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JU LY - S EP T EMBER 2012
THE PROPHETIC
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SETTING UP A
PRAYER ROOM COMMUNICATING
CHRIST UNASHAMEDLY
MAKING THE MESSAGE
clear Eq U iPP ing
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From Her Heart Selections from the preaching and teaching of Helen Clifton From Her Heart is an inspiring selection of Commissioner Helen Clifton’s writings, chosen by her husband, General Shaw Clifton (Rtd), following her promotion to Glory on 14 June 2011. Part one includes preaching and personal testimonies from her service in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), UK, USA, Pakistan and New Zealand. Part two contains extracts from Helen’s prayer journals that are eloquent testimony to a deep faith. Part three comprises 20 talks from Commissioner Clifton’s years as World President of Women’s Ministries. Clear scriptural teaching is interspersed with fascinating glimpses of both family life and the challenge of service as an Army officer. Her love and prayerful concern for her family and the worldwide family of The Salvation Army are evident. Each talk is enhanced by background information, whether Helen Clifton was preaching at a small corps or speaking to the Massachusetts State Legislature. Her public addresses, given in January and March 2011, provide a poignant conclusion to this record of a lifetime spent communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the introduction General Clifton expresses his hope that the book will ‘honour her memory’ and ‘prove of help and encouragement to readers in many cultures.’ I am certain that it will – here is a legacy from the heart and mind of a beautiful woman of God.
The Other Woman Exploring the Story of Hagar by JoAnn Streeter Shade The Other Woman: Exploring the Story of Hagar, by JoAnn Streeter Shade, brings to life a Bible character who does not receive much attention. In the story of Abram and Sarah, the Egyptian slave-girl Hagar has been cast into the shadows and often overlooked. When she is mentioned it is usually with a quick reference as the woman who carried a child for Abraham with the hope of fulfilling God’s promise that he would be the father of many descendants. Hagar’s story provides a number of valuable lessons. From the hurtful events of Hagar’s life, the author draws lessons of encouragement, hope and healing. In the midst of her pain and brokenness, she found that she was not forgotten. God saw her and he heard her. God was present, and where he is, there is life and hope. Are you discouraged, grieving, fearful, lonely, abused? If so, this book brings the assurance that you are not alone, God sees and hears your heart’s cry – God is with you. The Other Woman challenges and strengthens our faith as it reveals that God is closest in the difficult places of life.
Lieut-Colonel Jayne Roberts
Major Lorraine Hart
EdIToR – THE SalvaTiOn army yEar BOOk
PRIvATE SECRETARy To THE GENERAL
INTERNATIoNAL HEAdqUARTERS
INTERNATIoNAL HEAdqUARTERS
www.amazon.co.uk ihq-editorial@salvationarmy.org or your nearest Salvation Army Supplies or Trade
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Others Press The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory Supplies and purchasing department, tel: +1 888 488 4882
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ONE MEssAGE 05 How I share my faith 06 Love to tell the story 08 Taking Jesus public 09 Freedom, hope and life
revive@salvationarmy.org
J U LY- S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2
11 Communicating Christ
unashamedly
15 It’s not over –
it’s only just beginning
19 Faith in action
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20 Simply live Jesus 21 How I met my Lord 22 A stitch in time
IN EvERY IssUE
COLUMNs
02 Book Reviews
10 The prophetic leader
04 Editorial
LEAdERSHIP
17 Make the message clear and plain SPIRITUAL LIFE
18 The Prayer House 23 Coming events/iQuote
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Front cover: Photo of Lieut-Colonel Arschette Moukoko by Berni Georges Back cover: Psalm 119:105 in Shona 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, NKSv - New King James version, KJv - King James version, GNB - Good News Bible, NLT - New Living Translation, 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
living the message – sharing life Lieut-Colonel Simone Robertson
W
