VOL. 10 NO. 1, 2024
“So she went out, entered a field and began to
glean
behind the harvesters.” — Ruth 2:3
Times are tough.
We're here to help. For more information visit easternusa.salvationarmy.org/use/pathway-of-hope
Pathway of Hope uses a client-centered case management approach to empower families and address barriers preventing them from becoming more self-sufficient. By breaking the cycle of crisis with our community partners, it offers a hand up instead of a handout, enabling a path out of poverty.
CONTENTS
VOLUME 10
WHO WE ARE |8 |
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People Commissioners Ralph and Susan Bukiewicz share their vision.
|10 |
NUMBER 1
Faith in Action
Students at Asbury University reflect on the lasting impact of last year’s spiritual awakening.
History SAconnects magazine celebrates its 10th anniversary.
|11 | Programs Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding have become tools of ministry in upstate New York.
RECOVERY | 21 | Feature Paul A. Jordan talks from prison about his hope for the future.
| 25 | Thrift Store Finds Give your home a new look with a painting, framed print, or movie poster from your local Salvation Army store.
LIVING | 26 | Spiritual Life Development What is the most important New Year’s resolution? It’s the one that must come first.
| 28 | Community This Pittsburgh choice pantry is providing healthy food options as a bridge to making deeper connections.
| 30 | Book Review Linda Evans
| 31 |
COVER: ERWAN HESRY/UNSPLASH
Health Seasonal affective disorder can cause your mood to change with the time of year.
SEVASTI LEVENIOTI
Shepherd talks about choosing joy when all else fails.
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| 32| Volunteer Spotlight A basketball coach from Newark, N.J., knows the importance of mentors and role models.
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3 From the Editor 5 Who We Are 6 Snapshot
Cover Story The Bible teaches us about caring for the poor. Are we listening?
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When the temper ature goes down, we step up. During cold weather, The Salvation Army provides emergency shelters and services to those in need. This winter, consider supporting our efforts.
Your warmth could lead to someone else’s.
1-800-SAL-ARMY
disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
To learn more or give, scan this code.
FROM THE EDITOR
FOUNDER William Booth
“ Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord…”
GENERAL Lyndon Buckingham TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz
—Proverbs 20:23a, ESV
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 COPY EDITOR / PROOFREADER Donna L. Ng ART DIRECTOR Reginald Raines PUBLICATION CONTENT MANAGER AND DESIGNER Lea La Notte Greene GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Dave Hulteen Jr., Joe Marino, Karena Lin 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.
Member since 2015 Award winner 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
SAconnects is published by The Salvation Army USA’s Eastern Territory. Bulk rate is $12.00 per issue for 25–100 copies. Subscriptions are available. Write to: SAconnects, The Salvation Army, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. Vol. 10, No. 1, 2024. Printed in USA. Postmaster: Send all address changes to: SAconnects, 440 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994–1739. SAconnects accepts advertising. Copyright © 2024 by The Salvation Army, USA Eastern Territory. Articles may be reprinted only with written permission. All scripture references are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless indicated otherwise.
www.saconnects.org | @saconnects
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WARREN L. MAYE Editor in Chief
Recently I had the thrill of watching a trapeze artist walk a high wire from one side of a circus tent to the other. She held a long beam in her hands that offered stability and helped maintain the delicate balance so critical to her safety and success. She was part of a group act, but in that moment, she was on her own, with no net to break a potential fall. Her solo performance seemed to last forever. I thought, will she hold steady? I would have loved to know what was going through her mind. When the young woman finally reached the other side, exuberant music played, colorful lights flashed, the crowd roared, and I breathed again. In every aspect of our lives, balance is key, from managing our personal finances to culti vating our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues; from sustaining the ecosys tem to supporting a global economy. Seeking balance when it comes to equity, justice, and harmony is important to us and to God. Today, we are experiencing an economic imbalance in society unlike anything in recent years. So, in this issue of SAconnects, we’ve focused on what The Salvation Army is doing to help address income inequality in “Gleaning and Giving.” Other stories explore how a food pantry in Pittsburgh, Pa., is addressing a commu nity’s lack of healthy food choices; one man’s perspective on how we look at people who are incarcerated and diagnosed as mentally ill; and how a group of students on a college campus in Kentucky are balancing their pursuit of academic rigor with their need for spiritual renewal. When we see someone attempt the diffi cult balancing act of providing for their families—taking each step carefully like the trapeze artist above—we feel compassion, sympathy, and empathy. We understand what it’s like and watch with bated breath. If you feel today as if you’re walking a high wire through life without a net, read the stories inside for hope and strength and know that God’s got you.
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JOIN THE
FIGHT FOR
FREEDOM
To learn more about how The Salvation Army fights human trafficking, and how you can help, scan this QR code.
If you or someone you know needs help, call: 888-373-7888
WHO WE ARE
Did you know?
The two-step hand loom, invented by Salvation Army Major Frank Maxwell, was fast to use, and an integral part of Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi self-sufficiency movement for Indian communities. While incarcerated in Bombay, Gandhi ELLIOTT FRY/ WIKIMEDIA
also attended Bible classes
FREEPIK
hosted by The Salvation Army.
2,500 brass bands
The Salvation Army Missing Persons program
That’s about how many The Salvation Army has worldwide. The first formed by happenstance in 1878 in Salisbury, U.K., when musician Charles William Fry and his three sons offered to protect Army street preachers from rabble-rousers. When not actively defending the Salvationists, the Frys played music on their brass instruments. Founder William Booth realized the effectiveness of such music, and the practice spread. Since the 1920s, a Salvation Army brass band from Southern California has marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
FREEPIK
began in 1885 as “Mrs. Booth’s Enquiry Bureau.” This international social service seeks to bring family members who’ve lost contact back together. The program now receives around 2,000 inquiries, opens 600 cases, and locates about 350 people each year.
Several pro athletes, including Julius “Dr. J” Erving, LeBron James, and Freddie Freeman, got their start playing in Salvation Army facilities or attending church there.
COURTESY OF THE SALVATION ARMY RED BANK CORPS
DONOR CORNER
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In December of 2022, Ryan Clark of Red Bank, N.J., celebrated his seventh birthday, but there was another important number for him that year: 202. That was the number of pounds of food that Ryan donated to The Salvation Army of Red Bank. Every year for his birthday, Ryan runs a donation drive with the help of his family, friends, and neighbors. Ryan then chooses a different local agency to be the recipient, and in 2022, he chose his local Salvation Army. “We are so blessed that he chose us,” says Lizbeth Rizzo, social services case manager at the Red Bank Corps. For his birthday in 2023, Ryan and his family once again held a donation drive for the Red Bank Salvation Army, this time collect ing toys. Ryan says he likes knowing that what he does goes to help others. “The toys and food will make other people, who don’t have much, very happy,” says Ryan. “We couldn’t be prouder of Ryan and his unique ability to see the importance of giving at such a young age,” says Marissa Clark, Ryan’s mother. “He’s choosing kindness and generosity in a world that certainly could use more of it.”
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WHO WE ARE SNAPSHOT
‘ Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
AUSTIN WIDEMAN/THE SALVATION ARMY GREATER NEW YORK DIVISION
—MATTHEW 25:40
They say that at any given moment, we pretend not to see, hear, feel, or smell something around us. It’s a reflex. A mechanism of self-preservation, a way of getting through our discomfort. Be it on the street, on the train, or in a room, we reason that to do anything else would be inappropriate, awkward, or downright dangerous. But the truth is, we do see, and many times we deeply care. In those moments, God calls us to sense His presence and be prepared to do something. Such was the case during the Don’t Walk By outreach effort, co-sponsored by The Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division (GNY). During this annual event, teams of volunteers walk around New York City seeking people with no home. Team members saw a man on the street and offered him water, a snack, and a hygiene kit. They also invited him into the nearby Harlem Temple Corps Community Center to receive a warm meal and medical care. On Feb. 24, GNY will again part ner with Rescue Alliance members— The Bowery Mission, City Relief, and Hope for New York—for the 2024 Don’t Walk By outreach day in Manhattan. The GNY divisional headquarters on 14th Street will be the hub, and food, hygiene items, medical attention, and transportation to a nearby shelter will be provided to anyone in need. In this new year, take a moment to answer God’s call.
