New Frontier Publication 3109

The Salvation Army will be there immediately, on the spot, at a time of need.

newfrontierpublications.com

The Western Territory’s news source

~

—Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin

for 31 years

May 24, 2013 Vol. 31, No. 9

Commissioning weekend plans detailed n The celebration for the Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session is set.

BY MARTIN HUNT Commissioning weekend, June 14-16, at the Pasadena (Calif.) Civic Auditorium, will be a time of celebration, renewal and Salvation Army fellowship. The centerpiece of the weekend is the commissioning, ordination and appointments of the Western Territory’s newest Salvation Army officers.

The “Proclaimers of the Resurrection,” having completed two years of intense training, are ready to take the field as ministry leaders. Every Salvationist should commit to pray for these new leaders.

During the Sunday morning meeting, they will receive their commission as Salvation Army officers from the West’s territorial leaders, Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs. In the afternoon they obtain their first appointment. On that Sunday, family, friends, officers and soldiers will praise God together and hear words of spiritual challenge from Knaggs.

Award-winning artist Israel Houghton will perform on Friday night. This worship concert will feature some of his well-known songs, such as “Lord You Are Good” and “I’m a Friend of God”—songs that have been widely used in Salvation Army meetings during the past several years. Houghton and his band, New Breed, will create an atmosphere of worship, energy and reflection in the auditorium.

Bible Bowl playoff rounds, including the Championship round, take place on Saturday, along with seminars on Spiritual Life Development, Army Doctrine (in Spanish) and the return of Encore!

Launched last year at The Gathering Congress, Encore! is a showcase for young people to demonstrate artistic talents.

Three rooms in the convention center will buzz with activity throughout the day, and visitors can drop in to any room to hear the youth perform.

Saturday concludes with the first-ever Hall Of Faith and Army Of Stars Banquet.

The Hall of Faith will feature 12 “exhibits,” which offer the opportunity to hear and share stories of how God used Army programming to grow saints. The exhibits include: iconic photos from New Frontier and the stories behind them, camp memories, and a chance to share your story in two minutes or less. This interactive Hall

Destructive tornado rips through Oklahoma n Army is on the scene to provide needed relief and support.

Estimated at over two miles wide, a devastating tornado with winds up to 200 mph struck just south of Oklahoma City on May 20 ripping apart homes and other buildings in populated areas. Officials said 24 people were killed and more than 200 injured as a result of the EF-5 tornado, which flattened entire neighborhoods and set buildings on fire.

Coordinating with local and state emergency management, The Salvation Army was quickly on the ground in Moore, Okla., with multiple canteens and personnel serving survivors and first responders with food, beverages and spiritual support.

Oklahoma’s State Governor, Mary Fallin, expressed gratitude to Salvation Army officers, volunteers and donors for their effective response. She remarked, “The Salvation Army will be there immediately, on the spot, at a time of need.”

In Pottawatomie, Lincoln and Cleveland County, Okla., the Army provided breakfast, lunch and dinner to those who had been impacted by the storm.

“The devastation is far reaching in both human life, property and livestock loss.

Lt. John Autry surveys destruction left by the tornado.

Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Arkansas & Oklahoma Division

The Salvation Army is honored to serve and provide sustenance to first responders involved in search and rescue, coordination efforts and more,” said Major Steve Morris, Arkansas-Oklahoma divisional com-

First Territorial Latino Bible Conference held n More than 700 people attend the conference at Pine Summit Camp.

BY ERICK RODRIGUEZ More than 700 Spanish-speaking Salvationists from all over the Western Territory assembled at Pine Summit Camp in Big Bear Lake, Calif., May 17-19, for the first-ever Conferencia Biblica del Territorio Oeste (Territorial Latino Bible Conference) to worship God, receive his word, and make new commitments.

“It’s important to have events like these to remind us of our commitment,” said Lt. Colonel Zoilo Pardo, territorial multicultural ministries secretary. “This weekend had a real impact on people’s lives and I believe that it will have lasting effects on families in their walk with Christ.”

The welcome meeting focused on the legacy and the growth in the Latino ministry throughout the Western Territory. Guest speakers for the weekend were Commissioners Torben and Deise Eliasen, who serve at International Headquarters as international secretary for the Americas and Caribbean and as zonal secretary for women’s ministries—Americas and Caribbean, respectively. They brought a message that both satisfied and challenged the delegates to live lives committed to God and his Word.

Along with activities for the entire family, Saturday’s offerings included spiritual enrichment workshops led by Dr. Enrique Tor-

Photo by Erick Rodriguez

res, pastor of the Hispanic Baptist Church of Los Angeles, and a youth track led by Captains Sergio and Stephanie Garcia, Southern California divisional youth and candidates’ secretaries. The Pine Summit staff provided childcare. The whole camp came alive with BIBLE CONFERENCE, page 5

n Proposed site in Paraiso to provide safer environment

Inside:

Find us on the web: www.newfrontierpublications.org Facebook: tsanewfrontier

Lt. Colonel Zoilo Pardo prays over an altar call.

Local corps raising funds for new Panama girls’ home

COMMISSIONING, page 4

Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Prayer Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sharper Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Spice Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

mander. “And, of course, all survivors will be provided spiritual and emotional care to help them through this tragic time.”

Canteens were deployed from Central OKLAHOMA TORNADO, page 4

Pasadena Tabernacle Corps delegation with Panama girls’ home residents Back row, l-r: Richard Brown, Steve Allen, Major Elsy Mosquera (girls’ home director), Major Darren Norton, Josh Cowing Photo by David Harmon

BY VIVIAN GATICA A delegation from The Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle Corps (Calif.) traveled to the Dr. Eno Home for Girls in Colon, Panama, in January to film the site. The corps is raising funds to support future reconstruction at a new site.

“The home is in very poor condition, and has been for many years,” said Pasadena Corps officer Major Darren Norton, who is leading the fundraising effort at the corps.

“This was definitely the project we wanted to get involved in.”

The home, built in 1967, has been a sanctuary for girls in Panama, offering protection, education, psychological and spiritual support, and nutritional and hygienic necessities.

However, Norton said that the current building has drywall and foundational problems and cannot house more girls because many rooms are unlivable.

“The current home does not allow us to reach as many girls as we should be able to, and PANAMA GIRLS’ HOME, page 5

2

Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

NEWS BRIEFS OF THE WEST

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule” (Matt. 5:3 MSG).

COEUR D’ALENE, Karen IDAHO—Coeur Gleason d’Alene (Idaho) Mayor Sandi Bloem, who after Editor 12 years in office won’t be seeking re-election, recently spoke about what has influenced her...and it’s The Salvation Army.

“The work with the Salvation Army— which I didn’t know much about before working with the Kroc Center—truly changed my life,” she said, “watching the people I [worked] with in the Army, their dedication, their commitment to what they’re doing, their sacrifices of what they’ve made giving their lives to others.”

MODESTO, CALIF.—On a visit to The Salvation Army, 7-year-old Ben Parker noticed the people waiting to receive a meal. He learned that the Army would feed about 200 people.

Returning home, he and his brother Jed put a picture of a red shield on a coffee can and labeled it, “Ben and Jed’s Can of Hope.” They started accepting donations and by the next day, they already had $9.

Lt. Colonels Richard and Bettie Love are the corps officers.

STOCKTON, CALIF.—Corps members volunteered at a Salvation Army booth during Stockton’s annual three-day Asparagus Festival. They shared information about the Army and its programs in San Joaquin County.

The award-winning festival—the largest charitable special event in California—has donated over $5.8 million to date to 129 charities that volunteer each year at the festival.

Captains Cristian and Rebeca Sibaja are the corps officers.

BELLINGHAM, WASH.—The corps’ social services director, Cathy Dearman, visited a corps member who was dying in a nursing home. The woman had been unable to speak for several years, and her family was unsure of her salvation. Dearman knelt by her bed and prayed the salvation prayer for the woman. At the end of the prayer, the woman miraculously spoke, saying, “I know him.” Shortly afterwards, she was promoted to Glory.

Majors James and Beverley Lloyd are the corps officers.

