Vol 30 No 14

God is doing some amazing things in the Western Territory.

CELEBRATING OUR 30th YEAR

~

The Western Territory’s news source

— Tim Foley, Major

for 30 years

August 31, 2012 Vol. 30, No. 14

60 report to Crestmont

Army responds to hurricane n Isaac strikes on seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

n Disciples of the Cross Session begin training.

BY BRIAN SAUNDERS, MAJOR The idyllic peace and quiet of a sunny summer’s day along the coast was shattered on Aug. 14 as 60 new cadets descended upon the campus of the College for Officer Training (CFOT). The Disciples of the Cross Session of cadets, along with their 33 children, arrived in cars, minivans, trucks and vans, bringing an end to the relative quiet of the summer at Crestmont.

“It’s hectic, but fantastic,” said Major Ivan Wild, director of personnel at CFOT. “We are thrilled to welcome the new session to the college.”

The 63 members of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session, who are starting their second and final year at the CFOT, welcomed the new cadets. The Proclaimers assembled teams to assist with unloading cars and carrying boxes—a much needed helping hand in the heat of the day.

“I saw cadets and officers working like ants—organized and working as a team—helping the first year cadets to unload their belongings and take them to their new quarters,” Cadet Claudia Pardo said.

Within hours, the new cadets were unpacking and settling into their new quarters. “From the moment I arrived on campus I felt at home,” Cadet Rebecca Lewis said.

Cadet Courtenay Covert describes her feelings upon arriving at Crestmont: “I felt a sense of peace that reassured me that I am where I am supposed to be. Even through all the apprehension and anxiety of change, God showered me with a sense of peace and purpose.”

The following day, the cadets donned their new uniforms and were officially welcomed to the college.

“God is doing some amazing things in the Western Territory,” Major Timothy Foley said at the welcome meeting. “Revival is coming—and it starts here. You have been chosen by God, and he is going to do amazing things through your ministry.”

The Disciples of the Cross are a diverse group. They represent 15 distinct ethnic groups, speak 10 languages, and range in age from 21 to 54.

More than half of the session are first CRESTMONT, page 8

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

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A local news station stopped by The Salvation Army shelter in Mobile, Ala., which is housing residents who are looking for a safe place to sleep because of the storm.

Photo courtesy NHQ

BY JARED McKIERNAN As Hurricane Isaac pounded the Gulf Coast with torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 100 mph, Salvation Army personnel responded quickly, actively serving residents of hurricane-impacted areas at seven shelters, all at capacity. At least four deaths were reported in Louisiana and Mississippi as of Aug. 31.

The Salvation Army has served 1,500 people, a number expected to rapidly increase, according to Major Terry Ray, Gulf Coast Area Commander.

“We’re just trying to always be ready to take in those in need and share the love of Jesus with all,” Ray said.

The Army provided hot lunches to survivors Aug. 28, and is working to dole out drinking water, first-aid supplies, hygiene kits, and clean-up kits containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies to those experiencing flooding in their homes.

Aside from providing basic necessities, the Army is also providing emotional and spiritual care to survivors as tensions continue to run high exactly seven years from the day Hurricane Katrina struck.

HURRICANE ISAAC, page 4

Water safety at Salem Kroc

Swimming instructor Jessica Mitchel teaches a student how to do a streamline back glide at the Kroc Center in Salem.

n Oregon Kroc Center offers a variety of aquatics classes.

BY ERICA ANDREWS In high demand every summer, swimming programs at the Kroc Center in Salem, Ore., reach capacity. Coinciding with the closure of the Salem city pool, the Kroc Center officially opened its doors in October 2009.

“We have a variety of classes that we offer and if we had twice the size of pool, all of the classes would still be full,” said Julie Louden, aquatics coordinator for the Salem Kroc Center. “We have a very high need for lessons here.”

Swimming lessons are crucial to all ages, as drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s especially important for children 1-4 years old since they have the highest rate of drowning.

Teaching families about water safeguards can drastically reduce a child’s risk of drowning. Nellie Nunez, a health educator for the injury prevention program at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, teaches about the importance of water safety. She said it’s surprising how many people do not know how to swim.

Photo by Jeni Niquette

“It’s one of the top three mechanisms of injury for children that we see here,” Nunez said. “Swimming-related injuries are preventable and there’s no need to ever have to experience something tragic.”

The CDC report also showed that between 2005-2009, the fatal unintentional drowning rate for African-Americans was significantly higher than that of Caucasians across all ages; for African-American children ages 5-14, fatality is almost three times that of Caucasian children in the same age range.

Nunez said they work to address this SWIM, page 8

The Salvation Army’s impact on AIDS n Doing the most good locally and internationally Nearly 25,000 leaders, experts and survivors attended this summer’s 19th annual International Aids Conference in Washington, D.C. The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) was also present at this year’s event.

Sara Davis, HIV/AIDS technical advisor for SAWSO, said the conference helped her keep abreast of new advancements made in the field.

“It was good for me to know

where the direction of programming is going and it also highlighted some of the new science findings,” Davis said. “It was very beneficial to my work.”

Among the international visitors were three representatives of The Salvation Army of Haiti, and quite possibly the conference’s greatest sources for understanding the true effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Wesley Noel, an HIV/AIDS coordinator at The Salvation Army in Fond-des-Negres stopped by The AIDS, page 5

(l-r): Julien Saint Val, Marie Cerole and Wesley Noel of The Salvation Army in Fond-des-Negres, Haiti

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Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

NEWS BRIEFS OF THE WEST

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 ESV).

CASPER, WYO.—A new couple came to Karen volunteer at the Hope Gleason Center and helped prepare breakfast for Editor the clients all week. On Sunday, they came to the corps ready to worship and excited about serving and worshiping again the next week.

Captains Mark and Kathy Merritt are the corps officers.

YUBA SUTTER, CALIF.—Thirteen teens participated in a 30-hour fast, going out into the community to create awareness of hungry people locally and globally. The teens and leaders held signs in a Walmart parking lot. They made brown-bag lunches and drove around town, handing them out to the homeless. The local newspaper met the group at Walmart, took pictures, interviewed the youth and posted the story on the next front page.

Captains Thomas and Kimberly Stambaugh are corps officers.

EL CENTRO, CALIF.—The El Centro Corps received unusual guests when a mother and her five children showed up, dirty and smelling of smoke. Their car had burned and they lost all their clothes and suitcases. They not only received assistance, but they all prayed and gave their lives to Jesus.

Captains Jerry and Vicky Esqueda are corps officers. (72) SANTA MARIA, CALIF.—Corps Officer Lt. Paul Swain often pulls the corps’ canteen up to the door of the county jail where prisoners are released from the county jail at midnight, waiting to greet them and offer hot coffee.

Swain’s ministry also reaches families of those released. Along with coffee, he offers food, prayer and a safe place to go for those who need it.

MODESTO, CALIF.—Music has been added for the line of people waiting on the patio of the Modesto Corps for lunch. Captain Michael Paugh plays his guitar, singing with clients of all ages.

He said he is “sharing the love of Christ with the less fortunate in the food line in this simplest way of teaching them Sunday school songs before they eat.”

He hopes these melodies will bring them joy and replay in their minds throughout the day.

VETERANS FAMILY CENTER, ORE.—Several adults and children from the Veterans Family Center are involved in worship and youth activities at the Tualatin Valley (Ore.) Corps.

Two residents attended senior jamboree at Camp Kuratli, and the weekly Bible study has grown from four to 10 in recent weeks. The chaplain is working with several residents who have asked questions regarding faith, relationships and purpose in life.

Rick Stoller is the director.

KLAWOCK, ALASKA—Corps Officers Captains Ned and Mary Ortiz reopened the thrift store six days a week. The store has become a meeting/gathering place for the community, allowing many lapsed relationships to be restored.

San Francisco ARC alumni and friends

Photo courtesy of San Francisco ARC

ARC alumni challenged to make a difference

n San Francisco ARC celebrates its graduates.

BY DOUG DAUT “Make a difference.”

Major John Reed, Bay Area coordinator, issued that challenge on July 8 to the graduates—10 men and five women—of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in San Francisco and dozens of ARC alumni.

The graduates shared their testimonies with family, friends and beneficiaries who came to celebrate the achievement with them.

“While in the program,” said Jeff, one of the graduates, “I came to a point of surren-

der during Osar Roan’s evangelistic meeting. I have not been the same ever since.”

Jeff urged others to respond when they feel God’s tug on their heart.

“It took someone to believe in me,” said Betty, another graduate, “and I found that here.” She will soon attend The Salvation Army Culinary School in Lodi, Calif.