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WHO WE ARE PEOPLE
Introducing Commissioners Ralph & Susan Bukiewicz Get to know our territorial leaders as they settle into their new roles Interviews by HUGO BRAVO
Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz, territorial commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, talks about how being the eyes for his sightless parents prepared him to be a visionary leader, how serving around the globe has changed his perspective, and why he is passionate about the mission to equip people with the Word of God. I was born into a family where both of my parents were blind. Wherever they went, it was the responsibility of my sister and me to communicate for them. As a young boy, I wasn’t always sure how to do it, but it required that I describe things in visual ways. In recent years, I see that the definition of minis try is to communicate to a world through spiritual eyes. Ministry leaders describe the indescrib able to people by articulating that which is difficult to put into words. So, they try and live it out in front of them. I see now that God, who redeems all things, was really preparing me for a life of ministry.
I was deployed as the public information officer in New York City after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, I was serving in Flint, Mich., but I was honored to be given the opportunity to coordinate with news stations and national networks that tran scended divisions or territories. I remember coming back every night to where the officers were staying and scrubbing the dirt and mud off my uniform to make it presentable for the next day. I could have worn Emergency Disaster Services T-shirts, vests, or jackets to work, but I really felt the need to wear the Salvation Army uniform. It was not about me; it was about that which I represented.
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COURTESY OF THE SALVATION ARMY CENTRAL TERRITORY
Having experienced 32 countries in our travels, Susan and I like to say that we’ve been “ruined in the most wonderful way.” By that, we mean that our Western sensibilities, values, and ways of doing things don’t always line up to where we find ourselves. In desperate situations, you don’t always have the resources or even a collaborative effort. But that’s where we’ve seen the strength of the human spirit
and the resourcefulness of God’s people. We’ve seen the provisions where those loaves and fishes have been multiplied repeatedly. It’s given us a unique perspective of what God wants to do in the hearts and lives of His people and through their life experiences. That’s excit ing, and it’s what we mean by “the most wonderful way.” The heartbeat of our calling, minis try, and mission is our growing relationship with Christ. We serve in a time where culture controls the narrative, differ ences result in divisiveness, and a search for significance leads some to ignore the only source of Truth and reject the only hope of Redemption. We are passion ate about seeing God’s people discipled and equipped with His Word, understanding how God speaks into their greatest needs— whether in a place of private pain, broken relationships, hope less situations, or open conflict. We are honored to serve alongside so many who bring rich heritage, great experience, and passion ate hearts to our mission. We will join the efforts of prayer warriors who are touching God’s heart every day. We’ll support the work of compas sionate soldiers who are serv ing and sacrificing for the sake of their hurting neighbors. We’ll keep pace with our enthusiastic youth as they discover how God is moving in their lives, their homes, and their future. And we’ll see and celebrate how God is transforming us every day into His likeness. We’re eager to see what God will do as we stand together on His Word and help ignite a greater love for Himself, His Word—and His people.
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Commissioner Susan Bukiewicz, territorial president of women’s ministries and territorial leader for officer development for The Salvation Army USA East, talks about why ministering in Eastern Europe made her see Jesus’ sacrifice with new eyes, the responsibilities that came with building the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers, and how her parents are unique representations of the Army’s mission. My mother, Alberta, was introduced to The Salvation Army by two girls from the Rockford Citadel Corps in Illinois. They were high school friends and invited her to Girl Guards. She became a soldier and eventually a single officer in Detroit. Meanwhile, my father, John Cunard, had enlisted in the Navy at 17 and came home with a terrible alcohol addiction. The captain from the Harbor Light Center in Detroit found my father passed out in the gutter on skid row. With some help, he dragged my father inside Harbor Light, where he was saved. As his faith grew, he decided to give back to The Salvation Army. He saw a note on the bulletin board seek ing someone to drive the Sunday school bus for a local corps. When he went to offer his services, a beautiful lieutenant in her fifth year of officership opened the door; my father instantly fell in love with her, and John eventu ally went into officer training and married Alberta. My mom and dad represent two unique traits of The Salvation Army: those who serve our mission, and those who have been saved by it. My parents were great encouragers for my four sisters and me. They didn’t talk to us about officer ship but stressed the importance of doing what God was calling us to do, whether we became doctors, bankers, or social work ers. I knew from an early age that God’s plan for me meant serving
Him in The Salvation Army. I wanted my own path to be differ ent at first, but when I found that I couldn’t wait for my workday to end so I could go to my corps and help, it was like a light went off in my head and heart. It was at my corps that I felt the greatest joy. That’s when my calling clarified. My four sisters and I have all had different experiences of hearing and understanding God’s call to this vocation. But we all found that officership was the place for each of us to be Christ’s broken bread and outpoured wine in this world. My mom and dad exhib ited the nobility and grace of officership. Oh, how I’ve wanted to emulate that in my service. There have been moments for Ralph and me when the Heavens open and we have the chance to directly impact lives. One of those times was when we were appointed as community rela tions and development secretar ies of the Central Territory, just as The Salvation Army received a donation to develop the Kroc community centers from the Kroc family. Our territorial commander asked us to develop a mechanism to open these centers with the mandate that they’d be places of ministry. We knew anything that would come from this gift would be 100 percent God, zero percent Ralph and Susan. It was a journey in which we found skills in ourselves we didn’t know we had.
We’ve always been committed to World Services, but the concept that Jesus died for the whole world became real to me in Moldova. I spoke at a women’s camp and was excited to see that they had created little “busi nesses.” One group gave hair cuts in the village, another did sewing. What blessed me the most was the realization that money they made from their talents went back to World Services. These women were both recipients and providers of our help. It reminded me of the partnership of my mom and dad. And of me and Ralph. He was a recipient of Salvation Army service, and my family provided service. It’s a beautiful thing. We call ourselves global believers. As Salvationists, we have the responsibility and resources to serve every population globally and to the best of our abilities. I feel a settling in my spirit as we come to the Eastern Territory. This is not just a place to live but a spiritual home, with people to minister to, to serve, to love. Our move here caught us by surprise, but Ralph and Susan are in God’s hands. We are confident in His love which will not let us go, and we stand on the Word of God. More than anything, we want to make Jesus and His mission famous. We’re ready to join those who are ministering and serving, join hands and hearts, and move this mission forward!
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WHO WE ARE HISTORY
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
Our 10th Anniversary During this time of reflection and celebration, we are grateful for God’s blessings
Excitement filled our hearts the day we began the rollout of a new multimedia, multi lingual magazine designed to reach people with the love of Christ. Its name, SAconnects, implied that it was also intended to link you, our reader, to everything about The Salvation Army and beyond. Our plan was to connect you to a diverse community of believers through English, Spanish, and Korean languages, in print and online. Ten years on, we continue to bring you relevant takes on ministry, music, and history, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual health. Our “Faith in Action” and “Who We Are” departments have introduced you to a spectrum of unique programs, experiences, and personalities. Stories about people in recovery from addiction and depression have inspired others who also struggle. Lifestyle stories on spiritual life development and a vari ety of topics have informed and motivated readers to make transformative decisions. The Evangelical Press Association, the world’s most recognized professional organization in the Christian periodical publishing industry, awarded SAconnects with its 2023 Award of Excellence (first place) for denominational magazines in the United States. Competing in a field of about 40 magazines, SAconnects has won
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— 2 Chronicles 15:7
by WARREN L. MAYE
more than 40 awards in the past nine years. One judge recently remarked, “Creatively and practically, this publication fulfills its mission of encouraging readers toward the ‘ministry of presence.’”
