New Frontier Vol 29 No 17

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We knew there had to be a safe place for kids to go and have a sense of security...

The Western Territory’s news source for 29 years

—Captain Ofelia Vargas, La Gloria extended-hours daycare, Tijuana, Mexico

October 25, 2011 • Vol. 29, No. 17

Meet the West’s new Kroc Center coordinator

Harbor Light Center hosts one of 27 nationwide VA events

n Steve Bireley takes a teamcentered approach to territorial responsibility.

n VA announces new homeless veterans initiative.

While touring the first Kroc Center in San Diego, Joan Kroc responded to seeing the space where her granddaughter would be working Steve Bireley by quipping, “Great! Only cost me $87 million to get my granddaughter a job.”

Steve Bireley, the newly appointed Kroc Community Center coordinator for The Salvation Army Western Territory will try to bring the same humor to his new role. “Serving is a privilege but will also be a great challenge,” Bireley said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity, but we will all need to maintain a good sense of humor.”

Bireley became the first Kroc Center employee for The Salvation Army’s Sierra del Mar Division in November 2001. Previously, Bireley worked with The Walt Disney Company for nearly seven years; he has worked for almost 30 years in sports, recreation and entertainment management and holds a masters in business administration.

In his new role, Bireley will work with Kroc, divisional and territorial officers and staff to optimize the delivery of The Salvation Army mission at the Western Territory Kroc Centers. In the words of Chief Secretary Lt. Colonel Dave Hudson, the Kroc Centers are “a three legged-stool in which all three legs must be equally strong.”

Keeping this stool standing will take the combined efforts of many. Bireley expects to rack up travel miles in the next few months as he gets acquainted with the facilities and teams at each center.

“The most important thing I’ve learned in business is that no one accomplishes anything on their own; it takes a team,” Bireley said. “The buildings are beautiful but without a strong team at the center, division and territory, they are useless. Kroc Centers are about people, not bricks and mortar.”

Inside: Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A View from the Board Side . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sharper Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Life Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Doing the Most Good www.newfrontierpublications.org Facebook: tsanewfrontier

BY LAINE HENDRICKS In October, Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a nationwide awareness initiative aimed at eliminating homelessness among veterans and selected The Salvation Army San Francisco Harbor Light Center as one of only 27 locations across the country to host an awareness event for the campaign Oct. 19.

The “Make the Call” campaign is a onestop service for veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. By calling the 24/7 hotline (877-4AID-VET), veterans can connect with local programs and resources that can provide not only housing support, but educational resources, job training, employment opportunities, counseling and other services.

The San Francisco event attendees included Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, California State Senator Mark Leno, and VA Principle Deputy Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Jesse, and other VA representatives.

In addition to raising awareness for the new “Make the Call” campaign, the event honored the over 100 community partners in the Bay Area who provide valuable

Envoy Jack Clitheroe speaks with Mayor Edwin Lee and Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

Photo by Michael Mustacchi & Associates

program support to veterans. During her remarks, Pelosi noted that it’s the efforts of community organizations, like The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center, that are leading the charge to eliminate veteran homelessness.

“Your ideas—community-based, developed by vets themselves and those who care about them—are not only effective here but serve as a model for the rest of the country,” Pelosi said.

At the event, the San Francisco VA Medical Center presented The Salvation Army— which has maintained a 20-year relationship with the center—with a $297,561 gift for the expansion of the Harbor Light Center. The expansion will add 10 additional beds to the drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, specifically dedicated to veterans in recovery. Envoy Jack Clitheroe, executive director of the Harbor Light Center,

HARBOR LIGHT, page 4

West’s IT department a top innovator n Information Technology department recognized by InformationWeek 500

Clarence White and Tim Schaal hold copies of Information Week that list the 500 most innovative users of business technology.

Photo by John Docter

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory made this year’s InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation’s most innovative users of business technology. This is the seventh consecutive year that the territory has received the honor.

The 2011 list was revealed Sept. 13 during an awards ceremony at the InformationWeek 500 Conference in Dana Point, Calif., attended by the territory’s acting chief information officer, Tim Schaal.

“We are humbled that we have been recognized again,” said Clarence White, chief information officer and Information Technology secretary. Every year we expect that this will be the last, but to have been listed in the 500 every year since 2005 is a tremendous accomplishment and an endorsement of our commitment to excellence. No other religious or nonprofit organization has even come close to our consistency in the field of Information Technology as measured by the

INNOVATOR, page 9

Salvation Army Haven awarded $625,000 On the web: n Department of Veterans Affairs provides special needs grants for homeless veteran service providers.

BY JANICE TSAO Veterans’ programming in Los Angeles has taken a turn for the better. In early October, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded The Salvation Army Haven $625,000 to address the special needs of homeless veterans.

Part of the funding will go toward enhancing the existing VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program, Naomi House, a 15-bed unit for homeless female

veterans. As a result of this grant, Naomi House will be able to provide supportive services beyond those currently provided by GPD guidelines, such as: group and individual counseling related to sexual trauma, domestic violence, and substance abuse; medication management; development of women’s peer support groups; enhanced job preparation and placement services, including assistance with resume preparation, provision of appropriate interview/work clothing, access to local Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs, and other related employment services; and coordination of and transportation to HAVEN, page 9

Find more stories and features at newfrontierpublications.org

• Global Christian forum convenes in Indonesia • Sam’s Club donates $500,000 to The Salvation Army • Salvation Army promotes

Ways to Work program • Kenya East Territory launches

famine relief program • Global recognition for Salvos

Stores • Kroc center opens in Quincy, Ill. • The General visits Mozambique to lead Africa zonal conference

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Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

NEWS BRIEFS OF THE WEST

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matt. 6:33 NLT).

ALBUQUERQUE, Karen N.M.—For the past Gleason five years, Irene Ramirez, Albuquerque Editor Temple soldier, has worked with prisoners across the U.S. Ramirez was the first Hispanic Temple corps officer, but her ministry did not end when she stepped down due to family responsibilities. Each month she writes letters to over 100 inmates, and she accepts Bible donations for them. Occasionally, they will send money and ask her to buy clothing for them.

Many times Ramirez has witnessed the fruit of her labor as men have given their lives to Christ.

ROSEVILLE, CALIF.—Lieutenant Angela Morrow, Roseville, Calif., corps officer, recently held her first fellowship event, a women’s luncheon themed “Fall Into His Arms.” The luncheon kicked off the fall season and enabled her to network with the women in her corps, who came to know one another in a deeper way as they shared testimonies of how they let Jesus into their life.

YUBA CITY, CALIF.--The Yuba Sutter Corps is embarking on its third annual Blanket Brigade. The corps has identified over 900 homeless individuals, including 271 children, in the two counties--Yuba and Sutter--that it serves. Brigade members hope to hand out at least 500 blankets to this vulnerable population, with the help of the area’s homeless consortium. They will be collecting new or gently used blankets throughout the cold weather season.

SALEM, ORE.—The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center celebrated its 2nd anniversary with an open house and membership drive.

Along with raffles and refreshments, the center offered a rock wall obstacle course, church program information and photos by “RJ.” The favorite event was “Salem’s largest Zumba dance party,” complete with DJ and disco lighting.

Of the 1,500 participants, 458 took advantage of the one-day waived registration fee to sign up as new members. Current enrollment is just over 5,800 members.

KAPOLEI, HAWAII—The Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, scheduled to open in late 2011, will be the largest community center of its kind in Hawaii.

