New Frontier Chronicle Vol. 32 No. 5

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12 1 1 LEAVING 7

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THE BROTHEL SUSTAINABILITY

NEW FRONTIER MAY 2014 Volume 32, Number 5

INSIDE this issue: Revolving Door

How can we better extend grace to criminals as 60-75 percent of people return to custody again within three years of release.

OPINION PAGE 3

Renewed Sisterhood

One woman in the Central Territory is working to make women’s ministries more accessible to young, single women.

SISTERHOOD PAGE 8

Belfast Gym

The Salvation Army in Northern Ireland has a new gym, built at the request of program residents.

GYM PAGE 12

Sunbury Court

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NON PROFIT US POSTAGE

General André Cox reopened the historic Sunbury Court following renovations.

SUNBURY PAGE 18

RUNNING IT What it takes to keep the Army’s technology going

BY VIVIAN GATICA

E

very day, employees of The Salvation Army Western Territory use technology to complete their daily tasks—many unaware that more than 80 people work to keep it going at all hours.

The Information Technology (IT) department is more than a help line. It is composed of three main services: support, infrastructure and project management, as well as training and software development.

The support branch includes specialists and technicians who assist when a piece of technology is not working correctly. According to Director of Support Ken Mowery, 44 support services technicians are dispersed throughout the territory in areas where large concentrations of Army users work. Technicians manage issues through the service desk ticket system.

“The idea is that most users contact support through the [online] service desk where they can manage their own ticket,” Mowery said. “Here they can submit a ticket, see the technician assigned to their issue and contact him or her directly.”

Technicians are on duty weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. to cover users from the mountain time zone to island time.

Many are set up to answer calls from end users through the 1-877-7IT-HELP toll free phone line.

This system is comprised of incident and service tickets, with IT completing an average of 250 tickets—prioritized by urgency and impact—per day.

IT PAGE 4

The users in the Western Territory are used to a really wide range of very sophisticated tools.’

Archived Booth records to to be digitized Records function as a tool in reuniting families

The Booth Records

The Salvation Army

P.O. Box 22646 Long Beach, CA 90802-9998

have become a useful source of information.’

BY LOIS SELLARS

T

he Salvation Army Booth Memorial Homes and Hospitals opened in the late 1800s as places of refuge for unmarried pregnant women to receive prenatal care, counseling, and a safe place to be in a time of need.

Until this March, Western Territorial Headquarters (THQ) stored many of the records for its Booth homes. Now, after all these years, the old and crumbling paper records will be sent to RECORDS PAGE 6

—DAVID BROWN

BRASS PROGRAM TO BE OFFERED AT KROC CENTERS It won’t be long until the sound of brass music fills The Salvation Army Western Territory’s Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers.

The territory is implementing a brass teaching program—envisioned by Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs—that will give youth the opportunity to learn to play a brass instrument at the centers.

“The Salvation Army has a long tradition with [brass instruments], and music education at schools has been slashed...I think that there is a desire for The Salvation Army to fill that void,” said Lt. Colonel Edward Hill, territorial program secretary. “It’s something we have a history in doing. We’re just a good fit to meet that need.”

BRASS PAGE 6

Page 2—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

ON THE CORNER

BY BOB DOCTER

CONFRONTING BIAS These last few days have found me dwelling on the issue of race in our society. It’s disturbing and unpleasant, but it is important. I thought we had come so much further only to discover that my narrow, isolated circle was not a random sample of the population.

During my self-forced solitude, I came across some lines from The Help, written by Kathryn Stockett, of a mother sharing a story with two children: “‘Once upon a time they was two girls,’ I say.

‘One girl had black skin, one girl had white.’

Mae Mobley look up at me. She listening.

‘Little colored girl say to little white girl, ‘How come your skin be so pale?’ White girl say, ‘I don’t know. How come your skin be so black? What you think that mean?’

But neither one a them little girls knew. So little white girl say, ‘Well, let’s see. You got hair, I got hair.’ I gives Mae Mobley a little tousle on her head.

Little colored girl say ‘I got a nose, you got a nose.’ I gives her little snout a tweak. She got to reach up and do the same to me.

Little white girl say, ‘I got toes, you got toes.’ And I do the little thing with her toes, but she can’t get to mine cause I got my white work shoes on.

‘So we’s the same. Just a different color,’ say that little colored girl. The little white girl she agreed and they was friends. The End. Baby Girl just look at me: ‘Law, that was a sorry story if I ever heard one. Wasn’t even no plot to it.’

But Mae Mobley, she smile and say, ‘Tell it again.’”

That’s right, Mae, I guess we’ll have to “tell it again,” and again and again.

Ignoring racism is, in itself, racist.

One definition of racism has to do with “behavior that tends to systematically deny access to opportunities and privileges to one racial group while perpetuating access to opportunities and privileges of another racial group.”

These acts are not necessarily sensational acts of bigotry.

Often, the perpetrator, in ignorance, means well and the action is unintentional. However, the damage is done.

Racism resists change, especially when it is unintentional or if there is an unconscious bias. Often, this bias exists due to instruction or warnings from members of earlier generations. It has become habitual and is most often revealed by assumptions. One example often cited is especially relevant in the southwest and western states. If you saw a Mexican-American mowing the lawn in front of a large house, what would you conclude? Another could be moving to the other side of the street if a group of African-Americans were approaching. Is this simply an act of safety, or is it racial bias?

These biases are rarely verbalized and appear almost unconscious. They have their roots in stereotypes and unaware prejudices, according to Jean Moule, professor at Oregon State University.

We need to find ways to elevate awareness of our own biases. I believe we can accomplish this by identifying our own specific behaviors that we discover have unintended racial biases. Cultural differences make this difficult, and in The Salvation Army, happily, we have increased cultural diversity. Therefore, we need to increase cultural awareness.

There are some instruments to help us with unconscious bias, attitude awareness and unintentional racist impulses. Some, like the Implicit Awareness Test are available and have proven helpful. |NFC

Early Salvationists considered the eternal destiny of the sinner’s soul so important they were not only willing but eager to suffer the deprivations visited on them by the very ones they were trying to rescue from the fires of hell.’

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR He included them, without reservation.

It wasn’t as if he healed them all and declared them acceptable. It was as if he was redrawing the lines of acceptability “I truly appreciate your article on and drawing all people in with him.” how we approach the LGBT issues. This T What wasn’t mentioned here is that subject must be clarified over and over where Jesus dined with tax collectors, again so that we understand that the the tax collector repented, returned his Kingdom of God includes everyone.” ill-gotten gains four-fold, and gave half Kris Potter, Major CONTINUING A of everything he had to the poor. He did Salinas, Calif.

TRADITION OF not continue in his crime acting like JeINCLUSION sus had blessed his criminal enterprise.

I’ve just read the article in its entireIn two words, he repented. To the woman ty and strongly agree with many of the caught in sexual immorality, he did not points raised. Before I start however and say I love you go do as you please and all to answer before it’s spoken, NO ONE will be OK. He said “go and sin no more.” should ever be excluded from hearing Shouldn’t that also be a part of our mesthe Gospel or being served by The Salsage of the hope of the Gospel? vation Army with love, respect, kindness, and dignity as If we are to be inclusive like our founding Salvationone of God’s children. Ever. As I spoke in a recent trainists, shouldn’t we be willing to bear the abuse of those ing class about our international mission statement, I we are trying to reach in Jesus name like our forefathers asked what is that little mark in the mission statement did in the hopes of saving some from the fire? Or are we that follows “without discrimination”? It’s a period. We being content to fill bellies and house people in warm meet human needs in Jesus name without discriminabeds but risking an eternal hell for their souls. Shouldn’t tion period. End of discussion. we be willing to forego immediate acceptance in favor of This article starts off with the early days of The Salserving the Bread of Life and therefore abolishing spirivation Army on how we welcomed anyone through our tual hunger in a person’s life forever, or trading the sheldoors, how many went on to become lifelong officers ter bed in this world for a mansion in the next? and soldiers. How most of them came from the fringes Jesse Oldham of society, ostracized by the establishment. Then it states Great Falls, Mont. “the precedent of welcoming all and assimilating ANYONE WHO DESIRED into the organization was simply part and parcel to the early Salvation Army.”

I think it should be important to remember the thrown bricks, the skeleton army, the assaults upon army persons, the slander and libel, and general dislike, hate, and disdain toward the officers and soldiers by the is published monthly by very people they were trying to reach for the Gospel’s The Salvation Army USA Western Territory sake. Early Salvationists considered the eternal destiny P.O. Box 22646 of the sinner’s soul so important they were not only willLong Beach, CA 90802-9998 ing but eager to suffer the deprivations visited on them Commissioner James Knaggs, Territorial Commander by the very ones they were trying to rescue from the fires Colonel Dave Hudson, Chief Secretary of hell. And those early Salvationists were successful in pulling poor drowning souls from the ocean of life and newfrontierpublications.org into eternal life with Jesus. These early souls rescued Member of the Evangelical Press Association from the fires of hell are notorious in our early Army EDITORIAL STAFF history in the fact they left their lives of drunkenness, Robert L. Docter, Editor-In-Chief vice, and debauchery behind to become soul winners 562/491-8330 bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org for Jesus. In a word, they repented. They understood Christin Davis, Managing Editor they were sinners, living in and practicing sin, and they 562/491-8723 turned from it and thus became the heroes of our Salvachristin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org tion Army history.

Erica Andrews • 562/491-8334 erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org The article references how Jesus interacted with peoVivian Gatica • 562/491-8782 ple in the Bible. “He touched them. He ate with them. vivian.gatica@usw.salvationarmy.org In response to “Continuing a tradition of inclusion,” April 2014 issue

April 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 5

he Salvation Army has a long and storied tradition of inclusion. From our earliest days we not only welcomed anyone through our doors, but many of our earliest converts went on to become the lifelong soldiers and officers who spread the word and work of The Salvation Army throughout the world. Most of these early Salvationists came from the margins of Victorian society, individuals ostracized by established societal norms of the era. The precedent of welcoming all and assimilating anyone who desired into the organization was simply part and parcel to the early Salvation Army.

When considering the inclusion issue and religion today, one of the ways it is primarily contextualized is in reference to the relationship between the LGBT community and the Christian Church. Within most major denominations in the United States, organized Christianity is grappling with the issue of human sexuality. What is the relationship between an individual who self-identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) and the Christian faith?

Pew Research Center research indicates that 92 percent of LGBT adults generally express that society has become more accepting of them in the last decade. Although 73 percent of these LGBT adults also feel as if Evangelical Christianity is unwelcoming toward them, with similar published attitudes reflected in Catholicism and other forms of the Christian faith. The research is comprehensive and provides a wide spectrum of conclusions, including that tension remains between organized religion and the LGBT community in the U.S. The Salvation Army is no different from any other religious organization in terms of grappling with the inclusion issue, as seen in Commissioner James Knaggs’ recent open letter to all USA Western Territory Salvationists and service providers (reprinted on page 2).

And many in The Salvation Army seek inroads to make the work of The Salvation Army more effective and productive in this area.

Major Steve Yoder, divisional secretary for the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Division of The Salvation Army, was challenged by and inspired to respond to the sentiments expressed by the LGBT community. Several years

BY KEVIN JACKSON, MAJOR

ago, with other Salvationists serving at the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, Yoder spoke to individuals in attendance while passing out candy and bottled water. One individual said, “I thought you hated us?” Yoder said he personally concluded that “I’ll never be defined by hate.” Inclusion for the LGBT in God’s Kingdom became “the most important thing in my ministry,” he said.

Yoder sought involvement at the local level in his community and actively participates at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. He participates in all of the community center events. His approach to his vocation is one that has been long used in The Salvation Army—a grassroots involvement on the local community level. He places himself at the heart of the community where need is most apparent.

In his ministry, Yoder is guided by biblical verses which call for doing justice and embracing faithful love. While he

3,051

Worship attendance

103,254

People referred

excluded people, we observe something rather remarkable.

He touched them. He ate with them. He

included them, without reservation.’

—MAJOR PHILIP DAVISSON

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 Diana Sanglab, Intern • 562/491-8326 diana.sanglab@usw.salvationarmy.org ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA Shannon Forrey, Web Editor • 562/491-8329 shannon.forrey@usw.salvationarmy.org

Decisions for Christ

People helped

Jesus interacted with

Karen Gleason • 562/491-8332 karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org

PEOPLE COUNT IN THE WEST Became members

When we see how

posits a strong biblical basis for his work, he insists his efforts are “not theoretical; it’s about people.” He sees The Salvation Army today as it was in its earliest days. “There is no time for games when so many people are suffering from alienation,” he said. “We need to be making connections on a human level.”