Surviving tough times COVID-19 necessitated the closure of all Salvation Army churches and thrift stores and the lockdown of its adult rehabilita tion and elder care centers. As they also served as the primary distribution points for SAconnects, these closures resulted in the suspension of our print production. The frustration of this new reality, and the fear of not knowing when it would end, chal lenged our staff to discover innovative ways to reach readers exclusively online. Our primary mission became to report on The Salvation Army’s largest food distribu tion, emotional and spiritual care counseling, and social justice ministries in its history. Other social issues also came to the fore. The murder of a former Salvation Army employee, George Floyd, resulted in a global movement for justice and equality. Our coverage of shouting voices and marching feet had to be sensitive, honest, and heartfelt as we fulfilled the Army’s mission to “meet human needs without discrimination.” But amid the death, disease, and unrest
that upended the world, something good happened too. Our magazine writers, graphic designers, videographers, photog raphers, and social media team proved we could communicate across multiple plat forms and reach a broader audience with God’s message of hope, and our staff grew closer personally and spiritually, even while working from home. God humbled us to keep our eyes focused on Him. In the process, our message of unity, as well as our commitment to racial, national, and cultural diversity, came to frui tion in ways we did not imagine when we launched the magazine. Thanks to God and your support, we emerged as a true reflec tion of what The Salvation Army is all about. As we go forward into 2024 and beyond, our prayer is that you will see SAconnects as your magazine. The truth is, though, we do not intend for you to be the end user of this publication. Indeed, if you take the opportunity to share it with others, you powerfully launch your own ministry of presence. In an act of God-inspired generosity, you can help us stay connected to each other and to the rest of the world. May we be encouraged as Asa was when he heard these words, from 2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
WHO WE ARE PROGRAMS
Captain Bree Barker, a longtime snowboarder and skier, knows that those winter sports provide lessons in perseverance. “When you start, you are going to fall a lot. And when you fall in the cold snow with your skis or snowboard, and all your heavy gear on you, it’s a task just to get back up,” says Barker, a pastor at the Troy Temple Corps in upstate New York. Despite their challenges, snowboard ing and skiing are good sports for network ing—building connections with people who can help one’s future. But Barker knows that supplies and lessons are too costly for most families, and Salvation Army children are not usually exposed to these types of activities. “I’ve been doing it for years and it’s expensive even for me. But I’ve seen incred ible things happen when children try some thing new,” says Barker. “Oftentimes when they start something that is hard for them, they give up. But perseverance is needed in life. It’s never fun to fall, but staying down isn’t much fun either.” Barker brought those life lessons from the slopes to a new ministry while serving at The Salvation Army in Saratoga Springs. “Through the local Elks Lodge, I learned about SkiWithMe, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach kids to ski and snow board, and provide them opportunities to become certified ski instructors who can teach anywhere in the country. Also, the director of SkiWithMe is a Christian who wanted to work with groups that aren’t afraid to openly share their faith.” In the winter of 2021, SkiWithMe and The Salvation Army had their first ski day at Willard Mountain in Washington County, N.Y. The Saratoga Springs Corps provided the winter clothing for the
SACONNECTS.ORG
by HUGO BRAVO
children, and SkiWithMe brought instruc tors. Willard Mountain donated the entry fee and ski rentals. “Our first event lasted only one day with about 10 kids. But everyone learned a lot in that one day of skiing,” says Barker. The following year, Barker was in Albany, N.Y., and the program was open to Salvation Army churches in Albany, Buffalo, Troy, and Saratoga Springs. Snowboarding lessons were added for older children, and the program increased from one day to three weeks of lessons for 35 children. “I remember one child was so excited when he finally went down the bunny slope without falling. Even the first time he got up by himself made him feel so proud,” says Barker. “There are also unique opportunities for one-on-one ministry,” she adds. “There’s a lot of time spent on the ski lift as you’re being taken back up the slope for your next ride down. It opens up moments for conversation.” Barker recalls a young girl who had a reputation for being disruptive joining the program, even though some had feared that having her on the slope would be dangerous. But after her lessons, the instructors mentioned how well she had behaved. She had even interacted with them and asked questions. “She was presented with an opportu nity to do something out of her realm, and it changed her,” says Barker. “When you take kids like her from their normal environment to a snowy hill or a mountain for the first time, they realize that there’s so much more in the world they have yet to experience.”
Did you ‘snow’ that … The word ski derives from the Old Norse word skíð, which means a split piece of wood. Snowboarding was originally called snurfing, a mix of snow and surfing. Skiing is one of the fastest nonmotorized sports on land. French speed skier Simon Billy set a world record in March 2023, reaching 158.76 miles per hour. Philippe Billy, Simon’s father, once held the record in 1997. Snowboarding was introduced to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Today there are 11 separate events in Olympic snowboarding, such as the men’s and women’s halfpipe, parallel giant slalom, and big air. The United States has won the most medals in snowboarding at 35, with 17 of those being gold.
ENVATO
Ministry on the Slopes
Astronaut Harrison Schmitt, an avid skier, said astronauts traveling to the moon should learn cross-country skiing as part of their training to make walking on the moon easier. He even imagined that one day, there could be lunar skiing holidays in resorts on the moon. American athlete Red Gerard became the youngest snowboarding champion in Olympic history when he won the gold medal at age 17 in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Snowboarding has had a direct influence on modern skiing. Snowboarders made activities such as slopestyle and halfpipe popular first. Twin-tip skis, which make balancing and turning easier for beginner skiers, came from a snowboard’s curved design.
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WHO WE ARE FAITH IN ACTION
by MAJOR PAUL CAIN
MAJOR ALMA CAIN
The Asbury Outpouring, One Year Later
For more than two weeks last February, the Asbury University campus was transformed—and the global effects of the event are still evident
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n February of 2023, a small group of praying students expanded to include an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 visitors from all over the United States and nearly 40 countries. They came to witness what is known among Christians as an outpouring—the moving of the Holy Spirit. During this 16-day period, millions of others followed along on social media’s TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Students from Generation Z were especially drawn to the event, journeying to Asbury University in Wilmore, Ky., from more than 240 colleges and universities. Testimonies of new conversions to Christ, physi cal and emotional healings, broken chains of addiction, reconciliation, and deeper commitments to God were some of the immediate results among students and campus visitors. In the days and weeks immediately following the outpouring, many Asbury students and faculty members traveled throughout the United States and to other countries to give testimony of what the Lord did in their lives. So, what’s happening now? To answer that question, Major Paul Cain, director of The Salvation Army Student Center at Asbury University, asked students about their biggest takeaways from the outpouring, how it had changed them, and how it had influenced their summer ministries, as well as what changes they witnessed on the Asbury campus when they returned in the fall.
Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
Christian Harris It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are, God is accepting of everyone— especially when you’re at your lowest and farthest from Him. I am so much closer to God. I can help others find and accept God in a way I was never able to before. My heart is now prepared to accept God’s call on my life. When I came back to school this fall, it seemed like everyone was so excited to be here. It seems much easier to connect with God during our chapel services.
Bobilyn Carr God’s love is way beyond anything I could have imagined. I am much more understanding of who God is. I’m striving to go deeper with Him. I am not satisfied with superficial faith. I became more of a “love thy neighbor” person—not just in words, but in action. People have become more open with their faith. Our time in chapel has become more lingering in God’s presence.
I graduated in the spring and now am enrolled at Asbury Seminary. I’ve met students there whose lives and callings were changed because of the outpouring. As the outpouring was happening, it seemed that sharing our faith with others was so natu ral. That continued this fall. It just seems so natural to talk about God with whomever.
Michael Gilliam We realized the importance of a relationship with God. We can worship in any setting such as in a beautiful building like Hughes Auditorium or outside on the green. Any place with God is sacred. I have a deeper relationship with God. I now realize I have constant contact with Him, and I can always worship. This summer, I began to see how God’s plans are so much better than our own. Campus life feels more united. There really appears to be a better understanding of the need to create time for God.
The heart of God was clear to all, believ ers and nonbelievers. I realized how much God honors our obedience. My desire to love others has been accelerated. I am more open to be vulnerable and to be about God’s work.
COURTESY OF ASBURY UNIVERSITY
Thousands of students came from around the country and around the world to Asbury’s Kentucky campus.
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Andrew Johnson We are wasting time and resources on meaningless things. We must change our perspectives to see the way God sees. I’ve given up things in my life that were harmful to me. I don’t even have any inter est in them anymore. God took away the pursuits that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. There was a huge incoming freshman class, and so many of them are eager to hear the stories from the outpouring. I think this semester, we share closer bonds, more openness, and more vulnerability among the student body.