“For having made it this far, you are all real life superheroes with a new beginning,” Reed said. “The world needs more of your kind of superheroes!”

After the ceremony, the newly-formed San Francisco ARC Alumni Council hosted a barbecue themed “Life after completion,” attended by over 60 ARC graduates,

alumni and family members. The council is formalizing the San Francisco alumni program through meetings and events.

Lisa, who completed the program in 2003, spoke about overcoming challenges that arise after graduation. She earned a master’s degree, but her blemished background made finding work difficult. She persevered, however, and today is employed as a family therapist.

“What a wonderful Sunday,” Major Katherine Hodder-Reed said, “to see the completers finish their commitment, testify and give thanks to the Lord for what he has done in their lives, and to see families reunited. God is so good!”

Captain Matthew Madsen of the Denver Red Shield presents Master Karen Eden Herdman with an official proclamation from the mayor of Denver.

Photo by Jerry Herdman

It’s ‘Karen Herdman Tanzania: A place ‘full of love’ Day’ in Denver n A video presentation leads to a trip across the world.

BY ALEEN BRADLEY I made a promise this summer to a very special man named Mr. Magige to tell people about the children who attend Matumaini School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to tell them about his work, and to tell about what God is doing in Tanzania, because I have been there to see it for myself. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves—we’ll start at the very beginning. I’ve been told it’s a good place to start.

Last year, during chapel at territorial headquarters, the 20102011 Western Territorial Women’s Ministries Project video was shown, outlining the projects being undertaken around the world that year.

Near the middle segment, my heart skipped at the sight of my mother’s picture. My mom, Major Sheila Bradley, was promoted to Glory during cancer treatment earlier in the year, and a project was being done in her name and honor at a children’s school in Tanzania by her training school friend and sessionmate, Major Joy Paxton.

The moment I returned to my

n City honors Red Shield’s karate master with her own day.

Top: Children at the Matumaini School Above: Aleen Bradley and Serafina Photos by Aleen Bradley

desk, I wrote to Major Paxton, asking her about the Matumaini School and the Mbgala Girls’ Home where this money would be used. I learned that the Matumaini School provides care for 196 students with varying physical and learning disabilities. The school also takes on a number of albino children every year, to protect them from a small TANZANIA on page 5

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock recently presented a proclamation of “Karen Herdman Day” during the Red Shield Warriors’ karate promotion, with various masters flying in to test and help promote Red Shield students.

Herdman, center director and martial arts instructor of The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center in Denver, started a martial arts program in Denver 12 years ago through The Salvation Army. It expanded to three additional corps in Denver, with affiliates across the U.S. and Canada, and even in Eastern Europe.

“I grew up as a less fortunate young person from a broken home, and it has been my pleasure to be able to serve the community by teaching something that helped me get focused and learn to respect myself,” Herdman said. A 5th degree black belt master of Tang Soo Do, Herdman is also a well-known journalist and columnist for karate magazines, and has taught anti-terrorism tactical maneuvers for the federal government.

The proclamation states that through Master Herdman’s compassion for others in unselfishly volunteering to the citizens of Denver for 12 years in the Red Shield Martial Arts program, Denver and the world are much better places.

“This totally got me by surprise.” Herdman said. “I was not expecting a lifetime achievement award as such and I am truly humbled.”

For more information about The Red Shield Warriors contact the Denver Red Shield at (303) 295-2107.

Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

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Science goes to camp n Chemistry professor and aides introduce science projects to Salvation Army summer campers.

BY PATTY GUERRA If someone had asked Alexis Perez or Jacalynn Hall to hypothesize on how a molecule acts before Tuesday afternoon, chances are their responses would have been quizzical stares. But after a science experiment conducted with the help of some California State University (CSU), Stanislaus, students, Alexis, Jacalynn and the rest of the 30-some students at The Salvation Army’s summer camp are well-versed in the scientific process.

Koni Stone, professor of chemistry, brought junior and senior students in the university’s education program to The Salvation Army for a hands-on lesson in teaching children science.

Armed with water bottles, balloons and Alka-Seltzer, the teaching students showed the children how gas forms, expands and contracts.

Participants were asked what would happen—or to hypothesize—to a balloon at the top

of a water bottle when more of the bubbly medicine was added.

“It will get bigger,” Esmerelda Arellano, 11, predicted.

Why? “Because there’s more stuff in it,” said Jacalynn, 6.

CSU student Christine Elberg explained how the process works, and why the balloons would shrink when the bottles were placed in an ice bath.

“When molecules are cold, they come together, just like we do,” she said. “When they’re warmer, they spread apart.”

The children, who ranged in age from 4-13, measured the balloon after each experiment, noting how big it got with each addition of Alka-Seltzer or how small it got when dunked in an ice bath.

Julie Fox, director of service learning for the university, said the idea is to use everyday household items so the children can replicate the experiments for their parents.

Though Stone regularly visits Turlock classrooms with her students, this was the first time they came to The Salvation Army.

They plan a return trip for another experiment next week.

Lt. Colonels Zoilo and Magali Pardo

High goals and expectations n Interview with the West’s new Multicultural Ministries secretaries

Jesus Cortes, Salvation Army employee, and Edy Godinez, student, conduct an experiment.

Photo by Debi Shrum

Salvation Army Major Debi Shrum was happy to have them, and noted how interested and engaged the students were in the experiment, particularly when they added food coloring and oil to the water

bottles, turning them into junior lava lamps.

“Who knows?” Shrum said.

“Maybe some of them will become scientists.”

Reprinted from The Modesto Bee with permission

Army serves at Taylor Bridge fire The Taylor Bridge Fire in Washington erupted as a result of a bridge construction project and burned for almost a week, destroying 70 residential properties and 210 other structures near the town of Cle Elum on the Cascade Range, about 75 miles east of Seattle. Nearly 1,000 firefighters, eight helicopters and other personnel were on the scene.

From the start of the fire, The Salvation Army was on the frontlines serving as needed.

The Salvation Army in Central Washington worked with its local volunteer group and food bank to supply meals as needed for shelters and the Emergency Operations Center.

The Army will be integral in the long-term recovery plan and the development of the Disaster Assistance Center.

From blog.salvationarmyusa.org.

Photo courtesy of komonews.com

Cadets ‘Proclaim the Resurrection’ in summer campaigns n Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session rock the Western Territory for seven weeks.

BY KEILAH TOY, MAJOR The Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session completed seven weeks of field training experience throughout the Western Territory this summer from Alaska to Arizona, Hawaii to Colorado, and one assignment in Barbados, West Indies. They returned with stories of God’s moving in communities as they assisted the corps by preaching, leading programs and learning business and administrative duties.

After Training Principal Major Tim Foley challenged the session to use "Imagination, Innovation and Inspiration," the cadets conducted fundraiser projects at their assignments using such creative titles as "Sunday Fun-day Dessert Dash," "Pie ‘n the Face," "Garfield's Fried Bread Sale," "Christmas in July," "No Cookie Left Behind" and more. Along with Tustin Ranch Corps Officer Major Lisa Van Cleef, Cadet Troy Cook organized the "O.W.S.Y” (One Week's Salary per Year) campaign, asking church family members to pledge 2 percent of their salary each pay period to World Services. Pledges totaled $5,236; altogether the Proclaimers raised a total of $14,501.42.

The cadets also reached out to their communities with activities such as Fiesta Bowling, Sidewalk Sunday School, Prayer and Care

President Obama thanks Cadet James Park and The Salvation Army for their disaster relief work during the Colorado wildfires.

Booth, a neighborhood parade, prison visitation, carnivals and more. In all, they conducted 13 door-to-door sharing projects, 17 vacation Bible schools, and 26 summer celebration events across the territory.

A new initiative in the College for Officer Training curriculum is Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) training and certification.

CAMPAIGNS, page 8

Shortly after their arrival at Western Territorial Headquarters (THQ) from Southwest Division, Lt. Colonels Zoilo and Magali Pardo, newly appointed secretary and associate secretary of Multicultural Ministries respectively, spent some time with New Frontier to share some history, desire for expanded evangelism training, and personal goals and expectations.

Lt. Colonels Zoilo and Magali Pardo, newly appointed secretary and associate secretary of Multicultural Ministries respectively, arrived at THQ from the Southwest Division with high hopes, a wealth of ambition, and big plans for evangelism. Their mission was clear from their arrival.

“We do not come to change things, but rather to look for accessible places to find a helping ministry,” Zoilo Pardo said. “We want to provide help for both the division and for corps officers in accomplishing their goals.