In Yoder’s estimation we need to move beyond the fear over this issue and step beyond the labels we apply to people and “be who we are called by God to be… loving and accepting people.”

Major Philip Davisson, associate dean at The Salvation Army’s Booth University College in Winnipeg, Canada, refers to Jesus’ example when considering the inclusion issue. “When we see how Jesus interacted with excluded people, we observe something rather remarkable,” he said. “He touched them. He ate with them. He included them, without reservation. It wasn’t as if he healed them all and declared them acceptable. It was as if he was redrawing the lines of acceptability and drawing all people in with him.”

For Davisson, the language we use in connecting with the LGBT community is a key concern. Even with good motives in reaching out to the LGBT community, he said, our language can undermine our efforts. He takes issue with the commonly used phrase, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin.” He suspects it is “fraught with all sorts of misunderstanding” as the term “love” is a universally including word while “hate” is a universally excluding type of word.

“We welcome those whom we love and try to love those whom we welcome,” Davisson said. “What we hate, we seek to eliminate or exclude, reject or otherwise usher out the door.”

While we discuss the unanswered questions, we must consider how morality has been taught and practiced within the Christian faith for generations and continue the practical, grassroots ministry that The Salvation Army is called to.

“We can’t or shouldn’t minimize real concerns; they need to be heard and understood,” Davisson said. “But we can and should come to a point where we are prepared to learn a new language and a new way of listening: with respect and the determination to find a shared reality and a way forward together.”|NFC

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

477 788,371 1,609

Data for April 2014. See more at peoplecountusw.org.

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newfrontierchronicle

CIRCULATION Arlene De Jesus, Circulation Manager • 562/491-8343 arlene.dejesus@usw.salvationarmy.org

ISSN 2164-5930

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 3

OPINION

BY CARL ALZEN

A

little more than 150 years ago, the faith communities in the United States contributed to a radical change in the popular understanding of criminals and their punishment. Instead of viewing those who had committed various crimes as hopeless cases of men and women eternally lost in their sinful and criminal behavior, the public was encouraged to see them as children of God who had stumbled.

Out of this shift in thinking came a new approach to the jail and prison system in America that instead of punishment and revenge, the focus should be on rehabilitation and corrections.

Today, the U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, according to the International Centre for Prison Studies. We keep more individuals in our jails and prisons than China, Russia, Cuba, Iran and/or Iraq. Each day over 2.3 million men and women live, eat and sleep behind bars in our country, with an additional 3 million under some kind of community supervision.

And simultaneously, the U.S. also has the highest level of recidivism in the world. Of those released from some kind of legal custody, 60-75 percent will return to custody again within three years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Just what can be done?

“Get tough on crime.” Harsher treatment, mandatory sentencing, more time for all kinds of crime, “three strikes and you are out,” and so on.

The hope is obviously that a tough attitude toward crime and criminals will deter anyone from acting out their criminal impulses and leave the rest of us alone.

I was a chaplain with the Arizona Department of Corrections for 20 years and have worked in this area with The Salvation Army since my retirement in 2010.

I have seen that while the intent may be good in that tough on crime stance, the concept is fictional. So, let us ponder a few basic facts:

THE REVOLVING DOOR Fact and fiction about grace for criminals

Of those released from some kind of legal custody, 60-75 percent will return to custody again within three years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

1) There is no clear correlation between harsher treatment, length of sentences and a diminishing crime rate.

2) The absolute majority of our inmates are not serving life long sentences, but will be released within four years. After that, they will be our new neighbors—and what kind of neighbors do we want?

3) Crime is bad and should be punished, but “just” punishing a criminal without giving him or her a way out of the correctional system will create another case of a hopeless repeat offender.

4) To go to prison and stay in prison is simple; to return to a life “in freedom” is difficult—finding a job, a place to stay, reconnecting with family….every molehill becomes a huge mountain.

5) In a justifiable wish to stand up for the victims of crime, we sometimes return to the old thinking of revenge instead of rehabilitation. While this is understandable, we need to remember that this serves no other purpose than to “tickle my own feelings” of anger. It certainly does not help those who have been victimized by different acts of crime, and it does not affect the perpetrators in a specific

way. Likewise, the community at large does not benefit from this thinking but has to pay for it (up to $65,000 each year for every inmate).

6) There is a way out of this nightmare, and this is where the faith communities in our nation can be the agents of change: An inmate that has been given the opportunity to receive firm and patient faith based counseling before and after release is much less likely to return to a criminal pattern of acting and thinking upon return into the community, according to studies by Prison Fellowship.

Make no mistake, we are not “just” talking about traditional “teaching and preaching” behind the bars of jails and prisons. While there certainly still is room (and true appreciation) for this kind of traditional prison ministry, we have to remember that the mentoring part is the critical component in a successful and truly rehabilitative prison ministry. After all, it is a sobering fact that inmates that claim to be “born again Christians” are returning to custody as frequently as inmates that claim no faith at all. Without the support that firm and loving mentoring can give, the journey into freedom is simply too complicated and filled with too many temptations and obstacles for a “newborn Christian” to handle on his or her own.

Are we as Christians willing to face the responsibility to become the agents of transformation and change in our correctional system? Or do we really have a choice? After all, our sisters and brothers behind bars are members of the body of Christ. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy (1 Cor. 12:26).

The Salvation Army in the Southwest has just begun to partner with other churches and with individuals to provide the tools of success to inmates preparing to be released back into the community, and to train pre- and post-release mentors for inmates.

Are you willing to join our team of transformation and grace?|NFC

Page 4—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

OPINION

Technology dependent?

Every aspect of IT is important.

If one piece is

BY TIM SCHAAL “The network is down.”

Few phrases can bring the business processes of today’s modern Salvation Army to a screeching halt faster than that one.

But this growing dependence on technology is necessary for the Army as it is asked to do more and more in communities while continuing to do so with finite resources. Information systems have been designed and deployed that enable people to provide services in the most efficient manner possible. At the same time, these systems allow users to meet the reporting requirements that supporters expect and deserve from one of America’s favorite charities.

With over 200 applications currently in use in the USA Western Territory, computer systems are involved in just about every aspect of Salvation Army ministry and operation. From the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) Family Stores and rehabilitation programs, to corps programs, social service programs, Kroc Center operations, fund raising, timekeeping, payroll and financial systems, all of these systems rely heavily on technology to operate efficiently. When you add in basic office applications, including robust eMail that is always available, the need for these systems to have a high level of availability becomes obvious.

Over 8,000 officers and employees use these systems on a daily basis. When the network is down or systems aren’t available, users either have to implement manual processes, or simply wait until the system is back online in order to be productive. That is why the territory employs a team of over 80 technology professionals to build and deploy these systems, support the end users, and keep networks online and hardware running.

And it’s not just the officers and employees who make use of technology systems. Another 2,000 people—including supporters and friends of the Army—access online systems each day to make financial or material donations, take advantage of online ministry, or look for information on available programs and resources.

Now add in the tens of thousands of community center members, clients and beneficiaries, customers, soldiers and friends whose interactions with The Salvation Army are often streamlined through these systems and it is clear why it’s so important that the territory implement feasible solutions to keep these systems continuously operational.

Even cadets at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont are not immune to the infiltration of technology into their daily routine.

Many textbooks and learning resources are only available online, and many instructors only accept assignments when they are turned in in electronic format through a website. A high speed network with 24/7 availability is a must for the cadets to complete their studies.

The price tag to implement these kinds of systems can be high if a healthy balance between technology and true business and program need isn’t constantly being monitored and maintained. Doing things just because you can, especially with all that you can do, doesn’t mean you always should.

We must remember that while advances in technology allow us to work more efficiently, it is not at the core of The Salvation Army’s mission statement. Direct human interaction is still the most powerful tool available to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in his name without discrimination.|NFC

not working, then employee productivity falls.’

—ERIC PETERSEN The data center at the colocation facility in Phoenix, Ariz. consists of just four computer racks with a total of only 135 cubic feet of space. It is housed in a trailer type pod that has provided 100 percent up-time in terms of power, network connectivity and air conditioning since being installed nearly two years ago. The equipment installed in these racks house nearly all of the email, centralized applications, websites and data storage needs for the territory. |Photo by Doug Neely

IT

FROM PAGE 1

A member of the support team starts each day, Monday to Saturday, by reviewing a checklist of processes to ensure the various applications and systems are online and operational.

If anything isn’t, that staffer calls the appropriate people to get the systems back online. In most cases, the problems are resolved in a timely manner before the majority of employees start their work day.

Infrastructure consists of all the behind the scenes action of IT, ranging from applications, data, and messaging.

David Brown, remote application deployment manager, oversees the team that handles the software and applications that are centrally deployed, which run off a server rather than the end user’s computer.

“These centralized applications pretty much run The Salvation Army operations,” Brown said.

While the applications—from accounting to the Kroc Center Management Software—are important to Army employees, the information is especially useful for management.

“The users in the Western Territory are used to a really wide range of very sophisticated tools,” Brown said. “It’s not like that in every non-profit organization. We see it as a really good thing that they have all these choices.”

According to Brown, the application adoption rates are high, proving their effectiveness.

“We want these applications to meet the needs of the users,” Brown said. “Once people become reliant on them, it’s important that the application be really good, not just OK.” The infrastructure team also oversees the Lotus Notes messaging system, which is the major means of communication in the territory.

“Being able to communicate with others, both in The Salvation Army and all of our outside contacts, is the expected standard today,” said Eric Petersen, messaging and workflow specialist. “That means keeping messaging and workflow running at all times.”

Because of its wide reach, Lotus Notes within the territory has great impact.

“Most of the time the system as a whole is stable, but if even one employee is having problems, it escalates quickly as it is usually time sensitive,” Petersen said.

Collecting all the data from these applications and programs, as well as dealing with servers, storage and directories, is the datacenter and directory operations team, managed by Jay Mallery.

Datacenters are located throughout the Western Territory with a central hub at the Colocation facility in Phoenix, Ariz., which hosts most IT services. The secondary datacenter is located at territorial headquarters (THQ), functioning as a backup data system for the main datacenter. It also hosts files and print services for THQ, as well as the 4SATRUCK.org Donation System. Smaller regional datacenters are located at each divisional headquarters to provide file and print services to their users.

“Lots of work goes on behind the scenes that most would probably never see,” Mallery said. “It’s good to take a step back every now and again and see the end product

IT BY THE NUMBERS Technology improvement projects completed in 2013 Completed service desk requests in 2013 Centralized application servers

184 64,596

96

IT help desk calls answered in March

1,171

Attendance at live IT training sessions 2013

2,096

Total emails sent/received in one day

137,392

Emails blocked as spam in one day

19,179

Lotus Notes email accounts

5,583

Mobile devices set up to send/receive email CoLo Data Center storage in Terrabytes CoLo Data Center CPUs

CoLo Data Center, virtual computers

2,257 280 416

481

of the work we put in.”

The deployment of many of the technological initiatives require coordination between IT staff members and outside vendors. For that, a team of project managers oversee the process from initial idea to completion.

According to Richard Freeman, director of project management, his team works on all kind of technology related projects, whether it be software development and deployment or infrastructure related efforts. For example, wiring a Salvation Army building for network connectivity or implementing the new Shelby Accounting Software that is being rolled out over the next 18 months throughout the territory.

“We get a very high percentage of completions on the work that we said we would do,” Freeman said.

The team works on more than 100 projects at any given time, most of them having to do with work at one of the 500 Salvation Army buildings throughout the territory.

“Over half of the projects have to do with an Army building and the technology they need regarding infrastructure,” Freeman said. “A smaller percentage has to do with development of a new piece of software.”

Freeman noted that some may see these projects and software as technological upgrades, while others may not understand why things were changed in the first place. “In getting used to doing things differently, sometimes the user may not see the immediate benefit,” he said.

While it may seem complex to those on the outside, keeping the technology running smoothly in the Western Territory is accomplished by various sections and staff working together as a single unified team, led by Chief Information Officer (CIO) Clarence White since 1997. White takes on the role of CIO in the Southern Territory starting June 30.

