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volume 7 number 40 31 October 2026

The church of the unexpected Discovering the Salvos

7 Salvos on the road

8 Builder Church

12 Signs of church

Music, magic tricks, donuts and genuine care

Connecting blocks and changing lives

Creating community and building faith

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

PHOTO BY ADAM THOMAS ON UNSPLASH

31 October 2026

Editorial What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Vision Statement Wherever there is hardship or injustice, Salvos will live, love and fight alongside others to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus. Mission Statement The Salvation Army is a Christian movement dedicated to sharing the love of Jesus by: • Caring for people • Creating faith pathways • Building healthy communities • Working for justice The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders, past, present, and future. We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

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Founders: William and Catherine Booth Salvation Army World Leaders: General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham Territorial Leader: Commissioner Miriam Gluyas Secretary for Communications and Editor-In-Chief: Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley Publications Manager: Cheryl Tinker Editor: Simone Worthing Graphic Designer: Ryan Harrison Enquiry email: publications@salvationarmy.org.au All other Salvation Army enquiries 13 72 58 Press date: 8 October 2026 Printed and published for The Salvation Army by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas at Focus Print Group, Chester Hill, NSW, Darug Nation lands.

Beyond charity Many Australians are familiar with the Salvos as a charity – working in op shops, homelessness and with those battling substance misuse. Just as important and integral to its ministry, though, are the 280 Salvation Army congregations around the country (called ‘corps’), and its work as a worldwide Christian church across 134 nations. This edition highlights some different styles of churches within the Salvos, and how various people have been impacted by them and found a place to belong. These churches include traditional worship with brass bands and sermons, but also coffee clubs, community meals, caravan outreach, homework groups, men’s breakfasts, faith circles and art sessions. All these activities, and more, happen within Salvation Army churches. The focus is on living and sharing the love God has for each of us – regardless of background or circumstances – and values of Jesus, and reflecting these values locally so that every person experiences that love. If you’d like to find out more, go to salvationarmy.org.au to find the Salvos in your area. It might just change your life. Simone Worthing Editor 3

Feature

Salvos Magazine

THE CHURCH OF THE UNEXPECTED Discovering the Salvos by Major Mal Davies

After the birth of her first child, Amelia fell into a depression that she struggled to overcome. She would spend days at home alone with her daughter while her husband worked. Her sister, Helen, noticed this and asked about it and Amelia confessed she was feeling both down and lonely. Helen suggested counselling and Amelia said she just needed to have some more adult time and adult conversation. Helen suggested The Salvation Army. This surprised Amelia – neither she nor her sister was a church goer – but Helen said she’d heard the local Salvos ran some stuff for young mums. There and then, Helen got online, found the closest Salvo church, phoned them and asked some questions. Within a week, Amelia and her daughter were attending a playgroup and Amelia was meeting other young mums. Within three weeks, Amelia was also meeting with some of the mums for a regular coffee while their babies would make eyes at each other and waggle their fingers, and Amelia would happily chat with the other mums online through the week. This happened at a Salvo church. 4

Breakfast and boxes Colin was a bit lost after Evelyn passed away. It’s hard to live side-by-side with someone for 54 years and suddenly they’re gone. He would potter in the garden and read some books and nap, but leaving the safe refuge of his home didn’t appeal to him. One day, his neighbour, Martin, was pulling into the driveway as Colin was watering his flower beds, and they began to chat. Colin asked where he’d been, and Martin said he’d come from the men’s breakfast and Doorways program at the Salvo church. Colin looked at him confused. Martin said, “Each Friday, there’s a group of six of us, all blokes, that have some eggs and bacon at the Salvos and then assist people who come in for food. We help pack boxes and carry them to cars and just hang around and chat to people. You ought to come along.” Colin was reluctant, but the following Thursday there was a knock at his door and it was Martin. “Do you want to come with me tomorrow morning? I’m leaving at eight o’clock. Two of the blokes are away and we could do with a hand.”

Feature

Colin agreed … and he’s now been every Friday for the past 15 weeks! This happened at a Salvo church. Immediate friends Chen had been in Australia for just a month. He had come to study biochemistry and was living in a college at his university. Chen had recently become a Christian in China and was keen to continue pursuing his newfound faith. Although he engaged in some social activities at university and with college friends, none were Christian and their interests revolved mainly around getting drunk and going to a casino. One morning, as he was doing his usual 5km run, he went a different direction and found, just five minutes from uni, a Salvation Army church. As he was jogging past, he saw a poster on a noticeboard

