~
Our initial response has focused on meeting the immediate needs of the people involved.
newfrontierpublications.com
The Western Territory’s news source
—Captain Craig Wood
for 31 years
January 18, 2013 Vol. 31, No. 1
Heat, bushfires devastate Tasmania n The Salvation Army continues relief efforts in the scorching heat wave.
General John Gowans (Ret.)
General John Gowans promoted to Glory BY BARRY C. SWANSON, CHIEF OF THE STAFF General John Gowans (Ret.), 78, was promoted to Glory from a nursing home in South London Dec. 8, 2012, after a long period of declining health. Gowans, The Salvation Army’s international leader from 1999 to 2002, will be remembered for his unique, Look for the colorful 4-page tribute and largerto General John than-life Gowans inside. personality. “When God made John Gowans he threw away the mold,” wrote General John Larsson (Ret.) in his foreword to Gowans’s autobiography. “Into the gift-mix of this original he poured the potential of an unconventional thinker, an arresting speaker and a charismatic leader. He added the dynamism of a man of action and the creativity of a poet, the ruggedness of an Elijah and the spiritual sensitivity of a John the Beloved. And he topped it all with a large dollop of humanity!” These qualities marked his term of office as General. Gowans was passionate about the Army’s fundamental mission, memorably defining it as “saving souls, growing saints and serving suffering humanity.” He boldly reformed the conditions of service for officers, in the process surveying every officer in the world. He markedly widened the advisory circle to the General by creating the General’s Consultative Council. He unfailingly challenged his hearers around the world through messages that were vivid, pointed GENERAL GOWANS, page 4
Inside: Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 From the Board Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sharper Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Spice Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Find us on the web: www.newfrontierpublications.org Facebook: tsanewfrontier
BY STEPHANIE GOURD The Salvation Army provided relief efforts in January to the Australian island state of Tasmania, which endured more than 40 raging bushfires. The blazes, originating from an extreme heat wave and strong winds, destroyed at least 100 properties and forced thousands to flee, with many people seeking shelter on beaches. “Our initial response has focused on meeting the immediate needs of the people involved,” said Captain Craig Wood, communications and fundraising secretary for The Salvation Army in Tasmania. “We have served over 7,000 meals to crews working to control the fires and to people evacuated from their homes. We have also distributed much needed financial and material assistance.” As part of the initial response, the Army AUSTRALIA, page 2
Emergency Services volunteers prepare food and refreshments for victims of the Tasmanian bushfires. Photo by Craig Wood
2013: Strategic transformation n Thoughts on the new year from the West’s territorial commander
The Salvation Army construction team works diligently to repair and rehabilitate schools. Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army in Haiti
Haiti: Beyond the quake n The Salvation Army continues to help in recovery three years after the devastating earthquake. Partnering with the Haitian people, The Salvation Army has created a positive “ansanm, ansanm n’a rive” reputation in the three years since the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2010. In Haitian Creole, the phrase conveys the idea of working together to achieve a specific goal or task, which the Army’s Haiti Recovery and Development (HRD) office does with individuals, families and communities in an effort to rebuild. For 60 years, The Salvation Army has been a mainstay in Port-au-Prince with the Delmas 2 compound, the headquarters and facilities site that was mostly destroyed in the earthquake. Construction on the new Delmas 2 complex began in August 2011, to include kindergarten, primary and secondary school buildings for College Verena, which is responsible for the education of more than 1,500 area children, and HAITI, page 3
“SHARING THE VISION” BY GENERAL LINDA BOND Read her latest message at the General’s website: salvationarmy.org/thegeneral where you can sign up to receive future messages directly via email. The message is available in English, French, German and Spanish.
BY JAMES KNAGGS, COMMISSIONER I love working for God. Everything has purpose. Everything is right. Nothing is wasted. It feels optimal and the potential return to the glory of God is unlimited. This year in the Western Territory, USA, we are looking for transformation in the lives of thousands and more as we present the love of God in compelling and intentional ways. We need to be strategic. Like the farmer who scatters the seed, we then cultivate the germination of the growth where it takes root. We do this purposefully and with every best intention. Wait until you see what it looks like. I’m praying it looks like you and me. I wonder if we can consider the possibility of a new year’s resolution to lead someone to Christ. What do we think would be a standard expectation of God for us as Salvationists? I think it starts with a list. Can we at least, in this year, put a list in our Bible of 10 people who are unsaved, that are somewhere in our influence that we can pray for throughout the year? We need to be more intentional and strategic. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8 NIV). From TCspeak.com and People Count (http://tiny.cc/ szqrqw)
2013 writers’ conference announced n Event slated for October in St. Louis, Mo. The Salvation Army USA National Headquarters announced a writer’s conference for Oct. 8-13 at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center in St. Louis, Mo., to advance the Army’s publishing ministry in the fields of fiction and nonfiction writing. Salvationists of all skill levels are invited to attend, from beginners to published writers. Award-winning novelist Patricia Hickman, author of “The Pirate Queen” and “Painted Dresses,” is slated to be the guest speaker. Bestselling Christian author Bob Hostetler, whose titles include “How to Survive the End of the World” and “Quit Going to Church,” and award-winning writer,
editor, humorist and minister of communications James Watkins will also participate. National Commander Commissioner William Roberts will deliver the keynote address. “The National Publications Department has hosted national and international literary conferences periodically,” said Editor-in-Chief Major Allen Satterlee. “Each time delegates come away with a renewed commitment to write for God’s glory. This conference promises to help Salvationists further develop their abilities, while bonding with like-minded writers, authors and special guests.” Full and partial scholarships (conference cost is $650, including meals) will be awarded to the top
WRITERS’ CONF., page 2
2
Doing the Most Good
January 18, 2013 New Frontier
NEWS BRIEFS OF THE WEST
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV) KLAWOCK, ALASKA—A transitional Karen housing resident apGleason proached Major Cathy Quinn, corps officer with Editor her husband, John, with a financial problem. Although the corps couldn’t help, Quinn suggested that she call the bank. When she did, the bank employee said, “You must be the woman in my dream that God told me to help.” Afterwards, Quinn told the woman, who had often wondered why God was mad at her, “God isn’t mad at you; he was just waiting for you to be able to recognize his care.”
