FUTURE OFFICERS FELLOWSHIP
MEET DEAN PALLANT
20
REFILLING BACKPACKS IN PORTLAND
7
10 17
DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA
MARCH 2015 Volume 33, Number 3
INSIDE this issue: Bill Burke Get to know The Salvation Army’s new National Advisory Board chairman.
BURKE PAGE 5
Army aids fire survivors
Emerging at Bell Shelter
The Salvation Army in San Francisco offers emergency housing and other necessities.
The Salvation Army’s correctional ministry helps man dream, find success. BELL SHELTER PAGE 9
The
Project Beauty
Commissioner Jolene Hodder reflects on the power of beautiful creations. BEAUTY PAGE 12
‘Telling Our Stories’
New bi-annual publication features rich history of The Salvation Army in the West. STORIES PAGE 19
PAID
GLENDALE, CA PERMIT #654
NON PROFIT US POSTAGE
The Salvation Army San Francisco Mission Corps serves as a temporary shelter for residents affected by local fires. |Photo by John McKnight
Salvation Army and the American Red Cross recently partnered to assist over 100 people affected by three major fires in San Francisco. The first blaze in the city’s Mission District destroyed the homes of 67 residents, including 15 children. “The devastating Mission Street fire tragically took a life, destroyed many homes and small businesses,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “We [worked] closely to rapidly re-house displaced residents and support small businesses as they [recovered].” Two more smaller fires subsequently broke out in the Tenderloin and Alamo Square neighborhoods. Throughout February, The Salvation Army San Francisco Mission Corps functioned as a temporary shelter for residents impacted by all three fires. The Red FIRE SURVIVORS PAGE 14
West creative leaders ‘revived’ Territorial worship arts retreat recognizes artists. BY JOY YI
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 22646 Long Beach, CA 90802-9998
Artists and worship leaders from across The Salvation Army Western Territory convened at Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, Calif., Feb. 13-15 for the territorial worship arts retreat, “REVIVE.” For the 108 delegates, the weekend solidified the impor-
2014 Red Kettle Campaign raises more than $144 million
tance of creativity in God’s kingdom. TransMission, the Southern Territory’s rock band; the Territorial Arts Ministries (TAM) team from the Eastern Territory; and Matt Tommey, founder of the Worship Studio, based in Asheville, N.C., led the united sessions in worship. REVIVED PAGE 14
The Eastern Territorial Arts Ministries team performs during “REVIVE.” |Photo by Joy Yi
THE TOTAL IS IN
The 2014 Red Kettle Campaign collected more than $144 million, exceeding the 2013 total by 6.3 percent. The money raised will help The Salvation Army provide food, shelter and social services to nearly 30 million Americans in need this year. “The economy continued to face strong headwinds, which could have resulted in a loss for us and greatly affect-
ed our programming, but the generosity of the American public helped us avoid that,” said Lt. Colonel Ron Busroe, community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army National Headquarters. “The Red Kettle Campaign is the most important fundraising season of the year for us, and this year’s campaign was no doubt, a success.”|NFC
Page 2—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
ON THE CORNER BY BOB DOCTER
Superstition In Shakespeare’s magnificent play, Julius Caesar, we do not meet the swashbuckling, swaggering Caesar who conquered the known world and dictated the affairs of what might be considered the Roman hey day. Instead, he introduces us to a highly superstitious, vain, self-centered, flattery lover who knows how to play politics for the crowd, valor for his army, and arrange a vendetta for his enemies. We meet the great, all-powerful Caesar in Act 1, scene 2, when the major players come together on a street in Rome. They are Caesar, Marc Antony, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, Brutus, Portia, his wife, Cassius, Casca and a great crowd including a Soothsayer. At the beginning of the scene Caesar has an exchange with Antony who is about to participate in a race relative to some holy day celebration. He says: “Forget not in your speed, Antonius, To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say, The barren, touched in this holy chase, Shake off their sterile curse.” Calpurnia, you see, was barren, and Caesar had no heirs. His superstitious nature demanded that this minor ritual be followed in hopes that it would allow her to “shake off their sterile curse.” Almost immediately thereafter, a voice shouts out one word: “Caesar.” He responds: “Who is it in the press that calls me?
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, Cry ‘Caesar!’ Speak; Caesar is turn’d to hear.” A Soothsayer steps forth and states his five word warning: “Beware the ides of March.” Caesar, seemingly somewhat startled, calls out for him to appear before him. “Set him before me; let me see his face.” When he arrives Caesar asks: “What sayest thou to me now? Speak again.” “Beware the ides of March!” Caesar, somewhat nonplused, says: “He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.” With this, all exit except Cassius and Brutus. Cassius begins to discuss Caesar’s need for adulation and his driving ambition. By this time, the Senate had made him “dictator for life.” Unscrupulous Cassius, ambitious to a fault, knew that Brutus felt concerned with Caesar achieving such popularity with the public that he had become a danger to Rome itself. Brutus, patriotic and loving liberty loved Caesar, but he loved Rome more. He was thoroughly committed to a more democratic society perceived the same danger. Together, they hatched a plot. The term “ides” described the middle few days of several months. March, the first month of the year in the early Roman calendar, stimulated many New Year’s celebrations,
mostly religious. A large full moon floated through the heavens on this March 15 as Caesar discussed with his wife his visit to the Senate. Calpurnia, remembering the warning of the soothsayer, urged him not to go. At first, he agreed, but then, unknowingly, became talked into it by a member of Cassius’ team. He went. Upon arrival, as he was entering the Senate chambers, he saw the soothsayer and stated “The ides of March have come.” The predictor replied: “But not gone.” Cassius, Brutus and three others stepped quickly to him with swords and each plunged their blades deeply into him. As he was falling he said these oft said words, still in our lexicon after an unexpected betrayal: “Et tu Brute.” Superstition, the “belief in supernatural causality…contradicts natural science.” No cause and effect relationship exists. We wonder where religion fits into superstition. Martin Luther called the papacy “the fountain and source of all superstition.” Pope Francis rails against any teaching relating to superstition; the current Catholic Catechism considers it a sin and defines it as “a perverse excess of religion.” Salvationists, like other denominations, unknowingly practice it even while seeing it as a form of idolatry that eliminates God. Every once in a while our worried superstition comes true. This “partially reinforces” our belief and we maintain an ongoing relationship with the superstition many times after that without any reinforcement at all. This maintains our need to say certain words, or cross our fingers to nullify a promise or require certain behaviors in order to secure protection from danger. |NFC
Second chance grace BY IAN ROBINSON, MAJOR When the newsmakers become the news a paradigm shift takes place. The recent debacle featuring Brian Williams, chief anchor of NBC’s Nightly News, is a prime example. Over the decades there have been many instances of journalists who lied, plagiarized and embellished stories to get our attention and they were usually forgotten by the next morning. Williams’ story, however, won’t go away. He has been relentlessly vilified, rebuked, pilloried, parodied and debunked in every possible media. People are speculating whether he will ever return to prominence in any shape or form, or if he will just fade into obscurity. If he had been an actor there would have been no story to tell. No one cares whether they lie or not—that’s their job. But we trusted Brian Williams and believed that whatever he said was the truth, and we were let down. Before we jump on the bandwagon and wag our figurative fingers at him we should consider our own position. Have we ever said things that were not true? Have we ever exaggerated the truth to make ourselves look better, more heroic, more compassionate? Have we ever inserted ourselves into someone else’s great story? If we are honest, the answer is probably a resounding “Yes!” Doesn’t everyone
REVIVED
make a mistake sometime? Don’t we all trip and fall? Commit moral failure? Slip up? The Bible says, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23 NIV). In this whole mess, one bright, shining light stood out. Stephen P. Burke, the chief executive of NBCUniversal personally informed Williams of his suspension. The New York Times quoted him as saying that “his actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate.” However, he went on to say, “He deserves a second chance, and we are rooting for him.” What grace. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote, Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Rom. 5:20). No one knows more than The Salvation Army about the God of second chances. Every day in our shelters, adult rehabilitation centers, corps and social service offices, we offer God’s grace through a second, or third, or fourth chance to people in need. And we do this because we ourselves have received the same grace from God. Each of us is a “second chance Christian,” and some of us are in the multiple chance category. The wonderful thing is that God takes us, wherever we are, and by his grace makes us into new creations. We are not just “sinners saved by grace”; we are saints living in grace. Thank God for his grace. Thank God for our second chance.|NFC
FROM PAGE 1
Delegates took to heart Tommey’s message. “In a time when creative arts ministries seem to be devalued, Matt gave me hope that there’s a place in the kingdom for creatives...a very important place,” said Andrew Frees from the Tualatin Valley (Ore.) Citadel Corps. “Art has a way of moving people that words cannot… It’s my responsibility to be a good steward of the artistic abilities that the Lord has given me and hone those skills so my work can affect [others]. I felt validated as an artist.” Tommey’s view that “when you live in a kingdom, the nature of that kingdom always reflects the nature of the king,” resonated with Cadet Blake Wilson. “Since we serve a creative God, we need to tell God’s story in creative ways,” Wilson said. “If you have any passion, or if you are even slightly good at anything, put your time and effort into that, and God will bless your talents and passions immensely.” TAM’s dramatic performances included a Reader’s Theater about unlocking the heart of the artist and finding freedom as a worshipper; a comedic sketch of the feeding of the 5,000 that revealed the potential and
Matt Tommey, founder of the Worship Studio, speaks ar “REVIVE,’ the territorial worship arts retreat. |Photo by Joy Yi
purpose of the kingdom of God; a-play-within-a-play unveiling the insecurities of every artist; and a movement piece called “Revive.” During “Playback Theater,” TAM members invited delegates to share stories of times they could see God’s creative work in their lives. TAM listened carefully to the stories, and afterward retold them through improvisation. One at a time, three delegates spoke and then saw
their story unfold before them. Each reenactment elicited both laughter and tears from the audience. “I had no idea when I shared...that it was a release that I needed,” said Becki Barnett from the Yakima (Wash.) Corps. “I talked with just one person before about asking God why was it Teri and not me who got the cancer. I never told Teri I had asked such a thing...that opened the door for some conversations that we never had. I was so blessed. It was like a breath of fresh air that I needed.” Workshops provided resources and teaching in drama, scriptwriting, dance, multimedia, praise and worship, songwriting and visual arts. “We’ve already discussed as a corps group that incorporating more creative ministries in our weekly programming and in our Sunday service will benefit our congregation greatly and we’ve set out a plan to do so,” Frees said. “We’re excited to get started.” Wilson also left feeling inspired. He said, “I think this weekend will help me when I am trying to find new ways to do things, and help me encourage young and old artists to reach their full potential.”|NFC
PEOPLE COUNT IN THE WEST Decisions for Christ 3,038 Worship attendance 95,987 Became members 1,160 People helped 748,434 People referred 3,235 Data for February 2015. See more at peoplecountusw.org.
is published monthly by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory P.O. Box 22646, Long Beach, CA 90802-9998 Commissioner James Knaggs, Territorial Commander Colonel Dave Hudson, Chief Secretary
newfrontierpublications.org Member of the Evangelical Press Association EDITORIAL STAFF Robert L. Docter, Editor-In-Chief 562/491-8330 bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org Christin Davis, Managing Editor 562/491-8723 christin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org Erica Andrews • 562/491-8334 erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org Vivian Gatica • 562/491-8782 vivian.gatica@usw.salvationarmy.org Karen Gleason • 562/491-8332 karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org Major Kevin Jackson • 562/491-8303 kevin.jackson@usw.salvationarmy.org Major Linda Jackson • 562/491-8306 linda.jackson@usw.salvationarmy.org Jared McKiernan • 562/491-8417 jared.mckiernan@usw.salvationarmy.org ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA Shannon Forrey, Web Editor • 562/491-8329 shannon.forrey@usw.salvationarmy.org LAYOUT AND DESIGN Kevin Dobruck, Art Director • 562/491-8328 kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org Adriana Rivera, Graphic Designer • 562/491-8331 adriana.rivera@usw.salvationarmy.org ADVERTISING/BUSINESS Karen Gleason, Business Manager • 562/491-8332 karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org CIRCULATION Arlene De Jesus, Circulation Manager • 562/491-8343 arlene.dejesus@usw.salvationarmy.org ISSN 2164-5930
To donate to a Salvation Army project or program, visit salvationarmy.org and click “Donate.” Specify name or location as desired.
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 3
The power of the resurrection BY ANDRÉ COX, GENERAL
WHAT A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION EASTER SUNDAY REPRESENTS FOR EACH ONE OF US! God in raising Christ has defeated death. God in raising Christ has freed us from sin. God in raising Christ has established a sure eternal future for all who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Life can be so full of uncertainty, danger and fears. Easter, however, serves to remind us that the life Jesus brought and bought cannot be undermined or extinguished. As we celebrate the glory of the risen Christ, our hearts are filled with praise. We rejoice in worship as we gain new insight and understanding of God’s eternal purposes and his plan of salvation for the world! As Jesus was raised from the dead, so will we be if we place our hope, trust and faith in God who sent his only Son into this world—not to condemn but to save! It is not difficult to understand the consternation, disappointment, fear and discouragement of the disciples following the terrible events of Good Friday. They were devastated, shocked and completely thrown off course. Jesus had told his disciples on numerous occasions that he would die and rise again on the third day. Why, then, does it appear that not one of the disciples understood or realized what happened on that resurrection morning? Had the forces of darkness and injustice won the day? There are those today who seem to think so. Amidst scenes of despair, suffering, injustice, greed, violence and the consequences of continued economic instability across the globe, I wonder whether there are Christians who this day feel despondent. Perhaps there might even be a sense of disillusionment for one reason or another. The disciples on the road to Emmaus expressed such feelings well: We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel (Luke 24:21a). When Jesus appeared to the disciples following his resurrection they did not recognize him. Possibly their preoccupation with personal sorrow and despair obscured what should have been clear. How many times do we fail to sense Jesus’ presence within our life and in the world today? Do we, as Christians, always reflect the joy and the power of the resurrection in our daily living? If we are honest we would have to admit that we don’t always. However, it shouldn’t—indeed it needn’t—be like that! It is as our spiritual eyes are opened and we gain ever more understanding of God’s eternal purposes that through faith we begin to experience triumph over darkness and despair. Moment by moment, day by day, we can know the power and the victory of Christ’s resurrection in our life. Hallelujah! It is my prayer that these familiar words will resonate in your heart as we celebrate once again the reality of our risen Lord Jesus:
Thine is the glory,
Let his Church with gladness
Risen, conquering Son;
Hymns of triumph sing,
Endless is the victory
For her Lord now liveth;
Thou o’er death hast won.