SAN FRANCISCO—New Frontier recently printed a story about Envoy Roger McCort, in-charge at the Lighthouse Corps, and his online sermons.

Until then, his posts brought in about 900 listeners each month. Since the story ran, the podcast “attendance” rose 36 percent. Just two weeks after the article appeared, over 1,400 listeners showed up in the monthly report—an increase of 500 listeners!

YAKIMA, WASH.—The Home League held its 58th annual Nursing Home Luncheon, themed “Angels All Around.”

This event began with 11 women and has expanded to over 100. Home League Secretary Dorothy Woodward has been to all but one of the luncheons.

Captain Dawn Smith, corps officer with her husband, Jack, led the program, Major Kathy Sargent gave the message and Joanne Sargent played piano for a singalong.

Challenged to challenge n Students multiply a generous gift to send underprivileged kids to camp.

BY MARLENE KLOTZ-COLLINS National Advisory Board (NAB) member Frank Vizcarra presented Corona Del Sol High School (Tempe, Ariz.) Red Kettle Club (RKC) President Katie Wilkinson with five $100 bills at NAB’s January meeting in Phoenix. Then, he challenged her and the other RKC officers to grow the money.

“I was so impressed with what they had done that I felt compelled to give them money as a reward and a challenge,” Vizcarra said. “I wanted to see what they would do and how they would choose to use it.”

Three months later, on April 8, RKC officers presented Tempe Corps Officer Captain Robyn Bridgeo a jar filled with coins, checks and bills totaling $4,900––a nearly tenfold increase of the initial investment designated to send 14 underprivileged kids to music camp this summer.

“I’ve never seen anything like these students,” Bridgeo said as he accepted the gift.

“The opportunity Mr. Vizcarra presented and [the RKC officers’] response will touch lives in ways that they will never know. I am blown away, so grateful.”

The students employed a variety of fundraising tactics, including calling, visiting and writing friends and family members to encourage them to match individual $100 donations. They even contacted the local

Captain Robyn Bridgeo holds a jar containing $4,900, a gift from the Red Kettle Club. L-r: Milena Carrera, Katie Wilkinson, Bridgeo, Shimoli Shah, Braedon O’Meara, Lt. Anthony Barnes Photo by Marlene Klotz Collins

Rubio’s Mexican Grill to donate a portion of one day’s sales to the challenge.

One RKC officer, Braedon O’Meara, encountered an inspired, elderly woman while fundraising door-to-door. As she dug deep for change, he said she spoke of her delight in doing so “because of all the good work of The Salvation Army.”

Vizcarra learned of the challenge’s success at a NAB meeting in Boston, 11 days after the presentation to Bridgeo.

“We should never underestimate the ability of our young people to do amazing things if they are given the freedom to do so,” Vizcarra said. “This whole experience

has already, and will ultimately touch many lives. In reality, I have received the biggest blessing of all.”

Lt. Anthony Barnes, Southwest divisional youth secretary, said the success of the initiative reflects the power of individuals.

“One businessman, one student who had an idea to start a club, one school principal who gave the nod,” Barnes said.

“In every way, this challenge, this club, everyone involved along the way and those individual students who will receive an opportunity of a lifetime––it all comes down to the power of one.”

Hallelujah Hiking Club attracts community youth n Hikers grow spiritually and physically with each trail conquered.

BY VIVIAN GATICA

The Hallelujah Hiking Club, led by Major Kris Potter in Salinas, Calif., is climbing its way to both physical and spiritual health. The new ministry at the Salinas Corps aims to get youth out of their daily routines and into experiencing nature, while building relationships with God. “It is a combination of wanting to become physically active, and uniting the younger generations to go out and do something,” Potter said.

The idea for the hiking club came two months ago when Potter began training to climb Mt. Whitney with his son. He asked a few of the teenagers and young adults at the corps to go hiking with him after church on Sundays, and since then 12 to 14 hikers regularly attend the outings. Potter describes it as a strong method of outreach to the youth of the community.

“It is much easier to invite non-Christian friends to a hike than it is to church, for certain,” he said.

The group has gone on five hikes, including one to Garrapata State Park that presented a 4.5-mile trail leading to an epic view of the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s proven to be a really good experience,” Potter said. “Outdoor adventures get teens and young adults out of their normal doldrums, and into healthy lifestyle opportunities.”

The name for their group came from the hikers saying “hallelujah” every time they reached the end of a challenging trail.

Participants in the Salinas Corps’ Hallelujah Hiking Club

Photo by Kris Potter

The hikers have responded positively, with many experiencing spiritual growth. One participant compared the experience to her spiritual life, telling Potter that while she could turn back, she knows that overcoming the mountain will make her stronger.

“The goals of the Hallelujah Hiking Club are to strengthen health and fitness, build relationships between the hikers, and create a bridge to bring people into relationships with Christ,” Potter said. “It gets people out of their regular activities, and gives them a taste of something new.”

Coffee cart ministry serves up love n Yuba-Sutter Corps reaches out to people seeking help.

Yuba-Sutter Corps Officer Captain Thomas Stambaugh greets a visitor to the coffee cart.

Photo by Chaya Galicia

When warm weather arrived, members of The Salvation Army Yuba-Sutter (Calif.) Corps began taking their coffee cart outside so they could greet people lining up for social services with a hot drink or a bottle of water in Jesus’ name.

In addition to coffee and water, Corps Officers Captains Thomas and Kimberly Stambaugh use the interaction at the coffee cart as an opportunity to tell people the good news of the gospel and promote the various ministries of their church community.

The staff is trained to reach out to

those who come to the Army for social services in a practical manner. And, since many of the staff were once on the receiving end of those services—from a food box, to help with a utility bill, or access to transitional housing or addiction services—they’re delighted to give back.

According to Stambaugh, the coffee cart ministry is an important goal of the corps. “It helps break down barriers between the staff and those we serve by showing people that we’re serious about caring for their needs,” he said.

The Stambaughs used a similar coffee cart in their other assignments in Vallejo and San Rafael, Calif., with the same goal in mind.

Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

Korean Senior College n Seniors enjoy a variety of classes at the Valley of the Sun Corps in Glendale, Ariz.

While May is National Older Americans Month, The Salvation Army reaches out year-round to the elderly through programs offering community fellowship and opportunities for active bodies and minds.

Corps Officer Lt. Aeran Oh and her husband Lt. Kihyun Oh of The Valley of Sun Corps in Glendale, Ariz., successfully implemented such a program geared toward Phoenix’s Korean population; so successfully in fact, that many of the participants travel up to two hours every Tuesday for “Korean Senior College.”

“I appreciate the people that take the time and effort to take care of us,” said Sherry Kim, a participant in the program. “I am blessed by the praise and worship and the fellowship I have here.”

Since its location is not near many of the densely Korean-populated areas, the corps provides transportation to any of the 50-55 participants who live in the Metropolitan Phoenix area. The local Korean newspaper also helps publicize the program to the Korean community.

The program commences every Tuesday at 10 a.m. with an hourlong worship service,

Participants in the Senior College join in worship.

followed by a crop of educational and recreational classes, including English, Spanish, golf, line dancing, Korean traditional drum, computer, Chinese calligraphy and exercise.

Afterwards, participants enjoy a lunch complete with a wide variety of Korean food.

The schedule concludes with a stretching and exercise class and health lectures from various doctors.

“After I came to the senior college, I learned so much,” said Rev. Moon Phil

Photo by Kihyun Oh

Jung, a retired pastor. “The health lectures helped me a lot.”

Although the program has become well known in the Phoenix Korean community, Aeran Oh still likes to share weekly updates with the local Korean newspaper.

“I love having community here,” said Yun Ja Kim, a corps member. “We really love and care for each other at Senior College. I feel like our corps is making a huge influence for seniors in this county.”

Noah’s ARC Design Challenge benefits Anaheim ARC n Student designers create vignettes using Family Store items.

Noah’s ARC Design Challenge winning room, “Whimsical Chic Nursery,” with the team from Interior Design Institute Photo by R2 Visual Studios

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) student members from four interior design colleges accepted the Noah’s ARC Design Challenge of creating 12’ x 12’ vignette rooms at four Salvation Army Family Stores in Orange County (Calif.) using only donated items from The Salvation Army and paint donated by Sherwin Williams.

