SAconnects, Volume 2, Number 6

VOL. 2, NO. 6 J ULY/AUGUST 2016

the magazine

SPECIAL SECTION

Building

A FOUNDATION

at the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) page 12

The USA Eastern Territory

WELCOMES its new leaders

Commissioners Bill and Lorraine Bamford page 7 SACONNECTS.ORG

Bandmaster Ronald Waiksnoris is looking for YOU! Don’t miss an opportunity to play in CrossFire Brass at this year’s Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings.

The band is for Salvationists of all ages who play brass or percussion instruments. Players need to be willing to rehearse each morning, starting Monday, August 1, from 8:30–10:00 a.m. in the beautiful Seaside Pavilion. The band will participate in meetings on Thursday and Friday evening that week.

If you’d like to participate, contact Karen Shaffstall in the Territorial Music Department, Karen.shaffstall@use.salvationarmy.org ...and remember to mention the instrument you play!

our leaders

IN focus

Holy TOGETHER UNIDOS en Santidad For us personally, the Scripture that most significantly sealed and continues to seal our calling together as soldiers and as officers is found in Romans 12:1–2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.” NIV We find that mandate to be a personal yet joint call to holiness. God’s yearning for His people to be holy is presented not only on an individual basis, but extends also to the Body of Christ as a whole. Many of the scriptural commands for holiness are given in the plural form. Yet it is difficult to expect corporate holiness without individual holiness. They go hand in hand.

We, as The Salvation Army, are called to holy living, holy service, and holy community.

Corporate Holiness is what is expected of the Church—the Body of Christ—the Bride of Christ.

Corporate Holiness leads us to social concern and action.

Corporate Holiness brings unity.

Corporate Holiness invites others in.

Corporate Holiness is not afraid of transparency and seeks to be accountable.

Corporate Holiness consists of holy individuals serving in a holy community of believers.

And so we would be so bold as to paraphrase this verse from Romans as a personal and corporate prayer: Lord, we give you our whole selves as a living, daily sacrifice; make us holy, clean, pure, and pleasing to You. That is what You want, and that is how we long to worship and to serve You. May it be so in our Army. May it be so in the Body of Christ. May it be so for us individually.

— Comisionados / Commissioners Bill and Lorraine Bamford Líderes Territoriales / Territorial Leaders

Para nosotros en particular, el pasaje de la Escritura que selló y sigue sellando de la manera más significativa nuestro llamado a servir en común como soldados y oficiales, es Romanos 12:1, que dice así: “Por lo tanto, hermanos, tomando en cuenta la misericordia de Dios, les ruego que cada uno de ustedes, en adoración espiritual, ofrezca su cuerpo como sacrificio vivo, santo y agradable a Dios”.

Entendemos ese mandato como un llamado personal, aunque también colectivo o corporativo, a la santidad. El anhelo de Dios de que su pueblo sea santo se presenta no sólo en lo individual, sino que se extiende también al Cuerpo de Cristo como un todo. Muchas de las ordenanzas bíblicas en cuanto a la santidad son planteadas en plural. Y, sin embargo, es difícil esperar que haya santidad corporativa sin santidad individual. Ambas van de la mano.

Nosotros, como el Ejército de Salvación, somos llamados a vivir en santidad, a servir en santidad y a relacionarnos como comunidad en santidad.

La santidad corporativa es lo que se espera de la Iglesia —el Cuerpo de Cristo— la Novia de Cristo.

La santidad corporativa nos hace sentir una preocupación social y nos dirige a la acción social.

La santidad corporativa consolida la unidad.

La santidad corporativa convoca a los demás.

La santidad corporativa no teme a la transparencia e insta a ser responsable.

La santidad corporativa se conforma de individuos santos que sirven en una comunidad santa de creyentes.

Y, debido a eso, nos atrevemos a parafrasear este versículo de Romanos en términos de una oración personal y corporativa: Señor, te ofrecemos todo nuestro ser como sacrificio vivo, cotidiano; haz que seamos santos, limpios, puros y agradables para ti. Eso es lo que quieres, y así es como deseamos adorarte y servirte.

Que así sea en nuestro Ejército. Que así sea en el Cuerpo de Cristo. Que así sea en cada uno de nosotros como individuos.

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2016 JULY/AUGUST

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Vol. 2, No. 6

CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2016

IN focus

1 our leaders 4 from the editor 6 sound doctrine

ON file

5

5 relevents Josh Enck, CEO and creative director of Sight & Sound Theaters, talks about his unique collaboration with The Salvation Army.

3 0 wholly living

12

Finally, a prayer resource kit that you can use while on the beach!

FAITH in ACTION

Commissioners Bill and Lorraine Bamford, the new territorial leaders for the USA East, share a long family history in the Army.

20

SPECIAL SECTION BUILDING A FOUNDATION

26 Future All Stars For 13 years, the FAS weekend has provided a unique blend of music, mentoring, and ministry.

24

14 A New Chapel, Life

Zimbabwe

Tim Humphrey rebuilt his life at an Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). Today, he worships in a chapel that he helped build at the same ARC in Wilkes–Barre, Pa.

When the bandmaster in Harare saw the beautifully refurbished instruments, he nearly shed tears.

20 Bibles and Breakfast

26

The Flunky Junky Bible Study and Fellowship enjoys food for the body and shares nourishment for the soul.

32 A conversation about Cover photo by Susan Magnano

12 A New Path

Adherents Alberto Rivera and Samuel Cruz chose to follow the Lord rather than continue their lives of addiction.

28 Mission to

finds

features

7 A Living Legacy

24 Profile Night 37

When Major Tom Mack suffered a heart attack in 1990, he wrote a song. Today, hundreds of suffering people have been blessed by it.

7

human trafficking reveals that men, boys, and girls are targets. They are made to labor in fields, homes, or in factories.

Para leer más artículos en español por favor visite

28

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SACONNECTS.ORG/ENESPANOL

2016 JULY/AUGUST

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IN focus

from the editor

‘A solo un clic de distancia’ ‘Only a click away’ La Coronela Cheryl A. Maynor, primera secretaria de comunicaciones del recién creado departamento territorial de comunicaciones, elogió al personal de la revista SAConnects del Ejército de Salvación por haber recibido el Premio al Mérito que se les otorgó en la Convención de la Asociación de Prensa Evangélica (EPA) el pasado mes de mayo.

Maynor también les expresó una cordial “despedida”. El primero de junio, asumió una nueva función como presidenta territorial de los ministerios femeninos en Japón.

“Ha sido un inmenso privilegio y un honor ser parte de este magnífico equipo de comunicaciones”, escribió la Coronela a todos los que integran los medios impresos, audiovisuales y las redes sociales.

“Su dedicación diaria, su profundo compromiso y la manera en que despliegan sus capacidades, talentos y habilidades para llegar a la gente con el mensaje del Evangelio quedará impreso en mi memoria por siempre.

Estaré en deuda con cada uno de ustedes, constantemente, por la forma en que han trabajado unidos para hacer una realidad el sueño de formar este nuevo departamento.

“En aquellos días en que me sienta sola y añore el tiempo que hemos compartido juntos, sé que SAConnects estará a solo un clic de distancia y que me llevará a un lugar de aliento y de esperanza”.

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As the staff of The Salvation Army’s SAConnects magazine celebrated their Award of Merit received at the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) Convention in May, Colonel Cheryl A. Maynor, the first Communications Secretary of the newly formed Territorial Communications Department, praised them.

Maynor also said her heartfelt “goodbyes.” On June 1, she assumed a new role as territorial president of women’s ministries in Japan.

“It has been such a privilege and an honor to be part of this amazing Communications team,” she wrote to everyone on the print, A/V media, and social media teams.

“Your daily dedication, your deep commitment, and the way you give your skills, talents, and abilities to create content designed to touch people with the Gospel message will be forever etched in my memory. I will always be in your debt for the way you have come together to make a dream a reality in the formation of this new department.

“When lonely days or homesickness visit my heart, SAConnects is only a click away and it will bring me to a place of encouragement and hope.”

letters from you Just read the bulletin about the Award of Merit from the Evangelical Press Association. Well done—confirms what we already know—a high quality, interesting publication. Congratulations to you and the team!

— COLONEL WILLIAM CARLSON Orlando, Florida

Congratulations on this wonderful honor!

You and your staff are to be commended for your fine periodical.

I have been amazed to watch the evolution of Salvation Army publications in the USA Eastern Territory since my years as the managing editor of Good News! I believe the best is yet to come.

May God bless and use you, your team, and SAConnects to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in the future.

Blessings!

—MAJOR JAMES C. KISSER, JR., CFRE Corps Officer, Riverhead, N.Y.

Just a short note to say congratulations to you and your staff on your recent award by the Evangelical Press Association for SAConnects magazine. What a great honor to be recognized for the work that you are doing to tell the Army’s story and to connect us to a wide audience.

I’m sure this is just the first of many accolades, as your vision and hard work move the department to new heights.

— MICHAEL A. ORFITELLI Disaster Services Coordinator, Eastern Territory

We have 31 Denominational (print) members and 15 entered this year’s Awards of Excellence contest. Your award is a great distinction.

— Warren L. Maye Editor en Jefe / Editor in Chief

— LAMAR KEENER Evangelical Press Association executive director

relevents

ON file

interview by Warren L. Maye

JOSH ENCK is CEO and creative arts director of Sight & Sound Theatres, the premier destination in America for faith– based theatergoers since 1976. He talks with SAConnects about his company’s unique contribution to the Salvation Army’s recent International Congress in London and his vision behind Sight & Sound’s productions including “Moses” and “Samson.”