The Salvation Army Tournament of Roses Band marched for the 93rd year in the world-famous Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. Led by Bandmaster Kevin Larsson, Southern California divisional music director, the 180-member band is comprised of various groups from The Salvation Army in Southern California, plus a guest band—this year the Divisional Youth Band from Toronto, Canada. In addition, two young musicians from each of the Army’s 56 divisions across the U.S. and Canada participated. Photo courtesy Tournament of Roses
EL PASO COUNTY, COLO.—The El Paso County Command provided utility assistance to a military family living there after the veteran’s medical discharge. The family’s savings were drained as they traveled to and from Galveston, Texas, where the veteran received treatment for a brain injury from combat duty in Iraq. Majors John and Judy Bennett are the county coordinators. TUSTIN RANCH, CALIF.—Emma Lee, Erica Huang, Justin Koga and Samantha Lee, cello students at the Pioneer School of Music, received prizes in the 2012 American Protege Competition (americanprotege.com) and invitations to perform in Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in Washington, DC. True products of the corps’ music program, the students collaborated with pianist David Dunford, learned music skills from Nathan Lewis and recorded for the competition with Justin Lansing. All are involved in outreach groups, such as Hospitality House. SEATTLE, WASH.—Financially challenged parents “shopped” for Christmas gifts for their children free of charge at The Salvation Army’s one-day “Toy and Joy” event. More than 12,000 kids in the Seattle area and another 30,000 in western Washington had gifts thanks to donations from companies, individuals, schools and service clubs. “The Salvation Army wants to give parents choices and a little dignity, two things that are often in short supply when times are tough,” said Lora Marini Baker, divisional community relations director. PETERSBURG, ALASKA—The corps celebrated its volunteers at an appreciation dinner Jan. 5 at the Seaside House Restaurant. Awards included the top grossing Christmas kettle volunteer group, the Rotary Club of Petersburg; their kettle raised over $3,000. Advisory Board member Steve Homer, corps member Gayle Espeseth, and thrift store volunteer Marina Leblanc were named Volunteers of the Year 2012. Members of the advisory board, the community and the corps joined Corps Officers Lts. Caleb and Christin Fankhauser at the event. PORTLAND, ORE.—The Portland Tabernacle Corps’ Christmas Sunday celebration included enrolling six senior soldiers: Barry Houck, Sammy Wright, Annalisa Green, D.D. Thomas, Deshay Woods and Leanna Woods. The corps also enrolled junior soldiers: Heather Wright, Odejia Adams, Odell Adams and Levi Evans.
Divisional Leaders Majors Bill and Lisa Dickinson, Jr. (top right) join Corps Officers Captains Martin (far left) and Tory (second row right) Ross and Chef Barry Crall (to Martin Ross’s left) to congratulate the graduates. Photo by Sydney Fong
Murrieta Corps’ youth assisted the homeless with cold weather necessities on I’ll Fight Day. Photo by David Caine
I’ll Fight Day 2012 Youth in The Salvation Army’s Western Territory rose to the challenge of I’ll Fight Day 2012, putting social justice and servant evangelism into action. I’ll Fight Day is an annual event, held the first Saturday in December, when The Salvation Army encourages young people to get a group together, choose a project and go into their community to serve. Worldwide participation, including the USA West, grows each year. WARdrobe Army Apparel creates a special design for I’ll Fight Day that is used on posters and T-shirts to help promote and identify the event. Youth and young adults at the Murrieta (Calif.) Corps provided blanket, jackets and vests to over 100 homeless people at a small park in Lake Elsinore. “It was an eye-opening experience for our young people,” said David Cain. “So much so that when a homeless man said how much he liked our ‘I’ll Fight’ T-shirt, one of our group gave him the one off his back.” Elsewhere in the Western Terri-
AUSTRALIA
tory, I’ll Fight Day activities included nursing home visits, neighborhood trash cleanup, caroling, volunteer bell ringing, cleaning local beaches, serving hot meals, corps clean-up projects, serving hot cocoa at community tree lighting festivals, and passing out cold weather necessities, such as hats and scarves, at a local bus stop. The Renton (Wash.) Corps (Northwest Division) and the Ebeye (Marshall Islands) Corps (Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division) participated in I’ll Fight Day for the first time this year. The Territorial Youth Department also participated, choosing to volunteer with corps clean-up and Christmas decorating at the San Pedro (Calif.) Temple Corps. A complete list of this year’s I’ll Fight Day stories and photos are available on Saynetworks’ SayCause website under the “Stories” section (saynetwork.com/saycauseblog/ourstories). To learn more about I’ll Fight Day, visit illfightday.com. —Megan McQuade
from page 1
distributed clothing, food supplies and gas stoves. Emergency Services teams are also working in restricted areas. With conditions stabilizing, shift rotations have begun to give exhausted volunteers an opportunity to rest. “Thousands of people have been affected and the battle to recover from this disaster has only begun,” Wood said. “Some fires are yet to be controlled and many lives will need to be rebuilt. We are appealing to the community to assist us in sup-
porting those affected for the long term by making a donation to our Disaster Relief Appeal.” The appeal has been well received by Woolworths, Big W, Kmart, Caterpillar, McDonalds, Bidvest, Coca-Cola, Schweppes, Rotary, Bendigo Bank and Derwent Entertainment Centre, each making contributions or directly donating goods. Donations can be made to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund at salvationarmy.org.au.