“Every aspect of IT is important,” Petersen said. “If one piece is not working, then employee productivity falls.”|NFC

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 5

OPINION

Successful conflict management

BY ABE TOMAYO, MAJOR

A first-hand account of addiction and recovery

BY SHERITA MOUZON

G

rowing up, we used to have to heat the house with kerosene heaters and they were old. The smell from the smoke would get into my clothes and the kids would tease me in school.

I later became a heavy cocaine user; even after I had my daughter at age 31, it was not enough to stop.

I wanted to die. I knew God had put me on this earth for a reason and it couldn’t be this.

I grew up in poverty and food insecurity all my life. I witnessed domestic violence and was raped by age 9. I never had a stable home environment and grew up witnessing the multi-generational effects of poverty. I knew I wanted a better life for myself, but did not know how to get there. I was also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and untreated trauma, so my life was filled with drug use and risky behavior. I didn’t see a future for myself.

When I didn’t have money to buy my daughter anything for Christmas in 2008, I wrote to President Barack Obama requesting a present for my daughter. The White House forwarded my letter to a Salvation Army center in Philadelphia. I received help from one of the social workers there, who gave me three $20 Walmart gift cards and two bags of food.

Shortly after that act of kindness, I joined the Witness to Hunger program at Philadelphia’s Drexel University School of Public Health in 2010. Witness to Hunger is a research and advocacy project that partners with real experts on hunger—mothers and caregivers of young children who have experienced hunger and poverty. Through photographs, “witnesses” advocate for their own families and others and seek to create lasting changes on a local, state and national level.

With my involvement in the program, I was able to get self-help group training based on the sanctuary model by Dr. Sandra Bloom at Drexel University. The sanctuary model is a support group that teaches people how to talk about and heal from trauma and focuses on four main bodies of knowledge: trauma theory, social learning moral intelligence, democracy and complexity theory.

Through this process I realized why I was having self-destructive behavior. I had attachment disorder from my mother never being emotionally present to me and I had PTSD by witnessing the abuse my

ABOVE: Sherita Mouzon with Ready Coordinator for the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Elizabeth Lewis. BELOW: Sherita Mouzon with her daughter.

SURVIVNG

ABUSE I knew I wanted a better life for myself, but did not know how to get there.’

mom suffered at the hands of my brother’s father. I was also suffering from the shame of being raped by my babysitter’s female daughter.

Only by going to a self-help group was I able to heal from the trauma I had suffered for so many years.

After this training, I began working for Drexel and then at the Kroc Center as a peer mentor and running self-help groups. The Salvation Army also wanted this program at the Temple Corps, the same place The White House had sent my letter three years before.

Currently I’m a peer-mentoring caseworker for The Salvation Army and I run self-help groups for the community as well as staff and interns. The Lord has given me a way to share my story and also mentor others. I was not able to help myself until I accepted the Lord’s help. He put me here in this program for a reason.

I’m now sober and living with my husband and daughter. I want people to know that with God’s help any and all things are possible. I was lonely, depressed and angry, and I know other people out there feel the same way and I want to help those people. That’s what this program does.|NFC

Conflict has existed since the beginning of humanity. It is prevalent in nature and reveals itself in day-to-day life. Conflict is not always bad, and is often healthy. Yet it is in the proper management of conflict that positive outcomes are realized for all.

“Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it,” according to William James of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). “That factor is attitude.”

The most common error made in conflict management is to allow the issues to fester and boil over, anchoring it in emotion, embedding the feelings associated with the conflict to prevail over potential resolution.

According to SHRM’s guide on conflict resolution for supervisors, five basic characteristic steps exist when dealing with managing conflict: Competing: The competing method is used primarily when unilateral decisions must be made with little to no added contribution. It is a method recommended for quick decision-making and in making unpopular decision. This method sequesters debate among the parties.

Collaborating: The collaboration method solicits the input of team members, gathers buy-in and solidifies relationships. Unlike competing, it is an inclusive decision-making empowering party members who are seeking a resolution, but are unable to decide upon a solution outcome.

Compromising: Compromising methodology allows the process to generate a win/win solution to the conflict. This method is best applied in settings where the issues are of moderate to high importance, or in finding solutions with equal power and strong commitment on both sides of the table.

Avoiding: The avoiding method is best used when conflict is not work related. Avoidance is a decision not to address or handle the conflict. It is best used in settings where the issues are minor and unimportant. It may buy time to settle the conflict in issues which are more symptomatic, rather than pertinent to resolution.

Accommodating: There are times when allowing the “other side to win,” is the method of choice. Accommodating helps maintain perspective and in actively deciding what is of importance and not. When used properly, accommodation creates goodwill and keeps peace among parties.

Each of these methods may be used individually or in hybrid form, but regardless of the methods chosen: Realize that conflict exist and is inevitable. Move quickly to address conflict by focusing on the problem, stay open to suggestions and solutions, listening actively.

Do not focus on personalities, interrupt, attack, dismiss feelings or avoid the conflict. Avoiding the conflict only allows it to fester, resulting in added ill effects.

When seeking resolution, consider the following steps: 1. Clarify the agreement.

2. Establish common goal for both parties.

3. Discuss ways to meet the common goal.

4. Determine the barriers to the common goal.

5. Agree on the best way to resolve the conflict.

6. Acknowledge the agreed solution and decide the responsibilities each party has toward resolution.

“It is important to note that there is no one way to resolve a conflict and often managers will need to utilize multiple methods in order to reach a resolution,” writes Thomas-Kilmann in Conflict Mode Instrument.

It’s important to consider that most people can accept results less than desired so long as they are a part of the process in determining the outcomes. |NFC

Page 6—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

|Photo by Robert Brennan

AN AMERICAN DREAM RECLAIMED Jose was the embodiment of the American Dream.

But his dream was derailed when Karina, his wife, heard the word “cancer.”

BRASS

FROM PAGE 1

Territorial Headquarters will provide initial brass instruments and cover the cost of the music instructors for six months.

“I am extremely grateful that the territory has placed importance in the project and made available the funds to provide instruction, instruments and music,” said Neil Smith, territorial music secretary, who oversees the program.

According to Smith, instruction will probably start in cornet and alto horn, but will eventually expand to all other brass instruments found in a Salvation Army band like the baritone, euphonium, trombone and tuba.

Classes may be conducted up to five days a week so that students will not only become good musicians, but also be inspired to attend a corps where they can hear God’s Word and eventually provide support in worship services.

The brass program is still in development, but the Kroc centers are expressing interest and Smith said the first center will likely launch it this fall.

“Brass playing has an important place in our history and in our current ministry,” Smith said. “This gives us a chance to encourage a new generation in this field, and through this program we hope they will become members of our congregations and discover God in their own lives.”|NFC

BY ROBERT BRENNAN

I

f you had met Jose Reyes just a few short years ago you would have thought he was a man who had it all—a beautiful wife and daughter, a thriving business of his own, and money in the bank. In so many ways, Jose was the embodiment of the American Dream. But his dream was derailed when Karina, his wife, heard the word “cancer.”

Chemotherapy and doctors’ bills followed and as Reyes put his wife’s health care needs first, his business needs suffered. Bills piled up, his once thriving business floundered and just when he thought he turned a corner with his wife’s final chemotherapy session, the Internal Revenue Service came calling wanting back taxes and penalties.

RECORDS

In the wake of this economic tsunami, Reyes and his family were living in their car, the bank account depleted and the business gone. They were able to keep their daughter in school but their living conditions required relocating to different grocery store parking lots on a nightly basis.

He did not find himself living in a car because of one solitary act or misstep, and it would take more than one social service agency contact to alter his situation. It began with the pangs of hunger. Waiting for their daughter to get out of school, Reyes and his wife’s “home” was parked near the St. Francis Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Desperate, Reyes knocked on the center’s door. A priest let him in, provided food for the family and understood this family needed more help than his center could provide.

The priest called the Weingart Center for the Homeless, and after a brief interview there the Reyes family was referred to The Salvation Army’s Zahn Memorial emergency homeless shelter.

At Zahn, Reyes’ family was finally in a safe place.

With a roof over their heads, food to eat and stability for their daughter, the only thing left as far as Reyes was concerned was to get back on his financial feet again.

By the time the family’s stay at Zahn came to a close, Reyes found gainful employment in a bank where, as he said, he made decisions about customer’s credit when his own personal credit was still in tatters.

Assistance from the Weingart Center helped Reyes secure housing for his family.

Then just before leaving Zahn, Karina woke up in the middle of the night complaining of pain. They feared her cancer had returned, and went to the doctor the next morning. He explained that the source of the pain was normal—for a woman expecting a baby.

Baby Joey Alexander Reyes was born on his older sister’s 13th birthday.

With a growing family, Reyes has two primary goals in life—to own his own company again and to “repay” The Salvation Army for its part in his rescue by paying it forward and helping others.|NFC

FROM PAGE 1

a scanning service to be digitized and preserved.

Through decades of service provided by the Booth Homes—up until the 1980s—the records served as any agency records would; they gave accounts of each individual’s stay at the Booth Home. The records were housed at either the individual Booth homes or at the divisional level in the West until being shipped to territorial headquarters to assist in missing persons cases.

Major Leslie Peacock, territorial retired officers’ services director, played a big part in getting the records to THQ for searching and reunion purposes, which she directed at the time.

“The current ‘public’ mood is swinging toward open access to adoption records. As adoptees are able to obtain their original birth certificate and discover they were born at a Salvation Army Booth facility, they make contact with us to get more information so they can locate their birth mother,” Peacock said. “Since we were in contact with the birth mother at the time she was pregnant, she already has a connection with The Salvation Army, and hopefully trusts us in either assisting with keeping her current information confidential or with reuniting her with the child she parted with years before.”

Since missing persons was already equipped to conduct confidential searches, it expanded that service to include searches for the birth mothers of those born at Western Territory Booth Homes.

Prior to utilizing the Booth records for searching, a birth mother or child could request certain limited information from the file, and be listed on the reunion registry. The Booth Records became a useful source of information in conducting these searches in which an adult “Booth Baby,” usually in their 30s or 40s, sought contact with his or her birth mother.

In one circumstance, a woman born in a Booth Maternity Home reached out to the missing persons department and located her birth mother. Her mother was Native American, and the daughter wanted to enroll in her mother’s tribe. The Booth records contained the daughter’s unamended birth certificate, proving her Native ancestry to the tribe.

“I would like to thank The Salvation Army for graciously walking me through the process that resulted in a lovely reunion with my birth mother and half sister,” she said. “I will always be grateful to Booth Memorial and The Salvation Army Missing Persons Services.”

In the new digital format, the records will provide easier access to information needed for successful Booth reunions.|NFC

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 7

BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY Farming loans could be model for future

BY ERICA ANDREWS

I

magine you’re a farmer with mouths to feed and no money to buy seeds. That means no crop to harvest and no food to eat or sell. A loan could mean high interest rates, maybe even bankruptcy. What do you do?

Enter The Salvation Army and its farming microloan.

In the Philippines, the Army offers small loans to farmers who use the money to buy seeds or animals. Once the crop is reaped and sold, the farmer repays the loan with 3 percent interest out of the profit, which helps the Army and the farmer to be self-sufficient.

“So now the corps and the families themselves are gaining, improving and becoming more self-sufficient and because they’re tied in on their new income to the corps, the corps becomes self-sufficient,” said David Harmon, director of world missions and overseas child sponsorship in the Western Territory. “That was exciting to me in addition to being fascinated by really an ingenious scheme to self-sufficiency.”

World Bank research shows that an estimated 2.5 billion working-age adults—over half of the world’s adult population—have no access to the types of formal financial services delivered by regulated financial institutions. A microloan helps in this situation by offering a small, shortterm loan at low interest, especially to a start-up company or self-employed person.

This way of building independence is flourishing in the Philippines, so the West sent a team to see it firsthand and better understand how it’s done. The team included Majors David and Linda Harmon; Majors John and Lani Chamness, divisional commanders for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division; and Major George Rodriguera, corps officer in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Rodriguera grew up in the Philippines, emigrating in 1970 at age 20 to Hawaii with the help of a Salvation Army officer who sponsored him in the U.S. “This was my first trip back to the Philippines as a Salvation Army officer,” Rodriguera said.

“For me just going home there and to see a lot more soldiers, a lot more corps and how large the Army is really touched me. I think about all of the pioneer officers and what they did. It was worth it.”

In helping to build sustainable businesses, the goal is independence, according to Professor Adlai Wertman, an expert on nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship at

REVIEW

the University of Southern California.