Donovan Chung Emma Bell
Lena Marlowe
God. I recognized God’s work in their lives in the same way He was renewing and recharg ing the faith of the students back on campus. People are still talking about the revival. We are all hoping for God to keep pouring.
God’s voice has never been so loud to me and so many other students. Since the outpouring, I have been open to hear and respond to God’s voice. I am striv ing to recognize the voice of God and act on it. At camp [Paradise Valley in Tennessee], I was able to focus on the children who knew
After the revival, the campus felt like it was alive. It kind of felt dead before. I was a counselor at Camp Grandview in Georgia. I was so much more patient with the children—it was a miracle. Most people want to continue to get closer to God. There are more spontaneous gatherings [on campus] to worship and share testimonies.
Liam Probasco It showed me how much that people are hungry for God. When He poured His spirit out, people responded. Not just here on campus, but all over the world. I helped lead worship at our denomina tion’s camp meetings. The hunger for God led to more spontaneous worship. The young people were so much more serious about their faith. The freshman class was not only larger than previous ones, but they also seem to be more aware of what God could be in their lives. God shows up when He is welcome, and He is always welcome at Asbury!
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gleaning and giving by ROBERT MITCHELL
The Bible has a lot to say about caring for the poor, and it’s up to us to live out its teachings
“ When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain
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from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for
ajor Sue Wittenberg grew up in a family of eight in Kendall, N.Y., a small town on Lake Ontario. Her parents had lost their jobs, home, and car amid the instability of the 1970s, but her father found a position in Kendall as caretaker at The Salvation Army’s Camp Troutburg. “We were surrounded by farms and many of the farmers, after meeting my dad and knowing our story, began to bring Scripture alive to me. My first memory of this was when a green bean truck upended, and bushels of beans were given to us. I have memories —Deuteronomy 24:19, NLT of gathering apples, strawberries, and corn, when the season was coming to an end.” Only 10 years old, Wittenberg thought it was fun to gather up food, but looking back to that summer of 1974, she sees dignity and honor. “We had to put our hands to it and claim our items, but I never felt shame,” she recalls. “I felt a connection with this commu nity, and I felt love. This action by our new neighbors helped us get over the hump and inequality—the gap between the wealthy and the poor—had on our feet, and it forever left an indeli reached “alarming levels” not seen in the United States since the ble impression that I want to pay forward.” Roaring ’20s, when the top 1% of households earned nearly 24% Wittenberg, now the USA Eastern of all income. According to History.com, in 1928, 60% of families Territory’s social justice secretary, sees a made $2,000 or less, which would be about $36,000 today. Income parallel between her childhood, the Old inequality fell from the late 1920s to the 1970s but has since been Testament law of caring for the poor, and increasing nearly every year. The Economic Policy Institute said today’s issue of income inequality. In 2022, average annual wages in 2020 for the bottom 90% of wage earners Forbes magazine reported that income were $40,085. In The Salvation Army’s USA Eastern Territory, Trenton, N.J., was ranked No. 3 in income inequality among cities with popula tions of at least 50,000 people in 2022, according to Forbes, while New York City was No. 16. Similar surveys in recent years have listed the Ohio cities of Cleveland and Cincinnati among the most unequal when it comes to income. While The Salvation Army employs a liaison to Capitol Hill to influence public policy, the Bible has a lot to say about income inequality and how Christians should treat the “least of these.” Wittenberg cites such verses as Leviticus 19:10, where the Israelites were instructed to provide for the poor: “Do not go over your vine yard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.” “God set up the guidelines and directives for the practice of gleaning as a way to feed the poor,” Wittenberg says. “A farmer would leave some of his crop in the fields and afterward the poor, including the fatherless, widows, and foreigners, would gather the leftover crops for their own sustenance.”
the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the
Lord your God will bless
EVGENIY PROKOFIEV/UNSPLASH
you in all you do.”
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“ One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.’ Naomi replied, ‘All right, my daughter, go ahead.’ So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz.” —Ruth 2:2–3, NLT
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Returning to Deuteronomy, Wittenberg cited the rest of the verse: “When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.” Wittenberg sees a 21st-century connection today through food deserts—geographic areas where residents have few or no convenient options for securing affordable and healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. The only options for many of the poor in the United States are corner stores or bodegas with microwavable and packaged junk food, making things even more difficult for those who are hungry and in need of true nutrition. “These deserts are disproportionately spiritual climate as well,” she says. “The neighborhood has together found in high-poverty areas, and The Salvation gotten over the food desert hump when they began to meet, walk Army often fills the gap at soup kitchens together, and care for and help each other.” and food pantries with food from farms and Wittenberg says The Salvation Army can “extend transforma grocery stores,” Wittenberg said. “Food deserts tional value to our communities” by “extending hands and heart in create extra, everyday hurdles that can make it the name of Jesus Christ. The deserts turn to springs of life.” harder for kids, families, and communities to Major Martha Bone, the USA Eastern Territory’s social minis grow healthy and strong.” tries secretary, notes that Jesus once said, “The poor you will The Salvation Army can mitigate food always have with you, but you will not always have me” in Matthew deserts and live out Old Testament “glean 26:11, but that doesn’t mean we stop showing compassion and help ing” not only through food pantries and ing people do better. soup kitchens, but also by growing produce “While the Scripture says the poor will always be with us, on-site for distribution. Wittenberg has I think it’s also clear that we have a responsibility to those who also seen the presence of a Ray & Joan Kroc are less fortunate than us,” Bone says. “And can’t we always find, Corps Community Center help transform regardless of the need, someone less fortunate than we are?” a neighborhood in Chicago, where two Bone points out that Jesus could often be found gathering with grocery stores opened and were sustained. the “sick and the poor and the hurting. I think we’re called to do “There were other benefits I could see so as well.” She oversees The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope with the naked eye and deep within the program, which uses intensive case management to end genera tional poverty by setting goals for clients to obtain increased income, better housing, and education. “My elevator speech about Pathway of Hope all the time is that in The Salvation Army, I was called to serve the poor and those in need. That was an actual calling on my life when God called me to ministry,” she says, “but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love for The Salvation Army to work ourselves out of a job. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we got to the point we no longer need food pantries? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we no longer needed to help people with rent or utility assistance?”
“ And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.’ ” —Luke 12:16–21
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“ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.” —1 Timothy 6:10–12
Jesus told those blessed with money to share it with the poor. In Mark 10:21, for example, Jesus told the rich young ruler in part to “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor.” Bone calls the Parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12 a perfect example of a covetous mindset. The fool had so much, he built bigger barns for his crops, rather than giving the surplus away. “Anything I have is because God granted it to me, so, if it’s not mine, why am I holding on so tightly to it? I can’t take it with me. The more I have won’t grant me a better place in Heaven,” Bone says. “There is a danger in hoarding for ourselves. The covetous mindset says that what I have is mine and I need to get more so I can have more and me, the kingdom of God is about. They’re in a better position to see it. me, me, me. None of it should be about me, I think this is really subversive to the kind of system we live in to and what we have is a blessing, none of say people suffering from poverty can understand God’s kingdom which I deserve, but I’ve been blessed with.” better than me. It’s right there.” Aimee Patterson, a consultant in In North America, we tend to look at Scripture on poverty in a Christian ethics with The Salvation Army “very Western-privileged way,” Patterson says. “I think this is largely Ethics Centre in Canada, notes how the due to the fact we still have a class system that’s based on privilege Apostle Paul says, “the love of money is the coming from things like ethnicity or nationality or gender or reli root of all kinds of evil” in 1 Timothy and gion. When we have a system based on wealth and income, we know urges people to “flee” from it and “be rich that there’s a disparity between access to things like quality educa in good deeds.” In Matthew 19, Jesus said it tion and health care and other kinds of support. People are used to would be “easier for a camel to go through the idea that the wealthy stay wealthy, and the poor stay poor. the eye of a needle than for someone who is “Because of the kind of society we live in, we kind of expect God rich to enter the kingdom of God.” will keep us happy as long as we follow faithfully and pray to God. We “He doesn’t say it’s wrong to be wealthy,” don’t expect to suffer economic poverty, yet we know that plenty of Patterson says. “He just says it’s going to be people who follow Jesus in Scripture suffered from economic poverty.” hard for you to get into Heaven.” In Scripture, God sides with the lowly and powerless over the In Luke 6:20–21, Jesus told the crowds, wealthy and powerful. Just one example is God helping lowly slaves “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is overcome the powerful and wealthy Pharaoh in the Old Testament. the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who “God sides with the people who have nothing,” she says. “He hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” hears them. There are special provisions for these people. “Why is Jesus saying this?” Patterson “I think God is taking a moral stance that leads to Him caring asks. “I think He’s trying to say that those for the poor and to remind us of our moral responsibility to care for among us who are living in conditions the poor. It’s not just us giving them things when they need it, it’s of impoverishment are the ones who get about treating people as equals. When we treat people as equals, it. They understand that there is more to we want them to have the same privileges that we have. We don’t human life than wealth and riches. There’s want them suffering from poverty. It’s about paying attention to the more to the kingdom of God than money. slaves rather than the wealthy.” “The poor get it. They understand what Patterson says many churchgoing Salvationists “never take part in social services” or meet the poor, holding the downtrodden at arm’s length. They get “self-satisfied with that,” she worries, and complacent.