The Salvation Army’s Anaheim Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and the ASID Orange County Chapter have

combined resources and talent for the last four years to create beautiful interior design with recycled items from the Army’s Family Stores in Orange County.

At the unveiling of the rooms, the student designers answered questions about their decorating style and shared tips with the public.

During a two-week display period, The Salvation Army accepted silent auction bids on all items inside the displays.

Proceeds from the auction benefited the Anaheim ARC, which provides no-fee residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation services NOAH’S ARC, page 8

Army recognizes Oakland Athletics’ significant others n Players’ wives, fiancees and girlfriends awarded for volunteer work.

BY SYDNEY FONG The Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce partnered with The Salvation Army of Alameda County (Calif.) April 16 for a luncheon honoring the Oakland Athletics and their wives, fiancées and girlfriends for community service.

“The event not only showcased a great A’s team, but also highlighted the great work the players’ other halves have done with The Salvation Army,” said Captain Dan Williams, Alameda County coordinator.

Last year, Oakland Garden Center Corps Officer Lt. Kyna Kelley tweeted one of the A’s wives to see if she would be interested in volunteering at the family shelter, and she did.

Since then, many of the A’s wives, fiancées and girlfriends volunteer regularly, reading to the children at the family shelter and child development center.

“It has been an amazing experience,” said Christina Sarnecki, fiancée of pitcher Tommy Milone. “To me, it’s not hard to go and spend some time with the kids and read to them. It’s really a lot of fun.”

Awards went to Sarnecki, Brooke

Oakland A’s wives and girlfriends who volunteered pose with Alameda County Salvation Army officers.

Photo by Sydney Fong

Sizemore (wife of infielder Scott Sizemore), Kaycee Sogard (wife of infielder Eric Sogard), Kate Thoene (girlfriend of pitcher Jarrod Parker) and Abby Chavez (wife of bullpen catcher Casey Chavez).

Children from the child development center presented flowers to the award recipients.

“I honestly cried when the kids came out,” Sarnecki said. “They were the same kids I read to. They were the same ones you’re completely attached to when you’re there. It was a touching experience.”

Several Athletics players attended the

luncheon, including Sogard and Milone.

“It’s awesome for the wives, fiancées and girlfriends to be recognized,” Milone said. “The Salvation Army does a great thing with what it does, and for the ladies to come in and volunteer, it’s obviously a blessing as well.”

More than 200 people attended the luncheon. Proceeds benefitted The Salvation Army of Alameda County and the Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Athletics radio play-by-play announcer Ken Korach served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

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developing News

What is donor stewardship?

BY JOHN COVERT The word stewardship is often mentioned in Christian circles, in numerous contexts. But what does it really mean, and what does it mean in the context of fundraising?

From our Christian vantage point (based on Gen. 1: 26), Christian stewardship is a way of living in which we recognize that everything belongs to God. Some would add that stewardship is the acceptance or assignment to shepherd and safeguard the valuables of others.

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of the earth” (Gen. 1:26 MSG).

Oftentimes we hear the phrase “steward the donor” in our work as development officers. How does this translate given our definition of stewardship? Quite simply, donors are true gifts from God to The Salvation Army, which therefore requires us to shepherd and safeguard that gift.

Donors have knowingly and unknowingly given back to God what was God’s in the first place. It is important to note that our responsibility to steward the donor applies whether they have given of their time, talents or treasures.

Raising charitable dollars is first and foremost about developing meaningful relationships with those who care about our mission and ministry to the community. Genuine relationships are not created through emails, text messages and letters.

Meaningful relationships are created when we meet face to face with another human being. When we shake hands and share a conversation over a cup of coffee.

Without a meaningful relationship our ability to properly steward a donor to The Salvation Army is at risk of becoming superficial and meaningless. Stewarding a donor is an intentional activity that requires the close collaboration of our Salvation Army officers and our professional development staff. The collaboration may take the form of an officer sharing a special client story or actually visiting a donor with the development officer; both are equally important.

So how do we steward a donor? It’s quite simple, give them our T.I.M.E. T—Thank them in a timely and genuine manner. There’s nothing better than a phone call or personal visit to say thank you.

I—Inform them of how their gift made a difference in the life of an individual or a family. Most donors want to know how their gift made an impact. We have a responsibility to tell that story.

M—Manage their gift correctly with a high degree of integrity in regards to their intent. If a donor indicates that they want their donation to send a kid to camp, we have a moral and ethical duty to send a kid to camp.

E—Engage with them on a personal level that communicates that we value them. Provide them with opportunities to volunteer, attend an event, share a cup of coffee. Make sure they get our newsletter, and give them tours of our facilities.

In all of our communication, it is vital that we honor the donor and not just the gift. Our donors are not ATMs, they are gifts from God who care about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army and deserve our attention and our “T.I.M.E.”

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Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

Baseball Tomorrow Fund aids Kroc Center n Grant will help build new baseball fields at New Jersey Kroc.

Flowers of Hope n New program delivers flowers to provide comfort.

The Salvation Army of Johnson City, Tenn., launched an innovative volunteer program called Flowers of Hope. The program—which thrives on the dedication of volunteers—collects and recycles fresh flowers donated from area stores such as The Fresh Market, Kroger’s and Food City that are deemed past their sell date.

Every week, Salvation Army volunteers take these unwanted flowers and turn them into bouquets for the tables at The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope kitchen and shelter in Johnson City. In addition, the arrangements are delivered to area hospitals, nursing homes and other various locations where people are in need of comfort and encouragement.

The new program has delivered more than 3,000 bouquets and has seen more than 4,000 volunteer hours logged since it began in March 2012. The dedicated volunteers range in age with strong participation from East Tennessee State University students.

Since last March, The Center of Hope has served nearly 90,000 meals to individuals in need.

To volunteer call (423) 926-2101 or email Lainey_Howard@uss.salvationarmy.org.

U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon n Salvation Army corps cadets participate in annual event.

Members of the corps cadets, a youth group at The Salvation Army in Alexandria, Va., participated in the annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon hosted by Faith and Action in observance of the National Day of Prayer.

The annual event welcomes churches, members of congress, civic and religious leaders to take part in 95 hours of straight Scripture reading from Genesis to Revelation without commentary. Gathering on the west steps of the capitol in Washington, D.C., the cadets read for one hour.

One of the students described the event as “stirring” when he realized he was exercising his freedom of speech and affirming his Christian faith while looking out at the Washington Memorial.

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) donated $64,574 to The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Camden, N.J., to fund the construction of two new youth baseball and softball fields that will serve an estimated 1,000 players from local communities.

“We are grateful for this generous gift from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund,” said Major Paul Cain, Kroc Center administrator. “This contribution will support local youth baseball and softball efforts in Camden, where the number of players and love of the game is growing every year.”

Construction for the new 120,000-square foot facility is currently underway, and its opening is scheduled for 2014. The center will provide athletic programming, personal development and community services. In addition, there will be facilities for baseball, softball, soccer, football and various indoor activities.

The creation of this Kroc Center was made possible in part by a lead grant from

4-year-old Logan Neco looks on as The Salvation Army in Camden hosts a home plate ceremony at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

Photo courtesy of the Courier-Post

the estate of Joan Kroc, who left a generous $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army in 2004 for the construction, operation and endowment of centers like these across the nation.

The intent behind the centers is to bring communities together and help create a safe place for education, family support, recreational use, and spiritual guidance.

Army responds after Tornado hits Texas n Army is on hand to provide aid.

Serving lunch in Cleburne, Texas

Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Texas

OKLAHOMA TORNADO

from page 1

Oklahoma Area Command, Ardmore, Enid, Lawton, McAlester and Muskogee. Disaster response teams from Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Hot Springs, Ark. also assisted Oklahoma City metropolitan area in response to the storm.

Lieutenant Sharon Autry, corps officer in Oklahoma City, Okla., with her husband John, was at home in the Moore area May 20 when the tornado touched down.

“We actually got in our minivan with our children and outran it,” she said. “We saw it headed for us as we left the driveway. Indescribable!”