OW! It’s so exciting when we receive a gift, especially when it is so much more than we expected. All sorts of emotions come into play – thankfulness, joy, excitement, appreciation and love, just to name a few. When this happens to me I want to do a big show-and-tell routine – I want to tell everybody I meet about the amazing gift I have just received. More importantly however, I also love to hear others share their thankful ‘gift-getting’ stories. Giftgiving and receiving is exciting! This edition of Revive is full of articles from women around the world who have had their lives changed by the gift of salvation. Instead of our usual main feature article, we have many stories of women communicating Christ unashamedly. They are living out the International Vision Plan: One Message – with the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life. We have a message to share, loud and clear, to all we meet. This message brings There is a message, a simple message, And it’s a message for us all; There is a Saviour, and what a Saviour! There is a Saviour for us all. (SaSB No 270 v 1, John Gowans)
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EDiToR
‘BY OPENING UP TO OTHERS, YOU’LL PROMPT PEOPLE TO OPEN UP WITH GOD’ hope, freedom and love. It is neither complicated nor restricted – it is available to all! I love how Eugene Peterson brings to life Matthew 5:14-16; in The Message ‘Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in Heaven.’ God is not a secret and neither is his message. When we receive his lifechanging gift we can’t help but go public – we become a light that shines brightly to all those around us. I pray that you will see the variety of the God-colours through the stories that are shared in this edition of Revive. Ordinary women ‘doing life’ with others, sharing in others’ sorrows – offering hope, sharing in their joys and celebrating God! May we each be encouraged to share with other women what the message of Christ means to us. We mustn’t hesitate to read and follow the living Word of God. ‘By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path’ (Psalm 119:105 TM).
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thank God for a unique opportunity that he has given me of ministering in my workplace. Initially it was very intimidating to share the love of Jesus with sick people. The HIV/Aids pandemic in our country caught us by surprise. Suddenly we had many very sick people needing care that we, as health workers, had not had time to learn about. When I left the government hospital after being trained as a specialist physician, specific treatment for Aids was not available. Working in a new environment I soon learnt that if I were to testify about the God who does not fail, I had to quickly equip myself with knowledge of antiretroviral medications. I enrolled for diplomas in HIV/Aids treatment. I had to fight with medical aid insurance to secure funds for authorisation of drugs for my patients. In the same way as it is difficult to preach to a hungry person – it’s even more difficult to encourage and testify to a chronically ill person facing death. I felt I had to bring hope for both the physical and spiritual needs of the patients. I have learnt to be completely accepting when I approach my patients, showing them the love that I believe Jesus would show them. One of my patients was a nurse in complete denial of her illness and severely depressed. I prayed with her and asked to test her for HIV/Aids. It took her a long time to agree to this – she tested positive. Through sustained support, sharing and encouragement, she responded wonderfully well to antiretroviral medication. She is still alive and has been hospitalised only once after her initial treatment, and more good news is that she has accepted Jesus Christ as her personal saviour. A frequent comment from patients who come into the hospital aware of the stigma attached to the disease and totally self-conscious, is that what makes them feel better is our
how I share my faith alo Qwabe Busisiwe Khum
welcoming, non-judgemental environment. I know I could never do this alone. God gives me strength when I’m down or have my doubts. In our hospital, we begin the day with worship and prayer after the nurses have done their handover rounds. This helps to set the tone for the day and focus on the work at hand. I started sharing one-to-one with our nurses and we have been able to be supportive of one another. We ‘WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL even have a prayer chain when one of us is challenges. BETTER IS OUR WELCOMING, undergoing I find that if the health workers trust in NON-JUDGEMENTAL God it is easier to work with them – they ENVIRONMENT’ become more diligent. I trust and believe this has been my calling and that it is God’s guidance that helps and sustains me in my work.
