What’s Your Story? “More Than Just Sizzle” by Ken Ramstead 22 / Ask an Expert In Harm’s Way by Major Catherine Skillin 25 /
FEATURES
9 / The World for Christ
New officers embrace calling to share the gospel with all creation.
12 / For the Kingdom
How Alpha is strengthening churches and bringing people to Jesus. by Abbigail Oliver
14 / “How Can We Help?”
Saskatoon Temple fosters reconciliation through relationships, listening and support. by Abbigail Oliver
18 / Ministers of the Gospel
Officers from across the decades share memories of their ordination and commissioning.
20 / The Spirit of Compassion
A fresh approach to community care ministries. by Brendan Hill
Evangelism is not about growing numbers for the sake of numbers—it is about fulfilling our mission of salvation. It is about loving our neighbours, including those who may not yet know Christ, and showing them that God’s love is real, present and transformative.
—COLONEL JOHN CHAMNESS, PAGE 24
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SALVATIONIST
is a bimonthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory
Lyndon Buckingham
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Commissioner Lee Graves
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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.
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“I
WAS IN PRISON….”
WhenI was 23, I lost my father to cancer. It was a tough time as I wrestled with my faith amid the pain. As active officers, my parents spent many years in The Salvation Army’s correctional and justice services ministry. They had been appointed to territorial headquarters in Toronto for just a few years when the diagnosis came. At times, I wondered if God cared—if he was even there.
A few months after my dad passed, I was handing out lunches with North Toronto Community Church’s youth group to people on the streets who were experiencing homelessness. It was a way of putting our beliefs into action, and we enjoyed the downtown trek on Saturday afternoons. We often stopped to chat with people in an attempt to make their day a little brighter.
One man at the corner of Yonge Street and Bloor Avenue accepted a lunch that day. As I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm. “Who are you with?” he asked. “The Salvation Army,” I responded.
He pressed me further, “What’s your name?” When I told him, he thought for a minute, then replied, “That sounds familiar. When I was in Maplehurst Correctional Facility in Milton, Ont., a chaplain named Captain David Moulton came to see me. I’ll never forget his kindness.”
Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. My dad had visited this man in prison more than 17 years earlier, and he had never forgotten it. This man had no idea who I was and could have easily let me pass by. I believe God compelled him to reach out that day. It was a moment of great comfort in my grief.
I immediately thought of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:36, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” This is the heart of The Salvation Army—sharing the love of Jesus through practical ministry. Thank God for faithful officers, soldiers, volunteers and friends who live out this mission every day.
I was only a babe in arms when my parents were first commissioned out of Wallaceburg, Ont. I was too young to remember being on the platform, but as an officers’ kid, I’ve had a front row seat in their journey of ministry. Despite the ups and downs, they would both say they have no regrets.
As the Champions of the Mission are commissioned in June as the territory’s newest officers (page 9), I pray that they, too, will experience moments when God breaks in on their reality to remind them exactly what they are fighting for. And for long-serving officers who still proudly recall their commissioning day (page 18), I trust that they also remember God’s faithfulness.
May God keep us true to our calling. May Salvation Army ministry continue to reap dividends for the kingdom. And, in the end, may people say of us, “I’ll never forget their kindness.”
GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Territorial Leaders Embark on Bermuda Tour
From February 28 to March 5, Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, territorial commander and territorial president of women’s ministries, visited ministry units across the island of Bermuda, accompanied by Lt-Colonels John and Brenda Murray, territorial secretary for communications and director of international development. Their tour included engagements with local corps, social services and community programs, with an intentional focus on prayer and engaging with staff, officers, volunteers and clients.
“It was an opportunity to express gratitude for the dedicated work being done and to strengthen connections across the island and territory,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray.
The tour began with a weekend of worship and fellowship, visiting Cedar Hill Corps in Warwick and West End Community Church in Sandys on Saturday, and attending a united worship service at North Street Citadel in Hamilton on Sunday morning.
On Monday, the territorial leaders had the opportunity to visit the Army’s emergency shelter and transitional housing site, followed by a visit to Harbour Light, where they shared coffee with staff and a devotional with the clients. The tour continued Tuesday, with the leaders stopping by St. George’s Corps and the North Street food bank.
Throughout their visit, the commissioners spent time in prayer and conversation with staff, clients and mission partners.
“The interactions with clients gave them a chance to listen, offer support and affirm the impact of The Salvation Army’s ministry,” says Lt-Colonel Murray, who describes a meaningful experience that took place at the nightly street feeding program in Hamilton. “It was incredible to witness not only individuals receiving a meal but also experiencing dignity, kindness and hope through personal interactions.”
As their tour concluded, the commissioners left Bermuda with a deep sense of gratitude for the work being done across the island.
“The visit was a time of encouragement, thanksgiving and appreciation,” says Lt-Colonel Murray. “The Salvation Army’s presence in Bermuda continues to be a beacon of hope, and this tour was a reminder of the importance of standing together in faith and service.”
Commissioners
Lee and Debbie
Graves visit St. George’s Corps
Cedar Hill Corps Celebrates 70 Years
The Salvation Army’s Cedar Hill Corps in Warwick, Bermuda, celebrated its 70th anniversary with a full weekend of festivities in February, ending with a Sunday service that welcomed nearly 100 attendees.
The celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with a family fun night, where attendees enjoyed dinner, followed by card and group games and fellowship.
On Saturday, an evening program and concert highlighted the history of the corps, with performances by both the band and worship team. The concert was called “A Walk Down Memory Lane,” and it invited people who had attended Cedar Hill as children to share stories of their experiences growing up in the corps. Longtime members Clarence Dill and Ivor Minors shared their memories, and other congregants joined in as well.
“It was very interactive,” says Lieutenant Amy Patrick, corps officer. “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed being able to reflect on years gone by.”
The weekend ended with a Sunday morning worship service followed by a potluck meal. The theme for the service was “hope,” inspired by the many reflections of the past as well as hope for the future. Salvationists Brenda Smith and James Bean were recognized for their decades of service to the corps. Having been members since the 1950s and ’60s, both have held prominent leadership roles in the corps over the years, with Bean serving as bandmaster and deputy bandmaster for more than 33 years, and Smith actively involved in children’s and women’s ministries and community outreach.
According to Lieutenant Patrick, Cedar Hill has long been known by the community as “the light on the hill,” and since its early days, has been renowned for its music, marches and thriving Guides, Scouts and Brownies brigades. As the church has evolved, its presence has remained strong. The Guides programs, Sunday worship, home league and community care ministries are all still active. The corps also has a growing relationship with the local nursing home, where volunteers minister to residents on the last Sunday of each month.
“They always expect us,” says Lieutenant Patrick.
“There’s such a passion and desire to make sure that the love of Jesus is still shared with our community,” she continues. “We’re looking at how we can be innovative and creative while continuing to share the gospel message in this day and age. There’s a lot of energy in the corps and a lot of hope.”
Jamel Bean (left) presents his father, James Bean, with a certificate of appreciation for his role as bandmaster and deputy bandmaster for more than 33 years
Photo: Lt-Col John Murray
BERMUDA
Grand Opening of Army Thrift Store in Leslieville, Toronto
A new Salvation Army thrift store in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood officially opened in March, making it the ninth store in the city. Territorial and Ontario divisional leaders were invited for an exclusive tour of the store followed by speeches and a prayer led by Major Lori Mitchell, area commander. The official ribbon cutting opened the store to the public and more than 500 guests visited to shop throughout the day.
The new store, spanning more than 900 square metres, offers a wide range of gently used clothing, household items, electronics, books and more. As thrift shopping continues to grow in popularity, with the demand for affordable shopping options increasing, the opening of the Leslieville store helps promote sustainability and financial accessibility for shoppers.
“In the last two years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people shopping at our thrift stores, with a nationwide rise of 12 percent and up to 22 percent in parts of Toronto,” says Ted Troughton, managing director of The Salvation Army’s Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations (NRO). “As more people embrace thrift shopping, we’re thrilled to open our doors in Leslieville, a vibrant and growing community.”
NRO plays a vital role in funding local Army programs, such as food banks, shelters, addiction rehabilitation services and emergency relief efforts.
“Every purchase and donation help fund local Salvation Army programs and services for those in need,” says Troughton. “Together, we can make a real difference in the Leslieville community.”
New Grace Café in Windsor, Ont., Invites Community In
The Salvation Army in Windsor, Ont., has launched a new outreach opportunity—a cozy spot that introduces The Salvation Army’s services to members of the community and the church—called the Grace Café.
“We named it to pay homage to the old Grace Hospital in Windsor. It is the first phase of our outreach in the community,” says Captain Nyree Bond, community ministries officer at South Windsor Citadel. “You may come here for the café, but you might stay for something else.”
The café offers free hot beverages, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate, to anyone. The idea is to create a welcoming and safe environment for people to connect with The Salvation Army. For those already familiar with the Army’s services, this initiative allows them to socialize and build relationships.
Grace Café could become a starting point for getting the assistance they need that would allow them to restore dignity and improve their life.
“Our Grace Café will overlap with different programs we offer, such as Bible studies and fellowship groups. So, when people come in for those, they can also stop at the café, pick up a drink and chat with people,” Captain Bond shares.
This new addition to the church will also serve as a launch pad for many café-based programs. Recently, a New Moms Café program began, as well as a Play Café for parents with young children. They also launched a new seniors Sit & Fit Café, a chair fitness program where members stay after exercise to enjoy a coffee and conversation at the café. New programs yet to come include the Conversation Café to allow newcomers to Canada to practise English, as well as the Study Café for students to have a place to hang out and do homework.
The Grace Café opened in early February, and Captain Bond has noticed it has encouraged people coming into The Salvation Army to stay longer.
“We do have a high senior population in our congregation, and when they make the effort to come out to something, they usually are not ready to go home quickly. They want to stay and socialize. This gives them the space to talk to one another and have fellowship,” Captain Bond says. “I think it is already creating that safe space that we wanted, and people feel welcome here.”
Guests who have seen the café have complimented the space for its comfortable appearance. Some local businesses have supported Grace Café by supplying baked goods to add to their menu. The staff are also taking note of requests to ensure the café has everything in demand.
For many, the Grace Café could become a starting point for getting the assistance they need that would allow them to restore dignity and improve their life.
“We are happy to serve, sit and chat over a coffee, and journey together as we build community and share the love of God,” Captain Bond says.
The ribbon cutting at the new Leslieville thrift store. From left, Mjr Brian Slous, assistant territorial secretary for business administration; Lina Karas, store manager; Matt Brown, Toronto East district manager; Maria Guayacan, national director of retail operations; Ted Troughton; and Mjr Lori Mitchell
Cpt Nyree Bond serves a hot beverage at the café
Photo: Mark Yan
Booth UC Offers Education to People Experiencing Homelessness
At Booth University College in Winnipeg, a new pilot project is offering free university-level education to vulnerable populations. With a focus on making education as accessible as possible, Shelter U is available to candidates from shelters across the city who will take the course alongside campusbased students.
For many vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, there are significant barriers to entry for education, including high tuition fees and costs associated with other necessities, such as resources, supplies and technology. To resolve this, Shelter U is available at no cost to students coming from shelters, and each student is provided with a computer for the duration of the course, ensuring that supplies and resources are equally accessible to all.
Planning for the program began during the pandemic and the pilot was approved in 2023. In the fall of 2024, an advisory committee was formed, and operational planning began in collaboration with
instructors and consultants with experience teaching vulnerable individuals. Currently, the program has had attendance of between 12 and 14 students, as well as two shelter staff who attend and participate in learning exercises and provide support outside of class time.
“Shelter U aims to overcome barriers to education having to do with poverty and forced displacement,” says Aaron Klassen, assistant professor of sociology at Booth UC and program director of community and urban transformation studies (CUT).
“For students in the CUT program, and for other Booth UC students seeking practicum credit, it will offer the opportunity to gain practical experience with an inner-city-based agency working with the vulnerable, while also connecting that experience to wider urban communities and policies affecting refugees and people experiencing homelessness,” explains Klassen. “And as an innovative research program for Booth UC, it also represents some of the exciting collaborative work
we do as the only urban-based, Christian liberal arts university college in North America.”
This work includes partnering with The Salvation Army Winnipeg Centre of Hope where Shelter U classes will be hosted and taught by Booth UC and Salvation Army Ethics Centre instructors.
One of the primary goals of Shelter U is to empower vulnerable individuals through education, instilling a desire for learning in people who may have previously felt it was unattainable. Shelterbased students who complete the pilot project receive a certificate of completion and a letter of reference and support as they apply for further education.
In the future, Booth UC intends to offer additional courses as well as a reading group or book club to extend learning opportunities into the summer.
Generations of Salvationists have carried the banner of salvation for the lost, holiness for the convert and service to all. They have pledged to use their time, talents, gifts and abilities to fight the salvation war—to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. Our mission remains our motivation; the movement is vibrant and strong. Yet moving forward, the Canada and Bermuda Territory will need to be brave and willing to be even more flexible if it is to remain vibrant and continue to fulfil our mission.
JOIN THE BRIGADE
We are all called to Christian ministry.
BY COMMISSIONER LEE GRAVES
Vocational service in Christian ministry is a unique calling and worthy of our consideration. Sixteenth-century Protestant reformers such as Martin Luther argued that all work, even socalled secular work, was as much a calling from God as the ministry of monk or priest. Luther puts it strongly in On the Freedom of a Christian: vocations are “masks of God.” On the surface, we see an ordinary human face—mother, doctor, teacher, waitress, pastor—but, beneath the appearance, God is ministering to us through them. God is hidden in human vocations.
The Army’s strength is in recognizing that every vocation, when consecrated to the Lord, is ministry and service. Prior to the Reformation, the word “vocation” referred specifically to church-related callings, such as priest, monk or nun. Luther reclaimed this word and used it instead to refer to every calling a Christian might legitimately fulfil: cobbler, farmer, baker, blacksmith, wife, mother, civil servant, and so on. To Luther, the cobbler’s work was just as valuable as the priest’s.
God and the church “call” people to ministry. Our ecclesiastical term for such “callings”—vocation—means just that. Vocare is the Latin word meaning “to call.” All Christians are called to min-
istry. Some mistakenly believe that call only pertains to ordained ministry, but that is not true.
Ephesians reminds us, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). Recognizing our value as his creation motivates us to live out our vocations with intentionality. Every calling, whether grand or humble, is part of God’s design, allowing us to showcase his handiwork and to affect the world positively through our lives. “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).