The house remains standing, but the family is unable to return to it yet.

A friend picked up Autry and the kids, who left without even shoes, at a Target so John Autry could head back to the devastation and assist with the Army’s Emergency Disaster Services.

“I kept our children home from daycare this morning out of worry, and I still have yet to hear if their daycare teacher has survived,” Autry said of the home daycare teacher who lives not far from the storm’s path.

Personnel from across the division traveled to the area to form a Divisional Incident Command Team, which will help coordinate the overall response for The Salvation Army.

“Many of these impacted communities will take months or even years to recover,” Morris said. “The Salvation Army is committed to being there with them throughout and providing aid wherever it’s needed.”

Donate to the Army’s relief efforts at salvationarmyusa.org, via 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or by texting the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

COMMISSIONING of Faith will be a room of fellowship and witness, along with a couple of surprises!

The Army of Stars Banquet concludes the day, and features music

The Salvation Army went into urgent action May 15, after a devastating tornado ripped through North Texas. Officials said six people were killed as a result of the storm with as many as 100 injured. Approximately 20,000 homes and businesses lost electricity.

Three disaster canteens from the Dallas/Fort Worth area were deployed and provided refreshment, hydration and spiritual and emotional care to survivors and first responders. A mobile disaster kitchen from Dallas served first responders at the Incident Command Center in Granbury.

Residents remained evacuated while emergency crews worked to restore power and remove debris from the worst affected communities. Once residents return to their homes, it is anticipated that The Salvation Army will begin distributing household cleaning kits to help people with the process of cleanup and recovery.

from page 1

and the recognition of 10 soldiers for their service.

If you have not yet registered for these events, including childcare, do so immediately at uswevents.org.

Donut Day photo campaign

Photo by Erica Andrews

n Army seeks to promote Donut Day through social media.

To celebrate the 76th annual National Donut Day on June 7, The Salvation Army invites supporters to submit photos as they take part in Salvation Army donut related events across the country.

Along with posts from the field, the Army will distribute facts about National Donut Day through social media leading up to and throughout National Donut Day. The Salvation Army will also promote #NationalDonutDay on Twitter and encourage others to do the same.

Promotion of the hashtag will help unify the messages and awareness of the day for the Army and other organizations that celebrate National Donut Day—including Entenmann’s, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts. #NationalDonutDay was a top trending term on Twitter last year.

To participate email your photo to mediarelations@usn. salvationarmy.org with the subject “National Donut Day” and use #NationalDonutDay in your online posts.

The World

Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

New Zealand Salvation Army co-hosts third Prevent People Trafficking conference n Delegates discuss ways to raise antitrafficking efforts to a new level.

“Complacency is not an option,” New Zealand Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said at the third Prevent People Trafficking conference in Auckland, N.Z. The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, ECPAT Child Alert NZ and the U.S. Embassy hosted the two-day event this spring.

It focused on recognizing and preventing trafficking of people within New Zealand and the wider Pacific, and on developing action plans to elevate New Zealand’s anti-trafficking efforts to a new level.

The 116 delegates came from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji, and included representatives from government departments, law enforcement, the Prime Minister’s office, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), churches and community organizations.

Woodhouse affirmed his commitment that the nation remain steadfast in deterring, preventing and punishing those involved in this crime.

Australian Dr. Anne Gallagher, the first day’s keynote speaker, is a leader in the anti-trafficking field and a recipient of the U.S. TIP (Trafficking in Persons) Report Hero Award for her work. She said for antitrafficking measures to be effective, they must be globally focused and based on a human rights approach. Framing an anti-trafficking response within a human rights charter

Staff from Immigration NZ with presenter Jim Ink, US Attaché, Singapore (far right) and the conference organizers Alan Bell (ECPAT), Jeremy Slezak (US Embassy) and Chris Frazer (The Salvation Army) Photo by Emily Dimock

ensures a holistic approach that takes into account a person’s right to freedom.

Conference co-coordinator Chris Frazer, social justice advocate with The Salvation Army, said, “Although the conference had a regional focus, this is an issue with global implications—trafficking in people is a globalized, profit-driven crime that leaves no country untouched.”

Matt Friedman, former regional project manager for the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP), was the second keynote speaker. He emphatically used the word “slavery” rather than “trafficking” because “the phrase ‘human trafficking’ doesn’t register with people emotionally, but ‘slavery’ does.”

Friedman advocated the need for qual-

ity research to provide solid data in place of assumptions. Although this approach would require more funding, the current situation was “fighting a war with a slingshot.” Raising more money is necessary to get the private sector on board, he said.

Other speakers used credible data to raise awareness of issues such as sex trafficking, migrant women and exploitation on foreign fishing vessels.

Delegates were aware that the voices of those most affected by human trafficking— the victims—were missing. One of the many challenges in preventing human trafficking is identifying victims of this crime, protecting and supporting them as they come forward to speak out.

From a report by Chris Frazer

Kenya East Territory provides a niche for special needs students

A student learns how to weave.

Photo courtesy of the Kenya East Territory

The Salvation Army Kenya East Territory’s Variety Village is a residential vocational training program for men and women, ages 15-25, who are not able to go to secondary school but who want to learn a trade. Courses offered include sign making, metal working, carpentry, leatherworking and tailoring.

Students choose a trade, spend two years studying it, then test for a government trade certificate.

Variety Village especially welcomes students with special needs, including physical, visual and hearing impairments.

The students produce salable prod-

BIBLE CONFERENCE

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soccer tournaments, a Latino festival, and games for everyone.

Attendees appreciated that they could participate in an event without translation, so the message could be captured in Spanish.

Various corps participated in evening meetings through song, dance and dramatic presentations. Delegates shared powerful testimonies.

Surround the City, the Southern California divisional worship team, led worship in song.

Pardo led the Sunday school lesson on be-

ing committed to God, and emphasized the importance of evangelism, sanctification and supporting the Army to help spread God’s kingdom.

“The CBTO was a tremendous success,” said Lt. Colonel Edward Hill, Western territorial secretary for program. “Commissioners’ Knaggs are to be commended for having the vision to make this particular event a priority and a reality that will pay great dividends going forward for the Latino ministry

PANAMA GIRLS’ HOME is unsafe and unhealthy,” said Major Darlan Marquez, divisional director of women’s ministries in Panama.

Norton and Major David Harmon, director of world missions and overseas child sponsorship, and the rest of the delegation filmed the current home conditions, while the girls played with the cameras and enjoyed the visitors’ company.

Norton said the girls were happy despite poor housing conditions.

ucts, including Salvation Army flags for both the Kenya East and Kenya West territories. As each trade department makes its contribution to a flag—tailors sew the fabric, sign makers construct the letters, and the leather department provides the straps—a beautiful example of the Body of Christ emerges as referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:22-27.

Variety Village is one of 12 training centers in the Kenya East Territory for students with special needs. The school offers food, shelter, clothing and training/educational opportunities through the gifts of outside donors, and is sponsored by the U.S. Central Territory.

of The Salvation Army.”

The weekend ended with a challenge from Eliasen to live lives that show commitment to God, while making a difference in the world.

Pili Martinez-Moore, territorial Latino ministries specialist, said, “God was present at the conference, and our hope is that our commitment to the truth will be forever present in the lives of every person who attended.”

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“There was a sense of underlying hope that this project would become a reality when the girls and adults at the home were being filmed,” Marquez said. “They were conscious not only of the immense difference that the project would have on them, but also for those who in the next 50 years would call the new [building] their home.”

The new girls’ home would be relocated from the hostile and dangerous city of Colon to the

much safer village of Paraiso, and would be adjacent to the local Salvation Army corps and officers’ quarters, allowing for corps connections.

“This home provides a safe haven for girls who would otherwise be living in extremely unfavorable conditions,” Marquez said. “Some would be in danger of trafficking, others simply facing the difficulties that poverty brings such as malnutrition, lack of clothing and education,

and danger from violence and abuse.”

Although the project is still in its beginning stage, the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps is committed to partnering with Panama to make this dream a reality. The corps has raised $90,000 of its $125,000 goal, and Norton said that when the time comes, the corps plans to send a team to assist in construction.