“We are going to ask God to show us not only our weaknesses but also each corps’ strengths. My wife and I want to work emphatically on the strengths in order to indicate who the leaders are for key Army positions, while the weaknesses will show us how we can improve in difficult times.”

Magali Pardo highlighted that during the 18 months she and her husband worked with Hispanic officers in the Southwest Division, they saw “a hunger and desire in soldiers and local officers to learn about the word of God and know more about the Salvation Army.”

Thus, their primary responsibility is to put local officers to work and enable them to provide assistance to corps officers. She believes they are excelling in this.

“It gives me great joy to see that local officers are now part of the ministry and that everyone is seeing that sharing the work is better than doing it alone,” she added.

Zoilo Pardo believes a series of seminars many local officers attended were instrumental in training them how to lighten the workloads of their corps officers.

The Pardos’ own history of service began with a similar opportunity.

“My wife and I are the product of the trust that someone had in us,” Zoilo Pardo said. “Someone believed in us and we were sent to different training sessions and seminars, and that’s where we felt called to officership. If no one had trusted in us, we would not have achieved this.

“I now believe that officers should PARDOS, page 10

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Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

Bed & Bread Club celebrates 25 years

BY TAMMY NIGUS The Bed & Bread Club has raised more than $100 million for The Salvation Army over its 25 years in operation.

Barbara Antrim—co-founder of Resource Development Group (predecessor of Summit Marketing)—created the program as a way to provide stable and predictable income for new Salvation Army clients.

The premise behind the Bed & Bread Club is simple.

Ask each member to give at least $10 per month, or an annual, one-time gift of at least $120.

“The simple idea of a person giving a certain amount of money each month, multiplied by hundreds or even thousands of people was ambitious,” Antrim said. “But I knew if I could encourage a large enough group of individual donors to write a check for $10 each month, it would significantly increase overall income. And it did! I couldn’t be more pleased with its success.”

The first Bed & Bread Club began in the Eastern Michigan Corps. Over the past 25 years, they’ve expanded the outreach of the Bed & Bread Club in many ways. One of the most successful methods was through a radiothon which has raised as much as $2.3 million in a single day, in addition to their monthly club donations.

Today, the Bed & Bread Club successfully operates in more than 106 Salvation Army corps throughout the U.S. and is made up of 19,521 club members. Summit Marketing keeps those members emotionally engaged through communications that share how their monthly gifts are making a difference. The result is an inspired group of donors who tend to give more than other donors.

“The Bed & Bread Club is a program that creates opportunities for donor loyalty to develop and grow,” said Jo Ann Remender, planned giving director at The Salvation

Army Indiana Division. “These are people who demonstrate a very personal devotion to The Salvation Army’s mission, year after year. Over time, it [our monthly giving club] not only builds lifetime value of our donors, but also the value of philanthropy in their lives.”

The fulfillment rate for Bed & Bread Club donors is extraordinarily high—approaching 100 percent in some areas. The members know their donations provide more than food and shelter for people in need. They provide hope.

East offers ‘Summer Brass’ n New music program helps teach music to kids.

Summer Brass member Lexi Payton works with students at Camp CONNRI. Photo by Derek Lance

BY DEREK LANCE Fifteen young people traveled around The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory playing and teaching music in a new program called “Summer Brass.” For five weeks, July 2 to Aug. 3, the 16-year-old and above group formed a brass band under the leadership of Derek Lance, music leader for the Eastern Territory.

The group consisted of cornet, horn, trombone, tuba and vocal performers, who taught as they traveled through six divisions and served on the faculty of music camps and conservatories.

Lexi Payton, a member of the band, said she had an amazing experience that not

only benefited the music programs, but also benefited the band. “[Summer Brass] molded the members into better teachers, musicians and Christian leaders,” she said.

“It was an extremely rewarding experience.

I learned a lot and had fun!”

Their first venture into public saw Summer Brass leading worship at The Salvation Army of Spring Valley, N.Y. They testified to what the Lord was doing in their lives and were also able to come alongside kids from the Spring Valley community who were attending day camp.

At Camp CONNRI’s Music and Arts Camp in the Southern New England Division, Summer Brass served on camp staff and provided leadership for band, drum and sacred dance classes. The kids at CON-

NRI were eager to learn.

“They helped greatly in elevating the standard of music making in our division... giving us a much needed shot in the arm,” said Major Philip Ferreira, divisional music director for the Southern New England Division.

“Their presence here has truly been a stepping stone from which we will move forward in the development of our music and arts.”

At the end of the five weeks, the Summer Brass members said it was an experience they will never forget.“Summer Brass gave me a chance to refine my talents and use them for the Lord,” said Zachary Delong, a member of the band. “I loved having a chance to minister to the kids and help them gain a passion for music.”

White Sox help Kroc Center n Baseball team works with volunteers to enhance community.

BY JARED McKIERNAN Over 200 volunteers from the Chicago White Sox, The Salvation Army, KaBOOM! and residents of the local community teamed up to build a playground at the newly constructed Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 10.

Many of the volunteers were surprised when several members of the White Sox arrived to the event.

Second baseman Orlando Hudson, Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, and pitching coach Don Cooper were just a few members of the ball club to participate. “[The White Sox] were really the first group to get behind the project,” said Chicago Kroc Center Officer, David Harvey. “They see the potential difference it can make in the community.”

Prior to construction, Chicago White Sox Charities—the team’s philanthropic arm—generously donated $1 million to The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division to help build the Kroc Center in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood. Several baseball and softball diamonds are just some of the recreational facilities that make up the new Kroc Center, where White Sox inner-city youth teams will play and train.

“We are so proud to partner with The Salvation Army,” said Christine O’Reilly, executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities. “We are also a contributor to the Kroc Center, and we use the baseball field as home base on the south side for the White Sox youth baseball program. We are here for the long haul.”

The commitment to help build the Kroc Center is the fourth $1 million donation White Sox Charities has made since it launched, according to O’Reilly.

HURRICANE ISAAC White Sox infielder Orlando Hudson and pitching coach Don Cooper help post a sign naming the playground.

Photo courtesy of Kroc Center Chicago

“Their gift was really what sparked a lot of the other fundraising from around the city,” Harvey said.

“We’re building a great relationship with them.”

Following in the path of their city’s fellow pro sports team, the Chicago Bulls also donated $1 million toward the construction of the Kroc Center.

The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by children, who participated in KaBOOM!’s Design Day event in June. Some of the elements taken from the kids’ sketches were a rock wall, a miniature fire truck, and several tunnels.

Several White Sox players and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf spoke to the volunteers about the importance of kids staying off drugs and simply having a safe place to come to and enjoy themselves.

“The professionalism that [the White Sox] bring is great,” Harvey said. “I think this is what the Krocs would have wanted to see.”

from page 1

Ray said the work of The Salvation Army is appreciated by those affected.

“One man said to me, ‘It’s great that [The Salvation Army] always gives people a place to stay and gets them fed, but the most impressive thing is that you guys always provide us with someone to talk to,’” Ray said.

Despite many Gulf Coast residents’ fear that the $15 billion levees constructed after Hurricane Katrina would be doomed, they remain unharmed.

“The federal levee system ... is fine,” New Orleans Mayor Mitchell Landrieu told local radio.

The high winds also caused power outages across the Gulf Coast. The Army’s homeless shelter in New Orleans served approximately 200 people in the dark on Aug. 29.

In addition to Hurricane Isaac, the Gulf Coast may have another type of disaster looming as several counties in Mississippi are on tornado watch.

“Those that want to help can help us through their prayers,” Ray said.

“And of course we need all the donations we can get to get the resources in for food and other necessities.”

To donate to those affected by this hurricane season, visit salvationarmyusa.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

Doing the Most Good

The World

‘Blessed Are the Ones’ TANZANIA, from page 2

part of society who hold superstitious prejudices. The Mbgala Girls’ Home a few miles away takes in young girls who have been trafficked and abused and gives them a temporary home, where they receive care and education. The girls help to run quite a large farm where they grow much of their food and also sell to the surrounding community.

After a few months of exchanging emails, I was invited to come see the place for myself. When my plane touched down in Tanzania on June 26, I was introduced to a place that, over the course of eight days, would challenge and move me deeply.

At The Salvation Army compound, the first place I visited was Mr. Magige’s workshop, where he is known as “Professor” Magige. Here Magige and his staff produce and repair shoes specially made to accommodate physical disabilities or deformities.

While I worked there, we took drawings and measurements for every child in Standard (Grade) 7 so that each of them could graduate with a new pair of shoes.

For those children who used wheelchairs, did not have feet or legs, or were not able to use their legs, we took plaster casts so that we could make molds for “shoes” to fit their hands and/or feet. I was amazed at this process, because it often seemed unlikely that the materials we used or the ways in which we started projects would lead us to what turned out to be a very clever and efficient finished product.