Busisiwe Khumalo Qwabe PEART MEMoRIAL CoRPS HoME LEAGUE SECRETARy SoUTHERN AFRICA TERRIToRy
Revive 5
feature
love to tell the
story
ife is a story and every page we turn God is right there beside us, writing his love and plans for us. My story had a beautiful beginning in a Christian home where I gave my life to Jesus as a little girl. God’s story and mine further combined as I married a wonderful Christian man, became mother to a beautiful daughter and had a fulfilling teaching career for over 30 years. This latest chapter of my life is now as a Salvation Army lay pastor in a small community in Ontario, Canada. ‘I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.’ Arabella Catherine Hankey I truly do love to tell the story of Jesus and this sharing has brought me such joy from opportunities in the corps to the classroom and now as a pastor. However what has happened in the last couple of years is a more intentional sharing. The Holy Spirit’s leading is the key. His promptings are critical to my sharing as he opens my eyes to those around me. There is a transparency about my faith that is translated into opportunities to share the love of Christ. It can be as simple as caring for another lady on the Curves fitness circuit, connecting with a customer in our Thrift Store or a lady from the 6 Revive
Starr Ferris church over the phone or across the table at the coffee shop. Offering to listen and pray for the concerns that weigh them down has opened many doors to sharing my faith. The children are a special gift to our corps and how wonderful to tell and sing with them the message of Jesus! It begins, for me, early in the morning as I spend time with the Lord, loving and praising him, and giving him my day to write on it as he pleases. Recently my husband and I were at a resort in the Caribbean. As I enjoyed my devotions while overlooking the glories of creation, God opened my heart in a special way. I saw the locals around me working so hard to make my vacation enjoyable.
‘OFFERING TO LISTEN AND PRAY FOR THE CONCERNS THAT WEIGH THEM DOWN I wanted to thank them for their kindness and on several occasions HAS OPENED MANY DOORS the door to share the love of God was opened. I was amazed at the TO SHARING MY FAITH’ reception of a cleaning lady and later a gardener. But what else would I expect when the Holy Spirit was writing another chapter! ThE gaRDEnER It was a hand-picked morning! The tropical blues of sky and sea offset with the white sands, waving palm trees and glorious flowers were pleasure to my spirit. It was so easy to connect with the King of Creation in such a setting. I spent an hour in prayer and praise thanking God for this privileged vacation and asking the Holy Spirit to guide me through the day. It was then that I noticed a gardener busy at work weeding one of the flowerbeds. It was obvious that many workers were needed
to keep the resort in such immaculate condition. I was prompted to go over and thank the man hard at work. When I spoke to him, he looked up almost fearful that he had done something wrong. I thanked him for doing such a wonderful job and reached over and put a couple of rolled up one dollar bills in his shirt pocket. He seemed almost stunned and gave me only a small nod as I continued my walk to the shore. As I reclined under the shade of a palm tree, up beside me shyly came the gardener holding a bouquet of three beautiful freshly cut red exora flowers! His face was beaming. Addressing me as ‘My Lady’ he explained that he had been having a difficult morning and was rather down when I came along and spoke to him. ‘Oh my God, my Lady! Oh my God.’ We spoke for the next few moments about how wonderful God is and how caring, especially when we are feeling down. A huge smile was across his face as he went back to work! Over the remainder of my stay, we saw each other several times in passing, always with a smile and words of gratitude and praise. On my final morning at the resort, we had our picture taken together. I gave him a note, encouraging him in his walk with the Lord and assured him of my prayers. As I look back over that week away, those few moments stand out in my memory. Thank You, Holy Spirit for the nudge to speak to that gardener. What a difference it made to both of us and only God knows the difference it will make for eternity! All of this is by ‘Grace Alone’. ‘Every soul we long to reach, Every heart we hope to teach, Everywhere we share his peace is only by his grace. Every loving word we say, Every tear we wipe away Every sorrow turned to praise is only by his grace.’ Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson – Copyright Maranatha! Music
Starr Ferris TILLSoNBURG CoRPS, oNTARIo CANAdA ANd BERMUdA TERRIToRy
Revive 7
Rudd Lieutenant Kari
M
y husband wanted to teach me how to surf. In his effort to convince me he said, ‘It’s like a sidewalk. There’s no way you won’t be able to stand up!’ My answer was no! I was perfectly content to be a spectator from the beach. And as I watched I took in the entire scene. I saw girls out there! Well surely – I couldn’t! I’d make a fool of myself. Then a mature woman caught my eye. Let me be specific – a 70-something woman who was surfing and having a blast. I was sold! The dictionary defines the word ‘sell’ as ‘persuade to course of action, develop belief in truth, gain acceptance.’ That 70something surfer made the sale. I wanted in, not because she made it look supercool, but rather, it was evident she had the joy of the sport. I wish I could say it turned out well for me, that I was a natural, took to it immediately and ‘rode toes on the nose’ as it were. No, it was ugly. Learning to surf was humiliating – it’s not like the movies. My arms were so sore that I literally couldn’t lift them to wash my hair. I was pummelled. Where’s the joy in that? Finally, after countless failed attempts, I caught my first wave alongside my husband and teacher. There’s nothing like it, ‘walking on water’. No tricks, just a ride that was smooth, short and worth all the awkwardness. I’m hopeless at surfing. But it taught me valuable lessons on how to evangelise for Jesus.
