday activity.

1. The value of service will result in our commitment to ensure people have meaningful work.

2. Our value of hope will be sought in a sense of optimism.

3. The values of dignity and respect will translate into an environment of trust.

4. The value of stewardship will mean striving for excellence, impact and transformation, creating inspired results.

In the year ahead and beyond, as we breathe life into this new strategy, there will be changes in Salvation Army workplaces. Many human relations functions will be centrally co-ordinated from territorial headquarters and locally delivered for mission as we transform this organization for growth. This allows for well-qualified

people to shape and deliver best practices.

Our administration will be streamlined.

There will be an increasing focus on better serving people on the front line. Going forward, there will be one human relations team providing the quality required to help the Army develop renewed fitness for mission.

As these changes weave into the operational fabric of the Army, they will touch on staffing strategies, organization design and workforce planning. We will continue our focus on leadership development and bring new attention to succession planning, and find better ways to measure staff engagement and what we call staff life cycle experience.

The changes in human relations will impact everyone who works for the organization. But they are not happening in a vacuum. The new strategy is in support of Mobilize 2.0, the exciting transformation of The Salvation Army in this territory.

Stay tuned for more information about how the new culture fostered by human relations will help the Army’s workforce to better serve others. Communication is central to the strategy and we will be developing innovative ways to keep people informed about what’s going on. Our commitment in everything we do is to contribute to meaningful work, a sense of hope and optimism, an environment of trust and inspired results. Because that’s how we build a better team. It’s how we deliver better outcomes. It’s how we strengthen our relationships.

Jan Barton is the chief human relations officer for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Illustration: Jane_Kelly/iStock via Getty Images Plus

PERSPECTIVES

 The community response unit at The Salvation Army’s Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre in Victoria fed more than 300 people a day during the pandemic.

Be Ready for Anything The Salvation Army’s extraordinary year in disaster services.

BY PERRON GOODYEAR

T

he Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services (EDS) has been serving the people of Canada since 1917, when two ships collided in Halifax Harbour. Last year, EDS helped more than 15,000 people during emergencies or when disaster struck.

COVID-19 forced us to take extraordinary measures to ensure we met needs where they existed. For the first time in our territory’s history, 29 of 48 community response units (CRUs) were active at the same time. While our response process changed to ensure volunteers and guests stayed safe, our dedication to helping people in their time of need didn’t.

The most visible Salvation Army emergency disaster service is the meals and drinks served to disaster survivors and emergency first responders. In addition, and unique to The Salvation Army, is our emotional and spiritual care component, which is embedded in everything we do.

During COVID-19 , we knew we couldn’t move personnel from place to place. Therefore, we ramped up our training program to increase our capacity to help. For the first time, our training

was available virtually and more than 400 volunteers and Salvation Army personnel participated.

Due to an incredibly generous donation, our fleet of CRUs across Canada increased, which helped us extend our reach. New vehicles were purchased and older ones were refurbished with new equipment that increased our feeding capacity.

With cafés and community centres shut down, more hungry people were on the streets looking for help. Our mobile units served food and hydration to people

who had lost their jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, people experiencing homelessness and students whose schools had closed and normally would rely on our lunch programs. Our services were needed more than ever.

The pandemic left many vulnerable people without access to resources to meet their most basic needs, such as food. Normally, our primary response is food services at disasters such as floods and fires, lasting up to two weeks. Our COVID-19 support went for longer periods of time, using more personnel.

Other hazards didn’t stop because of the pandemic. The Salvation Army’s preparedness and well-rehearsed emergency protocol enabled us to deliver fast and efficient services to help reduce the stress that vulnerable people already faced.

Disaster can happen to anyone. I’ve heard countless stories from people who never would have believed they needed The Salvation Army. When you support The Salvation Army, you are giving them hope for a better tomorrow.

Perron Goodyear is the territorial director of emergency disaster services.

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 The EDS team in Bermuda prepared and served food to those affected by hurricane Paulette last September, when approximately 22,000 residents lost power.

 When a river dam broke and flooded approximately 2,500 homes in Sainte-Marthe-sur-leLac, a suburb of Montreal, the Army responded by co-ordinating donations, supplying food and distributing cleaning kits.

 In Kamloops, B.C., an EDS team mobilized to serve meals for truckers.

 When the pandemic made it difficult for seniors in need to find transportation to the Salvation Army food bank in Fredericton, volunteers brought groceries and household items to them.

12 May 2021 Salvationist

 Just after the onset of the pandemic, the hamlet of Fort Vermilion and neighbouring Tallcree First Nation flooded due to an ice jam along the Peace River in northern Alberta. More than 150 structures were damaged and 750 residents were forced from their homes. Salvation Army EDS teams from Grande Prairie responded, providing meals to evacuees and first responders over a three-week period, with their newly acquired mobile kitchen.

 In Halifax, volunteers delivered hot meals to guests staying at a Salvation Army pop-up shelter, opened in response to COVID-19 safety measures.

 Two people died and five others were injured when part of a four-storey building under construction collapsed in the Westmount neighbourhood of London, Ont., last December. The Salvation Army was on scene to provide food and hydration for rescue workers.

 Volunteers from The Salvation Army in Truro, N.S., distributed cookies during a stationary Christmas parade.

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 The Army’s food bank in Summerside, P.E.I., received a generous donation of 11,340 kilograms of food items and paper products from J.D. Irving, Limited.

 The Army’s Jack Frost program in Saint John, N.B., received a donation from Domino’s Pizza.

The free pizza was distributed along with coats, hats and mitts.

 The EDS team in Saint John, N.B., held a toy and turkey drive in a Walmart parking lot last November, sponsored by Q88.9, Saint John Transit, the local police department, Loch Lomond Mitsubishi, Shurfit Auto Parts, The Power Store and Walmart.

14 May 2021 Salvationist

Equal to the Task Dr. Kimberley Mullins on challenging assumptions and creating opportunities for women.

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ender equity is a key part of our Christian worldview, and yet there remains a persistent gap in The Salvation Army and society at large when it comes to opportunities for women.

Editor-in-chief Geoff Moulton spoke with Dr. Kimberley Mullins about her role as chair of The Salvation Army’s new gender equity task force.

Dr. Mullins has a PhD in leadership and group dynamics and is currently completing an M.Sc. in business psychology. She has taught on gender in politics and society at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and on culture and gender at University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom. For most of her career she has worked to advance inclusion, learning and organizational development in large organizations, including the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil.

Tell us about your connection to The Salvation Army.

There are so many things I love about the Army. I wasn’t raised in it, but I learned more about it when I attended church services with my husband’s mom during our visits. I was drawn to the active nature of its mission.

The Salvation Army challenges us to live our faith through service, holding us accountable to be God’s representatives in the world. This has always resonated with me. I also love the fellowship and community, which are central to my experience as part of the church family at The Salvation Army Glenmore Temple in Calgary.

What is the mandate of the new task force?

The gender equity task force was established to support the Army’s efforts to create fair and equitable opportunities for both women and men to share their talents in the service of God. The task force brings together Salvation Army officers, employees, soldiers and adherents with relevant expertise to review areas of concern, particularly for women officers, and offer meaningful recommendations for change. We work closely with Captain Kristen Jackson-Dockeray, advocate for

gender equity, who will lead the effort to implement those changes.

Our co-founder, Catherine Booth, always fought for women’s rights. What happened?

The Salvation Army was founded on a mission to serve those who were marginalized and excluded from other religious organizations of the time. Inclusion should be a central component to the work of the church, and I am proud to support that effort. While we’ve seen advances for gender inclusion in many areas of contemporary society, by almost all meaningful measures women have not achieved full equity. This is also true for The Salvation Army. If we don’t carefully examine ourselves and seek to improve, we not only fail to uphold Catherine Booth’s vision of women’s role in ministry but also prevent many capable individuals from giving their full gifts to God’s service.

What are some ways that women are overlooked or discriminated against?

Every individual’s experience is different.

Some women don’t feel overlooked, but many others describe discrimination in varied ways and to different degrees.

Sometimes it’s explicit, as when some women are actively discouraged or harassed for accepting work in maledominated professions.

A lot of discrimination comes from unintentional or unconscious biases we have about male and female preferences, abilities or responsibilities.

Without realizing it, we make unfair judgments based on stereotypes about how women are “supposed” to behave.

For example, some female officers have shared that individuals refer to their husbands as “Captain” or “Major,” but only refer to them by their first names.

In other cases, it is assumed that women like cooking or wouldn’t want to handle financial matters. Although no offense was intended, it made those women feel like their skills were overlooked. These small examples lead to big outcomes when multiplied by all the experiences women have in society and in the Army.

While there are more women than men in the Canadian workforce, there are relatively few in senior leadership roles. Board chairs of Fortune 500 companies are more likely to be men named John than they are to a woman.

This has nothing to do with women’s competencies or ambitions. Women leaders can have very positive impacts on financial stability and employee experiences in large organizations.

Yet, compared to their male peers, women are still not considered for leadership roles, are scrutinized for their appearance and leadership style, and are held to different standards for their performance and behaviour. This is also true in the Army, where we have many women officers but few senior women leaders. We have work to do at all levels to improve equity.

How can Salvationists champion equity?

We all have a role to play. First, try challenging your own thinking. We can make a lot of incorrect assumptions about others. Instead of assuming someone would like to do something, for example, ask yourself why you think that. Did they indicate an interest?

Or are you assuming based on a stereotype? Everyone wants to be seen as an individual and have their unique skills and interests respected. Pausing to reflect on our assumptions is the first step to offering that. The next step is to support others to do the same.

“Inclusion should be a central component to the work of the church,” says Dr. Kimberley Mullins, “and I am proud to support that effort”

Salvationist May 2021 15

Disturbing Present Darkness Salvationist women shine light on what this new theme means to them.

COMPILED BY LEIGHA VEGH

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hen people across the country rung in 2020, no one was aware that a pandemic of global proportions and new racial injustices were in store for the new year. With the many challenges of the previous year in mind, the women’s ministries department piloted a theme for 2021 to encourage women across the territory.

“Disturbing Present Darkness” was conceptualized by Rebekah McNeilly, territorial resource and social media co-ordinator for women’s ministries. “The past year has been a time of unprecedented darkness,” she says. “As Christ followers, we are light bearers and inherently called to disturb the darkness.” McNeilly was inspired by a quote from Catherine Booth which says, “If we

Captain Crystal Porter

Photos: Courtesy of Rebekah McNeilly

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ands up if you grew up singing, and believing, that big girls don’t cry. I did.

Throughout my life, I held to this deep belief that I could only be brave and strong. I carried that perspective into pastoral visitations and preaching engagements, into my doctor’s office and the subsequent specialist appointments.

I tried to maintain a calm demeanour even as our hopes were squashed with an unexplained infertility diagnosis.

This unplanned journey for our family was difficult. Even today, it’s hard for me to explain the emotions 16 May 2021 Salvationist

are to better the future, we must disturb the present.”

“It’s a call to action and a reminder to not become apathetic,” says McNeilly.

“Shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace,” reads Luke 1:79. In response to this verse, the women’s ministries website (salvationist.ca/ women) shares encouragement that, “God is faithful, and he brings light into all the dark corners of our world and our individual lives.”

The women’s ministries department reached out to various Salvation Army officers and Salvationists across the territory to ask what the theme means personally to them. This is what they said.

that I experienced. It felt like darkness was all around me. My dreams of being a parent quickly transformed into unmet hopes. The God who constantly showed up throughout my life felt cold and distant. Each month we anticipated good news, but it just led to terrible disappointments.

Although I tried to be brave and strong, I felt alone and exhausted. I’m thankful for people who created safe spaces and continued to speak love, grace and gentleness into my life. They reminded me that God is with me.