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Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
“ Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.” —Luke 6:20–21
Most of the world knows The Salvation Army for its love, compassion, and human services, but many don’t recognize the organization as a church. Patterson would like not only to see the two entities more integrated but to “identify human equality as a part of how God has created us.” “If we’re all loved by God and created in God’s image, we need to treat each other as equals,” she says. “That means not only in our day-to-day encounters with people who are impoverished or disa dvantaged, but it also involves confronting the kind of class system we have that keeps the econ omy moving in ways that advantage some over others, that keeps the rich wealthy and Captain Alan Porchetti, who leads The Salvation Army in the poor impoverished.” Trenton, N.J., says he saw the Forbes article listing his city as No. 3 The Salvation Army locations deal with in income inequality and was not surprised. poverty daily but are not involved much “Thank God we’re not No. 1 or No. 2,” he says. “We do see income in the why of income inequality. Officers inequality a lot. It’s unfortunate. There is a big difference between (ministers) and staffers, often motivated wages here. It’s about 80% or 85% low-income. I really do not see a by Matthew 25’s admonition to care for the middle class, especially in this part of Trenton. “least of these,” get up every day and help “There is income inequality, but we’re still here. That’s one of the hurting and hungry at the low-income the reasons The Salvation Army is in Trenton, to fill that need and end of the spectrum. void for families.” Porchetti says Trenton, like many U.S. cities, is plagued by opioids and the future is a “little blurry.” He says The Salvation Army is “strong when it comes to empowering people” so they can get into the workforce by offering English as a second language classes. The church has an active food pantry, and a canteen goes out every Friday and serves 300 meals. Clients can find utility and rent assistance and after-school programs. The food pantry also offers basics such as diapers, formula, personal care items, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent.
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“ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” —Matthew 14:19
Major Jonathan Jackson, the divisional secretary for Newark Area Services in New Jersey, says he sees income inequality up close. “As for The Salvation Army in Newark, we feel we can speak into it in the workforce development community,” he says. “We’ve taken steps to partner with the city of Newark’s workforce develop ment in several ways just to help close some of those income gaps.” Jackson says one program teaches trades to men just released from prison. Another helps women become general contractors. However, it’s the younger generation that he hopes to change. “The way we’re speaking to it is through youth development programs,” he says. “We’re hoping that they will stay in school and get an education that can lead to good jobs. That has been our vision for the last few years. We want to solve poverty through children.” substance abuse to help people stay healthy and be productive Karen Cotugno, director of social members of society. services for the Greater New York Division “Often, we find in areas of poverty, people don’t maintain (GNY), says the division has relaunched its their health,” Cotugno says. “They don’t utilize physicians. They Pathway of Hope program and is now work wait until they’re very sick and they go to the ER and then they’re ing with 18 families. hospitalized. We want to make sure people are working with local “We want to make sure those who are in physicians, keeping appointments, and taking the medications poverty have a way out if they have a desire prescribed to them.” to do so,” Cotugno says. Karen Brauer, the director of social services for the Northeast GNY partners with those who are on Ohio Division, says income inequality is a problem in certain pock parole and probation to help them find ets of greater Cleveland, but the problem goes beyond that. work. Operation Ceasefire, in conjunction “The need is prevalent throughout our five locations here in with the New York City Police Department, Cleveland,” Brauer says. “We are feeding the poor and low-income helps those who want to leave gang life every day. Based on the numbers coming to our food pantries, we and find work. GNY also offers a huge definitely see a need. When we look at the population that we serve number of social ser vices programs and the basic needs we’re providing of food, shelter, utilities, and including food pantries and soup kitchens, clothing, certainly we see that there is great need. along with three homeless shelters. The “Our doors are open. Our food pantries are busy, our soup kitch Essential Community Solutions program ens are busy, our utility program is always happening. When the provides care management for those with grants are available, the clients are at our doors. We don’t have to chronic illness, mental health issues, and look for clients; they’re there every day.” Porchetti, recalling Jesus’ feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, says He started with something anyone can do. “It took prayer,” Porchetti says. “Jesus did that because there was a need. When we see there is a need, we like to empower people. We’re here to fulfill the need, but you’ve also got to put your positive spiri tual side into it. You’ve got to do something for yourself. The Salvation Army is not only here to supply for your needs, but we’re also here to help you in a spiritual manner. That’s why we’re a church.”
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Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
RECOVERY
SOLDIER INSIDE ON THE
by WARREN L. MAYE
Locked behind bars, Paul A. Jordan is determined to answer God’s call
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. —Romans 12:2
“I
have learned how to listen for the voice of God and say ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit. That is what’s been leading me on this journey,” said Paul A. Jordan, a former firefighter and Emergency Disaster Services employee for The Salvation Army in Pennsylvania. “I never thought that I’d end up in prison, but I am here. But while I’m here, I’m hearing the voice and reading the word of God.”
A call unanswered Jordan, now 34, first heard God’s call when he was a young Salvationist of 12 years old. “I was at summer camp, and I still remem ber the theme. It was Romans 12:2, ‘be transformed by the renew ing of your mind.’ That’s when I accepted Christ.” Some years later, young Paul attended The Salvation Army’s Youth Councils. It was
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then that he also felt the call to officership. By age 24, however, the pressures of life caused Paul to take a tragic turn. It came one day during a fit of rage at the LaMott Fire Company in Elkins Park, Pa. He got fired. The morning after, he stormed into the firehouse and took hostage four former colleagues in the basement at gunpoint. Jordan fired a shot past the head of one of them. The bullet embedded itself in a sheetrock wall. Several other firefighters escaped and called police.
received from members of the commu nity. Eventually, Jordan was sentenced: 10 to 20 years in prison with the possibility of parole in 2024.
A call renewed Today, Jordan reflects on that time with mixed feelings. “I made a stupid choice and under mental duress. But I also don’t think that this event defines me,” he said during a recent interview with SAconnects. “My dream is to be a Salvation Army
bunkbed, is also a devoted fan of the Army’s founder. “In one of my favorite quotes from William Booth, he said, ‘If I had to learn how to play trombone with my toes and walk on my head just to see one more soul saved, I would learn how to do that.’ I can relate to that, you know.” The Soldier’s Covenant is the first thing Jordan reads in the morning and the last thing he reads at night. “It reminds me of the morals that I’ve sworn to uphold before God,” he said. “I’m a soldier behind enemy lines now.”
