saconnects, Volume 9, Number 3, 2023

The early Salvation Army ministered despite persecution and violence.

p. 12

Check out what we found at some local thrift stores!

p. 25

Shh… don’t “quiet quit” God.

p. 30

CONTENTS

WHO WE ARE Programs

The entire city of Buffalo, N.Y. participates in the Salvation Army’s “Most Amazing Race.” Plus: tips to prepare for a race.

page 6

People

Captain Mike Buzzard combines his passions for ministry, media, and professional wrestling.

page 7

Faith in Action

Betty Lou and Jim Hruska lost their home in a devastating fire. Now in a new home, they share the lessons they’ve learned.

page 8

History

Early Salvationists who were persecuted for their faith left an enduring legacy.

page 12

RECOVERY

God in Control

Cindy Walton’s son Ben suffered a brain injury while riding a motorbike. But throughout his recovery, Cindy knew that God would pull him through.

page 22

Thrift Store Finds

It’s time to gear up for summer! See what you could possibly purchase for your family.

page 24

LIVING

Spiritual Life Development

Going somewhere? Here are a few tips on gaining spiritual strength for your life’s journey.

page 26

Q&A with Pastor Jim Cymbala

Pastor of the renowned Brooklyn Tabernacle shares his hope for the future.

page 28

Don’t Quit

What would happen if we “quiet quit” our spiritual lives?

page 30

VOLUNTEER

Boston Echelon

Young professionals are introduced to the Army’s work and mission through its Echelon program.

page 32

COVER STORY

Religious history is part of U.S. history. Plan your vacation around these memorable landmarks.

page 16

FOUNDER William Booth

GENERAL Brian Peddle

TERRITORIAL LEADERS

Commissioner William A. Bamford III

Commissioner G. Lorraine Bamford

CHIEF SECRETARY Colonel Ivan K. Rock

DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

Joseph Pritchard

EDITOR IN CHIEF / DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS

Warren L. Maye

MANAGING EDITOR Robert Mitchell

EDITOR / HISPANIC CORRESPONDENT

Hugo Bravo

ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines

PUBLICATION CONTENT

MANAGER AND DESIGNER

Lea La Notte Greene

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Dave Hulteen Jr., Joe Marino, Mabel Zorzano

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lu Lu Rivera

CIRCULATION Doris Marasigan

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.

You’ve come this far ...

WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief

“

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’”

—1 SAMUEL 7:12

Ebenezer in Hebrew means “stone of help.” It is mentioned in the Bible when the prophet Samuel placed a small stone monument between the cities of Mizpah and Shen to commemorate a victory by the Israelites over the Philistines. Samuel did this because, as the spiritual leader, he knew the value of remembering from where they had come.

Today, after 150 years of ministry in the United States, The Salvation Army has many historic memorials, particularly in the USA Eastern Territory, that remind us how God has played an extraordinary role in building the Army’s legacy of faith and commitment to meet human need without discrimination. In this issue of SACONNECTS magazine, our writers have provided an amazing roadmap that includes historic sites of the Christian Church.

From the triumphs and struggles of Salvation Army immigrant pioneers in Cleveland, Ohio, and New York City in the 1870s, to the official inauguration of The Salvation Army in Philadelphia, Pa., and beyond, you will discover the places and people who helped build the Christian faith among a multiethnic, multiracial mix of congregants. These stories will inspire you, whether you’ve also immigrated here or were born here.

As you read about Salvationists whose lives were forged in the fire of persecution and transformed by faith in Christ, you’ll be surprised and even humbled. You’ll also see them minister courageously in neighborhoods amid changing demographics and values.

As The Salvation Army continues its journey in the 21 st century, may you enjoy the benefits that come from recalling the triumphs that the early pioneers experienced. With God’s help, may you also be so inspired as to remember and appreciate the personal, and heartfelt “Ebenezers” in your life.

Hunger

Disaster Illness

Loneliness

Shelter

Basic Needs

Medical Bills

Unemployment

Despair Spiritual Care

Measure

The goal of the Salvation Army’s Love Beyond campaign is to increase public awareness of our year-round services. We love beyond hunger, homelessness, destruction, fear, loss, addiction, loneliness, despair, overdue bills, and so much more. We love beyond the circumstances of those we serve, seeing and valuing each person.

WHO WE ARE

This June, young Salvationists from the USA Eastern Territory will participate in the annual Salvationist Star Search Talent Display in Hershey, Pa. Performers will showcase their talents in brass, piano, timbrel, singing, and other forms of worship. In 2022, bass guitar and drums were added as a category in the talent display. Doing so made it easier for music students to form a worship band at their own corps/church.

Eat Your Veggies!

Salvation Army Founders Catherine and William Booth and their family were strict vegetarians. They believed that eating a plant–based diet is conducive to better health and avoids cruelty to animals.

For more about Star Search 2023 and other music ministries, go to music.saconnects.org Save

souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity.”

DONOR CORNER

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

1

in 5

U.S. adults

and one in six youth (ages 6–17) experience mental illness. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among ages 10–14. The Salvation Army can direct you to mental health services, while offering a host of musical, creative arts, and Bible–centered programs for kids that can help them cope. Call your local Salvation Army for further details.

More than a decade ago, Holman Enterprises was among the companies that signed on to the capital campaign to build The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Camden, N.J. Since then, this integrated automotive services company has continued to support the Kroc Center’s programs, such as its Expect Change Luncheon and its annual Garbage Bag Gala.

In 2022, Holman invited the Camden Kroc Center to apply for its Impact Grant, the company’s largest grant category. This grant, which will be awarded from 2023–2025, will allow The Salvation Army to purchase new vehicles and provide hundreds of Camden families access to Kroc Center services and resources.

“One of Holman’s most unique Kroc projects was when they funded, designed, and painted a three–wall mural in our Playcare (babysitting) room with the themes of faith and love,” says Benjamin Ovadia, community resource and development director at the Kroc Center. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity, partnership, and friendship of Holman Enterprises.”

Former Salvation Army General John Gowans summarized the Army’s mission this way:

Zachary Moore, Camden Kroc Center

A day at the races in Buffalo

by HUGO BRAVO

For a new fundraising ministry, members of the Salvation Army’s Buffalo N.Y., Corps got some inspiration from the Midwest.

“The Minneapolis Corps was doing a day of events and competition across the city,” says Laurie Krajna, development director of the Salvation Army Buffalo Area Services. “Members of the Empire Division went to shadow the event to see how they did it and how we would change it if we brought it here.”

So, in 2016, “Buffalo’s Most Amazing Race” made its debut. It takes its name from “The Amazing Race,” the long–running TV show where teams compete, travel the world, meet challenges, and learn about the history, customs, and traditions of each place they visit. To participate in Buffalo’s Most Amazing Race, teams raise money for the corps from their friends and family. The team that completes the challenges and crosses the finish line first receives a cash prize. There are also prizes for the team who raises the largest amount of money for The Salvation Army. Teams travel the city to complete a mix of physical challenges, like food tasting or rock wall climbing, along with activities that educate and inform people about The Salvation Army. For example, one activity

requires a team to learn some history on the Army’s Donut Lassies. When they have memorized it, they must eat powdered donut holes and whistle before moving on to the next event.

Other corps programs also benefit from the events. A team will don hard hats and gloves to assemble a birdhouse from a kit donated by a local hardware store. The finished birdhouses will then go to children in the summer camp program to be painted and decorated. At another stop, they will learn how to properly prepare a grocery bag for distribution at a food bank. They’ll also follow approved charts and rules to successfully meet the nutritional needs of families.

“The Salvation Army has a huge presence in the city, but I had never been involved with them in the past,” says Steven Salcedo, who, along with his brother Jaime, participated as the “Colombian Exchange,” a nod to their Colombian heritage. The brothers have won Buffalo’s Most Amazing Race three times.

“We’re both big fans of ‘The Amazing Race,’ and The Salvation Army does a great job of bringing in parts of the city for events, like bowling alleys, parks, and small businesses. It’s like getting a tour of your own

TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A RACE

city,” says Jaime. “The competition is great, but the important thing is that we’re raising so much money for a great organization like The Salvation Army.”

“After three victorious races, we’ve talked about hanging up our cleats, but we would like to still be involved in the race in other ways, such as volunteering or hosting the challenges,” says Steven.

Bringing in a younger audience like Steven and Jaime is one of the important reasons Buffalo’s Most Amazing Race was organized, says Krajna.

“The average 30–something millennial may not know much about The Salvation Army,” says Krajna. “But a day of activities like this engages that age group and educates them about our mission. Then, we can reach out to them when we do toy collecting or need volunteers during Christmas.”

This year, Buffalo’s Most Amazing Race will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023. “Every corps does a gala, a dinner, or a golf tournament for a fundraiser. We wanted to do something different for Buffalo,” says Krajna. “This shows that we’re an exciting organization that promotes the community in ways that they would never expect.”