Hope is a beautiful thing—a miraculous thing. It reminds us that there is light even in the darkest moments. Hope helped us connect with a wonderful person and after much prayer, it opened our home and hearts to fostering children.

I don’t believe God caused my infertility so that we would become foster parents. This journey is filled with grief and pain, as well. But it has shown me that trust and vulnerability are just as important as bravery and strength. Just because life didn’t go in the direction that you planned, doesn’t mean that God isn’t there in

the darkness. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

Captain Crystal Porter is a divisional youth secretary in the Prairie Division.

Pamela Westover

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e learn and we experience on our faith journey that we are God’s beloved, his chosen, his own, his children, never alone. We have a heavenly Father who goes before us, prepares and equips us for his service, wherever that may be. I am so grateful and thankful for a God that shows up where I am. He rescues me from uncertainty and worry, reminding me that “he has this.” Whatever life

challenges we experience, he is in it, reaching down, taking hold and drawing us out of deep waters (see Psalm 18:16). I have experienced God’s faithfulness and a peace that passes all understanding.

During this time of pandemic, as a hospital director, God has and continues to guide my every step. He provides direction and reassurance that he is there for me. I have found comfort as he leads me through reading his Word.

I have a quote posted in my office, “Surround yourself with those who get it.” I can say that I am blessed and surrounded with good friends, family and colleagues that do get it. I am thankful for who God is. He is never to be taken for granted.

Pamela Westover is a Salvationist who attends Etobicoke Temple in Toronto.

programs cancelled and no camp during the summer. We took the opportunity to make a way where there seemed to be no way. We offered several online camp events and an online leaders in training program to the division. We stayed connected with local kids and youth by offering Bible studies and games on Zoom. I knew that I had no control over the pandemic or the restrictions. There was not much I could do to take away the loss or pain that these youth were feeling. But something that I could do was share some joy and fun with them. I could make some of the darkness seem a little less dark.

Science tells us that there is no such thing as darkness, but rather it is just a lack of light. And so, while it appears like darkness, I know that I just need to look for, find or bring light to make the darkness fade. My prayer is that as I continue to fix my eyes on Jesus, he will continue to shine his light on my darkness and use me to share his light with others.

Jillian Penney is the youth co-ordinator and kettle co-ordinator for Vernon Community Church, B.C.

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Jillian Penney

magery and metaphors of light and darkness are found throughout Scripture. Verses such as, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) or “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8), highlight that God is light. These ideas, concepts and promises have been familiar and comforting to me throughout my life as a follower of Jesus and especially now as we all navigate through a pandemic.

In recent days and months, where it appears that the world is covered in darkness, I have found comfort in his light. I have witnessed great darkness in areas such as sickness, grief, loss, racism, hatred and pain. However, it is in these dark times that I have witnessed God’s bright and glorious light.

As a youth co-ordinator at my local corps in Vernon, B.C., and through my involvement at the British Columbia divisional youth department, I was given many opportunities during this pandemic to shine God’s light in the lives of children and youth. These youth experienced a lot of disappointment and loss with schools closed, many

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Major Shona Pike

’ve always loved the window seat on a flight. It offers great views of some beautiful scenery from a unique perspective. I love that experience.

There is, however, one aspect of flying that I’ve never enjoyed: turbulence. That sudden jolt reminds me I am no longer on solid ground. I have come to realize that turbulence doesn’t just happen at 30,000 feet. Even when my feet are firmly planted on the ground, I can feel like I’m being shaken and tossed about, powerless to change a situation.

In 2017, I experienced one of those turbulent times. I had been married to Keith for 27 years and prior to our marriage, my husband had a kidney transplant. We had been living a normal life and enjoying all the things that life had to offer. In spring 2017, we were

informed that Keith’s blood levels were declining and that he was in kidney failure. In July, he began the preparation for another transplant. I was deemed a suitable match and went through the required testing to become the donor.

We were given a surgery date in October and made our way to the hospital for our final pre-op appointments. On the way home we received a call from the nephrologist to say that the surgery could not proceed because Keith’s blood levels were dangerously low, making the surgery unsafe. I didn’t know it then, but this would be the beginning of five months of turbulence like I’d never experienced it before.

Over the next several weeks we navigated a very dark and bumpy road. Our lives became a whirlwind of hospital visits, blood transfusions and re-testing to see if Keith had developed any new antibodies which might prevent me from being that donor. I felt completely powerless to do anything to change the situation. As difficult as it was to simply wait—wait for the next appointment; wait for test results; wait for the next diagnosis—in those moments, I knew that I was not alone.

I felt an undeniable sense that God was with me in my waiting. There was nothing I could do but wait and pray. In the midst of what was one of the darkest and most turbulent times in my life, the light of God’s presence and peace pierced that darkness and gave me an unshakeable assurance that the future was in his control.

Despite many setbacks and unexpected delays on this journey, I learned that it is in the waiting that God can restore hope and deepen our faith as we draw strength from his promises. “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2 NLT). In this experience, God not only pierced the darkness, but he brought light into the situation in ways we could never have imagined. The surgery took place on February 14, 2018, and we continue to thank God for the blessing of good health. I am reminded daily that when we experience turbulence, whether on a flight or at ground level, God’s light still shines in the darkness, giving us full access to the One who will hold us steady and secure.

Major Shona Pike is the divisional director of women’s ministries in the Quebec Division.

Salvationist May 2021 17

The Adventure of New Life Young mom finds support and meaningful connections at Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa.

BY LEIGHA VEGH

“ The best part about being a mother is seeing my son grow into the most loving, funny, creative and soft-spirited person,” says Allyssa Campbell, pictured here with her son, Blake

Photos: Rachel Day

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efore Allyssa Campbell arrived at The Salvation Army Bethany Hope Centre (BHC) in Ottawa, life had taken an unexpected turn. Full of excitement, Allyssa had ventured from her small town of Pembroke, Ont., to Canada’s capital. Suddenly, Allyssa found herself on a new adventure. She was going to be a mother.

“I was excited and nervous,” Allyssa recalls. “I asked myself, ‘Am I going to be ready for this?’ ” 18 May 2021 Salvationist

Determined to get extra help, she called on BHC for support following a recommendation from a friend. “Just having support and knowing I’m not alone was good for me,” says Allyssa.

There, she accessed several programs, such as Buns in the Oven, a prenatal nutrition program that helped her prepare for motherhood. She also finished her high school diploma in the BHC Independent Learning Centre, and staff provided childcare while she studied.

“I was glad for the help so I didn’t feel overwhelmed with thoughts of ‘Who’s going to watch my child?’ ” Allyssa notes.

She also learned essential life skills, such as how to file her taxes, and signed up for parenting and child development classes. “Attachment counselling with my son taught me how to cope with my child’s emotions,” she adds.

Now, a mother to her six-year-old son, Blake, Allyssa is in college to be a personal support worker. “I chose this program because I like helping people.”

“Allyssa is an example to other young parents because there are so many obstacles that she has overcome,” says Barbara Damm-Smith, director of young parent programs at BHC. Staying Connected For a centre that prizes in-person interactions where mothers can form meaningful friendships to encourage each other, the COVID-19 pandemic was a new challenge.

It was contact with other young mothers that made Allyssa feel less alone in the process of having a child unexpectedly.

Before COVID-19, group outings played a special role in helping Allyssa feel connected. “Special events like going to Valley View Farm were a really good time,” she recalls. “The other BHC parents and kids felt like a family.”

To continue meeting the vital need of interaction during the pandemic, BHC pioneered a Zoom play group for parents to join with their children. “It’s taken a burden off those who have difficulty physically coming into the centre for whatever reasons,” says Damm-Smith.

Another change in ministry was through the food share program. BHC saw a huge increase in the demand for food and care packages from new participants and alumni alike. They were able to use the program as a conduit to connect with young families to see how they were doing. “The food share helped me a lot with budgeting in times of financial strain,” recalls Allyssa.

It’s Science What makes the programs at BHC unique is that they are developed with the science of brain development and traumainformed care in mind. “Our goal is to come alongside young parents with a measure of humility, and to understand and respect what they are experiencing,” says Damm-Smith. Through an understand-

ing of the stages of brain development and healthy attachment formation, BHC counsellors can give meaningful feedback to parents. “Because brain science is not personal, but science, we find that most young parents welcome input about how to positively impact their child’s brain development,” she notes.

Connections is another program at BHC that promotes healthy, safe family relationships. The multi-disciplinary team also works closely with other organizations, such as the Children’s Aid Society, to ensure that young parents and their children avoid potential harm.

Spiritual care is also available at BHC, with a variety of offerings from an on-site chaplain, such as relationship counselling for young mothers and their partners.

Expecting Unexpectedly?

As a young mother, Allyssa shares words of encouragement with other women facing pregnancy, whether planned or unplanned. “It can be nerve-wracking to ask for help, but don’t be afraid to get support,” Allyssa says. “The Bethany Hope Centre is a positive environment, and they

“Allyssa is an example to other young parents because there are so many obstacles that she has overcome.”

will always be there for you.”

“It’s important to not assume that a pregnancy isn’t expected, since many people start their families early and young,” notes Damm-Smith. “Having support and the sense of community is what’s really important to our clients.”

“The best part about being a mother is seeing my son grow into the most loving, funny, creative and soft-spirited person,” Allyssa smiles. “When I explained some of my son’s challenges in school, Bethany Hope was there to support me emotionally and they directed me to helpful resources.”

The one-on-one support that Allyssa received at the centre has played an integral part in her and her son’s development. “I was able to trust, open up and be comfortable sharing my life situations—this support helped me to get where I am now,” she says.

For more information on Bethany Hope Centre, visit bethanyhopecentre.org.

—Barbara Damm-Smith

Salvationist May 2021 19

GLOBAL FOCUS

Mjrs Krista and Tim Andrews serve as corps officers in the Australia Tty

comparisons of wealth, education, health and quality of life. What are some of the challenges facing the country?

Major Tim Andrews: From what we have

Life Down Under Relationships are what matter most.

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anadian officers Majors Tim and Krista Andrews serve as corps officers in the Australia Territory, where they enjoy the weather, outdoor activities and coffee culture. Features editor Giselle Randall spoke with them about the challenges facing the country, building community partnerships and what they’ve learned during the pandemic.

Tell us about your journey to international service with The Salvation Army.

Major Krista Andrews: Before moving to

Australia, we were divisional youth secretaries in the Newfoundland and Labrador Division. As we were discussing a change with our divisional leaders, we came to the conclusion that we needed another year to end well. At the same time, we also indicated on our personal information form that we’d be interested in international service at some point, knowing it could take a while. But God had other plans!

20 May 2021 Salvationist

The next day, we got a call to say that Australia was interested in having us come over to serve as corps officers in Carindale, a suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. There’s no way the form could have reached anyone, so it felt like a God moment—that it was just his way of preparing our hearts.

We started our new appointment in July 2018, just as the two Australian territories, Southern and Eastern, were merging into one. They officially became the Australia Territory at a congress in December. The two territories were very different in their approaches and administrative systems, such as finance and human resources, so there has been a lot of change all at once, which can be challenging. But the message of uniting Salvationists under a common mission and purpose has been very clear.

Australia ranks as one of the best countries in the world to live in, according to international

seen, Australia faces many of the same challenges as other countries— the ever-changing technological landscape, the effect of an aging population on the economy and an increasing awareness of the importance of mental health.

The impact of climate change is another big issue. The summer of 2019 was the hottest and driest on record, and the bushfire season led to the deaths of more than 30 people and over three billion animals.

The fires weren’t close to us here in Brisbane, other than the smell of smoke in the air, but we were watching the news and getting reports about how the Army was involved in the recovery work. So there are a lot of conversations about how to deal with that going forward, and how to make sure they’re prepared.