“ I’M HEARING THE VOICE AND READING THE WORD OF GOD.” But conversations ensued, and two firefighters from another fire department found a way to carefully talk Jordan into surrendering. As armed SWAT team offi cers descended into the basement, Jordan’s fellow firefighters formed a human wall around him to make sure the police did not open fire. Mark Logan, the company’s presi dent, later said of Jordan, “He loved the job, and he was very upset that he wasn’t going to be doing it anymore.” Witnesses said the action by his colleagues protected him from harm and spoke to their remarkable concern and affection for him. “We were in there for about 45 minutes,” remembers Jordan. “I tried committing suicide and all of that.” Fortunately, no one was injured. Jordan, who had no previous criminal record, cried openly in court. The firefight ers also expressed their deep apprecia tion for the kindness and concern they
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officer one day—someone who has a wealth of knowledge about individuals who have suffered crises, and who knows how to use discernment and the Holy Spirit to help save souls.” His training in Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) work had begun when he was still a child. “When I was about 12 years old, I would rush home from school every day to help with the 9/11 stuff that was going on,” Jordan said. “They wrote an article about me on that in The War Cry magazine. That led to volunteer ing, since I was maybe 15 years old. That turned into a position for me.” He worked in EDS for seven years alongside veteran first responders as they faced tumultuous events in the Philadelphia area.
A covenant renewed Jordan, who keeps his Salvation Army Soldier’s Covenant taped to his prison
Jordan is also a certified peer counselor and an alcohol and other drug counselor. He is active in the prison’s therapeu tic community and participates in many support meetings as a teacher, preacher, instrumentalist, and Bible study leader.
An advocate for God Most important, Jordan sees himself as an advocate for men and women who are stereotyped and stigmatized for having been incarcerated and diagnosed as mentally ill. “When I first got arrested, I was going through some mental health issues myself.” Today, he wonders, if he had been in a differ ent jurisdiction, would he have been put on probation and offered more extensive mental health services instead of jail time? “I praise God today that I’m no longer on any kind of medication or anything. When I’m feeling that type of way, I turn to worship. I turn it up. Theology is my
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psychology. I had mental health issues, yes. It was a struggle, but now I’m healed. So, I use it as an example to say, ‘You can obtain the same thing, but it must be by faith.’” Pastor Tony Lewis, an envoy of The Salvation Army, and well known in the Philadelphia community, has been a mentor to Jordan during his ongoing strug gle. Lewis has grown to deeply understand Jordan’s complicated life. “I have known Paul for over 15 years,” says Lewis. “I see him as a son and me as his spiritual pastor and dad. He has called me basically every day for over eight years. “During that time, I’ve seen him grow as a godly man: spiritually, mentally, emotion ally, and in every aspect of character.” Lewis, who during his service as a Salvation Army officer has worked with many men who have faced life’s challenges, sees a hopeful future for Jordan. “I see Paul as a leader going far in the vision the Lord has given him. He is someone called to reach the mentally, spiritually, and socially impaired.” With respect to Jordan’s call to be an officer, Lewis says, “If God, in His sover eignty, desires.” Greg Maresca, who recently retired from the Department of Corrections as Jordan’s counselor, said, “Paul excelled as the best peer assistant I had in my nearly 34-year tenure. I look forward to his success.”
A day at a time These past 10 years, Jordan has also kept a diary. It contains snippets of his daily life “behind the wall.” “I’m writing throughout the day about things that come to mind,” he said, “things that the Holy Spirit shares with me.” Losing his mom in 2020 was a wake-up call for Jordan. Her death made his spiritual life more of a necessity. “In that sense, it was the greatest gift that God has ever given me. I thought, I’ve got to get to Heaven if I ever want to eat her pepper steak and rice again.” Jordan believes God has called him to help people on the outside of prison to see and understand those on the inside. To accomplish this, he has written the follow ing, which he hopes will be the basis for a series of articles someday.
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Soldiers Behind the Wall by Paul A. Jordan
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. —2 Timothy 2:3–4, NLT
Allow me to set the scene for you. It’s 6 p.m. on a Thursday night. In a room are people who have murdered, robbed, raped, kidnapped, lied, and cheated. They are people of all races, cultures, and nationalities. However, they all have two things in common: They know that they need a Savior. The other is that they are strong men of God! This group comes together every week to worship in spirit and in truth. According to the world’s standards, they are all second-class citizens. They are those who had once claimed to be “alpha dogs” but who now believe that “the Alpha and the Omega” will one day require every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord of all. They know that the punishment imposed on them by the state for their crimes can’t compare with the pain of not knowing Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They encourage each other, lay hands on one another in prayer, and come together in good and bad times. This is only a glimpse into their inspiring stories. The media will never show you the healing that takes place, men who are being saved, and the glory God is receiving in the midst of spiritual darkness. These are the stories from the soldiers behind the wall!
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RECOVERY THRIFT STORE FINDS
by HUGO BRAVO
Hidden art treasures at your thrift store Looking to decorate the walls of your home,
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LU LU RIVERA; COMPOSITE BY JOE MARINO
dorm room, or rental space? Your local Salvation Army thrift store is a great place to start. You can find unique and interesting paintings, artwork, photography, and framed posters for a fraction of the cost you’d pay at art galleries or antique stores. When searching for art, consider your personal taste and preference. Do you like abstract paintings, landscapes, portraits, or still-lifes? Are you looking for something for your den, kitchen, or entertainment room? Answering these questions will help narrow your choices when you see the number of available options. But you may want to take a chance on an art piece that grabs your attention, even if it’s not something you would normally see yourself purchasing. After all, it caught your eye for a reason! Just like shopping for anything at your local Salvation Army, you may have to really sift through those items until you find the perfect piece of art. But with some patience, a sharp eye, and an open mind, you could uncover a hidden treasure that would make even the most experienced art collectors envious.
Every purchase you make at a Salvation Army thrift store helps fund local Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where people who are struggling from a variety of social and spiritual problems can find help and hope. Visit SArehab.org to learn more.
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These wall hangings ranged in price from $3.99 to $14.99. You can find great bargains like these too! Go to sastores.org to locate a Salvation Army family thrift store near you.
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LIVING
SPIRITUAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT
Just Enough Keeping a resolution can be hard, but if you trust the process and put your trust in the Lord, He will provide by Joanna Polarek
Suppose you are one of the 38.5% of adults who declare a New Year’s resolution each year. You most likely have thought about a goal that reflects better health, relationships, professional goals, or finances, or maybe you’ve thought of pursuing a new hobby. Whatever your resolution is, statistically speaking (thank you, InsideOutMastery.com), there is a good chance that you will not stick to the resolution. Only around 9% actually do. This information isn’t intended to be a discouragement. It is simply a reality that we often set out with ambition but are not equipped to see the goal through. The reasons will vary from person to person, but the great plan often fades, bringing us back to old habits. So, how can you see the big picture, go through the complex challenges of making it happen, and then experience the reward of meeting the goal? Well, there is a story in the Bible that challenged people for not one year but 40. (Check out the book of Exodus in the Bible to read the full story.) God saw His people, the Israelites. He heard their cries for mercy and removed from them that old life. They wanted to see the reward but kept taking
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a few steps back for every step forward. You see, they lacked faith. These people even considered returning to their old life, where they were enslaved, oppressed, and considered less than worthy. That was a life they understood. It was all they knew. This new freedom felt hard, because they had to learn to trust and have faith. The problem was that there was still a lot of work they needed to do to get the reward. If you are like these people, you can
relate, knowing that hard work can be tedious, challenging, and sometimes uncer tain. The good news is you’re not alone when you experience those moments. The same God who took those people from their old life can also help you. Let us bookmark this story for a moment—we’ll come back. Broken resolutions and the hardships the Israelites went through may seem like very different situations, but they share this: Experiencing doubt, having feelings of giving up, and not remaining faithful along the journey ends in failure. Let’s return to our story of the Israelites trekking through the desert for 40 years— because there is good news. The Israelites would call out to God to provide them water, food, and protection, and every single time, God showed up and provided just enough of what they needed in those moments. (Again, check out the book of Exodus because there is example after example of God providing just enough provision to His people when
Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
Reminders that Jesus gives just enough… Jesus is the Truth Begin by asking Him into your life, accepting that He, Jesus Christ, died on the cross to forgive your sins. He patiently waits for you to accept Him into your life. “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ ” —John 14:6, NLT
Jesus is our Savior
they needed it.) The same is true for some one trying to be strong and consistent with their resolution. You may be receiving just enough strength to get up in the morning so that you can make it to the gym before work, or you might be balancing just enough time to reach out to that person you’re trying to build a better relationship with, or maybe you’ve found an extra expense you’re will ing to let go of so that there is just enough money to go into the savings you hope to build. Whatever your goal may be, it can be accomplished if you truly desire it. Have you considered the idea of want ing to start a relationship with God? Are you trying to figure out how to make that happen? Perhaps the idea is pleasing to you, but seeing it through isn’t clear—that’s OK. It all starts with the simple first step: “Lord, I desire to have a relationship with you. I want to know you.” He will provide you with just enough of what you need at that moment to
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know that you are not alone or abandoned. If you can trust the process of creating a resolution, as the Israelites trusted God to get them to the Promised Land—40 years later because they were a bit stubborn (but you will have to read the book of Exodus to see how God handled it all)—then trust your heart, mind, and soul to seek a rela tionship with the Lord. Even Moses, a faith ful believer in God and whom God chose to lead His people (as you will read in Exodus), was given just enough strength through the Holy Spirit to sustain him during this jour ney. He will be there from start to finish. That is His promise. From Isaiah 43:2–3a (NLT): “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of diffi culty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
You are forgiven from sin because you have accepted Him into your heart, have sincerely asked for forgiveness, and seek a relationship with Him.