Photo courtesy of Josh Enck

Christ is at the center of what we do. It’s really about who we are and about bringing His word in this dramatic way. We focus on excellence, craftsmanship, quality, integrity, and authenticity, thanks to many hardworking individuals who invest their time. It takes us three–and–a–half years to produce a Sight & Sound musical, and we have over 600 employees who help make this happen. * Sight & Sound’s “Moses” is playing through December 31, 2016, and through October 20, 2017 in Branson, Missouri. “Samson” is playing through December 31, 2016 in Lancaster County, Pa. On August 3rd, The Salvation Army’s TAM will perform a 30–minute version of its own “Moses” at the Old Orchard Beach (OOB) Camp Meetings at the Seaside Pavilion.

We started working on “Moses” about four years ago.

In studying the biblical story, it became clear to me early on that it could not be about this perfect guy with white, wind–swept hair standing on a mountaintop. No one could really relate to that. So we took our Moses off the mountain and put him where we could see his flaws, but also observe how, nonetheless, God still used him. “Moses” opened in 2014 and as many as 900,000 people from around the country saw it that year.

The theme of “Moses” is, “There is a God Who was, and there is a God Who is.” God revealed Himself in Moses’ life and in the lives of the Israelites. After that amazing “burning bush” moment, and as God was beginning to deliver His people, He became “the God Who is,” which is also the title of the show’s theme song. It’s a moving, full–cast number that will give anybody goose bumps, and for me—tears.

We got a phone call from Carol Jaudes [the Salvation Army’s Eastern Territorial Arts Ministries (TAM) director] who was captivated when she saw the show. She said that the Army was preparing its International Congress in London, England, and that she wanted TAM to perform the song with the New York Staff Band and the Amsterdam Staff Songsters.

I was involved in granting the rights for it to be performed at the Congress. It was 5 a.m. when I went to my office to watch a live feed of the Congress performance—and I just cried.

With art, it doesn’t exist, and then suddenly, it does.

And so, to be a part of creating art that has now gone “across the pond” and is performed by an amazing ministry such as The Salvation Army was truly great. What an honor!

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2016 JULY/AUGUST

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IN focus

Sound Doctrine

by Colonel Richard Munn

the magazine

EL LIBERALISMO En la política, la educación y las ciencias sociales hay una tensión siempre presente entre los puntos de vista conservadores y liberales. La religión no es ninguna excepción. El liberalismo se caracteriza por una apertura de ánimo a las nuevas ideas y por un deseo de relajar las trabas en los aspectos más inflexibles de la tradición.

Por ejemplo, luego de siglos en que el cristianismo fue la autoridad dominante en la sociedad, los escritores y pensadores del siglo XIX empezar a aplicar a la interpretación de la Biblia los nuevos descubrimientos aportados por la ciencia y la investigación literaria. Ésta fue una época de notables avances científicos e industriales. El optimismo se apoderó del espíritu de la gente. La confianza creciente en los logros humanos redundó en una visión antisobrenatural del mundo.

Los teólogos liberales promovían la Biblia más como un registro histórico del pensamiento y de la experiencia religiosa que como depósito de una revelación divina. Se resaltó el mito y la leyenda en su calidad de lenguaje religioso en desmedro de la legitimidad de la historia bíblica de la creación, el nacimiento virginal y los milagros.

Se privilegió la humanidad de Jesús por encima de su divinidad. Y la historia o relato de la salvación fue presentada como la de Dios que perfeccionaba a los inmaduros seres humanos y no como la de Dios que redimía a los caídos. Este modalidad de pensamiento condujo a un reduccionismo del concepto del pecado y, naturalmente, a una menor necesidad de un Salvador.

Sin embargo, los horrores de la Primera Guerra Mundial hicieron mella en el hasta entonces triunfal optimismo occidental. Y por esos mismos años tanto los conservadores ortodoxos como los humanistas seculares empezaron a cuestionar al liberalismo cristiano.

En la actualidad, los evangélicos se suman a los esfuerzos que se hacen por armonizar el pensamiento cristiano con los nuevos conocimientos. Estas dos ideas no se contradicen entre sí. Más bien, ambas están presentes en un Salvador que dijo: ‘conocerán la verdad, y la verdad los hará libres’.

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LIBERALISM In politics, education, and social sciences there is an ever–present tension between conservative and liberal viewpoints. Religion is no exception.

Liberalism is a readiness to welcome new ideas and a desire to loosen the restraints of inflexible tradition.

For example, after centuries of dominant Christian authority, writers and thinkers in the 19th century began to apply the new discoveries of science and in literary assessment to the Bible.

This was a time of notable scientific and industrial advancement. Optimism abounded. Increasing confidence in human achievement resulted in an anti–supernatural worldview.

Liberal theologians advocate the Bible more as a record of religious thought and experience and less as a divine revelation. Myth and legend are accentuated as religious language, diminishing the legitimacy of the creation story, the virgin birth, and miracles.

The humanity of Jesus is emphasized over His divinity. And any salvation narrative was presented as God perfecting immature humans rather than as God redeeming fallen ones. Such thinking leads to a reduction in the idea of sin, and, naturally, to a diminished need for a savior.

However, the horrors of WW1 punctured western optimism. And around the same time, both orthodox conservatives and secular humanists increasingly challenged Christian liberalism.

Today, evangelicals can embrace attempts to harmonize Christian thinking with new learning. The two ideas are not mutually exclusive, rather, they are both present in a savior who said, ‘You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’

your connection to The Salvation Army

USA EASTERN TERRITORY TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner William A. Bamford III Commissioner Lorraine Bamford CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Kenneth O. Johnson SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Colonel Janice Howard EDITOR IN CHIEF Warren L. Maye MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT Hugo Bravo KOREAN EDITOR Lt. Colonel Chongwon D. Kim ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION MANAGING DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Keri Johnson, Karena Lin, Joe Marino STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Ryan Love CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brenda Lotz, Major Young Sung Kim CIRCULATION Deloris Hansen COMMAND NEWS CORRESPONDENTS ARCC Major Charles Deitrick

PENDEL R andall Thomas Major Kathryn A. Avery EMP Jaye C. Jones

GNY Major Susan Wittenberg MASS Drew Forster

NNE Cheryl Poulopoulos PR & VI Linette Luna SNE James Gordon

WEPASA Captain Kimberly DeLong NJ Siran Farrar

Territorial Music Liaison Ronald Waiksnoris

Territorial Youth Liaison Captain Gillian Rogers New command correspondents will be appointed soon for

CFOT, NEOSA, SWONEKY

THE SALVATION ARMY

MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

SAConnects is published monthly by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per month for 25–100 copies.

Single subscriptions are available. Write to: SAConnects, The Salvation Army, 440 W. Nyack Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994–1739.

Vol. 2, No. 6, July/August 2016 Issue. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SAConnects, 440 West Nyack Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SAConnects accepts advertising.

Copyright © 2016 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory.

Articles may be reprinted only with written permission.

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Photo by Susan Magnano

“ Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

—PHILIPPIANS 1:6

A Living Legacy

by Robert Mitchell

A

s they prepared to lead the USA Eastern Territory on July 1, Commissioners Bill and Lorraine Bamford opened a family Bible and read the words of Philippians 1:6.

“That’s our prayer for the territory as we become its leaders and we want to see the future days, reaching others for Christ,” says Bill, who will serve as territorial commander. Lorraine will be the territorial president of women’s ministries.

Reading from a family Bible was no accident. Family is central to the Bamfords, who have a fascinating history in The Salvation Army.

Bill and Lorraine are both 5th–generation Salvationists, and their families were friendly dating back to the early 19th century in England.

Bill and Lorraine are products of that legacy and grew up in the Eastern Territory, Bill in the Philadelphia area and Lorraine near Boston.

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What do you want people to know about you?

BILL: “We just want to be very authentic people in Christ. We want others to know that. We want others to see very practically that they’re loved. It’s just about loving people.

We want them to know that we really care about them and we want to help others in their journey with Christ as best we can.”

RICH FAMILY HISTORY

“My great–grandfather went to The Salvation Army first, and because he went, his father went, and that’s how you get back to the 5th generation,” Bill says. “Of that history, I am a 4th– generation officer.”

Bill’s grandfather immigrated to the United States in 1910 at age 2.

Bill and Lorraine’s families went to the same corps back in Ashton–under–Lyne, England, but they didn’t realize it until they started dating.

Lorraine’s mother came to America as a 3–year–old immigrant in 1924 from Ashton–under–Lyne, and her family kept in touch with the Bamford clan back in England.

“It’s interesting how the paths of our families crossed before,” Lorraine says.

GETTING TOGETHER

Lorraine’s grandfather came to The Salvation Army in Bascom, England, when he and a friend listened during an open–air meeting. The message—and the messengers—intrigued him.

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Photo by Susan Magnano

LORRAINE: “I want people to know that I don’t deserve to be a Salvation Army officer—it’s a privilege. My daily prayer is, ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in His sight’ (Psalm 19). I want people to know we love each other very much and we love being married.”

His family was not so keen, however.

“He told the story that he used to have to hide his uniform in the bushes to go to church on Sunday because his family didn’t want him to have anything to do with it,” Lorraine says.

Her grandfather eventually immigrated to Canada and later to the United States, where he became a Salvation Army officer in New Hampshire and in Connecticut during WW I. “There is a great history and a linkage of our heritage, which is very special to us,” Lorraine says.

WEDDING BELLS

Bill and Lorraine first met at The Salvation Army’s Camp Ladore, but love didn’t blossom until four years later when their paths crossed again. Bill’s officer parents were stationed at the Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) in Boston and he began attending the Quincy Temple Corps, where Lorraine and her parents were faithful soldiers.