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Daring to try things that appear artless is an acceptable strategy for evangelical outreach. Stepping outside my comfort zone is something that’s become habitual. Christianity may require discomfort. Witnessing to this earthbound world calls for me to try things that don’t come naturally, like talking and living for Jesus. Muy difícil? Sí! (Very difficult? Yes!)
‘SOMETIMES, WHEN SURFING, I COME OUT OF THE WATER LOOKING LIKE A DROWNED RAT’
When others see me in the midst of Godly joy, they grow curious – sometimes even engaged. God has allowed me to help make the sale for him and develop a belief in the truth. At our corps we’re all about taking Jesus public. We hold Bible studies in restaurants and do personal Bible lessons at coffee shops. Each person says ‘God bless you’ in their second language to as many people as possible. We commit to say Jesus’ name at least three times in each community meeting. I was sitting in a public area reading my Bible and someone nearby asked me, ‘Is that a Bible you’re reading?’ ‘Yes, it is’ I replied, and they said ‘Huh, you don’t see that any more.’ Riding on God’s wave of joy I said, ‘Oh, it’s so much fun!’ Matthew 9:37 speaks of us as the workers with a plentiful harvest. Sometimes, when surfing, I come out of the water looking like a drowned rat – that is not fun. But when God provides a smooth wave to ride into the joy of his harvest with people coming to know Jesus – that really is fantastic!
Kari Rudd
USA WESTERN TERRIToRy
freedom hope and life
mi Emily Muta
was born into a Christian home and grew up fully committed to all church activities. To me this meant all was well between me and my God. I did not know that I needed to give my life to Jesus. I had been married for a number of years but was unable to have a baby, so I constantly asked God why, despite my commitment to him through church, he did not give me a child of my own. I started attending Bible studies at Kanyama Corps and during the prayer time on one occasion the officer started praying for my situation. During this prayer, I felt as though I was being lifted up. I fell to the ground
and later rose to hear myself confessing Christ and accepting him as my Lord and Saviour. I felt a great sense of relief. I realised then that I had received the spirit of forgiveness because I was able to forgive all those that had wronged me – something which was not easy for me to do before. This transformation brought freedom and hope to my life. I continue to pray for a child and, although this has not yet happened, I realise since giving my life to Christ that God’s timing is best. If I ‘I ALWAYS HAVE A STRONG do not have a child I will continue to count myself blessed because URGE TO SHARE MY FAITH God has given me a loving and understanding husband. WITH OTHER PEOPLE’
Even though I have no children of my own I mentor others who regard me as their ‘spiritual mother’. They bring me much joy and hardly a day goes by without a phone call from one of them. I always have a strong urge to share my faith with other people wherever I go. I constantly place my hope and faith in God because each time I pray he answers my prayers. One night when my husband became very sick, I prayed for him and he was healed. From that day on, I received and began a healing ministry which strengthens my faith and gives me courage to go on and tell the story of this Jesus who transforms lives. Despite being childless I love God and have hope in him. I am not ashamed to share his good news with people wherever I go. God is with me and he answers my prayers. I draw strength from Psalm 116:1, 2: ‘I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.’