Cooking to success n Lodi’s culinary arts rehabilitation program graduates its 10th session. Lodi’s (Calif.) Hope Harbor Culinary Arts program recently celebrated its 10th graduating class, recognizing eight students who received diplomas after completing a 16-week course. “I’m very proud of them,” said Barry Crall, Hope Harbor Culinary Arts chef instructor. “To see what God has done in their lives is a blessing. More than 90 percent are working right now, and around 72 percent have found work in the [restaurant] industry. I say it works.” Crall has been the instructor for all five years of the program’s existence, assisting 62 students to graduation. He says the majority of his former students have found success in their professional careers. One of the newest graduates, Betty, added her new name to the ever-growing success rate. “I got all types of culinary skills from this program,” she said. “I want to work in a restaurant as a prep cook.” Betty, who has battled to overcome 35 years of addiction to drugs and alcohol, came to the culinary program after a stay at The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center in San Francisco. “I had to change my life,” Betty said. “I got tired of being sick and tired. And this program helped me to get my faith back. I got my self-esteem back, and I got my children back in my life again.” The 25 hours-per-week program offers a wide range of academic activities, directed hands-on training in a stateof-the-art kitchen, community field trips to a variety of food service operations, and one-on-one mentoring provided by industry professionals. “It feels good to see a program providing real skills and hope for a future,” said Corps Officer Captain Tory Ross. “But we’re also happy to see students like Betty now have a spiritual foundation. They don’t have to fall into bad habits; they can actually turn to God now.”
WRITERS’ CONF.
from page 1
three winners of fiction and non-fiction writing contests. Manuscripts, due March 31, should not exceed 1,200 words. Entries will be rated on creativity, plot and character development, message, structure, style and substance. Submit your manuscript at publications.salvationarmyusa.org. The conference will also include a riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi River. For information on special group hotel rates, visit starwoodmeeting.com/Book/savarmy. Download an application at publications.salvationarmyusa.org to submit to your territorial headquarters.
Doing the Most Good
January 18, 2013 New Frontier
3
URBANA 2012 n Young adults explore missions opportunities at the Urbana Conference.
BY MEGAN MCQUADE The Urbana 2012 Missions Conference, held over New Years Eve in St. Louis, Mo., included 55 representatives from the Western Territory who joined Salvation Army delegates from the three other U.S. territories and over 16,000 Christians from across the country. The event is hosted every three years by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for North American students. Participants experienced multicultural worship and drama, guest speakers, in-depth Bible study and focused prayer. This year’s study focused on the book of Luke and emphasized how to make a difference wherever one is, locally or in a global setting. Calisto Odede, a pastor from Nairobi, Kenya, began the week with a challenge for listeners to carefully examine their ministry and waste no time in their relationship with the Lord. “If it’s not fit for local consumption, then it’s not fit for export overseas,” said Odede. During the conference, delegates packed “Caregiver” kits with medical supplies for delivery to caregivers across Africa in partnership with WorldVision. Urbana attendees packed a total of 32,000 kits. “Making the medical kits made me
Captain Mark Merritt (r) receives food bags from a Casper College representative. Photo by Kathy Merritt
Casper students show faith in action Urbana representatives from the Western Territory
feel good, but I wanted to do more,” said Deslynn Castaneda of the Kona (Hawaii) Corps. At the end of the week, all 180 Salvation Army participants met at the St. Louis Temple Corps for a kindred session. Paul Borthwick, a founding member of Urbana, missionary, professor and author, spoke on the importance of the delegates’ response to God’s leading during Urbana. Many made commitments to serve in more effective ways in their corps and communities, while others committed to short or long-term missions in The Salvation Army.
Photo by Keri Shay
Throughout the conference, Army delegates maintained a booth in the exhibit hall to promote Salvation Army mission opportunities. The Western Territory highlighted Revolution Hawaii, Revolution Micronesia, summer camp, Overseas Child Sponsorship, local corps volunteer opportunities, and shortterm missions in Guam and Majuro (Marshall Islands). To see Urbana photos from Western Territory delegates, search #UrbanaTSAWEST on Instagram or visit saynetwork.com/ saycauseblog/?cat=1.