“We began a friendship and that evolved into marriage,” Bill says. The couple wed in 1980.

Bill had committed at a young age to become a Salvation

Vive tu Legado Army officer, but that idea was put on hold as he and Lorraine raised a family. Bill was a pharmacist and Lorraine a junior high school teacher, but the topic of officership came up from time to time.

“We had several years of conversation over the matter,” Bill says with a laugh.

Mientras se preparaban para liderar al Territorio Este de EUA el primero de julio pasado, los Comisionados Bill y Lorraine Bamford abrieron una Biblia de la familia y leyeron Filipenses 1:6.

“Esa es nuestra oración por el territorio ahora que pasamos a ser sus líderes. Lo que más deseamos es que, en los próximos días y años que ahora comienzan, podamos dar lo mejor de nosotros para acercar a la gente a Cristo”, dice Bill, que servirá en calidad de Comandante Territorial. Lorraine, por su parte, será la Presidenta Territorial de los Ministerios Femeninos.

Tanto Bill como Lorraine son salvacionistas de quinta generación. Sus familias vienen siendo amigas desde la Inglaterra de comienzos del siglo XIX. Bill y Lorraine son productos de ese legado y se criaron en el Territorio Este de EUA, Bill en el área de Filadelfia y Lorraine cerca de Boston.

Ahora que se aprestan para asumir el mando como líderes territoriales, Bill dijo que la iniciativa “Strikepoint” continuaría su énfasis en Misión integrada, Intensificación del discipulado, Liderazgo especializado y Capacitación de jóvenes adultos.

“El énfasis de Strikepoint definitivamente seguirá siendo una prioridad para el territorio”, dice Bill.

In 1983, Bill and Lorraine attended the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings. That’s when Bill saw an auxiliary captain being commissioned.

“That night, the commissioner said, ‘There’s someone else out there who is being called to officership.’ That was it. That spoke to me. And from that, our discussions evolved and a couple of years later we decided to make a full commitment,” Bill says.

At the time, Lorraine was expecting her first child. In those days, pregnant women could not go to training. And a few years later, another child followed. So the Bamfords waited.

“It was family,” Bill says. “We had two young children that we wanted to make sure received attention and time, but when we finally realized that the Lord would take care of all that, we allowed Him to receive everything from us—our children, our professions, our careers, our home, our cars, all that stuff, so that we could give ourselves fully to what the Lord was The Bamfords and their children during calling us to do.”

Commissioning Weekend in 1989.

A HARD MOVE

Lorraine recalls, “I just really needed some confirmation from the Lord. When our second child was about 6 or 8 months old, I got that confirmation and we started the process of becoming officers.”

Bill was a child of officers and was accustomed to moving.

But Lorraine had lived her entire life in Weymouth, Mass.

Bill and Lorraine had also bought their first home there and her family was close.

“The elementary school I attended was just down the block,” she says. “Except for short stints, I had never really lived anywhere but my hometown.

“To look back on that, from the girl who never left her hometown except for a trip, to going and living overseas for four years and living in various other states in the U.S., life has changed— for the good. It continues to be a wonderful experience.”

Photo courtesy of Commissioners Bamford

I SURRENDER ALL

UNA MIRADA HACIA EL FUTURO Bill precisó algo muy importante: el énfasis que el General André Cox ha decidido imprimirle a 2017 como el año en que “Todo el mundo se movilice” también va a formar parte de su agenda.

“Ciertamente queremos asegurarnos de que el territorio se enfoque en ello a la hora de abordar la tarea de difundir el Evangelio y llevar nuestro ministerio de maneras útiles a una comunidad que necesita escucharlo”, explica Bill.

Los Bamford, que tienen tres hijos y cuatro nietos, dijeron que suelen orar a menudo por las familias del territorio.

“Pienso que las familias deben ser lugares de regocijo y un oasis que a veces tiene que estar apartado del mundo”, reflexiona Lorraine. “Debe reinar un sentimiento de seguridad en el interior de la familia y también la sensación de que ‘estoy en casa y aquí me aman’. Oramos para que todas las familias y la nuestra, en especial, puedan contar con eso”.

Bill indicó que le gustaría ver a las familias “creciendo en pureza de corazón y en conocimiento del Señor” y que todo eso se pase a la próxima generación, tal como ocurrió en su caso y en el de Lorraine.

“Queremos que las personas comprendan que la familia es importante”, afirma. “Tiene que dársele prioridad a la familia.

“Ahora que tenemos hijos grandes y nietos, queremos ver cómo nuestros propios nietos son criados y alimentados espiritualmente en el Señor. Deseamos ver eso mismo en las familias a lo largo y ancho de este territorio”.

Este es un resumen del artículo. Para leerlo completo en español, por favor visite saconnects.org/enespanol.

The Bamfords at the Cusco Sacsayhuamán Ruins in Peru, during their appointment in the South America West Territory.

Photo courtesy of Commissioners Bamford

LOOKING AHEAD

FULFILLING THE CALL

The couple went to training in 1987 and was commissioned in 1989. Their first appointment was as corps officers of the Philadelphia Pioneer Corps.

“We were called to be corps officers,” Lorraine says. “That’s what we were expecting for our entire officership. We were great with that. We were happy with that.”

However, that appointment was followed by a string of DHQ and Territorial Headquarters (THQ) appointments before the Bamfords were sent abroad to serve as chief secretary and as territorial secretary for Women’s Ministries of the South America West Territory, which includes Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Lorraine said she was shy as a child, but among the things that brought her out of her shell and prepared her for overseas service was Salvation Army programming such as Sunbeams, Junior Soldiers, band, and Corps Cadets.

COMING HOME

“I was encouraged to take part and to stand up and to lead and to pray out loud as a child, or to lead a song. Those experiences helped me to grow and to realize who I am and to gain self–confidence,” she says.

In 2013, the Bamfords returned to the Eastern Territory with Bill serving as chief secretary and Lorraine as territorial secretary for women’s ministries.

As they take over as territorial leaders, Bill said the “Strikepoint” initiative would continue its emphasis on Integrated Mission, Deeper Discipleship, Skilled Leadership, and Young Adult Empowerment.

“The Strikepoint emphasis is still definitely a priority for the territory,” Bill says.

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Bill said General André Cox’s 2017 emphasis on “The Whole World Mobilizing” would also be on the agenda.

“We certainly want to make sure the territory is focusing on that as we think about spreading the Gospel and reaching out in very practical ways to a population that needs to hear the Gospel,” Bill says.

Lorraine said intentionally ministering to a growing senior population would also be a priority, along with accountability.

“Not that there isn’t accountability already, but to confirm it and just pinpoint different ways we can show that we want to be transparent,” she says.

PRAYING LEADERS

With its array of junior and senior soldiers, adherents, ARC ministries, advisory boards, and auxiliary members, the Bamfords called the Eastern Territory “the best.”

“This is the greatest territory,” Bill says. “There is a lot going on programmatically. There are a lot of great people here.”

Lorraine called the territory a “microcosm of the country and the world, in a sense.”

“We have every culture represented,” she says. “It’s a very diverse territory. I think this territory has been very good and very intentional about ministering to the whole society and we’d love to continue that and even see what’s coming down the path.”

Lorraine would also like to see the ARC ministries connect more with corps and “bring people into the family.”

‘A PRIORITY’

The Bamfords, who have three children and four grandchildren, said they pray often for the territory’s families.

“I think families should be places of joy and an oasis sometimes away from the world,” Lorraine says. “There should be a feeling of safety in a family and a feeling of ‘I’m home and I’m loved.’ That’s what we pray for in all families and in ours especially.”

Bill said he would like to see families “growing in purity and knowledge of the Lord” and for that to be passed on, as it was to him and Lorraine.

“We want people to understand that family is important,” he says. “There needs to be a priority for family.

“Now that we have grown children and grandchildren, we want to see our grandchildren nurtured in the Lord. We want to see that for families all across this territory.”

For more, go to saconnects.org for a video interview with the Commissioners Bamford.

Joining the Cabinet Colonels Kenneth O. and Paula Johnson, who recently served as leaders of the USA Southern Territory’s Florida Division, have come to the USA Eastern Territory. Kenneth now serves as chief secretary, and Paula as the territorial secretary for women’s ministries.

The Johnsons were both born into the homes of Salvation Army officer parents and are 4th–generation Salvationists. They were commissioned in 1984 and served at two corps in the Texas Division before going to Atlanta to serve on the faculty of the College for Officer Training.

They also have served at several divisional appointments in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

In 1998, the Johnsons were appointed to the Arkansas–Oklahoma Division where they were later responsible for all Salvation Army disaster services during the major tornado outbreaks in 1999 and 2004.

From 2004–2008, the Johnsons served as leaders in the Georgia Division and in the Texas Division.

In 2010, the Johnsons became leaders of the Eastern Europe Territory based in Moscow, Russia. They oversaw the Salvation Army’s work in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and the Republic of Georgia.

Kenneth graduated from the University of North Carolina–Asheville with a degree in business administration.

The Johnsons have two children, Christopher and Ashley, and two grandchildren. Kenneth enjoys cross–country cycling, music, scuba diving, and saltwater aquariums. Paula likes reading and scrapbooking.

Lt. Colonels James and Patricia LaBossiere have returned to Territorial Headquarters, where James now serves as secretary for program and Patricia as secretary for spiritual life development and social justice consultant.