Death has lost its sting.
Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away,
No more we doubt thee,
Kept the folded grave clothes
Glorious Prince of Life!
Where thy body lay.
Life is naught without thee; Aid us in thy strife;
Chorus
Make us more than conquerors
Thine is the glory,
Through thy deathless love;
Risen, conquering Son;
Bring us safe through Jordan
Endless is the victory
To thy home above.
Thou o’er death hast won. Edmond Louis Budry (1854-1932), Lo! Jesus meets thee,
trs Richard Birch Hoyle (1875-1939)
Risen from the tomb; Lovingly he greets thee,
(“The Song Book of The Salvation Army,” 152)
Scatters fear and gloom;
Amidst scenes of despair, suffering, injustice, greed, violence and the consequences of continued economic instability across the globe, I wonder whether there are Christians who this day feel despondent.
Page 4—New Frontier CHRONICLE •March 2015
The “advisory board system” began in
THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE SALVATION ARMY January 1920. Within one year, advisory
boards operated in 1,500 counties in
24 states. Today, 900
Salvation Army advisory boards operate in the United States.
How the advisor y board came to be BY EDWARD McKINLEY, DR.
I
gor Sikorsky, the inventor of the helicopter, once declared that the bumblebee cannot fly, according to the laws of aerodynamics. Its wings cannot support its weight in flight. In ignorance of this, the bumblebee flies. Similarly, The Salvation Army cannot fly on its own wings. Enter the advisory board. The Salvation Army provided care to 30 million people in the United States in 2013, which required an income of $4.3 billion. Yet, member contributions, government grants, fees for service, kettles and all forms of indirect support, total a fraction of what the Army needs. Without faithful advisory boards, the Army as we know it would not be. The Salvation Army expanded to the U.S. in March 1880. Led by an eccentric zealot named George Railton, the pioneer party was not a promising group. Five of the six ladies soon quit. Within six years though, the Army grew to 286 locations. By 1890—10 years after the Army’s arrival— one of the country’s most respected theologians declared The Salvation Army to be the most important spiritual development in American history. The Army now serves in all of the country’s roughly 43,000 zip codes. What role has the advisory board played in the drama? A ‘new axiom’ In 1898 the national commander said, “The uniformity of the plan, the unity of action, and the universality of application of the simple principles of the Army have accomplished results which would otherwise have been impossible.” The national commander was not alone in noticing that the Army had accomplished much in little time with few people. This drew favorable attention from men and women of wealth and influence. Principles of modern management were emerging, with emphasis on “raising the rate of results achieved to the efforts expended.” An advocate of modern business techniques declared in 1903 that there was a new “‘axiom of social geometry’—that the shortest distance between two points if something needs doing is to do it—the more plainly, directly and honestly, the better.” According to a San Francisco newspaper, what appealed to such people was not the Army’s style but its results. Business leaders believed that the “practical value which The Salvation Army does for the fallen, the suffering and the needy [was] beneficial to those needing these ministrations and therefore to society at large.” A business supporter in Washington D.C. wrote in 1896 that the Army’s military discipline was the whole reason for its great success. The Army’s leaders then recognized that its growing social welfare programs could no longer be financed by ordinary religious activities alone. The wave of endorsements and
Top: Undated photo of the Southern California advisory board in session at Riverside, Calif. Bottom: Undated photo of the Portland, Ore., advisory board |Photos courtesy of the Museum of the West
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 5
‘Strictly to serve’ Get to know the new National Advisory Board chairman BY MARLENE KLOTZ-COLLINS
BILL BURKE,
The advisory board of The Women’s Home and Hospital in El Paso, Texas in 1949 |Photo courtesy of the Museum of the West
encouraging newspaper comment, so different from the ridicule of the early days, presented Army leaders with a rare opportunity. Auxiliary League born Army leaders acknowledged that it would be contrary to God’s will to ignore offers of practical help from generous and friendly outsiders. In 1887, then-National Commander Ballington Booth invited support from a small number of people who believed in the Army’s good work. He called this group the “Auxiliary League.” The officer placed in charge of the new venture was Edith Marshall, a 22-year-old girl who described the league as “persons who, while not perhaps endorsing and approving every method used by the Army, are sufficiently in sympathy with [its] great work.” By 1896, the Auxiliary League had 6,000 members, each of whom paid $5 a year in dues and wore an Army lapel badge. The league was a promising start but struggled to spread beyond New York and a few nearby cities. It faded with Ballington’s departure. The great turning point in the development of the advisory board system came with The Salvation Army’s services to American troops in World War I. Doughnuts and coffee provided by young ladies practically on the front lines made The Salvation Army immensely popular. Soldiers praised the “brave lassies.” Popular songs were written about the Army. A government freighter was even named for the “Salvation Army Lass.” After the war, then-National Commander Evangeline Booth proclaimed that the Army’s success in its service to American service personnel was due entirely to its military approach. “We are trained to give no quarter to the enemy.” When the need arose in 1917, The Salvation Army was ready for fast action, keeping a clear vision of doing the most with the least. Near the end of the war, the general commanding the U.S. Third Division in France predicted that “when peace returns The Salvation Army is going to receive such a boom from the boys who encountered it in the trenches.” After the Armistice in 1918, John Wanamaker, department store magnate, announced, “something should be done to perpetuate The Salvation Army and its work” at home. Unwavering contribution The Army’s popularity with the returning soldiers prompted the rapid extension of organizations of supporters among local business and civic leaders in every sizable town in the country. The “advisory board system” began in January 1920. Within one year, advisory boards operated in 1,500 counties in 24 states. The Army boards were often supported by “Community Chest” (later the United Way), which also multiplied rapidly in the 1920s. By 1925, an Army leader announced “an army of not less than 20,000 business and professional men” linked to The Salvation Army” as advisory board members. Through the decades, the support of the advisory boards became indispensable. Look no further than the events of December 2014 in Henderson, Ky. When the corps officers, Majors Jerry and Jean Mullins, learned in November that their son in another state was mortally ill, the board members took over the entire corps program during the busy Christmas season so the Mullins could spend all remaining time with their son. In the decades since the board system emerged, the Army has coordinated local efforts with national public relations campaigns. An official manual with a list of national guidelines for advisory boards first printed in 1957. The process culminated in the creation of the National Advisory Council in 1976, the immediate predecessor of the current National Advisory Board. The contributions of advisory boards on every level over the past 90 years comprise the lifeblood of The Salvation Army in the United States.|NFC Find resources for advisory boards at mysaboard.org.
senior vice president of marketing for Nationwide Insurance, assumed a new role as chairman of The Salvation Army National Advisory Board in January. Yet, serving others is nothing new to this executive. Burke, an only child, grew up in a lower income section of Yonkers, N.Y. “I had wonderful parents who taught me about loving others, and seeing and doing something for those in need,” he said. As a child, he recalls seeing the shiny red kettles, Army uniforms, meals for the hungry and Salvation Army thrift stores. While attending Cathedral Prep in New York City, Burke volunteered as an inner city tutor and then as a basketball coach for underprivi- Bill Burke leged kids while a student at Stony Brook University on Long Island. He then earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Connecticut, and launched a marketing career with The Nestle Company in 1974, the same year he married his wife Marianne. He decided to chase an entrepreneurial call in 1984 and joined a product design and branding firm called Fitch. “It was big ideas, blue jeans, pure innovation for great clients like Black & Decker, Whirlpool and Ford,” Burke said. He and his colleagues grew the company by 500 percent in 10 years and went from a single location in Ohio to several global locations. In 1994 he joined Battelle, the largest research and development (R&D) organization in the world. In 2000, he stepped in as head of Global R&D and Innovation for The Scotts Company where he stayed until 2005 when he joined Nationwide. There he has led marketing for property and casualty and also financial services. While changing the marketing landscape at various companies over several decades, he and Marianne raised three children—Erin, BJ and Brad—all of whom are now married with four children each. “I love family stuff, golf, traveling, playing with the grandchildren,” Burke said. “Our favorite family vacation spot was in Sunset Beach, N.C. We went there as a family every year for 23 consecutive years.” He is active in his local church ministry as a small group leader, and advanced his theological education by earning a master of ministry degree from Grace College and Seminary in 2007. He now is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of that institution. Amid a thriving business career and being a husband and dad, Burke never forgot the roots of compassion planted in him as a child. He said he joined The Salvation Army Columbus Advisory Board in 1996 “strictly to serve.” He and Marianne spent their “date nights” for two years driving to homeless shelters and makeshift camps, handing out plates of food and words of encouragement as part of the Heartto-Heart Canteen Program in Columbus. Together, they rang bells, painted community centers, cleared brush at campgrounds, signed up families for utility bill assistance and Christmas programs. “Beyond serving I slowly became more involved in the board’s work with programs, capital campaigns and outreach,” he said. He joined the National Advisory Board in 2010. “Bill has fully embraced his role as chairman of the National Advisory Board,” said National Commander Commissioner David Jeffrey. “His heart for our mission coupled with his exceptional leadership and marketing skills are such a gift for us. His very close involvement with Pathway of Hope, since its inception in the Central Territory, is also of tremendous value in his new leadership role.” As for his bucket list for The Salvation Army, Burke has a specific agenda. “I would like The Salvation Army to be the most attractive service organization for a new generation of millennial volunteers,” he said. “I also want to see Pathway of Hope fully rolled out nationally and implementing the actions required to end trans-generational poverty for the families engaged in the program. I would like the Army to be the mobilizer to engage states, counties, cities and other nonprofits to aggressively fight the scourge of human trafficking.”|NFC
The Salvation Army National Advisory Board (NAB) Chairman Bill Burke, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and Southern Territorial Commander Commissioner Don Bell (l-r) at the winter NAB meeting in Jackson, Miss. |Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army National Headquarters
Page 6—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
HARD TO GRASP Scattered services for homeless in Haines
BY EMILY FILES It’s hard to get a true sense of how big of a problem homelessness is in Haines, Alaska. There is no shelter or centralized service tasked with responding to the issue. Right now, a patchwork of local organizations help people in need. But even they aren’t sure how large the problem is and what the solution should be. “We had one guy here when I first got here, he slept in the back there for six months until he could get back to Chilkat Lake,” said Lt. Dave Kyle, corps officer for The Salvation Army in Haines. Kyle points back behind racks of secondhand clothing to a room where five or six people have slept over the past three years. Kyle said he’s on “sketchy ground” letting people stay here when they have nowhere else to go, because it isn’t a licensed shelter. “I do tend to push the envelope a little bit in regards to helping my community,” he said. Sierra Jimenez works for Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), which serves seniors and people with disabilities. SAIL and The Salvation Army are the two Haines organizations that seem to deal with homelessness the most. Local churches, Lynn Canal Counseling and the police department also help. They often provide one-way ferry tickets to Juneau, to the Glory Hole shelter. “[That happens] several times a year,” Jimenez said. “And I don’t know that it’s a solution but it’s the solution that we have here in Haines. And that generally is for somebody who is chronically homeless, truly has no place to go and no resources and shelter is the only option.” Roger and Judy Kley were in that situation when they showed up in Haines more than a year ago. “When my PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) check come in that one year, I’d already made the decision that we were
Roger and Judy Kley in their new Haines apartment |Photo by Emily Files, courtesy of KHNS
coming to Haines one way or another,” Judy Kley said. “I was getting real frustrated on the stress I was under not having a place to live.” The Kleys came to Haines from Anchorage. They slept in The Salvation Army building for a night or two and then left for the Glory Hole in Juneau. It wasn’t until they got disability income that Jimenez was able to help them successfully apply for a government-subsidized apartment in Haines. When people like the Kleys show up, Jimenez and Kyle say it would be nice to have a shelter for them. But they’re not sure if there are enough homeless people in Haines to make a shelter worth it. “You know it’s a really good question, and I don’t know the answer to that,” Jimenez said. “It would be so nice to have an emergency bed or two for families that come through while
we try to put the pieces together. That would be the dream, the ideal situation.” “Yes, ideally a shelter would be an excellent deal for it,” Kyle said. “But in the emergency sense, in the crisis sense, I don’t think we have enough (homeless people).” Kyle said helping people who are at risk of becoming homeless is a bigger concern here than helping those who are already homeless. “Homeless care is very low on my expenses radar. I just helped a family out with $1,300 worth of rent assistance, another family at $65 for electric, another family at $75 for electric; I just sent the guy to Juneau for $37,” Kyle said, adding that all of those people are at risk of homelessness if they didn’t have a place like The Salvation Army to turn to for assistance. Jimenez also said helping people who are maybe a paycheck or two away from homelessness is a more common problem in Haines. “Sometimes somebody just needs help one month with rent or food and then they can be back on their feet. Other people need education and help budgeting,” she said. “There’s every different story.” Haines Borough Manager Dave Sosa contacted The Salvation Army and SAIL to set up a meeting about homelessness, but it hasn’t happened yet. “There’s plenty of room for discussion on these issues and to take a look at what’s the scope of the problem,” Sosa said, “because I know that there are some homeless people, but I don’t know how many.” If Sosa wants definitive numbers, he’s not going to get them. There are a few local organizations responding to homelessness, but there is no organization tracking it. If people want to put a number on homelessness in Haines, it will require setting up a centralized service even though the scale of the problem is uncertain. Reprinted with permission from KHNS |NFC