The Lord continues to call men and women to officership and they continue to respond. But we must also remember that vocational service in Christian ministry is a unique calling, too. The Call and Commitment theme chosen by our territory’s candidates department this year, “Harvest Hands,” is taken from Matthew 9:36-38: “When [Jesus] looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’ ” (The Message).
There is much to be accomplished for the kingdom’s sake, and our dear Army calls officers and nonofficers to be part of the brigade fulfilling the Great Commission. The Soldier’s Covenant reminds us that all have a vital role to play. It reads: “I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s work and obedient to his leading in my life, growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and possessions, my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am accountable to God.”
As we celebrate the ordination and commissioning of the Champions of the Mission Session, let us also acknowledge that the Lord is raising up other spiritual leaders for such a time as this. Men and women who are willing and prepared to assume greater spiritual leadership in their corps setting, or who are perhaps willing to step out of their local context and assume leadership in other areas for a season. In recognition of the harvest before us, the Lord is leading the Army to examine every possibility, inviting our soldiery and committed people of faith to step forward for service—full time, part time, for a dedicated season or a defined number of years.
Dare we ask each other to consider what we might be willing to offer to keep our movement vibrant and strong?
COMMISSIONER LEE GRAVES is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
Photo: Jerimi Jones
Officers, soldiers and employees—all have a vital role to play for the sake of the kingdom. From left, Guillermo Lopez, special projects and learning administrator, community engagement department; Cpt Johnny Valencia, corps mission secretary; and Estee Lau, director, procurement, business administration department
FOR THE CHRIST WORLD
New officers embrace calling to share the gospel with all creation.
On June 21, the Canada and Bermuda Territory will commission nine officers in the Champions of the Mission Session. As these Salvationists look forward to the next stage in their ministry, they reflect on The Salvation Army’s mission, their calling to officership and their most meaningful experiences during training.
PRINCIPAL’S COMMENDATION
The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory joyfully prepares to commission the Champions of the Mission Session, a dedicated group of men and women who have responded to God’s call to full-time ministry as officers. With their guiding Scripture, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), this session steps forward, ready to serve, lead and share the transformative message of Jesus Christ.
Representing the diversity of our territory, these cadets have been shaped by the faithfulness of their local and field training corps, where leaders and congregations have played an integral role in their journey to officership. Through prayer, mentorship and practical ministry opportunities, these communities have affirmed and nurtured their calling,
walking alongside them as they prepared for this significant step.
The Champions of the Mission Session is the first to complete The Salvation Army’s newly developed field-based training model, designed to integrate hands-on ministry experience with structured learning. Notably, this session also represents bilingual training, with cadets in Quebec receiving instruction in French. The College for Officer Training (CFOT) considers it a privilege to equip and develop these soon-to-be lieutenants, ensuring they are spiritually and practically prepared to minister in diverse contexts across our territory.
As we celebrate this moment, we also recognize that God may be calling others to step into full-time ministry. If you are sensing his leading, we encourage you to explore what it means to serve as an
officer in The Salvation Army. The harvest is plentiful, and the need for compassionate, Christ-centred leaders has never been greater.
To the Champions of the Mission Session: we assure you of our prayers as you enter this next chapter. May you go with confidence, knowing that God, who has called you, will also equip and sustain you. We invite our entire Salvation Army family to lift these new officers and their families in prayer, asking God to bless, guide and empower them as they take the gospel into the world.
MAJOR DEANA ZELINSKY Training Principal
CADET CHESNEY EDWARDS
During my teenage years, a youth pastor profoundly impacted my life by exemplifying the love of Jesus through her mentorship and compassion. Inspired by her, I wanted to do the same for others but struggled with feelings of inadequacy, doubting my ability to pursue ministry. A few years later, I met my husband, Josh, who passionately shared his calling to become an officer. His commitment reignited my inspiration, and I decided to become a senior soldier. During my first sermon, I felt a powerful realization of God’s calling on my heart. In that transformative moment, I knew I could no longer ignore it. God assured me he would equip me to serve others, and I was called to share his love and grace with those seeking hope and guidance.
When I was in Grade 9, I shadowed my then corps officer, Major Wil BrownRatcliffe, as part of a “take a kid to work” day. After doing a pastoral visitation, working at community and family services and planning a Sunday morning service, I thought he had the coolest job! Even now as I reflect on that day—which was a significant moment in discerning my calling—the reason I felt that way was that there was one thing at the core of every task we did: others. It’s all about others. I think the best way to champion the mission of The Salvation Army is to teach what Jesus taught and live like Jesus did. I hope to point people to Jesus so that they can experience his goodness and then, in turn, also spend their lives pointing others to him.
CADET JOSHUA EDWARDS
CADET JOHN ARNDT
From a young age, I knew I was called to share the good news, but didn’t know what that looked like. It wasn’t until I joined The Salvation Army and became a soldier that I knew officership was the path God was calling me to. There were some unexpected delays but, looking back, I can see how God used that time to prepare me even more to answer the call and have the opportunity to train with such a great session of people. During my training, it has been wonderful to be in the same corps for two years and have the time to build relationships with the people there. I’ve had the opportunity to walk with people in their joyous times and their difficult times, which has been very meaningful to me.
CADET WILDER JEAN-CHARLES
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This is our goal, and it is a responsibility that we will carry until the end. The first part of The Salvation Army’s mission statement is “to share the love of Jesus Christ,” and that resonates deeply with me because, without the love of Jesus, we waste our time. It is only through his love that lives can be transformed. All the ministries we do as Salvation Army officers must have one objective: to bring people to Jesus. If I miss this opportunity, I miss the work God has called me to.
When we arrived in Canada in December 2013, someone referred us to The Salvation Army’s family services where the officer welcomed us very warmly and invited us to church. From then on, we joined the church and began to serve. For me, serving the Lord is a privilege, and when we serve him, it’s an act of gratitude for who he is and what he has done for us. My calling to officership came at an Explore Your Call event in October 2022. Commissioner Floyd Tidd was preaching on Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls Simon Peter. I felt God saying that, in the same way the disciples were called to leave their jobs and families to follow Jesus, God is still calling us today—he wants us to leave our comfort zones and follow him.
CADET JOSETTE JOSEPH
CADET PETER CHAULK
I became a soldier in 2019, but even before that, I knew I wanted to be an officer. I often sat in congregations, looking up at the officers on the platform, and heard God’s voice telling me that would be me one day. One meaningful experience I had during training was volunteering at Bloor Central Corps during their Saturday evening community meal. Being from small-town Newfoundland and Labrador, I was admittedly nervous to do ministry in downtown Toronto. But what a God-driven evening that was! I had great conversations with the people I was serving, and it opened my eyes to another type of ministry. As an officer, I hope to show people the resurrecting love of Jesus Christ for the rest of my days. Through the strength God gives me, I can be a champion for him at each appointment I receive.
“NO MATTER WHO THE PERSON IS, WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, OR WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH, WE ARE CALLED TO SHOW THE LOVE OF JESUS AND HELP ONE ANOTHER.”
—CADET HANNAH CHAULK
CADET ALICIA MCLEOD
CADET HANNAH CHAULK
The aspect of The Salvation Army’s mission that resonates most strongly with me is to share the love of Jesus and to help the whosoever. No matter who the person is, what they are going through, or what they have been through, we are called to show the love of Jesus and help one another. If we are to be like Christ, then nothing can stand between us! A champion is a person who fights for a cause. With this definition in mind, it is my prayer that as I step into officership, I will continue to fight for the souls of people; that I will not cease to show the love of Jesus and how he can and will transform you.
Some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during training have been building relationships with the other cadets, officers and staff at CFOT, as well as my field-based corps leaders and church family. During this process, I have learned more about community, doing life together and discipleship. I have loved watching individuals grow in their relationship with the Lord, wrestling with the things of life but continuing to seek him even in hardship. As an officer, I want to champion the Army’s mission by being a transforming influence in the communities I get to be a part of. I want to share Jesus with people, help others grow as his disciples and see lives transformed in ways that only God can do.
CADET BOBBI OYERINDE
As a teenager, I thought about becoming a missionary, and later that calling changed to pastor. The years went by and life happened, but I was still drawn to full-time ministry and eventually started working at the Salvation Army food bank in Lloydminster, Alta. A friend encouraged me by reminding me that, although working in ministry and pastoring are not quite the same, often God uses ministry as a stepping stone. I worked in community and family services for almost five years and loved it, but felt called to do even more, which led me to officership. I am grateful to the many people in my life who have prayed for me and encouraged me throughout this journey, and I am excited to see what God has in store.
Photos: Maor Kupershmidt
Across the Canada and Bermuda Territory, The Salvation Army is using Alpha to welcome newcomers and deepen discipleship within the church. For many people, Alpha has become a pathway to faith and transformation.
While many corps have independently run Alpha for years, the territory intentionally partnered with Alpha Canada in 2023.
“I firmly believe that beautiful kingdom work happens when we unite,” says Peter Park, territorial corps life director in the corps mission department at territorial headquarters. “This isn’t about just strengthening The Salvation Army—it’s about the church serving the church to build the kingdom.”
Through this partnership, corps across the territory are incorporating Alpha into their ministry strategies, from group gatherings over shared meals to outreach efforts for youth.
A SPACE FOR CONNECTION
Alpha is a parachurch ministry dedicated to building God’s kingdom beyond denominations. It is a tool for discipleship and evangelism, offering churches an accessible framework to form friendships, deepen relationships and provide a safe space for people to encounter Christ for the first time.
According to Major Doug Binner, assistant secretary for mission, Alpha is an invaluable entry point that brings new people into churches and into fellowship
FOR THE KINGDOM
How
Alpha is strengthening churches and bringing people to Jesus.
BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER
with one another. “It sparks deep, meaningful discussions and moving experiences with the Holy Spirit,” he says.
At its core, Alpha is a curriculum for sharing the gospel with those who may be unfamiliar with Jesus or church. It helps churches create safe, hospitable spaces where people can ask questions about the Bible and learn about Jesus without fear of judgment. It opens church doors for people who may have been hesitant or nervous to explore faith or church membership before.
“IT’S ABOUT THE CHURCH SERVING THE CHURCH TO BUILD THE KINGDOM.” —PETER PARK
“Even lifelong believers in our congregations are attending Alpha because they have questions they’ve been curious to ask,” says Park.
A key goal of the corps mission department is to shift the narrative around Alpha. It’s not just a 12-week program to complete and move on from. Instead, corps are encouraged to integrate Alpha into their church culture, inviting people in, making disciples, launching small group ministries and inspiring participants to return and bring their friends.
In addition to its curriculum, a core tenet of Alpha is sharing a meal—bringing people to the table, making them feel welcome, breaking bread and fostering connection. “Something beautiful happens when you break bread with a stranger and say, ‘Before we talk about deep, heavy stuff, let’s just talk about life,’ ” says Park.
ST. ALBERT CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, ALTA.
In November 2024, Alpha Canada launched a new and improved curriculum for Alpha Youth, based on research showing that the next generation has a deep curiosity about spirituality. According to Park, faith hasn’t declined in youth, but the focus has shifted. Instead of asking, “Is there a God?” young people are now asking, “Is God good?”
“The future leaders of the church aren’t even Christian yet,” says Park, referencing a profound quote by Shaila Visser, national director of Alpha Canada and the global senior vice-president for Alpha International. “So how do we invest in next-gen ministries?”
One corps that has successfully implemented Alpha Youth is St. Albert Church and Community Centre in Alberta, which has been running the program for two years in partnership with the local Alliance Church. Hosted at a public school, lunchtime sessions offer pizza and typically draw between 60 and 80 students.
“We don’t run traditional Alpha—we tried it, and it became more like a Bible
From left, Natasha Waine, community outreach worker; Brittney McKay from the St. Albert Alliance Church; and Andrew Waine, youth outreach worker, run Alpha at a local public school
study, and that’s not what Alpha is supposed to be,” says Captain Daniel Rowe, corps officer. Instead, they adjusted the Alpha framework to work within their ministry and community, with a goal to make it as accessible as possible to young people.
The program runs in two eight-week sessions, from January to March and September to November, led by Andrew and Natasha Waine, youth outreach worker and community outreach worker.
“When it comes to Alpha, you have to give it time,” Captain Daniel explains. “We’re in our second year of running Alpha Youth, and just this week, Natasha shared in a staff meeting that a student asked her to pray with them. That’s a big win.”
According to Captain Bhreagh Rowe, community ministries officer, they’ve found that running Alpha Youth offsite has been a benefit to the program. It removes the barrier of the church building and engages with youth in an environment where they feel more comfortable.
“It’s the definition of meeting people where they are,” she says. “We’re not expecting them to come to us first. We’ve found that the most success comes when we go out into the community, build relationships and then, eventually, people end up coming back to our building in some capacity.
“The only way to break down barriers is through genuine connection—showing up, having conversations and letting the students see our faces and get to know us,” Captain Bhreagh adds. “Running Alpha outside our building has helped us do that.”
NORTHRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH, NEWMARKET, ONT.
Northridge Community Church in Newmarket, Ont., has been running Alpha for more than 15 years and, as of 2023, is one of Alpha Canada’s hub churches. As a hub church, Northridge serves as a resource and support for other churches, including those within The Salvation Army and from other denominations, that may be interested in starting Alpha.
Volunteers John and Margaret Tillsley spearhead the program, currently hosting sessions twice a year, with participation ranging from 20 to 40 people.
“We really try to focus on bringing new people in and making Alpha part of our evangelism strategy,” explains Captain Fred Reid, corps officer. “We share a meal
and create a welcoming space to ask questions, such as ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘What does it mean to believe in him?’ I think what draws people in is that feeling that they belong, that they’re safe, and that they have a place to engage in meaningful conversations about faith and life.”
To help foster fellowship and connection, Northridge’s small ministry groups, called life groups, take turns catering the meal for each Alpha session. Every week, a different life group prepares and shares the meal with participants.
“It helps bridge the gap,” explains Captain Reid. “If someone from Alpha decides to come to a Sunday service, they’ll recognize at least one person they’ve shared a meal with over the 14 weeks.”
And according to Captain Reid, there are some people who have come through Alpha, found a sense of belonging and are now actively involved in the congregation or other church ministries. Even those who decide they’re not ready for church or who belong to another church in the city sometimes return to volunteer with The Salvation Army. Most recently, a woman who first connected with Northridge through Alpha applied for an administrative position at the corps and is now a Salvation Army employee.
