Revive (January 2013)

VOL 5 NO 1

JANUARY-MARCH 2013

faces of

Poverty WHAT THE SALVATION ARMY IS DOING TO COMBAT POVERTY

GENDER EQUALITY POVERTY IN THE UK EMPOWERING WOMEN

E Q U I P P I N G

W O M E N

F O R

M I N I S T R Y

+

M I S S I O N

review DVD:

William Booth

ONLY

£14.95

A Passion for the Poor

William Booth – A Passion for the Poor, the latest DVD release from the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, is a history lesson come to life via amazing 3D treatments of photos, as well as recently restored film footage and pictures never-before-seen. Considering the beginnings of the Army, it is interesting to see a visual representation of the growing love and respect Londoners had for The Salvation Army, in particular when the Founder was promoted to Glory.

The DVD shows extended footage of the Founder’s funeral procession that has not been made available before. The streets were lined by hundreds of thousands of working class men and women wanting to pay their tribute to the man they felt ‘was on their side’.

This beautifully done production shows how William and Catherine became two of the most powerful forces for change in the Victorian era when they formed The Salvation Army. They used every person, technique and method available to them to communicate their scheme, as outlined in In Darkest England and the Way Out. One of William’s most-used commands was definitely, ‘Do something!’

Few would dispute the effect The Salvation Army has had on the world since 1878 and this DVD once again challenges The Salvation Army to stay true to the vision of its Founder and never forget the people that we have been called to passionately serve.

Lieut-Colonel Kathy H. Hobgood

DVD William Booth – A Passion for the Poor £14.95 Available to order from www.sps-shop.com

Assistant Congress Coordinator, IHQ

FRIDAY 1 MARCH 2013

Painting by Anne-Lise Hammann Jeannot

WORLD

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Day of

PRAYER

‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ Prepared by Christian women of France

inside

feature

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20 11

POVERTY 05 An opportunity not to be missed 06 WORTH

08 Gender Equality

JANUARY-MARCH 2013

revive@salvationarmy.org

11 Poverty and the Abundance of God BIBLE STUDY 18 Agents in Mission 20 Community Empowerment 22 Poverty in the UK

20

COLUMNS

REGULAR FEATURES

10 Walk Worthy in Poverty LEADERSHIP

02 DVD Reviews

17 Denounce evil and announce the Good News SPIRITUAL LIFE

04

Editorial

15 His Grace is Sufficient MY STORY

15

Front Cover: Photo by Keri Shay, taken at the France Colony Corps in Islamabad, Pakistan Back Cover: Isaiah 25:4 in Russian and English, illustration by Berni Georges All Bible quotations throughout this edition of Revive are from the New International Version 2011 unless stated otherwise TM - The Message, GW - God’s Word, NASB - New American Standard Bible, NKJV - New King James Version, KJV - King James Version, GNB - Good News Bible, NLT - New Living Translation, NIV 1984 - New International Version 1984, SASB - The Song Book of The Salvation Army

A resource magazine for women in ministry and mission Publisher: Commissioner Sue Swanson, World President of Women’s Ministries Communications Secretary, Editor-in-Chief, Literary Secretary, IHQ: Lieut-Colonel Laurie Robertson Editor: Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson Designer: Berni Georges © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2012 Founders of The Salvation Army: William and Catherine Booth Printed in the UK by Lamport Gilbert Printers Ltd

Contact email address: revive@salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EH United Kingdom

Articles on any subject of interest to women in ministry are welcomed by the editor. To send an article, write to revive@salvationarmy.org Subscription details at: http://sar.my/revsubu (Revive subscription UK) http://sar.my/revsubo (Revive subscription overseas)

Revive 3

editorial

À la perchoine Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson EDITOR

A

fter a little more than a year as editor of Revive and three years at The Salvation Army International Headquarters I am being transferred to a new appointment in my home country of Australia.

I have really enjoyed the creative organisation and teamwork that is required as editor of Revive – which aims to equip women for ministry and mission.

It’s been a joy to provide ideas, challenging and encouraging articles, Bible studies, resource reviews and beautiful photos. My prayer is that you have been helpfully informed and inspired as you move forward in your Christian walk.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Revive and shared it with others. I encourage you to continue to spread the word that Revive is a ‘must have’ magazine for women connected with The Salvation Army.

A huge thank you to the Communications team for helping, encouraging and working with me in producing Revive, with special thanks to Berni whose sensitivity and creativity in his design work are amazing!

‘My prayer is that you have been helpfully informed and inspired’ I never find it easy to say goodbye, as it sounds so final. However, recently I discovered that on the Channel Isle of Guernsey they have a phrase in d’Guernesiais (Guernsey French) that says ‘À la perchoine’.

It means ‘see you next time’, ‘until we meet again’. In Australia we would say ‘See you later’.

So, see you later and may you continue to allow the love and plans of God to work out in your life.

Love and Prayers

Beautiful Community The beautiful community! That is what author Gilbert Bilezikian calls us. You know who we are; the community of the redeemed.

I testify today that it has been a blessing to be a part of the ‘beautiful community’ that is Women’s Ministries.

God has given me opportunity to witness his family at work in the world.

• Concentrating on leadership issues with the women of Africa and India.

• Celebrating the Word at the Captivated weekends in the Australia Eastern Territory.

• Experiencing the culture of joy with the women of Bolivia.

• Marvelling at the Junior Miss ministry in Kenya.

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• Serving with the amazing Zonal Secretaries for Women’s Ministries at IHQ: Commissioners Makina, Bosh, Eliasen, Pobjie, Odegaard, Street, Lalhingpuii, Condon and Herring.