Alaska’s homeless assistance funding challenged The Salvation Army expresses concern over a proposal to eliminate the Basic Homeless Assistance Program. BY IVY SPOHNHOLZ The Salvation Army in Alaska will continue to receive almost $400,000 from the Basic Homeless Assistance Program (BHAP)—funds crucial to maintaining its services to people facing homelessness. Alaska Governor Bill Walker’s proposed budget would have eliminated the $8 million program, which this year is expected to help 13,121 Alaskans facing homelessness in 18 communities statewide. “We just can’t afford to eliminate this program,” said Major George Baker, divisional commander of The Salvation Army Alaska Division. “The bottom line with this program is that it saves the state of Alaska money while it helps keep families together, stable and healthy. What more could we ask for?” The Salvation Army Alaska is one of 40 nonprofits awarded BHAP funds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. The $387,466 in BHAP funds The Salvation Army receives and administers are an essential element of its efforts in 12 communities throughout Alaska to provide emergency housing and utility support. With the governor’s deadline to finalize the budget proposals approaching, The Salvation Army Alaska released facts that clarify the role and importance of the program as BHAP funds provide food, shelter and homelessness prevention. The money assists individuals and families who are either living on the street or in critical need of assistance to prevent shutdown of utilities or eviction from safe housing. The BHAP program serves 18 communities throughout Alaska; The Salvation Army uses BHAP funding in 12 of those communities to help prevent homelessness or get people back into stable housing. The loss of these funds could push many Alaskans on the verge of homelessness into a new level of crisis. For others, it could mean they would continue to be homeless. BHAP-FUNDED SERVICES BY COMMUNITY Anchorage The Salvation Army’s McKinnell House is the only area family shelter that accepts single fathers and two-parent families in addition to single mothers with children. Families at McKinnell are typically working people who have
$8 million Basic Homeless Assistance Program (BHAP) in Alaska annually 13,121 Alaskans expected to be helped by BHAP in 2015 40 Alaskan nonprofits are awarded BHAP funds 18 Alaskan communities served through BHAP funds $387,466 granted to The Salvation Army Alaska Division in BHAP funds experienced a hardship or crisis that prevents them from keeping up with living expenses. McKinnell House and Family Emergency Services uses BHAP funds to support its year-round family shelter, which is home to as many as 16 families at any one time. In 2014, 145 families lived at McKinnell House. Additionally, McKinnell House provides case managers who work with families to develop plans that will help them successfully move into independent housing. BHAP funds help McKinnell House provide these basic services year-round. Fairbanks In the 2014 fiscal year, The Salvation Army Fairbanks Corps received and provided over $100,000 in BHAP-funded emergency assistance to 132 Fairbanks families through utility support, rental assistance and housing referrals. Major Kevin Bottjen, Fairbanks corps officer, said, “With BHAP funds we helped a single mom with a 5-year-old child fighting cancer avoid eviction; a small business owner and father of five avoid foreclosure; a young man with cancer leave homelessness and join the working class; a grieving family keep the heat on when the main breadwinner in their family died. That’s just to name a few. These people’s lives were immeasurably helped by BHAP grant funding. Without it, I don’t know what they would do.” Matanuska-Susitna Valley In the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska’s fastest growing community, eight agencies receive BHAP funds, including The Salvation Army. This group earned national recognition for its collaboration and efficiency by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2014, The Salvation Army Mat-Su Valley Corps used BHAP funds to help 17 families for a modest $5,410—or $318.24 per family. These families received utility assistance and rental assistance either to get into housing or to stay in their current housing. “In the Mat-Su, the people we are helping with BHAP funds are working people just trying to get by,” said Lt. Jeff Josephson, Mat-Su Valley corps officer. “They have faced hardships...We want to help keep these families together in their own homes.” Sitka Since October 2014, The Salvation Army Sitka Corps— the only provider of BHAP funds in Sitka—served 25 households using BHAP funding. Twenty percent of those served are children, and 92 percent of them are Mental Health Trust Authority beneficiaries. Southeast Alaska small communities In small communities throughout Southeast Alaska— Angoon, Cordova, Haines, Hoonah, Kake, Klawock, Petersburg and Wrangell—The Salvation Army is the only social services provider assisting community members facing homelessness with the help of BHAP funds. These eight communities received a total of $27,825. “In Petersburg, we were recently able to help a single father with two children get into permanent housing,” said Lt. John Birks, Petersburg corps officer. “He has health issues and can’t work right now, but he is being treated and wants to provide a safe home for his children. All he needed was a little help to get into housing, as he has the means to pay rent. Without the BHAP funds we were able to use, this family would have nowhere to go, because Petersburg doesn’t have a shelter.”|NFC
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 7
Portland Tabernacle Corps ‘repacks backpacks’ Event aims to provide practical help with mission in mind. Even when planning an ordinary activity like distributing school supplies, The Salvation Army Portland (Ore.) Tabernacle Corps kept its vision firmly in mind. “We exist to win the world for Christ,” Corps Officer Major Ken Perine said, “and everything we do is for that purpose. Our ministry team is continually working together to follow that vision.” When corps leaders—Perine and his wife, Major Jenni Perine, Captain Laura Fenton and Lts. Kalani and Jennie Onitsuka-Adams—held a brainstorming session to come up with a way to distribute the extra school supplies the corps had accumulated, they sought to further that mission. “The Lord led us to have a February school supply resource fair that we called ‘Repack the Backpack,’” Perine said. In just two weeks, the ministry team assembled fliers, mailed them to social service clients, passed them out at trailer parks, and distributed them in nearby neighborhoods. During the Feb. 8 event, adult volunteers handed out supplies to the parents while children from corps programs acted as ambassadors for troops, singing
Portland Tabernacle Corps kids volunteered their time.
Samy Tanagho, evangelist consultant for the Western Territory
|Photo by Basel Aranki
|Photo courtesy of the Portland Tabernacle Corps
company, junior band, vacation Bible school, summer camps, Sunday school and Young People’s League. Event attendees also had an opportunity to win one of six bicycles and to choose a winter jacket. “The Lord blessed us far greater than anyone had expected,” Perine said. Approximately 200 people attended the event and about 30 families expressed interest in corps programs. “We even had one parent call us first thing on Monday morning to ask questions and get more details,” Jennie Onitsuka-Adams said. “She left two messages before we even got in. We are so excited about the success of this event and the possible growth of our corps. May God be praised.” The corps plans to make Repack the Backpack an annual event.|NFC
The Wickenburg Freedom Express offers transportation to older adults Monday through Friday.
|Photo courtesy of Salvation Army Wickenburg Service Extension Center
The ‘Freedom Express’ Transportation program assists older adults. In Wickenburg, Ariz., you drive or you walk. The 6,000-person town offers no public transportation. Worse yet, residents 60 years or older comprise 40 percent of its population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In response, The Salvation Army helped form the Wickenburg Freedom Express (WFE), which began providing free transportation to Wickenburg residents 60 years of age or older in January. Since then, it has served over 40 clients. “The Salvation Army Service Extension Unit has been quietly providing assistance for years,” said BJ Dorman, Salvation Army Southwest divisional director of legacy gifts. “The once-a-year Red Kettle bell ringers have been the only visibility in town, until now.” Dorman and Charlie Petersen, director of the Wickenburg Wise Owl Senior Center and chairman of the Wickenburg Salvation Army Service Extension Unit, partnered with the Wickenburg Community Services Corporation, the Foundation for Senior Living and the Town of Wickenburg to launch the initiative. Older adults must request the service via a dedicated telephone line 24 hours in advance. The WFE rides Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Destinations include doctors’ offices, stores, and even the Wise Owl Senior Center for lunch.
“I’ve had surgery and can’t drive. [The WFE] picked me up at the hospital, took me home and [has] been taking me back and forth...three times a week,” said Laeticia Bertolucci, a WFE rider. “The drivers are awesome. We are blessed to have this service in Wickenburg.” WFE runs solely on volunteers to keep costs down. The Salvation Army Southwest Divisional Headquarters screens all WFE volunteers. “I love helping people get out and about,” said Jinny Jackson, a volunteer driver. The Service Extension Unit funded the vans for WFE, primarily through Red Kettle donations. There’s also a modified counter kettle in each vehicle welcoming donations. “The two Salvation Army vans are now seen driving all around town every day,” Dorman said. “This presence will increase the giving of local residents when they can actually see Salvation Army making a difference in the lives of seniors in their town.” Next year, the Army plans to relocate its WFE office to the Wise Owl Senior Center to grow its client base. “Our future looks bright,” said Carrie Ward, WFE transportation manager. “As more people make a habit of using the program, more people will become aware of the program. Ridership will grow and hopefully our coverage area will expand to include neighboring rural communities who desperately need more freedom, too.”|NFC
Tanagho gains involvement in Army ministry Former Muslim recently addressed a crowd of cadets.
S
amy Tanagho—the Egyptian lawyer-turned-evangelist consultant for The Salvation Army Western Territory— became a soldier late last year at The Salvation Army Tustin Ranch Corps in Southern California. “I decided to do it so I can be used more within The Salvation Army,” Tanagho said. “It’s more a commitment on my part to be more involved in the ministry within the Army. I would love to serve more.” Since New Frontier Chronicle last spoke with Tanagho in early 2014, he said he has spoken at more than 50 engagements, including 16 Salvation Army events, teaching Christians how to witness to Muslims. Notably, he spoke at the Western Territorial Executive Council, Officers Councils in Hawaii and at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) at Crestmont. Tanagho said one cadet said, “I had a militant attitude toward the Muslims. Your presentation changed the way I think and feel and changed my heart.” This is part of his objective and he said to help execute that, the first part of his presentation is biblically based. He then points to the growing number of Muslims worldwide. “I tell them that Muslims are growing everywhere in America, Europe and all over the world,” Tanagho said. “So it is important that we know how to witness to them effectively. Not just tell them God loves you...It’s important to answer their questions.” He said his book, “Glad News! God Loves You, My Muslim Friend,” helps to answer these questions. It integrates the teachings of Islam to help Muslims believe the gospel and to see the divinity of Jesus Christ and the salvation he wants Muslims to experience. It also highlights parallel passages in the Quran and the Bible about the person of Jesus Christ, such as his unique sinlessness and his unique virgin birth. “With the materials they can be more equipped to minister,” Tanagho said. “We build a common ground with them and we use that common ground as a stepping stone to the gospel. And we have common ground in Adam, to show them that Adam entered into sin and sin entered the human race through Adam and we have common ground with them in a sinful nature.” Tanagho said the problem is within us, so we need a transformation of our nature. “We need a new nature,” he said. “We also build a common ground through Abraham and through God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son because his story is very much recorded in the Quran and we use that common ground to help them understand how God loves us.” Tanagho said he hopes that God will use him to accomplish much through The Salvation Army. “I have a passion and responsibility to give Salvationists what God gave me,” he said. “The evangelistic materials, especially my book, which answers the questions Muslims have about the Christian faith and present to them Jesus, in the most understandable, convincing and attractive way.”|NFC
Page 8—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
International disaster training equips leaders to better serve Participants discuss advantages, challenges of global response. BY JOHN BERGLUND
T
Emergency disaster responders meet for the first international disaster training of its kind in New York, focusing on the humanitarian imperative. |Photo by John Berglund
he USA Eastern Territory and International Headquarters International Emergency Services (IES) partnered for the first international disaster training of its kind on the “humanitarian imperative,” Feb. 23-27 at the Crestview Conference Center in West Nyack, N.Y. The Salvation Army domestic and international responders rarely compare notes as their models are diverse. The field has changed so significantly that it is in the Army’s best interest to learn the best of both and create new models for a more appropriate and competitive way of working. Further, our urban communities, like New York City, have become so culturally diverse that international sensibilities must now be taught or the Army will be marginalized in the emergency management field. The 18 participants were invited for their technical and language skills, as well as their personal commitment to international disaster ministry. Three experienced IES trainers led the meeting, which included representatives from The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) and UPS Europe, in addition to several international volunteers who served during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and the 2012 super typhoon in the Philippines. Starting with the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, participants explored the meaning of The Humanitarian Charter, which is comprised of several key documents relating to human rights as defined by treaties and declarations worldwide. These universal principles maintain that all humans have the right to life with dignity, the right to receive humanitarian assistance,
and the right to protection and security. Participants discussed how these obligations apply to both The Salvation Army’s North America disaster relief model (Emergency Disaster Services) and its international relief model (IES) throughout the week. Emphasizing the strengths of both models, one training goal was to synthesize new ways of working in the ever changing, ever competitive world of humanitarian relief and development. Those in attendance also examined The Sphere Project handbook, a guide to the best delivery practices for humanitarian response. Chapters describe minimum standards, key actions, key indicators, and guidance notes for life-saving relief activities, such as: water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion, food security, nutrition; shelter, settlement, health action, and non-food item distribution. Cross-cutting themes throughout the handbook focus on specific concerns for children, gender, HIV and AIDS, the environment, older people, and persons with disabilities, in addition to addressing disaster risk reduction and psychosocial support. Participants shared both the advantages of working in The Salvation Army’s five global zones, as well as the challenges of working in countries where The Salvation Army has no presence. They evaluated numerous global deployments to identify best practices and lessons learned. The training sessions challenged participants to confront their worldviews and consider how best to express their faith in different international contexts. In my 15 year history with the ministry, we finally got disaster response representatives in the same room to discuss lessons learned and best practices. For all of us to gather in the same room to compare notes, swap stories and debrief was a cathartic experience with the ultimate goal of building spiritually disciplined, effective teams that can support and enhance local capacity. By emphasizing the importance of self care awareness and interpersonal skills, the participants left the training better equipped to serve, whether in their own community today or on the other side of the globe tomorrow. |NFC
‘Homeless gatherings’ serve Orange County OC614 adopts a relational approach to reach the homeless community. BY JULIE CHUNG Orange County, Calif., carries an affluent reputation, but it comes at a cost—literally. A general cost of living that is 63 percent above the national average makes Orange County one of the country’s least affordable places to live, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consequently, over 12,700 people in Orange County face homelessness over the course of a year, according to nonprofit OC Partnership. Mickey Jordan, urban ministry director for The Salvation Army Southern California Division, insists lofty housing costs are just “the tip of the iceberg.” Three years ago, he launched the homeless outreach group OC614 (based on the Bible verse Isaiah 61:4) and began to get a pulse on homelessness in the area. “I remember I asked [a homeless man] one time, ‘what do you guys need out here [in Orange County]? Do you need clothes? Do you need food?’...and he said, ‘you know, we have everything. We have people dropping off sleeping bags, radios, batteries for radios...we get three meals a day,’” Jordan said. “‘You know what we need? All day long people walk by and they ignore us. We need to be acknowledged. We need to be shown that we’re not forgotten.’”