HAITIfrom page 1 a church that will accommodate more than 500 attendees—the average guest count on any given Sunday. The Salvation Army, Kindernothilfe (KNH) and donors in Germany, Canada, the U.S. and The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) joined Haitian firm ARCOTEC in the Delmas 2 construction project. The buildings on the compound will be both hurricane and earthquake resistant. The estimated completion date is February 2014. “This is an architecturally and technically challenging project,” said Patrick Figaro, ARCOTEC CEO. Tasked with managing the 2010 cholera outbreak, HRD immediately distributed soap, bleach, cleaning kits, water filters and building latrines. Although not eradicated, cholera incidences significantly dropped. To support the socio-emotional development of children and adolescents who suffered loss and trauma, the Army partnered with psychologists and educational consultants to develop life-skills materials to promote self-worth, creativity and a sense of community. Approximately 1,000 young people in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and southern Haiti meet three days each week for recreational, cultural and educational activities. Construction teams work non-stop to rebuild damaged schools outside the Port-au-Prince area. Currently, the team is working on the second—and largest—of four school groups with a completion target of December 2014. As a component of Haiti’s School Infrastructure Support program, the Army trained a maintenance team that has already completed repairs
n Casper College students deliver over 350 food bags to The Salvation Army. BY KATHY MERRITT, CAPTAIN One week after a shooting on campus, Casper (Wyo.) College students rallied to reach out to others when they delivered over 350 food bags to The Salvation Army. “We will use the gift bags in our Christmas food box distributions,” said Captain Mark Merritt, corps officer, “and I know each recipient will be thrilled with the contents, including the card proclaiming Christ’s love and a Merry Christmas!” One young woman, who helped in the food drive and delivery, said, “We want to get the community involved in promoting Christ as the way, the light and the truth.” She referred to Isaiah 58:10, saying that if we spend ourselves for the needy and oppressed, our light will shine like the noonday sun. She represented The Casper Homeless Project, from the Casper College Campus Ventures. This group, she said, understands that the verse means that Christ’s love shines through us as we help those in need in our community. Each food and gift bag contained soup, granola bars, hygiene products, cookies, crackers, Cup Noodles, and a handwritten Christmas card.
Local workers have been trained by HRD team members David White and Raymond Cédoine as part of a Salvation Army team working on repairs and renovations in southern Haiti. Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army in Haiti
and renovations at multiple sites. To promote community team building, it hired local labor and contractors to supplement its work force. “We have learned more skills than when we started,” said Maxi, one local worker. “And we want to continue to work together with The Salvation Army.” The Army in Haiti partnered with SAWSO to provide meals for children throughout the country. Since 2011, the Army has provided more than 3.3 million meals to schools, clinics and other service centers, expecting the food to last until the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Meals were also distributed to pregnant mothers, sick children and other vulnerable populations. Corps officers and community leaders in the west and south zones were equipped with faith-based facilitation and basic project development and management skills. Community
Action Teams now have the tools to develop and implement projects to address needs in their communities and can apply for small grants for projects that promote sustainable change. To date, the Community Capacity Development project team has trained more than 140 people in The Salvation Army’s Building Deeper Relationships faith-based facilitation model with plans to expand the project into the north in the coming year. The Integrated Family Support program (IFS), the most recent major community development project to be implemented by the HRD office, addresses the four direct service priorities identified by The Salvation Army Haiti: permanent housing, livelihood support, vocational training and agriculture. IFS will help increase the capacity of vulnerable families and individuals to respond to difficult economic and social circumstances.
(Front): Douglas McDonald, Michael McDonald, (back): Lt. Colonel Daniel Starrett and Jim McDonald Photo by Melissa McKewen
Holiday ‘Bugs’
The Salvation Army in Denver received two Volkswagen Beetles, donated for the holidays by McDonald Automotive Group and wrapped by TCAG Inc. “We are truly grateful to McDonald Automotive Group for lending us these cars during the holiday season so we can promote The Salvation Army and the important work we do,” said Intermountain Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Daniel Starrett. The cars were visible across the Denver Metro area at at all Salvation Army special events, including the Walmart Fill-aTruck drive and the weekly celebrity bell-ringing. The “bugs” will return for the 2013 holiday season.
Correction The photographer for a photo on page 7 of New Frontier published Dec. 7, 2012, was misidentified. The photographer’s name is Stephen Du.
4
Doing the Most Good
January 18, 2013 New Frontier
Army responds to Sandy Hook school shooting
Sierra del Mar Division • Pine Summit Camp
PINE SUMMIT CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Pine Summit Camp and Conference Center (http://www.pinesummit.com), located in Big Bear Lake, California, is recruiting for an Executive Director. The camp is owned and operated by The Salvation Army, Sierra del Mar Division and serves thousands of attendees each year. The camp has a budget exceeding $3M, regularly employs 75 people and hires additional seasonal people as the need arises. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a caring and dedicated team in supporting the mission of TSA. MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to meet human needs in his name without discrimination. This position oversees and supervises the operations of Pine Summit Camp and Conference Center to include community relations and special event coordination; develops policies and procedures for these operations and ensures compliance to the same. The full job description can be found on our recruiting link at: http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/ www_usw_sdm.nsf?open. This position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, and five years progressively responsible experience coordinating public relations, and special events including experience in the management of similar operations for which this position is responsible, preferably in the management of camps with budgets exceeding $2.5M and staffs of 75 employees or more, hotel management area, or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the essential functions of the position. Applicant must be an active Salvationist. Resumes for the position will be accepted through the above link until February 22, 2013.
n The Salvation Army provides support after gun attack.