• Worshipping with the women of Italy, Norway, France, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Fiji and New Zealand.

It’s wonderful for me to know that when we are doing Women’s Ministries right, we are inviting women to join and contribute to that lovely community of Christ. It’s a place of love, acceptance and hope.

It has been my honour to serve the Lord as your World President of Women’s Ministries. I have been enriched and blessed.

Bring more women to Christ. Invite more women to know the blessing of the redeemed and beautiful community!

Commissioner Sue Swanson World President of Women’s Ministries International Headquarters

feature very year in Europe vast amounts of money are spent in the pursuit of leisure activities.

This is a substantial growth market now that people have more and more free time.

Knitting is back in vogue!

The clicking of needles is resounding in the Netherlands. Knitting is trendy! No longer a dull outmoded occupation for the elderly, but a hobby for all ages. There is even talk of a boom in the knitting industry.

The Salvation Army in the Netherlands has seen mission opportunities in this knitting upsurge. It began with the 2012 Warm Jumper Day an initiative arranged by the Climate League Association, calling on people to ‘Be sensible in the use of energy!’

Then, as part of the 125th anniversary year, The Salvation Army has organised a unique campaign – Knit someone a jumper!

Knitting stars (women and men) have been challenged to knit a jumper for someone who doesn’t have anyone to do so for them.

How it started

At the end of 2011, following a meeting of the task group for local events for the 125th anniversary of the Army in the Netherlands, Lieut-Colonel Ine Voorham and I agreed to take our knitting with us to work the next day. During the Christmas holidays we knitted 250 tiny squares and displayed them on cocktail sticks.

On 10 February 2012 – Warm Jumper Day – we went to Amsterdam with a van full of jumpers, scarves, hats, mittens and

‘Knitting is trendy!

No longer a dull outmoded occupation for the elderly’

an pportunity not to be missed

socks for the relief centre De Haven – a shelter for the homeless.

Then in March we once again set off with a van full of clothes. This time to a shelter in Gelderland, in the east of the Netherlands, where many people were pleasantly surprised when they received clothing.

All the knitting stars from the Fit to Knit campaign were invited to a fun day at the Belmont Hotel and Congress Centre and 70 of the stars took part in this very successful day.

Through this campaign we have come into contact with people who have never seen the inside of a Salvation Army hall before.

All have now started to attend meetings regularly. The campaign has spread across the territory. At a local level, all sorts of clubs have sprung up, which means people are visiting The Salvation Army and are brought in touch with God. People have also offered their services as volunteers or instructors. The Fit to Knit – knit someone a jumper campaign continues. All knitted clothing is properly stored and handed out at a later date.

A Facebook page will be launched connecting

Marja van Vliet

to various activities related to the 125th anniversary and people will be asked to support this campaign.

Clockwise from top: Commissioner Marja van Vliet (left) and Lieut-Colonel Ine Voorham with a client modelling some of the knitted garments; a woman from one of the institutions who is proud and happy to have a new blue jumper; visiting unmarried mothers and children at home ... this hat is a perfect fit!

Commissioner Marja van Vliet Territorial President of Women’s Ministries The Netherlands and Czech Republic Territory

Revive 5

feature Elise Belcher Community Development Coordinator – Africa Zone International Headquarters

Elise Belcher

I

’m always surprised by the places where you find The Salvation Army. There I was sitting in a hall with a group of women. The rain gently tapped on the roof and we huddled together in our shawls. Outside was the plantation of an international tea company. The sky was dark grey and the tea bushes a bright, vivid green. The hall’s windows weren’t letting in much light, but the women’s laughter filled the room with bright chatter. It is a welcome respite from their work picking tea leaves.

And here was The Salvation Army, a small corps based at the tea plantation serving workers and their families. The women were part of the Kenya West Territory’s WORTH programme and they have formed a savings group together.

WORTH is a concept that was developed

by Pact, an organisation introduced to the work of The Salvation through a partnership with United States National Headquarters.

WORTH combines literacy with income generation and community banking projects.

As the women learn about budgeting and business skills, they go on to form savings groups of 20 women. What is unique about this programme is that the money put into the group’s account is entirely their own contribution. It is targeted at women who are working but unable to fully provide for their families. They bring what they can to the weekly meeting. Their selected chairwoman and treasurer carefully record each contribution, while other members are 6 Revive

responsible for keeping the locked box of money and passbooks or key and organising the meetings.

Another group in a remote village of the Nandi Hills meet early on Saturday mornings using the corps as their base.

When they commenced they saved US$90 in three weeks, with an additional US$10 in the social fund.

Now, when the women have reached an initial monetary target, set by themselves, they are allowed to take a loan to create a small income. The group decides on a small charge or interest rate and when the initial loan has been paid back another member takes a loan. Alternatively, the group may decide to start a larger project together. Weekly contributions are recorded as shares because as interest is paid back, the total value of money held begins to grow. If a woman chooses to leave the

‘We worship at all different churches and we’ve invited some Muslim women from our community too’

group, she will be repaid her share amount.

During the past year, with funding support from the New Zealand government, The Salvation Army in Kenya West has empowered 2,000 women to meet together in 100 small groups across towns, villages and even isolated places like the tea plantation. The groups consist of Salvationists, Catholics, Baptists, even Muslim women or those who had no faith and are a great testament to the empowering mission of The Salvation Army to ‘meet human needs in Jesus’ name without discrimination’. A Salvationist said to

feature me, ‘We worship at all different churches and we’ve invited some Muslim women from our community too. We show love to others in this way and we want a united community through this group. We want a thriving community and it has to start with us.’ The Salvation Army combats poverty by allowing women to initiate change in their situations. It was encouraging to witness this and hear of women expressing

their hopes for the future, as they continue to work together.