OC614 staff and volunteers serve at homeless gatherings.
|Photo by Chris Walstad
Jordan, who previously served in Ukraine, noted unique challenges in reaching Orange County’s homeless community. “This isn’t Ukraine,” Jordan said. “I worked in Ukraine where there’s nothing. No social security, no money...I mean [Orange County] is a playground as far as what resources are here. I know homeless people with iPhone 6s. I know people who get $90 a week from the government for disability...” OC614 served 3,361 individuals last year, averaging 280 people per month. Eighteen people were placed in a housing or recovery program. Three times a week the group holds “homeless gatherings”—two in Santa Ana and one in Anaheim. At each gathering, a group of 15 to 30 volunteers sit with the homeless, eat and talk. They make it a point not to serve food unless it creates an opportunity to bond with people. The volunteers are trained to actively listen, lead conversations and make people feel welcome. Jordan encourages volunteers to become committed Christians willing to challenge and stand by individuals experiencing homelessness as they recover.
“It is humbling to see those who are in need be generous and supportive of each other,” said Tyler Le, OC614 hospitality manager. “God has blessed this ministry tremendously and I believe that he continues to use the gathering as a place of comfort and teaching for the homeless.” The group partners with Charity on Wheels, Mariners Church, and the Santa Ana Corps to provide food, music and game nights for those facing homelessness. Annie Boneta, OC614 recruitment and employment advisor, said she loves serving with OC614 because she gets to build relationships with those facing homelessness. “We refer to them as our friends, not homeless people,” she said. “And we treat them as such. We put flowers on the table, serve them. It’s not just a buffet line. We serve them, we clean up after them, we refill their drinks, we hug them, and they love it.” The ministry also provides services that may not be found at other outreach programs and shelters. Past projects include: prescription eyeglasses distribution, dental work, bicycle provision and repair, and resume writing, all powered by volunteers. Onesa Anozie, family services and case manager for the Southern California Division, said, “The reward, honestly, is just knowing that I’m of use to God, and knowing that I’m being used to help people.”|NFC
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 9
EX-OFFENDER EMERGES AT BELL SHELTER
The Salvation Army’s correctional
ministry helps man dream, find success BY LIZETH BELTRAN
IT’S
6:28 a.m., and residents quickly shuffle to their seats at The Salvation Army Bell Shelter for the morning prayer meeting. Standing over six-feet tall, Kent Buckner towers above most of the shelter’s residents. For the past three months, he has led morning prayer here and feels right at home. Before that, his closest thing to home was Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles. He was released in December 2013 after serving his tenth sentence for drug use. A California native, Buckner, 47, has now lived at the Bell Shelter for the past 15 months. He has reached some of the milestones he hoped to accomplish. For one, Buckner officially became a soldier at the Bell Lighthouse Corps on August 10, 2014. “Before I was clean, I noticed that on my own, I couldn’t accomplish very much in the state that I was in,” Buckner said. “Seeing what The Salvation Army does, I knew the opportunities would be a good fit for me. Everything is already in place to perform whatever duties are asked of me.” Buckner said The Salvation Army has helped provide him with a spiritual foundation. Since his release he has completed courses at Hope International University and is currently attending school for truck driving. “For years I was very shy about what other people thought about me,” he said. “Hope International made me more of a God pleaser than a people pleaser. It gave me a lot of insight in what life is all about. The service portion of being a Christian; first and foremost, being selfless.” Envoy Roy Snapp-Kolas, director of urban ministry for The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division, said Buckner has come a long way. “He’s stepped a bit more out of his comfort zone,” Snapp-Kolas said. “He was reticent at first; he’s not a very boisterous person. He’s quiet, but...he’s connected to the core of the Bell Shelter.” Snapp-Kolas and Buckner first met during Buckner’s time at the Men’s Central Jail. Snapp-Kolas is part of an interdenominational ministry called Malachi Dads that helps lead those incarcerated toward a new life. “We began looking at opportunities in that he may be the best of service in,” Snapp-Kolas said. “One of the areas that he was interested in that he liked was our distribution on Skid Row,” Snapp-Kolas said. Bell Shelter distributes 30-40 sandwiches each day and holds a monthly distribution where residents of Bell Shel-
Kent Buckner recently took the soldier’s covenant at the Bell Lighthouse Corps.
ter, like Buckner, can distribute food, clothing and other necessities to those on Skid Row. Buckner said working with those experiencing homelessness is something he’s been passionate about for a long time. His love of public service is rooted in a foundation in the political sphere. “For some years I worked with the Democratic Party, doing work with voter registration,” he said. “I was the director of the program. I worked on the ‘Get Out and Vote’ campaign in the early 90s.” He has also dabbled in social work with individuals facing severe behavior disorders. Recently, Buckner even reconnected with a family member he once thought he’d never see again. “I’ve connected with my mother,” he said. “She’s been an
|Photo by Lizeth Beltran
awesome support here the last 13 months. Every weekend I spend with my mother. It’s been nice to reconnect since I haven’t lived in Los Angeles for 18 years. As a middle-aged adult, to say I’m listening to the advice of my mom, sometimes I don’t agree with it, but I have to take into account that she has my best interest in mind.” Yet, change remains his biggest challenge. “Before, transition was just an ugly word to me, because I felt like I’m an adult, I need to be able to stand on my own. But the reality is that what I’ve learned, what I’ve learned through the studies of The Salvation Army, and Hope International, is that transition is good. “It’s opened up other areas of my life,” he said. “Christianity has become a foundation for me.”|NFC
Gaming group teaches Bible, sportsmanship San Diego Kroc Center brings teens in with weekly video game tournament.
Gamers compete in tournaments at the San Diego (Calif.) Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center. |Photo by Ryan Schuler
The San Diego (Calif.) Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center launched a video game outreach group for teens early this year. Aliex Kofoed, corps program assistant, developed the idea for the weekly Teen Gaming Group to evangelize to young attendees, specifically those ages 12-17. “We do troops and stuff like that and it just wasn’t successful,” Kofoed said. “I wanted to reach them from where they’re at, and where they’re at...is video games.” According to a Pew Internet & American Life Project study, 97 percent of teens in the U.S. play video games. The games played are predominantly sports games, nothing above “Teen” rating, and played in a non-elimination format. “One of the biggest problems we have with video games is that a lot of times parents aren’t really monitoring them,” he said, “so we wanted to create a safe environment, and then we can also teach the word of Christ as well.” No matter how competitive the gaming, Kofoed always makes it a point to share the gospel. “Right at 7 o’clock, everyone has to pause, circle around and I do a devotion that I’ve created,” he said.
Kofoed’s devotions center on topics of sportsmanship, including “What kind of winner are you?” and “How do you celebrate?” Kofoed distributes points to winners of each headto-head battle, which can be put toward a drawing for a GameStop certificate. Gamers can also accrue points for showing up, bringing a Bible, bringing a friend, using good sportsmanship and completing take-home questions on the devotionals. Teens waiting on deck for a slot to open in the tournament can play board games, such as Apples to Apples. Uziah McDonald, 15, of La Mesa, Calif., said he has gone to a majority of Gamer Nights. “I don’t usually play sports a lot; I’m a gamer,” MacDonald said. “All I do is game at my house. Me bringing my skills here to play other kids is fun. I like it a lot.” In just under two months, the group has grown to roughly 30 teens. One family even came to church at the Kroc Center as a result of the Teen Gaming Group. “It’s really blown up; it’s really successful,” Kofoed said. “And it’s just something that is good to learn.” |NFC
Page 10—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
Lt. Colonels Dean and Eirwen Pallant
Meet Dean Pallant BY JOHN MURRAY, MAJOR
ON
March 1, Lt. Colonel Dean Pallant became the third director in the history of the International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), based in New York City just a few blocks from the U.N. Major John Murray, communications and literary secretary at International Headquarters (IHQ), caught up with Pallant prior to his leaving London to talk about family life, moving and his new ministry at the ISJC. JM: Dean, tell us about your family history and why you became a Salvation Army officer. DP: I was born in Zimbabwe in the heart of Africa. Both of my grandparents were British Salvation Army officers and appointed to serve in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in the 1930s and 1940s. My mother was born there and my father arrived from England as an 11-year-old boy immediately after the end of World War II. I grew up in the corps in Salisbury (now Harare) in the 1970s during the liberation war...I felt called to be a Salvation Army officer when I was 15 years old. You asked me “why I became a Salvation Army officer?” The answer is as simple. God called me. If you know God has called you, then you should go and sign up now. What other reason do you need? If the creator, governor and sustainer of all creation has a specific task for you, just do it. I was wisely advised to get some qualifications and life experience before applying for officer training. I went to the University of Cape Town and completed a degree majoring in psychology, administration and biblical studies. I then worked as a personnel officer in gold and coal mines in South Africa. This was during the 1980s. Nelson Mandela was still in prison and it was a very turbulent period of history. I had to grow up fast as I was involved in complex trade union negotiations, a number of violent strikes on the mines, and came face-to-face with the pain and suffering caused by apartheid. I learned much during these years. This was an essential part of my preparation for life as a Salvation Army officer. In 1990, just days after Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison, I flew to London and entered the officer training school in 1991. JM: Reflecting on your personal and spiritual growth and ministry, do you have any mentors who have significantly impacted your spiritual life and learning? DP: I have been blessed with many mentors. I grew up in a wonderful corps, Harare City, with many inspirational local officers. My parents have both served as local officers for more than 50 years and they testify
“I have now worked in 44 territories and four commands; the Army’s ministry around the world is tremendous, inspiring and humbling. I have never been more convinced of The Salvation Army’s Godgiven integrated mission to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.”
to being called to be local officers—not to full-time officership. I respect their calling as much as my own. Over the past 10 years I have met regularly with a professional woman local officer who has mentored me. I have found it important to seek out people who will give me constructive criticism. This has been very helpful in my personal development. I have also been inspired by many officers. Commissioners Paul and Margaret du Plessis, now retired, are both graduates of the University of Cape Town and their friendship over many years has been a great blessing. I was a soldier at Bromley Temple Corps before going into training and was mentored by the corps officers, then-Majors Shaw and Helen Clifton. After commissioning, my first divisional commander was then Major Robert Street, a wonderful example of a leader. It is dangerous mentioning people by name because there are so many people who have mentored me. JM: We understand that you have a passion for international development and the global social service and health care ministry of The Salvation Army. Tell our readers how your experience has helped shape your perspective and prepare you for this new role in New York. DP: My wife, Eirwen, and I have had the tremendous privilege of coordinating The Salvation Army’s health ministry around the world for the past seven years. Eirwen is a medical doctor and we served for four years in Zambia in the 1990s at The Salvation Army’s Chikankata Hospital. We came to IHQ in 2007 tasked with developing an international strategy for Salvation Army health ministry. We have been able to support the implementation of this strategy. Two highlights were the opening of the new Harry Williams Hospital in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and the new Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe. Being healthy is not just about hospital buildings or even dependent on doctors, nurses and technology. All these are needed, but the priority is to help people experience life in all its fullness. It has been our privilege to see Salvation Army health ministry increasingly help people experience better health in body, but that is only part of the solution. People also need healthy relationships—with their family and friends, their communities, and most importantly, Jesus Christ. During our service at IHQ, I completed a doctorate degree in theology at King’s College London. I am very grateful my leaders encouraged me to study. I researched how Salvation Army health ministry could be more faithful. This period of intensive study was very formative and has opened many doors to influence policy both within The Salvation Army and beyond our ranks. I have now worked in 44 territories and four commands; the Army’s ministry around the world is tremendous, inspiring and humbling. I have never been more convinced of The Salvation Army’s God-given integrated mission to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity. When Salvationists commit to integrated mission, God blesses the work remarkably...I think this is very important in terms of our work at the International Social Justice Commission. The Salvation Army will not have any credibility in calling for justice and reconciliation in the world unless we exemplify justice and reconciliation internally. JM: ‘Social justice’ is not simply a buzzword but a real and significant issue that
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 11
Salvationists around the world are fighting for. Readers will be interested to learn about your definition of ‘social justice’ and how you plan to engage nongovernmental (NGO) organizations and Salvationists in the global fight of justice. DP: It seems to me the term is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Some Christians—even some Salvationists—appear to think social justice is only promoted by left-wing politicians. Some seem to think ‘social justice’ is about The Salvation Army’s relationship with the United Nations. It is much more than that. My understanding of social justice is grounded in God’s justice. God desires boundless justice for every part of creation. Justice is for all people, in every part of life, in every society, without discrimination. ‘The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,’ as William Booth famously wrote. Our commitment to seek God’s justice must be a real and significant issue for every Salvationist because justice is at the heart of salvation and holiness. ‘The Salvation Army Handbook of Doctrine’ explains: ‘All our activities, practical, social and spiritual, arise out of our basic conviction of the reality of the love of God and our desire to see all people brought into relationship with him…Our doctrine reminds us that salvation is holistic: the work of the Holy Spirit touches all areas of our life and personality; all physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, our relationships with our families and with the world around us’ (page 160). This doctrine is foundational to our understanding of justice. The Salvation Army’s fight for justice must be concerned about every area of life, every relationship, in every part of the world. I have been reflecting on the book of Jeremiah in preparing for this appointment. Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse in many parts of the world, but sadly people misinterpret this verse as a promise of prosperity. In fact, chapter 29 is a challenge to each of us to promote justice in the fallen, messy, challenging places where God has sent us. “Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because your future depends on its welfare” (Jer. 29:7 CEB). For the Israelites it meant exile in Babylon—a place with little justice, much pain and much suffering. Despite this, the word of the Lord to Jeremiah was that they must stay in exile and serve—their future depended on it. Fighting for justice in not an optional extra for Salvationists—justice is at the heart of God’s salvation
plan. Seeking justice must be central to The Salvation Army’s mission. We must seek the welfare of the city to which we have been called. JM: When a new president takes office in the United States, Americans hear a lot about the first 100-day agenda. Can you share with our readers your goals and aspirations for your first 100 days in office and what your strategy is for enhancing the important work of your predecessors, Colonel Geanette Seymour and Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan. DP: I am so glad I am not a politician. We will use the first 100 days to listen and learn. Commissioner MacMillan and Colonel Seymour have been exceptional pioneers in establishing the ISJC. Eirwen and I will take time to build on their work and connect closely with the other members of the ISJC team. Having said that we know we are going to be busy. There are a couple of big tasks already in the diary. Eirwen is chairing an international task force to develop The Salvation Army’s response against human trafficking. I am coordinating a session at the Boundless Congress on Friday, July 3 at 1:30p.m. General André Cox will join a panel of global experts to discuss how people of faith can better contribute to the fight for social justice in the 21st century. I hope to meet many readers of New Frontier Chronicle on that occasion.|NFC
Top to bottom: Lt. Colonel Dean Pallant visits communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, The Philippines. Commissioner Charles Swansbury (left) and Lt. Colonel Dean Pallant with the leaders of William Booth Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. The Pallant family, including (l-r) Laurence, Dean, Rachel and Eirwen.