Though Alpha functions as its own evangelism program, it also connects with and feeds into other ministries at Northridge. The corps uses Alpha as a starting point in discipleship, leading participants into its “Practice of the Way” program, which explores what it means to follow Jesus. From there, they discuss church membership.
“Kingdom impact happens one person at a time,” says Captain Reid. “The material is powerful, and we’ve seen it transform lives and bring new life into the church.”
“YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG”
“Part of Alpha is trusting the Holy Spirit,” explains Park. Though the church sets the scene, offers the program space and provides a meal for sharing, the Holy Spirit will lead the results. “If someone leaves Alpha with no change of heart or thought, we’re going to trust the Holy Spirit. But if they complete the course and are curious, let’s get them straight into ministry. All we must do is create that space to let the Spirit do its thing.”
For corps that are considering Alpha or who have tried it in the past without success, Captain Reid offers a word of encouragement: “You can never go wrong by creating a space where people feel welcome. There’s support available through The Salvation Army, our corps mission department and us. Even though Northridge is a regional hub church, we’re also the only Army hub church, so we can support churches across the country.”
And according to Captains Rowe, Alpha Youth is thriving now, but it took time and plenty of trial and error. “We’ve failed at more things than we’ve been successful at,” Captain Daniel admits. “You must be willing to put yourself out there. If God is leading you to do something, you just have to keep pushing until you find the right approach.”
Captain Daniel also encourages officers and ministry leaders to see Alpha not as just another program to run, but as an adaptable tool that fits within existing ministry. “You can run it anywhere—at a coffee shop, in someone’s home, even while going for a walk together,” he says. “At its core, Alpha is about conversations and connection. How can you integrate that into the context of your own ministry?”
Northridge Alpha spends a day at Jackson’s Point Retreat and Conference Centre, Ont.
“HOW CAN WE HELP?”
Saskatoon Temple fosters reconciliation through relationships, listening and support.
BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER
For Captains Angela and Derek Kerr, corps officers at Saskatoon Temple, what started as a simple act of generosity grew into a meaningful partnership with a local school.
St. Frances Cree Bilingual School serves students in Grades 6-8 and operates under the Catholic school board. It has a predominantly Indigenous student body, and many students face economic challenges at home. In 2023, Saskatoon Temple began donating backpacks to the school from their annual backpack drive and has since offered practical assistance through food programs and donations.
But what makes this partnership special is the commitment to reconciliation, relationship-building and an increased awareness of Indigenous traditions in the community.
“We are coming alongside them. We’re not imposing anything. We’re just asking, ‘How can we help?’ ” says Captain Derek.
“We’re really blessed to be part of it,” says Captain Angela.
BACKPACKS AND BREAKFAST
Each summer, Saskatoon Temple provides backpacks to approximately 2,000 children in need. In 2023, they had about 100 extra backpacks that they distributed to local schools and non-governmental organizations. Captains Kerr visited St. Frances Cree, located on the same street as the church, to see if the school would be interested in the backpack drive, and it sparked conversations about more ways that The Salvation Army could offer support.
One of the first initiatives they introduced was a breakfast program and pantry support. The school operates a pantry where students from households experiencing food insecurity can access snacks, and The Salvation Army stepped in to help restock it weekly. In addition, every two weeks they provide breakfast for all 130 students at the school.
Many students at St. Frances Cree come from low-income households, and some live in challenging circumstances, such as families staying in hotels without full kitchens. In response, the school offers a cooking program that teaches them how to prepare meals using small appliances such as air fryers. When one student expressed interest in learning to cook with an air fryer, The Salvation Army donated one and the school was able to teach him how to use it so that he could take the lead on helping prepare meals for his family, despite limited access to a kitchen at home.
While walking over to the school one day, Captains Kerr noticed that the kids on the playground didn’t have much equipment to play with during recess, so they also helped by purchasing sports equipment, such as basketballs and soccer balls.
Saskatoon Temple continues to seek new ways to support St. Frances Cree School. “We’ve said to them, ‘Come to
Cpts Angela and Derek Kerr attend a powwow at St. Frances Cree Bilingual School
us with whatever you’re facing, and let’s have a conversation about it and see how we can help,’ ” says Captain Angela.
ROAD TO RECONCILIATION
Supporting truth and reconciliation is a priority for Captains Kerr and Saskatoon Temple, and part of their commitment to this partnership with St. Frances Cree is building relationships, asking questions and taking time to listen and learn from them. The corps has partnered with Indigenous ministries for training and guidance on truth and reconciliation, including a workshop session led by Captain Crystal Porter, territorial Indigenous ministries consultant.
According to Captain Derek, one of the teachers at St. Frances Cree has been leading students in traditional Indigenous dance, and each month they host a small-scale powwow in the gymnasium. Captains Kerr and representatives from the corps are invited to attend regularly.
“We once attended a powwow with some of our staff and quietly took a seat in the back row. The teacher wasn’t aware we were there, but midway through, he said to the students, ‘We are so thankful to the Sally Ann for everything they do to support us here,’ ” says Captain Derek. “He wasn’t saying it for our benefit—he didn’t even know we were in the room. He was simply encouraging the students to recognize the partnership that exists between us.”
At the end of one of the powwows, Captains Kerr greeted some of the students they know through other programs at the corps, including camping ministries. One girl said to her friends, “Come and meet my family,” referring to the officers.
“It’s so special that they see us that way,” says Captain Angela.
In addition to attending school events, The Salvation Army has also participated in the school’s truth and reconciliation pancake breakfast in September. At the end of the school year in 2024, the corps officers were gifted with blankets and cards made by the children that they displayed on the sanctuary doors at the church.
“I think it’s been a very fruitful partnership,” says Captain Derek.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
“The public school is on a main road that most people drive down, so the congregation is aware of it. But the Cree school is tucked away in the farthest corner of the crescent, making it almost invisible to the community,” explains Captain Angela. “Our congregation didn’t know much about it.”
But through their partnership with the school, members of the corps have begun to learn about the school and its needs, and how The Salvation Army has made a real impact on children in their own community. “These are the ways we can share the love of Jesus right here in our backyard,” says Captain Angela. “It’s been good to have that visibility.”
One congregant, Jim Cruse, has even taken on a key role in the school’s breakfast program. He began as a volunteer, helping prepare breakfast sandwiches for the school. Then he started coming in several days a week to assist more, even going out with the staff to visit the school, deliver food and interact with the students.
“It’s exciting to see our congregation out on the street, meeting students and having conversations about faith,” says Captain Angela. “It’s opening doors.”
“THESE ARE THE WAYS WE CAN SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.”
—CAPTAIN ANGELA KERR
St. Frances Cree School is also one of the first to receive updates when the corps launches new programs and services, such as Christmas assistance registration, camps and other community initiatives.
BEING PRESENT
For Captains Kerr, reconciliation requires a ministry of presence—the act of listening, creating space for dialogue and understanding, and showing up to support and participate.
“It’s about keeping communication channels open and having those conversations, being willing to show up at events, such as prayer breakfasts and powwows, and being present in the room with no other agenda,” says Captain Angela. “I’m not there because I want you to understand my faith. I’m there to support you in your prayer breakfast.”
“Each of us as Salvationists has a role to play in the truth and reconciliation journey that we’re on,” says Captain Derek. “Rebuilding relationships at times isn’t easy, but it starts with listening and being present.”
Reyma Pareno-Eastman, community services team lead, delivers 100 backpacks to St. Frances Cree
From left, Lori McAuley, former principal of St. Frances Cree, and Cpt Derek Kerr at a monthly powwow
The Home Front is an ongoing series where we highlight the mission and ministry taking place around our territory. We will visit each Canadian province and territory, as well as Bermuda, and celebrate the innovation and impact the Army is having in corps, social services and youth ministry
AT A GLANCE
LT-COLONEL SCOTT RIDEOUT
Divisional commander
LT-COLONEL MICHELLE RIDEOUT
Divisional officer personnel secretary and divisional secretary for spiritual life development
LA BELLE PROVINCE
Three stories of music, leadership development and outreach in Quebec.
BY GISELLE RANDALL
In November 2024, Montreal Citadel marked its 140th anniversary, celebrating with a weekend of special events. One of the highlights was a performance of Humanity 2.0, an adaptation of a musical by General John Gowans and General John Larsson, the creative partnership behind many Salvation Army musicals.
“We chose it because it was different than the others. It posed a question that was appropriate for a church: how do you stay focused on Jesus rather than trusting in your own structures, skills and competencies?” says Colonel Glen Shepherd, who brought the idea of a musical to corps officers Captains Indira Albert and Juan Chirinos. “It was a good question for an anniversary weekend.”
Colonel Shepherd asked his daughter, Elizabeth Shepherd, a member of the corps and a professional musician, to direct the performance.
“I’ve grown up with these musicals,” she says. “I still find myself humming the songs.”
Dara Murphy, another corps member and a playwright, adapted the script. Originally called Man Mark II , it premiered at an international youth congress in Macomb, Illinois, in 1985.
“Dara pointed out that some of the terms and language didn’t connect,” says Colonel Shepherd.
“Like the title—‘Mark II’ is a car model from the 1950s. She pushed us to remain faithful to what John Gowans wrote, but to cast it in a 21st-century setting.” Mark II, which refers to the second version of something, became Humanity 2.0. The musical came together over eight weeks of rehearsal. The performers, ages five to 80, were a mix of English, French and Spanish speakers, reflecting the cultural diversity of the congregation. They decided to represent this melting pot of languages in the musical.
“One character would speak a line in French, and then the next character would answer in English,” says Murphy.
“There were always threads to make sure nobody got lost,” adds Colonel Shepherd.
“This is a phenomenon that you have in Montreal, where people carry on conversations in English and French,” says Elizabeth. “It sounds a little crazy, but it is very much reflective of how a conversation could go in the city.”
Humanity 2.0 is the story of a group of Christians who set out to use modern techniques and cultural relevance to share the gospel. They are visited by the Apostle Paul, who reminds them to keep the cross of Christ at the centre. The group reaffirms its commitment, not just to serve the modern age, but to serve Jesus at all costs.
MUSICAL IN MONTREAL
Photo: Priya Chinta
Humanity 2.0, an adaptation of a musical by Gowans and Larsson, was one of the highlights at Montreal Citadel’s 140th anniversary celebrations
Quebec
LEADERS IN TRAINING
In Montreal, summer in the city means food, festivals and fireworks— and Salvation Army camping ministry, although it looks different than in years past.
“We went through a period of grief when Camp Lac l’Achigan was sold,” says Captain Juan Chirinos, who serves as the area youth secretary in the Quebec region of the Atlantic Division, in addition to being the corps officer at Montreal Citadel. “But we grew to realize that it wasn’t the place that made us—it was the meaning of the place that was important.
“So, we decided to bring what happened at camp to the city. The Lord has been so faithful. From that sad moment, something beautiful was born.”
The Salvation Army now runs day camp in the summer, forging strong relationships with campers, parents and staff. One of the things they brought from camp was the LIT (leaders in training) program, which brings together camp staff and 10 to 12 other youth, ages 13 and up, from corps around the city, for two weeks at the end of the summer.
“It’s an opportunity for discipleship, to help them grow in their spiritual life, and to discover and develop their skills,” says Captain Chirinos.
The day begins with a time of teaching. Last summer, they read Practicing the Way, an introduction to spiritual formation by John Mark Comer, and practised the disciplines of confession, silence and solitude. They also learned practical skills for working at camp, such as leading games and activities, and how to pray with and for kids. Of course, there was also time for fun and ice cream.
For Captain Chirinos, these two weeks create a safe environment for young people to explore their faith. “It gives them a place where they can be who they are, where they can express their questions and struggles—questions they perhaps can’t ask in church,” he says. “For example, how to live out their faith at school, when their friends are so different. How to be faithful, when surrounded by temptation. How to recognize God’s voice.
“It gives us a chance to be real with them and offer mentorship.”
As they hear the message of what it means to live for Christ, they often start to ask how they can participate in serving him. Captain Chirinos encourages them to get engaged in their local corps. A number have taught Sunday school, led the children’s time during the service, helped with regional events and volunteered for kettles.
“They get involved, and it’s just beautiful.”
Mjr Anne-Marie Dagenais is starting a mobile foot care clinic for people experiencing homelessness in Quebec City (Inset) A nurse examines and treats foot problems
FOOT CARE IN QUEBEC CITY
For people experiencing homelessness, foot problems are common. Exposure to the elements, poorly fitting or worn-out shoes, prolonged standing and walking, difficulty staying clean and dry—it can all lead to pain, infection or even frostbite. Being homeless is hard on your feet.
That’s why Major Anne-Marie Dagenais, community ministries director for The Salvation Army in Quebec City, applied for an innovation grant to start a mobile foot care clinic.
“In my last appointment, where I also worked with unhoused people, I gave out so many nail clippers,” she says. “I realized foot care was a need.”
The grant allowed Major Dagenais to convert a camper van into a clinic, with a spa chair for pedicures. Their first outing was last October, as part of “Night for the Homeless,” an annual vigil and awareness event in Quebec. Over three hours, they saw about 12 people.
“We washed their feet and our volunteer, a retired nurse, examined and treated any problems,” says Major Dagenais. “People with diabetes often have problems with their feet—they get very swollen, and they need specific care.”
Along with foot care, they offered coffee and snacks and distributed socks. The waiting time also gave Major Dagenais an opportunity to chat and start building relationships with people who live on the street, as she considers other ways to serve this community.
Major Dagenais is hopeful that the Army will soon be offering foot care with “Le coup de pied” (the kick) two evenings a week.
The LIT program helps young people grow in faith and develop their leadership skills.
From left, Valeria Rivera and Rejoice Ndlovu make cards for campers
Two significant events marked 1953. First, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in June, just a few weeks before our commissioning, and it was the 70th year of The Salvation Army in Canada. Our session, the Heralds, was 70 strong as the territorial commander, Commissioner William Dalziel, wanted to mark this milestone with 70 cadets. We were Operation 70.
It was a typical hot June day in Toronto and my parents came from Niagara Falls, Ont., for this special weekend. One memory that has stayed with me was the excitement of standing on the platform at Massey Hall with 69 other cadets, realizing I would soon be given my first appointment as a pro-lieutenant.