My role as Community Development Coordinator – Africa Zone, based at International Headquarters, is to support the people implementing projects to combat poverty across Africa. This role provides me with a unique view of The Salvation Army’s work across an amazing continent.

What I love about the WORTH programme

Rose’s Story (name changed): ‘I’m 38 and have six children. When my husband died I remember thinking that everything was hopeless. I couldn’t afford to send the children to school and it would soon be the end of my life as well. I joined WORTH because another lady invited me.

Initially, I just wanted to go along to meet with the other women – nothing more than that.

is that it is not a hand-out, is uncomplicated and does not need much external cost before results are seen.

It’s a simple programme that combats poverty by empowering women to own the challenges they face and find a solution that suits them. Even better, the social fund allows women to give money to each other as a gift, from health care, family emergencies and contributions to education – you can’t really put a price on the potential benefits!

As women build relationships together, the opportunity for them to share their faith with others also grows. Jesus’ transformation is essential to combat poverty – not just an increased income!

‘It was really hard for me to pay a share each week. Money never reaches far enough but I tried my best to contribute a share each week. After one training course, I realised how important it was to create my own income generation. I decided to take a loan to buy ripe bananas to sell. It took a long time for me to make a profit but now I buy and sell many different types of fruit and vegetables as well.

‘My WORTH group has given me such a great opportunity and I continue to keep my savings with them to manage my money. I can afford to pay for three of my children to go to school! I’m so happy because I have a hope that my future is going to be better. In time all my children will go to school and hunger will no longer be a problem.’

Revive 7

feature

nd

r

eq

Ge

Geanette Seymour

ua

T

he relationship between gender and poverty is a complex one.

For women in particular the occurrence of poverty can be devastating. The United Nations (UN) indicates that women are the majority of the world’s poor (UN Women, 1995). They also state that women are at higher risk of falling into poverty. Women represent 70 per cent of the world’s poor. It is a stunning fact that while women perform 66 per cent of the world’s work and produce 50 per cent of the food, they only earn 10 per cent of the income and own just one per cent of the land (Trickle up, 2012).

However, it is widely recognised that women have the potential to be the engine of economic and development progress.

Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN says, ‘As more cash and assets get into the hands of women, more earnings get into the mouths, medicine and schoolbooks of their children… There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole – women and men alike – than the one which involves women as central players.’

Responding to the needs of women through the provision of basic resources, skills and education can lead to the alleviation of poverty for themselves but also for families and communities.

Empowering women is vital to the eradication of poverty. The Salvation Army in its early days identified areas where poverty existed for women and their families and responded.

On 18 February 1907 the first meeting of what was to be known as the Home 8 Revive

League was held at Tottenham Citadel Corps in London. Its purpose was to engage with women, to encourage love, to provide instruction for good management of the home, to teach frugality and hygiene and provide support for members on matters of family and home (The Field Officer, 1907).

Today The Salvation Army women’s ministries responds to the concern of women in 125 countries. Given this level of commitment we are well placed geographically to equip and empower women to participate in the eradication of poverty and the establishment of gender equality.

However, as we consider what we can do some significant questions need to be addressed. ●● Are we educated sufficiently about the

●●

●● ●●

●●

issues and do we plan strategically to make a meaningful response?

Do those of us who live in relative or real affluence grasp the measure of the poverty in which many women live?

Are we hurt enough by their plight to want to make a difference?

Do we feel so disempowered by the enormity of world poverty that we stand in despair and do nothing?

The alleviation of poverty in the world will not be achieved by women alone, or by addressing women’s issues alone.

Nor will the alleviation of poverty be sustainable if we respond only to the immediate consequences of poverty, as necessary as that is, rather than the cause. We need to educate ourselves.

lit

y

feature

‘Empowering women is vital to the eradication of poverty’

What is poverty?

How has it come about?

What impacts its continuation?

How does it affect the lives of people both at home and abroad? ●● What can ‘I’ do? ●● ●● ●● ●●

Many need to simplify their lifestyle and put their released resources to work on behalf of those in need. Poverty is not just a fact of life – a sad occurrence – it is an injustice!

We need to speak up and speak out and advocate. As citizens we can hold nations accountable to the promises they make concerning overseas development budgets, humanitarian aid, care of the planet and refugee responses. The Millennium Declaration and the eight goals agreed in 2000, collectively present a vision for a more just and equal world: a promise by 189 countries to achieve social justice for all.

From reducing poverty and hunger, to achieving universal education and stopping the spread of HIV/Aids, these are the promises signed by nations. One voice may sound softly in the clamour of

politics, but no voice sounds not at all and there may be another soft voice that speaks with you.

All of us can speak out against the mistreatment we see of the poor and the marginalised, the misuse and abuse of power by those with leadership responsibility in our society. But perhaps instead of opinion we can have an educated perspective. May we take the time to learn about the issues as this will provide substance to our voice.

When followers of Jesus express their practical love, they also bring the touch of Christ into the lives of the poor. Christ is present when God’s people are present and doing good is a practical expression of God’s love.

Oh Lord: in these times, may the world not grow tired of feeding the hungry, treating the sick and tutoring the illiterate.

May those with resources design social programmes that focus on cures instead of just symptoms. May those with political power implement strategic policies that alleviate the consequences of poverty while also eliminating its causes. The challenge is great. The progress sporadic.