A category EF2 tornado, with estimated winds of 111-135 mph, tore through Mobile, Ala., on Christmas Day, one of 40 reported across the South throughout the holiday. The Salvation Army in Mobile had just finished serving Christmas dinner to over 1,000 area residents when the storm barreled through the city’s midtown section, leaving downed power lines, toppled trees and heavy property damage. In response, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services teams deployed canteens (mobile kitchens) and served comfort food such as soup, sandwiches, coffee, biscuits and gravy, and Krispy Kreme donuts to residents and first responders in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Photos courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/SArmyCoastAL
Life-skills lessons now free online n Arise Foundation announces to the Army world free access to training curricula.
and Harbor Light programs. Several divisions have already sponsored teacher training through the Arise Foundation, and now anyone can take courses online with short, creative and well-researched lessons. For further information, or to receive your special password enabling participation in this complimentary Arise program call toll free 1-800-680-6100 and speak with Yasmin Isaacs, e-mail Yasmin at visaacs@arisefoundation.org, or visit http://at-riskyouth.org/welcome-toarise-on-line/.
BY PAUL E. BOLLWAHN, LT. COLONEL With curricula on over 260 life skills for children, youth and adults, the Arise Foundation is now offering free lessons online. Arise Foundation materials are used throughout The Salvation Army world, facilitating outreach and life skills development through camps, after-school programs, homeless shelters for families, youth programming at corps and Kroc Centers, ARCs
GENERAL GOWANS and prophetic. No one present at the International Millennial Congress 2000 held in Atlanta will ever forget the impact of his inspired preaching on that occasion. Gowans leaves a priceless legacy of more than 200 songs he wrote, many originating in the 10 musicals he co-authored with Larsson. His ministry will also live on through the three books of prayer poems he wrote under the title “O Lord,” which reveal his gifts of insight, warmth and humor. In retirement, Gowans influenced thousands by authoring “Words of Life” Northwest DHQ • Seattle, WA
YOUTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST The NW Divisional Headquarters Youth Department located in Seattle, WA is now accepting resumes for a FT exempt Youth Program Specialist. As part of the Divisional Youth Department, the Youth Department Program Specialist is responsible for the support, advancement, planning and coordination for TSA ministry to youth and young adults throughout the division. The person in this position must be an active, uniformed Salvationist with the ability to travel for extended periods of time. Interested parties should submit a cover letter, three references (including a pastoral ref.), and resume to: Divisional Youth & Candidate’s Secretary Captain Shevaun Malone 111 Queen Anne Ave., Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98109-4955
The Salvation Army provided food and support to the people of Newtown, Conn., after 26 people were killed in the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Southern New England Divisional Leaders Majors Dave and Eunice Champlin supported people who had lost loved ones at the evening vigil on Dec. 14—the night of the shooting— along with divisional headquarters officers Majors Steven and Valerie Lopes and Captain Todd Hughes. The division, based out of Hartford, Conn., served residents and first responders with food and beverages from a canteen at the Sandy Hook Fire Department. Care counselors from The Salvation Army were present to offer spiritual and emotional care. Out of respect for the tragedy, all three of The Salvation Army’s World Record Bell-Ringers—Ryan Gass, Jason Perkins, and Darrell Tureskis— agreed to share this year’s record, ending the competition at 80 hours, after holding a 27-minute long moment of silent ringing to recognize each of those who were lost that day. On Dec. 16, Majors Champlin, representing The Salvation Army, joined other members of clergy at a vigil attended by President Barack Obama.
from page 1
for several years. Gowans was born in Blantyre, Scotland, on Nov. 13, 1934, of officer parents. He entered the International Training College, London, in 1954 as a cadet of the Soulwinners Session. There he met Cadet Gisèle Bonhotal, who had entered training from Paris, and they married in 1957. They have two sons, John-Marc and Christophe, and four grandchildren. John and Gisèle Gowans served as corps officers in the then British Territory for 16 years, held administrative appointments in their home territory and also in the USA Western Territory, and were divisional leaders in both of these territories. They served for 11 years in France, in time becoming the territorial leaders. This was followed by territorial leadership of the Australia Eastern and U.K. territories. The Thanksgiving Service for his life and ministry took place Dec. 14, 2012, at William Booth College in London, with General John Larsson (Ret.) presiding over a gathering of more than 450 people. The congregation included General Linda Bond and General Shaw Clifton (Ret.), along with leaders from International Headquarters. Read tributes to Gowans by many of these Army leaders in the enclosed fourpage insert.
Are you interested in an employment position that also has opportunity for global impact ministry? The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) is looking for qualified, enthusiastic, committed individuals to fill a number of positions in the organization. The following are currently available:
• Communications and Outreach Manager • Grant Writer and Procurement Manager • Technical Advisor - Health •Technical Advisor - Empowerment and Livelihoods
For further information, please contact the Human Resources Department at The Salvation Army National Headquarters at USN_recruit@usn.salvationarmy.org or call (703) 647-4797.