Watch the video at youtu.be/ VUbVdLMX4kQ.

5

Elsewhere in the world ESTONIA—The Salvation Army in Estonia recently experienced the fruit of 10 years of prayer.

The Narva Corps was unable to build its own building because of cost factors. But thanks to the prep work of Major Daniel and Captain Anya Henderson and a generous donation from the Western Territory, it now has one.

Celebration day included welcoming 90 Salvationists from around Estonia, and enrolling six soldiers and seven adherents. The day concluded with a march of witness to the center of town where more than 50 townspeople joined soldiers for an open air.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA—The South Pacific (SP) Brewery in Port Moresby donated approximately $12,000 to the The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal.

During the campaign, the Army’s Public Relations Secretary Captain Bernard Kila said, “We know needs but we need your help to go the extra mile.”

SP Brewery Business Relations Manager, Kola Geri, said, “This is our way of reaching out to the community and SP Brewery is privileged to partner with [The Salvation Army].”

From Tokaut SCOTLAND—The Ayr Corps held a commemoration ceremony this spring to celebrate its newly refurbished building. Guests included Fiona Hyslop, Scottish government cabinet secretary for Culture and External Affairs. Lt. Colonels Ivor and Carol Telfer—representing The Salvation Army U.K. leadership— presented a plaque to the corps.

The corps had used several other church premises but growth necessitated a permanent solution.

From salvationist.org AUSTRALIA—Celebrity chef Curtis Stone visited Salvationists in Bundamba to help launch the SecondBite program in Ipswich, Queensland, and surrounding areas.

Partnering with Coles supermarket chain, SecondBite will distribute leftover fresh produce to non-profit agencies, including The Salvation Army.

At a weekly community lunch, Bundamba Salvationists serve 40-80 people, many of whom are disadvantaged by long-term unemployment and recent floods.

From WARCRY TASMANIA—Around 40 people gathered at Clarence City Corps for acknowledgment of their volunteer efforts during bushfires in southeast Tasmania.

Several of the honorees worked in teams for The Salvation Army Emergency Services in cities including Dunalley and Nubeena.

Others represented businesses that contributed significantly in goods or money to the Army’s emergency response. Among those businesses were Bendigo Bank, Bidvest and McDonald’s.

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MAY 24, 2013 • NEW FRONTIER—PAGE 7

PAGE 6—NEW FRONTIER • MAY 24, 2013

Salvation Army active in Cuba B Y C H R I S T I N D AV I S

if

you’re Cuban, you turn to communism or to church.

This according to Teresa Matos, a soldier of The Salvation Army Havana Central Corps since 1993, who regularly attends services and volunteers. She was born in Cuba but lived in the United States for 19 years before returning to Cuba in the early 1980s to visit her grandmother. Due to complicated circumstances, she has not been able to leave since.

“It’s easy to take things for granted when you have everything,” Matos said. “When you have so many comforts, it weakens your faith. When you don’t, you have to ask God for help. That is what we do.”

One of few remaining socialist states espousing communism, Cuba’s turbulent history—from the 1898 Spanish-American War to establishment of the Communist Party of Cuba in 1965 and continued tension with the United States—has sidled the island’s lush beauty with decay.

“The problem here is economics…the ‘taxes,’ the lack of jobs, the lack of supplies and the overpricing of supplies…it is difficult to live in Cuba,” she said.

Matos teaches under-the-table English lessons, and has no computer or TV. “When you look around, it looks like everybody is living normally. But it’s very hard. Practically everyone you deal with wants to leave the country.”

For Cuba’s 11 million people, the government still provides monthly food rations, free education and healthcare, yet the struggle to survive is real. For those who can get a job, average monthly earnings total roughly $20. The Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation’s 2012 Index of Economic Freedom ranked Cuba 177 out of 179 countries.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1992, its subsidies to Cuba ended and the island country entered a rapid depression known as the Special Period. Ever since, supplies have become more difficult to find, and more expensive. Raul Castro, acting president since 2006, has repeatedly lamented that Cuba imported around 80 percent of the food it consumed between 2007 and 2009, at a cost of over $1.7 billion a year.

Things are slowly improving under the second Castro president, who lifted bans on Cubans owning mobile phones and computers, and in 2011 allowed citizens to buy and sell houses and cars. Yet, like the 1950s cars Cubans manage to keep running, the people must scheme and dream in order to survive in this land of gritty street rumba.

The blood and fire The Salvation Army began work in Cuba in the early 1900s with missionary officers, was officially recognized in 1918 and operated until 1958 when the last overseas officer left the island upon signs of revolution, according to Captain Julio Moreno, divisional commander in Cuba and a former inspector for the government. For 10 years, Moreno said, Cuban people continued the Army’s work without the knowledge of International Headquarters.

“Cuba was without any link to The Salvation Army outside the country,” Moreno said, until a Cuban officer went to an event in Jamaica. It soon after joined the Caribbean Territory until the formation of the Latin America North Territory in 1999.

In the early years of rule by Fidel Castro, who claimed control of Cuba following the 26th of July Movement in 1959, religion was suppressed—including nationalizing church property, distributing anti-religious propaganda, and preventing believers from professions—for decades to seemingly avoid any ideological threat to the regime.

The Cuban Communist Party removed atheism as a prerequisite for membership in 1991 and permitted religious believers to join for the first time. A year later it amended the constitution to deem itself a secular state rather than an atheist

state—“opening” religion, many believe, as a result of the end of Soviet Union supplies. Yet to each faith community, the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA) assigns representatives to sporadically attend events and bring any concerns to government attention.

Today, The Salvation Army in Cuba operates 22 corps and two social service projects—a senior home and an addictions recovery program—with 24 officers. The Army is a member of the Cuban Council of Churches.

“According to the constitution we guarantee the freedom of religious expression as in any other part of the world,” said Maria Delos Angelas Perec, a senior ORA official representing the Christian churches, though not an attendee of any church. “Essentially, we work together—the church and the government—to better help people. We work with legality and love to build good for people, to love people as we love ourselves.”

Perec said the ORA approved 9,000 religious visas for foreigners coming to Cuba in 2012.

“As the government, we appreciate the church but we know the community appreciates it more,” she said. “The Salvation Army is a church for service to the people, the community. The best thing Cuba has is the people.”

For The Salvation Army, too, the people are key.

Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis, USA Eastern Territory officers who served as territorial leaders in Canada and Bermuda from 2007 until retirement in 2011, initiated support for a Canadian mission to Cuba.

“We’ve been hampered in our ability to help Cuba at all from the states, but Canada is well-positioned to do so,” said William Francis, who continues to serve in retirement as chairman of the International Doctrine Council. With his early support, Majors John and Brenda Murray of the Ontario Central East Division have for the past five years organized self-funded projects, in partnership with the Cuba Division, to improve facilities for the Army in the Caribbean.

“I was amazed at the strength of the Army there. Many have known nothing else but Fidel Castro and communist rule, but through all of that the people have kept the joy of the Lord,” said Francis, who attended the first four years of project dedications with his wife. “That’s a wonderful verse, but when you see it embodied in people it takes on new meaning.”

Mission:Cuba met its end May 2 in Havana, Cuba, with the dedication of two new corps—the last of 13 capital projects completed. Projects have included 150 Canadian team member volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to 81, including students, a farmer, a retired policeman, and contractors.

“After five years, the profile of The Salvation Army has increased dramatically here, and the government has a better understanding of the role and function of The Salvation Army and what it can do to assist in disaster and humanitarian projects,” John Murray said, noting the Cuban government’s request of assistance from The Salvation Army following hurricanes in recent years. “This is about more than building projects; it’s about building community, mission and building God’s church.”

Mission:Cuba began each August when a pre-team visited the island to meet with Salvation Army staff and survey areas of priority need with a contractor. An itemized, 12-page list of materials was sent to the Cuban government for approval, upon which every item was shipped in a 40-foot container.

Members of this pre-team had to then be on-site when the container was approved for release, generally in January. The materials were stored with the Army in Cuba until the spring projects began.