“We want to help them get to a point where they don’t need help,” Wertman said. “The best work in my opinion being done is building economies and training people for jobs and educating people so that they’re able to create their own ability to help themselves.”

Harmon wants to implement this idea in Southeast Alaska and Micronesia, funded areas of the West that are working toward self-reliance.

“With the exception of Guam, which raises a lot of its own support, the rest of Micronesia is nearly dependent on Salvation Army funding,” Harmon said. “The other section is Southeast Alaska, which runs along the coast and has been largely dependent on outside funding as well. Our goal is to help them become self-sufficient.”

Both Harmon and Chamness understand that each community is unique and will have separate needs in a viable business model.

They are seeking input from Alaska and Micronesia on what locals believe will work best.

“We want to put that question at them; they’re adults,” Harmon said. “We want to get them together and say, ‘what are you going to do if in two, three or five years from now that stream of income from headquarters begins to dry up or diminish? What are you going to do, how are you going to preserve what you have?’”

Harmon wants to see the strategies actualized by the end of this year, and to implement a program to train divisional leaders to be mission-minded and to encourage self-reliance versus dependency. |NFC

TOP: Major Linda Harmon holds onions grown by Salvationist farmers using loans from the corps. MIDDLE: One of the cows purchased with a microloan from The Salvation Army. BOTTOM: Major David Harmon surveys a farm in the Philippines. |Photos by David Harmon and John Chamness

‘When Justice is the Measure’

BY KEVIN JACKSON, MAJOR The Salvation Army is historically linked to its efforts for social justice. Yet, written works on the topic from a Salvation Army perspective are somewhat of a rarity. This is but one reason why “When Justice is the Measure” (The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory, 2014) by M. Christine MacMillian, Don Posterski and James E. Read is a welcome and needed addition.

I appreciate the combination of an economy of words and powerful, well-written prose as this work has. Attempting to interpret the words of the Bible and the life and ministry of Jesus with justice as the measure could be a daunting task, but the authors crafted a meaningful challenge for all to step up and work toward a day when social justice reigns in our world. The book is a combination of

thoughtful chapters on inclusion of the outsiders, challenging cultural practices such as racism, confronting the powerful and advocating for the poor.

Included in each chapter are opportunities for the reader to identify social justice issues within their individual societies and then written prayers in response to each of the issues, which the author and reader identify. The reader is also encouraged to write their own specific prayers.

Each chapter teases out social justice issues in a general theological sense. As a Salvationist, I was thrilled that the authors chose to add a section to each chapter of the book titled “The Salvation Army Story.” It directly applies short historical narratives demonstrating our tradition of addressing social justice issues around the world and topically as they were presented in each chapter.

In his recommendations for this book, Gener-

al André Cox referred to the book as “refreshing.”

I concur. Combining Biblical, theological, social commentary and historical narrative is a complex task. Yet the authors managed to synthesize the complexities of social justice into a readable resource. Further, all too often books regarding social justice identify issues in the world, but offer precious little praxis. The authors succeeded on both accounts in a mere 120 pages.

I wholly recommend “When Justice is the Measure.” It is profitable for both the individual and for use within a small group. We now have in our hands a well-written resource to assist us in accomplishing the tremendous challenges we face in the world. We can utilize this work on the local level to know what justice really does look like in our world.|NFC

Page 8—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 9

A RENEWED SISTERHOOD HONORED FOR SERVICE Carol Pitts is one of AWARE’s 2014 Women of Distinction.

BY KAREN GLEASON Alaska Salvationist Carol Pitts was recognized as a 2014 Woman of Distinction by AWARE (Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies), joining three other women honored at a celebration in March.

“I do not do this alone,” said Pitts. “People work with me in different settings and in some I lead and some I support...I am humbled.”

Much of Pitts’ community service is tied to The Salvation Army, an organization she Carol Pitts has been involved with most of her life.

“Carol is the right hand of The Salvation Army in Juneau,” said Major Nila Fankhauser, Community Care Ministries (CCM) secretary for the Army’s Alaska Division, who got to know Pitts while she and her husband were stationed in Juneau. “Carol has a larger-than-life personality.”

Pitts’ service with the Army includes coordinating the Thanksgiving dinner, Adopt-A-Family, Angel Tree and food distribution.

“At Christmas she is known as ‘Mrs. Claus’ as she is the force behind the Army’s Christmas activities,” Fankhauser said. “I have heard her say that her goal is to see that no child in Juneau goes without a Christmas gift.”

Pitts ensures that children of inmates receive presents by transporting a toy store to the jail so the parents can select the gifts, which are wrapped and either mailed or delivered to the children.

“The child is innocent,” Pitts said, “and their life is already being affected.”

She also coordinated the first Operation Warmth in Juneau, distributing coats to community children.

As chairperson of advisory board, Pitts wrote the business plan for building the Army’s Family Store. Active at the Juneau Corps, she has served as Junior Soldier Sergeant, Sunday school teacher and Girl Guard leader. Residents at Wildflower Nursing Home look forward to her weekly visits with the CCM team. And when the corps officers are away, Pitts opens the building on Sunday, leads the meeting and preaches the sermon.

Pitts moved to Juneau in 1992 from Boulder, Colo. She has worked with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Services and the Department of Energy Alaska Power Administration. She began Orca Enterprises, offering whale watching and wildlife tours in Southeast Alaska, and is founder and president of Marine Education and Research of Southeast Alaska, president of Alaska Women in Travel and a member of the International Federation of Women in Travel.

“She attributes all of her success to the Lord,” Fankhauser said.

Even though Pitts grew up in poverty, giving to others has always been part of her life. Her Salvationist mother taught her to share whatever she had, no matter how little that was.

“I didn’t know we were poor,” Pitts said. “I only knew we had to help the poor.”

Pitts has received other awards, including a Salvation Army community service award (“Northern Lights”), U.S. and International Woman of the Year, and the international peace prize, “Daring to Soar,” for providing inspiration and encouragement for youth.

“Carol is a woman of prayer,” said Fankhauser. “She has done a lot of things in her life but what stands out to me is her love of God, which she expresses by the way she lives and gives to others.”

Pitts does what she can.

“There is so much to do...I know I can’t help them all, but I will do what I can.”|NFC

BY SARAH MICULA

I

didn’t have a real problem with being single, but it was my reality during my twenties. A reality that puts you in a category, that clumps you with other people without spouses (I’m so far from college now, why am I still in the college-age groups?), that makes people sad for you, which makes the reality worse if you were indeed sad about it.

To be honest I was kind of sad. Or at the very least: confused, lonely, annoyed and sometimes angry about this reality. Angry and sad mainly at society and at church society for placing expected and assumed milestones on me, for deciding when I became an adult—based on my marital status, my home ownership, my children. Annoyed that I wasn’t asked to make a dish for the baby or wedding shower at the corps. Could I not bake because I wasn’t married? Because I never got the necessary gifts from a registry to have a functioning kitchen? Hurt because I wasn’t in the small group with my peers because I didn’t have the required spouse for admission. Angry and annoyed because it felt like others had a problem with my singleness.

No one, including myself, knew where to put me.

Clearly, some of these feelings were swirling out of control, spinning around in that spiral you create when you feel misunderstood. When your grievances begin to pile up, one after another, like a pile of books that have been stacked too high and eventually come crashing down.

But the feelings and hurt are real and they are common for a lot of us. If the church and society chose to use this milestone structure into adulthood—where do I fit in?

When I stopped examining the things I wasn’t or the things I hadn’t done, I chose to focus on what I was. It wasn’t a revelation that I was a woman, but in a way it was. My gender was a defining fact in my identity. Being placed in a category because of my gender, I was okay with, that made sense to me.

Soon after, a light bulb went off: women’s ministries. That is where I should fit in in the Christian community. But Home League was all I really knew of women’s ministries.

I pondered what this looked like or could look like for me. I was looking for community, I was looking for sisterhood. I decided that this is where I wanted to find it. I wanted to be around women my age, women younger than me, women older than me. I wanted to hear their stories, how they got here, what formed them, what worked for them, what didn’t. But finding my peers in women’s ministries was a challenge. I longed to lock arms with the “girls” around me, moving forward to be the next generation while learning from and holding the hands of those who cleared the path for us. I

desired a place for us to talk about the role of women in the church, to find accountability, to be an encourager, to be taught, to laugh, to feel safe, to teach, to grow up—together.

Those things are happening in women’s ministries groups, but not with many women my age.

And yes, those relationships do exist outside of women’s ministries. But if we don’t intentionally connect, especially with those we wouldn’t normally, someone will get left behind. Someone is already getting left out. Is it you? You can’t force friendships but you can create a space where friendship can be made. (But you have to show up—that, I feel, I cannot stress enough. Please, show up.) I believe that is what women’s ministries is. It’s a place for creating and solidifying friendships. That’s not what it can be, but what it is, you just have to show up.

I share all these personal details of my journey into women’s ministries because I don’t feel like I’m alone in this. I think other women have felt disconnected and alone in church. Segregated because of what has been set up in our church society and culture or even by our own fears. Whatever has kept us separated—age, marriage, motherhood, insecurities, fears—let’s remember all the things we do have in common and push ahead as sisters with that common purpose.

Joining the Territorial Women’s Ministries Department as a program specialist focusing on social media, young women and missions was a collision of ministries that I know and love. More than just being a person who just conquered (now that it’s over I’m claiming those years as a victory) their twenties, I led the young adult small group at my corps for a number of years, experiencing firsthand the labor of love this group of lovely, fickle, needy, removed, hilarious, adventurous and ambitious people it can be. I’ve helped train more mission teams than I can recall and led and been a part of over 10 teams during my five years in the World Missions Department. That’s also where I got my feet wet in social media branding and strategizing.

Now that I’m here in this role, I just want to join in. I want to learn from what’s already happening and I want to contribute from what I know and have tried with the young adult groups I’ve led and the things I’m trying in the women’s ministries position at my own corps. I do have things to share, but I have much to learn from those who been at it for years. I want to lock arms and hold hands with the women around me, pushing forward together, inter-generationally uniting and loving each other, growing up and teaching each other, together as sisters and daughters of the Most High King. Will you show up?

Follow along at uscwomensministries.com, on Facebook (Central Territory Salvation Army Women’s Ministries), Instagram (salvationarmywomen) and Pinterest (Central Territory Women’s Ministries).|NFC

LOOKING AT WOMEN’S MINISTRIES THROUGH A NEW LENS

SPREADING THE WORD Words of Life devotional book unites Salvationists.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN When Major Beverly Ivany became an officer almost 35 years ago, she never expected that she would also become a writer. But today, as the author of Words of Life, The Salvation Army’s international daily devotional book, Ivany spends her days praying, reading and writing messages that she hopes will inspire Salvationists around the world—and she keeps a globe on her desk to remind her of how far those Major Beverly Ivany messages can reach.

Ivany is in her fourth year of writing Words of Life, and it may be the most exciting year yet. For the first time in its history, Words of Life will be translated into Spanish by the U.S.A. Western Territory, to be hopefully released by the end of 2014.

“A fair percentage of The Salvation Army is Spanish-speaking so it will be a real blessing,” Ivany said.

Words of Life is also expanding into the digital sphere—an official app for phones and tablets is in development and is expected to launch by the end of the year.

These initiatives underscore the devotional’s significance in a growing, international Army.

“The great thing about Words of Life is that, on any specific day, Salvationists from around the world are reading the same thing,” Ivany said. “It unites us and helps us feel connected to the larger Salvation Army as a whole.”

A new issue of Words of Life is published every four months. Each entry offers a Scripture reading, an encouraging message and a call to action. On Sundays, Ivany includes excerpts from The Song Book of The Salvation Army.

“My hope is that readers will be able to apply what they read to their lives in a practical way, and live out what the Word is saying to them,” she said. “It’s not just informative; it helps them feel fired up for another day.”

Over the past three years, Words of Life has covered every book in the Bible, following the overarching themes of faith, hope and love.

Next year, Words of Life will focus on the Trinity.

In addition to the Bible, Ivany draws on a variety of sources, from newspapers to novels, as well as her own life and experiences as a wife, mother and officer. In her early years as a writer, Ivany wrote two devotional books for young people, Kid Talk and Teen Talk, which started off as devotionals for her own children.