KA: Like Canada, Australia is on

a journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The Salvation Army is working to build bridges and educate officers and employees on how we reach out and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s about more than just acknowledging the land we’re on, we need to build relationships.

The Army here is also concerned with social inclusion, making sure everyone is welcome and that our spaces are accessible to all, and gender equity, so everyone is treated equally and fairly.

How is Carindale Corps involved in the community?

KA: At the local level, we run a

childcare centre for vulnerable families and facilitate a government social assistance program. We also have partnerships with other Salvation Army agencies: Brisbane Streetlevel Mission, which provides emergency support and community for those

GLOBAL FOCUS

living rough, and Brisbane Recovery Services Centre (also known as Moonyah). And then there are external partnerships we’re working toward.

TA: One of the things we’re excited

about is planning a new building that will be a community hub, with multifaceted spaces that allow us not just to worship on Sunday morning, but to partner with Army programs such as Employment Plus and Moneycare, which help people who are struggling financially, and with other organizations in the community.

We’re looking to create a space that’s flexible, right down to the actual sanctuary space, with moveable chairs and a moveable stage so it can be used for different groups during the week.

Gone are the days when we build a church for a specific purpose, when the only use is an hour-and-a-half worship service on Sunday morning, and the building sits dormant for the rest of the week. It needs to be flexible so it can serve a purpose now and five years from now, according to where we’re feeling led and what the needs in our community are.

So we’re not building a church in the sense that we’re building a sanctuary, but we are building a church in the sense that we’re building community. We’ve seen how The Salvation Army in Australia challenges every new project to be built around mission and relationship.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Australia?

KA: It has been very minimal for us

here in Queensland. We had an eightweek lockdown, and our kids missed school for about six weeks. We moved services online, of course, but we’ve been able to meet in person—with restrictions—since the beginning of the year. So we haven’t been under the same duress, but we have family in Canada and the United Kingdom, so our eyes have been on the world.

TA: I think it’s given us an opportunity

to take stock of what’s truly important.

Is it our buildings? Is it our programs?

If those are taken away from us, what do we have? I think many people felt a little lost—they realized they haven’t been in deep and meaningful relationships, perhaps both with

God and other people. If we don’t have relationship, we just don’t have anything. It really comes down to that.

Our structures are only as strong as the relationships they represent.

This time can be a gift if we examine our priorities. We’ve sometimes put our eggs in the basket of programs or structures or buildings.

Going forward, I think the churches that not only survive, but thrive, will be the ones that put all of their eggs in the basket of relationship and let everything grow out of that. It’s like “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Perhaps we’ve been focusing on the end, on “these things will be given to you as well,” and not perhaps as much on kingdom growth in relationship.

What has God been teaching you recently?

KA: It’s hard to differentiate between

what God has been teaching us from the experience of living in Australia and through COVID-19. This was a big move for us as a family. We’ve learned so much about our kids as individuals, and about how they grow and cope and change. We believe this move was God-ordained and our kids will be more resilient people because of it.

So we were learning a lot before the pandemic, but COVID-19 really brought us back to the basics of ministry and what it means to be committed to God as officers and how we lead people. I think it’s helped us recognize what’s really important, as Tim said.

TA: There’s something I often tell my

“This was a big move for us as a family.

We’ve learned so much about our kids as individuals,” says Mjr Krista Andrews

son—you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. I think that applies to what God has been saying to me during the COVID period. The pandemic is something we couldn’t control; there was nothing any of us could have done to prevent it. It happened and is happening. But what’s important now is how we respond, especially as we start to come out of it. For us, it’s about leaning on him for what to do next. We don’t want to miss out on what God is teaching us. We want to be sensitive to his leading and what he’s saying and where he’s guiding.

Salvationist May 2021 21

Oshawa Temple Tales Our mission: create children’s content for online Sunday services.

BY SIMON HOPKINS

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n March 2020, Oshawa Temple, Ont., put out a call for contributions as they moved church services online.

Children’s time is one of my favourite parts of church, so I had the idea to make some kind of Sunday school videos. I asked Paige Sharp to join me, and she roped in her cousin, William Chinnery, a wiz in recording and editing. Together, we discussed the plan: a three-part series of videos for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter.

The first videos featured quirky characters who were exaggerated versions of ourselves and our friendship. Paige is a little lost, and Simon, the know-itall, explains everything to her. In the first video, Paige wears sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt, with decorative palm trees behind her, ready for a Palm Sunday luau. In exasperation, Simon asks, “Paige, what are you wearing?” and explains that Palm Sunday is about the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, as the people waved palm branches.

With the challenge of COVID-19 and physical distancing measures, we filmed the videos separately, using our laptops to record and sync our conversation.

William placed the two videos side by side and even added music, which was a big deal to us at the time. Looking back, after filming 25 subsequent videos, that first one is terrible! The dialogue is forced and the acting awkward, but the energy and passion was great—and that’s what drove us to learn and get better.

After our first few videos, we started to think of more ways to improve the quality. The scripts became more involved, and we invited many guests from across 22 May 2021 Salvationist

the territory and beyond to make special appearances, such as Captain Mark Dunstan, Colonels Edward and Shelley Hill, Commissioners Mark and Sharon Tillsley, Commissioner Floyd Tidd, Captains Juan Chirinos and Indira Albert, and Majors David and April McNeilly.

Most Sunday nights, we would call each other to chat and think of what fun and crazy ideas we could bring to life, within the limitations of COVID-19. We started to add more graphics, animations, sound effects and music tracks. In our Pentecost video, “Holy Fire,” the effects brought the scene to life as Paige accidentally sets her tablecloth on fire.

In early July, COVID-19 restrictions were lifted slightly, so with masks and distancing, the three of us met at Oshawa Temple to shoot some of our videos. We were able to use the corps’ camera, microphones, lights and a greenscreen—although more advanced equipment meant more opportunities to make mistakes.

Out of all the videos we created, my favourite opening has to be the one where Paige marches around the Oshawa Temple parking lot, blowing on a trombone and trying to knock down the walls, like Joshua and the battle of Jericho.

Despite how funny it is, it was the most frustrating video to shoot. The first time, we somehow managed to film it without sound. On our reshoot day a week later, it poured with rain, preventing us from getting the shots in the parking lot. Finally, that evening, right before we were ready to go home, it stopped raining for 30 minutes and we were able to capture everything we needed.

Paige Sharp and William Chinnery prepare to film a scene for Oshawa Temple Tales, a children’s video series they helped to create for online services

Encouraging messages from congregation members, parents from our corps and online viewers kept the three of us writing scripts and filming videos. In addition to our weekly inclusion in Oshawa Temple’s services, and later in services from Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto, we also shared all of our videos on YouTube, and sent our videos to as many churches as we could to use in their services.

As the summer began to wind down, we knew we were writing and shooting some of our final videos. Come September, the three of us would be moving away from home again to return to university and there wouldn’t be time to continue.

With some help from our corps officers, General Brian Peddle agreed to star in our big finale. Even after he agreed to participate, I was still stunned when he sent us his video reading a script I had written!

We posted “Our Mission,” the final Oshawa Temple Tales video, on September 27. It quickly became our most-watched video, with more than 2,000 views. General Peddle gave the three of us, and all the viewers at home, one final mission: “Live boldly, and live your life with love ... and tell people everywhere about the faith you have in Jesus … General Peddle out.”

You can watch Oshawa Temple Tales at: bit.ly/TempleTales.

Simon Hopkins is a senior soldier at Ottawa Citadel.

GRACE NOTES

Time to Play Why having fun matters more than you think.

Photo: kate_sept2004/E+ via Getty Images

BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK

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took my kids to the playground one day in early February. It was bitterly cold, but the sun was shining, and we’d all felt cooped up for far too long inside our house. So we bundled up and committed to some time of play on swings and slides after what had been a long day at online school and our home office.

It was glorious. The polar vortex whipped at my son’s cheeks and blew my daughter’s hair into a tizzy, but we barely felt the frigid air. And as I stood to the side of the park and watched my children run and play and laugh together, my heart was fully warmed by the reality that we were here, we were whole and we were free to find joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Bestselling author and podcaster Annie F. Downs suggests in her book, That Sounds Fun, that our souls crave these moments of leisure because they

remind us of Eden.

“Eden is the first place humans ever lived, according to the Bible,” Downs writes. “In Genesis 2, before there was sin and before there was the brokenness we all feel, there was Eden. The humans there worked and gardened and cared for the animals and loved each other with no shame. And it was how things were always supposed to be.”

Of course, the world doesn’t look much like Eden anymore. We’ve been reminded of this all the more as we’ve navigated this past year of pandemic. But that doesn’t mean we long for it any less.

Ruth Haley Barton, author of Sacred Rhythms, agrees that there is something holy about finding healthy rhythms of work, play and rest. While most would agree that fun and leisure enrich our lives, so much gets in the way of prioritizing it.

Tough days, full schedules, high expectations and even poor mental health can

keep us from taking time to engage in hobbies and leisure activities.

Honestly, when was the last time you did something just for the fun of it?

Whether you find pleasure in hugging a dog, planting a garden, going for a hike, calling a friend, playing sports, learning a musical instrument or any other unique experience, what our fun times each seem to have in common is the ability to transport us away from the stresses of life, if even temporarily.

There’s something simple about fun. It frees us from our egos, our worries and the weight of life.

That’s not to say that leisure time can’t be abused. Many turn it into unhealthy escapism, bingeing on Netflix shows or social media and calling it fun.

But healthy hobbies and activities are those that remind us of a simpler time and draw us closer into relationship with others and with God. During this lockdown, I have found peace in arranging household items in unique ways for flatlay photography. I have also learned ways of playing Monopoly and Yahtzee over video calls with far-away family.

Though we’ve lost Eden in many ways, we are constantly glimpsing it in moments of play.

While I do enjoy helping my children with their homework and I celebrate their hard-earned achievements, what I truly delight in are those moments when I can engage with them in a hobby they love or simply observe them at play. It is in these moments that my mother-heart is happiest.

I suspect it’s the same way with God. Just as I find joy in watching my children play, so God finds joy in watching us enjoy life. In fact, we rob God of joy when we do not find time for hobbies and fun. And in this productivity-saturated world that values busyness and efficiency above all else, we so often rob him of that joy because we do not take the time for play and fun and rest.

So don’t feel guilty the next time you set aside your to-do list temporarily, or leave the dishes in the sink for a few hours, to do something your heart loves.

Instead, remember that God loves you like the child you are. And he delights in watching you find joy in life.

Captain Laura Van Schaick is the divisional secretary for women’s ministries in the Ontario Division.

Salvationist May 2021 23

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENTS

Lead Time Meet Canada and Bermuda’s first auxiliary-lieutenants.

BY MAJOR DEANA ZELINSKY

T

he Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory recently launched the auxiliary-lieutenant program, which offers a new path to fulltime service and ministry leadership.

The program is designed for those who feel called to officership as an avenue to explore ministry, and it can also serve as an opportunity for Salvationists who are not certain they feel called to be an officer, but think a short-term ministry opportunity may help. In either case, it is a means by which people can consider and confirm a calling to full-time ministry as an officer.

As children, Neil and Jennifer Thompson both witnessed their parents’ dedication and commitment to ministry with The Salvation Army. Jennifer’s parents are retired officers who served in several different communities in the Canada

24 May 2021 Salvationist

and Bermuda Territory. Neil’s parents met while pursuing God’s call to ministry in their lives and both are active soldiers in their corps to this day. Neil and Jennifer were born into the Army, however, they find themselves serving as corps ministry unit leaders in Vernon, B.C., because of God’s calling upon their own lives.