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“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” —Ephesians 2:8–10, NLT
Jesus is Love His love is greater than any love. “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38–39, NLT
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COURTESY OF THE SALVATION ARMY’S PITTSBURGH TEMPLE (2)
LIVING COMMUNITY
Building bridges in Pittsburgh by ROBERT MITCHELL
The Pittsburgh Temple hopes to provide more than just food through its choice pantry
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The city of Pittsburgh is home to almost 450 bridges. Known as the “City of Bridges,” Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. So, it seems appropriate that The Salvation Army’s Pittsburgh Temple would be trying to build bridges to the church from its popular new choice food pantry, which opened last year. Captain Justin Caldwell says he and several members of his Salvation Army church are intentional about inviting food pantry guests to the corps and its activities. The effort to get people out to the corps for Sunday morning worship has been slow but steady.
“These people are in great need, and over time you develop relationships,” says Chris Honsberger, who volunteers at the pantry every Thursday. “It takes time to create these relationships with people, but we have had some crossover. All of a sudden, people start to show up for church, but people tend to be very shy and skeptical when it comes to stuff like that.” More than 100 families come out for the food pantry each week, and Honsberger says anywhere from five to 10 clients have attended worship service at the corps at one time or another—sometimes unexpectedly. After one such client came to church
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recently, Honsberger says, she thought: God, I don’t know how you do it. “It seems slow from the outside, but we don’t know what the Lord has in mind,” she says. “I just know that whatever the Lord’s timing is, that’s perfect timing. Relationships are being cultivated, and you never know where that’s going to go. I give that to the Lord.”
Work in progress Caldwell says the church has had better luck getting food pantry patrons to come for church outreach events like the popular “Back to School Bash,” where young people received backpacks, school supplies, cloth ing, and haircuts. The clients are also told about Sunday services, Bible studies, and the Adult Rehabilitation Center. Getting more people from the pantry to attend church and hear the gospel message remains a major goal, Caldwell says. “This is something we’re constantly praying about, strategizing, and asking God how we can do it. There’s a lot of potential. We’re still super hopeful. We’re waiting for that home run hit,” Caldwell says. One way to build those bridges is to have soldiers from the corps show up each week to volunteer, share God’s love, and pray with people. “I’m a big believer in rela tionship evangelism,” he says. “That takes time to build those relationships.” With Christian music playing, Caldwell sometimes gives out prizes such as gift cards while people wait. They’re always told about church, Bible studies, youth programming, and upcoming events.
turn to shop, it’s an opportunity for church members from the corps to be there, to love on people, and to have relationships with people. They can see the chapel. We’re kind of taking the approach of evangeliz ing through building relationships. We believe if we do this right, if we love well, then we believe people will ask and want to be a part of this.” Clients wait in a homey area with tables, couches, and a small stage where music is sometimes performed. Patty Dippold is a member of the Breakfast Club, a group of women who arrive early and give out muffins, donuts, coffee, and water as clients wait their turn. The others include Sally Mattiello, Patty Smith, and Mary Ann Bucci. Sonja Bey calls out the names of who’s next. “Sonja knows all the people and every thing about them,” Dippold says. “She calls all the men handsome and all the women beautiful, and we try to make them all feel welcome.”
Dignified approach The pantry is set up like a real grocery store, and the guests use real shopping carts. Volunteers from the corps help people load up their cars after they’ve chosen all their groceries. “They really get the experience of shopping. We try to make it as welcoming as we can,” Captain Justin says. Besides grocery staples, there are meats,
seafood, milk, eggs, produce, and some times baby formula, diapers, and toilet paper. Several restaurants and grocers contribute. The choice pantry grew out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Caldwell says. “Before COVID, we were getting some items donated from various stores. It was rather small,” he says. “Once COVID happened, it was kind of a big need in our area. We started accumulating more food. Some of us here had this vision of a choice pantry, where people would have the abil ity to choose the items that they need for their family. “The people have found out about it, and the numbers have increased. Companies and grocery stores have heard about us and given us more food. The feedback is that the clients really appreciate the approach. We wanted to create this space where we felt it was uplifting and where people felt dignified.” One recent client told Caldwell, “I feel like I can hold my head high while I’m in here. This is beautiful—and thank you guys for what you’re doing.” Caldwell says, “I thought to myself, This is exactly what we were going for.” The pantry is an important weekly commitment for many of the volun teers. Retirees Dippold and her husband, Bob, make a day of it on Thursdays. “My husband and I call that our special day,” she says. “We go and do that, we do lunch, and then we relax the rest of the day.”
A welcoming place Caldwell purposely leaves the door to the sanctuary open as a sign that everyone is welcome for church. His wife, Captain Evelyn Caldwell, helps some of the clients join the ConnectUp prayer ministry. “They walk right by the sanctuary so it’s kind of an advertisement for it,” Captain Justin says. “They all know that we have a church there. We do pray with people. Even if it’s only one person who comes to the Lord through this ministry, it’s worth it.” He adds, “When people wait for their
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The pantry has a space with tables and couches where visitors can sit and talk before or after picking up their food.
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LIVING BOOK REVIEW
Linda Evans Shepherd’s
Make Time for Joy The tragic death of a daughter launched a mother’s quest to find inner joy by WARREN L. MAYE
Linda Evans Shepherd is a firm believer in the power of prayer. Her latest book, Make Time for Joy: Scripture-Powered Prayers to Brighten Your Day, can be looked at as a daily devotional or as a resource to turn to in times of need. “I took these scriptures, paraphrased them in modern vernacular, and put them into conversational prayers,” she said in a recent interview with SAconnects.
The concept The colorful book is divided into five sections: “Joy Builders,” “Defeating Joy Stealers,” “Reclaiming Joy,” “Living into Joy,” and “Worship into Joy.” Each section offers 14 to 18 paraphrased prayers. Each prayer takes the form of a short, insightful letter to the Lord presented on the left-hand page. Opposite are the scripture passages that served as inspira tion. The passages come from a diverse library of modern Bible translations. “I’m praying against a lot of negative and situational things,” Shepherd said. The section on “Defeating Joy Stealers,” for example, addresses anger, anxiety, confu sion, discouragement, fear, and more. “A lot of people are using the book as a morning devotional. This is so important because in this format, the scriptures come alive. They’re powerful, and they bring joy despite your circumstances.” This is an interesting concept, given how “choosing joy” is frequently code for gritting one’s teeth and working through difficult circumstances. So, the question arises, Is there a difference between happiness and joy?
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Happiness versus joy “Happiness is when you win a big award. But it doesn’t carry over into your every day life,” Shepherd said. “Joy is something that you experience as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the Word is so important because the Word is empowered by the Holy Spirit. “So, joy is a supernatural occurrence in your soul because of the Word of God and because of your connection with God. You are giving Him your burdens, and you are experiencing joy through the power of His Holy Spirit, the Word, and prayer.” This idea can still sound like a contra diction. For many of us, it needs clarifi cation. To explore the concept further, Shepherd offered her own story, which is not included in her book. “I lost my daughter about seven years ago,” Shepherd said. She believes an aggres sive palliative care process led to her daugh ter’s premature death. Although chronically ill, her daughter died amid growing contro versy regarding such hospital policies. “It was preventable, but I couldn’t prevent it. I could be sitting at home with a box of Kleenex, even today. It was a power ful loss. But I chose joy. I said, ‘Lord, I give you my grief. I choose your joy.’ “Little by little, my grief lifted, and I was able to smile and laugh and enjoy myself.” Paraphrasing the prophet Nehemiah, she continued, “I will always have that pain of loss, but it’s not going to rule my life because the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Prayers that speak to this idea are included throughout the book.