Just a few days before, we knelt at the mercy seat in the training college lecture hall to sign our covenants and commit our lives to serving God in The Salvation Army. On commissioning night, we filed onto the stage row by row to receive our appointments. In those days, they were only revealed after we stepped forward to salute the territorial commander, but every surprise was met with anticipation, knowing we were going where God had planned.
MajorCathieHarris FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST SESSION (1972-1974)
My husband, Major Ray Harris, and I stood before Commissioner Clarence Wiseman to receive our first appointment. In the previ ous weeks, there was all kinds of speculation among cadets as to who would go where. In those days, we first heard our appoint ment announced on the stage of Massey Hall in front of a crowded auditorium. As I remember it, Commissioner Wiseman said, “You are appointed to the Drumheller Corps in the Alberta Division.” I was numb. Where on earth was Drumheller, Alta.? I was so flum moxed that I forgot to salute the commissioner. (I have no memory of this, but Ray remembers it clearly!) We soon discovered where it was and Drumheller became a treasured first appointment.
MajorHelenHastie EVANGELISTS SESSION (1967-1969)
GOSPEL MINISTERS OF THE
Officers from across the decades share memories of their ordination and commissioning.
More than 50 years ago, I stood on the platform of Massey Hall, excited about the pageantry of marching under our sessional flag onto the platform to be commissioned as a Salvation Army officer. As a first-generation Salvationist, I felt nervous, excited and overwhelmed with the knowledge of becoming a corps officer. It was at our covenant service, where I knelt to sign my covenant with God and The Salvation Army, that I made a commitment to serve the Lord. During my training and my officership, the song that resonated with me was The Saviour of Men, especially the chorus: “Except I am moved with compassion, how dwelleth thy spirit in me?” God has led me to unmeasurable challenges and worked his will through me in amazing ways. What an honour to serve our Lord.
CommissionerDebbieGraves SERVANTS OF GOD SESSION (1982-1984)
On June 16, 1984, I stood on the platform of Massey Hall as a cadet of the Servants of God Session, anticipating my ordination, commissioning and sending out to my first appointment as a Salvation Army officer. The energy of the congregation was high, and the anticipation of where my first appointment as a new lieutenant would be weighed heavily on my mind. Yet, this was a solemn and holy occasion. What made the most impact then, and does still to this day, is that God chose me to serve him as an officer in The Salvation Army. My calling to be a Servant of God in community, wherever I found myself, was strong, and the peace in my heart was affirming. I have never lost my sense of calling nor the joy of being in his service.
Lt-ColonelAndrewMorgan
MESSENGERS OF GOD’S LOVE SESSION (1995-1997)
Our Messengers of God’s Love Session was commissioned in 1997 during a congress in Toronto. General Paul Rader and Commissioner Kay Rader were the guests. I remember some of us cadets joined in an early morning “jog with the General” before the commissioning events. During the service, we spoke in unison to affirm out loud that we were cadets who “know God, know ourselves and know our mission!” These concepts of knowing, being and doing have stayed with me and guided me through my officer service. Likewise, I have endeavoured to prove true the Scripture life-verse that rang out in the congress hall as I walked to the commissioning platform, preparing to commit my life to covenantal service: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity” (Romans 12:2 PHILLIPS).
CaptainKeesomPhanthaamath
FRIENDS OF CHRIST SESSION (2010-2012)
The entire ordination and commissioning service was a sacred time of consecration and dedication, not only of my life but also of those who are called to God’s service. From the presentation of the Officer’s Covenant and reciting the Declaration of Faith, to kneeling at the mercy seat in prayer, each moment was filled with deep significance. A particularly meaningful moment for me, one that I still vividly recall, was when I stood before our commissioners and became ordained as a minister of the gospel and commissioned as an officer of The Salvation Army. Knowing that I have been called by God for sacred service has given me strength and purpose to fulfil my calling. The portion of Scripture that was chosen specifically for me says, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). This promise continues to resonate in my heart to this day.
MajorMarkStanley
HERALDS OF THE GOOD NEWS SESSION (2005-2007)
There is a moment of silence between the last note of the final song and the buzz of chatter that starts whenever a Salvation Army service concludes; in this case, it was our commissioning service. Time didn’t quite stand still in that pause, but in those brief seconds, I had a keen sense that this was both an ending and a beginning: the end of preparing and the beginning of full-time serving on the journey of Salvation Army officership. This journey would start with travelling far to the south to take up my first appointment at the School for the Blind in Jamaica.
As I stood on the platform in my new uniform, cadet’s bars replaced by captain’s stars, I reflected that the College for Officer Training was never a destination, but rather a checkpoint—like going through customs at the border where they make sure everything is in order before they’ll let you in. The great thing about this journey was that it started with Christ’s invitation to join him on a journey he began and to travel together. It’s been a great adventure!
LieutenantKrishnaMcFarlane
REFLECTORS OF HOLINESS SESSION (2021-2023)
I was ordained and commissioned during the final weekend of the INSPIRE Conference and Congress in 2023. Because it was also a congress, it was spectacular. After many years, we returned to Massey Hall in Toronto. It was a privilege to carry our sessional flag into the auditorium, and my family was proud that I was chosen. It was heartwarming to have my mom there, and amazing that my corps officers from Jamaica travelled to support me. They told me, “We knew you’d end up here, as an officer, when you left for Canada.” My son often says it was so impactful for him to see me walk across the stage and point to the heavens, to give God the glory that I made it to the end. There’s a lot of growth that happens during training. So, to have made it, to have big hope, to have been refined, was just a blessing.
A Bible study group at Oshawa Temple is living out the spirit of community care ministries by providing purses filled with comfort items for survivors of human trafficking
THE SPIRIT OF COMPASSION
A fresh approach to community care ministries.
BY BRENDAN HILL
Let’s journey back to 1892 in Toronto.
A group of Salvationists, known as the league of mercy, dedicates themselves to visiting the sick and isolated, with little but their Bibles, prayers and an unwavering belief that a simple act of care can be a lifeline to someone in need.
More than a century later, that same spirit of compassion continues in community care ministries (CCM). Yet, the world has shifted. Our communities face new challenges, and CCM must evolve to meet them.
A growing number of people are battling loneliness, poverty and health issues. It’s not just the elderly who need care—it’s the young mother, the displaced family, the struggling student. CCM can no longer be a ministry of a few doing visitation. It must become the ministry of many, each finding their unique way to serve.
Commissioner Debbie Graves, territorial president of women’s ministries, reflects on this renewal: “The essence, the values, the purpose of CCM remains the same: showing Christ’s love through action. But now, it’s about widening the circle, allowing each ministry to find its place in this mission and in community.”
The Take a Break group at Oshawa Temple, Ont., is one such example of CCM. For more than a decade, it has been providing purses filled with comfort items for survivors of human trafficking.
“It all started when we invited a police officer to our Bible study to talk about human trafficking in our community,” says Joy Ball, co-ordinator of the group. “Many
of us had no idea how widespread it was. That day, we felt called to do something practical to help. It began with a simple phone call to Durham Regional Police, and from there, the ministry took off.”
The group committed to praying for survivors, but still wanted to do more. “That’s how the idea of the purses came about. A small bag, filled with thoughtful items, could serve as a tangible reminder that someone cares and is praying for them, and that God’s love is real,” Ball explains.
Each purse is filled with items meant to bring dignity and comfort—hygiene products, small gifts, a devotional and a note of encouragement or a Scripture card. “For these women, love has often been distorted by abuse and exploitation,” Ball says. “We want them to know what real love looks like—God’s love. It’s not just about the items inside the purse; it’s about the message they carry.”
The ministry also extends beyond the survivors. Volunteers pray for first responders who work in dangerous and emotionally heavy situations, asking God to give them wisdom, strength and protection.
For those looking to start a similar outreach, Ball emphasizes the importance of listening—both to God’s direction and to the community itself. “It’s crucial to understand the needs around you and the resources already available,” she says. “Human trafficking isn’t just a distant problem; it’s happening in our own neighbourhoods. By paying attention to
what’s needed and connecting with local services, we can offer meaningful support.”
This is what modern CCM looks like— meeting practical needs, forming community partnerships and sharing the light of Christ through simple yet profound acts of kindness.
Commissioner Graves affirms this vision: “As we step forward in faith, let us embrace the call to serve with renewed passion and creativity. The world is waiting for the love of Christ, and through CCM, we can be that light in the darkness.”
BRENDAN HILL
is the chair of the territorial CCM work group and the territorial Pathway of Hope implementation co-ordinator in the community mission department.
NEW CCM TOOLKIT
To help corps put this renewed vision for CCM into practice, the mission services team (corps, community and social mission) has created a new toolkit, which includes guidance on integrating existing ministries with the CCM mission, ideas for new initiatives and practical resources that can be customized for any corps, large or small.
This toolkit is more than a set of materials, it is an invitation—to embrace creativity, explore fresh approaches to ministry and engage every person in the journey of community care ministries. Find the toolkit at Salvationist.ca/ community-care-ministries.
Photo:Joy Ba
Major Jason Sabourin once had a church member tell him after a service, “I’ve been to a lot of churches that have sizzle, but there’s no steak. You do. You’re the only ones that really get your hands dirty.”
“I would never disparage other denominations,” says Major Sabourin, “but from my own experience, the fact that The Salvation Army positions itself on the front lines means we’re more than just sizzle.”
THE START OF A JOURNEY
Major Sabourin did not come from a religious family but when he was a young man, he met Tammy, whose parents were Salvation Army officers.
“We were dating, and I began to attend church for ‘brownie points’ with her parents,” Major Sabourin laughs now.
But, at first, he was bored.
“There wasn’t a lot of reading material at that Salvation Army church then, worse than even a doctor’s office.”
But there were Bibles aplenty, so to pass the time, Major Sabourin started to read them.
“Reading Scripture piqued my curiosity and interest,” he says.
And Major Sabourin listened to the sermons that Tammy’s father would preach.
In spite of himself, he learned about faith and soon came to know God.
“The funny thing was, I was a bus driver and while I was on my route, I’d start to think about these great ideas for sermons while I was driving my bus! Then I’d think to myself, But I don’t even believe in this nonsense. It was all kind of strange.”
“MORE THAN JUST SIZZLE”
Major Jason Sabourin wanted to be a part of something—and that something was The Salvation Army.
BY KEN RAMSTEAD
As time went on, now married, both Jason and Tammy realized that something was missing from their lives.
A new Salvation Army church plant had opened in Ajax, Ont., so they began to attend Hope Church on a regular basis, and Major Sabourin’s journey of faith started at that point.
“SOMETHING MORE”
“I really enjoyed the services, the sermons and the teaching,” Major Sabourin says. And the more he went to the church, the more he found out about The Salvation Army.
“I got a hold of the official histories. I may be the only person who has ever read them all the way through!” Major Sabourin laughs now. “They were really intriguing. Seeing the movement and where General Booth came from, seeing the efforts that were being done in the name of Christ, was amazing. So, the histories got me excited and I thought to myself, Yeah, that’s something I want to be a part of.
“Because I wasn’t looking for a social club, I wasn’t looking for another place just to hang out. I already had a community. I was looking for purpose,” he says.
“And so, I got to this point where I couldn’t deny I was feeling this call to something more.”
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Without realizing that each of them had come to the same conclusion, Jason and Tammy both decided to explore a call to a deeper commitment with their church.
“One night, I came home and Tammy said to me, not knowing I had been feeling this way, ‘I’m kind of feeling a call to
officership.’ Her faith had come around, as had mine.”
The couple made the decision to attend the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg, and they became officers two years later. After stints at various corps, they were asked to return to Hope Church and Community Services in Ajax, the place where it all began for them. They’ve been there ever since.
“Being part of the community and growing with everybody here at the congregation has just been great,” Major Sabourin says. “We’ve been here now for 11 years, and we hope to be here a while longer to finish what we started.”
A PART OF SOMETHING
“The Salvation Army supported my further education, which I’m grateful for,” says Major Sabourin. “And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. This was the path that seemed to have been laid out for me by God.
“In my position as a corps officer at Hope Church, I have conversations with city councillors, federal and provincial politicians, and wealthy donors, but at the same time, I deal with people who call the streets their home,” he continues. “The Salvation Army gives you that perspective of being able to make a difference in people’s lives at every level, to just sit and listen to somebody else’s story. The Salvation Army positions a person to have that kind of influence.
“I don’t want to just sit in a pew on a Sunday and sing hymns and then go and live my life,” Major Sabourin concludes. “I wanted to be part of something. And The Salvation Army is what I wanted to be part of.”
ASK ? EXPERT
IN HARM’S WAY
How does trauma-informed care help people heal?
BY MAJOR CATHERINE SKILLIN
Allow me to introduce you to Carol. She was a business professional who looked like she had everything; however, she was hiding a grim home life. Carol was the victim of physical, emotional and spiritual abuse at the hands of her husband. Through a connection with a corps, she met the corps officers. They recognized that Carol was being abused. While wanting to help, they also knew they couldn’t provide the care that she required. They connected her to a colleague trained in trauma-informed care.
As a result of trauma-informed ministry, Carol felt safe for the first time in 20 years. She gained the strength she needed to speak up to her husband and started to believe that she was not responsible for the abuse that had happened to her. She learned that she could make good choices in her life. After a violent incident, Carol took her children and left the marital home.
While she still has challenges, Carol now has the strength to say, “No more abuse,” to fight for custody of their four children and to begin planning for an abuse-free future. Her faith in humanity has started to improve and, more importantly, her faith in God has been restored.
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Exposure to a traumatic event or series of events harms a person’s sense of safety, sense of self and ability to regulate their emotions, and may cause difficulties in navigating relationships. The many effects of trauma can be immediate or delayed by weeks, months or years.
WHY DO WE NEED TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE?
Current Canadian statistics indicate that 70 percent of our population has experienced at least one traumatic incident, such as:
• Abuse
• Car, bus, train and plane accidents
• Natural disasters, pandemics
• Combat experiences
• Sudden unexpected death of loved ones
• Anything that makes a person fear for their or another’s safety
When we think about everyone connected to The Salvation Army—corps members, leaders, staff and clients at our social services centres—and realize that at least 70 percent of them have experienced trauma, we start to see the enormity of the situation. This statistic only accounts for reported incidents of trauma. The actual number is probably higher.