Keep up with its development on Facebook at Kroc Center Hawaii.

Recent posts include photos of the NCAA regulation gymnasium, the Adventure Cove’s lazy river and the Worship and Performing Arts Center.

TALK TO US—We want to know what’s happening in your corps, ARC or unit—special programs or events, enrollments, youth achievements, and more! Submit a few sentences (about 75 words) to new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org or on Facebook at facebook. com/tsanewfrontier.

E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Complex now open n New 35-unit center will house homeless families in Sacramento.

BY SYDNEY FONG The Salvation Army officially opened its new E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Complex in Sacramento Sept. 20. The 35-unit center will house families who were homeless.

Each family qualified for this housing program through The Salvation Army’s Family Service Department. All participating families may live in the units from six months to two years. Caseworkers will work constantly with each program participant to find permanent housing and employment.

For those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, recovery and prevention meetings will be available.

Sunnie, 32, along with her two children, recently moved into the housing complex.

She has struggled with drugs and hopped from one shelter to another. “[The Salvation Army] is giving me a chance to get myself together,” Sunnie said. “It’s a way to not go down the same road I went through before. I can get my education, get a job, and get back on my feet and not worry about having a place to stay.”

The Salvation Army in Sacramento raised more than $3 million to purchase the property and start the housing program.

“The need for transitional housing for families in Sacramento is huge,” said Major Douglas Riley, Salvation Army Del

(L-R): Major Colleen Riley, Joyce Raley Teel and Major Douglas Riley

Oro divisional commander. “To keep families together is critical these days. To help them in times of trouble and turmoil, that’s why we are here.”

Joyce Raley Teel, co-chairman of the Board of Directors for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, donated $2 million toward the project’s capital campaign. The living center is named in honor of Teel’s late mother, E. Claire Raley.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for these people who had such a difficult past,” Teel said. “I’m very proud of this program. I’m glad my family could

Photo by Sydney Fong

make a difference, along with many other donors.”

The donation also served to recognize the work of The Salvation Army, which assisted E. Claire Raley’s family when she was a youth.

“My mother told me that The Salvation Army helped her family out when times were tough,” Teel said. “For some reason, I never forgot that. I just have a great admiration for them. Any disaster, they’re there. It impressed me, and here I am, trying to do my part and give back.”

New technologies—new collaborations n West’s Seasonal Assistance program adopted by more service providers.

BY ROBERT FREEMAN The Seasonal Assistance program— cutting-edge technology developed by The Salvation Army Western Territory’s Information Technology (IT) department— allows service providers to collaborate with each other, ensuring that assistance is not duplicated and thereby enabling them to help more families.

The software, developed for use by other

agencies that offer seasonal assistance to work with software used by Salvation Army sites, ensures that an applicant household will receive assistance from just one group—allowing the agencies to collectively serve more people in need.

The Salt Lake City Corps Community Center in Utah has collaborations with 12 service providers. “It is a great way for the community to get together and assist more people by working together,” said Major Richard Greene, corps officer. “The program is very easy to use by the other agencies.”

Service providers receive software that restricts them from viewing any of the confidential information of Salvation Army clients, and have separate handbooks, login accounts and training.

“We have used this program in Ogden [which has 27 collaborations]and now here in Salt Lake City,” Greene said. “Of course, it is hard to get people to trust us and use our program, but when they do, it appears they love it.”

Although the Seasonal Assistance software is widely used at Salvation Army sites TECHNOLOGIES, page 4

Annual All About Kids Dinner raises $230,000

BY CONSTANCE GRECCO In just a few hours, The Salvation Army’s 17th annual All About Kids Dinner­—held Sept. 22 at the Oregon Zoo in Portland—raised $230,000.

Major Don Gilger, Portland Metro coordinator said, “This is entirely the Lord’s blessing on a lot of hard work that will in turn benefit so many children in our community who desperately need it.”

The dinner started with a children’s choir made up of kids from Salvation Army corps across the metro area who energetically sang three worship songs. After the kids exited the room, Dave Scott of KINK FM took over as the emcee for the evening. He introduced Terry Dean, Portland Metro advisory board chair, on stage with him to present nine board, council and community members with several Salvation Army awards.

Following the annual dinner awards, a video that captured the yesterday, today and tomorrow of The Salvation Army’s work over the years featured three people: a former client who gave birth at The Salvation Army’s White Shield Center, the gentleman who runs the feeding program at the Tualatin Valley Citadel and the coach of the youth robotics program at the Gresham Center for Worship and Service. At the end, it showed a robot moving through a doorway, and as the video faded out, the robot itself turned the corner into the ballroom and made its way to the stage for a small demonstration.

A children’s choir of kids from across the Portland Metro area opens the 17th annual All About Kids Dinner.

Photo by Teresa Engle

Michael Allen Harrison, a renowned local pianist, presented and performed for the first time ever a song he wrote specifically for the event titled, “It’s All About Kids.” He humbly and genuinely reflected on how vital it is to keep supporting the children in The Salvation Army programs.

The event was sponsored by Fred Meyer Stores and Hoffman Construction.

Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

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My first year as an officer Sonora Rose Cooper (far right) and Katy Roxanne (second from right) lead a hip hop class at the Tempe (Ariz.) Corps.

Photo by Robyn Bridgeo

Kickin’ it old school n Arizona’s Tempe Corps reaches youth through hip hop dance.

BY ROBYN BRIDGEO, CAPTAIN Ever since shock rocker Alice Cooper committed his life to Christ more than 10 years ago, he has been on a mission. He has a heart to reach out to troubled teens through the medium that gained him his fame—music and the arts.

For years, Cooper has been doing this through his Solid Rock Foundation, based in Phoenix, Ariz. When I discovered that the foundation was working on converting an old warehouse into a Rock Outreach Center, I met with executive director Jeff Moore to see how we could partner together.

After a year of sharing a lot of great ideas, Solid Rock offered us free music and hip hop lessons.

When Sonora Rose Cooper, Cooper’s 18-year-old daughter, caught wind of this partnership, she quickly volunteered to teach hip hop and recruited her friend, Katy Roxanne, a film student, to help her. Sonora grew up around dance at her mother’s dance academy. Katy plans on creating a “rocumentary” of the whole experience, hoping to submit her finished work to the Sundance Film Festival.

Sonora and Katy were a huge hit at the first hip hop class.

Before class, Katy wrote on her Facebook page, “I can’t wait to

start teaching hip hop tonight at the Tempe Salvation Army.”

After class, I asked her if she still felt that way and she said, “Definitely, hip hop made a huge difference in my life and I am so excited to get a chance to share something that has meant so much to me.”

We have never seen the girls in our corps so excited—so much so that they helped us pass out candy and flyers about the program to 1,000 students in their middle school.

TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Major Evelyn Chavez Property Secretary, effective Nov. 1, 2011

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Delegates to the Alaska youth councils

Photo by Michelle Thielenhaus

Alaska youth councils n “Epic” weekend reveals “epic” purpose for Alaskan youth.

BY DONALD WARRINER, CAPTAIN Alaskan youth and leaders descended on the Juneau Corps for youth councils, intent on discovering their part within God’s creation.

Supporting the young people in their quest were special guests Lt. Colonel Judy Smith, territorial secretary for program, Majors John and Pamilla Brackenbury, territorial candidates’ secretary and associate secretary, respectively, and Captain Roy Wild, territorial youth secretary.