New Frontier • January 18, 2013—PAGE 5
6
Doing the Most Good
January 18, 2013 New Frontier
Long-range planning a view from the
Board Side
How current is your longrange specific plan? If your corps is like most, you Dick either have not updated the plan for a very long time, or perhaps Hagerty you never have created a plan to Advisory board begin with. The Salvation Army member expects all advisory boards and corps to not only have a plan but to update that plan every five years. We recently went through this process, and I hate to admit how far out of date the plan had become. It was a lengthy, thorough and enlightening process, but our finished product was well worth the effort. Simply engaging in the process of initiating a plan will open your eyes to so many opportunities for upgrading your services. You will be well rewarded for the effort—not to mention being in compliance with Army expectations. Step one is to locate the most recent plan, review this and use it as a starting point for the update. If you do have an existing plan, I would encourage you to still go through the process I will outline here for those without a plan. You will be happy you did, because this process will reveal much about how well you are accomplishing your mission. Starting from scratch, I recommend that you take an in-depth look at each separate program that your corps implements. Encourage as many board members as are willing to sit in on these careful and thoughtful reviews of exactly what goes on within each program. Take time to dialogue on ways to make the program better. We spent at least two separate, lengthy sessions on each of our four major programs, and came up with a wealth of ideas to improve and implement these concepts. You should also interview other agencies and principals in the community who are providing services and programs to the needy. While you will never eliminate all of the overlapping programs offered in the community, you will uncover ways that gaps can be filled and obvious overlaps eliminated. We will publish our plan in a three-ring binder to facilitate recording future upgrades and changes. This document must be a “living document” and not one that is created, then set on the shelf to fulfill the Army regulations. At the conclusion of our plan we included a “special needs” section for those areas that we need to address but have not yet implemented. In addition, we will, from time to time, add other items to this wish list and strive to keep the plan and the process alive. Interestingly, even though we have nearly 20 different committees here in Modesto, Calif., the long-range plan process revealed the need for two more. We have already implemented one of those, and it has yielded significant cost and efficiency improvements. Most importantly, we have created a sort of umbrella committee—we call it the social services committee—to which each of the various programs will report and which will have responsibility of keeping the executive committee and full advisory board up to speed on our overall community social operations. We are nearly ready to go to press with this final document. We have pledged to keep better tabs on the overall committee so that in the future our plan will not fall so far out of date. Anyone wishing a copy can contact me, and I will be happy to email you our complete document. I would also enjoy hearing feedback from those who have had success in creating their plans, as well as those who might need a bit of encouragement or simply some direction on how to start the process. You can contact me at rghagerty@aol.com.
Renewal As we drove home following the afternoon rain storm, windshield wipers working but not fast enough, the wind had fun with our little car while we maneuvered our way on the potholed streets of Jamaica. Struggling to stay on our side of the road, I casually turned my head and looked up toward the Victor mountainside and instantly, with an unknowing reflex action, my mouth Leslie opened wide in awe and admiration. Lt. Colonel There, resting in the arms of the sky, rare and unlikely, unique in its beauty with colors streaming across the heavens, was not just one rainbow, but two. Two rainbows, in the sky at the same time, in the same place, double rainbows capturing our hearts and imaginations. Like synchronized swimmers, Rose-Marie and I mouthed our joy in perfect unison—it’s God’s promise of renewal and he just made it personal, one rainbow for each of us. All of us know the Bible story of Noah’s Ark, with the rainbow as the sign of the renewal of hope and prosperity. God had said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth” (Gen. 9: 12-13). Many generations have come and gone but rainbows are still signs of God’s daily renewal of his covenant of peace and a new future. They promise that the storm is over, the rain has stopped, and that a new beginning is possible. We humans need signs of renewal in this disaster-filled world where earthquakes rumble and hurricanes roar, where sadistic maniacs end children’s dreams, and where human indifference and sinful behaviors condemn us to live with
tragedy. We need something that will lift our eyes, stir our spirits and renew our faith as we deal with the things that cloud our lives. And sure enough, in the clouds, we find it, in the vision of the rainbow. The message of renewal is that after the darkness will come the light; that after the most dreaded moments will come the possibilities of hope; that after the days of torment will come the time of joy—proof of God’s renewal of his covenant with us. The rainbow promises that there are better things ahead than what we have left behind. The rainbow promises a new phase with the expectation that life moves forward after the fog and pouring rain. As we begin a new year, as we seek to renew our purpose and passion for living and to hold close what is most precious to our existence, what better time to look for the rainbow? We will see it—in the heavens as a remembrance and reminder that it is not what has happened, but what is about to happen that will move us forward. On that wet afternoon in the midst of the storm, the double rainbows served as beautiful tokens to help move us forward. They were signs of grace—of a God of love who cares for each of us and who helps us start over when all seems lost. It was as if he were saying to each of us: “When catastrophe overtakes you like a storm, when tragedy sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you, look up. Don’t worry about a thing! See, I am renewing my promise. I’m here. And I am still at work.” And as if to prove it, as we drove into our yard at home we looked up again and our double rainbows had followed us home—personal reminders of God’s renewal of his commitment that the future is still bright.