Train beforehand

Run or walk several times a week to get yourself ready. This will help you determine how your body reacts to exercise, and what it needs to do its best, such as snacks to fuel up, or light vs. warm clothing for comfort.

Raise Funds

Ask your friends, family, and colleagues to support your efforts. Let them know about the race and the cause or charity you are running for.

Drink up

Always hydrate before, during, and after a race. Find out if you can carry water with you or if there will be designated water stops along the way.

Set your goals

Things beyond your control, such as bad weather, can throw off your running goals. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t meet your expected time. Sometimes, just finishing the race is enough.

Relax and enjoy

Listen to music, stretch, or do breathing exercises to keep your nerves at bay before the run. But remember that jitters are normal; they might even work as an adrenaline boost for better performance. And most importantly, remember to have fun!

Our passions make us

Interview by HUGO BRAVO

Captain Mike Buzzard, an officer at The Salvation Army Berwick, Pa., Corps, talks about working at Camp Allegheny, “Forced Creativity” during COVID–19, and integrating his love of professional wrestling with ministry.

When my parents came to The Salvation Army in Erie, Pa., in 1988 to receive a bag of food, they learned that the Army’s church also had programs for kids. More importantly, the Army would come to my house, pick me up, and take me to their programs. Our family didn’t have a car; the only vehicle I was ever in was a Salvation Army vehicle. The Erie Corps was the source of my social life. In school, I was the big kid who wore old, tattered clothing. But at the corps, I was accepted. The children I met there were my closest friends. I’m still in touch with many of them today.

In the summer of 1999, I worked at Camp Allegheny. I was shy and only old enough to be in the kitchen, but when I returned as a counselor the following year, I made a promise to myself that I would come out of my shell. When I did, I became a sort of extroverted introvert. I made new friends who gave me the nickname “Biggie,” because they said I rapped like a white Notorious B.I.G. Introducing myself that way was an ice breaker that made making friends easier. Even now, there are officers who are older than me who still call me Biggie.

I went to my first pro wrestling event at 4 months old. As I got older, I studied its history, and read how it went from a sideshow carnival attraction to the worldwide spectacle it is today. I loved the drama, the athleticism, and seeing how it has influenced other sports and sports personalities. Pro wrestling was also the one thing that my father and I could bond over. When I became an officer in Berwick, I learned that the corps used to host local pro wrestling events. Now, here I was, the ultimate wrestling fan, leading that corps. So, we did events like that again. They were even a great opportunity for ministry. We got to know the wrestlers personally and we prayed together before a show. Whether its sports, music, art, or wrestling, we all need to follow our passions. God gives them to us for a reason. They make us who we are.

At one point in life, I was bedridden and unable to move due to pain from a degenerative disc disorder. I weighed 700 pounds, and doctors said that, in my condition, I might need to be put in a nursing home and stay under 24–hour care. Even though I was eventually able to have surgery to bring my weight down to normal, and the bulging disc in my back miraculously disappeared, these health problems put my life on pause for almost a decade. During that time, my wife, Captain Jennifer Buzzard, and I couldn’t answer our call to officership, plan a family, or even be involved in Salvation Army ministry. It made me depressed, and to this day, dealing with it is a battle. But I’m happy to share my story because it’s a part of me. Bad events shape who we are just as much as good ones.

COVID–19 brought about the phrase “Forced Creativity.” We still use it in our church to describe how we had to learn the basics of video editing, recording, and streaming to bring Bible study to people’s homes. We turned our youth program into a variety program with songs, segments, and even commercials. Creating something like that led me to start “Get to Know Me,” a YouTube show where I spoke to community members who had interesting jobs and lives. I’ve interviewed a toy maker, a professional wrestling referee, a graphic designer that makes outfits for pro wrestlers, and a NASA engineer who worked on the Challenger space shuttle. I wanted to show kids who felt stuck at home that the world is still moving, and God always has more planned for them.

Unwavering Faith

by ROBERT MITCHELL

Nothing was going to keep Betty Lou and Jim Hruska from attending the National Seminar on Evangelism (NSE) 2022 in Texas, not even a devastating house fire that happened four days before the event started.

“We lost just about everything we own,” Betty Lou said. “Our entire life was there. My Salvation Army uniform burned.”

Betty Lou, a fourth–generation Salvationist, had just finished teaching Sunday school at The Salvation Army West Park Corps in Cleveland, Ohio. On that August morning, she was in the holiness meeting when she got a call from a neighbor. Betty Lou was stunned to learn that the house she and her husband moved into as teens, and had lived in for 48 years, was on fire. The congregation stopped the service to pray. Then the Hruskas rushed to their house, which was five minutes away, to find it fully engulfed in flames.

Just a few minutes after her arrival, Betty Lou turned to see the entire West Park congregation there to support her family.

“That was just amazing to me,” she said. “They stayed there and prayed for me and supported me. They’re like a family. That day, I knew I was blessed. In the midst of the storm, God is there. Those words have not left me.”

Betty Lou said throughout the ordeal, she discovered the servant hearts of Majors Demetrius and Juanita Stanford, Salvation Army pastors who had only been appointed to Cleveland West Park just a few weeks earlier. Major Juanita comforted her over the loss of one of the family’s dogs (two

other dogs and three cats survived), while other church members did what they could to help.

“Major Demetrius took off his tunic and dug in when they let us in the house and helped carry out treasures,” Betty Lou said.

Ironically that morning in Sunday school, Betty Lou had taught from Matthew 25, where Jesus talks about giving a cup of water to a stranger and being present for people in need.

“That day, I had to accept that lesson for myself,” she said.

Stay or go?

The house was a total loss and the Hruskas were told to close it up and wait for an assessor. But the couple was scheduled to attend the Salvation Army’s annual NSE at Camp Hoblitzelle near Dallas, Texas, in just days. So, they had to decide. Would they make the 24–hour drive or stay home, given the circumstances?

The couple prayed and “discussed the situation at length” before ultimately deciding to go, Betty Lou said. One of their sons met the assessor while they attended the seminar.

“We had to borrow clothes,” Betty Lou recalls. “I had the uniform I taught Sunday school in the morning of the fire.

“We looked at the seminar as God–ordained and God–sent because there would have been nothing we could have done that week but sit and mourn. We just decided to continue with the original plan and head for Texas. We used that time to center ourselves and maybe heal a little bit and find what God had planned for us.”

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you …”

—Isaiah 43:2

Betty Lou Hruska had just finished teaching Sunday school when she received a call. Her home of 48 years was engulfed in flames.

The NSE delegates attended sessions that focused on spiritual development and disciple–making, but they weren’t in class all the time. They also took part in community outreach projects. Betty Lou went to the Harbor Light center in Dallas. While there, she comforted others in their pain. When many of the residents heard her story, they returned the favor.

Betty Lou said the seminar, which was held Aug. 6–13 at the Salvation Army camp, is for anyone who loves God and wants to learn effective methods for sharing their faith.

“If people are going to find out about Jesus, we can’t wait for somebody to do it for us,” she said. “It’s up to us. If you’re telling us that you’re a Christian and that you love Jesus, we need to be ready and be willing to share that with people because otherwise,

we’re just being mean and ugly and keeping it to ourselves. That’s not what God wants; He wants us to share the good news and His love and the blessings that we have.”

An uncertain future

The Hruskas returned to Cleveland to find more miracles ahead and evidence of God’s blessing. They cleared the remains of the home and found Betty Lou’s wedding rings in a pile of ashes, along with sentimental Christmas ornaments.

“We found treasures throughout that just encouraged us,” she said. “It was just little things along the way that showed us that God’s there. The message God has given me every step of the way is, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” God has been present through this whole thing with

us. He has guided us and walked with us and redirected us when we’ve needed that.”

After touring four other homes, the couple found a house they liked and moved in around Christmas. Once again, God was in the details. “There were little miracles along the way,” Betty Lou said. “It’s amazing how God works.”

The Hruskas started searching before getting their insurance settlement or knowing exactly how much money they would have for a new home. Betty Lou went online and found a nice house some 15 minutes from the West Park Corps. When the Hruskas went the first time for a tour, all the photos were off the walls, but they noticed a cross in the kitchen and a wall–hanging that read, “God, I may not have all that I want, but I have all that I need, and that I’m thankful for.”

The 2,800 square foot ranch–styled house featured a finished downstairs and was large enough for Bible studies and other church gatherings, as well as Betty Lou’s babysitting.

“I immediately had this feeling of peace come over me that this was meant to be our house,” she said. “It had a few things wrong, but nothing we couldn’t work with. It checked off everything, but the money was a little more than we wanted to spend.”

Another miracle

The buyer wanted to offer $189,000, extremely low for the neighborhood and more than the Hruskas could afford, so Betty Lou suggested they make a cash offer. She also wrote a note saying the Hruskas didn’t want something for nothing, but they really wanted the house and it made her feel like coming home. She also told the homeowner she didn’t know if this is where God was leading them, but she guaranteed the home would be filled with laughing children, family gatherings, and the love of God.