Prior to becoming auxiliary-lieuten-

Aux-Lts Jennifer and Neil Thompson

ants, Neil worked as a case manager, assisting people experiencing housing and employment insecurity. Jennifer has worked for The Salvation Army most of her adult life, most recently for her corps as the integrated mission and program co-ordinator with community and family services. They began to experience a strange tension, feeling called into fulltime ministry with the Army—knowing this normally means leaving corps and community—yet also called to remain in Vernon and keep trusting God. When they were approached about the new auxiliary-lieutenant program, the Thompsons immediately felt a sense of peace and assurance that this was what God had been preparing them for and where he was leading. During a recent spiritual retreat, the words of Isaiah 41:810 were spoken over the Thompsons, affirming the calling on their lives to be the Lord’s servants, and reminding them of his promise: “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Major Deana Zelinsky is an area commander in the Ontario Division, and the territorial training and development officer.

MILLENNIAL VOICES

Salvationist Emma Wong leads a youth ministry in Kemptville, Ont., where church takes place during backyard campfires and thrift-store fashion shows

Real, Authentic Church What does it mean to be a church inclusive of younger demographics?

BY BRIANNE ZELINSKY-CAREW

W

hen I think of the millennial experience, I think of a comic strip I once came across. It showed a speaker asking a crowd, “Who wants change?” as everyone raised their hands in response. In the next frame, the speaker asks, “Who wants to lead the change?” and all the hands are lowered.

When I think about that illustration, I imagine a third frame, in which eager young people are jumping and waving their hands in the air, yet they remain unseen behind the crowd.

After graduating and finding my first full-time job in 2017, I was suddenly without default goals in place, such as get accepted to university or graduate from university. If I wanted to achieve a goal, I first had to find a goal to chase.

These were often arbitrary benchmarks that, when put on paper, sounded like one of two things: unrealistic dreams (e.g., write a book) or underwhelming realities (e.g., pay off student loans). I felt like I was finally sitting in the driver’s seat, but I did not know how to drive. It was also at this point when I struggled to fit into my church community. I was no longer a student, nor did I fit in with the young families. I felt lost and unseen as part of an underrepresented demographic in Salvation Army circles.

Many, if not most, of the friends I met growing up—attending a Salvation Army church, working at a Salvation

Army summer camp or volunteering with a Salvation Army social services centre—have moved on to other church denominations or non-profit organizations. While I do not see this as a negative thing if they are finding meaningful ways of connecting with their faith and community, it does concern me that so many young adults do not feel like they can belong in my church, my place of work or my community. As I have learned in hearing feedback from the recent territorial survey of young adults, I am not isolated in that experience.

There is no denying we are the broken generation. Young adults are bleeding out of our churches. For those who stay, there is immense pressure to be the change from within; however, if our model for “doing church” remains so risk-aware and failure-fearing, we are in danger of dampening creativity and rejecting the innovation that is bubbling up from emerging generations.

It is not difficult to imagine what a millennial revival in our churches might look like if we trusted millennials to lead.

Look no further than Emma Wong’s ministry with @youthgroupinsights in Kemptville, Ont., where church takes place during backyard campfires and thrift-store fashion shows. Take notes from the campus churches who are embracing student demographics and discipling them, all while providing edu-

cational supports along the way. Listen to the broken yet hopeful voices in our Army who are demanding that leadership address issues around equity, diversity and inclusion in our churches.

What does it mean to be a real, authentic church, inclusive of younger demographics? The responses from the millennial survey might help in identifying what that looks like: The Salvation Army is too much at the forefront. Put God first.

I wouldn’t attend the Army if it weren’t for my personal community.

Trying to sustain cultural relevance is not how you become relevant.

Start with asking, “What can we do to help people?”

I believe in the mission of our Army.

I align with the values of our Army. I resonate with the vision of our Army. But for me, as with many young adults under age 38 across our territory, engagement requires more than believing, aligning and resonating. We must reimagine how we do mission, how we demonstrate our values and how we will achieve our vision.

Perhaps the most profound response to come from this survey was one millennial who responded, “I still believe we can change.” I, too, believe that we can change, but I also believe that we need to change. This global pandemic forced us to think differently about the how of our mission engagement. Consideration was given to how we gather, communicate, worship and stay connected. That same sense of urgency for reviving our church, the body of believers, is necessary when our building doors open post-pandemic.

I frequently return to the Scripture, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We are here, a broken generation, asking, seeking and knocking, knowing that God will give and help us find, and open, the right doors.

Brianne Zelinsky-Carew is the communications specialist for Mobilize 2.0.

Salvationist May 2021 25

NOT CALLED?

“Are You Listening?”

God’s persistent prompting started Jeff Robertson on the journey to officership.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

saying that, I heard God’s Spirit whisper to me: Are you listening to yourself?

“That started that process,” Jeff says.

He brought the matter up with Miya, and they attended the Officership Information Weekend in Winnipeg that year.

Lay Leaders In the meantime, that Christmas, they reached out to the divisional commander as they knew that the corps at Fenelon Falls, Ont., was short of leadership with the retirement of the officers there.

Jeff and Miya have been lay leaders at Fenelon Falls since April 2019, serving and ministering together, and developing their skills within their community.

Miya is also the part-time secretary at the nearby Lindsay Community Church while Jeff continues to work in public relations as area director.

Photo: Steve Nelson

“

F

“

or me, officership has been a lifelong calling of God to fulfil that plan in my life,” Jeff Robertson declares. “He’s put incidents in my life to get me from where I was to where I am now, with experiences I can pull from, in working with people, personally and professionally. It’s a calling that is valuable today in terms of leading people and coming alongside people.”

Leading Layperson A fourth-generation Salvationist, Jeff was involved from an early age with the life of his corps.

“Sunday school, banding, you name it, I did it,” Jeff says. “Junior soldier, senior soldier, corps cadet, everything.”

Growing up, Jeff had considered officership, but he had pushed the idea aside in the aftermath of the breakup of his first marriage, his subsequent remarriage to Miya Bradburn and the happy, blended family that ensued.

Besides, “I got to lead worship, I got to preach on occasion, I got to represent The Salvation Army as a public-relations representative for divisional headquarters 26 May 2021 Salvationist

“It’s taken a long time to get me to this point, and I’m looking forward to it,” says Jeff Robertson on his decision to become an officer

in Toronto,” he says. “I also supported officers and ministry units through my work, so I was quite happy doing those things as a layperson.”

Decision Time In 2018, however, Jeff was helping in the preparations for the commissioning and congress events in Toronto.

Part of his role was to put the video components together—slide shows, lyrics, notices—for the entire weekend.

“One of those videos I had to watch over and over again contained General William Booth’s iconic words: ‘Not called you say? Not heard the call, I think you should say.’ I had to get the timing right and placed properly in the program.

“It started talking to me,” Jeff smiles.

At around the same time, he was chatting with his eldest son about school.

“I remember saying to him, ‘Don’t discount God’s call on your life.’ And as I was

“Sunday school, banding, you name it, I did it.

Junior soldier, senior soldier, corps cadet, everything.”

—Jeff Robertson

”

“We love it,” Miya and Jeff agree.

“The people are lovely and it’s been a growing experience for us,” continues Jeff. “We’ve been very occupied in the life of our church, from the food bank to funerals to preaching every Sunday, as well as pastoral visits to the hospital and visits to people’s homes.”

“A Privilege” In September, Jeff and Miya will join the Reflectors of Holiness Session at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg.

“It’s a privilege to be accepted and I look forward to the honour of being formally commissioned,” Jeff says. “It’s taken a long time to get me to this point, but God is faithful.”

Read Miya Bradburn’s story in the June Salvationist.

CROSS CULTURE

IN THE NEWS

NEW FROM SALVATION ARMY AUTHORS

A Devotional Study of First Peter

BY LT-COLONEL ALLEN SATTERLEE

L

t-Colonel Allen Satterlee’s 12th book comes in the form of a 30-day devotional study on 1 Peter that promises to define the Christian life amid strife as a pilgrimage toward the promised land. “How should the believer react to and behave in a hostile world, especially when things are becoming darker by the day?” the author poses.

Peter is speaking to first-generation Christians while his new life in Christ is riddled with the darkness of persecution.

He urges them to not engage with the world in which they live.

Instead, he reminds the people that their true citizenship is beyond a national identification—it is found in Christ.

Lt-Colonel Allen Satterlee is a retired Salvation Army officer who has written more than 250 published articles. Before retiring, he served as the editorin-chief and national literary secretary at The Salvation Army National Headquarters in the United States. Pilgrimage Revealed is available at shop.salvationarmy.org.

Photo: Bob Swanson

Photo: others magazine

Photo: Shop.SalvationArmy.org

Pilgrimage Revealed

Please Don’t Pray With Your Mouth Full

BY BOB SWANSON

T

his collection of cartoons looks at the church Bob Swanson grew up in—The Salvation Army. It contains cartoons about Salvation Army officers, brass bands and songsters—even though Swanson is not an officer, does not play a horn and cannot sing too well. The comic book provides light-hearted and comical Salvation Army-centred content.

“As you experience Bob’s particular view of church life, you may be reminded of the facts that nobody’s perfect, we all need each other and there is room for everybody in God’s family,” says Commissioner Barry Swanson, not to be confused with the author, who has a similar name. “[Bob’s] combination of Salvation Army knowledge, along with his one-of-a-kind, off-handed humour brings laughter along with a refreshing look at the Army we love so much,” says Colonel Dennis Philips.

Bob Swanson created Mustard Seeds in 1997, a cartoon strip that appears monthly in the U.S.A. Central Territory’s Central Connection. Since 2016, it has also appeared in The Officer, an international publication for officers of The Salvation Army. Please Don’t Pray With Your Mouth Full is available at Amazon.ca.

The Grizzlies The new award-winning Canadian sports biopic features a group of Inuit teenagers and a teacher who transform the community through lacrosse.

BY JESSICA MORRIS

I

n The Grizzlies, Russ Sheppard (Ben Schnetzer) sets out on a journey to teach in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, a small arctic town in northern Canada. The film is based on a true story and community that has the highest suicide rate in North America.

It’s a place where 50 percent of children never attend school, including the Kugluktuk Grizzlies lacrosse team, who make it to the National Lacrosse Championships in 2005.

When Russ first moves to Kugluktuk, he has a hard time grasping the Inuit way of life. He is grieved by the epidemic of suicide, domestic violence, poverty and substance abuse he witnesses. To find common ground with his students, he uses his college sport of lacrosse to teach them about teamwork, belonging and self-worth.

The story is about Inuit young people who choose to push past their adversity to break the cycle of abuse, poverty and pain to transform their lives. The actors portray the loyalty, tenacity and resilience of a group of people so often forgotten by the rest of the world.

One character, Miranda (Emerald MacDonald), is the glue between Russ, who is known by his status as a white foreigner, and the Inuit students. She advocates for her people, while embracing the new goals and dreams found within their lacrosse team.

At the end of the movie, the credits reveal where the people on which the film is based are today with family pictures and a written commentary. The movie’s lead producer, Stacey Aglok MacDonald, grew up in Kugluktuk where the story is set, and many of the cast and crew are Inuit and Indigenous.

The Grizzlies is both an important and heartbreaking movie. The depictions of suicide, domestic violence, assault and substance abuse are carefully navigated with honesty and vulnerability. The young actors, including Booboo Stewart (Disney’s Descendants), Anna Lambe and Paul Nutarariaq, help communicate these messages.

Jessica Morris is a journalist for others magazine.