31 October 2026

that said ‘International Students Lounge’ with details. That Friday night he attended … and was swamped by immediate friends! He couldn’t believe how genuinely and enthusiastically he was welcomed. Some were Christian, some were not Christian, it was a safe place, no one got drunk, and he even met someone from his hometown in China. This happened at a Salvo church. A new home Ash and Kerry moved into the suburb and quickly grew to love it. With their two young boys, they got to know the local parkland and riverside walks, as well as where the best cafes and playgrounds were. They were Christians living in a new state and new city and new suburb and they decided it was time to start at a new church. While they weren’t upset 5

Feature

with the church they’d been attending and could have found a new one locally in the same church family, they’d had a nagging feeling for some time that they wanted to be more engaged with their local community rather than just meet as a ‘secret society’ behind closed doors on a Sunday morning. They saw an ad on TV about the Salvos believing in ‘good’ and they thought it sounded interesting, so they jumped online and discovered that the Salvos didn’t just run shops and help homeless people and assist at bushfires, they were also a church. More so, there was one in the suburb right next to them. The details were online so, that Sunday, they arrived promptly at 10am and were greeted warmly. The service was casual with a mix of modern worship (which she liked) and a classic hymn or two (which he liked) and a not-too-long sermon on a theme of serving others. The boys made new friends quickly and, just like that, Ash and Kerry looked at each other and knew they’d found a new ‘home’. This happened at a Salvo church. 6

Salvos Magazine

There are people in every Australia state and territory – not to mention 133 other countries – who can tell you similar stories. Their encounter with The Salvation Army wasn’t when they were battling addiction or homeless or living in poverty; the Salvos can help with all these things, but for thousands of people, they’ve encountered the Salvos through a church. A Salvo church. What are you looking for? What do you need at the moment? How can we add your story to the ones above? * All of the names in this article have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Scan here to find a Salvos church near you.

31 October 2026

News Feature

Taking the Salvos on the road

 Salvation Army ‘roadies’ brought music and genuine care to remote communities.

Every year, the Salvos hit the road in South East Queensland for the annual mid-year mission trip, with regular ‘roadies’ and new volunteers visiting small towns and communities to encourage locals through band and variety concerts, magic tricks, cinnamon donuts, ice cream and genuine care. Majors Mark and Jo Bulow, the Rural and Remote Chaplains in Queensland, based in Dalby, organise the mission.

music in their venues. “In Wondai, for example, we did a variety concert at the local RSL, which was really well attended. We also led a church service in the Uniting Church, as most of these little places don’t have a resident pastor. “Friday nights we generally do a barbecue and always bring out the trusty donut machine, which has now done many miles.”

This year, the team visited Wondai, Kingaroy, Kingsthorpe, Laidley and the Lockyer Valley – as well as a few even smaller communities in between.

The team’s variety concerts offer something for everyone. There is music, bagpipes, timbrels, and even renditions of songs associated with artists ranging from AC/DC and John Farnham to KISS.

“We’ve been doing this for 14 years now,” says Mark, who is also a flying padre for The Salvation Army.

The evenings are an opportunity to come together, have fun and reconnect.

Team members – from Geelong (Vic) to Mt Isa (Qld) – travel in their own caravans or stay in motel rooms, meeting all their own expenses. Music and connection Mark explains that most of the communities they visit don’t have live

During the trip, the team also visited a nursing home in Laidley and spent time with people in the community. For Mark, that personal connection is at the heart of the mission. “Doing stuff outside church and in the community is our passion,” he says. 7

News Feature

Salvos Magazine

BUILDER CHURCH – CONNECTING BLOCKS AND LIVES

by Fay Foster

When the local power company warned the Devonport Salvos (Tas) that their power would be off on a Sunday morning, church leader Lieutenant Dave Bruford had to make a decision: cancel church for that day, or move it to a different time? He moved it to 5:30pm – and Builder Church was born. Builder Church now runs from 5:30-7pm one Sunday a month. It’s called Builder Church because … well … you go there and build things out of blocks. Each evening has a theme. So far, these have included creation story Sunday, firm foundations Sunday, and ‘Who you gonna call?’ (when a storm needs calming) Sunday. Future themes will include Sunday

sundaes, superhero Sunday, sausage sizzle Sunday and scavenger Sunday. Next month, there’ll be a Christmas theme, and in 2027, there’ll be storms, steps and supernatural surprises. After an introduction to each service, grace is said and everyone shares a meal. Church then happens in segments, and for each one, everyone gets to build something out of blocks. Segments include saying things we’re thankful for or prayers, ways we want to give, and a couple of interactive songs. Prizes are awarded for the most creative builds, and each month there is a colouring competition. Prizes are awarded at the next month’s Builder Church.

 Building prayers of hope.

 A team effort in building the story of creation.