The timelines are long. God help us!

For further educational information on poverty and other justice matters go to www.salvationarmy.org/ISJC

Colonel Geanette Seymour Director, International Social Justice Commission

Revive 9

k al

W

Wor

L

ast year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) in the United Kingdom reported that 2.2 million children and two million working age adults were living in poverty. It predicted that by 2013 this will rise by an extra 600,000 children nd 800,000 adults of working age – more than 20 per cent of the population.

People below the poverty line have a household income at least 60 per cent less than the national average. No doubt you are only too well aware of similar shocking statistics for your own home town, community, country and continent. We are sadly living in an age where poverty seems to be affecting us all. And so it should – at least with regards to demanding a Christian response.

Poverty pervades our lives and brings with it the horrors of hunger and malnutrition, trials and trafficking, debt, despair and even death. This is a global issue that hits every neighbourhood and community and is ‘in our own backyard’.

Many challenges and comments in Scripture speak about poverty and its effects and our requirement to ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly’ (Micah 6:8). As women, part of the international Salvation Army, we are called to even more than this – we are called this year in particular to ‘Walk Worthy’ of our Christian calling.

As the KidsHealth Organisation reports, ‘Even people who have plenty to eat may be malnourished if they don’t eat food that provides the right nutrients’.

There is a more subtle and deeper problem.

Spiritual poverty – an

th y in Po

equal threat to our lives, homes and society. It appears that people don’t care about spiritual poverty and sadder still, they don’t care that they don’t care.

Jesus refers to a woman in monetary poverty – in dire straights (Mark 12:41). She looked poor – she was poor. Yet he describes the way in which she gave ‘everything’. Poverty had touched her life but not her love. Leading by example, she gave from spiritual wealth. The ‘rich’ people in contrast were wealthy but spiritually poor and Jesus saw and commented on this. He clearly illustrates his requirement (earlier in the same chapter) to love with all our heart, understanding, strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Jesus wants us to be women who lead through our actions and lifestyle. As we do this we will make a difference to both material and spiritual poverty in a local, global and spiritual sense.

Jesus knew what he was saying and in our clearer moments, so do we. ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your

‘We ARE SADLY living in an age where poverty seems to be affecting us all’ sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9).

In accordance with Jesus’ words, instructions and example, let’s realign our living and giving. ‘You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought’ (Matthew 5:5 TM).

We are women of great spiritual wealth – called to walk worthy!

Columnist for 2013 Major Val Mylechreest Adult and Family Ministries Officer Evangelism Department, United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

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ve r ty

leadership

bible study Photo by Berni Georges

Sharing

Poverty

and the

abundance

of God Deise Eliasen

When I was a child, the rule in my family was that every time I received a new item of clothing or shoes, I had to give a piece of clothing to somebody else. If I had outgrown it, I was happy to give the older item away. The reality was that most times I would receive something that had been handed down two or three times already!

It took me a few years to learn the true meaning of sharing and the joy that comes from giving, as we read in Luke 6:38, ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’.

Have you experienced the joy of giving? If so in what way?

How is God’s generosity expressed in Jesus?

Poverty and deprivation did not exist when God created the world.

His creation was perfect and there was enough for parents to provide for their family’s needs. God formed a world in which no human being would suffer and live without the necessities of life (Genesis 1:29, 30). Christian countries have historically had a more even distribution of wealth among the various social classes, than other countries. Unfortunately some of the so-called Christian nations have seen a rise in their poverty index because of the erosion of biblical values and standards. In some cases greed has spread and unequal distribution of wealth and opportunity is now commonplace.

The entry of sin into the world resulted in suffering and one example of this is that not all people have the essentials of life in order that they may live with dignity. People are condemned to poverty by circumstances beyond their control.

Selfishness and greed worsen the situation, increasing the divide between rich and poor. It must also be said that some people are poor because of the sin of laziness. Others fail to use natural resources to become selfsufficient. These things happen at all levels of society.

Revive 11

bible study God expects us to help others

Photo by Berni Georges

Since the Fall, God has instructed and helped his people so that they can live and provide for their families. For this to occur God established a standard which, through biblical teaching, requires obedience. Knowing there would always be those capable of producing more than others, God ordered them to create opportunities for those less capable than themselves, thus providing for the poor and marginalised. God expressed his zeal for the poor, the needy and oppressed. He is the defender of the defenceless, as well as their refuge, helper, liberator and provider (Psalms 40:17, 68:10, 146:7 and Isaiah 41:17).

God revealed his Law to the Israelites and demonstrated how to eliminate poverty declaring his universal aim ‘…there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you’ (Deuteronomy 15:4). Both Leviticus 19:10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-21 mention that during the harvest season the wheat that falls on the ground should be left for the poor and the corners of the wheat fields also had to be left for them.

There is also the remarkable divine command in Deuteronomy 15:1-6 that every seven years all the debts of the poor be cancelled.

Furthermore, men with possessions could not

12 Revive

refuse to lend to the needy as the seventh year approached.

Beyond providing a year for cancellation of debts, God also set aside a year for the devolution and restoration of properties – the jubilee year which occurred every 50 years. All the lands that had changed ownership since the previous jubilee year would have to be returned to the original family. And more important, justice would be impartial – neither rich nor poor could be favoured (Exodus 23:2,

3, 6; Deuteronomy 1:17; Proverbs 31:9).

In this way God ensured the poor would not be exploited by the rich, ‘Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns’ (Deuteronomy 24:14).

Are these commands applicable today?

If so, how could it work out? What challenges would be involved?