The LaBossieres have been Salvation Army officers for 31 years and have served as corps officers in Massachusetts, as divisional youth leaders in Western Pennsylvania, and as territorial youth & candidates secretaries for the Eastern Territory.

James also served as general secretary in the Western Pennsylvania Division and in the Massachusetts Division. Patricia served as women’s ministries secretary in Western Pennsylvania and as program secretary in Massachusetts. The couple most recently served together as leaders of the Northern New England Division.

James earned a bachelor’s degree in community ministry and a master’s degree in organizational leadership, both from Geneva College in Pennsylvania.

In 2001, he was appointed as a delegate to the International College for Officers in London, England.

Patricia is passionate about prayer and social justice. In 2010, she attended the Brengle Holiness Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management & church studies from Nyack College in New York.

The LaBossieres have been married for 34 years and have two grown sons, Dave and his wife, Emma, and 3-month-old Edyn Joy; and Dan and his wife, Leannn. James and Patricia enjoy bicycling, kayaking, hiking and reading.

SPECIAL SECTION Building a Foundation

A New Path When Major Tom Taylor, administrator for business at the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Saugus, Massachusetts, asked graduates of the program if they were interested in becoming adherents, identifying with The Salvation Army, Gilberto Rivera and Samuel Cruz were the first to volunteer and to complete the adherents training. They share how they came to the Army and what they now tell other beneficiaries on the path to recovery.

GILBERTO RIVERA

teams, even if it was not for good intentions.” I realized that he was sizing me up, maybe even thinking, How might he be used positively in leading people at work, or even to Christ? When the Major said, “You’ll be the houseman for the men’s building,” I asked, “Why not choose someone with more experience or bigger muscles or better English skills?” He said, “This will be your new challenge.” And it became my calling.

Every day, you wake up to the challenge of fighting your own “demons” as you try to follow ARC rules and disciplines. But I reminded myself that addiction is the path to loss. It’s living under bridges, eating from garbage cans, shooting up, suffering the physical pain of sleeping on the streets, and possible death.

When Major Taylor asked me about my job skills, I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m a hard worker, and I never make the same mistake twice,” I finally said. But he wanted more. “What type of person were you in jail?” Nervously, I told him, “I was a leader. I organized people into

I speak to beneficiaries who are struggling.

Sometimes they say, “It’s too hard,” or “I want to leave and use again.” I remind them that acknowledging their weaknesses is good because that’s exactly what you first need to do on the path to recovery. God knows our weaknesses.

He gives us the strength to face them.

Photo by Doug Kerr

In June 2014, my recovery started in Boston at the Barbara McInnis House for the homeless. But after a suicide attempt, the caretakers said I needed more help than what they could offer.

A hospital counselor told me about the Saugus ARC and how it combined spiritual growth and addiction recovery, as well as possible work opportunities.

On my first day at the ARC, an intake person asked me, “What do you need from us?” Through tears, I said, “I need to know that Christ is in my life, and that I’m not alone in the world.” She said, “You’ve come to the right place.”

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Becoming an adherent was the first step toward reaching three personal goals: getting my driver’s license, getting my GED, and becoming a Salvation Army soldier. I want to be the person the Army calls when they need to pick someone up from a clinic or to listen to what a new beneficiary has to say.

I asked the Lord for a new path, and He gave it to me. To this day, I practice everything I learned in recovery, and I share it. It would be easy and safe to stay within these walls. But the real work is on the streets, helping people who struggle with addiction, as I did.

Interview by Hugo Bravo Gilberto (left) and Samuel (right) were the only 2 beneficiaries out of 15 that completed the adherents training. Gilberto is also houseman for the Saugus ARC, and Samuel works in the Saugus Family Store.

For years, I struggled with addiction. And after another relapse in February 2015, I knew that it was now or never. When I lived in New Jersey, I had attended a Salvation Army church. But I had never sought help. Now in Boston, I spoke to Major Elizur Vasquez from the Central Hispanic Corps and he made all the necessary arrangements for me to join the Saugus ARC. Everything that I thought I knew about recovery was backwards. I learned that, before I could recover, I had to first trust that I could make it happen. I was a “Doubting Thomas,” the disciple who did not believe Jesus had risen. Like Thomas, I needed to first believe.

Photo by Doug Kerr

SAMUEL CRUZ

I’ve been in recovery programs, but I’ve never seen the people treat the beneficiaries with as much kindness as they do at this ARC. We’re treated as equals here. When we do activities, Major Taylor follows the example of Christ by taking off his officer’s jacket and becoming one of us. He sits with us at meals and shows the same courtesy to a new beneficiary as he does to one who’s been here for years. We don’t need to make appointments to see him. He’s always available.

change. For example, just one hour into my first day, I saw a drug dealer I had known for years. As we were getting settled, he told me he still had his cell phone and that he was planning to leave immediately. He had called his wife, who was waiting outside. He said, “Come with me, stay in my house, or I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.” But I thought, In the past, I paid you a lot of money, but not once did you offer me a place to stay or a meal to eat. But now that I have all this and more from The Salvation Army, you’re telling me to leave it behind? I could have followed the dealer. Instead, I followed God, because I wanted to change.

If you want to change, the ARC will do everything to help you. But they cannot help anyone unless he or she wants to

Some people feel that, physically, recovery is too much work. I ask them, “How many years did you work for drugs, for your

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dealer, for your lawyer or for the courts?

This time, do the work for yourself. It is not easy, but it is also not impossible.”

Talking with beneficiaries helps me too.

They give me strength to continue on my own path. When I see some beneficiaries, it’s like looking into a mirror of my past. I remember coming in with no focus or knowing what I wanted from my life. I remember arriving in old dirty boots, and jeans that I had been wearing for months.

Although I’m 53, I’m a new man. People who haven’t seen me in years tell me how I‘ve changed. I say, “Thanks to God and to The Salvation Army.” Today, I have my recovery and my future in hand. And I’m never going to let either of them go.

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Building a Foundation

A new

chapel, a new

LIFE

by Robert Mitchell

photography by Susan Magnano

TIM HUMPHREY smiled often, sang

with joy from the choir, and shed a lot of tears the day the new chapel was dedicated at the Wilkes–Barre, Pa., Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC).

His reaction is understandable when you consider that Humphrey, an ARC beneficiary and carpenter, helped build the chapel.

“When I started working here, it was overwhelming to think about how many souls could be saved in this building,” Humphrey says while looking around at the handiwork.

Humphrey, who has some 40 years in the construction business, had graduated from the ARC program just last July when a Christian–owned company, Twin City Builders, hired him. The firm’s first job was to build a new chapel for the ARC complex in Wilkes–Barre.

A MIRACLE JOB

“When I got a job on this chapel,” Humphrey says, “it was overwhelming. It was powerful. I went from a fantastic program here at the ARC to a job working for fantastic people.”

A mason by trade, Humphrey took a job as a carpenter on the project. Major Kathleen Wadman, the ARC’s director of program and residential services, called Humphrey’s hiring a “miracle.”

“He cried every day,” Wadman says. “He has been through a lot in his life.”

Humphrey, 62, grew up in Bridgeport, N.J., in what he calls a “dysfunctional home.” His father was a truck driver and often on the road, and his mother struggled with alcohol.

“There was a lot of turmoil and unhappiness,” he says. “I looked outside the house for happiness.”

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2016 JULY/AUGUST

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ROUGH CHILDHOOD

Humphrey found the Boy Scouts and eventually became an Eagle Scout, the organization’s highest rank.

“It’s about the only thing I ever completed,” he says.

Tim went to church as a youngster, but it never stuck. He was 12 when he and two friends got some beer and went into the woods.

“Drinking was a problem right from the beginning,” he says. “I’ve never had any success controlling my use of alcohol or drugs. And for many years, I didn’t try to control it.

“It was bad when I was in high school, but it was worse when I got out. I did marijuana, heroin, and everything in between. I was pretty messed up.”

“

When I started working here, it was overwhelming to think about how many souls could be saved in this building.

REBELLIOUS YEARS

”

Humphrey said he went “buck wild” for a decade or so. In 1976, he entered the military in an attempt to straighten out his life.

But it didn’t work.

“The scars on my face tell the story,” he says. “I was in many accidents. But God kept me alive through the whole thing. I’ve been blessed.

“My past has been checkered, to say the least. The only reason I’m alive today is because I’ve spent half of my life in recovery.”

In 1982, Humphrey almost died twice. He went through the windshield of his car when a drunk driver, traveling 70 mph, hit him head–on. He also nearly bled to death when someone struck him in the back with an ax handle during a fight. The encounter also left him with a damaged spleen. Humphrey later survived two heroin overdoses, thanks to medical help.

SEEKING HELP

The next year, Humphrey entered rehab for the first time at the Veterans Medical Center in Coatesville, Pa. For the next seven years he stayed sober, but then he relapsed. In subsequent years, he went through several rehab programs. But due to his continued drinking, two marriages ended in ruins.

In 2003 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Humphrey sat on a bench, out of money, and about to lose his hotel room. Then

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una nueva capilla,

una nueva VIDA Tim Humphrey sonreía a cada rato, cantaba con alegría en el coro, derramando muchas lágrimas el día en que fue dedicada la nueva capilla en el Centro de Rehabilitación para Adultos (ARC) de Wilkes-Barre, Pensilvania.

Su reacción resulta comprensible cuando te enteras de que Humphrey, beneficiario del ARC y carpintero de profesión, ayudó a construir la capilla.

“Cuando empecé a trabajar aquí, me sobrecogía pensar en las muchas almas que se podían salvar en este edificio”, dice Humphrey mientras observa las partes de la capilla que ayudó a construir con sus propias manos.