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News Feature

All inclusive Builder Church is a family-friendly time, with children, families, and people of all generations attending. On the Sundays when Builder Church is not held, church takes place in the morning; but twice as many people attend on Builder Church Sundays – about 80 per cent being people who have not previously engaged in church or have not come for a long time. Besides Builder Church, Devonport Salvos run Salvos Smart Cookies, a Monday-night session where children attend with their parent or guardian, and sometimes, their whole family. The kids love singing grace together before they share a tasty, nutritious

meal, get help with their homework, play educational games and improve their literacy and numeracy skills. The children and their parents get to read a range of books, including, if they want, some Christian stories. To Dave, it’s another form of church. “We don’t have someone give a message,” he said. “We just try to mirror Jesus, and share our message in an organic, authentic way. “We’ve learned to ‘behave’ in a certain way in church – so it’s great to have these spaces where we don’t have to behave in expected ways, we just belong. “We love when the kids or their parents say to us, ‘You guys have become our family.’”

 Belinda Saunders and Dave Bruford thank all those who participate.

Faith Talk

Salvos Magazine

God-defining moments

Marco reflects on two life events that deepened his faith and changed his perspective on life

During my early years as an officer (Salvation Army pastor), I spent so much time, so much energy and resources just comparing myself to other officers and convincing myself that I needed to look a particular way, that I needed to lead in a particular style. But I was doing a course, and part of that course was to do a ‘leading from your strengths’ profile. This focused in on the strengths that God has given me. And for some reason it just changed everything for me, where I was able to see the gifts that God has given me. That I didn’t need to necessarily be the upfront person, that I didn’t necessarily need to preach in a particular way, but rather just to use the 10

gifts and the strengths that God has given me and to offer that to him as an act of worship in all that I do.

I’d had, I think, three surgeries before this, so this was my fourth, so I knew what was happening, knew what it was.

The other thing it helped me to do was to actually value the gifts and the strengths that others around me have as well, that God has given [them].

But for this one in particular, I was feeling quite down. I was there on my own; my wife Bindi was back with the family.

And so, for me, that was a really pivotal moment in my leadership, God revealing to me that he’s created me uniquely. It’s okay just using my gifts to serve him. Never alone I’d just started a new role and was ready to go and had all these great plans. Then I found myself at a Melbourne hospital, about five hours away from where we were appointed to, ready to have brain surgery again.

I was just kind of having a bit of a pity party on that Sunday morning and was sitting outside the hospital. And then my phone beeped, and it was a message from Bindi with a video showing the corps (church) family, standing in a circle, just having a prayer time for me. There was just something in that moment where God really spoke to me and said, “You know what, I’ve got this, we’ve

Faith Talk

... even in the midst of chaos, when the storms are roaring, God is in the midst of all of those situations.

31 October 2026

Many, but one

got this.” That reminder that actually we do life together, not in isolation. The following day, there was still a kind of anxiousness about the procedure, but at the same time there was this sense of peace and that reminder that even in the midst of chaos, when the storms are roaring, God is in the midst of all of those situations. That sense of peace that we feel in those times is just a real gift.

Scan here to go to the full story.

“For in the same way that one body has so many different parts, each with different functions; we, too – the many – are different parts that form one body … Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone.” Romans chapter 12, verse 4-5 The Voice Bible translation 11

My Story

Salvos Magazine

Signs of Chu

A church for all nations

There’s a giant banner out the front of Auburn Corps (Salvos church) that reads, ‘A house of prayer for all the nations’. And, indeed, it is. Auburn Corps is located in the heart of one of Sydney’s most multicultural Local Government Areas. Five different congregations worship there on weekends, and each weekday begins with a prayer meeting. On Sundays, Auburn Corps is described as “heaven on earth”, with over 30 nations represented. The Welcome Café, which serves a $5 lunch every day of the week, aims to build deeper connections with community members who access the corps’ popular low-cost Food Market. “We push the tables together and have two really large tables,” says Narelle Harris, Community Program Coordinator. “We invite all of our staff from the different services in the building to come and connect with people. It’s great.”

 Narelle Harris (left) and Natalie Kistan at Auburn Salvos.  The Open Circle is a time for a shared meal and exploring faith.

into their midst at just the right time, and the idea for ‘Open Circle’ emerged.

The cost of the meal on Family Fridays is just $2, and Narelle says it’s been beautiful to see people start making friends and inviting others to join in.

“It’s a time when we can come together, share a meal, and open up the Bible and read a story about Jesus,” said Natalie. [Most of those who attend] haven’t read the Bible before, or are from different faiths or no faith.”

The team was also keen to offer community members and volunteers a faith pathway, and discussed the possibility of a Bible study. God drew a Christian couple, the new pastors of a nearby Baptist Church,

Narelle says she’s noticed this year that volunteers are becoming more open to prayer and conversation. “The volunteers here don’t necessarily have families, and they would say that this is their family.”