Would the needy feel any different if these commandments were put in to practice today? Discuss.

Unfortunately the Israelites did not always observe these laws. Throughout the centuries the rich took advantage of the poor, thus increasing their disgrace. In response God sent severe judgement on the nation’s rich through the prophets.

Read the following: Isaiah 1:21-31 Jeremiah 17:11 Amos 4:1-3 Micah 2:1-5 Habakkuk 2:6-8 Zechariah 7:8-14

God’s generosity expressed in the Church The responsibility of Christians towards the poor and the needy in the New Testament is clear and is an example for Christians today. God tells his people to show deep compassion and care for those living in poverty.

The apostle Paul and the Early Church showed profound compassion for the poor. Quite early Paul and Barnabas, representing the church from Antioch and Syria, took an offering to Jerusalem for the needy brothers of Judea (Acts 11).

When the council gathered in Jerusalem, the elders refused to declare circumcision as necessary for salvation but suggested to Paul and his companions, ‘…we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along’ (Galatians 2:10).

Photo by Keri Shay

bible study

social action. ‘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.’

The Early Church (see Acts) established a community that cared for others, sharing their possessions to meet the needs of others. When it became impossible for the apostles to care for the needy in a fair and balanced way, due to the growth of the Church, seven men full of the Holy Spirit were chosen to address the task.

Paul explicitly declares the principle of the Christian community in Galatians 6:10, ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’

God wants his people to learn to share, ‘At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little ”’ (2 Corinthians 8:14, 15).

‘People are condemned to poverty by circumstances beyond their control’ One of the aims of Paul’s third missionary journey was to collect money for the poor from the saints of Jerusalem (Romans 15:26). He taught the churches in Galatia and Corinth to contribute to this cause. As the church in Corinth was not doing this, the apostle exhorted its members about the importance of helping the poor and needy. He praised the church in Macedonia for eagerly wanting to participate in the offering (Romans 12:8 and 1Timothy 6:17-19).

God has blessed us with gifts and expects us to share what we have and to be generous as we give our money, possessions, time and talents.

One Christian characteristic is that truth, power and control are not the monopoly of some but the responsibility of all, thus enabling believers to become transforming agents of the reality in their communities.

Is there anything that you haven’t yet offered to the Lord and his Kingdom?

Our mission statement is clear about our

What can I do?

When we consider that the majority of the world’s population lives in poverty we feel powerless to solve this vast problem.

We think that our influence is ineffective in transforming corrupt governments and insensitive politicians, but that is exactly what the enemy of our souls wants us to think.

Jesus taught us to do our part. This includes giving our offerings, helping in emergencies, distributing food and blankets after natural disasters, but also building people’s capacity to use the resources available to their families and communities, motivating them to use their creativity to find effective and collective solutions to overcome poverty. We must draw inspiration from the disciples who shared everything they possessed!

Jesus asks for wholeness in giving

Can we give too much?

How much is enough? (1 Timothy 6:16) Does the Bible teach equality? (2 Corinthians 8:9-15) How much does God really want me to give?

Revive 13

bible study Would my few gifts have any worth?

Would they be of any good in the face of such great need?

In Luke 21:1-4 we read about a widow who gave two small coins in the offering, ‘As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”’

The woman gave everything she had!

Why does Jesus tell this story?

What did you learn from this passage?

I remember an experience when we were serving in Mozambique and visiting the interior of the country. During the offering people came forward exhibiting how much they were giving. At the end,

Commissioner Deise Eliasen Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries Americas and Caribbean Zone International Headquarters

14 Revive

Photo by Keri Shay

a woman with a walking stick came forward and placed an orange on the offering plate. It was her food for the whole day. She had walked for two hours to get to the meeting and would take the same time to go back – probably getting home in the dark. She had taken with her what she had to eat to spend the day away from home – an orange. This orange was everything she had and she gave it to the Lord. After the meeting we heard that she had left home very early that morning to stop by many houses to collect the children, to bring them to the house of the Lord.

Her physical disability or her poverty did not prevent her from serving God. To give everything is difficult, regardless of whether we have much or little. the difficulty is not related to the amount we give but what it represents to each one of us. Ours is a God of abundance. He counts on us to reach the poor and marginalised with his love and blessings.

Grace is sufficient

my story

His

Lalhlimpuii

Where were you born and how many brothers and sisters do you have?

I was born in a village called Sihfa, in Mizoram, India. I have four brothers and three sisters, but sadly one of my sisters was promoted to Glory when she was only five years old. My grandmother was amongst the first people to join The Salvation Army in Sihfa and my parents were the first couple married in our corps.

Please describe the village where you grew up.

When I was young Sihfa was a small village populated by some 200 families.

In those days there were only two denominations – Presbyterian and The Salvation Army – neither had full-time ministers. In the past 60 years the Army has appointed just two officers who stayed for only a few years. The rest of the time (even presently) our corps was led by local officers. My father was corps sergeantmajor for many years, although now retired, is still considered to be the father of the corps.

The village is remote with no gas, electricity, running water, or road network.

We had to carry water from the fountain outside the village about half a kilometre From top: Commissioner Lalhlimpuii (Puii); Puii at a young age with her family; At the training college; Puii with her Sunday school company guards

away, and to light fires for cooking we used firewood carried from the jungle. As there was no road everything had to be carried on our heads.

None of the villagers own land and there is a system of ‘shifting cultivation’.

People clear jungle areas of trees and bamboo and grow rice in paddy fields and other crops. These are harvested in December and then people go to another area for the coming year. There were years of famine where all the crops were eaten by rats.