Developing the “epic” theme, leaders conveyed that although young in age and lacking experience, each camper has a larger-than-life part to play in God’s scheme of things.

Friday’s message revealed epic failures,

while on Saturday, delegates delved into epic purpose and the responsibility to live holy lives. Later, the message was epic calling, accepting that each person is God’s unique creation with his or her own purpose. A whale-watching trip illustrated God’s creation and how small humans are physically in comparison. Back at camp, this point was emphasized with a golf ball representing humanity, comparing its size to God’s expanse.

The final session emphasized epic responsibility, with each delegate challenged to say no to sin and to love and listen to God. Sunday morning’s message reminded the youth of their most epic choice—to choose Jesus and his will for their lives.

At the conclusion, three students stood in answer to God’s call to officership.

BY MAUREEN LAWLISS, LT. Many blessings have come my way this first year as an officer—and many challenges. During the short time I’ve been in charge of the Albany (Ore.) Corps, the first and primary thing I have learned is not to rely on myself. This service for the Lord is a partnership with him; he is my authority who has called me to service in The Salvation Army.

I am grateful for the training at Crestmont, which gave me an overall picture of the ministry of The Salvation Army. Throughout training, the more I grew in understanding of the work of an officer, the bigger the job seemed, and sure enough, I was not mistaken. However, one great thing about being an officer is that I can fall back on the fact that God has called me.

At times, when I am discouraged, feeling like I am making little progress on my goals and mission, I remember it isn’t about me—it’s the work of God and I’m just his servant whom he called. His calling for me is unique and individual, yet it is for the greater good of his purpose.

This privilege keeps my mind focused on the right things.

After several years in business and overseas as a missionary, this current position is the most rewarding and challenging. For years, God placed it on my heart to serve him fulltime. Now he has called me to the people of Albany, and here doors have opened for me to minister in ways I could not before I was an officer. The potential of bringing people to a place of salvation, to a place of safety and assurance, for me has abundant eternal significance.

My heart desires to encourage and help people spiritually, yet it is not what happens daily. However, in seeing the deep needs of people, I learned that often they simply need a caring hand, and I have discovered the importance of a kind word—that small gift of yourself is one of the most important ones we can offer.

One of the challenges here is that our building is in disrepair, and I’ve learned quickly how to run a capital campaign.

This often diverted my attention from daily routine needs but it also introduced me to the greater community of Albany. Each day presents new opportunities for service, which makes this work unique and exciting. No matter what I’m doing, whether administrative or pastoral, it is all God’s work. I find that you cannot separate the social work from the corps, for God’s work is in the people, wherever they are. And where the Lord is working, there is where I want to be.

As long as I view my ministry as God’s call, and let him do the transforming of lives through me, this is what is important in my officership. Success comes in many different sizes and shapes, but no matter its form, it is the success of God, not me. I joined the Rotary this year and the first item of its four-way test is “service above self.” As a Salvation Army officer, it is “God and his service above self.” I don’t do this alone—I have an awesome partner who does most of the work!

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). As I walk this journey, this verse is critical for me.

May God be blessed!

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Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

San Luis Obispo Corps re-opens n Faithful soldiers keep ministry to the community alive for the past year.

BY ROBERT BRENNAN The Salvation Army’s San Luis Obispo Corps and Community Center (Calif.) opened its door after a brief hiatus Oct. 2, and soldiers Juan and Patricia Torres welcomed territorial and divisional leaders to share the moment.

For almost a year, the Torreses have maintained social services and the spiritual footprint of The Salvation Army in San Luis Obispo. “We are overjoyed and grateful to our Father for the privilege of working with the community of San Luis Obispo,” Patricia Torres said. “The people here are so gracious and generous with The Salvation Army.”

Members of The Salvation Army’s Tustin Ranch (Calif.) Band, played English-style brass band music in a free concert in the park Oct. 1. A more formal public concert took place later that

evening at the First United Methodist Church in Arroyo Grande, where cellist Sarah Koo and pianist David Dunford joined the band.

Territorial Leaders Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs and Southern California Divisional Leaders Lt. Colonels Victor and Rose-Marie Leslie attended the first service in the newly re-opened corps and witnessed 15 junior soldiers and seven senior soldiers declare their commitment to the Lord.

The Torreses are confident that now, with a more visible presence, The Salvation Army will be able to increase its social services to those in need by providing food, clothing, utility assistance and afterschool activities, and to continue to grow the faith community as well. The Salvation Army has been fulfilling its mission in this part of California since 1891, and with the re-opening of the San Luis Obispo Corps and Community Center, the past and Left to right: Commissioner James Knaggs, Juan and Patricia Torres, Commissioner Carolyn present have been reconnected and the Knaggs, Lt. Colonel Rose-Marie Leslie, Lt. Colonel Victor Leslie and Major Steve Bradley. future looks bright.

Photo by Robert Brennan

HARBOR LIGHT

Members of the Western Territorial Band teach students about various instruments at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Photo by Jenni Ragland

Friends made for the Lord n Western Territorial Band travels to Anchorage, Alaska.

BY DIANE O’BRIEN, LT. COLONEL On my journey to Anchorage with the Western Territorial Band (WTB), I changed planes in Seattle.

By chance, I was seated in front of one of the bandsmen, Gary. Engaging in some unavoidable eavesdropping, I heard Gary talk to his seat companion about his commitment to God as an employee in ministry; it was the beginning of a weekend of witnessing.

At the high school on Friday morning, a young bass guitarist was joyful as he listened to the different styles of music from the WTB. Later, at the grade school, the children bounced along with the music, but just as important was the welcoming attitude of the staff as the band played well-chosen pieces.

On Saturday morning at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), bandsmen led sectional workshops, and some members of the UAA Concert Band joined our band for several pieces. One player told me he had never been surrounded by such a wonderful

musical sound. As the two groups played together, I admit I was a little shocked when a clarinetist played the first solo in “Daniel”! After the workshop morning, some of the local musicians chatted with one of the bandsmen, Matt, and they decided to go to lunch together. Friends made for the Lord!

One man came to the Saturday evening concert to fulfill a requirement for a music appreciation class. From our conversation at the beginning of the concert, he clearly had no idea that this was a group of committed Christians, playing music to the glory of God. He took notes all evening, sought out various people and expressed his pleasure at being there.

The band continued to give of themselves in song, brass, praise team and testimony on Sunday morning, drawing seekers to the mercy seat.

The musicianship was good, of course, but the dedicated ministry of the band was even better—clearly communicated through the music and attitude of the band members.

After all, our ministry is all about relationships—with fellow Christians, with people we meet and most importantly with our Savior.

provided Pelosi and Lee with a private tour of the area that will be renovated as part of the expansion.

“Caring for our local veterans is a high priority at the Harbor Light Center,” Clitheroe said.

“This expansion means 10 additional veterans will have the opportunity to pursue a life of sobriety.”

The nationwide “Make the Call” campaign is part of the VA’s pledge to end veteran homelessness by 2015. In addition to applauding the collaboration between the VA and community organizations, Pelosi pledged the support of

from page 1

Left to right: Ezra Safdie, acting director, San Francisco VA Medical Center; Lt. Col. Steve Smith, divisional commander, Golden State Division; Dr. Robert Jesse, VA principle deputy under secretary for health; Mark Leno, California state senator, District 3; Edwin M. Lee, mayor of San Francisco; Nancy Pelosi, minority leader, U. S. House of Representatives Photo by Michael Mustacchi & Associates

her congressional colleagues.