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My Story

urch

A church for the city At the back of the Hobart Corps building is a sign that’s been there for more than 10 years, boldly proclaiming that the corps is ‘A Church for the City’. When Majors Johnmark and Nicole Snead arrived as corps officers (pastors) a decade ago, the Holy Spirit used that sign to spark a vision that would “shift the focus beyond the four walls”.

It hasn’t been easy. “[The corps has] walked a road marked by both mountaintop moments and valleys of deep challenge,” says Nicole. “There have been seasons of loss that tested our resilience and reshaped our community.” Johnmark and Nicole say only God’s faithfulness saw them, and their corps community, through the challenges. “We continued to just sow the vision, do the work,” said Johnmark. “We just do the simple things, and we do them really well. Acts of genuine love. Never underestimate what acts of genuine love can do in someone’s life.” The corps now opens its doors six days a week to the community, and works in team with other Salvation Army expressions to love, serve and disciple the city. “Our doors are open, not just physically but relationally,” says Nicole, “creating space for people to belong, be heard, and encounter God. “What has sustained The Salvation Army Hobart is deep relationships – with Jesus and with one another. That depth of relationship is now offered, lovingly and freely, to all who walk through the doors.” One exciting development is happening within the youth space at Hobart Corps, which is exploding with unchurched young people.

 Hobart Corps volunteers at the MRA Toy Run.  Volunteers helping in the kitchen at the Salvos Sunday Dinner.

“[We are so proud of] the way in which our leaders just make space for, and love, the kids on the margins,” says Johnmark. “It’s messy … but there’s genuine love and safety for teenagers. God is absolutely at work.” – Lauren Martin 13

Taste of Life

🍳

Chilled cucumber soup

Ingredients 1 onion, peeled and sliced; 5 cups stock; mint; 1 tsp dill; salt and pepper to taste; 2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, chopped; 2 tbsp cornflour; 1 tbsp water; 1/3 cup sour cream. Method In a large saucepan add onion, stock, mint, dill, salt and pepper. Bring to boil and then simmer until tender. Add cucumbers and cook 10 minutes. Puree until smooth and return to saucepan. Mix cornflour and water together and add to saucepan. Bring to boil and then simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Mix through sour cream, pour into a large serving bowl and chill.

☺

Believe in Good: Tips

“I have discovered that you can go from nowhere to somewhere, from nothing to something, from a nobody to a somebody, from an empty person to a fulfilled one, if you have faith in God.” – Robert H Schuller 14

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Salvos Magazine

Quiz

1. Which board game involves buying and trading properties? 2. Which recreational activity uses a shuttlecock? 3. What name describes the activity of studying and observing weather? 4. Which game uses tiles and is popular in many Asian countries? 5. What sport is known as ‘the beautiful game’?

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Tum-Tum

On which page of this week’s Salvos Magazine is Tum-Tum hiding?

Take Five

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

9 5

7 3

2 8

6 4

4 8 3 6

9 8

9 5

8 1

9 6

3 2

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I couldn’t find any.

3 8

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I still can’t talk about it.

1 7

2026 Puzzle #4

When does a detective working a case in a campsite stay in a tent? 7

8 2 5

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2 5 8

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Bible byte 3 7

2 1

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When he’s under cover.

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“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke chapter 1, verse 37 Contemporary English Version 6

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2026 Puzzle #1

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2026 Puzzle #8

My parents sent me to mime camp one summer. 2

5 2

I went to buy a camouflage tent the other day. 6

Have a laugh 7

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2026 Puzzle #7

8 6

😆

5 8 2 3

Playing board games can boost brain function. 7

Answers

Participating in recreational activities can increase selfesteem and confidence.

3 4

Social activities like team sports help build friendships and improve communication skills.

Recreational activities can improve mental health by reducing anxiety and depression.

Outdoor activities like hiking and camping are among the most popular recreational activities worldwide.

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5 2 1 9 6 4

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Sudoku 2026 Puzzle #2

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Did you know?

31 October 2026

1 3

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Quiz: 1. Monopoly 2. Badminton 3. Meteorology 4.2026 Mahjong Puzzle #5 5.4 Soccer/football 6 2 3 1 5 8 7 9 Tum-Tum: is hiding behind 3 5 1 7 8 9 2 4 6 the steps on page 13. 4 7

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2026 Puzzle #2

7 3 4 1 6 9 8 2 5

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3 4 7 6 9 1 2 5 8

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BE HOPE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED THIS CHRISTMAS “The Salvation Army immediately opened their arms to us, and suddenly there was a light in our life.” - Jess* *Names changed to protect privacy

Christmas should be a time of joy for everyone. But for families like Jess and Matt’s, it can become the hardest and most painful time of the year. The Salvation Army provides practical support, safe housing and wraparound care for families experiencing hardship and homelessness. Your Salvos Christmas Appeal gift can help be the hope families need this Christmas.

salvationarmy.org.au/jess