Humphrey se crió en un hogar “disfuncional” y llevó una vida de excesos durante largos períodos de su vida. Con el pasar de los años, pasó por diversos centros de rehabilitación, pero en ninguno de ellos lograba recuperarse. Pero el amor que encontró en el ARC de Wilkes-Barre transformó su vida.

“No cabe duda de que la mano de Dios está aquí y se manifiesta a través de cada una de las personas que participa en este programa”, afirma con convicción.

“Eso es lo que me ha comprobado que Jesús y Dios son reales”.

Humphrey dijo que pasó la primera parte de su vida dedicado exclusivamente a sí mismo y hace poco optó por algo diferente: “¿Por qué mejor no sirvo a Dios por el resto de mi vida?”

Cada vez que se presenta la ocasión, Humphrey hace todo lo que puede para “cautivar al nuevo joven o adulto que llega al ARC” e impartirle su experiencia.

“Ayudar al recién llegado es la clave para mantenerse espiritualmente sano”, dice. “Es de ahí que surge la verdadera felicidad. Cuando ayudo a alguien es cuando mejor me siento. Hay varias maneras de ser de ayuda a los demás a través del Ejército de Salvación”.

Humphrey dijo que la nueva capilla que ayudó a construir bendecirá a muchísimas personas en los muchos años por venir.

“Por la manera en que está construida, estoy seguro de que durará 500 años”, afirma. “Está construida como una fortaleza”.

Este es un resumen del artículo. Para leerlo completo en español, por favor visite saconnects.org/enespanol .

he saw a sign across the street that read: “Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center.”

“I didn’t even know what it was,” he recalls.

Humphrey applied for and was accepted into the program. He joined the ARC choir of 100 men who sang in a small chapel.

HOLY SPIRIT’S VISIT

“At first, I had my head down. But all of a sudden, I started bawling my eyes out,” he says. “That was my first experience with the feeling of the Holy Spirit—through singing.” In that moment, he experienced “something different.”

Although Humphrey was to relapse again, he did have periods of sobriety. For seven years, he owned Hickory Hill Masonry, his own business, in Wilmington, Del. He also managed to hold various jobs.

“I learned how to survive,” he says.

Humphrey even went through the rehab program at the ARC in Wilmington, Del., and felt good about his future.

However, after a few years of staying away from church and from fellowship with other Christians, he relapsed again.

FINDING LOVE

“I ran around chasing money for a few years, but I was soon back on alcohol and drugs,” he says.

On one construction job in Maryland, Tim says he went from being a good supervisor to “just another drunk.” He lost the respect of his men. While living in a hotel, Tim realized he needed help.

In January 2015, he called the Wilkes–Barre, Pa., ARC. “Something had happened to me,” he says. “I knew that I needed God and I thought the best way to do it was to come here because I could work on my relationship with Jesus and with God. “It took off. This has been the best place I’ve ever come to and I think all the preparation to get here has made me feel that way.”

A NEW LIFE

Humphrey said the main thing he found in Wilkes–Barre was unconditional love.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was also there in the other places, but this was different,” he says. “Undoubtedly, the hand of God is here through everyone in this program.

“That’s what proved to me that Jesus and God were true.

When I was struggling, I needed proof. I think the human kindness and spectacular things that people did for me were that proof.”

While working on the ARC chapel was a blessing, Humphrey would come home tired. He neglected his Bible reading and prayer, as well as his Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.

MORE WORK TO DO

In January of this year, Tim relapsed a few weeks after being laid off. He is back at the ARC, a member of the “tune–up track.”

“I took it upon myself to stop the things that got me where I was,” he says. “It’s an instant problem when that happens to me.

“It takes vigilance. I felt the best I’d ever felt when I graduated from here and went to work, but as time went on, I slacked off on my recovery and my prayer life. Without strengthening my faith and continuing to grow, I strayed.”

Wadman said many beneficiaries “think they’ve arrived” after they graduate, but that’s not the case.

“That’s when the hard work really begins,” she says. “I think Tim learned from his relapse that he can’t do it on his own.

“Even when they relapse, I let them know that they can come back and start over. We’re an organization of second chances in The Salvation Army.”

STAYING GROUNDED

Today, Humphrey says he feels spiritually strong, but admits to being nervous about the future. With the chapel now built, Humphrey is building his Christian life.

“They say, ‘take one day at a time.’ I know my God won’t let me down, but I still have to do some footwork and continue on,” he says.

Humphrey says when he struggles now, “my belief is not weak anymore, but strong.”

“I have faith in the Bible,” he says. “I believe it’s true. I

Tim Humphrey with Majors Kathleen Wadman (left) and Bea Connell.

believe what I’m learning is true. I don’t doubt anything anymore and that’s a big start right there.”

ROLE MODEL

Major Bea Connell, the ARC’s associate administrator for program, said Humphrey has had an influence on the younger men. He has also worked hard in the choir.

“He has given his heart and soul to everything he has done,” she says. “He’s been a real inspiration—even to me.”

Singing in the choir has been a highlight for Humphrey.

“I can’t wait to sing in the new chapel here because the acoustics are so good,” he says. “I joined the choir the first week I was here and it has been a big part of my recovery. It’s given me confidence. It’s been a rewarding experience.”

Humphrey said he spent the first part of his life living for himself and recently decided, “Why don’t I serve God with the rest of my life?” Whenever possible, Humphrey tries to “grab the new guy” and impart his experience.

LEAVING A LEGACY

“Helping a newcomer is the key to staying fresh,” he says.

“That’s really where true happiness comes from. When I’m helping someone, that’s when I feel the best. There’s several ways to be helpful through The Salvation Army.”

Humphrey said the new chapel he helped build will help people for years to come.

“The way it’s built, I think it should last 500 years,” he says. “It’s built like a fortress.”

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Building a Foundation

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Bibles and Breakfast

Lessons with the ‘Flunky Junkies’

by Hugo Bravo

If you step out for breakfast or dinner

The Flunky Junky Bible Study invited SAConnects to be a part of their Saturday morning meeting in Sturbridge, Mass.

Photo by Doug Kerr

in the greater Worcester, Mass. area, you may run into a Flunky Junky Bible Study and Fellowship meeting. And you’ll overhear men confessing to one another their struggles with emotions, life, and addictions.

They’ll share their victories and express deep gratitude for having been given a second chance to fully engage in life and to learn how to do it through the study of God’s Word. And you’ll witness Captain Pat O’Gara, Administrator for Business for The Salvation Army’s Worcester Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC), lead the conversation.

“For one reason or another, these people have been discharged from the ARC program, or are no longer employed by The Salvation Army,” says O’Gara. “Nonetheless, we wanted to remain a part of their lives and to continue ministering to them.

That’s how “Flunky Junky” started. At first, we were running it with only two former ARC graduates, Angel and Charlie.

“It was important to do this in a public setting,” says O’Gara. “Jesus died for us in public, so we want to return to Him in public. I also wanted it to be separate from the work done in the Salvation Army’s ARC building.”

The Flunky Junky Bible Study and Fellowship uses The Life Recovery Bible NLT, a biblical guide through the 12 steps of recovery, and its companion workbook as a biblical guide for the meetings. Rather than focus solely on recovery from drugs and alcohol, the Flunky Junky meetings are about recovering spiritually and reconnecting with God. When the Bible lesson is finished, the Flunky Junkies go to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting together, carrying God’s message to other “brothers and sisters” who are trying to overcome their addictions.

A SECOND CHANCE

“My father went to church every day, but he also beat me every day,” recalls Angel, one of the original members of Flunky Junky. “My mother died when I was only five, and my

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Photo by Doug Kerr

Captain Patrick O’Gara leads the Flunky Junky Bible Study using The Life Recovery Bible.

father was in his 50s when I was born. So he had a real ‘old school’ way of raising a son. Naturally I rebelled, and when we moved from Brooklyn to Worcester, that was when my drug use really grew.

“When I finished the ARC program, I started going back to church after many years of being away. I even hosted Bible studies, which I enjoyed.”

Angel also became an employee of The Salvation Army as a resident manager for the building in the Worcester ARC. But a false accusation caused him to lose his job. Even after he cleared his name, he was unable to return to that position.

“I understood why they had to do what they did, but I was angry,” he recalls.

Even though Angel found employment at a Salvation Army Family Store, the setback was devastating and could have threatened his recovery. “I knew that a lot of folks in a situation like mine go right back to using. But that wasn’t going to be me,” remembers Angel.

Fortunately, Angel had stayed in contact with Captain O’Gara. They decided to launch the Flunky Junky fellowship to give Angel and people in similar predicaments a second chance at Bible study. Angel asked his sponsor, Charlie, to participate. Although they occasionally clashed, Charlie, who had successfully graduated from the ARC program, seemed to be doing everything right in his own recovery and had been helping Angel through the steps.

Charlie says with a smile, “I know that sometimes I’m not the easiest person to work with. But an addict will soon find out that he can’t pull the wool over my eyes.” Prior to coming to the ARC, Charlie had been a drug addict for many years, but still found a way to provide for his family financially.

“I’m missing from my daughter’s prom pictures. She’s wearing a dress that I bought her. But that day, I was out using and running the streets. When she looks at those pictures, she thinks about who stood with her. That’s more important

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to her than what I had given her to wear. In a way, I cheated her and all my kids. Today, I tell beneficiaries, ‘Recover so you can have a future with your kids. If you don’t, the thought of what could have been—will eat you up.’”

After finishing the ARC program, Charlie continued to volunteer and to work with other addicts. He did that for so long, other beneficiaries thought he had failed the program and was repeating it. Ironically, he thought he had failed them.