“There’s a saying on the battlefield: We leave no soldier behind,” Pelosi said. “And we

TECHNOLOGIES

say in Congress, when they come home, we leave no veteran behind.”

from page 2

throughout the territory, there are more nonSalvation Army programs set up with their version of the software than Salvation Army units—from a Rotary Club in Tualatin, Ore., to Catholic Charities in Nampa, Idaho, to the U.S. Marines in Yakima, Wash., to the Sheriff’s Department in Sacramento, Calif.

“The experience of working with outside partner agencies and the Christmas software application has been positive,” said Beth Kennard, director of Family Services in Vancouver, Wash., whose program already has

collaborations with 12 service providers. “I am looking forward to having another training this year and hoping that a couple more agencies jump on board.”

In many parts of the Western Territory, The Salvation Army now serves as the de facto lead agency during the holiday season and we have the technology to facilitate it.

Salvation Army corps and units: for more information regarding the Seasonal Assistance program, please submit a ticket to the Service Desk.

Budding musicians share their love of music In addition to a concert by The Salvation Army’s Western Territorial Band (WTB), 5th grade students at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska, had a visit from two budding musicians.

Zachary and Isaac White, two junior soldiers from the Mesa (Ariz.) Corps, took a break from their Alaska trip to share their love of music.

Following an introduction by their mother, Holly White, a member of the WTB, each boy performed a solo on his brass instrument. Zachary, 9, played “For Your Faith” on the alto horn. Isaac, 7, played “French” on the cornet. Both boys also performed “Hoot

Zachary and Isaac White perform at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Anchorage, Alaska.

Photo by Jenni Ragland

Owl Boogie” and “Medieval,” respectively, on the piano.

With the recent expansion of the music programs at The Salvation Army Anchorage Corps Community Center,

their presentation provided an opportunity to share about the weekly music programs and summer music camp programs in the community.

Jenni Ragland

DOING THE MOST GOOD

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

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Celebrity auction benefits Salvation Army Tennis rackets, cowboy hats and shoes owned by the celebrities of NBC’s Today Show were auctioned off on eBay to help support The Salvation Army.

The auction, called “Today’s” Tag Sale, ran Oct. 5 to Oct. 9. More than $9,551 was raised with all the proceeds going directly to The Salvation Army’s adult rehabilitation centers.

Ann Curry, Matt Lauer and Lester Holt provided the top earning packages.

Curry donated the torch she carried at the Salt Lake City Olympic games in 2002, heels and a pink mariachi hat—selling for $3,000. Holt, a great bass player who enjoys practicing in his office, auctioned off his Ibanez bass guitar—selling for $1,525. And rounding out the top was Lauer, who donated

a boomerang, ties and a beaded face of himself done by a local artist in South Africa—which sold for $1,277.

Many others from the show also donated items, including Al Roker, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.

Alabama program aims to trade jail time for church

Golfers participate in the Charity Golf Tournament at TPC Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, Ga. Photo by Sheena Gadson

Tournament tees off in Atlanta n Annual fundraiser raises over $100,000 in 2011

BY SHEENA GADSON In late September, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta held its 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament at the TPC Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth, Ga. “Even the bad shots don’t seem so bad when you know good is being accomplished,” said Phil Leonard, major gifts manager of The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command.

This year’s title sponsor, the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association, along with 17 tournament sponsors, gave generously—raising over $100,000.

The tournament benefits over 2,500 youth in metro Atlanta that count on The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs for a safe place to learn and grow. The recent economic downturn has given the Army even more incentive to help ensure that kids continue to have access to quality programming and services by hosting events such as this.

Andy Copassaki, executive director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta, said, “In this very tough economy, hardships are felt more than ever before, but thanks to our sponsors, our children can have brighter futures.”

Repairing bad credit The Salvation Army of Chicago partnered with Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois in launching Ways to Work, which offers low-interest loans to low-income working parents with bad credit. The program enables struggling parents to buy or repair used cars.

“With as many as one in six Americans living in poverty, we need to do everything we can to help parents hold

down their jobs and provide a stable home for their families, and that often starts with reliable transportation,” said Lt. Col. Ralph Bukiewicz, commander of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.

“This program also offers an alternative to predatory lenders who charge exorbitantly high interest rates that only push families further into debt.”

BY ERICA ANDREWS Operation Restore Our Community—a new program in Bay Minette, Ala.—is hoping to keep criminals out of jail by trading incarceration with church attendance; 56 churches agreed to participate.

“It’s not a crime prevention program,” Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland told MSNBC. “It’s a crime intervention program.”

Currently, judges provide first-time offenders a sentencing option of jail time or community service. Restore Our Community would provide a third option—attending Sunday church services and checking in with the pastor.

“What we wanted to do is target that group of people who most likely would have a chance to be more productive in our community,” Rowland said.

However, several civil rights groups are opposed to this program calling it unconstitutional. The

American Civil Liberties Union sent a cease-and-desist letter to the program Sept.

26, maintaining that church and state should always remain separate.

Because Operation Restore Our Community is voluntary, the issue is complicated.

At present, the Bay Minette City Council is sorting out the legal concerns of the program.

The Salvation Army in Alabama is also working to provide alternative options to incarceration through the Dauphin Way Lodge and Corps Salvage Rehabilitation Program. Area Commander Major Alan Hill explained that these programs are very active in Mobile, Ala. “Because a large portion of the prison population has an addiction problem this has been the focus of the Army here in Mobile,” Hill said.

“Many who are facing time in prison go into our treatment program...giving the community a better option than prison.”

Chaplains at the protest The sounds of hymns were unexpected at the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, where dozens of white-robed worshipers descended upon New York City. The self-proclaimed “Protest Chaplains” sang spirituals and blessed the demonstrators at Zuccotti Park Oct. 10, while holding signs that read, “Blessed are the poor.”

The Protest Chaplains claimed to have traveled from Boston in order to advocate for “the 99 percent” of Americans against the “1 percent,” who they say rule most of the country’s capital. The group is made up of mostly Christian students, seminarians and laypeople who are using faith to show their support for the protest against greed.

“In a group that had a lot of bandanas and black hoodies, we stood out,” Marisa Egerstrom, an organizer of the group and doctoral student at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, told The Huffington Post. “But people kept coming up to us and saying, ‘You know, you are the first Christians I’ve seen at a protest...on our side.”’

Daily Cup mobile app named finalist n App launched to tackle social justice issues nominated for “Most Effective Mobile Charity Campaign”

The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory’s Daily Cup Social Justice mobile application is a finalist for the Effective Mobile Marketing Awards in the “Most Effective Mobile Charity Campaign/Solution” category. Sponsored by UpStream, Propel and OpenMarket, the awards will be distributed Nov. 3 in London.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be recognized by such a distinguished panel of mobile industry judges for our important work alongside DIDMO and GetJar in bringing attention to social justice issues globally,” said Major C. Mark Brown, community relations and development secretary in the Southern Territory. “This nomination will help us continue to spread the word.”

The free Daily Cup Social Justice mobile app, which works on all phones, addresses important social justice issues through building awareness and encouraging donations of time and money from mobile consumers.