Salvationist May 2021 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

TRIBUTES BURLINGTON, ONT.—Mrs. Major Kathleen Bell was born in Beckenham, England, to John and Kate (Townsend) Vickerman in 1919 and promoted to glory at the age of 101 from Mount Nemo Christian Nursing Home in Burlington. Kathleen entered the training college with her husband, Thomas, from the St. Thomas Corps, Ont., and they were commissioned in 1944 as members of the Liberty Session. Kathleen and Thomas served together as corps officers and in social services appointments across the Canada and Bermuda Territory, including in New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba and Bermuda, and at territorial headquarters in Toronto, before retiring in 1985. Kathleen was a faithful soldier of St. Thomas Corps, where she served in the seniors’ group almost to her 100th birthday. She loved children and preached the importance of telling them about Jesus until her promotion to glory. Kathleen was predeceased by her husband, Thomas; son, Stanley; brother, Ernie Vickerman; half-brother, John Petterson; and nephews Norris Petterson and Ernie-Doug Vickerman. She is lovingly remembered by daughter-in-law, Linda, with granddaughter, Alexandra; son, John Bell (Beatrice), with grandchildren Adam, Roxanna, Josephine, Nicoli, Markus and Tanya; niece, Denyse Petterson; goddaughter, Christie Outerbridge; and extended family member, Marie Paynter.

VANCOUVER—Mrs. Major Miriam Merritt was born in Winnipeg in 1930 to Salvation Army officer parents, Stanley and Nellie McKinley. She spent her childhood in Western Canada, where she met and married William (Bill) Merritt. They moved from Winnipeg to Toronto as newlyweds, and that is where their three daughters were born. In 1962, Miriam and Bill entered the Heroes of the Faith Session from Toronto’s Scarborough Citadel, and then served as corps officers of Moose Jaw Citadel, Sask., Burlington Citadel, Ont., Halifax Citadel and Calgary’s Glenmore Temple, and as public relations officers in Regina, Victoria, Calgary and Vancouver. In retirement, Miriam and Bill continued to invest their lives in serving God and sharing his love with others. Miriam was a woman of exceptional talent. While she excelled as a homemaker, speaker and pastoral counsellor, it was her positive, warm, loving, others-focussed and engaging personality that set her apart. Predeceased in 2013 by her husband, Bill, and in 2020 by her brother, John McKinley, Miriam will be greatly missed by her sister, Nettie McBride (Gordon); daughters Nancy Michel (David), Judy Touzeau (Ken) and Catherine Rawlins (Ian); 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

OTTAWA—Hendrikus “Hank” van der Horden was called to be with the Lord and promoted to glory peacefully in his 97th year at his residence in the Stillwater Creek retirement community with family by his side. Born in 1924 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Hank was the son of the late Hendrikus van der Horden and Gerritje den Hollander. He worked as a precision instrument machinist for AECL until his retirement. A faithful soldier at Barrhaven Church in Ottawa, his faithful Christian witness, compassionate concern for others, love of music and gentle ways will be remembered by all. Hank was predeceased by his first wife of 62 years, Maria Elisabeth; his second wife of 12 years, Gwendolyn; brothers Willem, Bastien and Gilbert; and sisters Connie and Gerrie. He leaves behind his loving daughters Mary Newton (the late Rev. John), Gerry Merkel (Carl) and Major Pat McInnes; grandchildren Karen (Rob), Dave (Lianne), Brian, Melanie and TJ; and great-grandchildren Alexander and Maxim. He will be missed by his sister, Kaatje (the late Fred); brothers John (Donna), Ralph (Barb) and Albert (Deanna); stepchildren Brian (Carolyn), David (Marcia), Derek (Wendy) and Scott; and many nieces and nephews.

28 May 2021 Salvationist

QUEBEC—Mjr Andy Albert, community services officer, holds a cheque in the amount of $7,500 that was received from Mario Asselin, member of the Quebec national assembly for Vanier-Les Rivières, in support of the Army’s food bank services in Quebec City. The Salvation Army is grateful for the generous donation which will help meet the needs of individuals experiencing food insecurity in the area.

LONDON, ONT.—Perron Goodyear, territorial director of emergency disaster services, was recently appointed as chair of the Emergency Management NGO Consortium of Canada (EMNCC), of which The Salvation Army is a founding member. EMNCC’s mission is to optimize the contribution of nongovernmental organizations that help increase disaster resilience in communities across Canada.

GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Jul 1—Comr Jolene Hodder, national secretary for program (encompasses current responsibility as NPWM), U.S.A. National Headquarters; Cols Ted/Debbie Horwood, international secretaries for program resources, IHQ, with rank of comr; Lt-Cols Wilson/Nara Strasse, TC/TPWM, Brazil Tty, with rank of col; Mjrs Leonardo/Evangelina Fernandez, CS/TSWM, Mexico Tty, with rank of lt-col; Mjrs Manuel/ Paulina Márquez, CS/TSWM, Brazil Tty, with rank of lt-col

TERRITORIAL Birth: Cpts Peter/Amanda Robinson, daughter, Charlotte Annabelle, Feb 12 Appointments: Mjr Sharon Dannock, spiritual care officer, London Village, Ont. Div (additional responsibility—interim); Mjr Roxzena Hayden, CO, Tillsonburg CC, Ont. Div (additional responsibility— interim); Cpt Dennis Maybury, CO, Cedar Hill Corps, Warwick, Bermuda Div (full-time designation); Lt Connie Cristall, chaplain, Community Services, Calgary, Alta & N.T. Div (additional responsibility); Jul 2—Mjrs Terence/Jennifer Hale, COs, Halifax West CC, Maritime Div; Cpts Brent/ Melissa Haas, COs, Halifax East CC, Maritime Div Promoted to glory: Cpt Roy Wiseman, Mar 6

CALENDAR Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd: May 10-11 Territorial Executive Conference (virtual); May 16 100th anniversary, Prince George CC, B.C. (virtual); May 18 U.S.A. Commissioners’ Conference (virtual); May 26 Together in Vision event (virtual) Colonel Evie Diaz: May 31 review, CFOT

PEOPLE & PLACES

SNOW MUCH FUN IN BAY ROBERTS BAY ROBERTS, N.L.—The Salvation Army in Bay Roberts hosted a snow sculpture contest in March to boost community spirits and encourage family togetherness during the pandemic lockdown. The brainchild of Mjr Brandi LeDrew, CO, the contest was announced on the corps’ Facebook page and resulted in 11 entries being received from individuals in Bay Roberts and surrounding communities.

Pictures of the sculptures, which included a Newfoundland dog, a banana split, a brightly coloured caterpillar, a bear and a larger-than-life chainsaw, were posted online for voting. The response was overwhelming, with more than 2,000 votes received from as far away as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe, and close to 19,700 people reached through the corps’ Facebook page. “There is great excitement,” says Mjr Dwayne LeDrew, CO, “because the people who ‘like’ our Facebook page will not only see the contest, but our daily devotions and weekly worship services. It’s a great connection with the community.”

The top prize of a $50 gift card for Mary Brown’s Chicken and Taters went to Eric Burke for his chainsaw sculpture. Second-place honours and a $25 gift card went to Peter and Sandy Yetman for their sculpture entitled “Snowgan,” a replica of Logan, their Newfoundland dog.

Eric Burke and his father, Robert Burke, stand beside Eric’s winning chainsaw sculpture

From left, Peter and Sandy Yetman, with their Newfoundland dog, Logan, receive their second-place prize from Mjr Dwayne LeDrew

Salvationist May 2021 29

SALVATION STORIES

Photo: Shirley Jeffery

Stacey, Khaya, Trinity and Buhle Dlamini

In This Together Living and ministering with The Salvation Army in South Africa opened my eyes to realities that I never knew existed.

I

BY STACEY DLAMINI

used to joke with my other “savedsince-before-I-can-remember” Christian friends that we didn’t have a testimony. In some ways, it was true. I can’t really remember when I first made a commitment to follow Jesus. I was born in church. OK, not literally, but almost. I certainly was raised there. I grew up in a Christian home in a small Nova Scotian community where faith was a fact of my life. It was interwoven with my identity as a human and I did not question it.

I benefitted from all of The Salvation Army’s programs for the development of young people. I was in junior soldiers and then corps cadets. I went to Sunday school and then church twice on Sunday. I sang in the singing company and played in the band. I went to music camp and then worked at Scotian Glen Camp. I attended every youth councils. All of these experiences shaped my faith and character. It was a great foundation.

But a foundation for what? I lived a sheltered life, which I now recognize as a privilege. I had no experience with 30 May 2021 Salvationist

suffering. I knew nothing of adversity. I was not marginalized. I was mainstream, confident, perhaps even entitled.

In 1996, I was chosen to attend the Army’s International Youth Forum in South Africa. There I met a 17-yearold Zulu man who, upon my return to Canada, became my pen pal. We were married less than six years later in Durban, South Africa. Buhle and I danced down the aisle to the beautifully blended acapella voices of his family. I had moved there to marry this man and start a life together.

Living and ministering with The Salvation Army in South Africa opened my eyes to realities that I never knew existed. I walked a road with beautiful people whose faith had been tested and purified in a way mine had not. I met and worked with resilient young people whose parents were living with HIV-AIDS. I worshipped alongside men and women who did not have a job but who trusted God every day to put food on their family’s table. I sought to bring comfort and relief

to people whose lives had been threatened and who had lost their homes and belongings due to xenophobic violence.

I saw how the youth of my city hustled and dreamed and reached for a future that was better than what their parents had inherited. I ministered to women who had been trafficked to the dark underbelly of Johannesburg to satisfy the desires of men, and listened to their stories.

All of these experiences, with all of these different people, shaped me. I felt their pain. I felt their hope. I marvelled at their resilience. We prayed together.

We worshipped together. We laughed and shed tears together. We encouraged each other. We shared life together. I was watching and learning.

And here is what I have learned. Faith is powerful. It is a weapon to be used to push back the darkness. It can change your circumstances. And it can change you despite the unbending reality of your circumstances. If this faith in Jesus is something we wrap around ourselves like a woolly bathrobe to bring warmth and comfort, then we are not experiencing all that faith is. Faith in Jesus is meant to change the world around us.

It’s meant to make real the part of the Lord’s Prayer that says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Faith is meant to change us. It means that when the arrows of life assail us, we will not be shaken. We may be bruised and battered, but there is indeed power in the name of Jesus to break every chain.

I’m no longer a young person. I have been married to Buhle for 19 years. I have two children still at home, two who are grown, and I’m also a grandmother. While in many ways I have lived a privileged life, there have been arrows sent my way.

I have experienced dark nights of the soul, uncertainty and doubt, financial challenges, loss of loved ones and broken relationships with people I love. None of us are immune to this. But thank God that as his children, we do not go through the difficulties of life alone. My faith is stronger because I’ve watched the faith of others who went through hard times. I hope that as I walk that same road, others are watching me and will be encouraged.

What Do All of These Officers Have In Common?

Class of Booth UC, page 1 of many...

They All Graduated with a Degree from Booth University College

Preparing the Army to give hope today and tomorrow BOOTHUC.CA

E D UCA T I O N FO R A B E T T E R W ORL D

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To receive a FREE no obligation quote on your CAR and HOME or TENANT Insurance through our partnership, please get in touch with one of our friendly customer service advisors.

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D.L. Deeks Insurance Services Inc. (“Deeks Insurance”) is a licensed insurance intermediary. Auto and home insurance policies are primarily underwritten, and claims handled, by Unifund Assurance Company (“Unifund”). Described coverage and benefits applicable only to policies underwritten by Unifund. Auto insurance not available in BC, MB or SK. Home and auto insurance not available in QC, NWT, NU, or YK. Deeks Insurance and Unifund share common ownership. D.L Deeks & Design is a registered trademark of Deeks Insurance.

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

Mayor Gives to Army

THE RIGHT THING P.26

Gerry’s Story

HERE TO HELP P.12

Making a Difference

ACTS OF LOVE P.10

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

faithandfriends.ca

MAY 2021

The Call

IT CHANGED THE LIVES OF TRINA GALLOP BLANK AND HER ADOPTED DAUGHTER, ELLIANA, FOREVER. P.16

The End of Your Rope?

Too many of us look for satisfaction in all the wrong places. Gambling, alcohol, addictive drugs.