This year, Mission:Cuba 5 included 25 team members who each paid his or her own way to volunteer there.

“We always leave behind a big, bright building and people come to look,” said Paul Robertson, one of the team’s contractors and a member of Mission:Cuba since the beginning, who oversaw a 50-foot roof installation this year. “We attract attention while we’re building, and people stop to ask what’s going on. You never know who’s being affected, but we know these places are beacons for the community.”

At the Paraga Corps, Mission:Cuba 5 completed a 33-foot roof and added two rooms to the officers’ quarters, which previously only had one room for the family. The team turned an unusable property at the Diezmero Corps— the officers had been holding services inside their home—into an expansive church. Both project sites were painted inside and out, and Mission:Cuba 5 also paid for a fence to be put in at The Salvation Army’s newly opened training college for officers in Cuba.

“These people have become almost family,” said Brenda Murray. “They said they had been praying for God to send someone, and I’d been praying that God would use me. What’s so strong about this is that it isn’t about Canadians showing Cubans how to do things, but partnering together so that everyone benefits out of it.”

The partnership may have ended in its current form as the Murrays move to appointments at International Headquarters, but for those who remain in Cuba the work continues.

“I imagine that Cuba is very beautiful place; tourists always say it is,” Matos said. “I’m just waiting, and I have a lot of faith. As long as Jesus is there everything is OK.” For a deeper look at religion and The Salvation Army in Cuba, read the fall 2013 issue of Caring and follow caringmagazine.org.

Opposite page top to bottom: The Cuban flag flies in Old Havana; Teresa Matos; the street outside the Diezmero Corps.

Clockwise from top: Streets of Old Havana; Majors John and Brenda Murray, Lt. Col. Susan van Duinen (Ontario Central East), Lts. Jorge and Alina Contreras (Diezmero Corps), Lt. Cols. Josue and Ruth Cerezo (Latin America North), and Captain Julio Moreno (Cuba); neighborhood kids play soccer outside the Diezmero Corps; team members Cory Frost and Mallory Jennings buy fruit in Paraga for the team lunch.

Photos by Christin Davis

8

Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013

Life of a cadet

BY DANA WALTERS, CADET What is it like to live in a community with people from all over the world, surrounded by great theologians, with a culinary team to cook lunch and dinner for you five days a week?

More importantly, what is it like to dwell in a place where God can confirm his call on your life?

Welcome to my world—the world of a Salvation Army cadet at the College for Officer Training.

My husband and I are in our second year of training and will be graduating in a few short weeks. It has been a whirlwind of activity including classes, seminars, trips to corps, ministry and preaching in Arizona, California, Washington,

Major Harold Stromberg, 65, was promoted to Glory from Roseville, Calif., on March 8.

Stromberg was born Oct. 5, 1947, in Salt Lake City. The family moved to Portland, Ore., where he grew up. When he was a young boy, a neighbor introduced him to the Lord.

Stromberg enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and served in Europe, mainly Heidelberg, West Germany. Upon returning to civilian life, he became a manager at Lincoln Savings & Loan.

In 1982 he met his wife, Jeanne, while serving as service extension representative for the Cascade Division in the Boise, Idaho, area. In 1987, they felt called to Salvation Army officership and entered the School for Officer Training from Boise, as members of the Ambassadors for Christ Session. They were commissioned in 1989.

Stromberg’s appointments included corps officer at Berkeley, Salinas, Sunnyvale/ Mountain View, Sacramento Bethsaida and Auburn, Calif. He also served in the property departments at Golden State and Del Oro

and Alaska—all the while making friendships that will last a lifetime.

What an incredible opportunity this has been, not just to study theology but to learn about people and cultures and how God is working all over the globe.

The wisdom I acquired here includes: be intentional in life and ministry, be holy, show up for work and don’t complain. My favorite part of this experience is learning. We are truly surrounded by quality men and women of God who teach from their own education and life experiences.

Each one has impacted my life in

divisional headquarters, and as divisional boys’ work director in Golden State.

Stromberg’s parents were alcoholics, and as a child he learned what it meant to be “on your own.” He wanted to ensure other children would not face the same sense of isolation. In 1994, while serving as corps officer in Salinas, he started the children’s community program, “Kid’s Cafe,” that provides a safe haven to at-risk children in the Salinas Valley. The program is approaching its 20th year of operation and is still touching the lives of Salinas area youth.

Stromberg is survived by his wife, Major Jeanne Stromberg; sons, Brian (Megan) Helton and Stephen Stromberg; daughter Captain Erica Helton; and three grandchildren, William Garrett, Aubrey Helton and Zoey Helton.

Lt. Colonel Douglas Riley conducted a memorial service March 16, at the Sacramento Citadel Corps.

Lt. Colonel Gladys Turner, 85, was promoted to Glory from Clearwater, Fla., on April 27.

Gladys Cointin was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 6, 1927. The family lived near a

a different way, challenging me to further define my beliefs and my walk with Christ.

What is the hardest thing here? Personally, I missed having my kids close by and having my own home where everyone could come and visit. I am a little older than most cadets, so coming into training meant moving away from our kids and their lives as well as selling our home and many things we have accumulated in 27 years of marriage. There were times of tears and sadness, and I did want to run away once, but I am confident that God has called us

Salvation Army corps where she attended Sunday school and youth activities. After high school Cointin became engaged to Leon Turner.

As both had decided to train as Salvation Army officers, they deferred their marriage until after commissioning.

They entered the Central Territory’s School for Officer Training with the Peacemakers Session, were commissioned in 1949 and married in 1952.

In the Central Territory, the couple served in several corps and divisional headquarters appointments.

In 1980, the Turners transferred to National Headquarters to prepare for the national Centennial Congress in Kansas City.

They then served in Mexico City for four years, before moving to the South America East Territory in 1983 where Leon Turner became chief secretary.

They were appointed to the USA Western Territory in 1987, where Gladys Turner served as assistant League of Mercy secretary and Order of the Silver Star secretary and Leon Turner as assistant secretary for Program and Cross-cultural Ministries.

The Turners retired to Clearwater in 1995 after 43 years of active service. They undertook post-retirement service in Kansas; St. Petersburg and Miami, Fla.; and the Bahamas.

Gladys Turner is survived by her husband, Leon; daughters, Catherine (Glen) Strang and Karen (Bill) Bogasch; grandson, Daniel Strang; great-granddaughter, Avery Strang; a sister and three brothers; nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

Captain Zachary Bell conducted a celebration of life at the Clearwater Citadel Corps on April 30. Nephew Major John Turner brought the message.

Lt. Matthew John Pensabene, 51, was promoted to Glory from Kona, Hawaii, April 15.

Pensabene was born in Syracuse, N.Y., the youngest of four brothers. He graduated from Westhill High School and worked for a time at Kilian Manufacturing.

Pensabene and his wife, Kelly, attended The Salvation Army College for Officer Training with the Prayer Warriors Session.

They were commissioned in 2010 and appointed as corps officers to Kona, Hawaii.

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to be officers, and he gives me the strength to finish what we have started.

As my training draws toward completion, my life verse seems more and more fitting. Isaiah 6:8 says, Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?

And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

I am eagerly awaiting my commissioning and ordination, and discovering where we will be appointed to serve. I can hear Commissioner Knaggs saying, “You are appointed to…. .” Well, almost.

During the past three years at Kona, Pensabene dedicated himself to service of others and left a legacy of love, respect and faithful witness to God’s love in the lives of those he touched. Even in the midst of declining health, he had a strong faith in God and was committed to his calling as a Salvation Army officer.

Pensabene is survived by his wife, Kelly; brothers, Phillip, Terry and Jeffrey; two daughters, Kori and Nikki; and stepdaughter Krista Williams.

Colonel Dave Hudson conducted a memorial service at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont on May 4, and Lt. Colonel Edward Hill brought the message.

Rev. (Dr.) Raymond A. Dexter, 89, was promoted to Glory Dec. 26, 2012, from Olympia, Wash.

Raymond Arthur Dexter was born Dec. 11, 1923 in Hartford, Conn.