Page 12—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
New Salvation Army T community center opens in Romania Center funded in partnership with The Salvation Army in Norway
Many people showed up to witness the official opening of the new community center in Iași, Romania. |Photo by Lars Kristian Singelstad, Fresesarmeen
he Salvation Army Romania, in partnership with The Salvation Army Norway, recently opened a community center in Iași to respond to growing needs in the community. With a population of approximately 310,000 people, Iași is one of Romania’s largest cities. Located in the Moldavia region, it has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life. Over the next two years, more than 800 people will receive assistance, including access to education, healthcare, social protection and employment services. The center is funded until 2017, with Norway contributing approximately $3.4 million to the initiative through Norway Grants. “I am very excited about the possibilities and opportunities this project gives The Salvation Army to help people in Romania, especially the most vulnerable,” said Lt. Colonel Rodney Walters, regional coordinator for Eastern Europe. “Part of The Salvation Army work is to value these people. It’s a great opportunity to be partner with Norway Grants in this endeavor.” The community center is part of a bigger project focused on providing vulnerable groups access to education and healthcare services as well as to employment. The initiative has two main components: building community centers in two cities in Romania (Iași and Ploiesti) and removing barriers to the labor market by creating job opportunities for the families connected to the centers. To make the project sustainable, The Salvation Army will establish a small business, Salvatex, a clothes import and distribution center, based on the Norwegian model of Fretex. Through the project’s second component, participants will receive valuable experience in different vocations and earn a basic salary. The hope is they will experience the sense of accomplishment that gainful employment yields. Salvatex’s goals are to create workplaces, give participants relevant work experience, basic skills and the ability to gain employment in the outside job market. Ultimately, the project aims to help create a foundation for long-term change whereby families that today live in poverty can build a better future for themselves and their children. “This center and this project are part of a larger initiative meant to build an inclusive society in Romania,” said Norwegian Ambassador Tove Bruvik Westberg at the center’s opening. “The main objective of the project is to reduce social and economic differences by addressing the challenges connected to poverty and social exclusion in order to make Romania a good society for all.” Romania is one of the poorest countries in the European Union, with more than 40 percent of its population (around 9 million people) at risk of poverty, according to Eurostat. The European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants have provided over $350 million toward reducing social and economic disparities within Romania.|NFC From Fresesarmeen
PROJECT BEAUTY Believing in the power of beautiful creations BY JOLENE HODDER, COMMISSIONER
T
he alarm sounded. I quickly sat up, crawled out from underneath the mosquito net, stretched my arms to the ceiling, and declared, “Today, I start project beauty!” My husband Ken chuckled as he turned over, but I leapt from my bed and marched out of the room. We are in the dry season, which is perhaps the least attractive time of year in Kenya. Everything, and I mean everything, is covered in brown dust. Plants are either dormant or dying, and every insect known to science is searching for moisture. You could say that there’s been a lot of ugliness in our lives over the past few weeks. Ken came home and proudly announced he had found a “user friendly” rattrap at the market for our home. He tried to show me how it worked, but I had absolutely no interest. One of our accepted candidates recently failed to report to the training college, and she’s still missing. Her parents, her fiance, and her corps family have no idea what happened to her. She has simply vanished. In order to promote road safety, the authorities in Kakamega County have placed a wrecked vehicle on a high platform in the middle of town. While I understand their good intentions, this has been a problem for me in two ways. First, that particular car was the one in which one of our corps leaders was riding when it was struck by an out-of-control lorry. He did not survive. Second, since the car was placed on its pedestal, people have been stripping
it for parts. That doesn’t help the message. On top of all that, we have to deal with the usual amount of difficult news that reaches our offices every day. The Lord has reminded me in my prayers this morning of a quote from Elsie de Wolfe, the woman credited with turning interior design into a profession: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life.” To that I say, amen! After all, when the Lord created the world, he started with chaos and had to bring order to it. He took a shapeless mass and created a beautiful backdrop for our lives. And then, he performed the same beautiful miracle in our hearts.
So it’s clear to me that our God believes in beauty and in its power. Beauty draws you in, and says all is well. It comforts and inspires. And as children made in his image, shouldn’t we create lovely things too? We all do it differently, of course, because we all have different gifts. But every single one of us can be a creator of beauty in one way or another. So as I cleaned my home, gave myself a facial, and painted my nails yesterday as part of project beauty, I also took a moment to make a surprise tea for the guards on our compound. I prepared a gift for a young mother in need, and I wrote a letter of encouragement. Beautiful. And powerful.|NFC
Home League ladies from Bungoma cleaning up the community market. |Photo by Jolene Hodder
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 13
Arco Verde helps keep youth on track
Above: The Salvation Army helps with reforestation efforts on the Arco Verde farm land. Below: Children participate in various activities at the Arco Verde Family Integration Center. |Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army Brazil Territory
The Salvation Army in Brazil operates a community center on over 100 acres of farmland. In the Prudente de Morais municipality of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, The Salvation Army Arco Verde Family Integration Center (CIFAV) offers free educational and recreational activities to prevent students who live far from the nearest school from falling behind. The Salvation Army received a 124-acre farm in the area from a donor in 1941 to build an orphanage. Now, over 70 years later, the property is home to Arco Verde. “The CIFAV is good. Here [everyone] treats me well,” said Arco Verde program participant Angelica Graziele Pereira Goulart, adding that she gets a lot of homework help and “time to play and make many friends.” In addition to tutoring and learning exercises, CIFAV also offers technology-based classes to help participants develop employable skills for when they enter the Brazilian workforce. “I learned how to use the computer,” said Junior Ricardo Moreira da Silva, another participant. “I learn easily even though I am very busy.” Like education, youth recreational activities are limited in the area, so the center offers sports, ballet and jazz dance workshops and craft classes.
“The [program] is great,” said Ana Luiza Soares, program participant. “And the most important thing is that I can take part in ballet and soccer.” The center also looks out for the families of the children involved, offering referrals for them to access welfare and health care services. Representatives from the center do home visits to make sure the needs of the families are met. CIFAV also offers the Claves program, which works to prevent domestic violence and child abuse. The goal is to keep the children motivated in moving forward with their education in a safe, fun environment. “Look, I like everything [here] very much,” said Daniel Felipe Moura de Carmo, a participant. “The games, the soccer, the playground with the seesaw and my teacher—everybody wins here.” In addition, almost 25 acres of Arco Verde’s land is leased to local farmers and now—after the Brazilian Environment Protection Legislation required 20 percent of the land go through reforestation—The Salvation Army is involved in maintaining the 5,000 native tree saplings that were planted.|NFC
Only 43 percent of Brazil’s 25-64-yearolds has a high school diploma or higher degree. SOURCE: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Better Life Index
Preventative health efforts launch in Bahamas New program includes cooking demos and Zumba classes The Salvation Army in the Bahamas wanted to do something about the health challenges facing its nation. When The Salvation Army Switzerland Territory World Day of Prayer Committee offered to help sponsor a short-term program for women and children in the Bahamas Division, the solution became clear. The Bahamas Division developed its Health Awareness Program early this year in partnership with J-Line Fitness Center, Wholistic Lifestyle and National Health Center Nutrition to help curb preventable health conditions among Bahamians. A report by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization ranked heart and hypertensive diseases as the top two leading causes of death in the country from 2006-2009. The initiative is spearheaded by Major Beverley Ferguson, divisional director of women’s ministries, along with a team
Health program participants learn to adopt healthier lifestyles. |Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Bahamas Division
of officers, volunteers and health and fitness professionals. It includes educational seminars by health professionals, cooking demonstrations and exercise activities
like Zumba to promote health and illness prevention strategies on chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
“The program targets women and children, but men are also encouraged to attend as a healthy home is a family affair,” Ferguson said. “Armed with new strategies and a new attitude about making healthier choices, participants should see great improvement in their health and a reduction in the many non-communicable diseases, which adversely affect so many families and communities.” The program addresses issues ranging from nutrition, diet, blood pressure management, cholesterol management, early stages of breast cancer as The Bahamas has the one of the highest incidences of female breast cancer globally, mental and spiritual health, and children’s health. Participants receive health screenings at the beginning and end of each of the three 15-week sessions. Ferguson said, “We hope to change the mindset of people toward their eating and health habits and provide them with more healthy and affordable alternatives by using the very things that they see and have around them.”|NFC
Page 14—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
Salvation Factory website launches New site features multimedia resources for Salvationists BY VIVIAN GATICA The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory debuted its new Salvation Factory website, salvationfactory.org, granting Salvationists worldwide access to a host of planning and multimedia resources. Launched two years ago, the project is now centralizing its content, previously located on various social media accounts. “There wasn’t a home for everything, and it was at the point where it really needed a home,” said Envoy Steve Bussey, who developed Salvation Factory with wife Sharon. “The website gave us that opportunity.” Salvation Factory resources range from historic articles written by Salvationists including George Scott Railton, a video featuring animated Salvation Army characters, audio clips and songs by Salvationists, and graphics with quotes from Salvation Army leaders. “We’ve really streamlined our focus to being the innovation department for the territory,” Steve Bussey said. “Salvation Factory stands between tradition and innovation and really trying to understand the blueprint of Salvationism, trying to understand our identity and what the vision of The Salvation Army is.” The new website lists the services of Salvation Factory, which include planning engagements at territorial, divisional and corps levels, program and resource development, and hosting brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for programs, ministries and corps in the territory. “It’s in so many different mediums because resources come that way,” Sharon Bussey said. “Everybody’s different. Someone may want to sit down and read a four or five page article...other people just want to watch a video. There’s really something for everybody and they can go on and really just explore.” Existing Salvation Factory material has already made its way to Army audiences in Australia, Asia and South America. “I would be really happy to see Salvation Factory continue to grow in terms of what it can deliver to the frontlines,” Sharon Bussey said. “I would like to see it have a real impact in terms of how it blesses and encourages our officers who are busy and could do with the support and help of some extra resources and I would love to see it play a significant role in this new generation of Salvationists through the material we’re putting out, [so] that they really have a sense of identity in what it means to be a part of this incredible movement.”|NFC INTERMOUNTAIN DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS • DENVER, CO
DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER The Salvation Army is seeking a qualified person for this full time, exempt position. Under the direction of the Divisional Finance Director, the Divisional Controller will be responsible for the planning, organizing and directing of all accounting, auditing, banking, budgeting and financial reporting activities for Salvation Army entities across the 4 state regions of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Responsibilities include, but not limited to, overseeing all accounting activities, building and maintaining systems/processes as well as overseeing/directing all monthly, quarterly & yearend closings. The Salvation Army, Intermountain Division Headquarters, is located in beautiful downtown Denver, Colorado. The Headquarters is close to abundant skiing, mountain hiking/ biking and national park opportunities. Position is full-time salaried with an attractive benefit package and competitive salary. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, active CMA and/or CPA. MBA a plus. Minimum 10 yrs. progressive accounting/financial experience preferably in non-profit sector w/minimum 5 yrs. supervisory experience. If interested, please provide a letter of introduction, salary requirements and resume to: Human Resources Supervisor 1370 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO 80203
Moussa Elmoussa made one phone call that eventually yielded $20,000 in food donations for The Salvation Army in Renton, Wash. |Photo by © Tony Leonhardt, Art by Leonhardt Photography
One phone call yields food for a community Moussa Elmoussa was tired of seeing low yielding food drives, so he did something about it. A small business owner in Renton, Wash., cultivated a simple idea, acted on it and watched it lead to a large donation to The Salvation Army in his community. Moussa Elmoussa owns Gyros House Mediterranean Grill restaurant at The Landing in Renton, a local shopping center. Each year, the center hosts a food drive for The Salvation Army. Typically, the drive depends on shoppers and business owners to donate non-perishable food—usually one or two cans donated per person. Every year, Elmoussa felt disappointment that the food drive didn’t yield more donations. For the most recent drive, he decided to address the matter, calling his vendors asking them to donate to the campaign. “I thought, ‘Wow, I bet I can get more food,’” said Elmoussa. “I am going to contact my suppliers. I buy food—and we’re talking big money—from them. Perhaps they would like to donate.” His first call was to West Coast Pita. Elmoussa spoke to his friend and owner of the company, Ali Shibane, and requested a donation. Shibane said he’d consider it. One hour later, Shibane called back to say the company would donate ten pallets (almost $20,000 in food) to The Salvation Army. Elmoussa was so im-
FIRE SURVIVORS
pressed with the donation that he drove to the warehouse himself to pick it up. That positive response inspired Elmoussa to call others, including family-owned Evergreen International Inc., who immediately gave five cases each of their vegetables. “It’s incredible how one person can really make a difference for many,” said Renton Landing marketing director Sallye Soltner. “It shows that the gift of giving can be contagious. We planted a seed of an idea and watched such an incredible cause bloom.” Major Kris Potter was pleasantly surprised by the donation. “We have a great partnership with The Renton Landing, but now it is growing to a new level because of one man’s idea,” he said. “We’ll use these donations in our food bank and at our nightly community supper.” Furthermore, Elmoussa is determined to make this an annual tradition. West Coast Pita and Gyro House have promised to donate the same amount each year. Elmoussa said, “My philosophy is: it doesn’t matter how much money you have. When you die you can’t take it with you. When you leave, make sure you leave something good behind.” |NFC
FROM PAGE 1
Cross began running the shelter and later transitioned operations to The Salvation Army. The San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA) also worked to facilitate midto-long term housing matches. “In an event like this, where the needs of the displaced resident are so great, they are best served when all of the responding agencies are coordinated,” said Benjamin Amyes, HSA disaster response manager. “A response like this would easily challenge the resources of one agency, and the services required need to come from various programs.