They all claim to offer joy but, in the end, their promises are hollow and their enticements only result in despair.

“I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.”

— Romans 7:24-25 (The Message) Jesus’ promises are as clear as the morning light.

No fine print, no hidden clauses, no limited-time offers. The way of the cross may not be rosy but Jesus offers love and everlasting life to those who follow His Word. It’s that simple.

And that difficult. But the reward is worth the effort.

 T o learn more about Jesus’ promises, visit our website faithandfriends.ca, contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, Ont. M4H 1P4, or visit your nearest Salvation Army church.

May 2021

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 5

SOMEONE CARES 5 Beyond Essential

In meeting the challenge of COVID-19, Judy Peifer leaned on her faith to impact the people of Swift Current.

LAUGHING MATTERS 8 Destination: Gratitude

Joy grows best in the soil of thanksgiving.

8

GOD IN MY LIFE 10 Little Acts of Love

God can use them all.

FEATURES

Mayor Gives to Army

THE RIGHT THING P.26

Gerry’s Story

HERE TO HELP P.12

Making a Difference

ACTS OF LOVE P.10

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

faithandfriends.ca

MAY 2021

The Call

IT CHANGED THE LIVES OF TRINA GALLOP BLANK AND HER ADOPTED DAUGHTER, ELLIANA, FOREVER. P.16 P.16 ILLIANA, FOREVER.

12

16

COVER STORY 22

22

“I’m Here to Help Others”

Gerry Mercer has never lost the faith his Salvation Army grandmother instilled in him.

The Call

It changed the life of Trina Gallop Blank and her adopted daughter, Elliana, forever.

Saving Isabel

New movie La Deuda (The Debt) unpacks a biblical parable as a young boy attempts to keep his pet safe.

COMMON GROUND 26 “The Right Thing”

For Mayor Frank Campion, that meant donating his pay raise to The Salvation Army.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 What (Not) to Wear

How to purchase clothing when you can’t try anything on. faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

Too Good to Be True? “

W

hen I was first assigned to write a profile of Gerry Mercer, I questioned the entire story,” admits freelance writer Helena Smrcek. “The son of a drug-dealing mother and motorcycle-gang member father turning his life around to become a wonderful husband and proud dad seemed too good to be true, to be honest. But after checking my background sources as well as talking to Gerry, I realized that this guy was for real.”

While Gerry admits he doesn’t have all the answers to his life and is working on them with the help of his Salvation Army church, that’s what makes his story so real and relevant for Helena.

“He’s a fighter and has been through a lot, but he’s come out of it with a sincere desire to help others.

“To me, Gerry’s is an amazing story full of hope,” Helena concludes. “To survive such a harsh environment without rancor, and loving God— well, I truly do admire him.”

Gerry’s story is on page 12.

When Mayor Frank Campion of Welland, Ont., discovered the majority of his council approved a pay raise last year, he wanted no part of it, what with the pandemic and the financially hard time many of his constituents were going through.

Though the pay raise passed despite his protests, the decision on how to spend it was easy.

See what the mayor did on page 26.

Elsewhere in this issue, find out how one call changed the life of three people forever, see our take on the new La Deuda (The Debt) movie and read how little acts of love can make a big difference.

Ken Ramstead

4 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

Mission Statement To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.

Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS

Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Brandon Laird SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hannah Saley DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Pamela Richardson, COPY EDITOR, PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Leigha Vegh STAFF WRITER, PROOFREADER

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

SOMEONE CARES

On the Job Judy Peifer stocks shelves as food requests increase

Beyond Essential In meeting the challenge of COVID-19, Judy Peifer leaned on her faith to impact the people of Swift Current.

by Kimberly McIntyre

J

udy Peifer is the first person many see upon entering The Salvation Army’s church and food bank in Swift Current, Sask. She has a personal mission to make everyone’s day better and to express the love of God to every person she interacts with.

Judy hasn’t always had this specific mission, and it hasn’t always been easy for her to interact with people in such an important way.

“I was very shy growing up. I hardly

said two words in high school. This job with The Salvation Army has brought me out of my shell,” she says.

“I’m Still Here” For 17 years, Judy’s husband was a pastor, and they eventually moved to Swift Current. When it was time to retire from pastoring, Judy looked for a new way to serve, so she applied for a job at The Salvation Army’s church as an administrative assistant.

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SOMEONE CARES

“I didn’t think I would get it,” Judy recalls. “There were tons of people who had way more experience than I did. I had worked in retail and didn’t have a lot of office experience, but they chose me.”

After her first day, Judy told Salvation Army Captain Michael Ramsay, the pastor there at the time, “I don’t think this is for me. I think you hired the wrong person for this job.”

able to come into the building, so it was all hands on deck.

“I had to step up,” she continues.

“I stocked shelves, bagged sugar and flour, cleaned bathrooms—whatever needed to be done. I tried to help the food bank as much as I could. We were making sandwiches and putting them outside for people, we were filling hampers … a lot of different things.”

“I always thought I had to preach or sing, but I realized that God can use me as I am.” JUDY PEIFER “No, I believe I got it right,” he replied. Captain Michael had seen a special gift in Judy for compassion.

“Ten years later, I’m still here,” she smiles. “I believe that I am here for a reason and that the Lord put me here.”

Enter COVID-19 Over the 10 years that Judy has been in her position, she’s seen many people come through the doors and has offered service and ministry to each one.

COVID-19 came to Saskatchewan in 2020 and changed the way the church and food bank operated.

“I’ve always tried to pitch in wherever I can,” Judy says. “When COVID-19 hit, volunteers were not

6 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

It was Judy’s roll-up-your-sleeves attitude that truly made a difference to those who were hurting during the pandemic. From simultaneously taking calls on a headset to going directly to the front door during pickups to make sure that people got to see a smile and a wave, Judy continues to do her best to make sure each person who comes into safe contact with her feels special and feels the love of God. “People really need a listening ear,” she says. “Being a pastor’s wife wasn’t much different. The fact that I can pray with people and minister to them is awesome.”

As She Is As much as Judy has made an effort to do her part, it has been challenging

Changing the Narrative “It’s been incredible to have a job that I love to go to with people I love to be with,” says Judy, holding the certificate presented to her by Change the Narrative SC

thought I had to preach or sing, but I realized that God can use me as I am, and that’s incredible. I see people from all walks of life, and I’ve learned to empathize and see where people are coming from. I listen to people, and I don’t judge.”

for her, too.

“You don’t realize how much you miss people and interaction,” she says.

“The fact I can’t hug someone or shake their hand has impacted me.”

Judy leans into her faith to give her the energy and support she needs to face each day.

“You really rely on God during these tough and unpredictable times,” she says. “I pray at the beginning of the day: ‘Lord, give me patience and wisdom, and whatever I need today.’

You have to be patient with people and you have to show God’s love.”

Judy believes God gave her spiritual gifts that have carried her through and helped her grow as an individual.

“I think that my family and other people who know me would say that my gifts are compassion, empathy and caring,” she believes. “I always

Looking Ahead Judy was recently recognized for her inspirational work.

Change the Narrative SC, a program in Swift Current that celebrates essential workers who go the extra mile, especially during the pandemic, presented her with a certificate and gift cards from various local businesses. She was also featured on their Facebook page.

“In her nomination, the long list of co-workers and friends that had overwhelming praise for Judy was mind-boggling,” it stated. “To our dismay, it was impossible to convey just how deeply this individual has impacted us all. Thank you, Judy Peifer. You are beyond essential to our community!”

As for what 2021 forward holds, Judy has no doubt.

“It’s been incredible to have a job that I love to go to with people I love to be with,” she says.

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Faith&Friends

LAUGHING MATTERS

Destination: Gratitude Photo: Paul Bradbury/gettyimages.ca

Joy grows best in the soil of thanksgiving.

by Phil Callaway

T

“

here’s darkness down there,” our four-year-old granddaughter whispered as she peered down the stairs.

She was right. Bright spots on planet earth seem scarce these days.

Hard Times I’m a humorist. I love cheering people up. During COVID-19, I’ve posted things such as, “I miss makin’ restaurant waiters laugh by sayin’ stuff like, ‘Bring me some turtle soup and make it snappy.’ ” In April, I told my wife, “I’m pretty excited about my car. We got 43 days to the litre.”

But life can drain our joy tank. A few years ago, we made a Can’t Miss Investment in a hotel. Believe me, it missed. The bank foreclosed. Thankfully, I diversified and invested in some airline stocks. Oh, wait.

8 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

But friends have lost far worse.

Some have lost businesses; others have lost hope. We know a little about tough times, too. My wife battles epilepsy. We lost five immediate family members in one year.

Comforting Others Two thoughts about hardship have helped bring back the joy: Expect It Jesus never said, “In this world you will have ease.” He said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Wise parents never encourage the notion that everything will be wonderful.

Unrealistic expectations set us up for disappointment. Life is hard. This old world is busted. Whoever said, “If the world didn’t suck we’d all fall off,” was on to something.

Redeem It And Jesus never said, “Be of good fear. The world has overcome me.” He said, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 King James Bible).

I sometimes whine. I say, “My

seedless watermelon has a seed in it.”

“My electric toothbrush died. Now I have to move my arm.”

But when I leave Whine Country for a place called Gratitude, everything changes. Joy grows best in the soil of thanksgiving.

Nothing will happen to us that God cannot redeem.

Jesus’ death brought hope, redemption and eternal life. Because we have experienced His comfort in hardship, we are able to comfort others.

directions and, though bankruptcy pushed him off track briefly, Kirk persevered. In time, he staked the firm’s future on some small interlocking plastic bricks and renamed the company “Play Well.” We know the beloved toy manufacturer by another name: Lego. Last year, its sales surpassed $5 billion.

A Real Headache In AD 33, a remarkably mediocre and fickle band of disciples listened

One of my prayers lately is that God would help me use words that build something noble. PHIL CALLAWAY Brick by Brick In 1916, Kirk Christiansen turned his love of carving wood into a tiny company that began in a carpenter’s shop in Denmark. When the housing market collapsed, the shop started manufacturing toys. But in 1924, Kirk’s sons accidentally set fire to a pile of wood chips and the nowsuccessful business burned to the ground, along with the family home.

In 1929, the American stock market crashed. Three years later, Kirk’s wife died. Kirk laid off his staff and struggled to make ends meet. But tragedy laid a foundation for one of the world’s great comeback stories.

Because times were so difficult, he made the tough decision to change

to Jesus’ last words before He left this broken world. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). One by one they lost their lives, but a work had begun that would turn the world right-side up.

Yes, it’s dark down here. But the light of the world has promised His presence. The same God who raised Joseph from prison, Moses from a basket, Rahab from a brothel and our Saviour from the dead is with us today.

And my granddaughter is, too.

Here is her latest prayer, uttered when my son was sick: “Dear God, please take Daddy’s headache away.

And give it to Satan. Amen.”

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Faith&Friends

GOD IN MY LIFE

Little Acts of Love God can use them all, and they can make a huge difference in the world.

by Jeanette Levellie

A

s the pastor’s wife of a rural congregation, I sometimes wonder, Am I making any kind of positive difference in the world? Do the cards I send, the prayers I pray and the smiles I share help anyone in the long run?

I sometimes feel discouraged when I think of all the needs in the world and how little I do to help meet them. My small cheques to The Salvation Army and my donations to thrift stores seem too little.

It’s not applause I crave. But I’d love to think I helped someone know God better or gain hope for his or her future because of something I did or said.

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Worth the Time This morning I opened my cupboard and reached for a ramekin. I use the word “ramekin” loosely to mean any small, colourful container, not simply a cooking dish. I’ve collected these pretty little bowls for more than 30 years. I use them in a thousand different ways for everything from holding a snack to straining a tea bag. My family knows that if someone needs a dipping bowl for raw veggies or a container to hold a few candies, I’ll grab a ramekin. I rarely serve a meal without using one or more. They brighten the table. And my heart.