My end-of-year reading My end-of-year reading often includes articles with “transition” themes. They are usually articles about wellknown people who died during the previous year. As I read one of these pieces, a phrase caught my eye: “died of complications.” During the last year and a half, lots of people “died of complications,” among Douglas them, Supreme Court Nominee Robert O’Brien Bork, Retired Army General “Stormin” Lt. Colonel Norman Schwarzkopf, television actors Larry Hagman (“Dallas”) and David Nelson (“Ozzie and Harriet”), Former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, “Where the Wild Things Are” author Maurice Sendak, and even Apple founder Steve Jobs. All of them “died of complications.” Complications can kill you. I remember how the response by three men to Jesus’ claim on their lives was complicated by their personal priorities and self-serving interests. Luke reports that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem when he met these three men and called them to follow him. I have long wondered whether the complications by which each man qualified his response to Jesus resulted in gaining life with Christ or whether the complications cost each one his life. The first man claimed he would follow Jesus anywhere. But Jesus warned him that he should count the cost before he made such a sweeping statement. Following him anywhere, Jesus said, would complicate the man’s life in unsettling and uncertain ways (Luke 9:57). Nevertheless, Jesus then turned to the second man and urged him to follow. But this man’s willingness to follow Jesus was complicated by the expectations of others. He was expected to fulfill his obligations to his father (Luke 9:59), and that expectation seemed to take precedence over following Jesus. The third man volunteered that he was willing to follow Jesus—but he had some personal matters that needed his attention. Jesus’ message was, “Go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). This man responded, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family” (Luke 9:61). Jesus felt that if this were the man’s response, the man was unfit for service in the kingdom of God. It was one complication too many. My life is full of complications—complications about the cost of discipleship in my own life and particularly as it impacts my family. There are complications because of my need to please people and to meet their expectations. Complications because I’m selfish—protective of my own pleasures,
defensive of my own place and eager for recognition and affirmation. All of these things complicate my life and keep me from Christ’s side. I always hoped that the first man did weigh the cost and followed Jesus in spite of that cost. I have wanted to believe that the second man did let the dead bury their dead and decided that sharing the good news about Jesus had priority. I have imagined that when the third man heard Jesus question his fitness for service he decided not to turn back and instead kept his eyes fixed on Jesus. I keep hoping, believing, and imagining the best for these men because the alternative is so awful. The complications might have cost them their lives. In Christ there is life, but without him there is no life at all. I also like to think that if one of these men made the right choice in the end—then just maybe I’ll make the right decisions on my journey to the new Jerusalem.
N O W
A V A I L A B L E
THE DOUGHNUT SWEETHEARTS The Diary of Alice McAllister during World War I
This engaging little booklet is the original journal of one Doughnut Girl, Alice McAlister, who joined the 1st Division of the American Expeditionary Forces and was sworn into the U.S. military as a private—the only way she could volunteer on the front lines of World War I. Get your copy at: tradewest.com amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-9768465-6-7 Frontier Press • $4.99
Doing the Most Good
January 18, 2013 New Frontier
7
Just the facts, ma’am! “Just the facts, ma’am.” This catch phrase became popular in the days of the 1950s television series, “Dragnet,” and is still noteworthy. It is often difficult to abandon the entertaining embellishments and get to the facts of a situation. We love a good story and want to make sure our listeners get all the gory Sharon details—even to the point of adding an enticing bit of Robertson color, born of our own creative imaginations. A good detective, or even a good reporter, wants first Lt. Colonel of all to understand the facts of the case. A new year has begun, and it will undoubtedly be a year when we as Christians will need to get our facts straight if we are to deal effectively with a world that seems determined to counteract the impact of honest-to-God Christianity. So let’s take time to remind ourselves of some of the critical facts of our faith: • Fact: God so loved the world that he inserted himself into the human condition by sending his only begotten Son—Jesus Christ— to intervene and save mankind from itself, from ultimate self destruction. • Fact: Jesus voluntarily sacrificed his own life to save even the worst of sinners. God’s love extends even to those who openly declare themselves his enemies, and he would gladly welcome them if only they would turn to him. • Fact: Christ commissioned his followers (including you and me) to take this message to the world, and to act in his name. He even authorized us to personally approach the throne of God, and to offer petitions in his name. • Fact: The end of the present world is coming—when God says it’s time—but Jesus is preparing a better place for his people. • Fact: According to the Scriptures, sin will be rampant in the days immediately prior to Christ’s return. • Fact: Sin is rampant in today’s world. • Fact: Satan and his satanic forces are the enemy; men and women enslaved by him—even those who willingly have submitted to him—are not the enemy; they are the slaves you and I have pledged to rescue in the name of Jesus Christ. • Fact: God never, ever, gave Christians permission to retreat when confronted by sin and sinners; throwing up our hands in horror and isolating ourselves has never been an option. Jesus commanded us to love the sinner, to pray for the sinner, to witness to the sinner. • Fact: In the last days, Christians are to be God’s resistance unit, taking the fight to the enemy, making every effort, even heroic efforts, not to destroy those serving in the opposing forces, but to win them over to the Lord. • Fact: God knows it is not easy to fight his fight in a hostile world, but he also knows that the witnessing, Spirit-filled Christian is going to prove his most effective weapon to win lost souls. • Fact: No matter how fierce the battle, it is our duty and our privilege to raise the banner of Christ’s love so high it can be recognized from afar. • Fact: Even in the time of the tribulation, God prevailed in the lives of Christians who won the victory over him [i.e. the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die (Rev 12:11-12 GNT). • Fact: Jesus is coming; we need to make every possible effort to win as many souls as possible, so that they too will be prepared to welcome him on that day. Last month we celebrated the birth of our King, Immanuel, God with us. In the coming months, years, whatever time we have left, let us pledge ourselves anew to make every effort to further the objectives of his kingdom.
newfrontierpublications.com
ISSN 2164-5930 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.