The Salvation Army is an organization that cares for people. Since most of the people we interact with have experienced trauma, we need to learn about trauma-informed care (TIC).
It is my opinion that all Salvation Army ministries should be trauma informed.
WHAT IS TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE?
TIC is a way of relating to people that acknowledges the effects of trauma and, at the same time, tries not to retraumatize them. TIC has five principles.
1. Trauma awareness and acknowledgment. This involves recognizing that a person has experienced trauma and that their behaviours and reactions are coping mechanisms that enable them to feel safer. These coping mechanisms are effective when the person is in danger, but the person will often react in the same way even when not in danger. The reason for this is that, fundamentally, a trauma survivor seldom feels safe. A trauma survivor mustn’t be forced to tell their story or explain what happened to them. When they choose to share something of what happened, they should always be believed, and their experience should be validated. We can say to them, “That must have been a terrible experience for you,” or “You have survived a lot,” or “What happened to you was not your fault.”
2. Safety and trustworthiness. Since a trauma survivor does not feel safe, they also do not trust easily. Their world has been a dangerous place, and it is difficult for them to shift to believing that they are safe. It is important to try to make the person feel welcome and that they matter to you. Greeting someone warmly by their name is a simple way to do this. If the trauma experience has been one of abuse, the person will likely have been called many things but has rarely been warmly greeted by name. We need to be friendly and compassionate toward trauma survivors but also have appropriate boundaries.
3. Choice, control and collaboration. TIC strives to give back choice to a person. We take for granted the ability to make choices. However, the trauma survivor, especially in cases of abuse, may need to learn this skill. They are used to being told what to do and are not used to making choices. Giving choice to the person may be as simple as allowing the person to choose where they want to sit in a meeting or select the food they receive from the food bank. Providing choice gives back some control to the person who may have previously experienced no control.
4. Strength-based and skills-building care. One of the results of experiencing trauma is disempowerment. When a person is disempowered for a long time, they may learn to feel helpless. In reality, the person who has experienced trauma is resilient. Using a strength-based perspective, we see their resilience,
coping skills and strength instead of viewing them as a victim with poor coping skills and weaknesses. Of course, the person may need to learn new life, social and employment skills, and many Salvation Army programs provide these learning opportunities. But from a strength-based perspective, we communicate our belief in the person and their ability to learn the required skills and make the necessary life changes. We may be the first to tell them that.
5. Cultural, historical and gender issues. A word used to describe some people is marginalized. Marginalized populations may have additional challenges when seeking services due to social injustice and systemic barriers. Some will experience unequal opportunities and access to resources. Marginalized people may include:
• Women
• People with a disability
• The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Person of Colour) community
• The Latin American community
• The Middle Eastern community
• The LGBTQ2S+ community
• The immigrant/newcomer community
The more marginalizing factors, the more challenging it is for people to navigate life and achieve their goals. For example, a Latin American woman with a disability will find it more difficult to get her needs met than someone who is not marginalized. But even someone with one kind of marginalization will have challenges. A person who uses a walker or wheelchair will notice narrow doorways and boxes piled in aisles of stores, for example. An able-bodied person will easily adapt to these obstacles without a second thought. Is your program space accessible to all people?
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE SHIFTS
OUR THINKING FROM “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” TO “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?”
Some members of marginalized groups have experienced discrimination or systemic racism. This may have led to the effects of their trauma being passed down to future generations. The generations that follow carry the shame and other effects of trauma even if they did not experience the trauma themselves.
When people are struggling with the challenges of marginalization, trauma adds another layer of complexity and difficulty. But always remember that these challenges, while more layered, can be overcome with the resiliency inherent in all people.
TIC fits within the core values of The Salvation Army. Using the five principles of TIC in our interactions and service to others gives dignity and hope to the trauma survivor and helps them to feel safer. This leads to our interactions and programs being more successful and positive.
Training in TIC is available through the social mission department or through the TIC module in Fit for Mission.
MAJOR CATHERINE SKILLIN is a specialist, knowledge mobilization and implementation, in the social mission department.
Illustration:
Rivonny Luchas
Aswe look ahead to the future of the church, we are faced with a critical challenge: evangelism is on life support in many congregations. This stark observation comes from Carey Nieuwhof, a bestselling author, speaker and podcast host, whose insights have been instrumental in shaping church leadership conversations across North America. In “5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025,” Nieuwhof highlights a concerning reality for the church, one that requires our immediate attention and action—the crisis in evangelism.
Nieuwhof shares that, over the last five years, church leaders have focused largely on discipleship in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Yet, he argues, this focus often obscures a more profound problem: the decline of effective outreach to those outside our walls. As Nieuwhof points out, the number of pastors who say their church is very effective at outreach has dropped from 13 percent in 2015 to just one percent in 2023. This shift raises a vital question for us as a Salvation Army: are we reaching out to those who need to hear the gospel, or have we become a club for the already convinced?
The statistics are troubling, but they also present us with an opportunity—a call to action. As members of The Salvation Army, we are uniquely positioned to address this decline in evangelism. Our mission has always been deeply rooted in outreach and service to others, particu-
IGNITE THE FIRE
We need to take evangelism seriously.
BY COLONEL JOHN CHAMNESS
larly the marginalized and those on the fringes of society. Yet we, too, must ask ourselves how effectively we are reaching those who have not yet encountered the transforming power of the gospel.
Nieuwhof’s analysis brings to light an important trend: much of the growth in many churches today is “transfer growth”—people moving from one congregation to another rather than new believers coming to faith. This trend is mirrored in the broader church landscape, where studies show that a significant percentage of churches are experiencing little to no conversion growth at all. This should cause us to reflect: are we prioritizing the growth of our institutions, or are we committed to the mission of reaching the lost?
For The Salvation Army, this is a particularly poignant moment. Our work has always been about both discipleship and evangelism—serving people in need while proclaiming the hope of Christ. But we must ask ourselves: are we still effectively sharing the good news in a way that engages the world around us? Are we innovating in our outreach methods to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society?
There is much at stake. As Nieuwhof argues, when evangelism is neglected, the very future of the church is at risk. Without a vibrant, outward-facing witness, the church risks becoming inwardfocused, losing sight of its mission to bring the love of Christ to those who need it most. Evangelism is not about growing
numbers for the sake of numbers—it is about fulfilling our mission of salvation. It is about loving our neighbours, including those who may not yet know Christ, and showing them that God’s love is real, present and transformative.
So, what can we do? Nieuwhof’s solution is clear: take evangelism seriously. It is time for us, as The Salvation Army, to renew our commitment to reaching those outside the walls of our church buildings. We must ask ourselves: how can we better engage our communities with the hope of Christ? How can we reach out to those who are far from God, in a way that is both compassionate and compelling?
In the coming months, let us reflect on our own practices and ministries. Let us be bold in sharing the gospel, and let us commit to innovative, compassionate outreach that speaks to the needs of the world around us. As we do, may we find new ways to embody the heart of The Salvation Army—offering the hope of Jesus Christ to a world desperately in need of his love.
Together, let us reignite the fire of evangelism in our mission, so that the world may know the transforming power of Christ’s love through The Salvation Army.
COLONEL JOHN CHAMNESS is the chief secretary in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
ONE LORD
What
does it mean for Jesus to be fully God and fully human?
BY JAMES READ
“We believe … in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.”
—Nicene Creed
“Whodo you say I am?” Jesus asked his first disciples.
The Gospels show us the struggle they had with this question as they accompanied him through first-century Palestine. Often, they simply didn’t understand who Jesus was, what he was saying or what he was doing.
But after his Resurrection there was a radical change. “When they saw [Jesus], they worshipped him” (Matthew 28:17). Seeing wounds on the flesh of the resurrected Jesus, Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). The Apostle Paul added that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). And when John sees heaven opened to him, he hears the angels saying, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!” and sees the elders fall down and worship him (see Revelation 5:12-14).
Ever since, it has been a hallmark of Christians that we worship the Lord Jesus Christ. He is worthy of worship because he is divine. As the Nicene Creed puts it, he is “very God of very God.”
When the creed was developed 1,700 years ago, some theologians were not prepared to say this, Arius chief among them. They believed he was less than God. And so, to worship him, as Christians were doing, was blasphemy.
But if Jesus is truly divine, important truths follow.
• It means that Jesus is the way to see and experience God first-hand. As Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
• When Jesus speaks, God himself is speaking. He is not God’s spokesman.
• The ability of Jesus to forgive sins
was questioned by religious authorities. “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” the Pharisees asked (see Luke 5:20-21). Christian faith replies that Jesus speaks no blasphemy or arrogance since he is God.
• Whatever it means to say the Lord Jesus bore our sins, it does not mean that he is like a cash-rich bail-out artist who buys up the debt of someone about to go bankrupt. God is the one who has been sinned against, and in Jesus, God himself is the one who pays the price.
It can be hard to wrap our heads around this, but these are implications of saying, as The Salvation Army’s doctrines affirm, that Jesus Christ is “truly and properly God.”
Those same doctrines affirm that Jesus is also “truly and properly man [i.e., human].” Jesus of Nazareth was a particular man who lived in a particular
We Believe is a six-part series on the Nicene Creed, which marks its 1,700th anniversary in 2025.
place and culture at a particular time. He was not a generic human or a pretend human. He spoke and read languages current in Palestine 2,000 years ago. He ate food. He went to parties. He had close friends. He knew joy. He got tired and thirsty. He experienced sorrow and disappointment. He bore insults, rejection, betrayal and abandonment. The range of human experience— physical, emotional and intellectual—was his.
Because the one Lord Jesus Christ is fully divine as well as fully human, we can say that what Jesus experienced, God experienced. In Jesus, God has felt bone-tiring fatigue. God has felt parchedtongue thirst. God has experienced a loving mother’s embrace. God has experienced belly laughs. God has not only empathized from a distance; he has felt the tears of grief himself. God felt the searing pain of crucifixion. God has loved the world so much that he became flesh and dwelt among us.
He, the one Lord Jesus Christ, is, without doubt, worthy of our worship.
DR. JAMES READ
was the executive director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre for 27 years and was a member of the International Theological Council. His co-author of this series, Major Ray Harris, is a retired Salvation Army officer and author of Convictions Matter Major Harris and Dr. Read attend Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
• What do people in Canada and Bermuda think of Jesus today?
• How could The Salvation Army better demonstrate that we worship Jesus Christ?
Humanslove control.
Some 12,000 years ago, people started to control their environment as they farmed an area known as the Fertile Crescent, in what is now Syria and Iraq. They developed crops they could predict, doing away with a gathering lifestyle where they relied solely on the wild, untamed lands.
Animals came next, with cattle, horses and sheep, to name a few, brought under human control. Who doesn’t love when a dog rolls over on command, or comes when called?
UNTAMED
Do we try to domesticate God?
The process of taming an animal or cultivating the land for food is called domestication. It is a complex and multistage biological process that changes members of a given species behaviourally, morphologically and physiologically, relative to its wild ancestors. Thousands of years ago, some form of domestication could be found throughout Europe and Asia and in parts of Africa, Australia and the Americas.
But it didn’t end there. Humanity’s desire for control has led us to wage war, to colonize our neighbours and to industrialize the world. Our desire to domesticate—to control—is insatiable.
In our desire to control what is often an uncertain and unpredictable world, it sometimes feels we’ve gone so far as to try to domesticate God.
While it is true that God’s character is the same yesterday, today and forever (see Hebrews 13:8), God is also uncontrollable, untameable and unpredictable—I might be so bold as to say that God is wild. Yet, time and time again, we attempt to fit him into a box that we can define and control to serve our own needs.
We use Bible verses taken out of context to provide a false sense of security, or to rationalize our selfish desires. We shirk off answers to prayer that make us
BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK
uncomfortable and instead spout empty platitudes. We make our own plans and tie God’s name on as a bow.
And we are repelled by any version of God that does not fit our mould.
The temptation to domesticate God can lead to a distorted view of faith, in which God is used to justify our actions or grant requests on command, as if he were a cosmic vending machine or welltrained pet.
TRUE FAITH IS NOT ABOUT CONTROLLING OR PREDICTING GOD’S ACTIONS.
Ultimately, a domesticated God is one who is no longer seen as the Creator of the universe who holds ultimate power and authority, but rather as a tool used to fulfil our human desires. We have seen this happen repeatedly throughout history when leaders have used Christian language and biblical references to enact evil plans.
And we see it daily in our own lives when we offer God a laundry list of selfish requests rather than seeking his guidance.
While the temptation can be great to reduce God’s vastness and awesomeness into something tameable, true faith is not about controlling or predicting God’s actions. It is about surrender, trust and the willingness to accept that God’s ways are better than our own, even when they are unexpected or complex. We do not need a pet God. We need a great, wild, almighty God who knows us better than we know ourselves, and whose plans for his kingdom far surpass our limited mortal view.
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done” (see Luke 22:42), offers us a model for our own redemptive prayers as we seek to acknowledge God as the one guiding all things. If we are to ensure we are not domesticating God, we must give ourselves over to the task of discernment before acting on our own. We must ask questions—Where is God already at work in the world? What is God’s will in this situation? How can I come alongside God and be part of his kingdom work?
Creator, forgive us for trying to control what is not ours to control. Forgive us for trying to domesticate you, who are over and in all things. Help us to be OK with the often wild and always untamed God that you are. Even untamed, we can trust in you, God, because you are always, always good.
CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK is the corps officer at Barrhaven Church in Ottawa, and the divisional secretary for women’s ministries in the Ontario Division.
A TABLECLOTH THAT SAVED A LIFE
A poignant memento of the Empress of Ireland disaster.
Living History is an ongoing series showcasing just a small assortment of the more than 350,000 items housed at The Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Toronto. This month, we spotlight one of its most treasured artifacts.
One of the darkest days of the early Canadian Salvation Army occurred on May 29, 1914, when the Empress of Ireland, carrying a delegation bound for an Army congress in London, England, was rammed by the SS Storstad, a Norwegian collier. One hundred and twenty-four Salvationists perished.
A thick wool tablecloth from the Storstad was donated to the Heritage Centre by way of one of the Empress survivors who lived to tell his story, Alfred Keith. He describes the ordeal in the moments after the ship was struck: “I sensed I was going over,” Keith said. “I went as low as possible on the port side and dived in headfirst.” A competi-
tive swimmer, he frantically swam as fast as he could away from the rapidly sinking Empress. He recalls being sucked under water by the force of the backwater as the ship went down. Keith held his breath for what seemed an eternity, and just as he felt he would not be able to hold his breath any longer, he was propelled up from beneath the icy waters.