The children loved to be around Magige, and even more often after I began to assist him, so that he could translate their ques-

Professor Magige

Photo by Aleen Bradley

tions to me from Swahili to English. At other times, I would be “kidnapped” by children who considered my time at the workshop of much less importance than teaching me rock games and common Swahili words and phrases. Whenever I would leave for the day, the children anxiously asked if I was coming back soon. Initially I worried that witnessing the struggles and disabilities of these children would make building relationships difficult, but I was so struck by the uninhibited way in which they approached life that the things they lacked physically seemed irrelevant.

The territorial project monies fulfilled what we might view as a relatively simple need, but will have great impact. Some of these needs can’t be photographed or documented, including educational resources, while others are welcome visual changes. In the hall, where the children hold worship services on Saturday evenings and convene for other activities, were quite a number of rusted and broken metal chairs. Standing alongside them, having just been delivered, were the brand new full-backed chairs purchased with the money from the USA Western Territory. These chairs would not only be functional and safe, but they would accommodate the different physical needs of the children.

I often rely on song lyrics to describe when I am unable to articulate a certain feeling, and in this case I am reminded of Audrey Assad’s “Blessed Are the Ones,” where she sings, “When all we have is what we need, it’s joy we will sow. Blessed are the ones, O blessed are the ones, blessed are the thirsty ones.”

What I have seen are children who are filled with joy and have a thirst for the Lord.

For everyone who made these projects possible, I have accepted hugs, smiles, drawings and new friendships on your behalf, and I thank you for pouring more in their cups with your love. It’s important to remember that the people we give to are real, they have real needs and are truly grateful for what is given to them. God is doing a wonderful work in Tanzania, through you and your contributions.

Salvos assist problem gamblers n Australia Salvation Army tries a new approach.

The Salvation Army in Australia will participate in trying a new approach to identifying and assisting problem gamblers within the gambling environment.

By sending a uniformed Salvation Army chaplain to visit a Central Coast Club for up to 15 hours a week, Major Paul Moulds, director of social programs, said The Salvation Army will do what it does best—build relationships with people.

“This is all about visibility and proximity,” Moulds said. “The Salvation Army has always been on the front line, in the places where people are struggling and doing it tough.

“This initiative will allow The Salvation Army to place a trained person directly in the club environment where we know some people are struggling with all sorts of life issues, including addiction to gambling,” Moulds said.

“The chaplain will be available to give non-judgmental support, and provide referrals, practical help and intervention to any of the staff or club patrons.”

Moulds clarified that The Salvation

AIDS

Army is fully funding this trial, and that Clubs NSW are supporting it by providing access to the Mingara Club on the Central Coast. He rejected the suggestion that this partnership would restrict The Salvation Army’s ability to speak out against the negative impact of poker machines on communities.

“We are totally committed to support measures that reduce the harm done by poker machines,” he said. “Our addiction treatment services treat hundreds of people each year whose lives have been devastated by the impact of gambling.

“This new initiative is one small contribution we can make to test new approaches to assisting people experiencing gambling addiction and secondary issues resulting from their gambling patterns,” Moulds said.

The Salvation Army is committed to offering assistance to people experiencing gambling addiction and working with communities toward providing a better community environment. It will continue to seek new and innovative methods of limiting and removing the negative social implications of problematic gambling.

From salvos.org.au

from page 1

Salvation Army’s National Headquarters on the last day of the conference along with colleagues Julien Saint Val and Marie Cerole.

Starting with The Salvation Army in 1991, Wesley has seen The Salvation Army’s HIV/AIDS program in Fond-des-Negres grow to 3,000 individuals. Currently, he helps oversee the treatment, prescription distributions and home visitations of 900 active program participants, 200 of which

are children. The remaining 2,100 are on an ever-growing waiting list for treatment.

He stated the 91 Salvation Army volunteers who make daily home visitations are vital to the effectiveness of the program by ensuring participants are taking their daily treatments. One missed dosage can completely sabotage the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Why would anyone choose not to take

their medicine? Wesley explained the medicine requires one to eat, but sadly, many individuals in the program are also lacking food. Thus, The Salvation Army works to meet this basic need also and ensure participants have food on the table each day.

If you would like to support The Salvation Army’s work there, please visit the international donation page and make sure to choose ‘Haiti’ in the ‘Country of Residence’ field.

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

5

Elsewhere in the world POLAND—The president of the City of Warsaw recognized The Salvation Army when dedicating the opening of a new housing, shopping and cultural project in the Praga Polnoc neighborhood near the corps. Corps officers are considering moving the Army office into the community hub.

The corps was noticed not only for its proximity, but also for the positive reviews it receives for its social services.

The city government youth services department noted the Army is one of the few local agencies that operates at higher than national standards.

From THE WARSAW REPORT U.K.—Sunday school children at the Warrington Corps raised 190 pounds ($296 US) for the Army’s Watershed appeal by dressing up as superheroes for a sponsored cake bake. The challenge was: How many cakes can a superhero bake?

The children and youth workers spent a Saturday baking, even opening their own “coffee shop” to sell their goodies.

Before taking on the challenge, the kids spent a week learning about the Army’s international work.

From SALVATIONIST/uk, Aug. 4, 2012, issue AUSTRALIA—The Salvation Army has teamed up with Musicians Making a Difference to offer free dance classes to youth on the central coast of New South Wales.

Called “Street Dreams,” the dance mentoring program will “give hundreds...an opportunity to learn and grow at free weekly hip-hop dance and character-building classes,” according to CEO Dominic Brooks.

Classes will be held at Oasis Wyong, Gorokan, Newcastle and, soon, Gosford and Ulmina.

From WARCRY/au, Aug. 4, 2012, issue FIJI—Over 110 officers and volunteers came together in Fiji recently to participate in The Salvation Army’s “Safe to Serve” training, a program developed to help youth workers provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the age groups they serve. The curriculum was in response to the seven Tiny Tots centers currently operating in the Fiji Division, catering primarily to preschoolers.

Major Bronwyn Malcolm, territorial children’s secretary in New Zealand, traveled to lead training in three locations across Fiji.

From WarCry, Aug. 11, 2012, issue PAPUA NEW GUINEA—Links of Hope, a trust fund that empowers individuals and The Salvation Army, is in the business of supporting women. The group’s main objective, according to founder Deborah Bromley, is to help women however they can. Whether widows, orphans, HIV afflicted or prior prisoners, Links of Hope is there to provide loans for small business ventures, school fees for AIDS orphans or help to establish new lives.

Bromley visits Bomana Women’s Prison with a group from The Salvation Army’s women’s ministries to make educational presentations and initiate fundraising options for the prison. They recently helped two former prison inmates reestablish their and their families lives.

From Tokaut, May-June 2012 issue

PAGE 6—NEW FRONTIER • AUGUST 31, 2012

Above (l-r): Elizabeth Medicine-Crow; Dominque Smith; Major George Baker, Alaska divisional commander. Below: Delegates and staff at Alaska’s Music and Worship Arts Camp

CAMP

Photos by Jenni Ragland

New ideas crescendo in Alaska n Annual camp offers new opportunities for creative expression.

This summer, the Alaska Divisional Music and Worship Arts Camp, held annually at King’s Lake Camp, placed an equal emphasis on music and the creative arts while expanding elective class offerings to include creative movement.

While the camp still held auditions and gave theory tests, every delegate could also focus on a creative art.

“We wanted to ensure that every creative way of expressing our love for Christ was available for our delegates,” said Jon Tollerud, Alaska divisional music specialist.

Captain Julie Cornett, who first brought the creative movement idea to the Anchorage Corps, provided instruction in the new elective. Black lights enhanced the students’ white gloves and socks during performance, adding to the visual impact.

Music at the Alaska camp has a different ring to it. In addition to woodwind instruction led by Stephanie Freeman, The Salvation Army recruited music students from the University of Alaska to teach piano and percussion.

“It was amazing how receptive the kids were,” said percussion instructor Eric Bleicher. “In three days we composed and performed a piece, which is an amazing accomplishment!”

Carl Darby, territorial Christian education, evangelism, discipleship and lay leadership director, provided guidance, musical excellence and humor for the delegates as a special guest.

During the final concert, Major George Baker, Alaska divisional commander, presented the top awards. Andrew Smith (Anchorage) and Belle Bottjen (Fairbanks) received the Dolores Rivitt Honor Camper award, in the junior and senior categories respectively, which were presented by Rivitt.