“Our objectives with the app were to inform, educate and engage a global, mobile audience in the fight against social injustices,” said Berenice Kalan, marketing director, GetJar. “We accomplished this and exceeded marketing expectations with over 190,000 downloads within the first six weeks and a 6.2 percent response to ‘Donate $10 now’ as well as a 3.9 percent response to volunteer submissions.”

The Daily Cup Social Justice mobile app was created using DIDMO’s award-winning Magmito platform and was promoted via the GetJar Store.

“We are proud of the app and the important work we accomplished with The Salvation Army and GetJar,” said Ted Iannuzzi, CEO, DIDMO. “Win or lose (the award), we certainly feel like winners today for championing a cause we believe in—engaging the mobile generation in the fight for social justice.”

Download the app onto your mobile phone via getjar.com/ Salvation-Army.

8

Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011

Southern California Division young adult retreat 2011

Delegates to the Southern California Division young adult retreat pose outside The Salvation Army Family Services Center in Ventura, Calif.

Photo by Stephen Garcia

BY ALEEN BRADLEY Celebrating a year of “Epic Love,” 128 young adults from the Southern California Division gathered at Camp Mt. Crags for the annual young adult retreat.

“Heart to God, Hand to Man,” a familiar Salvation Army phrase, focused attention on the relationship between a heart devoted to God and the love and service of others. The theme verse, from John 13:3435 reminded delegates, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Over the course of the weekend, delegates could discover an epic love in a variety of ways. Workshops included radical hospitality, social justice, outreach “outside the box,” and the ways in which evangelism and youth culture collide. On Saturday evening, Shelene Bryan of Skip1.org challenged delegates to deny themselves in order to help others in need. Jen Arens, ministry leader at Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco, spoke on Sunday morning, reflecting that although we are in a fallen world, fighting against

darkness, we are, more importantly, meant to fight for love.

Implementing love in action was another weekend opportunity. Three groups engaged in service and outreach projects on Saturday afternoon in different locations. Camp Mt. Crags welcomed helpers to clean, paint and tidy the facility. Arens and Captain Matthew Madsen led a group to Venice Beach to distribute water bottles and engage others, apologizing on behalf of Christians if the church or a Christian has ever treated them in an unloving way. Captain William Finley took another group into Ventura County where participants conducted a prayer walk and surveyed the homeless population.

Almost none of the delegates had ever engaged in outreach opportunities like this and expressed the desire to stay longer.

The spirit of the Lord, moving hearts to compassion and love, inspired this time of fellowship.

Pray for the young adults of this division, that they will respond to and take up the command of love for God and love for others.

Intermountain Division’s ‘epic’ youth councils

Youth receive high awards

n Youth vow to purposefully live an epic life with God.

BY PAULA WILD, CAPTAIN One of my responsibilities as territorial assistant youth secretary is to process high awards for the children and youth who participate in the Sunbeam, Girl Guard and Adventure Corps programs. I am thankful for the youth leaders and corps officers who faithfully teach these young people the importance of character building and relationship with the Lord.

We recognize these youth who have earned high awards this year.

BY AMY STAGG All of The Salvation Army Intermountain Division’s 19 corps were represented at the 2011 youth councils, with a total of 112 delegates convening at High Peak Camp in Estes Park, Colo.

At the first “United Session: Epic Journey,” participants enjoyed praise and worship music with special guests Abraham Guevara, Erick Rodriguez and Christopher Toy. Games followed, led by representatives from the territorial youth department, along with a testimony from Ryan Rhodes and a message by Captain Raymond Erickson-King, divisional youth secretary.

On Saturday morning, 10 delegates attended the FOF (Future Officers Fellowship) breakfast with guests Majors Tim and Cindy Foley, Majors John and Pamilla Brackenbury and Captains Roy and Paula Wild.

At the “United Session 2: Epic Challenge,” Wild challenged the

youth with his message. Afterward, delegates rotated through three stations: “Service Project,” “Social Media Workshop by Jim Sparks,” and “Inflatable Obstacle Course.”

Free-time activities included an epic triathlon (participants completed the inflatable obstacle course, ran to the lower pond, canoed from one end of the pond and back, then ran back to the flagpole), high ropes course, basketball, volleyball, fishing and a craft (bling-out geeky glasses for the Epic Fall Dinner—nerd style).

At Saturday’s “Epic Fall Dinner,” everyone dressed in their

best nerd/geek outfit. The top three selected in a contest were Jake Steele (Fort Collins), Ben Wilson (Grand Junction), and Kayla Kissane (Fountain Valley), with a special shout out to Captain Mike Halverson and Captain Nathalie Young—they were definitely nerdy!

Major Tim Foley spoke at Sunday morning’s meeting, “United Session: Epic Commitment,” which closed a weekend of adventure and one in which youth made decisions to purposefully live an epic life with God.

n Sunbeam, Girl Guard and Adventure Corps members recognized for achievements

Commissioner’s Sunbeams: Caterra Ramsburg (Tacoma, Wash., corps), Jenea Wiley (Tacoma), Alyssa Acob (Yakima, Wash., corps), Sarah Jessup (Yakima), Kayla Perez (Tacoma), Hannah Navarro (Kauluwela, Hawaii, corps), Danna Moore (El Cajon, Calif., corps), Danel’a Garrett (El Cajon), Aurora Perez (El Cajon), Aaliyah Rodgriguez (Mid-Columbia, Wash., corps), Kelsy Birden (Mid-Columbia), Morgan Huff (Mid-Columbia),

Daisy Gregg (Seattle), Daija Birden (Mid-Columbia), Hollie Stanford (Chula Vista, Calif., corps), Alicia Ocegueda (Chula Vista), Sarah Patterson (Oceanside, Calif., corps), Crystal Flores (San Bernadino, Calif.)

Commissioner’s Sunbeam Stars: Jenea Wiley, Kayla Perez and Caterra Ramsburg (all from Tacoma) National Commander’s Award: Joshua Norton, Jarod Howard and Noah Falzarano (all from El Cajon) General’s Guard Award: Annchillyn Lorin (Leeward, Hawaii, corps), Krystle Costello (Oceanside), Ariel Costello (Oceanside), Destiny Harris (Seattle Temple), Amorie Weekley (Mat-Su Valley, Alaska, corps) God and Family: Noah Falzarano (El Cajon), Jarod Howard (El Cajon), Joshua Norton (El Cajon), Valerie Noble (Merced, Calif., corps), Lauren Cabrera (Merced), Lanie Cabrera (Merced) God and Me: Grace Mundy (Pasadena Tabernacle, Calif., corps), Chloe Jamison (Pasadena), Jasmine SchofieldSmith (Pasadena), Claire Cook (Pasadena), Grace CamargosOrr (Pasadena), Sadie Cowing (Pasadena), Katelyn Sanders (Merced), Dakota Barnett (Merced) God and Church—The Salvation Army: Victoria Foley, Mi’chael Hines, Zoe Law, Jazmin Riley, Alexis Young and Isabel Lepe (all from Pasadena) and Sierrah Barnett (Merced) Palms Award: Victoria Foley (Pasadena)

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Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011

9

Secrets of a successful Red Kettle campaign, part two

BY JIM REID, DR.

prophet is in their midst; if I am wrong, I am labeled as a false prophet!

Once the campaign is under way, I place a thermometer on the chalkboard with dollar increments.

Each day, I get the total count and move the red of the thermometer up.