Did you go to school, if so, what was it like and if not, how did you learn to read and write?

Yes, I did until I was 13-years-old, but due to unrest in the country all the education service was disrupted for a long time. The school was a simple building where all 100 students were in one room with only two teachers. It was difficult for the teachers as well as the students to work and learn in that environment, but it was there that

‘The village is remote with no gas, electricity, running water, or road network’

I learnt to read and write. In the primary school section it was a challenge for the teachers to maintain discipline, so we were free to play.

How old were you when you decided to follow Jesus Christ and what caused you to take this step?

I grew up with a knowledge of Jesus Christ as my parents were Salvationists. I attended Sunday school, became a junior soldier and then a corps cadet. I was always obedient to my parents and my leaders and had no doubt that when I died I would go to Heaven.

When an evangelist and his team visited our village for a week-long campaign there was a special programme for children which I attended. In it I was told that I was born a sinner and needed to be forgiven

by God through the death of Jesus Christ.

Revive 15

my story

I struggled with this for about three days as I did not understand why I needed to be forgiven.

In my young mind I was a good Sunday school girl – what could I have done which needed forgiveness? I was told that I should witness that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and, having done so, from that day on my understanding about being a child of God and being saved was clear to me. This knowledge gave me joy and peace in my heart. It seemed that all my burdens had been rolled away and I was free. After corps cadets I became a Sunday school teacher until I entered the training college.

Tell us about two significant events in your life.

Accepting Jesus as my personal Saviour is one of the most important events in my life and has directed my life from childhood on the right path. Because I was a Salvationist I would not join my teenage friends in the life which was not Christian.

Even when there was fighting in our village between the underground and government forces and our homes were burnt down and we were taken to a concentration camp with virtually only the clothes on our back, I had peace in my life.

The second event was my decision to become an officer in The Salvation Army.

I have no regrets in this decision. There were difficult times, of course, but the Lord is always with me and helps me conqueror those challenges.

Did you come into contact with any poor people or widespread poverty when you were young? If so, what was it like and how did it make you feel?

Yes, we lived in a small village where there were no permanent fields or jobs, and people struggled to survive. Many lived on wild fruits and yams that they got by digging deep into the soil. Most of the people only had two sets of clothing – one for Sunday and another for work.

I have not just witnessed this – I have lived it. During the early years of unrest in the state, life was arduous as there was no international aid like there is today.

16 Revive

From top: family photo – Henry, Janet and Douglas with their Mum and Dad Lalkiamlova and Lalhlimpuii; Parents’ golden wedding anniversary celebration with all seven children; Lalkiamlova and Lalhlimpuii’s wedding photo

Physical poverty is often easy to see, but spiritual poverty is not quite so obvious. What would you like to say to those who have not yet decided to love and serve God? Believe in him whom God appointed to judge the world – Jesus Christ – and be saved and serve him. ‘Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising him from the dead’ (Acts: 17:30, 31 NKJV).

Is there anything else about your life you want to share?

In my 40 years of service as an officer in The Salvation Army my husband and I have come through many challenges, such as seeing the poverty of our people, inadequate allowance for family and children’s education, as well as illness.

The hardships can never outweigh the power of God that is in us. His grace is

sufficient and I do not regret my decision to become an officer.

One thing that always sustains me is my prayer life. I continue my fasting prayer everywhere we go. God is faithful to all who serve him truly and faithfully and he never fails them with his promises. As General John Gowans (Retired) wrote, ‘In my yesterdays I proved them, I believe for today’(SASB 324v4).

Commissioner Lalhlimpuii Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries South Asia Zone International Headquarters

spiritual life

Colonel Prema Varughese Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Zimbabwe Territory

Columnist for 2013

O

ur call to serve God in Zimbabwe began a new chapter realisation of oneness and the compassion to want for another what in our officership and spiritual journey. The major we want for ourselves. challenge we faced upon arrival was the scarcity of The gospel of Christ was the gospel for the poor (Matthew food. As time went by poverty affected many people.

5:3, 11:5; Luke 7:22; James 2:5). His Spirit-directed mission was Poverty is not restricted to Zimbabwe – people throughout the ‘to preach good news to the poor’ (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1). He world wrestle with poverty every day. It can be described as a denial denounced all evil practices and announced the good news to all. of choices, opportunities, a violation of human dignity and a lack He made it very clear what was pleasing to him (Isaiah 58:6-12). of the basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, health and The world is searching for spirit-filled men and women, who can education. break the barriers and dehumanising aspects of the world. We need When poverty issues are combined with unemployment and to live God-centred not possession centred lives (Matthew 6:22other social evils violence and crime can be an outcome that needs 34). We have to understand that the basis of all wealth is God’s to be addressed. bounty – everything belongs to him (Psalm 24:1).

As Christians we believe that spiritual poverty is We need to love God first. To be the more eternally damaging than economic or physical ambassadors of that love whereever we poverty. Spiritual poverty is a veil of ignorance that ‘To stop poverty, be it go. God’s unfailing, steadfast love will obscures the truth that humanity and creation are Economic or spiritual, expand our mindset beyond ‘me and interdependent and interconnected (Colossians 1:6- requires an INdividual mine’. We have to think and act from a 17). The core of the spiritual realm is a conscious and collective effort’ spiritual consciousness. This will help us to prioritise our time, to allocate our financial resources, to offer our talents, skills and gifts differently. The energy we invest in this transformation, through spiritual practices such as prayer, will yield rich returns. We release love everywhere we go and reveal the highest love potential within the human spirit.