Numb and exhausted from the physical strain, Keith floated on his back for over an hour without a lifejacket until his head struck a floating log. He desperately wrapped his weary arms around the bobbing debris until he was picked up by a lifeboat from
Staff of The Salvation Army Heritage Centre in Toronto hold the tablecloth from the SS
. From left,
Ron and
(Top) Alfred Keith (Above) An old illustration of the Empress of Ireland
the Storstad, making one last sweep to search for survivors.
As Keith boarded the Storstad , weary, wet, cold and exhausted, a quickthinking crew member retrieved a thick wool tablecloth from the dining room and wrapped it around the shivering survivor.
More than a century later, the Heritage Centre is privileged to have that tablecloth among its valued holdings. Keith went on to have a distinguished career in The Salvation Army, but he never parted with the tablecloth that saved his life. Eventually, Keith’s son donated it to the centre for safekeeping.
Storstad
Camilo Mejia, Mjrs
Donna Millar, and Mjr Mike Leblanc
TERRITORIAL
Appointments: Comr Susan McMillan, assistant territorial secretary for mission, THQ; Lt-Cols Grant/Lauren Effer, COs, Picton CC, Ont. Div; Mjr James Mercer, director of community services and spiritual care, Ottawa Booth Centre, Ont. Div; Mjr June Newbury, regional retired officers secretary, Ont. Div; Mjrs Brian/Valerie Wheeler, COs, Corner Brook CC, N.L., Atlantic Div; Cpt Angela Kerr, regional women’s ministry secretary, Prairies and Northern Territories Div (additional responsibility); Cpt Elizabeth Knight, executive assistant to the chief secretary, THQ; Aux-Lt Justina Hammill, regional women’s ministry secretary, Prairies and Northern Territories Div (additional responsibility); Aug 1—Lt-Col David Bowles, CO, Leipzig, Germany, Lithuania and Poland Tty; Lt-Col Marsha-Jean Bowles, assistant secretary for programme—corps and chaplaincy, Germany, Lithuania and Poland Tty
Post-retirement ministry: Mjrs Anthony/Patricia Kennedy, COs, St. Thomas, Ont. Div
Retirements: Feb 1—Mjr Barbara Carey, Mjr Brenda Hammond, Mjr Lesley Simms
Promoted to glory: Lt-Col William Wilson, Dec 14; Mjr Dorothy Bird, Jan 4; Mjr Caroline Brinson, Jan 23; Mjr Sandra Ross, Jan 23; Mjr David Howell, Jan 23; Mjr Margaret Garcia (Kerton), Jan 24; Mjr Lillian Randell, Jan 29
CALENDAR
Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves: May 5-6 executive leaders’ conference, THQ; May 24-25 Ottawa Citadel; Jun 5-6 National Advisory Board, St. John’s, N.L.; Jun 15-16 divisional review, B.C. Div; Jun 19 Covenant Day, CFOT; Jun 21-22 commissioning weekend, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Jun 23-29 Maritime summer tour
Colonels John and Lani Chamness: May 5-6 executive leaders’ conference, THQ; May 23-25 Saskatchewan women’s camp, Beaver Creek Camp (Colonel Lani Chamness only); Jun 5-6 National Advisory Board, St. John’s, N.L. (Colonel John Chamness only); Jun 15-16 divisional review, B.C. Div; Jun 19 Covenant Day, CFOT; Jun 21-22 commissioning weekend, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto
Canadian Staff Band: May 24-25 Ottawa Citadel; Jun 21-22 commissioning weekend, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto
Canadian Staff Songsters: May 3-4 North York Temple, Toronto; Jun 21-22 commissioning weekend, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto
NEON: Jun 21-22 commissioning weekend, Scarborough Citadel, Toronto
TORONTO—Graham Moore, assistant chief secretary for organizational development and member of the executive leadership team for the Canada and Bermuda Tty, receives a certificate from Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander, marking his 30th anniversary as a Salvation Army employee.
SASKATOON—Cpt Derek Kerr, CO, Saskatoon Temple, is presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Kevin Waugh, member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Grasswood. The medal is administered by the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall and given by the command of King Charles III to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada.
OTTAWA—The Salvation Army is acknowledged by Public Safety Canada at a ceremony in Ottawa for exemplary service to Canadians during disasters. Exemplary Service Awards are presented to Dan Millar, assistant territorial EDS director; Mjr Ben Lippers, divisional director of EDS, Prairies and Northern Territories Div; Mjr Tony Brushett, executive director, Northwest Territories Resource Centre; Steven Hynes; and Tim Sharp, former executive director, Edmonton Community Resource Centre. The award was presented by Jeffery Hutchinson, associate deputy minister of public safety (left), and Sherry Romanado, parliamentary secretary to the minister of emergency preparedness (right). (Inset) John Bignell, divisional director, EDS, Atlantic Div, receives an award for outstanding contributions to emergency management.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Two senior soldiers are enrolled at Grand Falls Citadel. From left, Cpt Norm Porter, DYS, Atlantic Div, conducting the ceremony; Jaxin Fifield and Mya Rowsell, senior soldiers; and Frank Keats, holding the flag.
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Grand Falls Citadel celebrates the enrolment of five junior soldiers. From left, Jim Thorne, who taught preparation classes; Norah Feener, Grace Fifield, Elizabeth Kelly, Luke Saunders and Brody Saunders, junior soldiers; Lucas Pardy, director of children and youth ministries; and Melvina Thorne, who taught preparation classes.
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY—
General Paul A. Rader served as The Salvation Army’s 15th international leader from 1994 to 1999. Born in New York City, Paul was raised in a wholly committed Salvation Army family. He spent his undergraduate years at Asbury University, then studied at Asbury Theological Seminary and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating with bachelor of arts, bachelor of divinity and master of theology degrees.
At Asbury, he met and married Kay Fuller, and together, they entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in New York (U.S.A. Eastern Territory) in September 1960 as cadets of the Soldiers of Christ Session. They were appointed as cadet-lieutenants to Newark, New Jersey, in 1961, and were ordained and commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army on June 14, 1962.
Lieutenants Kay and Paul Rader felt called to be missionaries in South Korea, and upon their commissioning they were appointed to the faculty at The Salvation Army Officer Training College in the Korea Territory. They served in a variety of capacities, including education, evangelism and administration, and in July 1967, Captain Paul Rader was appointed assistant training principal.
In March 1972, Captains Kay and Paul Rader moved back to the United States with their three children, where they were assigned to the world
services department, Southern California Division (U.S.A. Western Territory) and received the rank of major nine months later. While in California, Major Paul Rader studied at Fuller Theological Seminary, earning his doctorate in missiology.
In August 1973, they returned to the Korea Territory, with Major Paul Rader first serving as the training principal, then later as territorial education secretary. In October 1977, he was appointed chief secretary and promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
After 22 years of service in Korea, in February 1984, the Raders returned to the United States for Lt-Colonel Paul Rader to serve as principal of the School for Officer Training in Suffern, New York. It was at that time that he was awarded a doctor of laws (LLD) degree from Asbury University.
In January 1989, Lt-Colonel Paul Rader was appointed chief secretary of the U.S.A. Eastern Territory with a promotion to the rank of colonel, and in October that same year was further promoted to the rank of commissioner and became leader of the U.S.A. Western Territory. In 1994, Commissioner Paul Rader was elected the first American-born General of The Salvation Army with an unprecedented unanimous vote, and he held this role until 1999.
Upon retirement, General Paul Rader served as the 15th president of Asbury University from 2000 until 2006. After retiring from this position, he lived his remaining years in Lexington, Kentucky, with his beloved wife.
General Rader was a godly man who lived in service to others and, most of all, to Christ. He was a devoted husband to Kay, his wife of 68 years, and was her strongest supporter as they shared in ministry together. He was also a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, leaving a legacy of love, integrity, humility and conviction. He is survived by his wife, Commissioner Kay Rader; three children, Edie (Jack) Moon, JP (Helen) Rader and Jennie (Ray) Purvis; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and countless extended family members, friends and colleagues.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
“Somebody once told me that the last place you’d ever want to be is the first place you will find The Salvation Army, helping, serving and working to restore dignity to the people that we help, on their terms,” says Andrew Moulton
QA &
Andrew Moulton is the divisional children, youth and young adult co-ordinator in the Prairies and Northern Territories Division.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I live in Winnipeg, where I was born and raised. Not unlike other proud Canadians, I grew up loving hockey (Go Jets go!). I enjoy creating videos, for fun and work, and I love Slurpees. I have a beautiful wife, Jenn, who works as a therapist, and four amazing children: Noella, Deacon, Oliver and Lucy.
My large extended family often poke fun at me for loving family traditions. A few favourites include trips to Clear Lake, Man., visits with relatives from British Columbia and Ontario, large get-togethers at my aunt and uncle’s home, and many Christmas traditions.
Who has made the biggest impact on your faith?
I grew up as a member of The Salvation Army’s Heritage Park Temple. I attended Sunday school, sang all the catchy songs and became a junior and then a senior soldier. I have volunteered and worked for the Army in several different capacities. Many people have made a profound impact on my faith journey. The first who come to mind are my parents. They’ve shown me what it means to live a life striving to be like Jesus, to love unconditionally and to put myself
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
Pursuing Jesus and learning from youth.
in other people’s shoes, and what it means to hold tight to God when times are tough. Others include my wife and best friend, who walks by my side and grows with me on this journey; my nana and papa, who always encourage me to use my gifts; my grandma and grandpa, who exemplified leadership and service; and too many others to name.
How has God been faithful during a difficult time?
I think the lyrics from Goodness of God ring true for my journey thus far: “All my life you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, so good.” God has been there through the good times and the bad. Whether I have been calling out in happiness, anger, frustration or sadness, God has been steadfast in my life. When anxiety builds up or sorrow is taking hold, I like to close my eyes and spend a couple moments just picturing God, sitting with him, remembering Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” He always brings a sense of much-needed calm.
What are your patterns or habits for sustaining your relationship with God?
When I was little, I went to my grandma and grandpa’s house every morning before school. As I walked into their living room, my grandpa would be sitting on the end of the couch, reading his Bible, doing his devotions. This is something I will never forget. I try to do the same. I’m not
yet as consistent as he was, but I’m working toward it. I also like to read Christian authors, listen to sermons, spend time in community with other believers and listen to Christian music.
What inspires you about the Army?
Before my current position, I spent time working with the Army’s correctional and justice services, an Army seniors’ home and Army thrift stores. I love The Salvation Army and the unique work that we get to do. Somebody once told me that the last place you’d ever want to be is the first place you will find The Salvation Army, helping, serving and working to restore dignity to the people that we help, on their terms.
Where are you experiencing God at work in your life these days?
I absolutely love the work that I’m doing, and I experience God through it all the time. It is impossible to work with youth and not see the hands and face of God. The youth in The Salvation Army are truly a gift to be treasured. They are brilliant, curious, full of life and are pursuing Jesus. I learn so much from them, and they are going to do amazing things for God’s kingdom.
I also have the absolute privilege of watching my own children grow up, to see them learn, ask questions and experience God. There is beauty and so much to be learned in watching kids work out their faith.
The
Faith
Friends
SALVATIONIST GLENDENE BARROW‘S FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS HELPED HER THROUGH A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS. P.16
PHRASE BE is an ongoing series highlighting the dozens of everyday sayings that originate with biblical text.
In this issue, we unpack:
YOU PREACH PRACTISE WHAT
PHRASE: Practise what you preach.
DEFINITION: To behave in the same way that you tell other people to behave.
EXAMPLE: The popular manager practised what he preached when it came to taking time off.
SOURCE: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practise what they preach.”
—Matthew 23:1-3
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He was always on the lookout to condemn hypocrisy in any form, and the actions of the Jewish religious elites—those pious but truly unrighteous leaders—particularly attracted His ire. Jesus set us a perfect example of practising what He preached, mirroring the kind of life we all need to aspire to.
Practising what you preach is one important way to live like Jesus did. As Christians, we should be called out to live our faith with humility, gentleness and patience. It’s not always easy but our actions do speak louder than our words. Whether as parents, workmates or friends, we must let our actions match our words. And people are watching.
12 A Perfect Fit
With Love
Salvation Army ministries in British Columbia express gratitude for weekly vegetable donations.
Learning to read the Bible for all its worth.
A single mother finds relief.
Carpenter David Williams was at his lowest when he walked through the doors of The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light program in Bermuda. He’s never looked back.
16 Back From the Brink
Glendene Barrow almost died from a life-threatening illness, but her faith, family and friends pulled her through. 22
One ...
In Lilo & Stitch, family is more than just a word. It’s a way of living.
Thanks to a talented Manitoba artist, a Salvation Army church welcomes the community with traditional art.
Since 2021, The Salvation Army’s Sustainable Agriculture in Liberia (SAIL) initiative has helped hundreds of farmers.
Have You Heard the News?
News buff that I am, in these trying and worrying times, I have been drawn to the last five minutes of any newscast. That’s when the “good news” segments usually air.
Segments such as a recent story from Toronto where a frightened cat found her way under a streetcar stopped at a traffic light. Returning from a veterinarian’s appointment, the cat escaped from her owner’s satchel and promptly scootched under the vehicle, where she stubbornly refused to budge. But the predicament brought out the best in the passengers. While the transit driver stopped traffic, the passengers gently cajoled the feline out with the help of some cat treats. To the cheers of passersby, the streetcar continued on its way.
While this was a great story, I find myself returning to the truly good news in the Gospel of John that “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Talk about good news! For Faith & Friends is all about the Gospels, which literally means “good news.” The New Testament accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ are the central message of Christianity today, and we hope that shines through every page of Faith & Friends.
This month, we conclude our three-part series on the Bible and why that good news is still relevant. You’ll also see how a man living in Bermuda was helped to overcome his addiction, and how a shipment of peppers in British Columbia has changed lives for the better at Army facilities. You might even say they are ... a-pepper-ciated.
Ken Ramstead
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 bimonthly by:
The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4
International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England
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Commissioner Lee Graves
TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
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Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY
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ISSN 1702-0131
Peppers Aplenty Corne (left) and Paul Moerman are fourth-generation growers at Sunnyside Produce Ltd.
Serving Up Joy Chef Hung Joe Kwok prepares peppers donated by Sunnyside Produce Ltd.