About 11 a.m., Major Cobb, the corps officer, arrives to supervise the volunteer kettle counters and to prepare the money for deposit. I go home for lunch and a nap, returning at 2 p.m. to prepare the second shift and pick up the first. I then put out the afternoon “fires.” By now it’s 3:30 or 4 p.m., and time for the single shift drivers to arrive to pick up their bell ringers at 6 p.m. At about 7:30 p.m., Major Cobb takes over and I go home for the night.

The Major stays until the 9 p.m. pick-ups are complete and all is secure for the night.

Recently, Dr. Jim Reid, the Henderson (Nev.) Corps’ kettle coordinator learned that Henderson had the highest kettle income in the Southwest Division. Hoping to spread the wealth to other corps’ kettle campaigns, he wrote a stepby-step guide to success.

This is part two of his plan, with specifics of the daily kettle routine. If you missed part one in New Frontier (vol.

29, no. 16), find it online at newfrontierpublications.org/ nf/?p=1922.

Before the campaign begins, I go to every store, reintroduce myself to the manager and talk to the customer service people. I tell them if they have any problem with a worker to call me. Several years ago I heard from one customer service person, who said my worker was taking the kettle into the restroom and getting out change to play the slot machines. If the employee hadn’t placed that call, we never would have known.

The “war” room is control central. On the wall, I mount four 4’ by 8’ sheets of white board. Three of them have 70 horizontal lines about an inch apart, and 35 vertical lines about an inch and a half apart. We have six routes. Each location is listed on the left side of the board with the name of the store and its address. Each store has a number. Store number 101 means that it is on route 1 and is stop number one on that route. The vertical spaces are numbered with the dates of the entire campaign.

When I assign a worker to store 101, I write the worker’s number, which I get from the fourth white board, in the appropriate space. For instance, worker number six has been assigned to store number 101 on Dec. 4. If the store has more than one door, I split the appropriate square in two so I can write in the numbers of both workers.

The fourth white board, with 100 lines, is my worker board. I usually hire 80 to 90 people; each one receives a number. One woman here is an expert on filling out the employment application. She makes sure everything is right before it is submitted to divisional headquarters, which saves a lot of time and worry. When I assign a

INNOVATOR

Day in the life of a kettle coordinator My job begins at 7 a.m. I make sure that all of the first shift locations are covered. I tell the ringers to call me early if they cannot work. If I have a vacancy, I go to the callboard and contact the next person on the list to fill in for that day at that spot. Once I have assigned a spot, I tell the ringers that it is theirs until they are unable for whatever reason to fill it.

With so many people working for us, we expect some not to be able to work on any given day. Missing one day does not cause a ringer to lose a spot; three days would.

Once I know all locations are covered, I handle any problems: Smith’s 304 doesn’t have a bell; there is no kettle at Wal-Mart 407, etc. At 8:30 a.m. I send out the single shift drivers. This takes me to about 10 or 10:30 a.m., when I check on my counters. We usually exchange light-hearted banter—I predict how many $100 bills they are going to get that day. If I am correct, I tell them a

from page 1

InformationWeek 500.”

PeopleCount This year, the department received the honor because of a project envisioned by Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs. The project—PeopleCount —will use social media to allow the territorial commander insight into the weekly happenings at corps around the territory, and will facilitate weekly feedback including a celebratory multimedia message to the territory from Knaggs. The project is expected to be fully launched by the end of 2011.

“For 23 years, the InformationWeek 500 has chronicled and honored the most innovative users of business technology,” said InformationWeek Editor-In-Chief Rob Preston. “In this day and age, however, being innovative isn’t enough. Companies and their IT organizations need to innovate faster than ever before to stay a step or two

HAVEN

person a spot, I know they have already been approved.

ahead of their customers, partners and competitors. This year’s ranking placed special emphasis on those high-octane business technology innovators.”

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation’s most innovative users of information technology with its annual 500 listing and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments and administrative practices of America’s best-known companies. Top winners have included: The Vanguard Group, CME Group, Conway, National Semiconductor, KimberlyClark, Hilton Hotels and Unum. The InformationWeek 500 listings are unique among corporate rankings as they spotlight the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at informationweek.com/iw500.

from page 1

specialized educational, vocational, and social/recreational programs.

The special needs funding for homeless veterans with chronic mental illness will enhance the existing GPD Program, Victory Place, a 95-bed substance abuse treatment program. With this grant, Victory Place will provide clinical services to those veterans who suffer from mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or major affective disorders (including bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or any other serious impairment in the areas of work, family relations, thinking, or emotions.

Since over 70 percent of veterans in these programs suffer from a form of mental illness, this grant enables The Salvation

Army to provide vital clinical help that will enable them to recover and successfully integrate back into the community.

“Restoration of these grant funds ensures that we can respond in the most appropriate way to the complex problems faced by veterans with special needs,” said Major Sherry McWhorter, Southern California divisional secretary for social services.

The Haven, with 390 beds, is one of five major Salvation Army programs serving homeless veterans in the Southern California Division.

The VA maintains a national call center for homeless veterans: 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838).

Encouragement matters Before we send ringers out every shift, I give them a “rah-rah” speech, and tell them to make me proud. I brag on everyone who had a really good kettle, and give them all a pat on the back. For this month, we become like one big, happy family.

Early on, Cobb jokingly called me the “head ding-aling.” That tag stuck and it now appears on my business card.

Concerning overtime, I have been fussed at by my corps officer and indirectly chastised by divisional headquarters that the Army doesn’t pay overtime. My response is “why not?” If your kettle coordinator is on top of it—and with the new Salvation Army software for kettles, he/she should be—what is the problem?

The week after Christmas, we have a victory party.

We invite all our bell ringers, paid and volunteer, and their families. We rejoice in the tremendous thing that God has done through us. We let everyone know from beginning to end that this is a God thing in which they have been involved. He gets the glory and we get the cash!

Will anyone accept my challenge? You now have our complete formula and all the secrets we use. Duplicate our success—give us a run for our money! Let’s have every corps increase its kettle income this year.

Contact me at jreid31@cox.net.

Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

Recognizing our partners in service a view from the

Board Side

Community recognition awards are an important way to get the story of your local Salvation Army work before the public in a meaningful and Dick effective manner.

Hagerty And, now that the year’s end is Advisory board approaching, advisory boards and member councils should be considering ways to showcase these honors at annual year-end events, which generally occur around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.

The most important award given at the local level is The Others Award. This award must be saved for very special people in the local programs of the Army.

However, several dangers lie in wait for the board or officer that has not properly done homework on whom to bestow this important honor.

Some years back we made a grand announcement and bestowed this award upon a local long-time board member. When this gentleman came to accept the award his comment sent chills down my spine, “Thank you for this great honor. It is just as meaningful to me this time as the last time you gave me this same award.”

Oops! How did this happen? How embarrassing to realize, too late, that you have made a major mistake.

Not only that, but the next year, in our neighboring community they gave the award to a recipient that basically made the same speech. He too was accepting the award for the second time.

Recently a new officer to our community called me and said, “I want to give The Others Award to Bob.” I replied, “Well, two problems here. First, we gave it to Bob a couple years ago, and second, in this community our committee recommends the award, not the officer.”

While that may sound just a bit aggressive for a local advisory organization—it is important because the officer has no history with prior recipients, local past history of the person in the community, and so on.