Betty Lou said the buyer called that night and lowered the asking price $10,000, a feat so amazing her real estate agent said she should teach others the skill of note–writing.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It wasn’t me. It was another miracle.”

The amount was still more than the Hruskas had and her agent suggested they counteroffer $164,000—$25,000 less than the original asking price. The offer was sent via email on Friday night and the Hruskas got an email at 10 a.m. the next day saying it had been accepted.

“It’s just amazing how God worked through this whole thing,” Betty Lou said.

Furnishings were another issue, but Betty Lou had money set aside from babysitting and she found several furniture pieces at an online estate auction. She did the whole thing for less than $4,000.

Throughout the process, Betty Lou said she has seen her Matthew 25 lesson from the morning of the fire “play out over and over.” People have given the couple gift cards, set up a GoFundMe page, and one day an unknown motorcyclist stopped and gave the Hruskas $300.

A family of believers

Betty Lou, 68, said it’s hard to put into words what her church family means to her and Jim, 69. Some, including those she didn’t know particularly well before, have helped with practical things like organizing her new kitchen.

“They are more than just a church family,” she said, “they are family. They are our loved ones for sure. They are always asking how we are and what they can do to help. They tell us, ‘We want to be there for you.’ It just comes down to love. I love them and I would do anything for them.”

Jim said many women from the church have supported his wife and helped her organize the new house. “Everyone has been so supportive and loving,” he said. “We are just so blessed.”

Retired from working maintenance at the airport in Cleveland, Jim said the fire has helped him become “more dependent.”

“It’s pulled us closer,” he said. “I’ve always known that God is there and He’s supporting and helping me because the things that have happened in my life, there’s just no way I could have done it by myself. This situation here was even more intense and I felt a stronger presence of God, just pulling us closer to those supporting me and my wife. It’s been a growing experience.

“We’ve just been blessed by so many people who have been there and put in our path by God. At this point in our lives, God is putting a path right before us and opening our eyes to it.”

One of the people who left church to help the morning of the fire and has been a constant prayer warrior for the Hruskas is Diana Maurer, who has known the couple for more than 20 years. “She is someone that I could lean on for emotional support,” Betty Lou says.

The way the Hruskas have handled their trial has impressed Maurer.

“They’ve just got inner strength,” Maurer said. “They are solid in their faith and have trusted that God would work everything out. They never wavered. There were angels walking beside them through this whole process and they learned to

trust in their faith in God.

“Betty Lou has been such a blessing to so many people. She has never wavered in her ministry or devotion to The Salvation Army in any way. I just admire her strength. They are wonderful people, and I can’t say enough about them.”

Another West Park congregant, Cheryl Lewis, also left church to help that fateful morning and has assisted with moving. She has encouraged Betty Lou not to dwell on the past because “something better is coming” for the family.

“I’ve never seen a couple who stuck together through thick and thin,” Lewis said. “They are amazing in their faith and their marriage.”

Healing through grieving

Major Juanita Stanford said the West Park Corps is full of “unbelievably loving people” who have provided meals, helped with cleanup, done laundry, and anything else the Hruskas have needed.

“You name it, folks have done it,” she said.

“One of the things we have learned through this process is that ministry in the family of God takes all forms and we were reminded of that. It’s not that there’s one job that’s more significant than another. Everybody has a part to play in the family of God and in ministering to each other and everyone tried to do that. It’s a testimony of God’s grace for sure.”

Betty Lou admits the road hasn’t been easy. When the tears come, she allows them for healing purposes.

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t grieve for what we’ve lost,” she said. No stranger to tragedy, the couple’s adult son suffered a stroke two years ago and they lived in his house during their ordeal.

“I grieve for our dog and for the house we lived in for almost 50 years. I know they’re just things, but a lot of them were precious. I grieve for that.

“But I can’t stay in that place. I take the time that I need to grieve and then I turn it around and I look for something that is uplifting and will make me feel better. I ask God to help get me out of that place and He is faithful. God is good.”

Forged in the fires of persecution

The suffering of early Salvationists

It’s springtime and your local Salvation Army is about to have an outdoor Christian worship service. Just imagine: you meet at a bandstand in a nearby park or in a bustling town square. The band sets up and then plays a few introductory notes to warm their instruments. The audio/visual person quickly connects a microphone, a small soundboard, and a pair of speakers.

As the band plays, a few passersby approach, sit on nearby park benches, chat quietly, and listen to the music. The melodies are followed by a Scripture reading, a guitar and vocal duet, and then a short devotional by the speaker.

The listeners, who cycle in and out, are greeted by Salvationists who engage them in conversation as they offer SACONNECTS magazines and other literature. They tell them about the services that are available through their local Salvation Army. Later, after hearing the closing song and prayer, the church folk pack everything away. They thank God for allowing them to make a few but precious contacts. They’ve enjoyed an exciting experience, to say the least. After all, what’s better than an open–air service?

Growing pains

Now, go back in time and imagine yourself at a Salvation Army open–air service in the 1880s. This band is led by a 19–year–old pastor. Dressed in her blue uniform, she marches out of the church hall and into the street, to the beat of a bass drum. A small band of Salvationists, also in blue, follow her to the town center. As they pass a tavern, men with eyes made red from drink, watch. They and other men in public houses quickly file out after the marchers.

Grinning wickedly, they descend on

the Salvationists and block their path. But in response, the band, that has been playing brass instruments for only a week or two, strikes up a tune. As their strain of “Onward Christian Soldiers” fills the air, a man from the tavern grabs a horn from one of the players, and throws it in the mud.

Another bleary–eyed drunkard rips the flag from the corps sergeant major’s (deacon) hands. Undaunted, the teenaged corps officer bravely plants her feet in front of the two biggest ruffians, and prays. In a surprisingly loud, confident voice, she asks God to change the hearts of these people.

But even as she prays, a well–aimed bottle strikes the trombone player. He rubs his head in pain. Despite the mob’s egging, no fists are raised in retaliation from the men and women in blue. Instead, the Salvationists form a circle and pray even more.

This is what open–air ministry looked like in the early days. It is quite a contrast between then and now. Back then, open–air work was brutal. Yet, the Army was refined in those fires of persecution.

As one of the most trusted charitable organizations in America today, many people are surprised to learn that The Salvation Army was once a persecuted movement. Born in London’s East End, William Booth’s Christian Mission (a precursor to The Salvation Army), provoked the ire of many a violent mob. Such opposition intensified when, in 1878, Salvationists, under the newly formed banner of The Salvation Army, began to wear uniforms, and attracted even greater attention from people who were spoiling for a fight.

The Skeleton Army

In England there arose an organized movement whose very existence was to harass

by ROB JEFFERY

and attack the ever–growing Salvation Army. In mockery, they styled themselves as the “Skeleton Army,” whose motto of “beef, beer, and bacca (tobacco),” countered the Salvationist’s motto of “soup, soap, and salvation.” While most skeleton army groups were formed by beer brewers and tavern owners, called publicans, some were organized by high–ranking members of society such as the mayors of Eastbourne and Folkestone. A book from long ago entitled The Old Corps, by Edward Joy, tells the harrowing story of the soldiers of Folkestone who battled the Skeletons frequently, as the latter group tried to steal the local Army’s flag.

Sometimes the physical assaults were so severe that some Salvationists were swiftly and tragically “promoted to Glory.” In 1889, Salvationist Susannah Beaty became the Army’s first martyr. Members of a mob in Hastings, England hit her with a rock and violently kicked her in the stomach. She died soon after from her injuries.

At first, the police did little to protect Salvationists from the horrific violence of the mobs. In many cases they arrested the peaceful soldiers and officers whom they blamed for agitating the townspeople with their marching in the streets and open–air music.

Journalist Bethan Bell (BBC News), in a story about the Skeleton Army in the UK entitled “Menace to sobriety: when Salvationists fought Skeletons,” notes how the English right to freedom of expression came about when they began to challenge in court the arrest of Salvationists. Bell wrote that the police tried to “… ban marching with music on a Sunday because it attracted Skeleton troublemakers. But it was later ruled that a lawful activity (marching with music on a Sunday) was not

made unlawful by the unlawful actions of others (Skeletons rioting).”

Forging ahead in the U.S.

Meanwhile in the United States, Salvationists were also suffering because of the public expression of their faith. In 1879, the Shirley family had to deal with disorderly persons who interrupted their meetings at the Philadelphia Salvation Factory. Commissioner George Scott Railton also met official opposition from the mayor of New York, who would not allow the Hallelujah Lassies to march in the streets.

Furthermore, James Kemp, or “Ash Barrel Jimmy,” the Salvation Army’s first convert in the U.S., received frequent beatings at the hands of his former friends in the Bowery when he went back to preach the good news. In Greenport, Long Island, the corps was burned down by a riotous crowd. Staff Captain Joseph Garabedian or “Joe the Turk,” was jailed over 50 times for preaching outdoors. In Boston, Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle was hit in the head with a brick.