He entered The Salvation Army School for Officers’ Training (SFOT) in San Francisco with the Soul-Winners Session and was commissioned in 1955. Dexter served as a Salvation Army officer from 1955-1975. While on the staff at the SFOT, he earned an Ed.D. degree from Stanford University. His dissertation led to the expansion of the school’s curriculum from one to two years.

In 1974 Dexter answered the call for a minister to lead the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Service Company chaplains’ program and was hired to lead circuit-rider chaplains across the 800-mile pipeline construction project.

Dexter became an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church in 1976.

Upon completion of the pipeline, he served as director of The Salvation Army’s Clitheroe Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse for 17 years, building it into the largest alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation center in Alaska.

Prior to retiring, he served as director of social services for The Salvation Army Olympia (Wash.) Corps.

Dexter is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children, Charles (MaryLee) Dexter, James Dexter, Laurie (Ray) Fernandez; stepson, Michael (Shannon) Dooley; and six grandchildren.

Rev. George Anne Boyle presided at a celebration of life at St. Benedict Episcopal Church in Lacey, Wash., Jan. 5.

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to 175 men and women. Funding for the center is raised primarily through the sale of donated goods at Salvation Army Family Stores in Orange County.

A panel of four ASID representatives judged the student displays, and the designers received awards for their creativity at a celebration event in May. The winning vignette was “Whimsical Chic Nursery,” by the student team from the Interior Design Institute.

New Frontier • May 24, 2013—PAGE 9

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Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

prayerPower

Never give up!

“Never, never, never, never give up!”

These words of Prime Minister Winston Churchill encouraged the British people and the world during World War II. We should Mervyn remember them when Morelock we pray. The earnest prayer of a righteous perLt. Colonel son has great power and wonderful results (James 5:16b NLT).

In today’s hurry-up world of instant communication, quick fixes, quick weight loss programs, and the belief that anything can be sped up or fixed overnight, we expect answered prayer as an ordained right.

We anticipate that our prayers will be heard and answered immediately. These days, we’re no longer surprised when surgery that used to require several days or weeks for recovery can be done on an outpatient basis. One of our bandsmen recently had a heart valve replaced and was back playing in the band in less than a week!

The Bible teaches that we need to practice an old virtue not seen much these days. James says, Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return (James 5:7).

Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. His experience showed how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy (James 5:11).

For the last several months, the media has provided several examples of patience, although the focus was not on that aspect of the story. About four and half years ago, a young man was found murdered in his Phoenix home. After a few weeks, his assailant was arrested and preparations made for her trial. The trial took over four months and received worldwide media coverage. For weeks and weeks every graphic detail came out for the world to hear and see.

I wondered about the family. They sat through four months of repeated references to the incident, over and over, on TV, in newspapers, magazines and on the radio. It was a frenzy. Finally, the verdict was announced: “Guilty!” Now that the trial is over, sentencing decisions still must to be made.

And how about the family? They displayed amazing strength, courage and faith. They faced the media blitzes; now is the time for patience and healing from the loss of their son. And we offer our prayers for family and friends, that God will bring peace and healing.

The second example of prayer, faith and patience came from the families of the three Cleveland girls who were kidnapped, trapped and locked up in chains for a decade.

Their story is of courage, faith and patience. The girls finally escaped when one of them kicked the door down and told a 911 dispatcher, “I’m free now.”

The families of these girls deserve respect for not giving up. They prayed every day for a decade, not knowing if their girls were alive or dead. They prayed and held regular prayer vigils for their safe return. And God answered their prayers.

Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

(Matt 7:7-8).

“Never, never, never, never give up!”

A cry for social service research At the Social Service Councils in spring 2012, Commissioner James Knaggs said, “We need Salvation Army research to hold us accountable as we share the facts of life, of faith and of hope.”

Now a year later, for the first time in the Western Territory, plans are in place for a gathering of individuals involved in Salvation Army social service ministry to hear presentations of pertinent research from personnel directly involved in the work within the Army.

Why social services research? Why can’t we just do the most good for the most people without worrying about outcomes, best practices and evidence-based research? Why can’t we just be a voice for the voiceless and the marginalized, and let the academicians in their ivory towers do the research?

“We’re doing the work daily,” Knaggs said. “We just need to get it out, give the facts, and get it published. We tell the good stories—and they are true—but we need the facts behind them to get the attention of people and funders. We also need to share the facts of faith and the facts of hope, so that people can come out of their circumstances.”

What scriptural basis do we have for doing social service research? Lamentations 3:40: Let us search out and examine our ways. Research helps us to seek out ways to improve our services.

It helps us to examine our array of delivery systems to see if they result in changed lives. It helps us to intentionally celebrate excellence and best practices, whether we are at the McKinnell House in Anchorage, Alaska, the Good Samaritan Center in Monterey, Calif., or the Lighthouse Recovery Center in Guam.

sharperFocus With over 110 major social service programs in our territory, documenting lessons learned is a way of remembering where we came from, where we are going, and how we can effectively improve upon our services to a lost and dying world.

Lawrence Galatians 2:10 reminds us to remember the poor.

Research helps us remember the plight Shiroma of the poor and the impoverished in tangible, Major objective and measurable ways, not only for the present, but also for future generations.

In the last year, 46 families were served at the San Francisco Harbor House. Almost three out of four of them (72 percent) were in correctional facilities and programs in the Bay Area prior to entering Harbor House. Upon completion of the two-year transitional housing program, eight out of 10 of the families were referred to positive support home environments and independent living. Research helps The Salvation Army not only to remember the poor, but also to come alongside them in their life’s journey.

September 17-19, at the Territorial Social Service Councils, personnel will listen to and present research critical to the future of The Salvation Army. The theme is “Pathways of Hope” based on Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision the people perish.

Remembering the saints Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Ps. 116:15 NIV).

Throughout the years I have attended many Memorial Day services held at cemeteries throughout the western United States. Several of these cemeteries have a section set aside by The Salvation Army for Salvationists who have Shelley been “promoted to Glory.”

On a recent visit to Forest Lawn in IngleHill wood, Calif., I walked from row to row of Lt. Colonel graves of Salvationists, each beautifully manicured and marked by a small Salvation Army flag. I read the names of faithful Salvationists, many of whom I knew. This experience led me to reflect on the lives of many departed saints who directly impacted my life.

I think of my father, Horace Alvin Chandler. He was born and raised poor, a product of the depression. He served his country as a U.S. Marine in World War II, seeing action in places like Iwo Jima (where he witnessed the raising of the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi), Marshall Islands and Saipan. After the war, my father settled into a blue collar job as a butcher and small business owner. He was a faithful soldier of The Salvation Army San Jose Corps, serving as corps sergeant major for more than 30 years.

He was also the best Christmas kettle coordinator any corps officer could ever ask for! He taught me about the meaning of hard work, responsibility, humility and service. No matter who you were, when you entered the doors of the San Jose Corps when my dad was around, you could count on a firm handshake, a hearty welcome and a kind word. On a day set aside for memories, I think first of all about my dad.

Memorial Day at Forest Lawn reminds me of a pair of retired officers, Brigadiers Stuart and Alta Kelso. Most people these days would not recall the names of these two saints, but I will never

SEQUESTRATION After reading the article in New Frontier (April 19, 2013) entitled “Army braces for sequestration brunt,” I am troubled on several fronts.

It is very disturbing that The Salvation Army Western Territorial Social Services Department so heavily depends on the federal government to the tune of $47.8 million.

When we accept subsidies there are strings attached and, as a result, the Army is prohibited from “practicing what they preach.” By accepting money from the government one would think that The Salvation Army agrees with the policies of the government that are foreign to our beliefs. If cuts are made to the Army’s

forget them. After they retired from active service, they settled in San Jose. As a young person watching them in action, it was clear to me that they loved spending time with people. It was their custom to have people over to their home after Sunday services for dessert and a game or two of Dominos or “Chicken Foot.”

Perhaps most of all, I remember them being people of encouragement. They would often take people aside who were struggling with the challenges of life and offer a cheerful word and a prayer, including a young person like me seeking God’s direction for my life. Their ministry, even in retirement, seemed to make all the difference in the lives of many. Brigadiers Kelso were kind and generous with their time and always edifying others in their walk with the Lord. During Memorial Day season, I remember them fondly.