Ivany is appointed to Toronto’s Corps 614 with her husband, Major David Ivany. The corps is located in Regent Park, a neighborhood where nearly 70 percent of residents are considered low-income.

“A lot of the people at our corps are very vulnerable, marginalized people,” Ivany said. “It’s really front-line ministry; it’s what the Army is all about.” The appointment often provides illustrations for Words of Life.

“I really feel that writing this is a partnership with God,” she said. “Sometimes thoughts come to me that I would never have thought of on my own, and I feel God saying that this is what people need to hear.

Ivany regularly receives letters from readers.

“People have told me how they were blessed on a certain day—that the message was just for them—and yet, it was written over a year ago,” she said. “That encourages me to write more, if only for that one person who is going through a crisis.”

Subscribe to Words of Life via sp-s.co.uk.|NFC

Page 10—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

Faith and community development Lessons on faith-based facilitation from Haiti

BY ELISSANT JEAN JACQUES

P

TOP: High performing graduates of the Integrated Family Support (IFS) Vocational Training component are placed in internships to give them practical experience and a jump start for their careers.

Marie Michelle Domerçant is the only female on this construction site. Here she is applying a finishing coat on one of the outer walls of the home.

ABOVE: The Community Action Team (CAT) in Balan started a chicken coop with its own resources to provide meat in the local markets at an affordable price and to decrease the consumption of imported frozen chicken. They were even awarded a small grant through the Community Capacity Development program to expand the operation so that they can increase their production from 50 to 300 chickens at a time. Here Balan residents purchase chickens from the CAT’s coop on The Salvation Army compound. |Photos courtesy of the Haiti Recovery and Development Office

overty is widely viewed as lack of things—food, clothing, shelter, and so on—and is often the principal focus of aid actors from governmental to non-governmental agencies, faith-based and secular organizations. Yet, there is a growing consensus in faith-based groups that the root cause of poverty is spiritual.

While I would say poverty is both material and spiritual, I think the idea that poverty is broken relationships in four dimensions (with God, others, self and creation), as theorized in “When Helping Hurts,” is a good starting point to launch the battle against poverty in a holistic manner.

These relational frameworks are the basis of The Salvation Army’s community capacity development program that I lead in Haiti. For many decades, Haiti has been labeled by socio-economic standards as the most impoverished nation in the western hemisphere.

Following the massive 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the country faced damage and casualties of unprecedented scale. The Salvation Army—particularly the Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO)—developed several initiatives to meet the immediate needs of the affected people.

The long-term recovery program hinges on faith-based facilitation and community development—a five-step, rotating process and a set of tools borrowed from social science to help people address the needs and issues of their communities from the perspective of faith. Our strategy is to train, mobilize and resource officers, church leaders and community members. They then form a Community Action Team, a small community-based, church-driven, and Christ-guided organization that works to transform the community.

Now in over 60 communities in Haiti, this program has equipped 72 officers and 157 corps leaders, who in turn equip more than 1,500 community leaders—including youth, Salvationists and non-Salvationists, men and women—to become faith-based facilitators organized in Community Action Teams to achieve sustainable change in their communities. Over 50 teams are in action throughout the country.

This program is based on certain key principles: Participation: We do not enter the communities and tell people what to do. Alongside the community members, we identify the needs and see what can be done given the

strengths and resources of the communities.

Self-support: We believe that each individual, each community has something to contribute. So we do not want to create dependency mentality. We value participation and self-support that will lead to ownership.

Felt-needs: Many times organizations have resources that they want to invest in particular domains that are not necessarily in the interest of the community. This ends up creating lack of ownership and disregard. In this program, we use a bottom-up approach in which we come alongside the communities to identify and tackle the problem that they feel is a problem.

Sustainability: We concentrate our efforts on the initiatives that the Community Action Teams will turn into lasting change. It is understood that we come along not to stay forever, but for the community to take over when we are not there. The product of our intervention should last longer than our presence in the community. When the money ends, the product should continue.

Training includes a community need analysis, project planning and management, the roots of building deeper relationships, and grant writing basics. We practice community walks with facilitators, during which they interview community members about their hope for their communities, the resources available and the challenges they constantly face.

Facilitators learn to use a Problem Tree Analysis to get to the root causes and investigate the effects of a given problem. Facilitators are also led through the process of reflecting on their issues in light of Scripture, and we use role play and theater to facilitate a full assimilation of the training.

As a result of the program, Salvationists, local authorities, and community leaders join together to reflect on and address community issues. Although in limited scale, they have contributed their own resources to take initiatives in their communities, such as soil road construction and maintenance in several rural areas like Couyot and Payant. The Moulin Community Action Team helped a family of nine people living in a shack made in a soil hole to have shelter.

The program also allows for transcending religious boundaries as people of different sets of beliefs join together to reflect and work on community issues. Civic engagement is on the rise as community members in Haiti are together achieving sustainable change.|NFC

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 11

I have changed.

I have become a good woman and I will not go back to the work in the brothel anymore.

—CHAITALI

TOP: Women practice reading and writing at the Counseling and Development Center (CDC) in Old Dhaka. BELOW: A view from outside of the CDC, one of three facilities in which The Salvation Army’s Integrated HIV/AIDS and Anti-Trafficking Project operates. |Photos by Victor Mondal

LEAVING THE BROTHEL BEHIND Trafficking victims in Bangladesh become skilled craftswomen and entrepreneurs.

C THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S (DOS) Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons developed a tier placement system, which gives each country a score of 1, 2, 2WL (watch list) or 3, based on its government’s compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards. According to the 2012 DOS report, Bangladesh earned a ‘Tier 2’ placement, meaning that its government does not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but is making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with them.

haitali was just 12 when she boarded a bus to Dumuria in the Khulna District of Bangladesh to meet her biological father. But she could not describe to the bus driver and supervisor exactly who her father was or where he lived, so they took advantage of the situation.

For the next few months, they sexually abused Chaitali. After that, they sold her to a brothel. There, Chaitali became pregnant and gave birth at 13. Her infant son was taken to live with her grandmother.

A year later, Chaitali escaped the brothel with her boyfriend and went to the police. Instead of helping, the police locked them both in jail, where the brothel owner found Chaitali and paid a bribe to have her released back into the brothel. She fled several more times, but repeatedly wound up back at the brothel.

Staff members of The Salvation Army’s Health Care and Counseling Center (HCCC) in Jessore regularly visited the brothel, but Chaitali, who was addicted to drugs, wanted nothing to do with them. Yet, the staffers’ persistence paid off, as they got the opportunity to counsel her and invite her to the HCCC—right across the street from the brothel.

Chaitali eventually agreed to go to the HCCC, where she learned to read, write and sew. She even parlayed her training into her own tailoring business. Now 30 and nearly two years into the HCCC’s program, Chaitali still gets tailoring orders from women in brothels, but refuses to return to a life in the sex trade.

“I have changed,” said Chaitali, who now sees her son regularly.

“I have become a good woman and I will not go back to the work in the brothel anymore.”

The Salvation Army’s Integrated HIV/AIDS and Anti-Trafficking Project has helped over 600 females like Chaitali regain control of their lives and work toward a sustainable future since its launch in 1993. With the assistance of International Headquarters’ Technical Assistance Team on HIV/AIDS, the program operates at three different sites: Old Dhaka, Satkhira and Jessore. The three facilities offer testing for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; counseling; literacy training;

skills training; jobs through Sally Ann, The Salvation Army’s Fair Trade Organization; and even small entrepreneurial grants. The project was previously supported by the Danish Mission Council Development Department, but is now seeking alternative funding.

Bangladesh is the world’s eighth most populous country, and also one of the poorest in the world with a per capita income of $1.04 per day—well below the international poverty line. UNICEF estimates that less than 10 percent of children in Bangladesh are registered at birth, which makes it difficult to track whether their rights are being protected. Those who are abused, trafficked or exploited are explicitly denied their rights to be safe from these practices under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They are also more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse and less likely to finish, or begin, school. Worse yet, many of the women and girls in brothels know of no other way to live, according to Victor Mondal, project manager for the three sites.

“Working with the commercial sex workers and prostitutes I saw a number of ways through which they can change their behavior and bring light of hope and fortune to them,” Mondal said.

“Therefore, I tried my heart and soul to change their behavior and involved them [in] any alternative job opportunity confirming a better lifestyle.”

Some, like Chaitali, go on to become small business owners—selling everything from fresh produce to toys to cosmetics. Others gain employment directly through Sally Ann, selling their handmade crafts and clothing in Dhaka as well as Norway, Denmark and several other Salvation Army territories. According to project staff, the goal is to eventually sell the products online, but for now they’re simply focused on providing victims a refuge from the brothels.

“I love these women,” said Sushmita Biswas, project coordinator at the HCCC, who has worked with the program for 17 years. “I do not want to see them in this sex business. They are human beings and must be treated as human beings; not as sex objects. They need respect and have to come out from this hell and live with respect.”

Chaitali’s name was changed in this story.|NFC

Page 12—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

LEFT: The 2010 earthquake leaves massive destruction in Chile.

BELOW: The Salvation Army donates boats to local fishermen after the 2010 earthquake and tsunami.

|Photos courtesy of The Salvation Army Chile

QUAKES ROLL THROUGH CHILE The Salvation Army sticks to its long-term response strategy.

S

ituated on the Ring of Fire, Chile does not catch a break when it comes to earthquakes. According to Earthquake Today, the country has experienced more than 200 earthquakes in the past month alone and 500 in the past year.

The recent magnitude-8.2 earthquake in the city of Iquique—located in the north of Chile—on April 1 was the strongest this year so far, killing six people and causing a tsunami of 7-foot waves according to Reuters.

The Salvation Army of the neighboring Calama Corps rushed on the scene to distribute water, milk, coffee and basic food supplies, and the Iquique Corps served soup to those affected.

The Chile Central Division launched a campaign for the response efforts.

“People are very worried, especially in the coastal zones, about possible tid-

al waves; the idea of a tsunami terrorizes them because of the potential major damages that could happen in cities near the ocean,” said Commissioner Jorge Ferreira, territorial commander for the South America West Territory.

With thousands of homes damaged and 30 boats—which many Chilean fishermen depend on—destroyed, The Salvation Army assessed the damage, and as of April 8 plans were in place to send 20 tons of tents, blankets, mattresses and food to those in the affected areas, funded by the USA Southern Territory.

Emergency canteens were sent to worst-hit areas, but road damage hindered their progress. The territory is also looking to build basic wooden homes for people whose houses and belongings were destroyed.

“The Salvation Army is taking every opportunity to offer primary help, but

what really stood out was the strong presence of spirituality among the people,” Ferreira said. “Their trust in God gives strength and hope to those who have lost everything.”

This earthquake, however, is not the strongest in recent years. Chile was struck by a magnitude-8.8 earthquake in 2010 and the subsequent tsunami killed over 500 people and the Army today continues its long-term response to it.

“The majority of construction work is built under earthquake resistant standards so there wasn’t a lot of destruction of homes in relation to the magnitude of the earthquake, but we were not prepared for a tsunami in the southern region,” said Noelia Pintos, territorial projects secretary for South America West.

The Salvation Army and numerous volunteers worked in the zones of Dichato, Santa Clara and Caleta Tumbes, which were the worst-hit locations in the tsunami as its residents’ simply constructed homes were extremely close to the ocean.

“The losses in these communities were huge,” Pintos said. “Homes, boats— of which many fishermen depended on for income—and lives were lost.”

Thanks to various donations from around the world, The Salvation Army was able to assist victims in the most direct and practical way possible for them.

A knitting group, formed by 48 women ages 16 through 60, met every afternoon to cope with the aftermath day by day together.

“It was a form of therapy for each of them,” Pintos said.

In Caleta Tumbes, The Salvation Army funded repairs and restoration of a facility in which women and their children met for recreational activities.

“This place was very important to them because it served as a refuge from the rain and cold weather as they all shared time together,” Pintos said.

In addition to these community projects, fishermen in the affected areas approached the Army for help.

“After numerous visits and meetings with the local residents, we realized that the people did not want to keep receiving fish, but rather the fishing rods and lines to fish,” said Pintos.

The Army was able to provide the fishermen boats with built-in security systems, tools for the local women to make their handicrafts with the seashells, and 20 freezers to store seafood to sell. An additional 32 families received wood burning stoves to cook their meals and heat their homes.