To stop poverty, be it economic or spiritual, requires an individual and collective effort. We pray for a spiritual awakening which will help us to recognise that we are members of the Body of Christ, we belong to an international Salvation Army family and that boundaries are man-made. The spiritual awakening of our founder William Booth to, ‘Go for souls and go for the worst’, meant that he always lived for ‘others’. This is our history, this is our heritage and legacy.

We are called to stand for the poor, the marginalised and the hungry to fulfil the vision of ‘One Army, One Mission and One Message’.

Revive 17

book review

Agents in Mission

Simple steps to save the world This is a dynamic book, full of thought-provoking and practical reminders that encourage us to be ‘agents in mission’ – to save our world.

The ideas came from a group of 20 children, aged between seven and 14, who attended an elective at a Creative Kids Camp run by The Salvation Army in Victor Harbor, South Australia. They put together nearly 100 bright ideas to help make the world a better place.

Agents in Mission is being released at a time when, despite awareness of social justice and environmental causes being at an all-time high, most people are not altering their habits.

This book shouldn’t be left on the shelf, but rather placed where people from all generations will pick it up, turn its pages and feel challenged.

The first chapter is ‘Poverty – steps to stop poverty forever’, beginning with ‘Eat fair trade food – put your money where your mouth is!’ This is something we can relate to, food is important to all of us, especially those who are hungry. Buying fair trade products can help others to have work and find food for their families.

This book isn’t just about telling people what they can do to be agents in mission, it also contains links to websites that provide additional information.

In today’s world more and more people suffer from isolation – one could say it’s another form of poverty. ‘Spend time with someone’, say the children, ‘cheer someone up’, ‘talk to your friends about Jesus’, and finally, ‘Smile, you have teeth.

Show them to the world!’

A smile costs nothing, it is priceless, but gives much. Why not share it with our neighbours, friends and family? Step up and make a difference!

Major Margaret Booth Mission Support Coordinator International Headquarters

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book review Salvo Publishing Australia Southern Territory

www.salvationarmy.com.au/supplies Revive 19

feature Jonathan Hibbert-Hingston

‘S

o if you are married why do you not wear nose rings and have a mark on your forehead?’

In some cultures it is particularly obvious when someone is not following the predominant religion and few are as obvious as the Hinduism of the tribal communities in Northern India. The field organiser for The Salvation Army’s Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) had been waiting for this moment: ‘Well I am a Christian and we do not follow that practice.’

This answer caused a stir and another woman of the Self Help Group (SHG) ventured the next question: ‘So what is a Christian? Please tell us? Do you have a sacred text we can look at?’ The field organiser replied that there certainly was a book, and on her next visit brought a Bible for the women to see and talked them through the stories. As she sat under the large tree in the middle of the ramshackle collection of grass huts, she observed women’s faces as they soaked up the stories and wondered what impact they were having.

Soon two members became Christians and faced the social problems that are often experienced when people leave their faith. Things were not easy for them and got worse when one of their sons became desperately ill. No one in the village would donate blood for a blood transfusion so the field organiser did. After the transfusion and constant prayer, the child made a miraculous recovery and shortly afterwards the rest of the group and their families gave their lives to Jesus.

So how did our field organiser, a soldier in the corps, go from being an outsider and a member of an unknown religion, to a person women trusted enough to listen to and admire? Enter Major Kanak Nyak. As far back as 2003 the major was working with small groups of women to give them the tools to make a difference in their relationships with their social, physical and

spiritual environments. Leadership skills, income generating possibilities, access to micro-loans and government assistance, savings techniques, health awareness training and strategies to deal with the complex calendar of Hindu festivals were all part of the package and it was not difficult to convince women of the benefits.

As they began to increase their influence in their families, their neighbours began to notice and consequently more groups were formed. The India Northern Territory, seeing the advantages of this way of working, launched the CEP and today there are around 488 groups in the territory reaching more than 5,800 women. The project allows them to formalise the role of champions, like Major Kanak, and employ field organisers (often soldiers) to help facilitate the groups.

It was not long before the stories started coming in. Take Mrs Kumari Naik: she was married to a drunkard who spent half his wages from his poorly paid labourers’ job on his drink habit. ‘We took a loan from

‘The women are dominated by men and have no respect in society, they do not have equal rights’ 20 Revive

Bank of Baroda and first I purchased two goats… I took care of them, and the goats multiplied. Now I have 15 goats by this loan.

Now I have purchased two bullocks and we are doing our own agriculture cultivation work. Before we joined the SHG we were doing the labour work in an other’s field but now we are not needing to. We are spending most of the time doing our own cultivation.

My husband also stopped drinking.’

The success of this story goes much deeper than the economic provision. Life for a woman in northern India is very difficult and the financial poverty is often a symptom of something far greater. Dr Isaac Masih, the territorial coordinator for the CEP in India Northern since 2004, describes the impoverished situation of women as follows: ‘The women are dominated by men and have no respect in society, they do not have equal rights. They are treated as a second class citizen and are not independent to make economic, social and political decisions. Women are poor because the cash is held by the men. Some women are poor because the husband wastes money on drug addiction and women cannot advise them to stop. If they give advice to their husband, the husband will beat them. Due

feature

Clockwise from main photo: this child – the son of a member of a self help group near Angul – had a miraculous recovery from a life-threatening illness; a field organiser for the Community Empowerment Programme; a self help group; Major Kanak Nyak

Empowering

women Community Empowerment Programme

to the low income of the husband, women and children cannot have healthy food and suffer from anaemia, malnutrition and many other diseases. Most of the women are uneducated due to lack of schooling and money.’