Peppered With Love
Salvation Army ministries in British Columbia express gratitude for weekly vegetable donations.
by Melissa Yue Wallace
Photo: Sunnyside Produce Ltd.
Photo: David Yang
“As Christians, we believe it’s important to help people who are struggling and to donate to people in need.”
Community meals at The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light are enjoyed by men, women and children in need of nourishment and food. Offering a range of dishes, seven days a week, in a caring, safe environment, guests from all walks of life can feel welcome, and connect with staff for information or for other resources.
So, when Sunnyside Produce Ltd., a family-run greenhouse that grows 34 hectares of bell, mini and other specialty peppers in Surrey and Delta, B.C., were reviewing their annual giving options, they had an idea.
Spreading the Peppers
“Every year, we make donations to different organizations, and we know The Salvation Army does a lot of good work locally,” says Corne Moerman, a fourth-generation grower. “Last year, we got to talking about setting up a program where we ship a pallet per week, which we’ve been doing for a few months now.”
Since last May, Sunnyside Produce Ltd. has shipped more than 200 kilograms of bell peppers a week to Salvation Army ministry units across
CORNE MOERMAN
British Columbia, totalling more than 3,000 kilograms.
According to Cindy Cheung , community engagement co-ordinator, Vancouver Harbour Light receives 30 percent of the donation, which is used to support their community residential facility, shelters and recovery clients who are working through programs to quit substance use and reintegrate safely into the community. This support also extends to helping the broader community in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
The rest of the peppers are distributed to Army ministry units in Richmond, New Westminster and North Vancouver, where they assist with food banks, family services and homeless outreach.
Filling a Need
“Vancouver Harbour Light serves approximately 500 to 550 meals daily through our community meals service and residential programs,” says Cindy. “Food has a significant impact not only on filling empty bellies but helping clients focus on their program goals toward recovery and reintegration.”
Chefs incorporate the peppers into a variety of dishes, such as roasted pepper sides, stir-fries, stews, cold soups such as gazpacho, and a salad bar.
“The peppers have helped us add an additional variety of fresh produce to our rotating menu,” Cindy explains. “This enables our kitchen to find and create numerous dishes for a balanced diet for our clients across the programs.
“Knowing that the peppers come fresh weekly from a local farm makes us feel grateful and proud that we are putting high-quality ingredients on
our clients’ plates. We are thankful for community support.”
For Corne and his family, giving to organizations such as The Salvation Army is an outward expression of their faith.
“As Christians, we believe it’s important to help people who are struggling and to donate to people in need,” he says. He notes that organizing a weekly pickup ensures the produce is delivered as fresh as possible and can be used right away.
“For us, donating peppers is a small thing we can do, and we hope it helps fill a need and will go a long way.”
Pepper Producer
The Salvation Army’s Vancouver Harbour Light’s community meal service provides approximately 500 to 550 meals daily
Photos: David Yang
(left) Melissa Yue Wallace is a development stewardship specialist at the Salvation Army territorial headquarters in Toronto.
Beautiful Bounty Fresh produce is especially needed for food banks and shelters to help individuals eat healthier
Always Relevant Learning to read the Bible for
all its worth.
by Mal Davies
In the final article of a three-part series, Major Mal Davies talks about the world’s bestselling book—the Bible—and how it is still relevant, and needed, today.
In Act 1, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a young man called Laertes is about to travel away from Denmark and he bids farewell to his sister, Ophelia, and his father, Polonius. As a wise and loving father, Polonius offers his son some advice.
He tells Laertes to be friendly to others but avoid being vulgar; to be wary of entering into arguments; to listen and speak with wisdom and discernment; and to watch
his spending habits. He concludes by saying, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” It’s a fitting final word about being guided by his own conscience and moral code.
Shakespeare wrote Hamlet in about 1600, and the advice Polonius gives Laertes is still good advice today, more than 400 years later. I’d give my son the same advice if he was going on a long trip today. Good advice is timeless.
There are many reasons I read the Bible, primarily to know God better and to observe how Jesus lived, but I find myself also constantly turning to it for advice on how to live. MAL DAVIES
Still Relevant?
Some people challenge the Bible by asking if it’s still relevant and applicable to life in the 21st century. After all, parts of it were written many thousands of years ago, and even the most recent parts were written nearly 2,000 years ago.
However, I’d suggest that the advice, lessons and teaching it offers are still highly relevant and well worth reading, reflecting on and putting into practice.
In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus spoke about our duty of care to those in need. If someone is experiencing a crisis, we’re not to run them through a questionnaire on their life choices and lifestyle first! We’re expected to help them.
Jesus also said not to put too high a priority on accumulating money or possessions, but to consider these things in correct priority order with loving God and others. As He said of one man and his wealth, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” (Luke 12:20).
Greatest Teachings
Some of Jesus’ greatest teaching was in relation to showing humility and about serving others. It was common for rabbis in the Jewish faith to have disciples who would revere and respect their teachers greatly. Jesus’ disciples (followers) considered Him their rabbi and they loved and admired Him. Imagine their shock when, once, He washed their feet after travelling and advised them to offer similar humble service to others.
In our modern era, where mentalhealth issues are experienced by so many people, Jesus advised us to love others but also, importantly, to love ourselves. It’s the sort of word so many young people especially need to hear these days—you’re worthy, you’re valued, you’re seen, you’re important—love yourself!
Perhaps one of Jesus’ most important teachings was to treat others as you would like to be treated. Do you want people to be kind to you? Be kind to them. Do you want people to show you grace? Show grace to others. Do you want people to forgive you when you
mess up? Forgive others. Do you want people to respect you? Respect others.
As I said earlier: good advice is timeless. And this is the enduring attraction of history’s bestselling book, the Bible—it’s loaded with good, relevant, current, applicable, wise advice.
There are many reasons I read the
Bible, primarily to know God better and to observe how Jesus lived, but I find myself also constantly turning to it for advice on how to live. Its advice was true and helpful for my grandfather, for my father, for me, for my son and for future generations.
Good advice is timeless.
Reprinted from Salvos Magazine (Australia), May 18, 2024 (salvosonline.org.au/salvos-magazine)
(left)
Major Mal Davies is a Salvation Army pastor and writer living in Australia.
Photo: MIA Studio/stock.Adobe.com
Crucial Assistance
“Without The Salvation Army, I’m not sure how I would have gotten by,” says Amanda Bree
Amanda Bree from Houston, B.C., is a single mother of four. Due to the current high cost of living, making ends meet is a constant struggle.
“I'm on a very tight income and can’t afford to get food sometimes,” Amanda shares.
Getting By
When the pressure of providing for her family became overwhelming, a friend told her about the local Salvation Army food bank. Despite the potential relief this opportunity could bring her, Amanda initially hesitated to seek help.
“I was shy to ask for help and felt a little nervous,” Amanda remembers. However, she soon discovered that the support from the food bank was just what she needed. Over the past year, Amanda says her overall experience has been very positive.
“It has helped a lot,” Amanda says.
Hope for the Future
Single mother finds relief thanks to Salvation Army food bank support.
by Juan Romero
She adds that the Army has made it possible for her to fill the gap between paycheques, ensuring her children don’t go hungry.
Although Amanda is proud to be doing her best to keep her children well, she credits the food bank for its crucial assistance to her family.
“Without The Salvation Army, I’m not sure how I would have gotten by.”
There to Help
Aside from food assistance, the Army has also provided Amanda’s children with back-to-school supplies. It helps her relieve a cost that, multiplied by four children, can add up.
The Salvation Army’s support has given Amanda hope for the future.
“My outlook looks better than it did a year ago,” she says.
While she works hard to provide for her family, Amanda knows that whenever times get tough, the Army will be there to help her.
A Perfect Fit
CARPENTER DAVID WILLIAMS WAS AT HIS LOWEST WHEN HE WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S HARBOUR LIGHT PROGRAM IN BERMUDA.
HE’S NEVER LOOKED BACK.
by Ken Ramstead
When a sked how The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light program in Bermuda changed David Williams’ life, the carpenter prefaces his remarks with, “I’m not good at telling stories; I’m not a storyteller,” and then proceeds to narrate in meticulous detail the story of his life.
“I came to Harbour Light when I was 45. And I got my life together. And things have been going pretty good since then.”
A Summer’s Start
David was born in 1964 and came from a very religious family. He didn’t have any issues until he became a teenager.
“When I was 16, I start smoking marijuana and drinking beer,” he says. And things did not get better for close to three decades.
David’s turning point came one June day.
“I looked awful. I weighed 120 pounds, and I stunk,” he says now at the memory. “I was in bad shape.”
Measured Response
“I still have bad days, but my worst day today is better than my best day back then,” David Williams says
Photo: Chandra-Lee D. Bascome
Photo: Birgit Korber/stock.Adobe.com
Hard at Work
“I have been able to use the tools that I was equipped with at Harbour Light and stay clean one day at a time,” says David
A customer called David to ask if he was interested in a cabinet-making job.
“This is my ticket out of here,” he thought happily. “I’ll do these cabinets, get paid a lot of money, pay my back rent.”
But the customer took one look at David and said, “I don’t want you to do it. I’ll get someone else.”
“What am I going to do?” a distraught David asked himself.
On his walk home, he stopped. While he’d always been a praying man, David’s “praying” consisted of “cutting deals.”
“I’d say to God, ‘If You help me, I’ll do this and I won’t do that.’ But that never seemed to work.”
Now, he prayed. Really prayed. “I didn’t try to cut any deals,” he
says. “I just asked for help. And I stood there for quite a while. Once I was finished, I started walking home again, but I felt a huge weight taken off my shoulder.”
When he returned home, a rejuvenated David contacted someone he knew who was in recovery, who, in turn, connected him with the people at The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light Addiction and Life Skills Program in Hamilton, Bermuda.
“They told me to come on June 22, 2010, right after the first day of summer,” says David. “I did. I reeked of alcohol. And I started my journey.”
Valued Alumni
David stayed at Harbour Light for a year and a half.
Photo: Chandra-Lee
D. Bascome
“I looked awful. I weighed 120 pounds, and I stunk. I was in bad shape.”
DAVID WILLIAMS
“What they did was keep me away from alcohol and drugs long enough for me to be able to get over the addiction,” he says.
It was supposed to be a sixmonth program but when David approached his counsellor and told her he felt it was time to leave, she couldn’t help but laugh.
“She didn’t mean to,” smiles David. “However, she was right. I realize now that I was nowhere near ready.”
But when he approached her after a year and told her he felt he was ready to leave, she surprised him by saying, “David, you’re helping a lot of people here. Why don’t you stay around a little longer?”
“I mentioned that I’m not a good storyteller,” he says, “but I would listen to people and encourage them, even be a peacemaker if that was what was needed.”
After a year and a half, David was called to the office, and the staff told him he could leave on October 26, 2011.
He was not done with Harbour Light, though.
“David has been an active alumnus for the Harbour Light program,” says Chandra-Lee Bascome,
social missions
assistant executive
director at Harbour Light. “He’s always come around and, in fact, gives back a lot to the program. Because he’s a carpenter by trade, he’s helped save us money by using his expertise to fix things around here. He stays connected to The Salvation Army.”
A Day at a Time
Besides helping David to conquer his addiction, Harbour Light helped deepen his faith.
“Now, I’ve got the biggest, baddest bodyguard ever,” he laughs.
“You know,” he continues, “God’s helped me through daily life when situations come up. Instead of trying to figure it out myself, I take it up in prayer. And the answers to the questions just pop in my head.
“I have Someone I can depend on.”
When asked where he would be without Harbour Light, David replies, simply, “I don’t think I’d be alive, to be honest.
“I have been able to use the tools that I was equipped with at Harbour Light and stay clean one day at a time.
“Everything has changed,” he concludes. “I still have bad days, but my worst day today is better than my best day back then.”
Lorem Ipsum Tktk
Back From the Brink
GLENDENE BARROW ALMOST DIED FROM A LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS, BUT HER FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS PULLED HER THROUGH.
by Janice Keats
For most people, having the flu usually means being sick for a few days, snuggled up in a blanket with some hot beverages. For Glendene Barrow, it meant a 26-week stay in hospital and a neardeath experience.
An Ambulance Built for Two “I was unwell through most of the fall of 2023,” Glendene explains. “I had gone through a couple of rounds of antibiotics, and I was on medication for my arthritis and psoriasis, which breaks down my immune system.”
Despite the care she was receiving, her health was declining rapidly with no explanation. But the high school teacher from Gambo, N.L., toughed it out and kept moving forward— until the day in January 2024 when she couldn’t move.
In a twist of fate, her husband, Don, also fell ill.
“I spent all one Friday and Saturday in my recliner while Don was sick in his chair downstairs, neither of us realizing it!
“I was struggling to stay awake by this time, while Don had fallen and couldn’t get up.”
Help arrived when their friends, Byron and Sylvia Diamond, decided to check in on them, and an ambulance was called.
“The paramedics mentioned the word ‘septic,’ which scared me,” Glendene recalls. “I don’t remember anything after getting in the ambulance and being placed on oxygen.”
Home at Last Don and Glendene were diagnosed with influenza and strep A, with double pneumonia added for Glendene.
“I spent two days at the Gander, N.L., hospital, where Don was,
Photo: Alyssa Brennan Photography & Makeup
Keeping the Faith Glendene Barrow attends the Salvation Army church in Gambo, N.L.
“I did not ask, ‘Why me?’ I took the bumps along the way and fought back .”
GLENDENE BARROW
Loving Couple
Don Barrow visits with his wife, Glendene, at her hospital bedside
but they quickly realized there was nothing they could do for me,” Glendene says. “They tried to stabilize me and organized an emergency airlift to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s, N.L. The doctors feared I would not survive the flight, but by some miracle, I did.”
In the days that followed, Glendene’s health remained
precarious, and she was in and out of consciousness. She spent 11 weeks in the ICU until she slowly stabilized. During this time, Glendene was fed by a feeding tube and breathed with the help of a tracheotomy.
“I did not fully wake up until late February,” she says. “My mom’s birthday, February 22, is the first thing I can somewhat clearly remember. At that time, I was still
Photo: Courtesy of Glendene Barrow
experiencing delirium—nightmares. It was a scary time for me. Once I woke fully, there were weeks of recuperation for my lungs.”
Glendene spent a total of 16 weeks at St. Clare’s followed by five weeks of rehab in Gander, and then another five weeks in St. John's. She returned home on June 28, using a walker for mobility.