A tribute to John John Gowans’ contributions to The Salvation Army are of such significance, I believe, that picking one or two is impossible. Regardless, his relationship with all of us held such intensity and authority that no one with him for more than a minute left him without feeling the power of the moment. Some contributions were more significant than others. His greatest was in choosing Gisele—who always supported him and played important roles in his ministry—to be his wife. Another important gift to The Salvation Army is his succinct, memorable, and remarkable translation of our ethic: The Salvation Army exists: To save souls To grow saints To serve suffering humanity In other words, this unique ethic, explained simply with Gowans’ words, seeks to establish a complete, whole, full, total relationship with seeking individuals and facilitates spiritual renewal through belief and faith in Christ. It is both an articulation of our mission statement and a summary of Booth’s Cabhorse Charter. Our relationship is based on the whole person. Let me reprise my perception of that cabhorse charter and its relationship to the Army today. Remember, cabs moved with genuine horsepower in Booth’s day. When a London cabhorse breaks down, we first stand it up. Then we minister to it in a caring and compassionate manner until it is fully able to return to duty. Then, we put the horse back to work. Humans manifest many different types of “breakdowns.” When the human animal breaks down, we relate spiritually down through the expression of non-judgmental Christian love; second, we maintain that help by modeling values that parallel Christ; and third, we explore mankind’s search for God. And when that person expresses a desire to help others, we put them to work. First, we start by picking up the pieces where the need is greatest. This may be from addiction; possibly, it’s ministry through the grief process; possibly, it’s some of many different types of social assistance— health, hunger, housing; often, it’s developmental. Always, it’s non-judgemental. Second, we insert spiritual modeling along the way, and at the right time, lead them to Christ. This is the soul-saving element. It doesn’t stand alone. It continues for the duration of our relationship. Third, we stimulate Christian growth through increased understanding of God’s Word and showing love to others. General Gowans presented this simplification of our mission in Atlanta in 2000 at the Army’s Seventh International Congress. The empty stage consumed considerable space in the middle of the large athletic arena surrounded by 20,000 Salvationists. A long, curving ramp led up to the stage. He mounted it slowly, carrying a three legged stool, and when he got to center stage he sat on it. He then began to explore what might happen if one or two legs were removed. The stool, now without balanced support, would not
EDITORIAL STAFF Robert L. Docter, Editor-In-Chief • 562/491-8330 email: bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org Christin Davis, Managing Editor • 562/491-8723 email: christin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org Karen Gleason, New Frontier Editor •562/491-8332 email: karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org Buffy Lincoln, Associate Editor • 562/491-8329 email: buffy.lincoln@usw.salvationarmy.org Erica Andrews, Assistant Editor • 562/491-8334 email: erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org Edie Jenkins, Editorial Assistant • 562/491-8785 email: edie.jenkins@usw.salvationarmy.org Jared McKiernan, Editorial Assistant • 562/491-8345 email: jared.mckiernan@usw.salvationarmy.org LAYOUT & DESIGN/ADVERTISING Kevin Dobruck, Art Director • 562/491-8328 email: kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org Adriana Rivera, Graphic Designer/Web coordinator • 562/491-8331 email: adriana.rivera@usw.salvationarmy.org CIRCULATION Arlene De Jesus, Circulation • 562/491-8343 email: arlene.dejesus@usw.salvationarmy.org new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org Member - Evangelical Press Association
www.newfrontierpublications.org Facebook: tsanewfrontier
hold him and would collapse. Gowans related that stool to the Army. It stands firmly on three legs as does the Army on the three points within a single mission: (1) winning souls for Christ; (2) facilitating their spiritual growth through the working of the Holy Robert Spirit; and (3) rescuing people Docter from the distress of social collapse. That’s what we are: all three Editor-In-Chief together, inseparable. For me, remembering John Gowans presents conflicting emotions of pleasure and loss. The meager personal memories of close individual contact I have assembled over too short a time period pour in rapidly. The power of his preaching or teaching stirred me deeply. He always seemed to be aiming just at me. He had the greatest laugh I’ve ever heard—often a product of his own humor, yet entirely unassuming. There was nothing small or soft about it. It was rich and full, nothing fake about it. He laughed at that which was funny. I never heard him tell a joke or diminish people with his humor. He also wrote the book and lyrics for 10-plus Army musicals with fellow officer, John Larsson, who wrote the music. Many of those lyrics have found their way into The Salvation Army Song Book. Musical drama was a great departure for the Army in the mid 1960’s when Britain’s National Youth Secretary Denis Hunter almost forced these two creative captains to write something like an Army “Guys and Dolls” for an International Youth Festival while still leading significant corps in the British Territory. Some months later, “Take Over Bid” appeared and became an immediate success in Britain and around the world. His musicals provided a creative, often humorous, always mission-focused means to communicate the Army ethos and ethic to the general public. I see him as an actor, writer, director, producer on a stage named “life.” By that, I mean he achieved goals, tried new ideas, related to people by walking with them. He was always in thoughtful, dedicated action. But, he was more than an actor. He was real, authentic, genuine, a complete whole, a leader—a “what you see is what you get kind of guy.” He inspired me. I can’t describe the feeling. I know I felt the strength of the man I perceived as the most dramatic Army change agent in generations. His charisma washed over people with gentle genuineness, wisdom and warmth. He seemed almost unaware of this gracious generosity. He listened and was genuinely interested in the ideas of others. His analysis of the quality of the ideas was always thoughtful, pointed, precise as well as kind and considerate. He was open to the ideas and thinking of others, but always focused on why we exist as an organization. He was always “others” oriented. People mattered most to John. We celebrate his life as he goes on to Glory.
subscribeNow $15 PER YEAR* Have New Frontier delivered to your mailbox for just $15.00 per year. That’s just $1.25 per month for the Western Territorial news you need. Don’t wait. Subscribe today. Send this coupon along with your check or money order for $15.00 payable to The Salvation Army to:
Arlene De Jesus Circulation Department P.O. Box 22646 180 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90802.
Name Address City State Phone newfrontierpublications.com
* Domestic $15 International $25
3101
Zip