Only through a coordinated effort can all of the multiple resources be brought to bear.” After the Red Cross ceased management of the shelter, it continued providing casework, referrals, guidance and additional assistance at an off-site location. “While some individuals and families secured new housing options, factors of affordability, safety, and the emotional strain of suddenly losing a home of 20-plus years made locating a new residence more difficult for others,” said John McKnight, emergency disaster services director for The
N a t i o n a l A d v i s o r y O r g a n i z a t i o n s C o n f e r e n c e 2 0 16
cannon.bundy@usw.salvationarmy.org Fax: Human Resources Supervisor at (303) 866.9263
SAL140065_NAOC AD_7_45x4_75.indd 1
Phoenix, AZ
April 21-24, 2016
expectchange2016.org
Salvation Army Golden State Division. “The intent of this short-term extension was to give the displaced a few more days to search for a feasible solution.” The Salvation Army provided vouchers for individuals to select replacement furniture as they secured new places to live, along with vouchers for new clothing, personal products, and items for the children and teens in the shelter. Volunteers from The Salvation Army San Francisco Mission Corps also hosted family game nights, movie nights, and special birthday festivities for survivorsTHE celebrating birthdays to make the RICHARDS shelter feel moreGROUP like home. JOB: “We’reTRG tried to SAL-14-0065 give these survivors up to one month to find housing following the CLIENT: Salvation Army fire,” McKnight said. “It wasn’t much time, AD NAME: Change but was aExpect manageable amount to find anothPUB(S): er place to live, even a temporary one.” The War Cry Since INSERTION the opening of the shelter, several DATE: TBD San Francisco businesses—including TarTRIM: tine Bakery, BiRite Grocery, Delfina, TacoliLIVE: cious, HeyDay, GoodEggs, Sprig, Namu, Ber7.45 x 4.75 nal Cutlery, Kasa Indian, Arizmendi, Lefty BLEED: O’Douls, - and Heirloom Café—contributed COLOR/LS: more than half of the meals served to shelCMYK/133 ter residents. The Salvation Army San FranQUESTIONS: Brenda Talavera cisco’s Central Kitchen, Harbor Light Center, 214-891-5871 Adult Rehabilitation Center and Mission Corps provided the rest of the meals. “We [were] blessed to be [in] a position to help a lot of people,” McKnight said. “Long after this shelter closes, we will continue to support this population as we know recovery will take time.”|NFC
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March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 15
ww
“Rob Birks has done us all a favor in bringing to our attention again the poetry and writing of John Gowans.”
—COLONEL JANET MUNN
Prose and poetry inspired by the poetry of John Gowans
SOMEONE CARED BY ROB BIRKS FOREWORD BY CHARLIE PEACOCK
His most popular in Salvation Army circles is, arguably, “Someone Cares,” which begins with the lyric: “Do you sometimes feel that no one truly knows you, and that no one understands or really cares?” The answer? Someone cares! I am so thankful that John Gowans also cared. He cared enough to contemplate and communicate the unmerited, unconditional and unending love of God, a love that is for everyone, whether they care or couldn’t care less. Sadly (for us not for him), John Gowans died in December 2012. However, he left a legacy of lyrics and willed his words to all who would enter into and enjoy them. Here’s praying you do both between these covers.
“With the backdrop of The Salvation Army’s century and a half of service to the world’s poor, these songs and reflections are born of meaningful engagement with a living Gospel.”
HILD EN 2015
‘Pray continually’ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
ROB BIRKS
most part, he has been doing his best to know Jesus more deeply and serve Him more authentically since then. Rob loves baseball, reading,
Prose and prayers inspired by the poetry of John Gowans
Photo by Emily Birks
book. His first, ORSBORNAGAIN – A New Look at Old Songs of New Life (Frontier Press, 2013) is a collection of writings inspired by the poetry of Albert Orsborn.
Frontier Press
SOMEONEcared4.indd 1
Day of Prayer for
—SARA GROVES, SINGER SONGWRITER
ROB MET JESUS in his childhood, and totally committed his life to the Lord in 1985. For the
music, his family and his Creator (in the opposite order). Alongside Stacy, his partner in marriage and ministry, Rob enjoys leading and serving God’s people. Someone Cared is Rob’s second
SOMEONE CARED
THE POET, JOHN GOWANS (former international leader of The Salvation Army), wrote love songs.
New reflections from the author of “OrsbornAgain.” Order yours today.
International
SOMEONECARED BY ROB BIRKS
frontierpress.org• $9.99 ISBN: 978-0-9908776-1-5
12/9/14 11:37 AM
SunDay 29 March 2015 sar.my/dopchildren2015
Page 16—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
loud call
crimson sea
fulness of mercy
Salvation
World Redeeming Life-giving Flood! gladly spent in promoting his praise
my soul
The Whole
mighty to save
rich & so free
mercy
tears of remorse come, roll over me! salvation for you My sins they are manyThy waters can cleanse me with temptation loud call tossed with temptation I'll be Waters can cleanse me fulness of mercy They bind my poor soul passions are strong
O Boundless Salvation!
mighty ocean
come, roll over me! so
salvation for you and for me.
And now, hallelujah!
rich and so free
HALLELUJAH! June 11-14, 2015 | Pasadena Convention Center
waters save tears deep ocean of love plunge 'neath the fulness of mercy I'll be
come, roll over me! Thy waters can They bind my soul I'm touching the wave
My sins they are many
so rich and
But useless haunted
gladly
cleanse me
useless is weeping haunted with fears life-giving flood! Hallelujah! salvation for you salvation for you and for me. Whole World Redeeming
roll over me
my passions are strong
mighty
mighty ocean Salvation
come, roll over me!
so free fulness of mercy life My Faith’s Growing Bolder
life
fears Thy waters cleanse me
be spent in promoting his praise
And now, hallelujah!
with fears Salvation
COMMISSIONING WEEKEND 2015 …Celebrating 150 Years of The Salvation Army …Celebrating Our Covenant …Celebrating the Heralds of Grace THURSDAY JUNE 11 7:00 p.m. FRIDAY JUNE 12 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. SATURDAY JUNE 13 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
STAFF BAND AND STAFF SONGSTERS CONCERT (Pasadena Tabernacle Corps) COMMENCEMENT (CFOT) 150 Years of Salvationism (Museum of the West) Silver Star Banquet (By invitation) TradeWest Open MICHAEL W. SMITH IN CONCERT
FOF Breakfast (By invitation) ENCORE! TradeWest Open FAITH & LIFE WORKSHOPS Slaying Conflict-Healing Souls 10 Ways to MAN UP Your Corps without Scaring the Women Away 서군국 한인 이민 목회안으로 여러분을 초청합니다. “당신은 왜 구세군 병사이십니까?” La adoración que une generaciones y ¡Cantando Aleluya! Expresión salvacionista de alabanza Long Service Lunch (By invitation)
SATURDAY JUNE 13 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
FAITH & LIFE WORKSHOPS London-Here We Come! Names of God: Living in His Presence Culture: Theology & Film Hallelujah! Multicultural Rally TradeWest Open Bible Bowl BIBLE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP Book Signing Living a Life with Integrity Dr. Robert Docter, O.F. Recovery Dinner (By invitation) MUSICAL: COVENANT
SUNDAY JUNE 14 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Sunday School Assembly COMMISSIONING & ORDINATION Commissioning Lunch SERVICE OF APPOINTMENTS
Michael W. Smith tickets available from www.ticketmaster.com All other tickets from www.uswevents.org
USA Western Territory
Page 17 March 2015
Top: The effects of the drought on the outback Left: Lts. Simon and Natalie Steele, chaplains with The Salvation Army Rural Support Services, in outback Queensland. The helicopter allows them to reach isolated areas otherwise inaccessible. Right: Farmers and livestock face dire conditions. |Photos courtesy of the Australia Eastern Territory
‘Salvos Rural Appeal’ launches in Australia The Salvation Army supports farmers through drought and isolation. and Queensland provide long-term practical, emotional and social support to thousands of Australians. Chaplains have reported that the need for assistance in managing depression very low place and and financial problems is increasing, exacerbated by isolation and a reluctance to seek the lovely Salvation help. “If times are tough, farmers have less income to employ farm-hands, leaving them Army chaplains were too busy to seek assistance in times of need,” Wilkes said. “That’s why The Salvation Army’s Rural Support Services are crucial. Our rural the ones that always support staff drive and fly hundreds of thousands of kilometers every year to visit isolated letting farmers know that they’re supported us, always properties, not forgotten and that there is help available.” The Salvation Army’s Farmstay Program utilizes chaplains and other volunteers to look got us up, when after properties to give farmers a holiday. Marie Turnbull, a retired farmer from Mayfield near Quambone in western New South nobody else did.” Wales (NSW), has endured many tough times over the years, including droughts and floods. —MARIE TURNBULL Salvation Army rural chaplains have been a constant support to her family. “We have been in a very low place and the lovely Salvation Army chaplains were the ones that always supported us, always got us up, when nobody else did,” she said. “I can’t thank The Salvation Army enough.” Third-generation sheep, cattle and goat
“We have been in a
W
ith drought increasing its grip on rural Australia, The Salvation Army is encouraging Australians unaffected by drought to support struggling farmers through the Salvos Rural Appeal. “Having supported farmers for more than 100 years, we know that rural communities go through times of plenty, and times of need,” said Pam Wilkes from The Salvation Army’s Rural Support Services. “If Australians living in cities or rural communities who are flourishing can get behind our rural appeal, they will be enabling us to maintain and grow our much-needed support services for regional communities, ensuring that The Salvation Army will be there for them, and others, when times are tough.” The Salvation Army’s 15 chaplains, rural and regional centers and outback flying service in the Northern Territory
farmers Phil and Barb Hodges live alone on their 1,975-acre farm at Barraba in northern NSW. “Their help by minding our farm on occasions, for us has been the difference between having a break from the pressures of drought and finances and having to force ourselves to soldier on under very difficult circumstances and maybe eventually breaking down,” Phil Hodges said. The National Farmers Federation (NFF) endorses the appeal and has thanked The Salvation Army for its work in support of rural communities. “Strong, tough and hardy people need help from time to time. We all do. It’s part of being human,” said NFF President Brent Finlay. “Farmers care about their fellow Australians, and we’re grateful to know that they care about us, too.” The Rural Support Services relies on corporate and individual donations, as well as the Army’s own funds. Donations to the Salvos Rural Appeal will enable The Salvation Army to provide increased levels of practical and social support to rural and remote communities in need. “It’s Australians supporting each other, standing shoulder-to-shoulder,” Wilkes said. “And it’s powerful because it’s so close to home. Donating to the Salvos Rural Appeal is an investment for tough times ahead.”|NFC
Page 18—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
SEEDS OF FAITH
BOOK REVIEWS
‘Someone Cared’ BY LISA BARNES, CAPTAIN I hate singing. I especially dislike hymns. Please don’t hate me for this confession—it’s just not my bag. To me they often feel distant and unrelatable, especially when the words aren’t in the normal order that we say them in. Dyslexic problems. So a devotional book based on hymns is something I wouldn’t normally run to read. That is until I read Rob Birks’ book, “Someone Cared” (Frontier Press, 2015). I smiled like a crazy person while reading most of this book because of the humor and relevance of it all. Even on the chapters that I didn’t like, such as #PrayForSPU, I was caught in contemplation and thankfulness of the presence of God. This book had me hooked from the beginning of the introduction where Birks talks about legendary duos in music and mentions Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I knew at that line that even as a post-modern Millennial, that this book was for me too. Rob uses personal asides to show his humanness and his sense of humor. If you read more than a chapter or two at a time these can get distracting, but if that is the worst part of this book, then bring on the short-lived distractions. The transitions from topic to topic in each chapter are flawless, and when they aren’t they are at least funny. In the chapter “Burning Burning,” Birks jumps from bands who have sung about San Francisco, to the Giants winning several World Series, to the show “Full House,”
BY LIM CHEE KWEE, MAJOR
to a 1906 earthquake, to the danger of fire, to a pillar of fire by night, to the fire of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it felt like I was playing a word association game with a person who is hopped up on Nyquil, but in the best way possible. The chapter “Stuff of Mankind” made me cry my eyes out. I could see the glory of the Christmas story, my own hurt, as well as the hope of Jesus I’d like to show for others. In the chapter “A Motley Crew,” Birks talks about how God uses people who are a hot mess to show his love and grace. He says, “If we read, teach, and sing only sanitized Scripture lessons, we run the risk of buying into the lies that our lives should be trouble-free, and that God only uses perfect people.” This reminded me that God could use me—even me—to show his love to a bruised and hurting world for the cause of Christ. That is good news. The last chapter reflects on the life of holiness and ends with the phrase, “Someone still cares.” The book ends here, but this is our springboard for what comes next. I highly recommend this book. Regardless of age, where you are on your journey with Christ, or what your vocation may be, this is a timeless devotional that could lead us all on a closer walk with Jesus. More than anything, I am thankful for the reminder that someone still cares.|NFC
“Seeds of Faith” (The Salvation Army Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory, 2015) by Commissioner Grace Bringans is set for a March release as the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory reaches its centenary. An ardent writer of Salvation Army history, Bringans wants readers to be inspired by devoted Salvationists and thankful for God’s faithfulness over the 100 years of Army work in Myanmar (previously known as Burma). In addition to the text, over 100 photos leave the reader with a sense of the movement, clocked by the watchmen of Myanmar, who knew faith as a spiritual principle of kingdom growth. You will hold in your hands living history filled with gems as we trace how God is sovereign and in control over human affairs and diverse circumstances. Bringans set out a detailed account as a testament to the unwavering faith of dedicated Salvationists, who sustained battle scars for the sake of growth and the stand for Christ. “The ‘Golden Land’ of Burma, renamed Myanmar in 1989, is an intriguing and largely unknown Asian country,” writes General André Cox of the book. “How then was The Salvation Army planted in this predominantly Buddhist land? The answers are found in this mustread historical record that gives wonderful insight into Burma and its people, as well as the valiant Salvationists over almost 100 years, totally dedicated to fulfilling the Founder, General William Booth’s vision to ‘win the world for Jesus.’ Salvation Army ‘seeds of faith’ were planted from 1915, trusting in God’s blessing that one day He would give a great harvest of souls.” The mission of The Salvation Army in Myanmar is a moving account of God’s unending pursuit to heal this land. We believe God has more harvest for us to reap in the days ahead until Jesus comes. To order, email literary@smm.salvationarmy.org.|NFC