Mrs Naik’s story shows huge success in breaking the strongholds that culture and poverty held over her family and restored relationships with the environments around her. In some cases, the stresses of poverty and the damage their situations have on self-esteem can lead people to terrifying places.

Another field organiser tells of Mr Sompal and Mrs Munni who were preparing to commit suicide after being unable to get daily work for months. The local SHG heard about this and came to their rescue, enrolling Mrs Munni in the CEP and lending them money to buy a sewing machine. Now Mrs Munni stitches clothes while Mr Sompal sells them at the market, giving them a regular income – the SHG has saved lives.

By the time Major Heather Poxon of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland Salvation Army International Department (SAID) visited the group where the field organiser worked

in 2011, the subjugated and shy women Dr Isaac describes were nowhere to be seen. It was Major Heather’s first trip to India and she found it to be a place of ‘gracious hospitality, colour, noise and great food!’ Major Heather commented, ‘After the initial curiosity about the visitors, the groups we visited (particularly the women) seemed confident and animated. They were eager to tell of their achievements for their communities through the support of CEP. They also seemed particularly happy with the way the programme had meant that they had a newfound strength and freedom in managing their family affairs. You felt that they had pride in their identity and the fact that, on the whole, their husbands were respecting this.’

The stories continue to flow with accounts of economic success, healings, demonic deliverance and lives won. The India Northern Territory is equipping its

field organisers, officers and soldiers for ministry by sending them out, not with a solution or handout, but with the skills to build trust and relationships that enable the most desperate to find a way.

The field organiser and Major Kanak in India Northern are not exceptions, and it is not just in India where there are women who feel confronted with overwhelming helplessness and despair in the face of their situations. Around the world The Salvation Army is finding new and innovative ways of reaching out to women whilst pointing its right index finger to Jesus, recognising that he is the only one who can heal them and their communities of poverty and bring life in all its fullness.

Jonathan Hibbert-Hingston Community Development Coordinator South Asia and South Pacific and East Asia Zones, International Headquarters

Revive 21

feature

Poverty in the United Kingdom

T

here are currently 2.8 million children living in poverty in the United Kingdom (UK). In November 2010 the UK was ranked 18th out of 22 European countries

by UNICEF in relation to child poverty.

Families are considered to be living in poverty if they earn less than 60 per cent of the median income.

Acknowledging that consistent contact with the same families over a long period of time enables trust, empowers change and facilitates hope, the challenge for The Salvation Army is to identify entry points into the lives of troubled families and join with them to work for improvement in their circumstances.

Hannelise Tvedt

A troubled family is defined as one with serious problems such as: ●● No one in the family is employed. ●● Poor or overcrowded housing. ●● No parent has any qualifications. ●● The mother has mental health

problems.

●● One parent has a longstanding illness,

disability or infirmity.

●● Low income. ●● An inability to afford food or clothing.

A family which exhibits one of these is not necessarily troubled, but if they experience five or more of these problems families tend to struggle financially and display a range of other problems.

Research shows that The Salvation Army already has a presence in most deprived areas. In some of these places, 82 per cent of children are in poverty.

How does The Salvation Army respond to this? The main focus should be sharing ongoing concerns of the families and being a real presence over time, in order to facilitate the resources of individuals and the family, as well as some occasional provision, as is often the case with Christmas hampers and food parcels.

The question is asked, how can the Army stay in touch with the troubled families that receive such provisions to create lasting, supportive relationships and networks?

22 Revive

One tool could be summer camps.

Some divisions run these for children and families referred to them by social services. Many corps also hold messy church services, which are a friendly way of communicating the gospel to nonchurched families.

●● Poor children are two-and-a-half times

conversations are needed to learn from the families about their strengths and hopes.

Further research is also being conducted in the UK to identify entry points and locate some of the most significant programmes and projects with troubled families throughout the territory, in order to transfer this knowledge to other deprived regions.

The following statistics describe some of the consequences of living in poverty in Britain:

●● Low income parents are twice as likely

Home visits and community

more likely to suffer from a chronic illness.

●● Fifty young people attempt suicide in

Britain every day.

●● One in six poor children has considered

suicide.

to separate.

In order to be involved and effective in making inroads into this massive challenge an integrated mission approach is needed.

The Salvation Army aims to both advocate for the concerns of troubled families and be part of the solution.

‘In some of these places, 82 per cent of children are in poverty’

feature Quote from a newcomer

‘Coming to The Salvation Army Sutton Corps was a warm welcoming experience for all our family. People talked to you and seemed genuinely interested in who you were and why you had come to the church. It felt as if there was a place for you if you wanted to stay… My children Camps felt it was a safe place.’

London South-East Division runs residential camps during the summer holidays for vulnerable children referred by social services and local corps. Their families not only engage for the week of the camp, but are also linked and supported by corps throughout the year. These positive interactions have resulted in children coming to faith.

Messy Church Quote from Major Karen Ramsay, Swale Development Project, Sittingbourne

‘Kids camp influences the spirituality of children, which in turn impacts family in terms of behaviour, attitudes and morality. They develop a hunger to worship God, which blesses our worship on Sunday. It makes a huge difference to the whole community.’

Major Richard Mingay, corps officer, Sutton Corps ‘Today’s family unit seeks affirming relationships, security and purpose.

Corps and centres connect with their communities through relational interaction for the whole family, such as what happens at messy church.’

Major Hannelise Tvedt Assistant Secretary for Programme United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland

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Revive 23

Ты - прибежище бедному,

О Господь,

прибежище нищему в его беде Исайя 25:4

Isaiah 25:4 (NLT)

But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.