Displayed in The Heritage Museum archives, located at the Army’s USA Eastern Territorial Headquarters in West Nyack, N.Y., a letter from the 1890s by an anonymous writer threatens The Salvation Army in Green Bay, Wis. It reads, “I would like to see a stake drove in the ground and gather in all the heretics and offer them up as a burnt offering.” Praise God that, despite this threat, The Salvation Army flag still flies in the city of Green Bay.

Thankfully, by the late 1890s, most of the hot spots of persecution were cooling down. Through their sheer tenacity and belief in a divine mission, Salvationists won over many of their critics. Perhaps those early Salvationists didn’t just see a mob of violent men and women, but individuals whose lives needed to be touched with the love of Christ.

From enemy to emissary

Commissioner Charles Jeffries, famed Salvation Army missionary to China, was the leader of a group of Skeletons prior

to his conversion. Someone in a band of Salvationists, on the receiving end of his hateful actions, knew that deep inside this young man was a soul waiting to blossom into new life. By their love, they overcame the hatred shown to them, and won many souls to Christ. William Booth said in 1883, “We make the very enemy help us fill the air with our Savior’s fame.”

By the early 1900s, police and other civil authorities began to recognize the Army’s witness as something positive. Eventually, most Salvationists in the U.S., could march in the open air with virtually no opposition and enjoy the protection of law enforcement.

The Salvation Army has come a long way since those early days of trial and opposition. However, in other parts of the world, Salvationists still operate in countries where they are not legally recognized, and even experience bouts of persecution through religious and sectarian violence. May we use our freedom to advocate on their behalf and for all persecuted Christians around the globe.

The Salvation Army National Archives / Wilhelm Peters ©1895

in motion

Ministry in motion involves great focus, discipline, and passion. So, these young dancers of the Territorial Arts Ministries (TAM) summer camp are diligent in their pursuit of skills that will allow them to express their heartfelt message of hope. In preparation for the annual TAM Finale, Deangelo Powell, Maya Jackson, Ana Cruz Peña, and Debora Baptista dance to a song entitled “Quiet By Elevation Rhythm” during the recording of “Dance Major 7” (choreographed by Olivia Renkei).

A history rooted in

faith

by ROBERT MITCHELL

The Salvation Army has played an important role in Christianity’s rich history in the United States, starting in the Eastern part of the country.

George Scott Railton

Red River Meeting House in Kentucky

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Ohio

Nestled in the woods off a rural road in Warren, Conn., is a simple monument marking the birthplace of the Rev. Charles Finney, known as the “Father of Modern Revivalism.” A plaque is imbedded in the stone that was erected by Ohio’s Oberlin College, where Finney served as president.

Finney, who was a Presbyterian minister, and a central figure in America’s Second Great Awakening, had a tremendous influence on American religion in the 19 th century, which included early Salvationists. General William Booth urged officers to study Finney’s revivals, theology, and writings. He is buried at the Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin, Ohio.

The United States was founded on Christian principles brought here by English Protestants of the early 17th century. So if you like visiting historic sites that mark their influence, you will also see remnants of this country’s history.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

—1 Samuel 7:12

Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y.

Eliza Shirley

Old Orchard Beach in Maine

The Great Auditorium in New Jersey

“To understand American history, we must understand America’s religious history, as it reflects the soul of the nation,” said Steve Bussey, a Salvation Army historian.

Bussey believes that Salvationists and other Christians, and even people of no faith, should visit various religious and historic sites to better understand U.S. history and the role religion has played in shaping the country.

“A plaque is just a plaque until a story accompanies it,” Bussey says. “When the story comes, we understand the value of it. When the value comes, there is significance. When the significance is there, then we’re moved. When we’re moved, we resolve ourselves.

Rekindle the spiritual flame

“I believe we’ve lost our idealism that the world can be saved and that there can be revival or a great awakening like we saw in Finney’s time. We need to stir those embers again. We need to stoke the fire, if there’s going to be another awakening—and I believe there will be. I don’t think there is an organization better postured for a true global, spiritual awakening that is as significant, if not more significant than the first and second great awakenings, than The Salvation Army. We just need to begin to believe it.”

As people begin to consider and plan vacations, Bussey is a firm believer that there’s plenty to see—often free or at low cost—that will enrich a family’s faith.

“These trips are about going back to

see what God has done in the past and to remember that if God did it then, He can surely do it today,” Bussey said.

Where to start

Bussey says that two good places to start are The Red River Meeting House in Adairville, Ky., and the Cane Ridge Meeting House near Paris, Ky., both major sites of the Second Great Awakening.

Revival broke out at Red River in 1799 and 1800, fueling the awakening. Today, the grounds of the Red River Meeting House include a 1994 replica of the original structure and a 400–plot graveyard with some markers dating to the early 1800s. A stone monument marks the spot of the original church, built between 1789–1792. The Cane Ridge Meeting House is about 200 miles north of Adairville in Bourbon County near Paris, Ky. Visitors can see the original 1791 meeting house, which is completely enclosed inside a new superstructure finished in 1957. The original meeting house is touted as the largest one–room log building in North America.

“I think returning to places like the Red River Meeting House helps us see the rock from which we are hewn,” Bussey said. “Everything we are built upon as The Salvation Army, our identity and purpose, can be traced back there. The Red River Meeting House is one of the most important places that nobody knows about.

“It’s the Red River Meeting House, which lights the fuse that causes the explosion of Methodism. What happens is that American revivalism, fused with Wesleyan perfectionism, becomes the prototype for

most of our revivalists. It’s the most forgotten and the most important place in our entire history as The Salvation Army. When I trace everything back in the United States, I trace it back to that house. It’s the most underrated, forgotten part of church history, but the most pivotal for early religion in America.”

The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park is about halfway between the meeting houses in Hodgenville, Ky. where you can see the Lincoln family Bible.

Other Kentucky hotspots ripe for a visit would be the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Ky., the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., near Cincinnati, Ohio, and Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky. The school is named after Francis Asbury, a 19th century circuit rider who took the gospel on horseback to the frontier.

Several Salvationists have attended Asbury, which was the site of the Asbury Revival in 1970 and another “outpouring” of the Holy Spirit earlier this year when a simple chapel service went on for days.

Ohio is also home to plenty of religious history, including the Westerville History Museum just north of Columbus. The museum features a collection on the Anti–Saloon League, which played a major role in the temperance movement The Salvation Army joined. The league’s crusade against the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol eventually led to the Prohibition Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Dennison, Ohio, tells the story of how The Salvation Army fed troops being transported across the country during World War II. The war necessitated the largest rail transport of troops in U.S. history and the trains stopped in rural Dennison, where Salvation Army volunteers organized the canteen and fed the troops. The museum

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum in Ohio

features photos of the canteen workers and several displays and artifacts from The Salvation Army’s work.

A dedication stone marks the 1872 beginnings of The Salvation Army in Cleveland, Ohio. This outpost of the–then Christian Mission operated from 1872–1876, and became The Salvation Army in 1883. British cabinetmaker and lay preacher James Jermy, who was of mixed race and a protégé of Founder William Booth, and James Fakler, a local African American Methodist pastor, held open–air meetings in front of saloons and preached in church. They also published the Mission Harvester magazine.

In Philadelphia, visitors can see a plaque honoring Eliza Shirley, who officially began the Salvation Army’s work in the city of Brotherly Love.

The plaque reads: “The first U.S. corps was opened here on Oxford Street by 17–year–old Eliza Shirley in 1879. She came from England, assigned by the founder, William Booth. This organization would become the largest private charity in the U.S., giving spiritual and social help to the needy.”

The building, which reportedly was used as a hospital during the Civil War and a chair factory just before Shirley and her family took it over, still houses a Salvation Army corps at 350 W. Oxford St. in Philadelphia.

The Eliza Shirley House, a homeless shelter in Philadelphia, is named for the Salvationist pioneer.

Central Pennsylvania is home to several Moravian cemeteries. Buried in the Moravian Cemetery in Bethlehem is the Rev. David Nitschmann, who sailed from Europe to Georgia with John and Charles Wesley.

The Moravians, German Protestants and followers of martyr Jan Hus, are widely acknowledged as the first Protestants. The pietism of personal faith they advocated influenced the Wesleys and the Methodism that was a forerunner of The Salvation Army.

Early beginnngs in New York

Up the East Coast in New York Harbor, tourists can see a plaque honoring George Scott Railton and seven women officers nicknamed the “Hallelujah Lassies,” who

landed in New York in 1880 and began The Salvation Army’s work in America.

Railton and the “lassies” built on the ministry the Shirley family was doing in Philadelphia and started the work in Newark, N.J.

The granite and bronze plaque is mounted at the perimeter of Battery Park in lower Manhattan west of Greenwich Street.