Lacey Harrington (Mat-Su) and Dominique Smith (Sitka) received the Tommy Jackson Outstanding Musician awards. Smith is the great-grandson of Tommy Jackson. As she helped present the awards, Elizabeth Medicine-Crow, Jackson’s granddaughter, spoke of the wonderful tribute this was to her grandfather and his love of music.

“I was very proud of all our students,” Tollerud said.

“I had high expectations for the kids. I watched them work hard throughout the week to meet these and then overwhelmingly exceed them at the concert on Saturday. We are very fortunate in Alaska that we have such immensely talented kids and the quality leadership surrounding them. I am blessed to work in such a great division.”

WYI...beautiful! n Youth delegates learn everything about them is “beautiful” at weeklong camp.

BY CARI ARIAS With the theme “Beautiful,” The Salvation Army’s Western Youth Institute (WYI) welcomed 200 youth, ages 16-25, from across the territory to a week at Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, Calif.

The theme name defined the entire week as messages repeatedly emphasized how appealing each person is to God and that he has a beautiful purpose for each one of them.

Ultimately, the focus centered on the beauty of God. Western Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs began the week sharing the story of the leper at the gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:2). He called each youth to faith, as he pointed out how backward it is to attribute beauty to worth. The group then participated in an evening of “speed testimonies,” in which delegates could give their testimony several times. This was a powerful event that brought unity and healing to the group. Lt. Colonel Edward Hill brought the message of how faith needs to grow, often through perseverance.

Jamie Tworkowski, founder of the nonprofit To Write Love On Her Arms, encouraged listeners—particularly those struggling with self-injury, depression and suicide—to share their story, noting that no one is alone and no question is either dumb or unimportant, every question matters.

An evening of men and women attending their own program focusing on personal holiness was followed by an evening of friendly competition through camp-wide Olympic games, including big wheel races and three-legged swimming.

Phil Laeger led the group in worship music, and special guest Major Brenden Nottle—from Australia—presented challenges at chapel each morning: being loved, wild hope, amplified faith, and being light and beauty in dark places.

“God did not give up his Son to die on the cross so we could be happy…or hang out with people just like us,” Nottle said. “Jesus died on the cross so we could be set free.

His Spirit…empowers us to actually go out in the world and be agents of change.”

Perhaps his greatest challenge came through a God-given vision for The Salvation Army. “The word that God has given me is that The Salvation Army hasn’t accomplished its purpose yet,” he said. “There is a vital role he wants The Salvation Army to perform in ushering in his kingdom upon this earth. God is saying, ‘I want these young people to be pure—to live lives that honor and glorify me.’ There are people in this room that God is raising up. ‘You just have to give me your heart, and I will use you.’ This is an Army that’s

going to march on poverty and brokenness and addictions.

It’s an Army that’s going to see lives transformed and saved in Jesus’ name.”

WYI included classes on various life skills; teaching focused on leadership, discipleship and evangelism; and electives such as hip-hop dance, ukulele, repurposed art and spoken word.

Delegates had daily individual devotional time to read through the beauty of the creation story in Genesis, divisional group time to get to know each other and their divisional youth secretaries and time for each cabin to delve into provoking questions based on the messages. Small group time was a Holy Spirit-driven event with life changing decisions made.

The week culminated in outreach with delegates going into the Santa Cruz area to serve the community. During this practical ministry time, everyone joined in helping with tasks such as painting over graffiti and pulling weeds.

At the week’s end, Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Roy Wild reminded everyone to thank God for the blessings of the beauty of being in fellowship, the beauty of being in his presence and the beauty of being his child.

A brass ensemble practices at WMI.

Photo Courtesy of Territorial Music

PS

Above: Having fun at Camp Del Oro. Below: Campers climb on the bus that will take them to Camp Del Oro. Photos by Sydney Fong and Jonathan Harvey

Suisun City Kroc Center Corps sends kids to camp n 114 children enjoy the camp experience.

op : Dancers perform a ‘Beautiful’ hula. Above: Delegates remove raffitti during practical ministry time.

partment

AUGUST 17, 2012 • NEW FRONTIER—PAGE 7

Photos courtesy of Territorial Youth Dept.

BY SYDNEY FONG The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Suisun City, Calif.—open only since late May—sent 114 children from Solano County to Camp Del Oro in Nevada City, Calif., for nearly a week of fun and educational activities.

“We are thrilled to provide such a wonderful opportunity to so many children,” said Captain Vickie Harvey, corps officer of the Suisun City Kroc Center Corps with her husband, Jonathan.

“The reality is that camp gives kids an opportunity to get out of their normal, everyday lifestyle,” said Jonathan Harvey. “For some, home is a great environment; for others, it’s not. For them to step out of their daily circumstances and to experience the tranquility of camp and God’s love is a unique opportunity.”

Advisory board member John Hodson worked to raise funds to provide the majority of the campers with scholarships. Hodson challenged his friends, business associates and other advisory board members to assist him in sending 100 children to camp, and he personally contributed a large portion of the cost.

“I remember my camp experience when I was a youth,” Hodson said. “I really wanted to see other children from Solano County have the same fun and memories that I had.”

The scholarship helped many Solano County parents, including a mother who recently lost her job.

“The mom came up to me the Sunday before camp start-

ed and asked if there were any spots available,” said Vickie Harvey. “I said we had some cancellations so there was room for her daughter, Miranda.”

“It’s terrific!” shouted Miranda, when asked how she was enjoying camp.

Kroc Center youth staff also enjoyed the camp experience, some for the first time. Six members of the Kroc Center team joined the Harveys for the week, assisting with electives and participating in daily chapel.

Jonathan Harvey said the goal was “to connect with the youth at camp so when they return to Solano County we have a greater opportunity to link them into corps programming and our weekly worship services.”

Western Music Institute 2012 n Annual music event sees increase in attendance.

BY NEIL SMITH The Western Music Institute (WMI) had a record number of delegates attend its annual event. In total 200 staff, staff kids and delegates were present at the occasion. While the numbers were good, we were at capacity and finding space for all of our classes was a challenge.

Our guests included Richard and Lyn Phillips, from Kettering, U.K., and Vanessa and Jeremiah Gamble, from Minneapolis, Minn., who created rapport with delegates from the start.

This year we offered—for the first time—dance and drama major tracks, along with band, girls vocal and praise and worship. Interest in both subjects was high and we even received audition tapes prior to WMI starting.

For the third year in a row, Sunday morning consisted of assisting local corps with its worship service. This year we visited Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica and the young people who were attending Camp Gilmore.

Despite seriously high temperatures for most of the week, we all worked hard to maintain the high standard of music-making that is expected at WMI. Many varied styles of music were rehearsed and presented, from Katy Perry’s “Firework” to music from “The Wizard of Oz,” as well as music from Ivor Bosanko, Andrew Mackereth, Bramwell Coles and Richard Phillips.

Richard Phillips presented a special evening for us. Being a gifted pianist, he captured

our interest with an excellent concert. However, it was much more than just a concert: It was a worship experience wherein he shared about himself and his experiences with God. He used the song “Somebody Prayed for Me” to illustrate that when things are not going well in your own life and you can’t pray, someone is right there lifting you up to the throne of heaven.

Melodies from Barry Manilow and “The Sound of Music” also made it a memorable evening.

Captain Erica Helton was our chaplain, guiding us through morning chapels, sealed orders and devotions. Taking her theme from Ezekiel 36:26, she explained we can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh, then told us how.

The soloist recital and mid-week concert were inspiring events, not only showing the considerable talent gathered together, but also the true love and praise for God that our young people have.

After an elective night and our final worship time together, we took a brief rest before heading out for our final festival at Pasadena Tabernacle Corps. The corps’ hall was filled to capacity and, by the indication, may not be large enough to hold us in 2013.

Cabinet members and Territorial Leaders Commissioner Jim and Carolyn Knaggs, were on site to support and encourage us and lended strongly to the success of the week.

Already, WMI seems a distant memory and plans for 2013 are underway. We accomplished our purpose to give the young people in attendance the tools and encouragement to do these things at their own corps and, by so doing, bring honor and glory to God.

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Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012

Delegates to the Alaska Youth Councils Photo by Jeanne Baker

Alaska youth take a stand for Jesus

BY MARK THIELENHAUS, MAJOR On a beautiful day in Southcentral Alaska young people and leaders gathered together at King’s Lake Camp in Wasilla for The Salvation Army Youth Councils 2012 to take a “Stand for Jesus.” Communities in Alaska from Anchorage, Kenai, Mat-Su Valley, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, Klawock, and Wrangell were represented.