WEST EXPANDS MEN’S MINISTRIES New ‘ManUp’ website offers resources to corps, small groups Men may account for most of the senior pastors in the U.S, yet it’s predominantly women who fill churches. One possible explanation: less than 10 percent of U.S. churches can maintain an active men’s ministry, according to a survey from the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries. Major Don Gilger recently stepped in as men’s ministries secretary for The Salvation Army Western Territory, the first officer in the Western Territory to hold the position. He wants to make sure The Salvation Army bucks the trend. “I think we’re realizing how important [men’s ministries] really is,” Gilger said. “Men have been crying out saying, ‘We don’t have any resources. We don’t have anything that really helps us to be able to be better men or to teach each other.’” The typical U.S. congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61 percent female and 39 percent male, according to the U.S. Congrega-
tional Life Survey. The Barna Research study, “Women are the Backbone of Christian Congregations in America,” estimates midweek activities at churches nationwide routinely draw between 70-80 percent female participants. “Is it true that men are less religious? That’s really quite false because that doesn’t play true if you’re a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu, but with [Christian] churches in America that seems to be true,” Gilger said. “If you’re Jewish, you attend synagogue and you lead your family; if you’re a Muslim you lead your family, you make sure that everyone’s praying every day.” So, Gilger developed manup.salvationarmy. org, which features a series of Bible studies for men he created himself, as well as access to “The Beautiful Fight,” a one-year men’s discipleship program developed by the Southern Territory. The resources guide men to grow spiritually and gain greater involvement in their respective congregations. Gilger also provides ideas for developing men’s ministries ideas in your corps, including sports teams and emergency disaster services missions. Within an hour of the website’s
launch, Gilger said he received over 100 emails from around the country, thanking him. “What we’re trying to do with the website is resource men so that they have somewhere to go,” he said. “My idea is when men get together in coffee shops and men get together Saturday mornings, I want to make sure that they have something that’s biblical that they can use.” Further, he wants to hold “Go for Guys” Sundays throughout the territory to broaden outreach efforts to men. “We could do it on Super Bowl Sunday one week or maybe at a car show another week,” he said. “Just so they know there’s something for them.” During Commissioning this June, David Murrow, author of Christian bestseller “Why Men Hate Going to Church” (Thomas Nelson, 2004), will conduct an interactive session on “10 Ways to Man Up Your Corps.” He’ll play a video with a sermon on ways to make your congregation male-friendly, and Skype in to discuss the material with those in attendance. As Gilger said, “The whole idea is to inspire men to be great.”|NFC
The typical U.S. congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61 percent female, 39 percent male Midweek activities at churches nationwide routinely draw between 70-80 percent female participants SOURCE: Barna Research, U.S. Congregational Life Survey
Two-time delegate Soldier who participated in Army’s 100th anniversary will be there for 150th BY ALEEN BRADLEY
Sheryl Callahan (left) with members of the Eastern Australia Timbrelists. |Photos courtesy of Sheryl Callahan
Salvationist Sheryl Callahan attended the 1965 Centennial Celebration as a delegate of the Eastern Australia Timbrelists and will attend Boundless – The Whole World Redeeming again as a delegate this July with the Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters. At 18, Callahan said the international event was a unique experience. The Eastern Australia Timbrelist group was the first of its kind, and toured cities around the world for four months. The 25 timbrelists conducted two-hour concerts and open air events. They had traveled for over a month by the time they arrived in London—alongside 1,800 Salvationists from around the world who gathered to observe the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Salvation Army. The group visited historical Salvation Army sites, and rubbed shoulders with The Joystrings, a popular Salvation Army beat band. Queen Elizabeth spoke at the inaugural ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, and Salvationists marched
from Horse Guards Parade to Trafalgar Square. Callahan said she remembers the excitement of “seeing the international flavor of The Salvation Army” there and feeling “very proud” to be a part of it all. As a teenager, she said she felt the experience was particularly significant in solidifying her place in the church. “I never really felt like I should be anywhere else,” she said. Now a soldier of the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps, Callahan has served as a timbrelist, songster, corps secretary and Sunday school teacher since joining the corps in 1977. At this year’s international celebration of The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary, Callahan wants to see “the Lord’s hand on the work of the Army worldwide. I’m hoping to see it as exciting as I saw it 50 years ago,” she said. “Because the world has changed so much, it will be an uplifting experience, I think, to see how the Lord has used the Army over the last 50 years.” For new delegates, she encouraged: “If you’re open, there’s no way the Lord won’t speak to you.”|NFC
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 19
‘O BOUNDLESS SALVATION’
Since 1893, the ‘Founder’s Song’ remains a favorite BY RONALD W. HOLZ
As thousands of Salvationists prepare to gather this July in London for Boundless The Whole World Redeeming, I envision delegates singing The Salvation Army’s quintessential hymn, Founder William Booth’s “O Boundless Salvation.” First designed for the 1893 Boundless Salvation spiritual campaign in Great Britain, the song received musical treatment at pivotal moments in Salvationist history and is still a favorite of congregations today. Composed in just one, long evening, it was sung to an obscure tune previously connected to an older hymn, “My Jesus, I love Thee.” To this, Booth requested that a popular chorus, in 6/8 time, be added: “The Heavenly gales are blowing.” The premiere came during the Boundless Congress weekend, Nov. 14-15, 1893, in London’s Exeter Hall. This was not Booth’s first song; it was the fourth in a string of popular texts, including “Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame.” Currently, “The Song Book of The Salvation Army” contains all seven verses of the anthem. However, that was not always the case. In the first congregational song book (1899-1900), only the text with five verses appears at the bottom of the page in the keyboard edition (#185) below “My Jesus I Love Thee.” A note states: “another song to the above tune,” but with no mention of the added chorus. Meanwhile in the U.S., in Commander Frederick Booth Tucker’s “Favorite Songs of the Salvation Army,” the song appears under the title “The Heavenly Gales are Blowing.” Commander Evangeline Booth then reprinted it in 1905 in “Popular Songs of the Flag,” again with just five verses. In 1917, as #185 of “Salvation Songs,” it shows up with only four verses, words and music, with no chorus. By the 1930 revised edition of “The Song Book of The Salvation Army” it gained status—placed
first, with all seven verses. However, the chorus faded to a memory of older veterans. Having all seven verses allows the congregation the full impact of Booth’s remarkable progression via a simple, yet profound metaphor—the ocean as the all-encompassing, redeeming love of Christ. Booth proclaimed the gospel message to whosoever—“the whole world redeeming.” The song states up front a “fullness of mercy” available to all. The line then runs from the recognition of sin to salvation gained, and finally, faith strengthened. Verse two begins with what seems to be a personal confession by the author. You can trace Booth’s use of the first-person singular throughout all seven verses. Also note the final, universal application—“for you and for me!” Booth wished the song to capture as many hearts as possible. Accounts of the song’s use at key moments in Salvation Army history add something to the hymn’s normal year-in, year-out use within our movement. In his last public appearance on May 9, 1912, Booth led the song before a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall even as he struggled with health problems. During the 50th anniversary American National Congress, John Philip Sousa conducted a band of over 700 members in “The Salvation Army March” on May 17, 1930. Sousa had been approached by Commander Evangeline Booth to write a march in honor of the event. He dedicated it to her and incorporated “O Boundless Salvation” in the trio or second part of the march. When first heard at the premiere, thousands of Salvationists broke into spontaneous applause at the sound of that tune. When he first decided to use the tune, Sousa had all seven verses sung to him and declared that General Booth “had been inspired.” When The Salvation Army celebrated its centenary in 1965, the Royal Albert Hall once again resounded with the anthem, this time in a majestic arrangement by Dean Goffin using the full resources of the International Staff Band, fanfare trumpeters, and the hall’s mighty pipe organ sup-
General William Booth
|Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army National Archives
porting the congregation’s singing. This setting soon became available to all Salvation Army bands worldwide and maintained consistent use until William Himes provided a new, festive arrangement in 1999 for the visit of General John Gowans to the USA Central Territory. This fourverse congregational accompaniment appeared the next year at the Millennial International Congress in 2000 in Atlanta, Ga., and soon appeared in the General
Series band journal. Interestingly, Himes lowered the pitch of the melody to make it easier to sing. Booth’s imagery in this song may seem a remnant of the late Victorian Age. Yet its message of the boundless, redeeming love of Christ will continue to have a lasting impact in worship. Each generation will take the anthem as its own, but the inspiration that first brought forth this compelling hymn will remain.|NFC
‘Telling Our Stories’ New bi-annual publication features rich history of The Salvation Army in the American West BY KEVIN JACKSON, MAJOR I love a good story. In fact, I believe our stories are what in great part make us fully human. My grandmother, one of the greatest storytellers I have ever known, held my attention for hours while spinning one yarn after another. Some of her stories were about our family; others were about the world in which we lived. She shared vivid stories of her childhood growing up during the Great Depression in Detroit, Mich., as well as legends of a family ghost who lived in the back bedroom of her house on Edison Street. Her stories define much of who I am and how I view the world. They provide a lens through which I understand my life. One of my favorite quotes sums up my feelings on stories and storytelling: “God created man because he loves stories.” Our stories in The Salvation Army are as deep and rich as any I know. When we look closely at The Salvation Army in days gone by, we realize our history isn’t one large consensus past. Our stories aren’t just “doughnut girls” and “Joe the Turk.” Our history weaves a tapestry of thousands upon thousands of stories of individuals and groups of people who together have lived out the mission of The Salvation Army over 150 years. As a historian, I’m convinced of the power contained in our stories. For most of our history, The Salvation Army has placed a significant emphasis upon stories. We call
these testimonies. Each of our stories, whether individual or corporate, is a testimony of those things we believe and the experiences we have encountered. We need to understand the power in our stories, the power to transform the lives of others and the power to encourage, inspire and illuminate those who call The Salvation Army their own. Our stories are an amazing seedbed for accomplishing the mission of The Salvation Army. Stories drive us to think about and enact our faith, so we began a project to do just that. A biannual book will share some of the most significant stories in The Salvation Army’s history in the American West. “Telling Our Stories” is not a traditional history. It’s not a chronologically written record of times, dates and places, traveling from our original roots through to the present. Rather, it provides a non-linear approach to our past through our stories. Some of these stories are about individuals; others tell the story of programs and ministries, some that existed for short periods of time and others that continue today. At times the stories focus on a place or even a building. Most importantly, all of these
stories share bits and pieces of who we are as Salvationists. Our hope is that you, the reader, will take in each individual story and appreciate it for the wonderful tale it provides, and that you will also come away with a better understanding of the greater story of The Salvation Army. In the first edition, set for release this spring, you will find stories and photographs on four testimonies that capture our rich history. “Remembering Mission2000,” by former Western territorial commander and General Paul Rader (Ret.) recounts the development and implementation of the West’s initiative, Mission2000—a defining moment in the territory. “For My Kinsmen’s Sake,” by Lt. Col. Check Yee, O.F., chronicles the San Francisco Chinatown Corps, from its inception to the present day—a model of innovation and perseverance. “The Manhattan Project,” by Commissioners Bill and Gwen Luttrell records the work of The Salvation Army among the youth counterculture in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 70s. For many young people on the streets of Los Angeles, sex, drugs, and rock and roll had a bad ending, and the Manhattan Project was there to offer hope. “The Training College at 801 Silver Avenue,” by Lt. Col. Stephen Smith shares a unique tale centered around a building with a fascinating backstory. We believe if you love a good story, this publication will be for you. Find this book and more at frontierpress.org.|NFC
Page 20—New Frontier CHRONICLE •March 2015
When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
(John Henry Sammis)
