WESTERN TERRITORIAL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED —SEE PAGE 3
newfrontierpublications.com
The Western Territory’s news source
for 31 years
May 10, 2013 Vol. 31, No. 8
Army endorses immigration statement BY JARED McKIERNAN The Salvation Army USA endorsed a statement issued by the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT)––a coalition of evangelical Christian organizations that supports bipartisan immigration reform––in hopes of Commissioner sending a message to William Roberts Congress. National Commander Commissioner William A. Roberts signed the EIT’s Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform on behalf of The Salvation Army, joining Sojourners, World Relief, National Association of Evangelicals, Christian Community Development, Esperanza, National Latino Evangelical Coalition and several other organizations who have backed the statement. Organizational leaders originally issued the statement in 2010, but are reissuing it now due to disappointment in its number of supporters and overall progress since then. The statement calls for legislation that: “Respects the God-given dignity of every person, protects the unity of the immediate family, respects the rule of the law, guarantees secure national borders, ensures fairness to taxpayers, and establishes a path toward legal status and/or citizenship for those who qualify and wish to become citizens.” The EIT included these principles in an open letter addressed to Congress on May 2. The EIT’s proposal for Commissioner Roberts to endorse the statement concluded, “...we must come together and go beyond divisive immigration rhetoric. I hope you will join me in this call.”
“SHARING THE VISION” BY GENERAL LINDA BOND Read her latest message now 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.
Inside: Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 In Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sharper Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Life Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Find us on the web: newfrontierpublications.org Facebook: tsanewfrontier
MissionBridge SPANNING THE DIVIDE
n Corps and units may apply for seed grants toward establishing a MissionBridge outpost.
M
issionBridge, a missional approach to linking social services with corps, is set to launch in The Salvation Army’s USA Western Territory. Developed by the Territorial Social Services Department, it is intended to establish a bridge utilizing existing Salvationists at designated corps and social service programs. The new initiative is a manifestation of the vision of the Social Service Department, as expressed by Territorial Commander Commis-
sioner James Knaggs. “It would be ideal to see every social program spin off a corps of some description,” Knaggs wrote (One For All, p. 232).“Can you imagine every hostel, every rehabilitation center, every thrift store, every job training program, every emergency relief system, every single social program starting, sponsoring and hosting corps?” Located in Salvation Army residential or social programs that serve men, women and children, MissionBridge will intentionally focus on a particular population, group or area. Ultimately, the goal
is the salvation of the lost through the extension of existing corps ministries and established program practices. Corps or units wishing to set up a MissionBridge location would complete an outpost proposal and a MissionBridge grant application. Upon approval from divisional and territorial program councils, the unit will receive a seed grant of $5,000 for fiscal year 2014. These funds may also be used toward the MissionBridge chaplaincy training, offered at the Western Territory Fall Social Service Councils, Sept. 17-19. MISSIONBRIDGE, page 2
West holds first CRD conference since 1999 n Community Relations and Development event focuses on consistency, communication, and compassion. BY KAREN GLEASON “The Salvation Army is more than just a company,” said Commissioner Kurt Burger, Northwest divisional planned giving director. “We’re a spiritual force in the world— one that relies on God’s grace, guidance and protection.” Burger spoke during the opening plenary session of the 2013 Western Territorial Community Relations and Development (CRD) Conference, which brought together over 150 delegates from all 10 Western divisions, including some national representatives, to share information and best practices. Themed “Doing The Most Good,” the event ran from April 22-25 at the Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry, Calif. The last stand-alone CRD conference was in 1999. “Our goal is not only to enhance skills and knowledge,” said Chaz Watson, terri-
Stan Richards, founder of The Richards Group, (center) talks with Chaz Watson, Western Territorial executive director of development, and Jennifer Byrd, national director of public relations. Photo by John Docter
torial executive director of development, “but to strengthen collegial relationships and for people to come away with a renewed sense of purpose in their professional roles.” Majors Ron and Carol Busroe, national
community relations and development secretary and national director for public policy and liaison for emergency disaster services, respectively, participated, as did Western territorial leaders Commissioners
2013 Bible Conference update n Registration for the Western Bible Conference is full, but a waitlist is in place. BY VICTORIA SHIROMA, MAJOR Waitlist requests will now be accepted through May 31 for the 2013 Western Bible Conference (WBC), slated for July 2-7, as registration is filled. Lt. Colonels Eddie and Kathy Hobgood, from the Southern Territory, are guest speakers. Currently, the couple serves at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London as coordinators of The Salvation Army 150th Anniversary Congress, scheduled for 2015. The Hobgoods’ officer children and their spouses—Lts. Ben and Annie Bridges and Lts. Jimmy and Ashley Taylor—will be present as guest staff. In addition to presenting the evening messages, Eddie Hobgood will share two dramatic presentations: one depicting the life of The
Salvation Army’s most colorful American officer, Joe the Turk, and the other a mini-musical about the life of Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, previously presented in full at the 2012 Western Territorial Congress, the Gathering. Colonel Janet Munn will be the guest Bible teacher for the morning sessions. Originally from the Eastern Territory, Munn serves at IHQ as secretary for spiritual life development. Full biographies of Munn and the Hobgoods are available online at facebook.com/WesternBibleConference and salvationarmy.org. Please continue to pray for the moving of God’s Spirit in this special time of spiritual discovery and renewal. To submit waitlist requests, email carol.gaskins@usw.salvationarmy.org. To attend a reunion luncheon meeting for National Seminar on Evangelism delegates, email Carl Darby at carl.darby@ usw.salvationarmy.org.
CRD CONFERENCE, page 2
Caring and New Frontier win national awards The Evangelical Press Association honored New Frontier Publications and Managing Editor Christin Davis with two 2013 Higher Goals Awards—first place for a long general article (“The Equality Paradox,” Caring, vol. 18 no. 3, caringmagazine.org/the-equality-paradox) and third place for reporting (“Preventing trafficking of persons in Tijuana,” New Frontier, vol. 29 no. 17, newfrontierpublications.org/ nf/?p=2056). See the full list of winners at evangelicalpress.com.