The inscription reads: “To the glory of God under the direction of General William Booth, the Founder of The Salvation Army, Commissioner George S. Railton and seven women officers unfurled the flag of The Salvation Army here on March 10, 1880. This tablet is placed by Commander Evangeline Booth November 14, 1927, as an expression of abounding gratitude on the part of multitudes who have reaped the fruitage of that gracious invasion.”

Other spots to see in New York are the Centennial Memorial Temple in Manhattan; the Five–Point Mission , founded with the help of Methodist evangelist Phoebe Palmer; and John Street Methodist Church.

The Centennial Memorial Temple, located at 120 W. 14th St. in Manhattan, was commissioned as a new national headquarters by Salvation Army General Evangeline Booth and opened in 1930 to honor Founder William Booth’s 100th birthday. Known for its ornate 1,600–seat auditorium, the building today houses the headquarters for the Greater New York Division.

Palmer led the Methodist Ladies’ Home Missionary Society in founding the Five Points Mission, which was America’s first inner–city mission and still stands today at 69 Madison St. in New York City.

You can also see New York City’s John Street Methodist Church at 44 John St., which was founded in 1766 and is the oldest Methodist congregation in North America. The church is steeped in Methodist history and features artifacts, including a clock from John Wesley. Among the church’s congregants were the famous hymnist Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Palmer Knapp, the daughter of Phoebe Palmer. Crosby wrote the words to the classic hymn “Blessed Assurance,” while Phoebe Palmer Knapp wrote the music.

Museums and archives

Just north of New York City is the USA Eastern Territory’s Heritage Museum , located on the first floor of Territorial Headquarters at 440 West Nyack Road in West Nyack, N.Y.

The museum opened in 1998 and features several artifacts from Salvation Army history. Another feature is a series of mannequins of several Salvation Army icons, including Evangeline Booth, Joe “The Turk” Garabedian, the World War I donut girls, and Thomas Ferguson, a Jamaican–born Salvationist and prolific composer, musician, and poet.

Robert Jeffery, the museum’s director, said visitors can also see several unique artifacts from the Booth family, including William Booth’s christening gown, his personal diaries (pocket calendars), the last teacup and pencil he held in his hand before passing away, and a lock of his hair. The museum also maintains some fascinating objects from some of The Army’s foremost pioneers, including the Bible of Emma Westbrook, one of the seven Hallelujah Lassies; the journal entry of George Scott Railton during his transatlantic crossing to New York; and the brick that injured Samuel Logan Brengle, The Salvation Army’s first American–born commissioner.

Visitors can also learn about the lives of Ash Barrel Jimmy, The Salvation Army’s first convert; Mabel Vivian Broome, the

St. John’s Methodist Church in New York City

first African American officer; and Enrique Sánchez de Fano, the first Hispanic officer in the world.

“Underneath the multitude of communities that make up The Salvation Army’s Eastern Territory is a historical footprint that tells the story of faith in America,” Jeffery said. “It is a point of beginnings and departures, of unity, and at times disunity. It is an imperfect history of men and women coming together in faith to worship God in accordance to their convictions.

“For Salvationists, it is a history of humble beginnings marked by incredible growth and optimism for the future. Take in this history when and where you find it and be open to the lessons it may teach you.”

Another must–see is Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y., which includes the graves of several prominent Salvationists, including members of the Booth family.

There are several displays to tour in the Burned over–district of upstate and western New York State that tell the story of the Second Great Awakening and the growth of the Erie Canal. Charles Finney and Phoebe Palmer are among those mentioned, though some also include other faiths.

More sites of note

In nearby New Jersey, the quaint community of Ocean Grove was founded by Methodist ministers in 1869 to host camp meetings and where “religion and recreation should go hand in hand.” Located along the Jersey Shore, the area is dotted with Victorian homes and the Great Auditorium, which

was built in 1894 and is still used for religious gatherings. While in New Jersey, you can also visit Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick and see the grave of James Caughey, a Methodist minister who was key to William Booth’s conversion.

Also buried in New Jersey is Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan minister and key figure in the First Great Awakening. He is interred in the president’s section of the Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, N.J. Edwards, who spent most of his life in New England, died there of smallpox in 1758 shortly after becoming the college’s president. The cemetery is often referred to as the “Westminster Abbey of the United States” for all the dignitaries buried there. You can use your phone and the cemetery’s QR codes to look up biographies of people who are buried.

Edwards’ birthplace is marked with a road sign in East Windsor, Conn., near the Salvation Army’s Manchester Citadel Corps in Manchester, Conn. Jeffery said the current red–brick building, reminiscent of English Salvation Army corps, was constructed in 1908 in a style known as military gothic. Renovations in more modern times added to the original structure, which might have been demolished.

“It may be our territory’s oldest corps building still in use today at its original location,” Jeffery said.

Boston Common , where The Salvation Army’s holiness apostle, Samuel Logan Brengle, had his holiness experience on Jan. 9, 1885, is another place to visit along Boston’s Freedom Trail.

In describing his experience, Brengle wrote,

“I walked out over Boston Common before breakfast, weeping for joy and praising God. Oh, how I loved! In that hour I knew Jesus, and I loved Him till it seemed my heart would break with love. I was filled with love for all His creatures. I heard the little sparrows chattering; I loved them. I saw a little worm wriggling across my path; I stepped over it; I didn’t want to hurt any living thing. I loved the dogs, I loved the horses, I loved the little urchins on the street, I loved the strangers who hurried past me, I loved the heathen, I loved the whole world.”

Boston Common, established in 1634, is the oldest public park in the United States. The Puritan colonists who founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased the property, which is at the southern end of Boston’s famous Freedom Trail. Several of Boston’s major tourist attractions are within walking distance.

The Salvation Army marked the 125th anniversary of Brengle’s holiness experience in 2009 on the Boston Common. General Shaw Clifton was among the attendees.

Camp meetings

The Salvation Army held its first Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Camp Meetings in 1885. The Old Orchard Beach Camp Meeting Association started on the grounds in 1873 and a year later, the National Temperance Camp Meeting Association was founded there. The Salvation Army, a natural ally of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, bought the property in 1952. Before the state–of–the–art Seaside Pavilion was built in 1998 and dedicated by President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, campers would sit among the white pine trees dotting the area and listen to powerful speakers such as General Evangeline Booth.

Bussey said the early Salvationist studied the revivals and camp meetings of the Second Great Awakening in Kentucky at the turn of the 1800s. Thousands would come and be “slain in the Spirit” and spend days in the presence of God.

“The Old Orchard Beach camp meetings are a byproduct of what happened at

Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City

the Red River Meeting House,” Bussey said.

There’s also plenty of religious history to see on the way to Maine along Interstate 95.

Stop in the quaint town of Northampton, Mass., and see the church once pastored by Jonathan Edwards. The architects of the Second Great Awakening, all of whom influenced Catherine and William Booth, read Edwards, and used his revivalist techniques.

See a large plaque honoring Edwards inside the First Churches of Northampton , at 129 Main St. William Booth also read Edwards, even though the New England pastor was a Calvinist and Booth was not.

The picturesque seaside community of Newburyport, Mass., holds a well–kept secret. It’s the burial place of the itinerant preacher George Whitefield , who is interred below the pulpit of the Old South Presbyterian Church, a classic New England church built in 1756. The church is located at 29 Federal St.

The church is open for tours and visitors can see several artifacts (including his fold–up pulpit) and the crypt. Whitefield, one of the most popular preachers in America and Britain at the time of the First Great Awakening, died in the church parsonage near the church in 1770.

Whitefield had a major influence on William Booth and John and Charles Wesley, though they disagreed with Whitefield’s Calvinism.

Frank Jarobe, a member of the Red River Meeting House Association in Kentucky, compared all the historic sites, including the Red River Meeting House, to the Old Testament standing stones (memorials).

Boots on the ground

“This is an Ebenezer,” Jarboe said, referencing 1 Samuel 7:12. “The ground’s not holy, but God did a work here. Somebody was standing in the spot I’m standing and was truly affected by the gospel over the life of this church. We hope God will do another work here.”

Bussey agreed, saying, “These sites are a reminder that God has moved in the past, and if He did it then, He can do it again. Sometimes these stories seem mythological, but they are stories of God working through real people.”

Visitor Guide by state

CONNECTICUT

Charles Finney birthplace off Cunningham Road in Warren, Conn.

Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) birthplace

143 Main Street, South Windsor, CT 06074

OHIO

Charles Finney burial spot Westwood Cemetery, 455 Morgan Street Oberlin, OH 44074

Dedication stone marking the 1872 beginnings of The Salvation Army at the intersection of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (across from Progressive Field)

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum

400 Center Street, Dennison, OH 44621

Westerville History Museum 110 S. State Street, Westerville, OH 43081

KENTUCKY

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Park 2995 Lincoln Farm Road, Hodgenville, KY 42748

Ark Encounter 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY 41097

Cane Ridge Meeting House 1655 Cane Ridge Road, Paris, KY 40361

Creation Museum

2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY 41080

Red River Meeting House 3008 Schochoh Road, Adairville, KY 42202

MAINE

Seaside Pavilion, Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings 8 6th Street, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston Common 115 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

First Churches of Northampton 129 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060

George Whitefield burial spot Old South Presbyterian Church, 29 Federal Street, Newburyport, MA 01950

NEW JERSEY

The Great Auditorium 21 Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756

James Caughey (1810–1881) burial spot Elmwood Cemetery 425 Georges Road, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902

Jonathan Edwards burial spot 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540

NEW YORK

Centennial Memorial Temple 120 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

Five–Point Mission 69 Madison Street, New York, NY 10002

John Street Methodist Church 44 John Street, New York, NY 10038

Kensico Cemetery 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, NY 10595

Plaque honoring George Scott Railton and seven women officers Perimeter of Battery Park in lower Manhattan

USA Eastern Territory’s Heritage Museum

440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994

PENNSYLVANIA

Eliza Shirley House

1320 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Plaque honoring Eliza Shirley 350 W. Oxford Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121

God in CONTROL

by CINDY WALTON astoldto HUGO BRAVO

There’s a phrase that says, “Boys: Less drama than girls, but harder to keep alive.” Ben Walton, my son, has proved those words to be right all his life.

When I was pregnant with Ben, there were complications. My hormone levels dropped at a dangerous rate, and my doctor said that the pregnancy would end with a miscarriage. My family and I prayed every day, and decided that we were going to let God take control of this pregnancy. For 20 weeks, there was a heartbeat detected during every doctor’s visit. When Ben was born, we learned that he was supposed to be a twin. The dropping hormones were from a “vanishing pregnancy.” Ben was the twin who survived.

When my son was growing up, he was always that boy who was somehow getting hurt. Even as an adult, Ben had some bad accidents at his construction job. So, when I got a call last July that something had happened to him while he was out bike riding, my first thought was, “Of course it did.”

The fall

That night, Ben was on the property of our family friend Timmy. They were riding ATVs and motorbikes out in a field. It was

his first time on those types of vehicles, but in the early summer evening and away from traffic, no one expected any type of danger.

At 10 p.m., Timmy’s wife Libby called me and said, “Cindy, I need to tell you something, but you need to sit down.” Hearing her say that made me stand up right away.

Libby said that Ben had lost control of his motorbike. Unable to operate the brakes, he slammed his feet down on the ground, as if trying to stop a regular bicycle. This shifted his weight, causing him to fall headfirst into a rock bed, six feet down. Though he was able to get himself up, the group all agreed that he needed to get to the nearest hospital, which was 40 minutes away.

“The hospital said his injuries are too severe. They’re going to life flight him over to University of Kentucky Hospital,” said Libby. Because we had firefighters and health professionals in our family, I knew what a life flight was. My son was being transferred to a major hospital via helicopter, and I was two and a half hours away from him.

I told my husband Stan, who was a truck driver and away from home, what had happened and that I was going to UK Hospital with our daughter Nora, Ben’s older sister. I texted the Majors Angie and

Herb Carter, who, up until a week ago that day, were The Salvation Army pastors at the Center Hill Corps in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I work. I also texted Envoys Gina and Bradley Harris, our new pastors who had not even met Ben.

The injuries

At the hospital, I waited in the room where they said Benny would soon be. Timmy was also there, beside himself with guilt for what had happened. I wasn’t angry at him; Ben is not a little boy. He’s a 21–year–old man who can make decisions on his own. Plus, Timmy loved my children as if they were his own; he had warned Ben to wear a helmet, and Ben chose not to listen. As we were talking, the doctors wheeled in my bloodied, banged–up son. They tried to explain the extent of Ben’s injuries, but I needed Nora, an EMT, to translate it for me.

Ben had suffered a skull fracture and shattered the whole orbital bone around his eye, which had been completely engulfed by the injury. He had broken his collarbone and his shoulder. Part of his head had been scalped and had developed blood clots, causing a hematoma. Though he never lost consciousness, he could only remember what had

happened in bits and seconds, as if someone had been snapping photos and that was all he could see.

Ben could answer the basic questions that hospital personnel ask patients with head trauma (What is your name? What year is it? Who is our president?). But by the third round of the same questions, he was answering them wrong. He also said he had gotten injured “while on the job, putting a truck on a trailer that had fallen. Or was it a school bus?” That made us all nervous; his thoughts and memories were deteriorating.

He went into surgery that night, and six hours later, I saw Ben again, with plates and pins holding him together. His face was completely wrapped up and his head shaved, with a scar covered in dry blood. He had been rushed into surgery so fast that they hadn’t cleaned his wounds properly. That infuriated me as a mother; I asked for some wet towels and did it myself. Afterwards, I returned home to meet with Stan, and drove back with him to bring our son clean clothes.

Ben was in the hospital for three and a half days, and in a wheelchair for three months. He would eventually have a second surgery to repair his shoulder, and needed

treatments for his leg, which had developed a terrible infection from the dirt and water where he fell. From the damage Ben had sustained, he might have never been able to walk or communicate again. It’s a miracle that he didn’t lose his injured eye. It’s a miracle that my son is alive today and back at work, now driving trucks like his father.

“Boys: Less drama than girls, but harder to keep alive.” I now have those words tattooed on my right shoulder, around another tattoo of Ben’s brain scans after his accident.

The healing

We’re a family here at the Center Hill Corps, and in The Salvation Army as a whole. Officers and other fellow Salvationists that I knew from my 40–plus years with the Army reached out to us. Our new envoys met Ben for the first time in the hospital. We learned that there were people from across the world praying for Ben’s healing. I can’t help wondering what the Lord has in mind for my

son to have him overcome so much in his life.

When someone talks about being a “God–fearing” person, it doesn’t mean that they live in constant fear of the Lord. On the contrary, it’s an emotional awareness of His power and knowing that He is in control of everything. When I think about Ben healing after that long list of injuries the doctor read to me, I know it was God in control. Timmy and his friends could have decided that, since Ben was walking and talking after his accident, he just needed to sleep it off. My son would not have survived the night if that happened. But God was in control, even after Ben had lost control.

It amazes me how fragile our bodies are, but the more amazing thing is that it doesn’t matter that they are. If God decides you will make it, you will do so, because God stays in control.

Cindy Walton is an employee at The Salvation Army Center Hill Corps in Cincinnati, Ohio.

When I think about Ben healing after that long list of injuries the doctor read to me, I know it was God in control.”

—Cindy Walton

Thrift Store Finds

Gearing up for summer!

We’ve all looked forward to longer days and warmer temperatures to get out and enjoy the fresh air. But before you spend a lot on seasonal items, stop at your local Salvation Army and see what’s in store for you!

Every purchase you make at a Salvation Army thrift store helps change lives. Proceeds fund local Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) where people who struggle with drugs and alcohol can find help and hope. Visit SArehab.org to learn more

ROLLERBLADES 

Want to give a new activity a try? Rollerblades and roller skates have made a comeback. We scored these at just $14.99.

 MOUNTAIN BIKE

New hobbies come and go. Someone's old one can become your new one! This bike was only a fraction of the retail price. $50.

CLASSIC WATERING CAN 

Decorative and useful. $3.

HELMET 

Make sure you play it safe by adding the necessary equipment. This fun kids' helmet was only $5.

 CAMPING GEAR

Feeling outdoorsy? Check your local thrift store before you spend more. Sleeping bag, $10; lantern, $10.

*These items are examples of what you may find. Actual store items will vary.

Are we there yet?

by LAUREN HODGSON

Norman Rockwell (1894–1978) was an American painter and illustrator. His works are best known for capturing snapshots of everyday life in the U.S. One such creation is entitled “Going and Coming,” which depicts a family leaving for vacation and returning. The contrast between those events is unmistakable. The family leaves for vacation, bright–eyed with excitement, but arrives home, bedraggled, and exhausted. No doubt, traveling can be tiring. Hours on the road or in the air, changes of schedules, cramming activities, different food, not your bed; you get the picture.

Life itself has been compared to a journey. But this journey is no comparison to a weekend at a woodland cabin or a week on the beach. Life’s journey is not for the faint of heart and certainly not a sprint but a marathon. There may be days when you’re unsure if you’re coming or going, as depicted in Rockwell’s painting. Life can throw unexpected roadblocks, detours, cancellations, and dashed hopes and dreams. These alternative routes can leave us stuck in the mud if we’re not prepared.

Your spiritual growth journey has possibly taken some detours and been confronted with roadblocks, resulting in crushed expectations. Consider the following:

“God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, when you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse. For you, the Eternal’s Word is your happiness. It is your focus—from dusk to dawn. You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. No matter what you do, you prosper.”

Psalm 1:1–3 (VOICE)

Be attentive

The Psalm reminds us that God’s blessings are at “every turn.” We live in a world that is filled with constant distractions. Being attentive to God means finding His life, voice, and message in everyday occurrences. Truly savor what you eat, be empathetic toward those with whom you interact, delight in nature, and develop a deeper sense of thankfulness for everyday provisions. Learn to linger in the moment.