Here are the written criteria that we have adopted relative to The Others Award: • Given in recognition of unique and meritorious service to The Salvation Army and to our community • Solely determined by the “Others Committee,” which is composed of all the living past recipients of the award • Given no more than once a year • Not necessary to give the award each year • Ideally will alternate between internal (board) and external (community) recipients • Never given twice to the same person • Nomination process o Committee recommends (officer may recommend to committee) o Executive committee approves and recommends to full board o Full board approves o Commanding officer approves o Division approves o Territory gives final approval.

Attached to our written criteria is a chronological listing of all prior recipients. It is just amazing how quickly this information can be lost or forgotten, and then the frustration begins in trying to remember whether or not the nominee is truly eligible.

There are more ways that supporters and volunteers may be honored, to a lesser degree, and these too should be pursued. We create our own recognition plaques, with the Army logo, and simply inscribe these as “community recognition award.”

The annual dinner or meeting should also be a time to honor any new inductees into your life member category. We consider this category to be as meaningful and important as The Others Award, but it is obviously limited to advisory board members, not to the community at large.

Contact rghagerty@aol.com for a complete copy of “The First 30 Days” or to discuss community or advisory board topics, including items to address in this column.

~

10

The truth is—apart from God, I am nothing. So it can’t be my perceived ‘goodness’ spurring me onto anything of noble cause, because only he is good.

A Spirit driven life How much of what you do is done without purpose? (No, I’m not pleading a come back of Rick Warren’s “ground breaking manifesto on the meaning of life.”) I’m really wondering…

I grapple with this question a lot. I’d like to think it’s my own Erin “goodness” that spurs me on to consider the choices I make. There’s Wikle the little stuff: wondering how I’ll Soldier spend Thursday evening, because it’s my only “free” evening…or deciding if I should get up to take the train or hit the snooze button and drive in. Then there’s the bigger stuff: wondering if spending quiet time with Christ will consume my one and only free evening or considering which is more important—skipping the train and sleeping in, or stewarding the earth and my wallet by jumpin’ on the Chattanooga choo-choo. (Okay, that’s not really my train.)

I don’t see much difference. Do you?

There was a time when I was all about God leading me in the extremities of life’s decisions: which college to attend, which boy to date, which heart to break, which city to move to, which job to take. During any given life changing circumstance, you better bet I was on my knees in fervent prayer seeking direction. The spirit of striving was alive and well within me! Yet, as I mature in Christ I’ve grown more interested in engaging in an ongoing dialogue with my creator, seeking his wisdom and counsel on anything (perceived big or small) that will lead to greater intimacy with him and a greater witness to others.

~

The truth is—apart from God, I am nothing. So it can’t be my perceived “goodness” spurring me onto anything of noble cause, because only he is good. If anything, my grappling is a direct result of God’s calling me to a higher standard of holiness.

When I began to accept that God was calling me to this standard, he grew in me a passion for those I loved most to pursue this standard as well. He began showing me what fullness meant for me and what it meant for others.

Hear this, God is calling The Salvation Army to a higher standard of holiness.

We are a holiness movement that has lost its momentum as a result of conceding to spiritual laziness instead of growing greater passion for Jesus, selfabsorption instead of long-suffering for others, excessive concern for the preservation of our esteemed heritage instead of revitalizing its grassroots (Holy Spirit, signs/ wonders, OTHERS), and a general disinterest in living in step with the Spirit of God instead of living with constant expectation of his Spirit alive in us.

So, mock me if you will as I consider Christ over “Cupcake Wars,” or an hour of quiet contemplation on the train over 20 minutes extra sleep. I choose Christ to purpose my life. I choose him to grow me in holiness, no matter what the cost.

Count the cost, soldiers, officers, and friends of his great Army. Together, let’s seek God’s best in every decision we make, not because it makes us “good,” but because it equips us to live purposed, to be more like him, with an ability to draw others into his likeness.

The real thing The scale that sits on the floor next to the kitchen has been calling out to me, “Be a man. Stand up!” The problem was that I’d been putting on weight.

This whole weight gain thing was strange to me. A long time ago when I was in shape, I weighed 180 Doug pounds. But when I got out of shape and lost muscle tone, I actually lost O’Brien a few pounds. Eventually my weight Lt. Colonel crept back up to 180 pounds. Then somehow it was 190 pounds. When the scale started reading 203, 205 and 201 on different days, I thought, “This has got to stop.”

I thought about exercising, but that was as far as it got—thinking about it. I did, however, switch to a zero calorie drink and that’s when things started getting better.

I’m a label reader and that zero calorie drink used a sweetener I’d never heard about—a stevia plant extract.

I searched the web. The stevia plant has been used as a natural sweetener for hundreds of years. The sugar substitute industry apparently lobbied the FDA to keep stevia from being used as a food additive. Japan has used stevia-derived products for decades. Now the Cargill company is marketing TruVia and PepsiCo is marketing PureVia, both stevia-based products. They are sweeter than sugar and have zero calories. I love my zero calorie drink.

TruVia tastes like sugar and it looks like sugar. But it doesn’t have the calories of sugar. It’s kind of like eating nothing at all.

Zero calorie foods are a theme you can find in the Bible. For example, the writer to the Hebrews says that Christians ought to be eating solid food—food that would help them distinguish good from evil. But he says some Christians are clearly living on milk rather than meat, since they don’t have a clue about what it means to live a life pleasing to God (Heb. 5.12-14). Their behavior, their actions, have more in common with the sinner than the saint. They seem to lack a moral compass. They’re kind of overdosing on a zero calorie food supplement. They eat all they want, but it’s just like eating nothing at all.

For years Coca Cola has flirted with the marketing concept, “It’s the real thing,” using the phrase in the United States, and in Spain and Australia during the late 1960s and 70s. The company also used variations on that theme: “Look for the real things,” “America’s real choice,” and “Can’t beat the real thing.” If you want a real Coke today, however, you have to get the stuff bottled in Mexico. Mexican Coke is sweetened with “real” sugar.

Not to be outdone, Pepsi stepped up with its own drink, “Pepsi Throwback.” The chief selling point of “Pepsi Throwback” is evidently that it is made with “real” sugar, which may make it the real thing as well.

Sugar may be the real deal, but it is not without its detractors. The problem with sugary drinks, I’m told, is empty calories—sugar has no nutritional value.

Paul uses a classic phrase in his second letter to Timothy. He warns Timothy about people who have a “form of godliness” but deny its power (2 Tim. 3:5).

Of course, Paul wasn’t talking about food at all. But stretching this food analogy, we know the value of food is in the strength, or nutrition it provides. We would expect these Christians—the ones who have the form of godliness without its power—to disappear when there’s trouble. These people have no stamina, no staying power. They are like people who have been eating “empty calories”—food that has no nutritional value.

One of my best memories is of a meeting at a campfire pit with some fine Salvationists at Western Music Institute. That evening, they shared Scripture verses that had impacted their lives. For 30 minutes, these young people shared portions of Scripture they had committed to their hearts. The verses just came pouring out. I got a blessing and the feeling that these were wellnourished Christians. No junk food junkies here—they all had generous stores of nutritious food for the soul.

With all the talk about weight gain and weight loss— you “Biggest Losers” out there—here’s the final word about food and drink: If it is a question of food or drink, or any other thing, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31 BBE).

Doing the Most Good

October 25, 2011 New Frontier

Sharing is...

It was the last day of Officers’ Councils and we were enjoying a group breakfast. As we finished, Lt. Colonel Rose-Marie Leslie stood up and explained that the goodnatured banter between Ian her and my wife Isobel was just good fun. Then, Robinson without any warning, she Major asked Isobel to share her journey over the past 18 months with the group.