I could go on and on about the many departed saints who have come and gone and had such an influence on me and countless others. Even after the departure of these saints from earth, they leave a legacy that encourages us in the present age.

In these moments of reflection, I am challenged to make sure that in my own Christian journey I am serving as a model and source of encouragement to others, just as I have been influenced by those who came before me. That’s true of all of us.

Whether we realize it or not, people are watching our every word and deed. God is counting on us to shine brightly as Christ-like examples who bring inspiration and encouragement.

Memorial Day is a perfect opportunity to reflect on past generations of Salvationists who have helped shaped our lives.

Today, we must also take care to make sure that we are leaving a legacy worth emulating and remembering. Our time on earth is short, but the influence of our lives can resound for generations to come.

budget, maybe it is time for leaders of The Salvation Army, at every level, to re-evaluate and reassess our services and motives, as I believe that God will provide enough to sustain our programming if it is in his will—exercising faith in God to provide for the Army’s needs.

Margaret Arnold, Soldier Tustin Ranch Corps While the article written by Jared McKiernan (“Army braces for sequestration brunt”) was insightful, I do believe the blame has been misplaced. It appears as if the entirety of the dilemma is the fault of Congress, which is simply untrue.

When Major Sherry McWhorter stated, “I just wish they wouldn’t do it on the backs

of the poor” (regarding the cutting of the budget), I felt compelled to write to you.

Our nation...is in that place where we can no longer afford the excesses that politicians have grown accustomed to.

I recognize the dilemma facing many programs that the Salvation army runs. It becomes much more difficult with lack of government funding.

However, to blame Congress for this misses the point. If the President would present a reasonable budget, which does not shell out trillions towards his “pet projects,” this would not even be an issue.

Sincerely, Major Jim Gallop Clovis Corps, N.M.

Doing the Most Good

May 24, 2013 New Frontier

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and comSharon passion, then make my joy complete by Robertson Lt. Colonel being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:1-5 NIV).

Personally I prefer the Authorized Version translation of that fifth verse: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

The Christian mindset is an extraordinary gift, offered by God himself to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It is a unique gift available to no other group in all of God’s creation. Although it is offered freely, acceptance is a matter of choice, never imposed upon any individual; that is God’s way, dictated by his desire for the mental and spiritual health of his people. Like any good father, God wants what is best for his children.

This Christian mindset is demonstrated in an individual’s determination to reflect Christ’s attitudes and intent in every aspect of one’s life—an extraordinary, unachievable goal apart from the indwelling Spirit of God. Yes, there are good people, people who strive to live honest, others-oriented, righteous lives on their own, but to reflect truly and accurately the mind and spirit of Jesus in one’s day-to-day practices and relationships, the power of his Spirit living within is absolutely necessary—it is he who maximizes whatever talents, skills and personality traits we may possess in order to bring about God-honoring results.

In the Christian, the mind of Christ is expressed in ways that are unique to the individual personality.

Christ does not overrule the personal attributes and attitudes, nor does he dictate individual responses to the human situation. What he does is make it possible for those personal attributes, attitudes and responses to be tempered by his own. The degree to which that tempering takes place is up to the individual—God would desire that it be complete, but that choice, that life of God-honoring choices, is

always the responsibility of the individual Christian.

The Christian mindset, though God’s personal gift, is not always easy to accept and implement. Most of us have had a lifetime of training in convincing ourselves and others that we are mature individuals fully capable of making our own decisions and watching out for our own welfare.

It is not easy to release control—even to God. We wonder and worry and plan and fret and work ourselves into a frenzy of internal conflicts that God would love to resolve. The clarity of the mind of Christ is blocked by feelings of self-doubt, insecurity, uncertainty, and fear of what may (or may not) happen. Instead of moving forward in faith to accomplish the mission that God has set before us, we worry that we may not be up to the challenge.

We have not so learned from Christ.

He longs for us to surrender our doubts and fears to him, to allow him to inhabit and renew our minds, so that our perceptions are altered by the awareness of his presence. He longs for us to turn our fears over to him, that we may be able to view the world through the mind of its Savior and Lord, and experience the peace and confidence found in oneness with him.

So make up your mind. What you focus on is your choice. Know that bad things happen; recognize that the world can be a scary place—but choose today to focus on the good things of God, on all the wonderful things he has done, and all the exciting possibilities, the joys yet to come.

Choose to view your world from a new and positive perspective: the mind of Christ.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Phil. 4:4-9 NIV).

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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:

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New Frontier,

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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

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Stress—deal with it A corps officer’s life is probably one of the most complex, demanding, exhausting, confusing, multi-tasking jobs I can think of. I’m not sure it’s possible to “train” cadets completely for this job. Much of it they will have to grow into. Our corps has had some great officers.

Those red epaulets and red-backed “S’s” can introduce different patterns of internal and external assessment, different expectations of self and by others.

Inasmuch as their job parallels that of an itinerant pastor, youth leader, PR person, custodian, fundraiser, administrator, social worker (etc. etc. etc.) in a different location every three to five years, they definitely learn about change. Change introduces stress. It can’t be avoided—only managed. Everybody feels stress in one form or another. So, too, do their soldiers. What do you do with your stress?

How’s your self-awareness?

I hope the corps officers learn a lot about themselves before they get to me. That means they are self-aware—they know what’s going on inside them. That, also, means they have some insight into the kind of behavior to resist and what to stimulate; how to deal with non-productive feelings; how to cope with complaints, criticism and praise; how to present a positive appearance even though feelings trigger a negative pattern of hostility or defensiveness; and how to be genuine with their behavior in relation to their spirituality.

While your talents are satisfactory, your pulpit teaching excellent, your management of finances sound—corps officers rise or fall on the quality of their interpersonal style. How do you get along with people? How do others think you come across? rigid or flexible reserved or friendly closed or open fake or genuine lazy or energetic Have you ever sought feedback?

Stress is a feeling of impending loss of control, as we react to various situations.

Do you know how you tend to react to stress?

Does your present interpersonal style allow you the joy of an easy relationship with anyone?

How do you handle confrontation?

Do you regularly find yourself in a defensive posture?

Do you argue with those who hold different points of view?

Are you always right?

Do you always have all the answers?

Do you move to being non-responsive, silent in Robert the face of disagreements?

Docter Do you get depressed easily, down, blue, with- Editor-In-Chief drawn?

Do you get angry, judgmental, emotionally agitated in disagreements?

Some stress is very helpful. Basically, stress is part of our fight or flight response. As we are alerted that our body is threatened in some way, certain signals are flashed to the nervous system that triggers an increased production of adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream.

Our heart rate increases as does our breathing.

Blood vessels open up; pupils dilate. You are now ready for a quick response and you follow your impulses—fight or flight.

If you call upon this response mechanism too often, you are forced to maintain a high stress level.

If you carry significant stress levels often, worry a lot, have difficulty sleeping, find yourself confronted by unpleasantness regularly, allow your mind to “run away with itself ” so that you have high anxiety, make snap judgments about the worth of others —you’ve got stress problems. There are some simple things you need to do: Regulate your thinking: Your attitude, the way you see the world around you, shapes defensiveness, escalates fear and demands a response. It’s called “stress.”

Reframe your meaning of change: It doesn’t mean you’re a failure if you’re ordered to a different or smaller corps.

Abandon perfectionism: No one is perfect—especially you. Nobody expects you to be perfect.

Treat your body kindly: Eat well, sleep enough, exercise regularly but not compulsively, keep your mind active in positive ways.

Finish unfinished business in a timely manner: Unfinished business clutters the mind and increases the worry that you’re going to forget something.

Know how to relax: Learn various procedures from the Internet. Look it up. Do it.

Grow in faith through increasing your trust: Keep God in the act.

~

Make up your mind!

11

If you carry significant stress levels often, worry a lot, have difficulty sleeping, find yourself confronted by unpleasantness regularly, allow your mind to “run away with itself” so that you have high anxiety, make snap judgments about the worth of others —you’ve got stress problems.

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