Joy is your choice A reoccurring theme of Make Time for Joy is the process whereby the writer’s perspec tive shifts from seeing a problem to seeing the seed for a miracle. What culminates at each letter’s end is the idea of trust, hope, and expectancy in the Lord. Readers will find their own favor ite letters to revisit within these pages. Hopefully, the book will help readers address the challenges that happen outside of us and those that happen within us. Learning to find one’s inner strength, especially when there is seemingly no control, is the desire. “We have a choice about that,” Shepherd said. “You get to choose. You can say, ‘Oh, I choose self-pity,’ for example. But then, you’re going to become pitiful. Your outlook on life is going to be ‘Look at me, I’m pitiful.’ Or you can say, ‘I choose love. I choose to trust God. I choose His peace. I choose His joy.’ Then watch as God lifts your spirit.” Make Time for Joy is bigger than a pocket but small enough to fit in a purse. Without dates assigned to each letter, the book is usable at any time, and it is a worthwhile endeavor.
Make Time for Joy: Scripture-Powered Prayers to Brighten Your Day (208 pages; hardcover) is published by Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group, and is available on Amazon.com.
Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
LIVING HEALTH
Dealing with SAD SADness What is seasonal affective disorder?
by HUGO BRAVO
How is SAD treated? Only a trusted health care provider or mental health specialist can determine if someone’s symptoms meet the criteria for SAD. They will check to see if other mental disorders are the cause, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or bipolar disorder. They can also investigate outside factors that can increase the risk of SAD, such as family history or living in parts of the country like New England, where winter days are shorter.
Try talk therapy. Cognitive
Check your serotonin.
behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches patients how to cope with difficult situations, such as depression, loss, or eating disorders. For SAD, the therapy focuses on replacing negative thoughts related to the winter months with more positive ones. CBT also uses a process called behavioral activation: By identifying and planning pleasant, engaging winter activities—holiday parties, indoor games and hobbies, sports events—people can fight off the disinterest and isolation they might be experiencing.
Serotonin is a chemical in our bodies that can influence our feelings, memory, happiness, and much more. SAD, like other types of depression, is associated with disturbances or imbalances in our serotonin levels. Antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by increasing serotonin levels in our brains, which can improve our emotions, sleep patterns, and overall mood. However, all medications can have side effects and should only be taken under the direct recommendation of a health care professional.
Light one up. Light therapy treat-
Start early. Unlike other types
ment involves a daily procedure of sitting in front of a bright light box for 30 minutes to an hour, usually in the morning, to make up for the lack of daylight hours in shorter winter and fall days. These specialized light boxes are 20 times stronger than regular indoor lights and can filter out damaging UV rays. They have been used for the treatment of SAD since the 1980s.
of depression, SAD can be predicted based on seasonal changes. Doctors may recommend starting CBT, light therapy, or medication ahead of the winter months to hopefully minimize its effects. A temporary change of scenery, such as vacationing in a sunnier, warmer climate during winter, can also help people deal with SAD.
ENVATO
Do you feel your mood and behavior change with the seasons? As the days get colder and shorter in the winter months, people may start to feel down or even depressed, only to brighten up as spring brings back warmer weather and longer days. These mood changes can affect some one’s life in a serious way, changing how they think, work, and interact with others. This is a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Most cases of SAD begin in late fall or winter and end in spring or summer; this is known as winter-pattern SAD. Although less common, summer-pattern SAD begins in the warmer months and can have different, but still damaging, effects. Symptoms of major depression may be present in either situation.
Signs of SAD to watch for Some symptoms of major depression: Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Having low energy or difficulty concentrating. Feelings of hopelessness, and in extreme cases, thoughts about death or suicide.* Winter-pattern SAD symptoms: Oversleeping (hypersomnia). Weight gain from overeating, particularly sugars or carbohydrates. Social withdrawal (wishing to “hibernate” through the season). Summer-pattern SAD symptoms: Trouble sleeping (insomnia). Poor appetite, leading to weight loss. Irritability, agitation, or anxiety.
*If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Source: The National Institute of Mental Health
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT by HUGO BRAVO
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“I reconnect with people I went to school with. They ask if I know where they can get help paying a light bill, or a place for their children to study,” says Muhammad Oliver. “Being able to provide help to those who need it is like having a superpower.”
teen named Clifford Omoruyi. He had come to the United States through arrange ments made by his brother Alfred, who was Muhammad’s friend. Muhammad was only supposed to help with the travel process, but he also became Clifford’s legal guard ian. Though Clifford spoke English and was a promising student, Muhammad and The Salvation Army helped him develop a routine and discipline through the basket ball and after-school programs, where Cliff tutored and played against other teens. “I wanted Cliff to know that even though he wasn’t blood related, he became family when he stepped into our home,” Muhammad says. “In turn, he had to understand that being the oldest child there, my own children would be looking up to him. Many people were making sacrifices just for him.” Omoruyi is now a starter for the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights and one of the most sought-after college basketball stars in the country. His is just one of the many
LU LU RIVERA/ THE SALVATION ARMY
Forks in the road of life can come in different ways. They can be choices, opportuni ties, or decisions. For Muhammad Oliver, basketball coordinator for The Salvation Army Newark Services in New Jersey, those forks appeared as people who were crucial in making him the person he is today. “The first ‘fork in the road’ was my greatgreat-aunt, who took me in to live with her in 1989. My mother and father couldn’t raise me properly due to their own personal problems, and my auntie felt that it was her duty to keep the family together and away from foster care,” says Muhammad. “She was in her 60s, but through her, I met older cousins and uncles who became mentors and father figures. They showed me how a man should raise kids, even if those kids weren’t his.” Ten years ago, Muhammad was intro duced to The Salvation Army by a friend who was trying to start a volunteer basket ball program at the Newark Westside Corps. “I grew up in this area and knew it was full of kids who played basketball, so I found it strange that enrollment was so low. “We changed the program to ‘Books and Basketball,’ where kids could get help with their homework after school and play basketball. The Army has been in Newark for years, but many people are still unaware of the services it can provide. That is, until we get them in the door,” Muhammad says. Oliver had a family of his own and was always looking for something that could keep his 10-year-old entertained and out of trouble. He knew that other parents in the community would want the same. “We went from 10 kids coming to the Books and Basketball program to 50. That was more of what I expected to see,” he says. “When kids realized that they could also learn to play basketball at The Salvation Army, the numbers went up even more.” One of the young men who attended the program was a 14-year-old Nigerian
lives that Muhammad has influenced at The Salvation Army. The young people he’s mentored have grown up to become upstanding members of the community, finding success in sports, launching careers, and even coming back to volunteer at the Newark Westside Corps. Muhammad hopes that he can continue to be a fork in the road for others, just as they have been for him. “I think a lot about how the founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth, would go to the dirtiest bars, find the people who were in the worst situations, and save them. In a way, I see that as my story too. I was saved from a horrible situation by someone who cared about me,” Muhammad says. “My duty now is to let everyone know about the services that The Salvation Army has to offer, whether it’s food, social services, academics, or just after-school activities for kids,” he says. “And what better person to introduce them to the Army than someone from their own community?”
Volume 10 Number 1, 2024
All
e c n e i r e Exp i t
Th ere s’ so mu ch ha ppe ning. Come and be a part of it !
DA N C E - T H E AT R E - M U S I C - C O N C E RT S - E V E N T S
The Salvation Army offers programs in music and arts to teach people of all ages how to sing, play instruments, dance, and act. Whether you’re on the stage performing or in the audience worshipping, you can be part of a lifetime of fulfillment and spiritual purpose.
Go to SACONNECTS.ORG to see all we have to offer.
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.