Pintos said, “Today, these communities are generating their own resources like they were before the earthquake and tsunami thanks to the donations received and those who collaborated to help The Salvation Army in its response.”|NFC

Belfast’s Centenary House builds a gym Residents explore the link between physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

The Salvation Army’s Centenary House in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has a new gym, built at the request of residents who completed a fitness program at a nearby Pure Gym. Centenary House is one of the Army’s Lifehouse facilities, which offer short-term accommodations for men in need of housing, plus activities and training to improve clients’ self-esteem, mental health and employment prospects.

Former Lifehouse resident Tony O’Neill is helping the center that turned his life around by co-running, with Pure Gym, a fitness program for current residents at the new gym.

“I know from personal experience that it is a great source of anger management, and being able to work out is really beneficial for your overall health,” O’Neill said. He worked to become a personal trainer while living at the center.

A public donation allowed Centenary House to build its own gym in a unit that had been empty for some time.

Residents fully participated in the gym’s ongoing design and art work.

“The gym is a great opportunity for me and the other guys,” said Michael, a current resident. “It gives us something to do in the day when there is the potential for us to build up frustrations. The gym is a really good outlet to work out any issues but more than that is a great opportunity to stay healthy and motivated.”

Centenary House Service Manager Stephen Potter said that the center seeks to constantly expand opportunities for its residents, and that their suggestions are taken seriously.

“We have called this our ‘Spirit Gym,’ recognizing that, while The Salvation Army offers unconditional holistic support to anyone in need, we also care about their spiritual well-being,” Potter said. “We have painted a passage from Hebrews on our wall that talks about running the race with perseverance—not only does this talk about sticking true to the Christian journey but also reminding our residents to persevere in life.”

From salvationarmy.org.uk|NFC

Tony O’Neill studied to become a personal trainer while residing at Centenary House. |Photo courtesy of the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 13

THE SALVATION ARMY IN LITHUANIA MOVES TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY Captain Martin Cooper visits the ‘Partners in Mission’ country.

BY TERESA STEINMETZ

T

he Salvation Army faces unique challenges in Lithuania, according to Captain Martin Cooper, Medford, Ore., corps officer, who traveled to the country as a representative of the Western Territory’s Cascade Division. Lithuania is paired with the division in the Partners in Mission program, The Salvation Army’s international program for World Services and self-denial fundraising.

Over the past year, the Cascade Division raised $5,000 at various events to support the Army in Lithuania. Cooper visited the country to determine how the Cascade Division could further help the Army there move toward self-sufficiency.

“This is how we better the world and not just our own community—by pooling resources and coming together in faith for a better future,” Cooper said.

He spent time at the Klaipeda Corps, where he learned about The Salvation Army’s presence in Lithuania from Captain Susanne Kettler-Riutkenen, the officer-in-charge, and Auxiliary Captain Annegret Gollmer.

Since 1998, when the Army first arrived in Lithuania, its programs have grown, despite opposition from the community, which views some churches as cults. This perception is a by-product of the Soviet occupation during the Cold War and the Nazi occupation during World War II, and is a challenge facing the Army’s growth.

“I was very impressed by how hardworking they are, how they do so much with so few resources, and how dedicated they are to The Salvation Army,” Cooper said.

Kettler-Riutkenen and Gollmer emphasized their desire for a service team to help evangelize and change the community’s negative perception of The Salvation Army.

“They told me that a summer Service Corps team, skilled in praise and

worship music and in street evangelism, would be most beneficial to its ministry in the country and would ultimately take them one step closer to self-sufficiency,” Cooper said.

The corps’ location is also hindering the Army’s ministry. Currently it exists on the top floor of a rented building with four retail shops below.

“The shop owners are not happy about sharing a building with The Salvation Army,” Cooper said. “They are not pleased that the Army reaches out to the homeless and that ‘cult teachings’ take place there.”

In addition, people are not allowed to sleep there—no matter what the conditions are outside—nor are they allowed to have a proper kitchen in the facility.

To overcome these challenges, the Lithuanian Salvationists want to purchase land to build a one-story corps building with kitchen, a youth room and chapel that could minister to people without encountering criticism from the local community.

“The other advantage to having our own building is that we could create some housing for homeless people,” Cooper said. “Right now they sleep in the dump, and during a cold winter 10-15 people die in the city.”

He said many in the homeless population are young people who are turned out on the streets at age 18 from orphanages or low-income households. The Salvation Army’s goal is to work with these young people, providing temporary housing and helping them become productive members of society.

‘Today is the Day’ CD now available Western Territorial Youth Chorus releases its first recording.

“Today is the Day,” the debut recording from the Western Territorial Youth Chorus (TYC), features 17 selections in a variety of musical styles from gospel to indie rock and Broadway.

Led by Matt Woods, Northwest divisional music director, the TYC includes 37 young people from throughout the territory.

“This is a great album in every respect,” said Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek, composer of “Living Fire,” the first song on the album. “For me, the absolute highlight of the album is Bob Chilcott’s arrangement of ‘God So Loved the World.’ In beautiful a capella, the message

of the all-surpassing miracle of God’s love comes across in a most compelling way.”

Marty Mikles, music evangelism and worship specialist for The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory, said, “Even more impressive [than its multifaceted accompaniment] are the voices, textures, balance and blend of these young folks.”

According to Mikles, “‘Today is the Day’...is simply the cream of the crop from the youth of The Salvation Army’s Western Territory.”

Follow the TYC on Facebook (Territorial Youth Chorus—USA West). |NFC

Buying property and building a facility are logical steps for The Salvation Army in Lithuania to become self-sufficient; however, more financial help is needed to make this possible.

As Cooper said, “The Cascade Division—armed with knowledge of the needs and the ministries in its Partners in Mission country 5,200 miles away—can band together to better assist the Lithuanian Salvation Army in becoming a self-supporting entity that can make a life-changing impact in the community.”|NFC

Full time ministry opportunity in sunny SoCal.

Corps Assistant position in Glendale, California.

Send resume to Marlin.Galvez@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Call 818.246.5586 for information.

INTERMOUNTAIN DHQ • DENVER, CO

Senior Property Coordinator Under the direction of the Property Department Manager the Senior Property Coordinator will act as a point of contact among The Salvation Army Corps Officers, the Intermountain Division Command Finance Council, and selected departments at the TSA Territorial Headquarters. The Senior Property Coordinator will lead the process for purchase, sale, and lease of property; lead or supervise the coordination of renovation, remodel, or construction of IM property; complete or supervise the hazardous material project notifications; be a primary point of contact with THQ Legal for purchase and sales agreement and vendor contracts; and, supervise the management of the employee, Officers’, visitors’, and overnight parking. These activities and others will be assigned by the Property Department Manager.

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.

If interested, please provide a letter of introduction, salary requirements and resume to: Human Resources Supervisor 1370 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO 80203 cannon.bundy@usw.salvationarmy.org Fax: Human Resources Supervisor at (303) 866.9263

10 SIGNS

Page 14—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

—OF A—

CAMP COUNSELOR

1 You wait all year for summer.

The smell, sound and warmth of a campfire is unexplainably comforting.

2 You can make up hand motions to just about anything.

And you find it difficult not to do so while singing regular sentences outside of camp.

3 You have a drawer full of costumes for skit night.

And another drawer for all those camp T-shirts that you would never throw away.

4 You compare the morning walk to flag raising to a scene from “The Walking Dead.”

5 You have scars from bug bites.

Not everything is spectacular at camp.

6 You know that serenading your crush’s cabin is the ultimate form of affection.

But do you use a camp song or a love song?

7 You still laugh at those inside jokes.

It’s true: camp people bond like no one in the real world.

8 You can push through sheer exhaustion.

9 You have a lot of random skills that don’t fit on a resume.

Knot-weaving a friendship bracelet, entertaining hundreds of children with a dance move, and so on.

10 You miss talking to campers and hearing their hilarious stories.

Someone really needs to write all of those stories down.

Camps across the Western Territory are now accepting applications for summer jobs. Contact your corps officer or divisional youth secretary for more information.|NFC

And you’re okay with sacrificing a shower for sleep.

And you still wake up to the sound of “Reveille.”

H I S C A L L | H I S P E O P L E | H I S S E RV I C E

October 10-12, 2014 | Anaheim Convention Center

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household.” – Eph. 2:19

For more information visit our website: www.arcsalvationarmy.com

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 15

Page 16—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

CommiSSioninG weeKend Special Guests: General Paul Rader (R) & Commissioner Kay Rader June 13-15, 2014 | Pasadena Convention Center Friday June 13 10:30 am CommenCement (CFot) 12:00 pm Silver Star Banquet (CFot) 7:00 pm Amy GRAnt in ConCeRt

FridAy, June 13, 2014 @ 7PM PAsAdenA ciVic AudiToriuM TickeTs: ViP - $50 Preferred - $25 General Admission - $15 USA Western Territory

VisiT www.uswevents.org

Saturday June 14 8:30 am Future officers Fellowship Breakfast 8:30 am Recovery Breakfast 8:45 am Spanish Seminars through 4:00 Pm 9:00 am enCoRe! 12:00 pm Long Service Lunch 12:00 pm nSe Reunion Lunch 2:00 pm Bible Bowl Round 3:15 pm BiBLe BowL ChAmPionShiP and enCoRe! AwARdS 4:00 pm hall of Faith – Reception 6:30 pm the PAth oF the CRoSS Sunday June 15 9:00 am Sunday School Assembly 10:00 am CommiSSioninG & oRdinAtion 12:00 pm Commissioning Lunch 3:00 pm SeRviCe oF APPointmentS

www.uswevents.org USA western territory

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 17

...my eyes stopped on a picture that filled me with fear—there, astride a black horse, Günter was wearing with pride and arrogance the uniform of an SS officer.

BY JACQUES ROUFFET, MAJOR

O

riginally from the south of Germany, Günter had the figure of an athlete—blond hair and blue eyes, yet genteel and remarkably humble. While a student of Tübingen University in Germany, I was invited to a meal at his house. I’d been told to ask about his testimony.

I didn’t need to ask Günter, who was now a soldier of The Salvation Army. At the end of our meal he placed a small metal box on the table from which he extracted some documents and old, yellowing pictures. On the white tablecloth, laid before my eyes, was Günter’s childhood, his youth, his life.

Born into Bavarian nobility, Günter received the strict education of young men of his rank. As I attentively listened to him, my eyes stopped on a picture that filled me with fear—there, astride a black horse, Günter was wearing with pride and arrogance the uniform of an SS officer.

“Yes, that is me,” he said. “I was young and stupid, but from childhood I was taught that Germany would conquer Europe and that as a young intellectual I was part of this elite.”

I believed him. “My family, friends and teachers told me the same thing,” he said. “How could I refuse to enroll?”

So how, I asked, did he come to be a soldier of The Salvation Army?

As a 20-year old SS officer, he was sent to Strasburg in 1943 with the job of gathering and burning all the books that did not reflect the Nazi ideology and disbanding any organizations and churches opposed to the Reich. “At the time The Salvation Army was considered to be a dangerous propaganda machine for the enemy,” he said. “Even though we knew the Salvationists were doing good, especially among the poor, I had been given a job to do.

“One November day, after my men had ransacked The Salvation Army hall, I entered the building where flags, Christian newspapers and flyers had been burnt. I found some of their hymn books in French and German. The German book also had music, so being a musician I sat at the dust- and ash-covered piano and started to play the melody of the first hymn I turned to.

O boundless salvation! Deep ocean of love...

“I stopped playing and thought about the place I was in—broken chairs, smashed windows and swastikas painted on the walls. A crest of The Salvation Army was smashed into pieces, cutlery and plates were scattered on the floor. ‘Where is their God?’

I thought, smirking. I put the hymn books in a box and took them with me to burn.

Called back to Berlin the same day, Günter forgot about the hymn books until the following day.

“Fearful of being accused of being part of this ‘strange’ Army, I resolved to throw them in a fire located at the bottom of Landerberg Allee. As I hurried to get to BOUNDLESS SALVATION PAGE 18

Page 18—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

BOUNDLESS SALVATION

Just at that moment a young SS officer entered

FROM PAGE 17

the huge fire I went past a dilapidated evangelical church.

To my great surprise, I heard the same melody I had been playing.”

O boundless salvation! Deep ocean of love…

“I went in. Seven French prisoners of war (POW) were laboriously singing ‘O Boundless Salvation’ and needless to say they were absolutely petrified to see me among them!

They were gaunt and filthy—a pitiful sight as they played the melody by candlelight on an awfully out of tune piano.