Be discerning

There is a myriad of voices that speak into our lives. Adam McHugh writes in his book, The Listening Life , “We have an infinite buffet of options, and everything sounds so good. Whether we realize it or not, we are persistently serenaded by a cacophony of voices that battle for our souls, each seducing us with promises of fullness.” Psalm 1 tells the reader to ignore the advice of the wicked and to avoid sin, judgment, and sarcasm, which are deadly mental and spiritual mind fields. With the Lord’s help, every believer can develop spiritual discernment. Discernment is so much more than making the right choices. It is noticing when God shows up. One way to strengthen your ability to discern is to review your day in God’s presence. Reflect on when you felt Him speaking and you either embraced His guidance or rejected it. The more you examine your day, the more you will be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Doing so will help you sift through all the voices in your head to decipher His voice.

Navigation tools

Psalm 1 speaks of God’s Word as a navigational tool. It seems like a “no–brainer,” doesn’t it? Yet when we compare our time on social media to our time spent in the Word, we no longer wonder how we get a little lost. Ask God to give you a deeper hunger for His Word. Wherever you are on your journey in reading and understanding the scriptures, challenge yourself to delve deeper.

The destination

We will head toward the right destination when we intentionally look for God. Seek Him at every turn. Attune your spirit

My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise Resource created by the Spiritual Life Development team

Life is a journey with straight roads, detours, hills, and valleys. Yet, sometimes, if we step back and ponder our life, we can see how the hand of God has masterfully formed who we are today. My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise allows you to process the ongoing work of God in you and how he is developing a clearer reflection of Christ in you.

Life mapping is a process where you create a timeline that captures moments in your life and helps identify and interpret God’s activity in them. As you reflect on these past experiences, you better understand what has shaped you, how you live, and what matters most. Our joys and victories, challenges and trials, sin and brokenness, are often clues to our vocation, healing, and redemption.

As you walk through this exercise, you will see God’s work in your life from the past and give you the confidence of His presence and guidance in the future. My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise reaffirms God’s promise “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

(Philippians 1:6, NLT)

to hear His still, small voice. Spend more quality time in His Word. The Psalmist says we will bear fruit for His kingdom, and our influence will never fade.

Don’t lose heart and become preoccupied with the need to know, “are we there yet?” The bottom line is that there is joy in the journey, and every day is a new day to be right where you are supposed to be—in the center of His will.

SEASONS of REFRESHING

an interview with PASTOR

JIM CYMBALA

Since their humble beginings in 1971, Pastor Jim and Carol Cymbala have served as spiritual leaders of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, which is today an historic 3,300–seat, non–denominational megachurch in Brooklyn, N.Y. It is world renowned for its melodic Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, which has received six Grammy Awards so far. Carol Cymbala is director of the multi–ethnic, multiracial chorale. Despite her lack of formal musical training, she has nonetheless written many of its signature songs.

The Cymbalas are also longtime friends of The Salvation Army, having ministered at various events on several significant occasions during the past 18 years.

“It is my privilege,” said Pastor Jim Cymbala. “In fact, we’re looking forward to June 9th, when the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers and Carol and I will be in Hershey, Pa., with you all.” He alluded to the annual commencement, ordination, and commissioning event of new Salvation Army officers (pastors).

In an exclusive interview, Pastor Cymbala shares his hopes and prayers for the Church as it faces a myriad of challenges in today’s world.

by WARREN L. MAYE

Can you tell us about the message you will deliver to The Salvation Army?

JC: As of this moment, I don’t know. I stopped using notes about 18 years ago. But it’ll be about Christ, and it’ll be a word of encouragement to all the Salvationists and everyone else who are serving Christ. I want to inspire them with more of the anointing. I want to proclaim Christ to those who don’t know how simple it is to become a Christian.

I would imagine your message will stem from your long history with The Salvation Army.

JC: I’m currently preparing to speak at a pastors’ conference. I didn’t go to seminary or Bible school, so they’ve asked me to list the 25 books that have most affected my life. As I was walking through my office library, I saw the five–volume series on the sermons of Catherine Booth. And then I saw a book on Bramwell Booth, and then books on the General and all those names from your illustrious history that so impacted my spiritual formation.

I understand there’s a mural in your church that shows Salvationists in ministry.

JC: There’s an area of the second–floor lobby of the main building as you go into the theater, built in 1917. There were some architects, painters, and decorators from an elite

restoration company that specializes in doing historical state capitals and historical theaters. When they restored our building, I asked, “Can you reproduce this photo on the wall?” It pictured the Army’s early days, showing the General coming to America to plant the flag in the 1900s. The scene was a street meeting in Manhattan. That picture always moved me. I never wore the uniform, but I have a spiritual connection to the Army.

Yes, I understand. From your perspective, what would you say are the greatest spiritual challenges that we face these days?

JC: I’ll give you the challenges in a second, but the answer to them all is—the Spirit, and the blood and fire of the early Salvation Army. I think the Christian Church, and in too many places, has grown apathetic, has been invaded by the culture, so that instead of evangelizing the culture, the culture has evangelized us. The Church is shrinking. You can’t use faith talk to get away from that fact. Fewer people are going to church now than ever before in the history of our nation. Denominational leaders lament to me that they are forced to close buildings.

What’s worse is the discouragement among the pastors. As many as 64 percent say they would leave the ministry next week if they could get a job that would benefit their family. As many as 90 percent of their wives want to get out because of the attacks they suffer through social media.

The murder of George Floyd has brought out the fact that, still, in many denominations and places, the doors are not open to everyone. They are targeting groups, targeting races, targeting ages. Corporate America is invading the Church. Reaching everyone Christ died for, as did the General with his wife, has been replaced with marketing campaigns because they draw other people from those targeted groups.

We’re confronting that now and a lot of other things, such as not preaching from the word of God as much as we should; just looking for attendance spikes rather than for conversions. We need blood and fire. We need to preach the message of the Cross.

We need the fire of the Holy Spirit so we’re not relying on technical ability and “doing church with excellence” and all those

superficial things. We need to get back to making the main thing, the main thing. If General Booth was alive today, I would give anything to hear his read on the situation because I think it would be along the lines of what I’m saying.

It sounds like this goes even deeper than the aftermath of the pandemic.

JC: The pandemic has revealed the soft underbelly of the Church. I saw it when I was stuck for 16 months in Florida. I went down there in March 2020 with Carol for a five–day rest and we ended up being there 16 months, Warren! I met Army people, I met pastors of every denomination, and heard what was going on in their churches.

I found that most of the people there are more politically oriented than they are spiritually related. In other words, they don’t see themselves as Christians first, as members of the body of Christ. No, they’re Republican right–wing, Fox News first or left–wing CNN first. They’re “woke,” “not woke” or “too woke.” And if you disagree with them and even go to their church and you’re a Christian, they will still eat you for lunch on social media, rather than say, “wait a minute, that’s my brother or sister in Christ.”

So, I think there’s a pruning going on. Since the pandemic, attendance is down in all churches, because a lot of people didn’t have their roots very deep. They said “adios” to going to church every Sunday.

So, when you think about the future, I kind of look at it this way; the Lord hasn’t changed. Revelation Chapter 3 says to the church at Laodicea, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

But that letter ends without us knowing whether they opened the door. So, the question is, what will we do? If you draw near to God, He’ll draw near to you. If you don’t draw near to God, well, what promise can you stand on?

If you preach the Gospel, it has power. If you don’t, you won’t see converts. You know, pseudo prophetic mysticism is not something I really like to get into. I’d rather just say “today is the day of salvation. What can we do today to accomplish God’s work?”

But today, accomplishing God’s work is not what it used to be. You and I know that. So, perhaps we are living in a lukewarm time. Oh, how we need the fire that the Booths preached about!

The Army covers urban, suburban, and rural communities. Is there a common denominator with respect to these geographical areas or should we minister to each one differently?

JC: I think there are some differences that must be made. I get that. But the main thing is, if the doors aren’t open to everyone, and there is no spirit of love, you’ll have a problem no matter what area you are in—the farmland of Wisconsin or downtown Brooklyn.

Secondly, you must pray for a demonstration of God’s spirit in the meeting, through the preaching or the worship, so that people leave and say, as in 1 Corinthians 14, “… as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So, they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’”

That aim that your organization started with is really the solution for today. General Booth, his wife, and the Salvationists went into the East End of London to talk to prostitutes and drunkards. The Army just went the other way of those sophisticated churches and said, “Everyone is important.”

Secondly, they taught that, without having that fire when you preach, you’re going to put people to sleep. It’s not drama and emotionalism, but it is God, the Holy Spirit. That’s how the Army has helped me so much when ministry was so depressing that I didn’t want to go to church myself.