“It came to the point when I had to leave my position. It hurt me to see them struggling, but when I reached out to them, I got no response. I guess I’m my own worst critic, but I seriously began to wonder, What am I doing wrong? Am I really helping them?”

The Flunky Junky Bible Study allowed Angel and Charlie to reconnect with what they loved to do—helping others through the Word of God. Doug Mutton and his mother, Dee, also attend the Flunky Junky meetings. They are not part of the Army, nor are they addicts. But they joined their new friends to hear and to share life stories.

Says Doug, “One night while having dinner at a Burger King in Sturbridge, Mass., my mother and I were talking about taking a sabbatical from our church. That was when we saw the Captain across the room passing out Bibles at the tables. They were starting their lesson.

“We heard these men talk. And it was just awesome. It was what we were looking for. We introduced ourselves, and ever since then, we’ve been coming to the Flunky Junky meetings.

“We let God direct our feet, and He brought us here.

Amazing things happen when we turn it all over to Him.”

TODAY’S LESSON

On a warm Saturday morning in April, at the rear of a Burger King in Sturbridge, a Flunky Junky meeting begins. Captain O’Gara serves breakfast burritos. But before the lesson can start, Burger King employees, already familiar with the Flunky Junkies, come from behind the counter to sing Happy Birthday to Lee, one of the beneficiaries, who just turned 58.

He smiles as they place a cake in front of him.

The opening verse is from Job 14. “How frail is humanity!

How short is life, how full of trouble … Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature?” To this group, struggling with the plague of addiction, the verse resonates.

The topic of discussion is the question: “What are your objections to trusting God fully with your addiction and your life?”

Charlie begins by saying that, although He trusts the Lord with his life, he wonders, Why do I sometimes get the urge to slip back into addiction? How can I strengthen my will?

Angel says that he still asks God to help him with his

Lecciones con los Flunky Junkies

newest addiction, the urge to help people overcome their demons—and the frustration and anger he feels when they “just don’t get it.”

“I want to step in, but I come off as too forceful,” he says.

“I know this because I remember feeling the same way when people were trying to help me.”

Lee says that he has no choice but to believe that God will remove all addiction from his life. “A lot of times, I want to run. It can be so easy to do the wrong thing, but turning my back on my God will never be an option,” he says.

Doug confesses that even as a believer, he sometimes fears that God may not be there to catch him if he stumbles and falls. Dee describes the addictions that she or people close to her have gone through: excessive shopping, chain smoking, binge eating, and gambling. “That last one, gambling, is terrible,” says Dee. “It wasn’t me doing it, but it hurt me as much as if it was.”

John, the youngest and newest Flunky Junky, admits that putting his trust in God is still new to him. He remembers being so unhappy that he abused anything, from coffee to drugs—whatever would distract him. He’s learning that what he really needs is to speak to God, and ask Him for guidance.

“I just wanted a decent, happy life. I never wanted money or a mansion. Now when I go to bed clean, I wake up clean, and that makes me feel rich.”

El programa de estudio bíblico y compañerismo Flunky Junky, radicado en Worcester, Massachusetts, permite a todos aquellos que no han terminado el programa completo del ARC —sean empleadores o beneficiarios— continuar el estudio de la Biblia y mantener al mismo tiempo una conexión pública con Dios. Iniciado por el Capitán Patrick O’Gara —administrador de negocios del ARC de Worcester—, y dos participantes graduados de ese programa —Ángel y Charlie—, los Flunky Junkies se reúnen varias veces a la semana, en cafeterías y en restaurantes, para compartir una comida y comentar el papel que jugó y sigue jugando Dios en los esfuerzos que hacen por terminar de recuperarse.

En una reunión de Flunky Junky, se le presenta al grupo un versículo bíblico y una pregunta extraída de la Biblia en inglés Life Recovery Bible [Biblia de Recuperación Vital, no traducida aún al castellano] tras lo cual cada uno de los participantes cuenta sus experiencias, temores, esperanzas y logros en su proceso de recuperación. “Este amplio formato de discusión”, comenta Charlie, “les hace sentir a todos un verdadero compañerismo. Como somos 7, cuando comentamos el mismo versículo tenemos 7 testimonios, 7 lecciones que aprender, 7 vidas que compartir con confianza y franqueza. Ahora, esas vidas nos pertenecen a todos”.

“Así como Jesús murió en público por nosotros”, dice el Capitán O’Gara, “los Flunky Junkies optan también por volver a Él en público. Cuando otras personas ven a esos hombres sentados ante una mesa en un Burger King, comentando la Palabra de Dios, las reacciones suelen variar. Algunos escuchan en silencio lo que se está diciendo, mientras otros saludan o incluso se toman una foto con ellos. Y a veces se acercan al grupo, se sientan a la mesa, abren una Biblia y se convierten en Flunky Junkies.

WATCHING AND LISTENING

Photo by Doug Kerr

“We are all in this together,” says Charlie. “If there are seven of us when we discuss the same verse, then we hear seven testimonies, learn seven lessons, and share seven lives. And now, those lives belong to all of us.”

“I wouldn’t say that the Flunky Junky Bible Study is an ‘open–air ministry,’ but it comes pretty close,” says Captain O’Gara. “We’ve had people take pictures with us. Some listen from afar to what we’re saying. It’s interesting how the Lord works.

We don’t look for the attention, but we welcome anyone who approaches us.”

As another lesson comes to a close, the Flunky Junkies gather their Bibles and prepare to go to their recovery meeting. Customers in the Burger King have been watching and listening to the conversation. They quietly continue eating their meals, but stay seated until the Flunky Junkies also rise.

La expresión “Flunky Junky” es un juego de palabras en inglés que describe de modo irónico la condición crítica en que el beneficiario suele llegar al ARC.

Este es un resumen del artículo. Para leerlo completo en español, por favor visite saconnects.org/enespanol .

Charlie, one of the original Flunky Junkies, shares his testimony.

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2016 JULY/AUGUST

23

FAITH in ACTION

Profile Night 37 The Music of Major Thomas Mack

by Thomas Scheibner

Profile Night, now in its 37th year and hosted by the Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division, presents the music of the Army’s many outstanding composers. In the event’s long history, it takes on a different look each year as it involves various music groups or soloists. This year’s Profile Night featured the division’s own Major Thomas Mack who, along with his wife, Patricia, has been a member of the Army’s Hempstead (Citadel), N.Y., Corps (church) for 45 years.

Among other items on the program, Major Tom Mack led the Hempstead Citadel Songsters in singing “Through the Valleys,” a piece he wrote at a time of challenge after undergoing open–heart surgery. Since then, he’s sent the song to hundreds of people around the world to encourage them through their “valley” experiences (see sidebar).

As song leader for the evening, Mack conducted the Hempstead Citadel Songsters and was

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accompanied by a band made of Hempstead Citadel and Spring Valley, N.Y., Corps instrumentalists. Also on the program were youth from the Queens (Temple), N.Y., Youth Band; White Plains, N.Y., Corps Singing Company; and the Westbury, Long Island, N.Y., Corps Timbrels. Philip

“

soloists Christopher Ward, Charlie Knickerbocker, and Gordon Ward and was based on a popular Gowans and Larsson song. The combined bands conducted by Bandmaster Derek Lance and Bandmaster Christopher Ward included the marches “Shout Out” and “Hempstead Citadel” and the

”

… he’s sent the song to hundreds of people around the world.

Broome (on euphonium) and vocalist Danielle Beckvermit were soloists.

Euphonium soloist Philip Broome, of the U.S. Army Band at West Point and a Spring Valley corps bandsman, presented “Tell the World.” Mack wrote this solo in 1985 for the New York Staff Band’s United Kingdom tour.

The more recently written cornet trio “As High as the Sky” featured

arrangement “More About Jesus.”

The White Plains Singing Company, led by Lily Finikin, and the Queens Temple Youth Band, led by Simon Morton, presented items written by Mack. Both groups displayed a confidence level that surpassed their ages.

A highlight of the evening was Danielle Beckvermit’s singing of Mack’s arrangement of “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.” A

‘Through the Valleys’

by Robert Mitchell

“ Through the valleys, through the storms, when the darkness ‘round me forms, I see Jesus walking with me, like a shepherd he will be.”

Photos by Larry Cerpas

—Chorus of “Through the Valleys” by Thomas Mack

student at The New School’s Mannes School of Music’s graduate school in opera performance, Beckvermit’s vocalizations were clear and pure.

The tuba quartet “Russian Sailors Dance” was another challenging item arranged by Mack for low brass quartet. The tubists displayed their talents by playing extreme ranges with technique and articulation.

Mack presented a devotional based on Hebrews chapters 11 and 12. He also reflected on other “Profile” series guests who had positively influenced his life.

Lt. Colonel Guy Klemanski, Greater New York divisional commander,

presented a commemorative plaque to Major Mack. Joining him on the platform was his wife, Major Patricia Mack, daughter and son–in–law Brooke and Carlos, and granddaughter Sofia.

The evening ended with everyone singing Mack’s well–known song, “By His Hand,” set to the words of “He Leadeth Me.” Danielle Beckvermit, the combined bands, and the congregation filled the room with music.

The Lord has led Major Thomas Mack, and this night of celebration surely emphasized that fact.

— Thomas Scheibner is the Assistant Territorial Music Secretary

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When Major Tom Mack hears that someone is sick and needs a lift, he often sends a copy of “Through the Valleys.” He’s sent the song to literally hundreds of people.

Mack wrote the song after suffering a heart attack in 1990. Doctors had found a blockage in his heart and, after a weekend of prayer, he opted for double–bypass surgery in January 1991.