They were stumbling over the words of a hymn tune that they couldn’t fully recall. “’Nicht! No, not like that,’ I said to the pianist in my bad French. I vigorously pushed him aside and started to play the tune. ‘Go on! Sing! Books, in the box there.’ They obediently took books and sheepishly began to sing the Founder’s song, which they finished confidently. “’Stille Nacht, bitte,’ one of them asked. It was Christmas, so what could I do? I started to play the melody and they sang along in their language and I in mine. As we sang, I pictured my family around the Christmas tree, sharing meals and gifts as a sign of peace and love. As I listened to these French prisoners—my enemies—singing I had the sudden realization that the unity Germany sought to create in Europe by force, had already been won by Christ though his selfless love and sacrifice.

“Unable to contain my emotions and feeling the love of God invading me, I rushed from the church with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes, taking with me the Salvationist hymn book.”

As we sat at the table, Günter filled with barely controllable emotion. “Here it is,” he said. “See the stamp here: “This book belongs to Strasburg Salvation Army.”

“Since leaving that church I hated my life, uniform and political party,” he said. “With the help of trusted friends I found refuge in Switzerland, where I stayed until the end of the war, went to church and discovered the Bible. Once back in Germany, I settled in Tailfingen and joined The Salvation Army.”

••• I had forgotten this extraordinary conversation by the time I entered the training college in London in 1972. Two years later I married Yvonne Chislett and as lieutenants we were appointed to Montparnasse, a small corps in the middle of a Parisian quarter.

the hall. We froze in fear when we recognized the black uniform and cap featuring a skull. He looked at us with disdain...

One day, one of my sergeants asked me to visit her brother Jean, a soldier of the corps who was unable to worship regularly. Jean was bedridden, and struggling to know what to say I talked about the weather. But after a short while Jean told me his testimony.

“I’ve been a Salvationist all my life,” he said. “There was a time when I thought I’d lose my faith but, strangely, that time proved to be a blessing.

“In 1943, when a soldier in the French Army, I was made a POW and was deported to Berlin where the citizens had pity on us and treated us well. But it wasn’t the same with the SS, who didn’t hesitate to beat us up. While living in a squalid POW camp, a chaplain said he’d met prisoners from my own church and would be delighted to introduce them to me. It was reassuring to meet fellow Salvationists in the middle of this hell, but we kept our meetings secret because The Salvation Army had been banned by the authorities.

“Just before Christmas we were particularly discouraged and demoralized. There was no news from France and spending Christmas far from our families was tough. My friend Paul, a musician, had found an abandoned church on a large street that we didn’t know the name of. ‘The hall is in good condition,’ Paul assured us. ‘There’s even a piano. We could go tonight because the authorities are busy burning books.’

“When we arrived at the church there was not much left, but fortunately it wasn’t raining because we could see the stars through the roof! There were no doors and no electricity. It was so cold that we weren’t surprised that people were singing and dancing to the heat of the book

fire on Alexanderplatz. Paul had a candle with him, but without any music he wasn’t very good on the piano.

“We tried to play some well-known hymns to lift our spirits. We played Christmas carols too, but in this dark and sinister place our hearts weren’t in it. Antoine suggested that as we were Salvationists singing the Founder’s song would encourage us, but after the first verse we were only able to hum the second. ‘Lord,’ I cried, ‘we’re losing faith. Give us the strength to sing for you.’ So we tried again.

Paul played as best as he could and we sang.”

O boundless salvation! Deep ocean of love...

“Just at that moment a young SS officer entered the hall. We froze in fear when we recognized the black uniform and cap featuring a skull. He looked at us with disdain; he could see we were only insignificant French soldiers—lost, miserable and stinky. I thought this was the end for us, but instead he threw a box on a table and took a book out if it. He pushed Paul off the piano stool and started to play the music—the first bars of the Founder’s song. We were stunned and didn’t dare sing. “‘Go on!,’ he said. ‘Go on, sing!’ He pointed to the box. Incredible! It was filled with Salvation Army song books in French and German. The first page was stamped: ‘This book belongs to Strasburg Salvation Army.’ We each took a book and tremulously started to sing.

“Paul courageously suggested to the SS man: ‘Stille Nacht, bitte!’ We sang ‘Silent Night’ at the top of our voices, but without warning the SS officer stopped in the middle of a verse and hurriedly left the church, taking the hymn book with him.

We never saw him again but we also never forgot that moment when God revealed himself to us in this most unexpected way.”

Jean reached into his bedside cabinet where he took out an old Salvation Army song book. “Look Lieutenant, I kept the one I picked up.” On the first, faded page it read: “This book belongs to Strasburg Salvation Army.”

Jean died just a few weeks later and I lead his funeral. Shortly before the service the undertaker approached me to share his embarrassment. “The family has put one of your hymn books close to Jean’s heart,” he said, “but it belongs to The Salvation Army in Strasburg.”

I replied with a smile, “I know. He’ll take it with him to Heaven.”

Excerpt reproduced with permission from The Officer, January-February 2014.|NFC

GENERAL REOPENS ‘TRANSFORMED’ SUNBURY COURT

BY KEVIN SIMS General André Cox reopened The Salvation Army’s historic Sunbury Court with a reminder that the “beautiful and magnificent venue,” to the west of London, was only a tool for God to use. The real significance, he said, came about through the lives that would be dedicated to God at what is now home to the International College for Officers (ICO) and Centre for Spiritual Life Development (CSLD).

Purchased by then-General Bramwell Booth in 1925, Sunbury Court has since been at the heart of many Salvation Army programs, most notably as host to the High Council (the group that meets to elect a new General). Only three High Councils have not been held at this venue.

At the heart of the grounds is a large Georgian mansion, joined in recent years by the conference center and a newly built accommodation suite, which will allow Sunbury Court to be a venue for conferences and retreats.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included a prayer poem, read

by Chief of the Staff Commissioner William Roberts, written by then-General Albert Orsborn for the opening and dedication to God of The Cedars in 1950. Cox added his own words of prayer: “As we dedicate this building we dedicate ourselves anew to you.”

In a welcome reception, Commissioner William Cochrane, international secretary to the Chief of the Staff, described what had taken place as “a transformation—a beautiful restoration,” and paid particular tribute to the architect firms, Dyers and Mabers, to the building

company, Huttons, and to property advisors CBRE for their skilled and speedy work.

The day concluded with the official welcome to 31 delegates of ICO Session 221.

In his message, the General spoke about the importance of realizing— even while in an iconic venue—that God was not confined to any place. “God is everywhere,” he said. “We can meet with God everywhere.” He acknowledged that ICO delegates were being given an opportunity to step away from their day-to-day ministry in order to spend time with God, but he laid down a challenge for when they return home: “We need to find ways to connect with God in the busyness of everyday life.”

Cox concluded: “I pray you will know that God is truly with you wherever you go from this place.”

For more on Sunbury Court, visit salvationarmy.org/sunburycourt.|NFC

General André Cox (far right) watches as The Salvation Army flag is unfurled at Sunbury Court. |Photo courtsey of IHQ

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE­—Page 19

PROMOTED TO GLORY Major Chester “Chet” Deroy Danielson, 83, was promoted to Glory April 14 surrounded by family in Fresno, Calif.

Born in Miles City, Mont., on Feb. 25, 1931, Danielson was raised by Salvationist parents and had two siblings. At age 6, Danielson moved with his family to Long Beach, Calif., where his parents ran a shelter for women and children. He played cornet at an early age in the Long Beach Citadel Band.

While at a Camp Mt. Crags music camp in Southern California at age 11, Danielson met Victoria “Vicki” Dawn Nottle. The two eventually married on Feb. 27, 1953.

Danielson worked for Western Union before joining the U.S. Air Force to see the world. After basic training, he was sent all the way to Riverside, Calif., for the rest of his service. From 1950 to 1953 he trained as a gunner on a B29 during the Korea Conflict, but never saw active duty. It was during this time that he fully committed himself to Christ, even nicknamed “Deacon” by his peers.

Danielson entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in 1955, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1956 (Vicki was commissioned in 1951). Together, they served as Salvation Army officers in appointments in Dalles and Medford, Ore.; Honolulu and Kauluwela, Hawaii; Greeley, Colo.; Chula Vista, Ontario, Fresno, and San Fernando, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and El Paso, Texas. Fluent in Spanish, the Danielsons were then appointed at territorial headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico, and as divisional leaders in Guatemala.

Danielson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pasadena College in 1965.

The pair retired in 1996 from appointments at the College for Officer Training and moved to Clovis, Calif. For the past 18 years, Danielson served as chaplain at the Fresno Adult Rehabilitation Center.

He took part in missions teams, taught dozens of young people to play brass instruments and played in the Fresno Corps band.

Danielson is survived by his wife, Vicki; children David (Regina), Dawn (Wes) Trueblood, Colonel Doug (Veronica), Dennis, and Doreen; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service was held April 18 at the Fresno Citadel Corps. Lt. Colonel Stephen Smith, Golden State divisional commander, officiated and Captain Dwaine Breazeale, corps officer, gave the message. Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army Fresno Citadel Corps Band Fund (1914 Fulton St., Fresno, CA 93721).

A TRIBUTE

BY RACHEL THIEME It’s Wednesday of Holy Week.

Two days ago I watched my grandpa take his very last breath on earth.

It was hard to have absolutely no control in that moment. To see his heart rate descend lower and lower in a matter of seconds. To know it was coming and to not be able to do anything. I wanted to pause the moment. I held on tightly to my brother’s arm because that was all I could do.

And then he took his last breath.

The heart rate monitor read “0.” He was no longer with us.

What must it have been like for Mary and the disciples watching Christ on the cross?

Confusion, doubt, fear, sadness, pain, and such a powerlessness.

They probably clung to each other because that was all they could do. Wondering if this was his last breath and hoping it wasn’t.

If only they could hold on to him for a few moments longer.

My grandpa fell on Saturday. He had to get seven staples in his head. My mom and uncle jumped into their car to drive up to Fresno from L.A. but called him on the way.

“I’m in his hands,” My grandpa told her— the last coherent words she’d hear him say on this earth. “Whatever happens, I’m in his hands.”

And my grandpa was in God’s hands. He let him hold on until he could be surrounded by all five of his children along with his wife of 61 years. We sang him hymns until he left us. Maybe more for our benefit than his.

God’s grace is boundless.

Jesus was in his hands, too. Jesus had counted the cost and deemed us worthy to suffer for. Jesus showed what unwavering

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN SEE YOUR CORPS OFFICER

faith and trust is.

But wait, there’s more…

There’s more for my grandpa. He had such faith and peace and hope and trust because he knew there was more for him…because Jesus died on that cross so there could be more.

Our victorious King conquered death so there could be life for those who believe.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)” Major Thomas Elliott was promoted to Glory March 23 from Beaverton, Ore. He was born Dec. 6, 1926, in Broadus, Mont., to George and Mildred Elliott.

Elliott entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training from the Coos Bay, Ore., corps and was commissioned in 1946 with the Challengers Session. He met Merle Parsons at the The Salvation Army’s Trestle Glen Camp in Oregon, and they wed in 1949.

The Elliotts served in 17 corps and headquarters assignments throughout the Western Territory. After more than 39 years as active officers, they also accepted several post-retirement positions. Some of their longer appointments include Olympia, Wash. (seven years), Redondo Beach, Calif. (five years), and Inglewood, Calif. (seven years).

Elliott believed in innovation and keeping The Salvation Army’s services relevant to people’s needs. He instituted programs like the Angel Tree and Meals on Wheels in corps 45 years

ago. He also managed the planning, design, funding, property purchase and construction of the Torrance Corps in the late 1970s.

Known for his gift of communication and servant’s heart, Elliott used his dry sense of humor, simple language and love of people and God to effectively touch the hearts of his congregation.

The Elliotts retired in 1991 and settled in Beaverton.