When I read the Army’s history, I see how God is immutable. He can’t change. But if we change, He’s outside the door. And He loves the Army, and He loves our Church, and He loves all Christians.

It sounds like the solution to today’s problems is already out there and we must revive it. JC: The General and his wife left a message for the Church, which they saw as falling into the formalism that Wesley fought against in the Anglican church. The beat goes on. But what we need are seasons of refreshing in the presence of the Lord. That might be a good sermon for when I’m there in Pennsylvania— Acts 3:19, “Seasons of Refreshing!”

uiet quitting” is all the rage in the corporate world, and the phenomenon has drawn considerable media attention in recent months.

Investopedia describes quiet quitting as “doing the minimum requirements of one’s job and putting in no more time, effort or enthusiasm than absolutely necessary.” The term may be new, but doing just enough to slide by is something probably as old as work itself. A friend once told me how he quiet quit a job by going to work and simply pushing his computer mouse around aimlessly until he was finally let go.

Some believe the trend became more prevalent during the COVID–19 pandemic when many people in the work force began telecommuting with little to no supervision.

Don’t quit quietly

Others say it’s a response by overworked employees in corporate settings to claw back some sort of work–life balance.

What the Word says

Quiet quitting is clearly antithetical to God’s Word. Christians are instructed to be an example to a watching world when it comes to our personal character, our daily interactions, and our work ethic. “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” says 1 Corinthians 1:31.

We are further told in Colossians

3:23–24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

by ROBERT MITCHELL

But what happens when quiet quitting seeps into other parts of your life? What if it bleeds over into your spiritual life, including your daily devotions, church attendance, and service? The results can be devastating for you, your church, and the people in your circles.

Every Christian should maintain a vigorous devotional life—some call it a “quiet time” with God (Matthew 6:6) or daily devotions—featuring Bible reading, prayer, and meditating on Scripture. A daily dose of the Bible is your best defense against false doctrine. It’s your roadmap to a full, sound, and productive Christian life.

The slippery slope

With all the distractions around us,

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

—Revelation 2:4

Ben White/Unsplash

maintaining a devotional life is already difficult enough, so it would be easy to quiet quit and do the bare minimum—just enough to keep the dust off your Bible or Bible app. The daily study might gradually whittle down to a three–day–a–week devotional or even shrink to a once–a–week effort. Do you spend more time watching TikTok videos than you do reading your Bible?

Most Christians start the new year with a plan to follow a daily devotional book or even to read through the Bible in a year. But, again, there are those pesky distractions that clamor for our attention. So, what if you miss a few days? No harm there, right?

The problem is, those few days might spiral into a week or more. Suddenly, you’re way behind and the thought of catching up and cramming it all in seems overwhelming. You might quiet quit by reading the minimum—again, just to keep the dust bunnies away from the spiritual bookshelf. Others may give up completely.

Then, there’s your prayer life to consider. What if we abandoned daily prayer and fell to our knees only when there was an emergency?

The bottom line is we would be quiet quitting our spiritual lives and leaving our church, its impact, outreaches, and leaders uncovered in prayer. Not only that, but we would be neglecting our families, homes, and unsaved loved ones in need of prayer.

Since COVID, many people have also grown lazy about church attendance. Most churches, if they didn’t have livestream before, added it during the pandemic when meeting together was challenging.

God’s mandate

Let’s face it. It’s a whole lot easier to cozy up on your sofa and watch the livestream than it is to get ready, head out into the cold, and drive to church. However, relying on what some call “Zoom church” is unbiblical. Going to church is a biblical command and Hebrews 10:24 tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

My guess is you wouldn’t treat your attendance at your job as you do your church attendance. In Acts 2:42, we read of the early believers, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were together and committed to one another. They didn’t quiet quit on one another.

In Luke 4, we read about the commitment Jesus displayed: “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.”

on your computer, nor can you serve the church if you don’t show up regularly. The people in your congregation need you to be a constant, not someone who shows up for your ministry duties once or twice a month.

It’s the same principle with your family. The Bible is clear; we are to train up children in the way they should go. But what happens if you let the cares of the world keep you from the hard work of parenting from a biblical standpoint? You’ll be surprised when your kids return home from college as committed atheists.

Return to your first love

So how do we avoid quiet quitting our spiritual lives? If we think back, all of us who are Christians can probably remember the enthusiasm we had for our faith when we were first saved. We were voracious readers of God’s word and couldn’t wait to dig into the Bible’s rich truths every day. We counted the days until the next church service. Serving in various ministries was a joy and we longed for everyone to be saved.

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus reminds the church at Ephesus about its early enthusiasm when He says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

If you just watch the livestream, you’re missing out on so much because church is where believers love one another (John 13:34–35), encourage (1 Thessalonians 5:11), spur one another to love and good works (Hebrew 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct each other (Romans 15:14), and show kindness and compassion (Ephesians 4:32). You can’t do any of that if you’re watching church

May we return to our first love. Don’t quit on your daily devotions, reading of Scripture, prayer, meditation, church attendance, and service to your congregation and others. By doing the bare minimum, you’re not only stunting your own growth, but you’re neglecting the very ministries and people who need you to get back in the game.

So, quit your quiet quitting—quite quickly if you please.

“If we think back, all of us who are Christians can probably remember the enthusiasm we had for our faith when we were first saved.”

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

by HUGO BRAVO

Across The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory and beyond, groups of young professionals have gathered to form official Salvation Army Echelon chapters. These men and women represent the Army and engage with the community to host fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, and create networking connections.

“We wanted to reach out to young people, either in the beginning or middle of their careers, and offer them opportunities to give their time to noble causes,” says Ted Lynch, a member of the Salvation Army’s board in Massachusetts. “The reality is, if people are in their 20s or 30s, finding time to volunteer can be difficult. They may be trying to move up in their company or put in extra hours on the weekend.

“What makes being part of Echelon unique is that it’s not just a day of volunteering. It’s also going out as a group afterwards to socialize and get to know those other professionals in the Boston area with whom you’ve just served,” says Ted.

Grace, Ted’s daughter, has been a Salvation Army volunteer since she was 6 years old. Now a college grad, she says that Echelon is a way for young people to give back who may not be as familiar with the Army’s mission as she is and network at the same time.

“Young people want to help much more than we give them credit for,” says Grace. “But they want to see who they’re helping, and how the work they do affects others. If they can find good mentors from the Salvation Army boards at the corps or from among other people in the community they meet, that’s even better.”

Grace says that when she “pitches” Echelon to people, she gives them a clear view of the Army’s initiative, and how they can contribute in a way that makes their contribution convenient for them.

“When you’re fresh out of school, donating even an hour every week can be tricky, because schedules and plans can change daily. But I’ve noticed that some would rather give four hours, one weekend a month,” says Grace. “And that’s great, because there’s value in seeing a group of people volunteer together for a big part of the day.”

Like Grace, Neetu Wadhwani, a 25–year–old tech employee in Boston, is the type of young professional who makes an Echelon chapter thrive. She believes in the mission of The Salvation Army, and that others will want to be involved in it. “It all starts by talking about the mission of The Salvation Army or showing a video of the work we do, like back–to–school events in Dorchester or turkey drives for the holidays,” says Neetu. “It’s human nature to want to help others; we’re built to give and to feel fulfilled when we do.”

Neetu’s older brother Danny, also a member of Echelon, knows that unless a young person is exposed to volunteering from an early age, they may simply not be familiar with The Salvation Army, or

even with volunteering at all.

“Imagine asking a young finance major to come out this Saturday and help at a corps food drive. They might say, ‘I haven’t slept a lot this week, I need to clean my apartment, I wanted to meet up with my friends, etc.’ But what if I said that, after we’re done feeding the community, we’ll go get our own food at a restaurant, network with other professionals who helped us, and one of them works in the corporate offices of Bank of America? Now, it becomes something much more interesting for that grad who is looking to grow in their field.”

Even before becoming involved in Echelon, Danny had worked with The Salvation Army through his company Thinklite, which has donated face masks, air safety monitoring devices, and air purification machines to the Army’s summer Camp Wonderland in Massachusetts. He wishes that the opportunities Echelon provides had been around a decade ago when he was younger.

“Our grandfather taught us that we cannot give everything to everyone, but when you realize that you have an opportunity to give something to someone, it is your duty and responsibility to do so,” says Danny.

The Salvation Army’s biggest edge over other organizations is the people behind it, says Danny. Bringing in top–tier people through the Echelon chapters will only enhance that reputation.

“There’s no place that has the volume of like–minded and like–hearted individuals as The Salvation Army. Donors come to events and see that the people aren’t volunteering just off the Army name; they truly want to make the most impact and ‘do the most good’ in their community. That’s who we want in Echelon.

“Plus, we’re in Boston, a college town filled with young, bright professionals and grads,” says Danny. “If you can’t have a great Echelon chapter here, where can you have it?”

Neetu Wadhwani and her brother Danny are members of the Massachusetts Echelon chapter.