The 33 delegates were joined by Divisional Leaders Majors George and Jeanne Baker, as well as special guests Majors John and Pam Brackenbury, Captains Roy and Paula Wild, and Lt. Colonels Victor and Joan Doughty.

In the opening session Captain Paula Wild talked about standing for others and facing our fears, Lt. Colonels Victor and Joan Doughty spoke on standing in faith even in the face of death, and Major Pam Brackenbury talked about world and cultures colliding and how the church needs 100 percent of us standing firm in our faith.

SWIM

Workshops challenged delegates to put their faith into action. Stephanie Freeman presented information on social justice, and the corps had a chance to strategically plan what they would do to impact their communities when they arrived home. Captain Roy Wild shared about how we must stand for others living a holy life of love.

Seventeen young people physically took a stand during altar call as they accepted the challenge to stand for Christ in their world. During the weekend two young people came to salvation and others renewed their calling to officership.

First time youth council delegate, Emily Thielenhaus, said she interacted with kids from around the state she would never have met otherwise, and that during a break-out session her corps group discussed how they could help with their corps next vacation Bible school as well as plans for a fundraiser to provide care boxes for those in need.

from page 1

disparity in their swimming education program, which is targeted at communities that are underserved in the Los Angeles area.

At the Kroc Center in Salem, participants in the program are predominantly of Hispanic descent. Louden said the center is looking into specialty classes that will be specifically catered to Spanish speakers.

Kroc Centers nationwide currently provide an array of

swimming lessons and activities.

They currently offer lessons for preschool (3-5 years old), juniors (6-14 years old) and adults (15 years old and above). The center also has CPR training courses and aerobics classes like Spin & Swim, which combines land and water exercise.

“Besides just learning to swim, swimming offers kids such a well-rounded experience because it helps in their developmental

years,” Louden said. “You can see their confidence grow when you’re teaching them…their faces just light up because they realize they can do it. It’s exciting!”

One participant said the program was fantastic and she couldn’t believe how much her son learned in such a short amount of time. “He use to be afraid of water and now he is confident,” she said. “I think he will be teaching me some things!”

Denver ARC gets help ‘filling the truck’ n Parc Belmar housing complex partners with The Salvation Army to collect clothing and furniture.

BY RON McKINNEY, CAPTAIN Parc Belmar, a 650-unit housing complex, partnered with the The Salvation Army Denver Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) this summer, allowing a clothing and small furniture drive on its property. Parc Belmar is one of three major housing complexes adjacent to the Belmar Shopping Center in Lakewood, Colo.

On Aug. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., representatives from the Denver ARC manned a donation truck and an information tent, and accepted donations of clothing, bric-a-brac and small appliances while giving away ARC program brochures, Salvation Army program information and Salvation Army water bottles

CAMPAIGNS

to all who came by.

At the end of the two-day event, more than 200 residents of the complex donated goods (almost a truck full) and received information about The Salvation Army, especially The Denver ARC program. The management and staff of Parc Belmar were so impressed with the professional management of the event that they vowed to do it again and to call a Salvation Army truck whenever they had a apartment “clean-out.”

Major Erik Hoogstad, Denver ARC administrator, believes that reaching out to the many housing complexes throughout the Metro Denver area as well as the local churches for similar “Fill The Truck” events will not only increase ARC donations but also educate the public about all that the Denver ARC program provides for the community and its clients.

from page 3

The cadets had an opportunity to utilize their EDS training during the Colorado wildfires this past summer. Cadet Sam LeMar spent a few days providing meals during the relief effort to some of the 35,000 residents forced to evacuate.

Cadet James Park, leading the EDS team in Grand Junction, Colo., had the rare opportunity to thank President Obama, when instead, the President responded with his hand on Park's shoulder, "Salvation Army…no, I thank you for all you do. You are on these lines doing this every day.

God bless you."

Cadet Felicia Cook sat with a man and his wife in hospice care at his home. She listened as he recounted his history with The Salvation Army and his transparent feelings regarding future realities—awaiting the end of his life on earth and the beginning of eternity with Jesus. He was fearlessly placing all in God's hands. As they sang together the hymn, "I'm In His Hands" and prayed, Cook reflected

on being part of God's ministry "to both those who have come to the end of their lives and to others whose lives are just beginning with Jesus."

The Proclaimers experienced a summer of “firsts” and confirmations of God’s call on their lives through full-time ministry in The Salvation Army. Now back at the college, they are ready to continue their education.

CRESTMONT from page 1

generation Salvationists, and nine have officer parents. One cadet is a seventh generation Salvationist.

The Disciples of the Cross now begin 22 months of intense training before being commissioned as officers in June 2014.

The public welcome meeting for the session—with special guest General Shaw Clifton (Ret)—will be Sept. 15 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Doing the Most Good

Holiness

August 31, 2012

9

Pursuing Christ personally and in discipleship

BY ERIN WIKLE Holiness—a “ baptism of love that brings every thought into captivity to the Lord Jesus Christ,” according to Samuel L. Brengle, The Salvation Army’s leading author and teacher on the doctrine of holiness.

Has it become something of such disputed theology that holiness no longer holds any practical meaning? Or has it lost its appeal because we don’t get it and therefore don’t want it? As General Linda Bond said, “To be an Army on the march, we must first be an Army on its knees.”

To gauge our understanding of holiness in the Western Territory, I recently met with a number of individuals, all “red, yellow, and blue through and through.” The overall consensus is for us to be holy, individually and as a movement, we must be intentional, which includes pursuing Christ personally and in discipleship.

“When people say ‘we don’t preach holiness enough in the Army,’ I think they are referring to the doctrine of holiness and not necessarily the discipline or the demonstration,” said Major Rob Birks, Golden State divisional secretary for program. “Living it out is way more important and behavior follows believing. We would not get so hung up on doctrine if we could look at someone and say, ‘Man, he really knows and loves Jesus.’”

Birks said he sees this quality in Bond.

“Every time I hear from the General, I can tell she’s spent time with Jesus,” he said. “I need [to spend] more time with Jesus and [spend] more time in the Word. The same love I feel for people on the streets I want to feel for those in my own movement who respond differently than I think they should. It’s not for me to condemn them. I have a need to have a deeper love for those who are harder to love.”

It stands to reason that if there is a lack of love for one another (let alone “others”), the cause may be a lack of love of Jesus.

“I have always struggled with my understanding of us as a holiness movement,” said Major John Chamness, divisional commander

“I used to care that people know we are a church; now I care that they know we love everyone.”

– MAJOR ROB BIRKS in the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.

“Not because I do not believe in holiness, but because I think every part of my life should be submitted to Christ and through this, he sanctifies me through and through.”

If you’re pursuing Jesus—holiness is happening. No wait is necessary. Am I more sanctified today than yesterday? I hope so! If I’m pursuing Jesus and rejecting the world, then, yes, I am!

Chamness spoke to “surrendering the next thing,” laying down whatever widens or simply does not close the chasm between the individual and God. As we humbly and obediently ask God to show us what we must die to in order to allow for his increase, he will not back down from his pursuit of us! Will we respond in

pursuit of him? Should we prioritize what we consecrate to him and say “Lord, ‘More, more! I want more of you!’ Yes.” Major LeAnn Trimmer, corps officer, Murrieta (Calif.) Corps Community Center, spoke at length of her journey to a fuller life in Christ.

Once consumed by an “unintentional connection between who [she] was and what [she] did,” Trimmer came to a crossroads where she faced the choice between joyful obedience to the Lord or a hard and embittered heart. She refused bitterness. “I didn’t and still don’t want to be impotent for the kingdom,” she said.

Trimmer shared of God’s transforming work in her congregation in Murrieta, teaching and showing the people how to truly love one another instead of tearing others down. She

also spoke at length on the correlation between discipleship and holiness. “We must lay a foundation for difficult times, enable those we disciple to identify sin in their lives, and learn to deal with it,” she said. “Otherwise, they will drift away.”

This takes a concerted effort in discipleship.

Not Bible study or youth group, discipleship is frequent, one-on-one, intentional time spent in discussion, accountability, prayer, and Scripture between a believer and someone more mature in faith for the purpose of spiritual growth— full freedom from flesh, full freedom in Christ.

Discipleship entails humility, honesty, obedience, and an investment of time and heart, which is requisite of the disciple and discipler.

While we each are responsible for our own consecration, we’re not meant to go it alone.

Discipleship is a critical part of our individual journey toward holy living. If you have not yet been brought under the discipleship training and teachings of a more spiritually mature believer, what experience do you draw upon as you aim to make discipleship a priority in your corps and for your people?

It’s time.