Elliott is survived by his wife, Merle; and children Sharon (Bob) Gregg, Diane (Ed) Henderson, Jerry (Becky) Elliott, Janet (Bob) Yardley, and Jeff (Mary) Elliott; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service took place at the Portland (Ore.) Tabernacle Corps March 29. In remembrance, donations may be made to the Major Tom Elliott Youth Music Scholarship at the Portland Tabernacle Corps, 1712 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97232.|NFC CHANDLER, ARIZONA CORPS

YOUTH DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS: · High School Diploma or GED required · College Degree (AA or Bachelor’s preferred) · Must be computer literate in Microsoft Office software · Ability to work to minimal supervision · Excellent written and verbal communication skills · Ability to organize and lead group activities that incorporate volunteers, employees & program participants · Uniformed Salvationist in good standing or member of Christian Evangelical Church · Maintain Christian integrity at work and during personal time · Experience in working & relating well with youth and adults · Ability to motivate & be self motivating in leading others to a relationship with Jesus Christ · Possess verifiable leadership and management skills · Valid Arizona Driver’s License w/clean driving record · Successful background clearance RESPONSIBILITIES: · Plan and prepare activities for youth programming including topical lesson planning · Supervise, lead or assist with TSA Corps Youth Programs (Adventure Corps/Girl Guards/Sunbeams) · Prepare and distribute promotional materials as needed · Teach, interact and guide young people in all Youth Center and Corps activities · Provide classroom supervision to ensure program participants are tutored appropriately and as needed · Implement strategies for ensuring compliance with TSA and PTM policies and protocols · Ensure the use of best practice safety standards during all activities · Teach and lead the Creative Ministries Class · Work with Corps maintenance staff to ensure the cleanliness of activity areas · Supervise, develop and promote growth in Salvation Army youth programming including, Sunday School, Troops, Junior Soldiers, Corps Cadets, Bible Study, Praise & Worship · Provide Biblical teaching as necessary · Work with teachers, volunteers and other ministry staff to develop and improve Sunday School programming and growth in attendance · Function as youth mentor and youth advocate to families within the Corps · Recruit, organize & train leaders for all traditional Corps programs · Participate in fundraisers throughout the year · Assist Corps Officers in planning and implemen tation of specific goals, meeting goal objectives and deadlines in order to further the mission of the Chandler Corps and The Salvation Army · Assist in planning, developing and implementing ministry outreach strategy for youth in the sur rounding community · Assist with bridge building from social service programs to Corps programs · Maintain a daily journal of program activities and report statistics to your supervisor · Participate in seasonal activities as assigned · Assist with the transportation needs of the Corps as assigned · Other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the position of Youth Director Submit a cover letter and resume to robert.deidrick@usw.salvationarmy.org or sandra.deidrick@usw.salvationarmy.org

Page 20—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

May 2014 • New Frontier CHRONICLE—Page 21

CADETS COVER WESTERN TERRITORY FOR

SPRING CAMPAIGNS

Clockwise from top left: One Love Brigade: Cadets Christopher Kim, Dave Preston, Miguel Ibarra and Michael Dominguez preparing meals for the homeless feeding program in Billings, Mont.; Soul Fire Brigade: Cadet Sam Snyder and the “Rocketeers Group” huddle with team members during Spring Break Day Camp/Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the Suisun City Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, Calif.; Crucified Brigade: Cadet Ivan Landeros rolls cotton candy cones during the Neighborhood Carnival in Salt Lake City, Utah; Carpenters Brigade: Cadets Naomi Kuhlman, Leona McGonigle, and Jazmin Roman (l-r) modeling vintage Salvation Army bonnets while cleaning and organizing storage rooms in the Spokane Citadel Corps, Wash.; LH2O Brigade: Cadet Yasmin Acosta makes a new friend during Senior Bingo at the Senior Center Lunch at City Command in San Jose, Calif.; Carriers Brigade: Cadet Iliana Montes leads the “Minute to Win It” game at the Youth VBS program at the Henley Youth Center at the Tustin Ranch Corps, Calif. |Photos courtesy of the College for Officer Training at Crestmont

Eighteen corps across The Salvation Army’s Western Territory welcomed 100 cadets—officers in training—to their locations in late March for the College for Officer Training’s annual Spring Campaigns. Brigades of approximately 10 cadets each traveled by land, air and sea for a week of training and ministry activities.

Cadets served in every corner of the territory: Billings and Bozeman, Mont.; Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah; San Diego, Compton, Glendale, Santa Ana, Tustin Ranch, San Jose, Suisun City and Roseburg, Calif.; Tualatin Valley, Ore.; Tacoma, Puyallup and Spokane, Wash.; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Ketchikan, Alaska.

The opportunity to train in a variety of corps and communities allows cadets to grow in spiritual leadership through preaching, teaching, leading worship and pastoral visits. They implement and spearhead corps programs, including door-to-door evangelism, community care ministry, annual luncheons, vacation Bible school, neighborhood carnivals, youth work, troops, homeless feeding, sports ministry and property maintenance. Sometimes they participate in unique ministry opportunities, such as praying for fire victims in their native tongue, building a community garden from scratch, serving as honor guard at a funeral, and leading creative evangelism bridge-builders through Zumba, knitting, and Phase 10 (a card game).

The Spring Campaign allows cadets to provide the ministry of presence, help those in need, pray for those seeking God’s leading, and share the news of salvation in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog and Akan.

During this year’s campaign, 29 souls reportedly joined the kingdom of God, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.|NFC

Page 22—New Frontier CHRONICLE • May 2014

USA WEST NEWS BRIEFS ALASKA

Kake hosts Alaska Congress

The Alaska Division held its annual congress in Kake, a city of about 550 people in Southeast Alaska. The event brought an additional 160 people to the small island for worship services, trainings and fellowship.

Territorial leaders Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs joined divisional leaders Majors George and Jeanne Baker to lead the congress. The host corps, Kake, is led by Lts. Mike and Noel Evans.

The event also celebrated Native culture, with traditional dancers and food. A parade of witness took place through the streets of Kake, and village elders, officials and community members joined The Salvation Army in worship and celebration.

“The spirit and warmth of the people of Kake were evident throughout the weekend,” George Baker said. “It was also a joy to see the other Kake congregations unite with us in worship Sunday morning.”

CASCADE

“This event makes me so proud to be in my town,” said Steve Schwabauer, City of Lodi interim city manager. “People do come together here and try to make a difference. This is really just an epitome of what this city is all about and what it does to care for itself. I greatly appreciate The Salvation Army’s effort for making these types of events happen.”

Love Lodi included 15 service projects: painting at The Salvation Army’s Hope Harbor Shelter, installing fire alarms, gathering loose shopping carts off the streets and collecting trash in residential areas.

Love Lodi is an adaptation of Love Modesto, which Capt. Martin Ross, Salvation Army Lodi Corps officer, participated in during his appointment at Modesto Corps.

“We saw the success in Modesto, and I knew Lodi can do the same here,” Ross said.

“Judging by the people here and their enthusiasm, we’re off to great start.”

GOLDEN STATE

Newspaper partners with Salvation Army for Kids’ Day

The Modesto Bee will devote a special section of its May 13 issue to The Salvation Army youth programs as it has done annually since 1997.

Sold for $1 per copy by community volunteers throughout Modesto, Calif., the newspaper sales will directly benefit youth programs at the Modesto Red Shield. Individual and corporate donations can also be made in advance.

HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS

Free health screenings

‘Something Grand’ in Portland

Over 1,000 people attended The Salvation Army’s third annual Something Grand concert, which benefits the Army’s after-school music programs in the Greater Portland Metro area, at the historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland April 19.

World-class pianist Michael Allen Harrison, four professional musicians from the Ten Grands concert series and five of Harrison’s students were featured. Special guests included Police Chief Mike Reese and Sgt. Jim Quakenbush, a classically trained pianist.

“This concert opens doors for so many children whose doors to the arts close in front of them,” said Major Don Gilger, Portland metro coordinator for The Salvation Army. “Our job is to open the doors so kids have the opportunity to find passion and succeed.”

To date, this event has raised over $28,000 to provide equipment and lessons to children. Proceeds from this year’s show are expected to be about $15,000. Event partners included Safeway and the Safeway Foundation, and Atiyeh Bros. Rugs & Carpeting.

DEL ORO

The Salvation Army of Lahaina was one of nine sites in Maui to host free health screenings as part of a co-sponsorship between the Oʻahu-based nonprofits Project Vision Hawaiʻi and WE…A Hui for Health. Services included: vision testing; blood-pressure screening; Community Alliance for Mental Health counseling for such issues as depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; one-on-one education on diabetes screening; assistance from the Hepatitis Support Network; Legacy of Life Hawai‘i organ and tissue donor information; National Kidney Foundation information; women’s health assistance; and Medicare anti-fraud and anti-scam educational material.

cility in Bellevue, Wash., where the Army provides a free hot dinner every night.

Hague and her team volunteered for about three hours.

Hague is a longtime supporter of The Salvation Army in Bellevue. She has served as the master of ceremonies for the organization’s annual fundraising breakfast since it originated in 2012.

SIERRA DEL MAR

Pasadena Tabernacle hosts Easter Concert

Spreading a message of hope

Inspirational speaker, Nick Vujicic, brought a message of hope to over 1,300 people in Indian Wells, Calif., at Southwest Community Church. Tickets were purchased at $10 for children and $20 for adults, and were sold out just days before the event took place.

“I didn’t know what to expect, I saw the trailers and read the story of this remarkable individual,” said Susan McGuire, who attended the event. “As Nick stood on his table, showing his two toes and with an awesome sense of humor, he caused the toes to flash us the peace sign, I wept. How remarkable is his life, through good times and challenging times praising the Lord again and again.”

The Salvation Army of Cathedral City held this benefit to aid their efforts in building a 10,000 sq. ft. gymnasium with three additional classrooms for an after school drop-in center, as well as enhancing their after school tutoring program. The capital campaign project, which began nearly two years ago, is a $3 million endeavor, of which $1.4 million has been raised.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

INTERMOUNTAIN

Clean water delivered

Residents in St. Mary’s Glacier community in Idaho Springs, Colo., went without usable water for two weeks until The Salvation Army delivered roughly 800 gallons of clean water.

The water and sanitation district shut down four water wells, the area’s main supply, when the wells receded to extremely low levels.

“Working directly with those impacted by the loss of clean water, you see just how vital water is to even the smallest, everyday actions,” Sherry Manson, The Salvation Army’s Intermountain Division emergency disaster services director told KWGN. “The Salvation Army is so glad that we can provide some comfort to the residents of St. Mary’s Glacier as the town works to restore its water wells.”

tended the SoCal Celebration in April, held at the Crestmont College for Officer Training.

The event included Encore! music performances with 250 participants, a Bible Bowl final competition that the Pasadena Tabernacle won, a World Services ingathering that celebrated $750,000 raised from divisional corps, 22 World Services/ craft booths run by individual corps that raised $5,400 for World Services, and a main stage for performances by corps musicians, as well as the debut of the newly formed Divisional Gospel Choir.

Divisional celebration brings in soldiers

Nearly 900 soldiers and officers at-

All youth and adult music groups of the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps participated in the annual Easter concert—a traditional event designed to attract non-attenders.

Over 400 people attended the program, which included the Tabernacle Songsters (Martin Hunt), the Tab Singing Company (Thandiwe Gregory), the Tab Youth Chorus (Barbara Allen), the Tabernacle Children’s Choir (Barbara Allen), and the Tab Timbrels (Sarah Stillson). John Docter played a flugel horn solo of a special jazz arrangement of “The Old Rugged Cross,” by James Allen.

As guests, the Torrance Songsters (Jacqui Larsson) and California Brass (Kevin Larsson) also performed.

Major Darren Norton, corps officer, gave a welcome and offered an invocation, and Divisional Commander Lt. Col. Douglas Riley offered a devotion.

A grand finale featured all of the groups as one.

SOUTHWEST

Arizona and Nevada participate in fundraising campaigns

The Salvation Army in Arizona and Nevada participated in two different campaigns to fundraise for services.

“Arizona Gives Day” took place on April 9, as non-profits across the state fundraised for various causes.

The Salvation Army raised $6,405 to send children to The Salvation Army’s Camp Ponderosa Ranch this summer.

The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada took part in the statewide “Nevada Big Give” campaign on April 25, which is a day of charitable giving for its residents. Money raised will benefit various philanthropic organizations, with the Army raising money for its veteran services.

Both campaigns were promoted via social media with #AZGives and #NVBigGive.

Love Lodi

Over 200 Lodi residents participated in the first ever “Love Lodi” volunteer event April 12 to help clean and restore parts of the Lodi community. The Salvation Army of Lodi served as lead agency for the day, working alongside several other churches, service groups and nonprofits.

NORTHWEST

Giving back

King County Councilmember Jane Hague and her staff helped serve the community supper at The Salvation Army fa-

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