“Don was not hit as hard as I was,” she says. “And he was not in the hospital as long—11 days versus my 26 weeks in all.”
“Not Done Yet”
As her situation remained bleak, Glendene’s family signed a do-notresuscitate (DNR) order because the
medical team did not believe she could handle additional trauma.
“I had everything going against me,” she smiles now.
Not everyone felt that way. Major Barbara Pritchett, the hospital chaplain at St. Clare’s, remembers the day she accompanied the family to meet with the doctors in charge.
“The news that day was grim,” she says, “presenting the idea of removing life support. Don joined us by conference call because he was battling his own illness in Gander. I will never forget Don’s response as he forcefully replied, albeit with a voice compromised by his own illness, ‘My wife is a strong woman. She is not done yet.’ ”
Vital Support
Salvation Army Major Barbara Pritchett, the hospital chaplain
Photo: Courtesy of Major Barbara Pritchett
Salvationist Support
During all this time, Glendene received tremendous prayer support, and her family and friends never gave up hope. She had many visitors and well wishes during her lengthy stay at the hospital. A member of The Salvation Army and a former pastor herself, the church rallied to her cause from all over the world.
Fighting Spirit
“I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to keep the faith and keep fighting for what you want,” says Glendene
“Local pastors were in the midst of their annual meetings in St. John’s when I was hospitalized,” she says. “Many of them took the time to come see me at the hospital. I was not awake at the beginning, but they prayed over me and surrounded me in prayer. People everywhere were assuring my family of their prayer support.”
Throughout the darkest moments
Ties That Bind Don and Glendene with their daughters, Mikenzie and Madison
Photo: Copurtesy of Glendene Barrow
Photo: Alyssa Brennan Photography & Makeup
of this illness, Glendene continued to reach out to God, and she experienced peace, never doubting His presence.
“I remember always feeling at peace,” she says. “I did not ask, ‘Why me?’ I took the bumps along the way and fought back. My stubbornness and strong will were a positive for my recuperation.”
Green for Glendene
Glendene’s high school colleagues and students at Smallwood Academy in Gambo never forgot her, either. On February 29, they held a green day—her favourite colour—and named it “Green for Glendene.” Everyone was invited to dress in green and share their photos, and with that, they created a video to lift her spirits.
“It was very touching,” says Glendene. “This started at school but it went viral. Family and friends from all over shared their photos with me. I still watch the video when I need to be encouraged. Students also dropped by with frog figurines, something I collect.”
“Keep Fighting” Prayer continued for Glendene’s healing. She had been in a coma for several weeks, but many people and churches continued in prayer.
“As I walked through the doors of the ICU one day,” says Major Barbara, “Don motioned over to me. There was Glendene, eyes wide open, responding to her loved ones.
“Right before my eyes, I witnessed a miracle.”
Glendene has come a long way on her healing journey.
Today, she is still on the road to recovery but she is now back to work part time and is enjoying her time with her students.
Her goal was to be able to walk again and, with the support of a cane, she is once again feeling positive that a road to a full recovery is in full view.
“It was a fight to get through the healing process, but I remained strong in my faith, and I wanted to return to my previous lifestyle,” Glendene states. “I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to keep the faith and keep fighting for what you want.”
(left)
Janice Keats is the emergency disaster services trainer for The Salvation Army’s Atlantic Division. Residing in Conception Bay South, N.L., she has authored three books and is actively engaged in sharing her faith story.
A Loyal Friend
Stitch may be a strange blue creature from a distant planet, but Lilo loves him anyway
All for One ...
IN LILO & STITCH, FAMILY IS MORE THAN JUST A WORD. IT’S A WAY OF LIVING.
by Diane Stark
Lilo & Stitch, in theatres this month, is a live action/CGI remake of Disney’s 2002 animated film of the same name.
Adopt-an-Alien
When six-year-old Hawaiian Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha) and her 18-year-old sister, Nani (Sydney Agudong), lose their parents in a car crash, their whole lives change. Nani becomes Lilo’s legal guardian, but the girls are under constant threat of being separated and put into foster care by a social worker named Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original film).
When Lilo starts to feel lonely,
Nani takes her to the animal shelter to adopt a pet. There, Lilo meets Stitch (Chris Sanders), a strange blue creature that everyone assumes is a dog. But in reality, Stitch is Experiment 626, an alien designed by Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis), a mad scientist from a distant planet. Stitch escaped his captors in an alien spacecraft, crash-landed on earth and ended up at the animal shelter. After adopting Stitch, Lilo tries to teach him to behave, but Stitch was designed for destruction—and he’s quite good at it.
Stitch causes many problems for Lilo and Nani, but Lilo doesn’t care. As she and Nani firmly believe,
“Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” When Dr. Jumba tries to capture Stitch, Lilo and Nani find themselves in danger, and their loyalty to their odd new family member is tested. Does family really mean sticking together, even when people aren’t who we thought they were?
Who Is My Neighbour?
Ohana refers to family in an extended way—not only people who are bloodrelated but those who are adopted and people we choose as our family. Many of us find our chosen family at church. We share the bond of faith, so it’s easy to form other connections, too. Some of us may even feel closer to our chosen family members than to our biological ones. And while the Bible is clear that we are to love and respect our biological family members, it also clearly embraces the idea that our families—those who can count on us to help them in times of trouble—should be more than just those with whom we share a blood tie.
In Luke 10, an expert in the law asked Jesus who the Bible is referring to when it says, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” In reply, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, a man who happened upon a stranger who’d been robbed and beaten. The Samaritan looked after the man, sacrificing his own time and money to help him. The Samaritan was not the man’s neighbour, but he cared for him as though he was. Jesus tells the expert
in the law, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
Honouring God
Jesus instructs us to love those around us as though they are our neighbours and our families. And this love shouldn’t be just a friendly feeling toward others. This kind of love takes action when others need help.
Like the Good Samaritan, it is likely to cost us some of our time or money. This could mean donating canned goods to our local food bank, helping someone move, babysitting for a single parent or buying a meal for someone in need. It could even be as simple as smiling or offering an encouraging word to a stranger who’s having a rough day.
1 John 4:21 says, “Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” Who are our brothers and sisters? Again, the Bible is referring to more than just the people in our biological families.
Loving those around us isn’t an easy task. Jesus understands this. After all, He had to listen to His disciples—whom He loved as brothers—bicker over who among them was the greatest and who should sit at His side in heaven (see Mark 10:35-45). Asking God for patience and wisdom in dealing with others is a prayer He loves to hear. It shows our desire to honour God by loving His children.
In Hawaii, ohana means family. And in God’s kingdom, family means all of God’s children.
A Shared Sanctuary
Thanks to a talented Manitoba artist, a Salvation Army church welcomes the community with traditional art.
by Kristin Marand
The pillars flanking the doors to the chapel at The Salvation Army’s Weetamah church in Winnipeg welcome visitors with bright new images depicting the Seven Sacred Teachings that are valued and practised by many Indigenous people. Seven colourful animals are accompanied by traditional woodland-style motifs reaching to the ceiling, as well as
freshly painted walls with pictures of a thunderbird and a teepee.
The sanctuary is the heart of the building, and everything that takes place here—the classrooms for literacy, upskilling and computer skills, the kitchen and food pantry that feeds the community, the gym that houses the Christmas toy program and other activities, and the spaces shared with other community
Welcoming Entrance Vibrant artwork graces The Salvation Army’s Weetamah church in Winnipeg
organizations—flows from the centre. The new mural intends to make the entrance more welcoming, acknowledge the land on which the building sits, honour the people who visit the building and share the teachings with everyone who enters.
“Taking Action”
“The significance of the mural is a very explicit nod to the relationship we have with those whose homeland we have the honour of sharing,” explains Captain Ian Scott, who was the pastor at Weetamah when the mural was commissioned. “We felt it was a great opportunity to visually acknowledge the place in which we worship and create community and
Talented Family
Janine Twoheart (left) and David Boulanger (right) with their children. “It’s beautiful to pass it on to our family, what we made together, so the traditions and practices live on,” Janine says
Sharing Understanding
Traditional woodland-style motifs reach to the ceiling
the connection to all people who come through the building.”
The mural was created by Manitoba artist David Boulanger, whose spirit name is Gwiiwizenz Dewe’igan niindigo, which means Little Boy Drum. He is Anishinaabe from Peguis First Nation. David teamed up with Robert Aymont to paint the walls, and his family helped paint the pillars.
David recalls the “happy accident” of being asked to paint the mural.
“My wife and kids and I were working in the building with a group of residential school survivors, sharing land-based knowledge and cultural practices on the land. A good friend referred us to Captain
Photos:
Kristin Marand
Ian, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share a visual interpretation of some of our culture in the building as well.”
Captain Ian and David discussed their shared vision of expressing and sharing something symbolic of reconciliation, inclusion and indigenizing the space.
“There has long been a desire to be appropriate and relevant to all people in our community and this is a small step that will have such huge impact on creating that welcoming space,” says Captain Ian. “Also, the consideration was given that The Salvation Army is a signatory to the conditions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to do our part in taking action.”
A Family Affair
The mural depicts the Seven Sacred Teachings—courage, respect, wisdom, humility, honesty, love and
Community and Connection
The walls have pictures of a thunderbird (far left) and a teepee (inset)
Symbolic Expression
“This is a small step that will have a huge impact,” says Captain Ian Scott (right) seen here with his wife, Captain Deanna Scott
truth—each represented by a different animal. The bear represents courage, the bison represents respect, the beaver symbolizes wisdom, the wolf represents humility, the sabe (or sasquatch) symbolizes honesty, the eagle represents love and the turtle stands for truth. The teachings, also known as the Seven Grandfathers, originate from the Anishinaabe people and make up the laws of living a good life in peace and harmony with all of creation and a moral respect for all living beings.
“I figured it was a good opportunity to share the ‘real’ understanding and open the conversation about the significance of these teachings,” says David. “We were hoping to begin the conversation about decolonizing the understandings of these words and meanings and help shed some light on our beliefs and practices through this mural.”
Photos: Kristin Marand
“The significance of the mural is a very explicit nod to the relationship we have with those whose homeland we have the honour of sharing.”
CAPTAIN IAN SCOTT
He has been a multi-media artist since the 1990s. His band, Burnt-Project 1, won Aboriginal recording of the year at the 2006 Juno Awards. David’s wife, Janine Twoheart, creates jewelry and authentic traditional art, cultural and ceremonial items for community and personal ceremonial use.
“I started about seven years ago when I met David,” she says. “He introduced me to the culture because I didn’t grow up with it, and then it just blossomed from there. I really jumped into it, and it is something that I am very passionate about and genuinely love, making traditional art, learning, culture sharing and preserving beautiful traditions and practices.”
You can find her creations on Facebook and Instagram on her page By Niizhode. The couple’s four children, Mino’de (kindhearted person),
(left)
Isbyming (the heavens), Nyaabe (looks in the future in a good way) and Aadizookaan (the legend/the collective knowledge of the people/ the sacred stories), have always been surrounded and included in cultural activities and ceremony when the family visits and works in the community. The two eldest helped paint the pillars at Weetamah. Art is truly a family affair.
“It’s so beautiful to be able to share it with the family,” says Janine. “As the girls are getting older, they want to be a part of it, too. And they are our future. Because my family wasn’t very traditional, it’s beautiful to pass it on to our family, what we made together, so the traditions and practices live on.”
David has also been tapped to paint another mural for the Army’s Winnipeg Centre of Hope’s SonRise family shelter in the near future.
Kristin Marand is the manager of communications for The Salvation Army’s Prairies and Northern Territories Division. With a background in media and a passion for weaving language and sharing stories, Kristin is a proud Métis on her own journey of reclamation.
Eating Healthy With Erin
BBQ FLANK STEAK
TIME 2 hrs 35 min MAKES 6 servings SERVE WITH tacos
1 kg (2 lbs) flank steak
10 ml (2 tsp) coarse salt
5 ml (1 tsp) black pepper
10 ml (2 tsp) apple cider vinegar
5 ml (1 tsp) oregano
1. Cut steak in half down the middle to create two large steaks. Using the tines of a fork, poke holes all over each side of the steaks.
2. Rub salt and pepper into each side. Add apple cider vinegar and oregano to each side, rubbing it in. Cover and place in fridge to marinate for 2 hours.
3. Cook on barbecue between 260-280 C (500-550 F) for 20 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes.
EASY TACO RICE BOWL
4. Remove from barbecue when the steak has reached an internal temperature of 63 C (145 F) (medium-rare). Transfer to a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil to rest on the counter for 10 minutes to arrive at a medium-cooked steak.
5. Cut steaks again down the middle so you have 4 steaks, then cut into strips.
TIME 35 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH flank steak or on its own
500 ml (2 cups) water
15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
1 ml (¼ tsp) salt
1 ml (¼ tsp) pepper
250 ml (1 cup) uncooked basmati rice
15 ml (1 tbsp) butter
500 ml (2 cups) black beans, canned
30 ml (2 tbsp) salsa
500 ml (2 cups) bell peppers
250 ml (1 cup) avocado
250 ml (1 cup) cheese
250 ml (1 cup) canned corn
1 L (4 cups) fresh spinach
60 ml (¼ cup) black olives
250 ml (1 cup) sour cream
250 ml (1 cup) salsa
1. Add water, olive oil, salt and pepper to a pot and bring to boil. Add rice, reduce to simmer with a lid on and cook for 15 minutes.
2. Remove pot from heat and allow to sit covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add butter, beans and salsa. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Slice peppers and avocados. Grate cheese and rinse corn.
5. To assemble your bowl, start with a layer of fresh spinach at the bottom. Add a scoop of rice in the middle, then arrange the rest of the ingredients around rice. Top with olives, sour cream and salsa.
QUICK QUIZ
by Kevin Frank
Word Search Colour Your World
Harvest of Hope
Since 2021, The Salvation Army’s Sustainable Agriculture in Liberia (SAIL) initiative has enabled more than 200 farmers to receive seed packages and to be trained in seed selection, soil preparation, sowing, pest control, harvesting methods and crop storage. As well, demonstration plots in the community enable them to learn sustainable farming methods.
Here, Emmanuel Kimen, SAIL project manager, and Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of international development, showcase produce from farmers assisted by the SAIL initiative.
“Lives are being improved every day,” says Lt-Colonel Brenda.