We must recommit to a higher standard of personal holiness—saying “no” to the garbage that keeps us in bondage and from knowing our Savior more intimately. We must commit to the costly investment of discipleship of our junior soldiers, soldiers, adherents, band and songster members and innocent bystanders.

We must understand that holiness is neither a buzzword nor an obscure part of our doctrine, but an essential (more than privileged) part of our transformation as committed followers of Jesus Christ. We must believe that God will release even greater blessing—favor— and increase our territory for mission once we re-consecrate our all to him and commit to such re-consecration daily.

This is it, friends. This is the war you signed up for and the Army you belong to, one with its roots planted in holiness unto the Lord.

See you on the front lines.

Seventh Annual International Weekend of

Prayer & Fasting for Victims of Sexual Trafficking

September 28-30, 2012 The Salvation Army, the Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking (IAST), and the Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST) invite you to join with them in observing the 7th annual International Weekend of Prayer and Fasting for Victims of Sexual Trafficking. You can join the observance by praying and fasting individually, and by organizing workplace or church-based events of prayer and fasting on behalf of those exploited in the commercial sex industry. Please join with us as we lift our petitions to God to free the captives and loose the chains of injustice.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

— Ezra 8:23

Get ready:

3 Mark your calendars 3 Pray and fast in advance 3 Get materials at:

www.traffickingprayerandfasting.org 3 Educate yourself and others 3 Partner locally 3 Plan prayer and fasting events

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Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

prayerPower

Hindrances to prayer You don’t have to be a believer very long until you come upon times when you feel that your prayers are not going anywhere. You pray but your words seem to hit the ceiling, or you may be praying regularly but God Mervyn does not seem to answer.

It may be sin that is hinMorelock dering. A person may pray Lt. Colonel and pray without receiving an answer and conclude that the problem is with God. In reality, the problem may be in the person’s heart. David understood this when he wrote, If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18).

When sin blocks prayer, the real problem is not that we have sinned but that we have not repented. It is only unconfessed sins, cherished in our hearts, that inhibits our prayers.

A.W. Tozer, popular writer and pastor of a half-century ago, said: “When we go to God with a request that he modify the existing situation for us, that is that he answer prayer, there are two conditions that we must meet: (1) We must pray in the will of God, and (2) We must be on what old-fashioned Christians often called ‘praying ground.’ That is, we must be living lives pleasing to God.” In 1 John 3:21-22, the author reminds us: Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

Sin in our lives condemns us. Not that we have lost our salvation, but if we refuse to deal with sin the access to God becomes cut off.

If we make confession a part of our daily prayers; asking God the Holy Spirit to show us anything that is displeasing in our lives, he quickly brings it to our minds so we can confess it. Then we have the assurance of God’s forgiveness.

Billy Graham was once asked what changed in his life that caused his ministry to explode.

He named three things, one of which was that he learned to daily confess his own sins.

God promises, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

And when we do this we will immediately sense that the channel between ourselves and God is clear, and we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

An interesting fact is that not only does sin hinder prayer; prayer hinders sin. The two are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the less we will pray. The more we pray, the less careless we will be about sin. Both sin and prayer are powerful forces.

Each time we go to prayer may we be able to say with David: God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

As you begin your journey into seeking to pray his will, here are four tips: 1. Determine not to pray the first thing that comes to mind over a situation. That may be what you are eventually led to pray, but fight the tendency to automatically go there first.

2. Seek God for what his will might be. If you are not led to pray anything specific, look for some Scriptures that you know would be God’s will in the situation.

3. Don’t stop praying until you feel God is giving you a sense of release over the situation. God more quickly reveals his will to those whom he knows will obey it.

House or home When does a house become a home? It’s an interesting question and one I ask as a person who has just made her 25th change of residence. I suspect that no two of us accomplish the task of relocating in exactly the same way.

How we pack, what we pack, when we pack, or if we even bother to pack at all says Kelly a ton (I suspect) about how our minds cope with change. In my case, the pictures on Pontsler the wall and the books are usually the first Major items to go into boxes. Clean walls and clean bookcases say ‘this is it’ and seem to set all the rest in motion.

Although this move was only a short distance down the road and in town, it still required packing up an apartment full of personal items and furniture, which have now been delivered to the new house and off-loaded into a heap. Actually, many heaps. Big, mountainous heaps. And as I’ve been stepping over and around those heaps in the last few days, I couldn’t help but wonder, how long will it take for this place to feel like home?

English is an extraordinary language for expressing nuance and distinction. A house is a physical structure, a place to reside, a location with an address. But a home? That’s different, right?

True, to call a place “home” is to also refer to a physical structure, a place to reside, a location with an address. But home is more— much more. It seems perhaps obvious to us English speakers, but I know from experience that not every language has the words to distinguish the two. House or home?

I realized today that what is true of our place of residence can equally be said of our church. How do you refer to the place you attend for spiritual nourishment? House of worship? Church

home? House or home?

What’s the difference? I think it’s a matter of heart connection and settledness. Home is where my stuff is. Home is where my family is.

Home is a place where I really settle in and dwell awhile. That may seem hard to believe, given the fact that I’ve relocated about every other year of my life (averaging it out). But it is, perhaps exactly that which convinces me that feeling at home is something more than just the duration of the stay. It is connectedness.

This last week we enjoyed a fabulous week of vacation Bible school in Salem. Nearly 100 children and some 50 volunteer helpers showed up each day to learn that no matter where they are, no matter what happens, trust God. We concluded with a recap of the week during our Sunday service, with many of those children in attendance with their parents. (How cool is that?)

So many new faces, so many opportunities to share the Good News, and even now I wonder, as they walked through our doors, did it feel like just another house or did it feel like home? I have no doubt that the coming weeks will tell. Our hope and prayer is that they will want to settle in and dwell awhile.

I love these lines from the writer of Psalm 84: How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!...Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! House and home!

Well, it’s going to take me a couple of weeks to get those mountainous heaps under control. But I promise you this, when the books get on the shelves and the pictures get up on the wall, I’ll be home!

Excellence in leadership Someone once said that the difference between the impossible and possible lies in a person’s determination.

I have always felt my first year in any of my appointments seemed like an impossible task. During my first year on the staff of the College for Officer Training (CFOT), I felt I was just staying a half step ahead of the cadets. Attempting to write course lecTim tures, learn the nuances of the system and Foley life in community was challenging.

Major At CFOT we have no time for excuses as we begin this year with historic numbers in our population. Our staff is busy putting hand to the plow. Tilling the soil of the soul. Working the ground of the heart. Planting the seed of the word of God. Pulling the weeds of sin that have popped up. Pruning the branches that need trimming back. Maintaining the standards of both policy, procedure and theological sanctity while upholding the disciplines and rigors of training.

I am not normally a big fan of most of the Olympic events outside of the time in which the games are held. Recently my sleep pattern was interrupted as I watched the games with great fascination late into the evening. Even though I knew the results ahead of time, I would still marvel at the way all of these athletes have devoted themselves to their sport.

One of the commentators said that none of these athletes train to come in second place. They all train to win the gold medal. It takes discipline and a commitment to do their best, day in and day out. It also takes the support of family, friends, coaches and teammates to make it happen.

When I was watching the women’s marathon, a commenta-

PARDOS

tor mentioned how the woman running with the top qualifiers at the end was in fourth place just about 200 meters from the finish line. He said it will be difficult for her to live with herself for the rest of her life for coming in fourth place. She was committed but didn’t have what it took in the end to win a medal.

At Crestmont I have challenged our officer and employee staff to pursue excellence in their leadership. This must be shown to the cadets, day in and day out, in our commitment to the tasks at hand. We are not training the cadets to finish in fourth place. We are not training them to rise to the level of mediocre living. We are pushing them to godliness. We are guiding them to Christlikeness. We are showing them what it takes to be effective officers.

The Apostle Paul writes: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Col. 3:23-24 NIV).

We want to turn out a quality product. It’s easy to expect, and even demand, excellence from those we lead. But if you stop to think about this for a moment, where does excellence from those who follow us find its inspiration? Psalm 78:72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

The excellence falls back on the shoulders of every one of us.

May God give all of us the strength not to settle for mediocrity in anything we do, but may we determine to be the leaders and followers of Jesus Christ who exhibit excellence in all that we say and do.

from page 3

trust and share in all aspects of ministry—financial, ministerial—and within the atmosphere of The Salvation Army, carry out together the required orders and regulations. Governance is shared and ministry is shared.”

The couple didn’t waste time in pinpointing their biggest opportunity for improvement in Multicultural Ministries.

“The problem is that many of our churches or corps are growing by mere chance,” Zoilo Pardo noted. He believes they can spark more deliberate growth of churches and corps by

holding outreach activities every week of the year.