I found my latest additions, handpainted ramekins from Turkey,

Proud Collector Jeanette Levellie with two of her ramekins

in the corner boutique of an outdoor mall on a dreary, wet day. The salesperson warned me that these beautiful wee treasures should

God Is Love That’s when it hit me.

Just like my ramekins, I can serve others in a thousand little, colourful ways to make a huge difference in my world.

Sharing myself and my faith with others through little acts of kind-

Sharing myself and my faith with others through little acts of kindness can make someone’s day. JEANETTE LEVELLIE be hand-washed, never put in the dishwasher.

“No problem,” I said. “The joy they bring me will be worth the time it takes to wash them. Tiny little dishes like this make me happy.”

ness—giving a compliment to a harried clerk, telling a toddler’s mom that she’s doing a great job, smiling at a downcast stranger—can make someone’s day.

It all comes down to love, I realized, and a Bible quote came to mind: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Aha, I thought. I don’t need to make a big splash to change my world. God can use my every little act of kindness.

For Further Reflection

Ramekins, Ramekins Everywhere ...

Jeanette has been collecting these pretty little bowls for more than three decades

• Have you been blessed recently with an act of kindness?

• Name three acts of kindness you can do for others today.

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

“ I’m Here to

Help Others” DESPITE A HORRIFIC CHILDHOOD, GERRY MERCER HAS NEVER LOST THE FAITH HIS SALVATION ARMY GRANDMOTHER INSTILLED IN HIM.

by Helena Smrcek

G

erry Mercer has a specific Bible verse that has helped him make sense of his life.

“It’s Psalm 27:10 which says: ‘Even if my father and mother abandon 12 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

me, the Lord will hold me close’ (New Living Translation).

“And He did,” Gerry smiles. “Ever since, I have had a burning desire to serve.”

“I Can Take You Out” “My mother is a drug dealer,” Gerry states. “My father wasn’t in the picture. He was a motorcycle gang member.”

When he did show up, there was a party in the house.

“The driveway was lined up with bikes,” Gerry recalls, “and there was alcohol and drugs.”

From a young age, the neglect and physical and mental abuse was at the forefront of his life. In addition, there was a significant stigma attached to being the “Mercers’ kid.”

While his mother binged on drugs during the weekends, Gerry stayed in his grandparents’ house. After the authorities got involved, he was passed back and forth between family members and foster parents.

His mother knew exactly what to say to the social workers, and got him back time and time again, so she could collect the child benefit, Gerry explains.

“I yearned for connection, so I’d return, hoping things would get better. They never did.”

Once, in a rage, his mother charged at him with a large dagger, yelling, “I brought you into the world, and I can take you out.”

Gerry escaped through the window. After that, child services placed him with his grandparents.

God’s Plan “My grandmother, Olive Mercer,

was an official member of The Salvation Army,” says Gerry. “I’d go to Sunday night services with Nan. There, I found family, love and grace.

I went from a young fellow looking for a mother to one who had 40, because the women in the church cared for me.”

After high school, Gerry decided to go to college. He got a job, volunteered with The Salvation Army in St. John’s, N.L., and started to date his future wife.

“My life was busy. I didn’t get to see my mother much.”

She called one November night and didn’t sound well. Gerry decided to check on her.

“The porch light was on, a sign that she was ‘open for business.’ ” Gerry found her in bed. “I woke my mother up, and she started to scream at me, evidently under the influence.” When he decided to leave, she followed him out the door and aimed a gun at him.

“There is a bullet in it. For you,” she said.

He jumped into his truck and took off, then called the police. She was arrested and pleaded guilty to firearms charges.

“My mother used to tell me I was a mistake, that I shouldn’t have been born, that I was never going to make something of myself.”

But God had a different plan. One Sunday, during the service, Major Les Barrow put his hand on Gerry’s faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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FEATURE

Trekking Trio Gerry Mercer, with his wife, Julia, and their daughter, Olive

shoulder.

“I don’t know if God told him I was ready, but that night I became a Christian.”

Unanswered Questions Gerry attended Booth University College and volunteered at The Salvation Army’s Weetamah Corps in Winnipeg.

That year, Gerry stayed there for Christmas. “We served full turkey dinners to the local community. Wanting to show people that I care by meeting their needs was big for me.”

When his grandmother passed away, Gerry went through another difficult period in his life. He worked with the Army in Triton, N.L., as a youth and children’s ministry director, yet had a lot of unanswered questions. He grappled with the understanding that God loved him, but that his mother had put him through such terrible things. Why did loving Nan, a faithful Salvation Army member and follower of Christ, suffer with breast cancer for 10 years?

14 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

“While my mother, a creator of chaos, trauma and pain, is going through life seemingly unscathed.

I still struggle with this. It’s hard to accept.”

A big part of his story was the call to serve others.

“I really wrestled with that,” he says. “How was God going to use me, a young fellow physically, psychologically and sexually abused, who had been through so much, damaged and broken?”

While Gerry worked at a youth camp, one of his colleagues told him that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Gerry took hold of this truth. Despite his post-traumatic stress disorder diag-

nosis, he now understands why he went through all the hardship.

“I’m here to help others,” he believes. “I’m scarred, but I believe that forgiving someone is for me, not for the other person. In my mind, that is God’s way of giving me the tools.”

many steps you take away from God, it only takes one to get back. I say to them that although you have experienced hardships or significant events in life that are challenging and hurtful, there is a positive in that pain. God is using these experiences to equip them for greater

Gerry’s mother charged at him with a large dagger, yelling, “I brought you into the world, and I can take you out.”

A Positive in Pain Today, Gerry is an official member of The Salvation Army, and he and his wife, Julia, and their daughter, Olive, worship at The Salvation Army’s Conception Bay South church in Newfoundland and Labrador. He works as a youth outreach worker with Eastern Health’s mental health and addictions program.

“What helps me when I sit down to support somebody is that I know what I’m talking about, not from a book but from real life,” he says. “I tell the youth that no matter how

things in this world.”

Gerry never gave up on his call to serve in The Salvation Army. His passion is to be with the community, meeting with people where they are.

“I’m going to be with the outreach centre, the down and outs, as General William Booth, the co-founder of The Salvation Army, called them. When I stand alongside a person who is hurting, I can provide a little bit of empathy and understanding, show people I love them, and that there is a Creator who loves them, too.”

(left) Journalist, author and screenplay writer Helena Smrcek believes in the power of a well-told story.

When not at her keyboard, Helena loves listening to audiobooks, working on her hobby farm and travelling. She lives in Brantford, Ont. faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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COVER STORY

The Call

EVERY PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENT WAITS FOR IT, SOMETIMES FOR YEARS. BUT WHEN IT COMES, IT CHANGES YOUR LIFE FOREVER.

by Trina Gallop Blank

IT WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT ON the first weekend of November. It feels like yesterday, though it was three years ago now.

Normally, I would be on my way home from work, but I needed to do some shopping for an upcoming trip I had planned with my husband, Matthew. We hadn’t been anywhere together since our one-year wedding anniversary, so we were both looking forward to a break from work and Winnipeg’s cold winter weather.

I left the mall empty-handed. All the retail outlets were focused on Christmas and not winter-cruise wear.

Little did I know that God had much more planned for us than this winter getaway.

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Unknown Caller When I returned to my car, I noticed that I had missed several calls while shopping. The call display said “unknown.” Not recognizing the number, I shrugged it off and on I went to my next stop before heading home.

En route, my phone rang again.

This time, I recognized the number.

It was our counsellor, Kim, from Adoption Options Manitoba Inc. Matt and I had applied there two years prior. It was probably time for our annual update, I thought to myself, and Kim needed to ask us to send in some paperwork.

The real reason was the furthest thing from my mind.

Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Special Delivery Little Elliana was two days old when Trina and her husband, Matthew, held her for the first time

Another Year?

Getting “the call” is something you dream about after you’ve completed your adoption paperwork and have been approved to be in what they call “the box”—the place where they pull the files of prospective parents to present to birth parents. In the days after being approved, every time your phone rings, you wonder, Is this it?

No one can ever prepare to hear that birth parents have chosen you to care for their most precious gift.

TRINA GALLOP BLANK

If you have been waiting for a while, like we had, you start to wonder if it will ever happen. You like to think you’re secure in just allowing things to proceed, however they are meant to be. But it’s always there, 18 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

just lurking under the surface. The longer you wait, the more you start to wonder if it will ever happen.

We had waited years. During that time, we had been through several application renewals. Once we even got an inquiry that got us a little closer to being considered by birth parents. But we were coming up on another annual update and questioned whether we had the mental strength to renew our file again.

The Path Chosen While there were other avenues for adoption, we chose this particular journey because we wanted a local, open adoption. We valued the opportunity, if chosen for adoption, to build a relationship with the birth parents and the openness of the decision process, even if it meant that things might take longer. Even if it meant never being chosen by birth parents.

A close friend of mine had confided in me just two weeks earlier that she would be willing to be a surrogate if we wished. I was and

continue to be deeply moved by this completely unexpected gesture. But ultimately, I declined.

I remember how clear everything became in that moment as I said to my dear friend that it felt as if this path with Adoption Options was where we were called to be. If things were meant to happen, they would, and we just needed to be patient.

And if it wasn’t meant to be, we were going to be OK with that, too.

A huge part of my comfort in all of this was knowing that it was in God’s hands.

The conversation with my friend made me more aware of that than

ever. Not that God would make it happen, but that God’s plan for us would come together as He intended. When I included expanding our family in my prayers, it was always to ask God to help me be accepting of whatever that meant for us.

It’s a Girl Fast forward to two weeks following that conversation and that Friday night call I mindlessly answered while out running errands.

I answered the call and Kim asked, in the most nonchalant tone, “What are you doing?” Later, we faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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COVER STORY

would learn this was her thing. Start the conversation off casually even though she was bursting with news.

Still thinking this was just a routine check-in, I responded, “Just driving home after running some errands.”

The tone of the call quickly changed as Kim continued, “I think you need to pull over.”

As the realization started to kick in and the tears started flowing, I 20 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

asked, “Is this ‘the call’? ” I pulled into the nearest parking lot and, sure enough, this was the day we had been praying for and dreaming about for years.

I scribbled down the bits of information Kim was able to provide and the first details about our baby.

There was a birth mother who had chosen us to be the family for her baby girl. Elliana was due to arrive in just a few short weeks.

Morning Smiles “Elliana has grown into the most beautiful little person,” says Trina

Answered Prayers Those next weeks were a blur. I made it home and somehow relayed the details to my husband—who was worried I had bad news because I was crying so hard by that point.

There were meetings with the birth mom, work arrangements to make and more.

All the adjustments to our home and lives seemed insignificant the moment all our prayers were answered and that little girl was placed in our arms a mere 20 days later.

No one can ever prepare to hear that birth parents have chosen you to care for their most precious gift.

It is a moment we will never for-

get and will always be a part of our daughter’s beginnings.

We have so much love, respect and gratefulness for her birth parents for making this difficult decision, the most unselfish decision anyone can ever make.

We give thanks to God for the relationship we have with our daughter’s birth mother, which continues to grow. When our daughter is old enough to understand, she will always know how loved she is and how this decision was made out of the greatest love for her.

We are blessed to have this journey be a part of our story. And I am continually amazed at others who share their adoption stories with us.

It is such a gift.

Trina Gallop Blank is the director of communications and resource generation at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada in Winnipeg.

“We’re Number One!” Elliana celebrates her pet Bailey’s win in a dog contest faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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FEATURE

Saving Isabel

NEW MOVIE LA DEUDA UNPACKS A BIBLICAL PARABLE AS A YOUNG BOY ATTEMPTS TO KEEP HIS PET SAFE.