A few months after we took up an appointment in the United Kingdom, Isobel began a rapid slide into major depression. She had never experienced this before and we could not think of any reason why it should happen now.

At first, we didn’t even realize what it was. Was it a spiritual problem? Seasonal affective disorder caused by the cold and dark English winter we had just experienced? We had no idea. All I knew was that this was not my Isobel. She suffered severe anxiety, could not sleep and was unable to make even the most basic of decisions. She would stand outside the shower for 15 minutes trying to decide whether to have one or not.

Every morning, after waking up, we sat on the bed for two hours or more while I helped her focus and told her over and over again that she would eventually come out of it. She questioned her faith, and even her salvation. She felt disconnected from God and could not engage with people. There were even times when she was afraid she would take her own life. My passionate, driven and energetic wife lost her passion and purpose and just wanted to stay home. Simple things like going to the grocery store terrified her, and the thought that she might be like this for the rest of her life haunted her.

After diagnosing her with major depression, the doctor signed her off work and recommended that she return to the sunshine of Southern California and her family support system. Graciously, the Army agreed and we left our appointment before finishing our term. Isobel says even this

Growing a corps

lifeLines added to her pain because she felt as if she had failed.

It took another 10 months of medication, medical and psychiatric help before she came out of the depression. In fact it was hormone replacement therapy that accelerated her recovery. Suddenly, in Rose-Marie’s words, “She’s back!” I praise God for his healing power, and for the medical treatments that have given her back to me.

But during the past few weeks, I began to feel down and withdrawn. My passion and purpose dissipated and I didn’t know what was wrong. Now that Isobel has come back, was I going into a major depression? What was wrong with me?

It was while Isobel was sharing with the officers at breakfast that I made a discovery. For 18 months I have been caring for Isobel night and day, seven days a week. There was no time off and very few moments that were my own. I was constantly on guard and had to maintain a positive attitude no matter how I was feeling inside. We were never apart and she depended on me completely. Now she doesn’t need me anymore. At least, not in the way she needed me during that year and a half. All the intensity of caring for a loved one suddenly has no outlet. I am experiencing caregiver withdrawal.

There must be others who share my experience. Certainly, Isobel is finding many people who are suffering from major depression and are willing to open up because of her transparency. I am equally certain that many people are experiencing caregiver withdrawal after losing a loved one to a long and debilitating disease or after extended periods of caring for someone who suffered from depression or addiction.

We need to talk about it, not cover it up.

It’s not something to be ashamed of. We must be transparent and share our problems with a good listener and confidante, and seek medical help if necessary. After all, God’s Word says, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2 NLT).

NOW AVAILABLE

One for All

by Commissioner James Knaggs and Major Stephen Court

Paperback: $14.99 Kindle edition: $9.99 Published by Frontier Press 2011 ISBN: 978-0-976865-2-9

Contians three books: the global version of ONE DAY, the second edition of ONE THING, and the brand new final component of the Knaggs and Court trilogy ONE ARMY. With forwards by Generals Burrows, Rader and Bond, ONE FOR ALL describes ONE great salvation FOR ALL the world.

Get your copy today at amazon.com

New Frontier is published twice a month by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory

Commissioner James Knaggs,

Territorial Commander

Colonel Dave Hudson, Chief Secretary We welcome submissions of news stories of interest to the Western Territory. If you have something you’d like to share, submissions can be sent electronically to:

new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org or by postal service to:

New Frontier,

P.O. Box 22646,

180 E. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802 The editor reserves the right to edit material submitted. Articles should be roughly 300 words in length.

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Let’s look at what it takes to grow a corps.

First, a group of committed soldiers, including the officer, but not necessarily led by the officer, this group needs to meet and invite God to join them, to bless them with growing membership, to inspire them to inspire others, to give them ideas about how to move forward. Then, and only then, the group needs to commit to a process that will result in plans to achieve specific goals. All you need is three or four dedicated people who want to share the joy Robert and personal growth available when someone is an Army soldier Docter (member).

Editor-In-Chief You need strong lay leadership. If you don’t have it develop it.

Then, you need to go exploring. Here, you will examine the present culture of the corps. You do this by listing the behavioral norms—the unwritten and unnoticed rules that seem to dictate the behavior, the attitudes, the moods evident in the present membership. Identify the lasting traditions within the corps. Know the history of the corps, the impressive officers that have passed through.

Next, list what strengths are evident in the existing membership. Who can do what.

You need people who will commit to talking to five people, five friends, who seem to be willing to listen. Just ask if they’re interested in hearing a little about The Salvation Army.

Have visitation teams—one member in uniform and one not. If possible, have a couple of kids with you. Visit people in various communities.

Talk to the media when you have something to say—newspaper, radio, television.

Get on Facebook and start talking about the Army. Sell our holistic ministry that cares for people no matter what the social context might be and provides opportunities of service to others. Be nonjudgmental, open, caring, and ask if the individual would mind if you prayed for him or her.

Have special programs and events you can invite people to. Ask others to assist in the corps social service program.

If the corps facility needs work, figure out what is needed and start getting it done.

Talk to divisional headquarters (DHQ) and start with the divisional commander. Tell that person what you need.

Remember, if you build it, they will come.

I know one corps that should have died but didn’t because of helpful administration and committed soldiery—The Los Angeles Citadel #2 corps.

I came to Los Angeles in 1964 and joined the Citadel Corps—a skidrow operation on 4th street, between Main and Los Angeles. It was in the heart of an area dominated by alcoholism, prostitution, dark streets, strong odors and businesses that wanted to move away.

It also had Captain Virgil Cline—almost an older brother to my brother and me. He was single at the time and stationed at DHQ as a financial secretary. He played tuba in the band and sang in the songsters.

The corps, often simply referred to as the #2 Corps, was in its third location in its 62 years of existence. It didn’t have too much going for it to build membership, but I think the label, #2 helped it. It seemed to me that it always strived to become #1—the number of the Congress Hall Corps, an attractive, large corps located on the ground floor of DHQ in a safe district in downtown Los Angeles.

Upon our arrival in LA, Virgil made sure we went to the Citadel instead of the large, popular #1 Corps.

To my shaky knowledge, the corps had no programs to serve the surrounding population. It was a family corps with a strong sense of history. It seemed, however, locked in place, serving a long-standing group of people in a very traditional manner. Its only reach outside its walls were two great open-air services on Sunday nights. The band would march to 3rd and Broadway and drop off soldiers who led the second open air on a different corner. In the fall and winter I learned what they meant when they talked about a “dark street march”—an Army march easy to memorize.

As I look back, none of this bothered me at all. The corps, definitely a “commuter corps,” had a band, a gym and a large bunch of loyal soldiers—many of whom carried strong, positive and historic names like Dart, Parkhouse, Jackson, Nottle, Morton. They must have built a strong foundation, because these names are still active in corps today.

The Rodys were the corps officers and added their names to some of the great preachers and delightful characters of the day.

We liked them all, and the family joined.

Great picnics, active sports competition, a few short band trips, a terrific corps cadet class led by Vic Nottle maintained our interest.

Soon, the corps’ “stagnation” became evident, and we determined we needed to move from 4th Street and give our building to a Harbor Light program.

We did, and became the Los Angeles Tabernacle, then the Hollywood Tabernacle, and now the Pasadena Tabernacle—still carrying on the same culture.

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