“We need to plan for evangelism and outreach,” he said. “It is not a question of simply doing open airs or going door-to-door, but rather corps officers and soldiers and local officers should have a plan.”

Magali Pardo echoed her husband’s sentiments.

“If we want to see results on Sunday, there has to be contact with the community during the week,” she said.

“Officers should work not only within their corps but beyond it by having

direct contact with the people; that’s how we will see new faces on Sundays.”

The Pardos are confident that the program’s success in the Southwest Division will carry over into the Western THQ. “This plan will achieve growth in our corps,” Zoilo Pardo said.

Ultimately, he believes the importance of working every day to achieve growth in the corps is supported by the biblical command to rescue the perishing.

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength? (Prov. 24:10-11)

Doing the Most Good

August 31, 2012 New Frontier

New every morning “Misery loves company,” it is said, and I believe it! The only thing worse than bravely suffering in silence is bravely suffering in silence and no Sharon one noticing it.

Robertson The Jews of Lt. Colonel the Babylonian Captivity knew the feeling:

down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

The Hebrews had a fierce, stubborn type of faith that convinced them that even when God’s punishment seemed unbearable, God still cared.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.”

Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?

Look around and see.

Is any suffering like my suffering that was inflicted on me, that the Lord brought on me in the day of his fierce anger?

(Lam. 1:12 NIV).

Self-pity can be one of the most debilitating emotions one can experience. It strikes us all at one time or another, whether in time of loss, in moments of great disappointment, or in times of physical, emotional or mental distress. It destroys one’s ability to focus on anything but the wrongs, real or imagined, and the afflictions we suffer. It tells us we are hopeless, powerless, that no one understands our pain. We lament with the biblical poet: I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.

So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.

I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me...

(Lam. 3:17-20 NIV).

And when hope is gone, what remains?

One thing only: faith—pure, plain old stubborn, determined “I will not let thee go” faith. The enduring, unquestioning, unreasonable faith that gives substance to things hoped for and is the evidence of things we cannot otherwise prove, the faith that enabled Job to declare, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15 KJV). The faith that declares in the midst of trouble, I will lie

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

(Lam. 3:21-24 NIV).

When I was a child my brother brought me a toy from Japan. He called it a Japanese handcuff. The thing didn’t look like much—just a slender tube of straw, maybe five inches long. I had no idea what I was supposed to do with it.

He told me to stick a finger in each end of the tube—easy enough—and then to pull my fingers out of the tube. Not so easy! No matter how hard I tried, as long as I kept fighting the tube I couldn’t get free. Finally he told me to push in with both fingers at the same time, and instantly the tube relaxed to its original dimensions. I was free.

Sometimes life can be like those Japanese handcuffs. We can only break free by abandoning our determination to fight against the circumstances, and seek instead the victory found in waiting in faith for the salvation and release our Lord has in mind for us.

Like Paul, we need to determine that we are not objects to be pitied and sympathized with, but are still victorious in Christ, content in whatever situation we find ourselves, and praying that God will find a way to use us to bring honor to his name.

ISSN 2164-5930 New Frontier is published twice a month by The Salvation Army USA Western Territory

Commissioner James Knaggs,

Territorial Commander

Colonel Dave Hudson, Chief Secretary We welcome submissions of news stories of interest to the Western Territory. If you have something you’d like to share, submissions can be sent electronically to:

new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org or by postal service to:

New Frontier,

P.O. Box 22646,

180 E. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802 The editor reserves the right to edit material submitted. Articles should be roughly 300 words in length.

EDITORIAL STAFF Robert L. Docter, Editor-In-Chief • 562/491-8330 email: bob.docter@usw.salvationarmy.org Christin Davis, Managing Editor • 562/491-8723 email: christin.davis@usw.salvationarmy.org Karen Gleason, New Frontier Editor •562/491-8332 email: karen.gleason@usw.salvationarmy.org Buffy Lincoln, Associate Editor • 562/491-8329 email: buffy.lincoln@usw.salvationarmy.org Erica Andrews, Assistant Editor • 562/491-8334 email: erica.andrews@usw.salvationarmy.org Edie Jenkins, Editorial Assistant • 562/491-8785 email: edie.jenkins@usw.salvationarmy.org LAYOUT & DESIGN/ADVERTISING Kevin Dobruck, Art Director • 562/491-8328 email: kevin.dobruck@usw.salvationarmy.org Adriana Rivera, Graphic Designer/Web coordinator • 562/491-8331 email: adriana.rivera@usw.salvationarmy.org CIRCULATION Arlene De Jesus, Circulation • 562/491-8343 email: arlene.dejesus@usw.salvationarmy.org new.frontier@usw.salvationarmy.org Member - Evangelical Press Association

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11

Coping with change There’s an extremely powerful advertisement designed by The Richards Group, the Army’s national advertising agency. It has a red kettle standing alone with a simple headline that reads: “EXPECT CHANGE.” I’m sure you’ve seen it—hopefully on these pages.

Obviously, the word “change” in the ad has multiple meanings. The intended message, I believe, simply communicates that “giving” to the Army can facilitate social change. The kettle is almost an Army trademark. More than anything else in society, it—along with the Shield—says “The Salvation Army.” The ad, however, spreads itself across all seasons.

I wouldn’t want to change the content of the ad in any way, but I’m glad it’s not affixed to the kettle. To me it says, “Help us change the world.”

I’m interested in the word “change.” It’s happening at such a tremendous pace—“faster than a speeding bullet,” it seems.

In such a short period of time our world has shifted dramatically. We live in an age where electronic hand-held devices have taken control of our lives. Much of that is helpful. Much, as well, has imposed periods of isolation where the device has inhibited close social connection and conversation among people in close proximity, while expanding to those that are distant.

So, we tend to believe that “change” brings with it some positives and some negatives. If it’s minor, like an adolescent experiencing mood shifts, deal with it. But, if it’s major, second-order change that seems to hit like a social tide the size of a tsunami, about all you can do is cope.

That assumes some skill. Coping first requires a measure of acceptance. You recognize that this thing is too big to go away and has a life of its own. Then you need to find out what it’s all about and what it can do to and for you. I know some people who, to this day, resist owning or using computers. This is strange. Computers have monopolized most parts of our existence.

However, for personal use, they are almost part of the past now with the arrival of the iPad and the iPhone. How’s that for rapid change.

The American automobile industry almost turned belly-up, ready to call it quits a few years ago. Rescued through Federal loans, the corporations that make up this industry faced the need for major change. They handled it well and survived. It’s nice to see GM once again No. 1 in the world.

So, the effect of change on society depends on our response to it.

Take values, for instance, another kind of change. Values are fairly consistent over time, but it’s possible to shift value orientations. We need to believe that as “salvation people.” A major change that takes place at conversion relates to the value assigned God. It changes from a self-centered orientation to one that is principle centered. This leads to changes in one’s belief system, changes in morality and changes in attitude. Changes in behavior patterns

following conversion vary among seekers and depend a great deal on helping relationships from others.

It would be good to visit research examining various issues that change over time.

For instance, researchers Robert have discovered value shifts among larger populations that Docter indicate changes in attitude, Editor-In-Chief morality and beliefs.

Giacomino, Brown and Akers used classification methodology by Rokeach and Musser and Orke to determine shifts in value categories of a specific population of university students. They wanted to interpret societal value changes between generations.

The Rokeach Value Survey (RVS), developed

by Milton Rokeach over 40 years ago, is the most used survey of its type. It has two sets of value labels with 18 in each set. The first focuses on what he calls terminal values. These words describe the values a person would like to achieve during a lifetime. Rokeach divides the 18 terminal values into two categories of nine values.

The first nine have a social focus on the qualities of relationships with others, and the second nine have a personal focus on self. Rokeach labeled the second set of 18 as instrumental values, also divided into two sections. The first identifies moral based means to achieve a goal and the second focuses on competence to achieve it. The subject ranks each value from 1 to 18.

Giacomino and his colleagues report findings that reveal changes in values of university students by survey participants between 1998 and 2010. Individuals of the same age participated in each of the two surveys. In 12 years, the generations changed labels from “x” generation to the “y” generation and also changed what they valued in their world.

VALUE National security Equality Pleasure Inner harmony Social recognition Freedom Mature love An exciting life Health Self-respect

VALUE PLACEMENTS BETWEEN SURVEYS Largest increase Large increase Large increase Large increase Moderate increase Large drop Large drop Large drop Moderate drop Moderate drop

So what? I wonder what all this means for us. Do we make automatic adjustment or are we fixated in our perception of age groups depending on our own age?

Yes, Virginia, there are data available to help us cope with our world.

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