Photos: The Salvation Army U.S.A. Western Territory

by Helena Smrcek

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L

a Deuda (The Debt) is a 15-minute short film from The Salvation Army’s Los Angelesbased multimedia team, Share Change. A finalist at the Miami Film Festival in 2020, it was acquired for distribution by HBO and now appears on all its streaming devices.

“We are tremendously blessed,” says Jeff Prahl, producer and director. “HBO has been the gold standard for decades, and it’s an incredible honour to have our film playing on HBO Max and HBO Latino.”

in a poor Mexican village. Caught in the middle of a family crisis, debt collectors threaten his father, Miguel (Paco Mufote), and Victor’s beloved goat, Isabel.

Victor, worried about his pet, decides to take matters into his own hands and goes to see Juan Pablo (Samuel Valdez), a disabled beggar, to demand he return the money Victor gave him only the day before.

In the process, Juan gets hurt in an altercation.

Despite the dire situation, Victor’s father calmly tells him that God is

“ It’s OK to make mistakes, and it’s OK to apologize and accept forgiveness.” MARIA VERA-ROOD Fateful Decision “La Deuda is a fictional story inspired by Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant (see Matthew 18:21-35),” says Jeff, “but its setting, Colonia El Niño outside of Tijuana, Mexico, is essential to its fabric and characters. The family of our producer and co-writer, Maria Vera-Rood, lives there and assisted heavily with the production. The film was made with a lot of love, from the community to the talented and dedicated cast and crew from both sides of the border.”

The movie tells a story of Victor (Saul Martinez), a young boy living

good, giving him an assurance that things will work out. Suddenly, help arrives, and the debt is paid. Now Victor must make a decision. Should he take responsibility for his actions and ask Juan for forgiveness?

Uncooperative Goat “La Deuda is a coming-of-age tale,” says Jeff. “A pivotal time in a young person’s life, a story of a boy and his love for his goat.”

The universal theme of love lets the viewers bond with the main characters living in a small Mexican village. The setting is essential to the fabric of the story. faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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FEATURE

“A lot of people wouldn’t normally visit this area,” says Jeff, “and we tried to tell a story in the most authentic way possible.”

The team decided to shoot the film in Spanish. “I feel very proud about being a Mexican-American,” says Maria. “I’m also proud of where I come from and where my roots are. I thought it’d be a cool opportunity to incorporate my family into the production. This film wouldn’t be possible without their help. The location was amazing and the people in the village were kind and supportive. They stood by the project.”

Filming with an animal brings its own challenges. “It was the funniest, most chaotic experience,” 24 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

Jeff laughs. “We rented the goat and its mother from a local farmer and drove it in our van. It never did what we wanted it to do.”

Biblical Truth Today Maria wanted to focus on biblical truth that applies today as it did 2,000 years ago and to inspire the audience to think about generosity, forgiveness and redemption.

“At times, people who don’t have as much give more generously than people who are richer,” says Maria.

“We wanted to show that, especially with Miguel, the father.”

As Jesus taught about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35, Maria elaborates on the main theme of the story.

“Sometimes you mean well, want

Victor’s Dilemma In La Deuda, a young boy must make a difficult decision with biblical overtones

to help out, but then life happens, and you make wrong decisions,” says Maria.

The film portrays the beauty of God’s love and forgiveness. “You want to figure things out on your own, even though God said He has everything taken care of, and that things will work out,” she continues.

“But we are human. We’re not perfect, but we have His love.”

Paid in Full We all must learn not only how to forgive but also how to ask for forgiveness for our mistakes and shortcomings.

“I hope that people are able to relate to the story,” continues Maria, “and that they’re able to be kind to

themselves. I feel we live in a society where we’re so hard on ourselves and others. It’s OK to make mistakes, and it’s OK to apologize and accept forgiveness.”

No matter what difficulties we face, what mistakes we have made or the kind of sin we have committed, God is greater. Our heavenly Father told us through His Son, Jesus, that we need to forgive others, so that we can receive His forgiveness. We often make it too difficult, trying to earn His approval, but the truth is, the debt has been paid.

God’s forgiveness is only a prayer away, offered as a free gift that no one can earn. He offers His unconditional love, through His Son, Jesus Christ, to every one of us. faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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COMMON GROUND

Photo: Kris Dube, courtesy of Torstar

Faith&Friends

“The Right Thing” For Frank Campion, mayor of Welland, Ont., that meant donating his pay raise to The Salvation Army.

by Melissa Yue Wallace

W

hen the mayor of Welland, Ont., discovered the majority of his council approved a pay raise last year, he wanted no part of it.

“There are a lot of people who are out of work right now and having a tough time financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I didn’t

26 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

think it was appropriate,” says Mayor Frank Campion. “I also don’t think council should be giving themselves a raise. I have no problem reviewing the pay scale for the position, but they should be approving the raise for the incoming council, so whomever has that position in the next election would get it.”

Handing It Over (left) Mayor Frank Campion gives a cheque to Carrie McComb, The Salvation Army’s community and family services director for St. Catharines and Welland, Ont.

Despite his protest, the council voted to increase councillor pay last fall from $18,981 to $27,884—a 47 percent pay hike—and the mayor’s from $72,995 to $76,208. For Mayor Campion, the decision on how to spend his new and unwanted pay increase earnings was easy.

handed over the first of two cheques as a means of being transparent with constituents, showing he was donating his raise to a local organization.

“The needs of this community are high, especially at such an uncertain time,” says Carrie, who has served with the Army for 16 years in various positions. “Though our service delivery looks a little different due to precautions we have in place to keep everyone safe, we are still on the front line, serving those who need it the most.”

The Salvation Army in Welland

“I wanted the money to go to the right people.” MAYOR FRANK CAMPION “As a child growing up in the City of Welland all my life, I’ve always associated The Salvation Army with Christmas, and I know they collect money and gifts to help out families that are in need,” he says. “I recognized over time how much work they do. I wanted the money to go to the right people.

“And it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Helping Others In December, he organized a photo-op with Carrie McComb, The Salvation Army’s community and family services director for St. Catharines and Welland, Ont., where he

offers a food bank, life-skills training and has plans for street ministry outreach in 2021. The mayor’s gift, says Carrie, is appreciated as it will help stock the shelves of the food bank and fill in the gaps for many who are struggling to make ends meet in Welland.

“I hope things will get better for them, that their lives improve and that whatever difficulties they have will be resolved,” says Mayor Campion. “I also hope that people who have been helped will be able to help others—that they get themselves in order, recognize the help that got them there and do the same for someone else.”

faithandfriends.ca I MAY 2021

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Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Eating Healthy With Erin CREAM OF BROCCOLI AND ORZO SOUP

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

TIME 20 min MAKES 5 servings SERVE WITH sourdough bread

30 ml (2 tbsp) butter 1 large onion, diced 2 celery stocks, diced 2 garlic cloves, diced 500 ml (2 cups) broccoli florets 750 ml (3 cups) vegetable broth 250 ml (1 cup) full-fat coconut milk 2 ml (½ tsp) paprika 1 ml (¼ tsp) ground ginger 250 ml (1 cup) orzo 125 ml (½ cup) mozzarella to taste salt and pepper to taste parsley to garnish (optional)

1. Melt butter in large pot and add onion, celery and garlic.

2. Add broccoli, vegetable broth, coconut milk, paprika and ginger. Stir often over medium heat until broccoli is soft.

3. Remove and blend until smooth and return to pot.

4. Add orzo and cook over medium-high heat until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.

5. Stir in mozzarella, salt and pepper to taste. Add parsley to garnish (optional).

BAKED DILL AND MUSTARD SALMON TIME 17 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH pasta or rice

1 kg (2 lb) fillet of salmon with skin 5 ml (1 tsp) coarse salt 5 ml (1 tsp) dill 2 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder 5 ml (1 tsp) lemon juice 5 ml (1 tsp) olive oil 15 ml (1 tbsp) mayonnaise 5 ml (1 tsp) grainy mustard pinch of pepper parsley to garnish (optional)

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1. Preheat oven to 175 C (350 F) and line baking pan with tinfoil.

2. Rub both sides of fish with coarse salt and then place it skin-side down and season with dill and garlic powder. Add lemon juice to fillet. Rub olive oil in to skin side.

3. Mix mayonnaise and mustard together, and rub on both sides of fish.

4. Lightly grease pan and place skin-side down. Add pinch of pepper.

5. Bake for 12 minutes and garnish with parsley (optional).

Taking the Stand

EASTER TRIAL P.12

My Son’s Refuge

A SPECIAL PLACE P.22

Teen Helps Army

I, KARLY P.26

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

faithandfriends.ca

APRIL 2021

Anchoring Her Faith

TV HOST MAGGIE JOHN IS PASSIONATE ABOUT FINDING GOD’S STORY IN THE HEADLINES. P.16

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Sudoku Puzzle

7

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

2

QUICK QUIZ 1. What two planets aligned in December 2020 for a great conjunction?

2. Who had a 2020 hit with the song Blinding Lights?

3. What are the two largest islands of New Zealand called?

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© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Answers on next page.

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Faith&Friends

LITE STUFF

Word Search A Whale of a Time K N O T K N A L P O Z R B B F B O W B O W H E A D C Y S B L E U L M E T H M Z E R B R F P N O C C O U I J O A A L B E A K E D W A S L Y K P A O N A N N L D R A H L N C R A E M J T B M T O Y M C O F E F I N N S C I H E Z F W J O L U D P K T O C D R K E S U K L Q E H E L I L D F Y G B O D S O L C I B U E J L E X O R X Q Q D I Z N B I P K O V O V G E P S H T Q O C D A Y D P H L T I Y Q E K N I M W C B R R B Y E K C A B P M U H I I B R E B B U L B R M T K G D D L V L I E I A D K C O O S H C R O K G E T Z X L B N G T W G M A E V I D D H I K Z L U K I L L E R N O F U L G M L G F A J G D I U Q S S Z F U I L L K N A R W H A L S A A B K Z R Q Z N O BALEEN BEAKED BELUGA BLOWHOLE BLUBBER BLUE BOWHEAD BUOYANCY CALF DIVE DORSAL EDEN’S

FIN FLIPPERS FLUKE GREY HUMPBACK JONAH KELP KILLER KRILL LEVIATHAN MILK MINKE

30 • MAY 2021 I faithandfriends.ca

MOBY DICK NARWHALS OCEAN PILOT PLANKTON POD RIGHT SONAR SPERM SQUID TAIL TOOTHED

Quick Quiz Answers: 1. Jupiter and Saturn; 2. The Weeknd; 3. North Island and South Island.

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

What (Not) to Wear How to purchase clothing when you can’t try anything on.

W

ith the current COVID-19 situation, most retail stores— Salvation Army thrift stores included—have closed their change rooms for the safety of their shoppers.

If you are still looking for great deals but are not sure where to start without trying on clothes before buying, here are a few tips: Know Your Size Take your measurements and look at the sizing guide on the brand’s website. Make a note in your phone of your size in each brand.

What Works Best for You Perhaps you love skinny jeans or flowy tops, button-down shirts or oversized sweaters. Now is not the time to stray from your style. Look for pieces to complement what you already own.

Have a Game Plan In the past, you might have tried on an armload of pieces, but now you must pick and

choose. Take a dream list of what you’d like to add to your closet or brands you would love to find.

You Can Always Return If you picked up an article of clothing in your size but it didn’t fit properly, you can easily exchange it for a new item in store or get a refund.

Happy shopping! Stay safe. * All items pictured have been thrifted from a Salvation Army thrift store.

(left) Tijana McAllister is the frugalista behind A Plentiful Life, a lifestyle blog that shows readers how to live their best life on a budget. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores.

Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

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PM 40064794

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