‘I haven’t had an incident since,’ he says.

Tom receives yearly checkups from his cardiologist, Dr. William Tenet, the twin brother of former CIA Director George Tenet.

Tom says Psalm 23, which helped him through the ordeal, inspired “Through the Valleys.” “That was a dark experience, to say the least,” he says.

He also was helped by Commissioner Stanley Ditmer’s song, “I’m In His Hands.”

Tom has written or arranged more than 400 songs.

“I plan to continue to write,” he says. “A lot of people have sent me their lyrics. It’s a large part of my life.”

Mack says most of his music is “more functional than flashy.”

“I write it thinking, can the average corps songster brigade [choir] sing this? I’ll write it so it’s not too difficult,” he says.

“I try to keep the attitude of Christ,” he says.

“If it speaks to people and the music reaches them easily, both technically and spiritually, then so be it. A lot of my music is to be played, not necessarily in a festival, but in a holiness meeting or salvation meeting [church services].

That’s where the real ministry is, actually.”

—For more on Major Thomas Mack, go to saconnects.org and search for “Take All My Pride” Priority!, Fall 2007

2016 JULY/AUGUST

25

FAITH in ACTION

Future All Stars

music, mentoring, and ministry

Photo by Susan Magnano

by Warren L. Maye

Bandmaster Ron Waiksnoris conducts the New York Staff Band.

For 13 years, The Future All Stars (FAS) weekend has provided a unique blend of musical and spiritual training to young people in the Eastern Territory.

This effort has kept alive the lost art of apprenticeship and person–to–person mentoring.

This year, as many as 65 musicians earned the privilege to learn their craft in a beautiful, inspiring environment with some of the Salvation Army’s best musicians and composers in the world.

Held at the scenic Star Lake Camp & Conference Center in Bloomingdale, N.J., the weekend included an excursion to New York City’s Centennial Memorial Temple where delegates heard combined performances of the visiting Black Dyke Band from England and the New York Staff Band (NYSB).

During the weekend, Professor Nicholas

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Childs, Black Dyke’s director, along with principal cornet Richard Marshall and principal euphonium Gary Curtin, shared their expertise with delegates.

Adding to the international flavor, delegates from as far as Puerto Rico and Canada attended. Conducting musical pieces were Professor Peter Graham from England and Bandmaster Jean Marc Mbumu of the Kinshasa Staff Band in the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory. Matthew Burn, the principal cornet of the Future All Stars, flew in from Dallas, Texas.

Stirring testimonies underscored the weekend’s purpose.

“Sometimes, when the world is crashing in, it’s just me, my trombone, and God,” said Matthew Luhn, NYSB member and the divisional music director in Massachusetts. The former FAS

member said it plays a critical role in shaping character, building confidence, and perfecting the craftsmanship of these up–and–coming music ministers.

‘WHAT WE NEED’ At a finale concert held at the Montclair (Citadel), N.J., Corps, Ron Waiksnoris, territorial music director, NYSB bandmaster, and one of the co–founders of FAS, was recognized for being influential in helping young artists grow both musically and spiritually. He is scheduled to retire this year.

After Waiksnoris conducted his last Future All Stars concert as territorial music secretary and as New York Staff Band bandmaster, Lt. Colonel Kenneth W. Maynor, then territorial program secretary and NYSB executive officer, acknowledged Waiksnoris’ contribution

“They’re quite special,” says Bandmaster Waiksnoris of the Future All Stars.

to FAS. In response, Waiksnoris said, “What I’m looking for, is that we find some people who love God and who are leaders. That’s what we need—local officers, and officers.” Pointing to the young FAS delegates, he continued, “And here they are. They’re quite special.”

LIFESAVING MUSIC A most poignant moment came when Bandmaster Jean Marc Mbumu told the story of a man in his corps who was close to committing suicide. Mbumu invited him to play flugel horn in the band. Being a part of that fellowship has helped turn the man’s life around.

In closing, Mbumu proclaimed, “May the almighty God be in your hearts!”

— Andrew Wainwright contributed to this story.

For more on the Future All Stars, read his report in SA Bandsman, Issue 59, April 2016.

BEN NEVILLE’S TESTIMONY “As a young child, my family belonged to a Southern Baptist Church in Texas. Then we moved to the east and found The Salvation Army. “On Christmas when I was 12, I accepted Jesus, and life was easy. I cruised through middle and high school. I spent most of my afternoons at the corps (church). Then I’d go straight home. I stayed away from the wrong people and hid under the wing of my church family. “But as I got deeper into high school, I realized that my faith was shallow.

“I was getting involved in sports activities and was being forced to hang out with non–Christians. I was becoming frustrated and anxious about it.

As those feelings grew to anger and then to rage, I started to rely on myself way more than on God. “As a senior, I began the stressful process of submitting applications for college. And life just kept coming at me.

“A week before Christmas, we lost my dad’s father. And the week after that, we lost my mom’s father. A week after that, my grandmother was hospitalized with what we thought was heart failure.

“And when it seemed as if things couldn’t get any worse, I found out that we were moving to Tennessee! I thought, Where is God in all this? How could He set me up in such a way? Then one Saturday morning, I heard this song on the radio by Casting Crowns. ‘I’ll praise You in this storm,’ go the lyrics.

“Those words just hit something inside of me. I realized that the Lord was telling me that I was going through a storm and that He was walking me through, and at times—carrying me.”

GIANINA (GIA) WICAKSONO’S TESTIMONY “I’m so grateful that God has been working in me and in my family throughout my life. I spent my childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia. In Indonesia, a developing nation, parents make huge sacrifices for their children. And that’s what my parents did.

“We moved to the United States because they knew that it would be a better place for my siblings and me.

“I remember when my family was about to terminate my piano lessons due to financial limitations. Around that time, I found The Salvation Army, which helped me resume my lessons. After joining, I took up the trombone, and I worked with my corps officer who happened to be a trombone player!

“Through music events such as the Future All Stars, I have found a community in which I have grown musically and spiritually. I give thanks to the people who prayed for me and thanks to my family.

“Jeremiah 29:11, says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ”

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Photos by PhotoBureau

“May the almighty God be in your hearts,” says Bandmaster Mbumu.

2016 JULY/AUGUST

27

FAITH in ACTION

Mission to Zimbabwe

by Lieutenant Chakanaka Watch

When I first arrived in the United States 15 years ago, I remember thinking, God, if you give me an opportunity to serve you like this, maybe I can help my fellow countrymen. I had promised myself that.

The first time I returned to Zimbabwe was in 2013, we presented instruments to the Braeside Corps. I also visited the training college. Unfortunately, I was heartbroken by the lack of books in their small library. The commentaries were old and dated. And there was no process to regularly update and replace such books.

We recently enjoyed an opportunity to visit the beautiful country of Zimbabwe. I was excited. It was “a dream come true.”

On this mission trip, we presented brass instruments to the Zimbabwe Territory for three corps: Harare Citadel (2 cornets, 1 euphonium, and an Eb bass); Chinhoyi Citadel (a cornet, a Bb bass, a euphonium, and a baritone); and the Nzvimbo Corps (a baritone).

These instruments are very expensive. In Zimbabwe, they are not locally available. There are many young people who want to be trained to play in the band, but there are too few instruments. Frequently you have two people on the trombone, three people on the cornet. They take turns playing the same instruments.

This is why Commissioner Swanson wanted me to take these instruments.

He had met the people who needed the instruments.

Rather than raise money to buy new instruments, we asked musicians to

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A few instrumentalists from the 30–member corps band greet Lieutenants Chakanaka and Emeline Watch.

donate their old and refurbished ones.

We received old instruments from the training college that were destined for disposal and fixed them and took them to Zimbabwe.

So for the bandsmen to receive them, free of charge, is a true blessing.

Upon my return to the USA Eastern Territory College for Officer Training (CFOT), I spoke to Major Ronald R. Foreman, then training principal, and asked him to allow me to ask instructors and cadets to donate commentaries and books on spiritual formation. “We’ll help you,” was his response. And their help was amazing.

We were able to take four big bags full of books with us back to Zimbabwe.

Traveling with a total of 11 bags, we spent the entire week–and–a–half trying to clear the instruments and books through customs. Praise God who helped us by sending a Salvationist who worked at the airport. He wonderfully influenced the process. It was as if God intervened!

Commissioner Henry Nyagah, the territorial commander for Zimbabwe, personally presented the instruments to members of the Harare Citadel, who included Alec Williams. He is the soldier who had originally asked for the instruments.

When the Harare Citadel bandmaster saw the bass and the euphonium instruments, he nearly shed tears.

“We have not had both instruments for almost 15 years. Oh, my goodness.

Hallelujah!” he said.

The librarians and cadets were very appreciative of receiving the books and commentaries. They are excited to use the spiritual formation books. These new editions are greatly enhancing their education and expanding their worldview.

Officers are being sent to evangelize in other African nations and in the world. They need this information to help prepare themselves for the task.

THE FUTURE In 2017, we want to take young people from the United States to visit Zimbabwe.

We want the youth of America to learn from the Zimbabweans and vice versa.

Here in the U.S., kids want to have that pair of Timberlands or sneakers for $300 dollars. Young people in Zimbabwe of the same age are thinking of becoming doctors, professionals, and entrepreneurs. They want an education. Even though they walk miles to go to church, they are happier than the kids in the U.S. who, although they live only a quarter mile from the church, must be picked up by the van.

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Centennial Memorial Temple New York, N.Y.