‘TRUST AND OBEY’ 187 delegates participate at Future Officers Fellowship Retreat BY J. KOEBEL, LT. The lyrics to the traditional hymn “Trust and Obey” defined The Salvation Army Western Territory’s Future Officers Fellowship (FOF) Retreat Feb. 6-8 at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont with 187 delegates from all 10 divisions. “It is a privilege to serve in the Western Territory, guiding and encouraging God’s people to follow his will,” said Major Bob Louangamath, territorial candidates’ secretary. “With the support from the field, 23 candidates have already been accepted with six more months to go. All glory to God as he leads his people to fully trust in his will for their lives.” Emotions ran high for many delegates as they considered decisions that would shape their futures. “Leading up to the weekend we were praying on a few decisions that we had to make—decisions that we knew others wouldn’t understand, but it wasn’t about other people; it was about our walk with the Lord,” said Dan Garrett of the Sierra del Mar Division’s El Cajon Corps, a preliminarily approved candidate. “At the opening meeting, Commissioner Knaggs asked, ‘Are you prepared to follow Jesus?’ With tears in our eyes, my wife, Taneya, and I walked up to the altar and left our decision there, at the foot of the cross, and that’s when we prayed together. Now we are prepared to follow Jesus.” As the weekend progressed, the message of God’s spirit continued to unfold for the delegates. Each division’s candidates met for Bible studies based on the theme, “Trust and Obey.” Workshops covered a wide range of topics, including how to study the Bible, stewardship, holiness, cadet and officer life and the Army worldwide. On Saturday night, “The Brain Show” entertained and challenged participants, testing memory skills and even dance moves with questions on the Bible, Salvationists and other topics. The retreat concluded Sunday in a service that combined messages from the weekend. “God spoke in that quiet, calm voice that pierces heart and soul,” said Lt. Ashley Koebel, associate divisional youth secretary for the Sierra del Mar Division. “It was moving to see as each person expressed the passion in their hearts to simply ‘trust and obey.’”|NFC
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 21
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs, Western territorial leaders, with Major Bob Louangamath and Captain Joanne Louangamath, territorial candidates’ secretary and assistant secretary, respectively; l-r: Delegates Lincoln Hawk, Claire O’Brien, Leah Fowler, Aleen Bradley and Joshua Young; l-r: Catha Pfister, Kevin Pfister, Lena Laa, Daniel Russell, Rosanna Garcia and Esmeralda Torres; Delegates Yonathan Escobar and Dan Garrett at a workshop; Lt. Colonel Doug O’Brien, personnel secretary (center), participates in the Brain Show with Evelyn Quintana and Harry Kim. |Photos by Shane Halverson and Dave Shull
Page 22—New Frontier CHRONICLE • March 2015
USA WEST NEWS BRIEFS ALASKA
EDS training in Juneau
Fifteen people attended The Salvation Army’s Emergency Assistance in Disaster Operations course, held at the Moose Lodge in Juneau. This may be the first instance of The Salvation Army partnering with a Moose Lodge to provide emergency disaster services (EDS) training, according to Jenni Ragland, service extension director and EDS director for The Salvation Army in Alaska, who conducted the open, community-wide training. Carol Pitts, Juneau Corps soldier and member of the Women of the Moose, helped coordinate the event. Participants included Juneau’s emergency program manager, a Southeast Alaska Red Cross representative and the Moose Grand Council chairperson, who, Ragland says, hopes to expand the training to Moose members in Anchorage, Sitka and possibly Ketchikan. “The Salvation Army is written into the city’s response plan for any disaster and this recent training sparked interest and support from Juneau’s city manager and its LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) members,” said Lt. Lance Walters, Juneau corps officer. “The training helps build a team of trained volunteers who support the work of The Salvation Army here in Juneau.” CASCADE
Second annual Salem community dinner
The Salvation Army of Oregon’s Marion and Polk counties partnered with the Salem Alliance Church to host the second annual community dinner on Feb. 20. Over 100 individuals—many facing homelessness—attended the event, held at the Salem Alliance Church. “The Community Meal is a collaborative effort that makes a simple statement,” said Pastor Gordon Bergman from Salem Alliance Church. “God loves and cares about every person.” Alliance church members, Salvationists and friends of The Salvation Army—including advisory board members, staff and volunteers—served and dined with the guests. “The ladies at my table were from a sober living house,” said Major John Stennett, Salem Kroc Center corps officer and Marion and Polk counties coordinator. “They said they felt special because we had linens and they were served at their table. One man was surprised that he didn’t have to clear his own dirty dishes. They felt loved and appreciated.” DEL ORO
New transitional homes
Recently The Salvation Army held a ceremony to dedicate four new homes in Chico, Calif., to be used as part of the Ann and Emmett Skinner Transitional Living Program.
The duplexes will serve single single-parent families who have successfully transitioned out of The Salvation Army adult rehabilitation program. The home is given completely furnished and free to the families. At the dedication, the Army thanked donors, contractors and volunteers who made the homes possible. “It’s not a new place, it’s not a hotel, it’s not a camp somewhere,” Envoy Tawnya Stumpf explained to KRCR News. “They have a place to call home. A warm bed, food on the table, homework can get done. We’re looking to complete the family unit and help them recognize where they’re going.” GOLDEN STATE
Free licenses are also available for Native Americans who have resided continuously in California for the last six months, have never been convicted by Fish and Game, and meet income requirements. Individuals who are blind, mobility impaired and developmentally disabled may also be eligible. The family service office is mainly known for supplying emergency food boxes and help with utility bills. Counseling and referrals are also regular services. HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS
Refrigerator for community
The Salvation Army Hawaii’s Kokua Soup Kitchen will now have a refrigerator thanks to the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board’s $15,000 donation to the Army and other community agencies. Since 2001, the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board has donated almost $900,000 to nonprofits in Hawaii. INTERMOUNTAIN
Golden State EDS on-site for Mono County fire
One week after the Round Fire struck Mono County, Calif., destroying 40 homes and injuring four individuals, The Salvation Army continued its efforts to support the fire survivors within the Swall Meadows and Paradise communities. Salvation Army volunteers provided daily meals, snacks and drinks to fire containment crews, clean-up teams and residents returning to the burn site. In the nearby town of Bishop, Calif., The Salvation Army was on-site at the Tri County Fairgrounds offering toiletries, clothing, bedding, referrals, limited financial assistance and access to emergency shelter. Salvation Army response teams also provided emotional care and counseling to survivors struggling with losing their homes. The Salvation Army met with members of the Bishop community to begin the first steps of creating an Eastern Sierra VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters). VOAD associations improve outcomes for people affected by disasters by facilitating cooperation, communication, coordination, and collaboration among nonprofit organizations, community-based groups, government agencies, and for-profit companies. “The Round Fire has established an opportunity for local businesses and volunteer groups to come together and plan for the next emergency,” said John McKnight, Emergency and Disaster Services director for the Golden State Division. “A VOAD is a great way to respond to emergency situations in an organized and coordinated manner.” Additionally, The Salvation Army assisted with the Swall Meadows neighborhood meeting, providing both meals and materials needed.
Modesto offers fishing licenses
A little-known service provided by The Salvation Army family service office in Modesto, Calif., is free fishing licenses. Applications are being taken at this time. Any person 65 years of age or older who is a resident of the state and whose total monthly income does not exceed $877.40 for a single person, or $1,478.20 for married persons, is eligible. Any honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more, or any service member recovering from a serious injury or illness related to the member’s military service qualifies.
throughout San Bernardino County for transitional and permanent housing and rapid re-housing. The funds will also be put toward mental health counseling, street outreach, employment counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Other participating agencies include Central City Lutheran Mission, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, Foothill Family Shelter, Frazee Community Center, Global One Development, House of Prayer-Gospel Outreach Ministries Inc., Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino and Inland Temporary Homes. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Santa Clarita vets outreach
The Salvation Army Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita WorkSource Center began offering one-on-one job search assistance to veterans the third Wednesday of each month. An advisor from The Salvation Army Haven shelter joins veterans for a two-hour session to help them polish resumes and learn job search techniques to gain employment. SOUTHWEST
Providing another chance
Della was just released from prison six months ago and one of the conditions of her parole was that she must enroll in the residence program at The Salvation Army R.J. Montgomery Center (RJMC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. This was Della’s third chance at a life of sobriety and freedom. “I ended up speaking with case manager Robyn about the things I have done since my last ‘sign-out’ which included another trip to state prison,” Della said. “I was tired of being in and out of the system.” She and her case manager Robyn worked out a plan and agreed that she’d get as much time as she needed to get back on her feet. It took just a week for Della to find full-time employment and begin saving her earnings for the future. In her 120day stay at RJMC she saved more than $3,100—enough to get a place of her own. NORTHWEST
Free tax preparation in Lewiston
The Salvation Army in Lewiston, Idaho, is partnering with AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) to offer free tax preparation through April 15. Advisors are available at the corps from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday. The service is free and available to any resident of Lewis-Clark Valley. Clients are helped on a firstcome, first-served basis, and should bring W-2 forms and any other tax documents, photo ID and Social Security card. “This is a wonderful benefit for the community,” said Lewiston Corps Officer Captain Ralph Guthrie. “Filing taxes can be confusing for many people, but this program will ensure that taxes are filed on time and correctly.”
120 Years in Albuquerque
From across the West, The Salvation Army Western Territorial Youth Band came to the desert of Albuquerque, N.M., to help kick off a year long celebration of 120 years of the Army in Albuquerque. The band performed community concerts in Albuquerque and Peralta. The band was supported by Southwest Divisional Music Director Ralph Pearce, Southwest Divisional Leaders Lt. Colonels Joe and Shawn Posillico, Tri-County Coordinators Majors Don and Joyce Takeuchi, and area corps officers Lts. Mark and Dora Stearns and Lts. Juan and Nancy Argumedo.
Tucson youth reach out to veterans
The teens of the community care ministries at The Salvation Army Tucson (Ariz.) South Corps spent time at the local Veteran Administration’s (VA) Blind and Rehabilitation Center where they helped veterans make t-shirts. They went back again to the VA hospital later that week to salute each of the veterans for their service to our country.
AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING For Persons 62 years and older Must Income qualify The waiting list is open NOW until April 30, 2015 for Pasadena Silvercrest Residence 1 bedroom apts.
TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION By Phone: (866) 953-5988TTY 1-800-735-2929 Write to: Silvercrest Management P.O. Box 22646, Long Beach, CA 90802 Email: housing@usw.salvationarmy.org
SIERRA DEL MAR
Grants to benefit San Bernardino homeless
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued grants totaling over $6.9 million to The Salvation Army and other homeless service agencies
Applications must be returned by mail to: P.O. Box 22646, Long Beach CA 90802. Must be postdated by April 30th.
200 qualifying applicants will be chosen at random by lottery drawing for placement on the waiting list
March 2015 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 23
‘Diamonds in the Rough’ The Salvation Army in Alaska holds event for artists to raise funds. BY GINA LINDSEY Fifty local artists recently scanned aisles of fabric, lamps and furniture at The Salvation Army Family Store in Anchorage, shopping for “Diamonds in the Rough,” an annual challenge to refashion ordinary thrift store items into resellable works of art. The artists’ finished pieces will be auctioned off at the eighth annual Transformed Treasures fundraiser on May 9 at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage. Participating artists receive vouchers for items from The Salvation Army’s local thrift store. They take a “before” picture of their items, and then deliver completed works of art to The Salvation Army Alaska Divisional Headquarters on April 10. Favorites are then voted on at an auction preview ahead of the May 9 luncheon. Over 100 artists have registered to transform a thrift store item into a treasure, with several more on a waiting list. According to Deanna Teders, event committee cochair, the most important guideline is that the products have “some kind of salability. You have to imagine somebody can take it home and enjoy using it.” Proceeds from this live, silent auction benefit The
Salvation Army Alaska Division. Last year, the event raised over $35,000. “I like to give back to my community,” said artist Kimberly Sikora, who raised over $1,000 in previous auctions. “I hope everything I do, people love it enough [to buy].” Each year, artists have an option to compete in a special challenge project. This year, the two challenges involve filing cabinets and purses or bags. “Sometimes they may just be repurposed purses, or it might be something completely different,” Sikora said. “I like the anticipation.” Different artists “transform” their items in different ways. For example, neckties, telephones and dishes may return as skirts, lamps and stained glass wall art. “We prefer that the items not come back in the same condition they left,” said Major Jeanne Baker, divisional director of women’s ministries. “We want that purse or bag to come in as something that we will not even recognize.” Transformed Treasures promotes responsible recycling as well as the ministry of The Salvation Army, and unites the local art community with businesses and philanthropists. Current event sponsors include BP Exploration AK Inc., Color Art Printing Co. and Udelhoven Oilfield System Services, Inc.|NFC
A creative chaos was underway as artists cheerfully waited to finish their purchases. |Photo by Bill Chambers
BOUNDLESS the whole world redeeming
150th Anniversary | 1-5 July 2015 | London, UK 8th International Congress
COMMEMORATING THE PAST CELEBRATING THE PRESENT INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE Featuring Music, Worship and Arts Groups from around the world, and a new Salvation Army musical, COVENANT FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
www.boundless2015.org Preach to the nations the boundless riches of Christ Ephesians 3:8
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