1 4 2 4 :

USA Eastern Territory Commissioners Bill & Lorraine Bamford Territorial Leaders

ON file

Spreading Prayer at Old Orchard Beach Feel warm sand between your toes and the sun on your face. Listen to ocean waves break against the shore and smell the sea air. See pier fries “dancing in your head.”

All this reminds you of our annual trek to the Old Orchard Beach (OOB) Camp Meetings in Maine (July 30 – August 5, 2016). This is a sacred pilgrimage for Salvationists of the Eastern Territory community. Attendees worship in the Pavilion and at the Pier. They hold morning Bible studies at the corps and on the beach, making sanctuaries out of both venues. Longtime friends reconnect and lasting new friendships are made.

For many years at OOB, we’ve emphasized the need for prayer. This focus has ranged from a 24/7–prayer trailer parked on the campgrounds to a tent with prayer stations to a designated prayer closet in the foyer of the OOB Corps.

Last year, the Spiritual Life Development (SLD) Department looked “outside the box” as it related to our community prayer emphasis.

We distributed prayer backpacks at the Saturday evening meeting at the Pavilion. The backpack served as a

portable prayer room that one could take to the beach, on the porch of a cottage, or in a quiet spot to connect with God. The resources and directives in the backpack led users in a time of intimacy with God. During that week, attendees saw the SLD Backpack all around OOB. The following week when someone saw an SLD Backpack wearer on a New York City subway, there was a definite sense that supplying individuals with prayer resources had made an impact.

So this year, the SLD Department has created another resource for your time of prayer while you attend the 2016 Camp Meetings. It's a Prayer Kit that consists of a reflective booklet and a journal to write down your experiences with God. The booklet has incorporated Scripture accompanied by beautiful original paintings by Lt. Colonel Carole Voisey and centers on the ancient spiritual discipline of Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. This discipline helps the reader engage the Scriptures in a way that facilitates an intimate encounter with God. The kit will give you two ways to experience the Word—through

Not going to Old Orchard Beach?

You can experience the prayer kits, too! è Go to www.saconnects.org è Click the Spiritual Life Development tab è The OOB Prayer Kit Resource will be on the right sidebar You’ll find the Lectio Divina directives with the full scripture passages and links to audio files that we’ve recorded for you. You choose how to experience the content. All you need is an Internet connection and your journal.

TIP: If you’re going to listen to the audio files, leave the Bible closed and experience the words of the scripture passages simply through listening. The passing of Scripture through the human voice is an ancient and rich experience.

Scripture written on the page, and with a scannable QR Code that will allow you to hear the Word and the steps of Lectio Divina read to you.

So make sure you leave the Pavilion on the Saturday evening of the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings (July 30) with your Prayer Kit in hand. God wants to meet with you in a new and exciting way.

Once you have completed your journey in Lectio Divina, feel free to display this resource booklet at home or your place of work. It can remind you of your time with God. The beautiful artwork contained within it will help you gain wisdom, strength, and comfort from the Scriptures printed on its pages.

OOB Camp Meetings are a wonderful way to reconnect with friends, worship Christ as one body, and experience Him through the love letter He has written specifically to you. All you need to do is listen.

Help Me Listen O Holy One, I hear and say so many words, yet Yours is the word I need.

Speak now, and help me listen; and, if what I hear is silence, let it quiet me, let it disturb me, let it touch my need, let it break my pride, let it shrink my certainties, let it enlarge my wonder.

Amen.

— Guerrillas of Grace

by Ted Loder

wholly living

by Major Lauren Hodgson

Lectio Divina: an introduction In our western culture, we have become masters at gathering information.

We have 24–hour TV news channels, talk radio, and the internet. And we are familiar with the discipline of study.

Oftentimes when we open our Bibles, it is because we have an agenda.

Perhaps it’s to conduct research for a Bible study, as its leader or as an attendee. Or maybe it’s to prepare for a sermon or a Sunday school lesson.

While reading to be informed is important, there’s a deeper experience waiting for us in the Scriptures. We must become proficient at reading the Word and listening to the Holy Spirit in a way that speaks to what concerns us right now.

There is a difference between reading the Word for information and reading it for spiritual transformation. Perhaps the best way to illustrate this difference would be to compare reading a newspaper to reading a love letter.

Reading God’s Word for information is similar to scanning the newspaper for facts so as to participate in intellectual discussions. Informational reading helps us keep up with conversations, plan lessons, write talking points, and craft outlines.

Reading God’s Word for soul transformation is like reading a love letter from an admirer. We savor every word, drinking in its meaning as to how it relates intimately to us at that moment. Reading for information engages our minds, but when we read the Word for transformation, we are engaging spirit, soul, and body!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES available on Amazon.com

Sacred Rhythms

by Ruth Haley Barton

Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer

by David G. Benner

Divine Intervention: Encountering God Through the Ancient Practice of Lectio Divina

by Tony Jones

The Message Solo New Testament and Journal: An Uncommon Devotional

by Eugene H. Peterson (translator)

2016 JULY/AUGUST

31

finds

a conversation about

Photo courtesy of Raissa Di Caterina

Human Trafficking

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When I learned about human trafficking, I was a high school student. I noticed a Salvation Army campaign in Brazil during the World Cup. The Army was front and center in bringing awareness to the high rate of human and sexual trafficking that typically occurs during major sporting events.

As a child of officers, I was aware of the social issues occurring in my community. However, this anti–trafficking campaign caused me to realize how little I actually knew about this and other global ills.

In the United States, the Army has many rehabiliMajor Irene C. Norman and tation centers and Raissa Di Caterina conduct shelters. These a mini conference. centers focus on alleviating the physical, psychological, and spiritual pain of being manipulated and exploited. Trafficking takes its toll and leaves many people depressed and often suicidal.

In the spring of 2015, I assisted the women’s ministries secretary and anti–trafficking coordinator at the Army’s Greater New York Division. I learned about the work the Army is doing nationally and internationally. I gave a presentation at a corps that summarized the Army’s anti–trafficking work. And I prepared information on the warning signs as well as provided anti– trafficking hotlines.

It becomes easier to ignore a “global” problem when we think that it is far away. In reality, forms of human trafficking are happening everywhere to an estimated 28 million people.

JULY/AUGUST 2016

An Inside Look The Scent of Water:

by Raissa Di Caterina

Grace for Every Kind of Broken

By Naomi Zacharias available on Amazon.com

There is also a misconception that women are the only victims. In fact men, boys, and girls are also targets.

They are trafficked to labor in fields, in homes, or in factories.

BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION The first thing we can all do is to educate ourselves. There are abundant resources online that will help us understand what trafficking is, where it’s happening, and most important, how we can spot and stop it.

We can be aware of our surroundings and pay attention to suspicious activity, whether it’s in a nail salon or in someone’s home. We should be always willing to help a person who we think is a victim, whether it’s through immediate intervention or by calling a hotline operator. It’s better to try and be wrong, than to miss an opportunity to help a person in need.

sPEak ut give hope!

Author Naomi Zacharias talks to women working in brothels in Mumbai, survivors of the Indonesian tsunami, a girl waiting for a life–saving operation, and victims of domestic violence. The pain Naomi feels in the face of these injustices reveals a common struggle that exists within us all. Rise with her as she wrestles with her identity, faces redemption, and then understands her own story and ultimate calling.

The Scent of Water will show you that pain can also be beauty and each can be found in surprising places. As Zacharias searches for answers, she inspires hope that will empower you.

Following a career in finance, Naomi joined the staff of her father’s ministry, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), and helped launch Wellspring International, an initiative devoted to providing grants to international groups that help at–risk women and children.

2016 Anti–Trafficking Online Prayer Resources

Every year, The Salvation Army sets aside the last Sunday in September to focus on the plight of trafficked people. This year, it’s Sunday, September 25.

Resources for the International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking 2016 are available on Annual Day of prayer for vIctIms of The Army’s website, www.salvationarmy.org. A varihuman-traffIckIng ety of posters featuring this year’s theme, “Speak Sunday 25 September 2016 Out—Give Hope!” are available in English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. To create further translations locally, there’s also a poster without words. A Bible study, sermon outline, prayer, video resource, and materials for children enrich these resources.

Content from previous years is also available at sar.my/aht.

—M ajor Brad Halse, Communications Secretary

The Salvation Army International Headquarters

Recycling Goods. Reclaiming Lives. Reflecting Jesus.

Every day, shattered lives are restored, thanks to the goods you donate to The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers. To donate, or for more information on our program, please call 800-SA-TRUCK or visit us at SATRUCK.ORG.

Disaster Relief

Emergency Response

Rehabilitation

Human Trafficking Abolition

Youth Services

Evangelism

“

Every year we would get a charitable gift annuity with The Salvation Army. This helps me, it helps my daughter, and it helps the Army.

”

- Celia

We Couldn’t Agree With You More, Celia.

The Salvation Army is excited to have a giving opportunity that furthers our mission AND benefits our dedicated and generous donor friends and members. Our work could not reach all those who need our ministry and services if it weren’t for “the army” of support we have.

It is an honor to have the trust of Salvation Army Gift Annuity donors, like Celia, and it gives us great satisfaction to know they are pleased with the way this gift opportunity meets their needs for lifetime payments and for putting their money where their values will be reinforced for generations in the future.

Our Gift Annuity can provide 4 Fixed Payments for Life

4 A Charitable Deduction

4 A Solid Rate of Return Based on Age*

4 Peace of Mind & Accomplishment

* e.g., at age 75 the payment rate is 5.8% and at age 85 the rate is 7.8%

For further information, please contact: The Salvation Army, Department of Special Gifts 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994 (845) 620-7297 16PG5SA107