Emily Mutami CHIPATA CoRPS ZAMBIA TERRIToRy
Revive 9
leadership
leader
the prophetic the prophetic Leader
‘GOD HAS PLACED YOU IN THE OPTIMAL PLACE TO FULFIL YOUR MISSION’ your sign mean?’ – even though it could happen! However, as spiritual leaders, God has asked us to put our feet to the prophetic message and not wait for the one in spiritual peril to come to us. We are to reach out to others. As I considered this further, notes in my ESV Study Bible helped me personalise 2 Corinthians 5:18-20: 1. The core of my ministry of spiritual leadership is my personal reconciliation to God through Christ. What about you? 2. The consequence of that reconciliation is my God-given calling to proclaim the same message to the world. Do you see the unending opportunities God has given you to do this? God has placed you in the optimal place to fulfil your mission. Your obedience is essential! 3. The content of the message is the forgiveness of sin by virtue of Christ’s death. We don’t cloud the message with our own bias or tradition. The message stands – complete, pure, powerful! 4. The call on our life is this: I am and you are, dear sister, an ambassador for Christ. God makes his appeal through us! What is an ambassador? ‘A diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative.’ Let’s break it down:
T
here is a lovely old church in my neighborhood and I am always intrigued by the words it puts on the large neon sign in front of the century-old, medievallooking façade. These are usually short, clever, edgy statements intended to give the passer-by a pithy and provocative thought that will linger in the mind throughout the day. Driving by one day, I slowed down on my approach because I could see a longer line of scrolling text. If I’d been going my normal speed I wouldn’t have been able to read it at all. The sign said: ‘Our church will proclaim the message of reconciliation through Jesus Christ to all who pass by.’ Now, I have a tendency to overthink and I immediately went into my ‘Susan-as-word-analyst’ mode. But I really only questioned the last four words. This message would be proclaimed to ‘all who pass by’. My prayer was, ‘Oh Lord, don’t let the proclamation stop there.’ I’m sure the beautiful Christ-followers within that faith community don’t intend to sit and wait for a passer-by to read the sign, enter the church and ask, ‘What does
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= A diplomatic official – skilled in dealing with sensitive matters
or people, tactfully. = Of the highest rank – deemed to be trustworthy and equipped for representing the sovereign in all matters. = Resident representative – this world is not our home, but we have been called to live and work here for this purpose alone: to represent our Sovereign Lord and his message of reconciliation through the death and resurrection of his own Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is the one message of the prophetic leader.
Columnist for 2012 Lieut-Colonel Susan Bukiewicz dIvISIoNAL dIRECToR FoR WoMEN’S MINISTRIES, METRoPoLITAN dIvISIoN USA CENTRAL TERRIToRy
G riam l Mi
C o M M U n i C aT i n g C h R i S T U n a S h a M E D LY
lone t-Co Lieu
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recently attended a ball! A strange thing for a Salvation Army officer to attend, you may think. My biggest concern was what I might need to wear. It turned out to be Salvation Army uniform, so that made things easy. The rich and the poor gathered together. The purpose of the ball was to raise money for our work with homeless people.
There was no doubt that this purpose was accomplished, but I also noticed something far greater than fund-raising. The young people who shared their stories and talents in a variety of creative ways had all been helped by others. People had come alongside them, worked with them and shared the journey. Many of those who attended the ball had become mentors to the young people, involving themselves in their lives, and caring about what happened to them.
Also, Jesus was shared unashamedly. There were stories of transformation. The Word of God was read. There was prayer. No one was embarrassed to have Jesus at the forefront. During the evening an auction was held to support the work with homeless young people. Many people who bought items donated their purchases back to the Army. You see, working in this area – and supporting such a great cause – gave added meaning to those who had lives of success and means. It was a great example of: A. Doing* life with people. (*incarnational ministry) B. Sharing a Jesus faith journey. C. Inspiring people to serve alongside us.
The example of Jesus Look up John 4:1-42 in the Bible and, if possible, watch the story on The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John (2003) – this brings the story alive. How does Jesus relate to this woman of Samaria?
A. He does life with her ‘Now he had to go through Samaria’ (v 4). As he has done many times before, Jesus singles out an individual with a need. Actually, he shouldn’t even be speaking to her. She is a Samaritan woman of questionable character. He is single, religious, Jewish and pure. A single man never speaks to or touches a woman. Jesus is tired. He sits. It’s noon. The Samaritan woman comes to draw water when none of the other women are about. Revive 11
C o M M U n i C aT i n g C h R i S T U n a S h a M E D LY
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Jesus takes a risk, reaches out, speaks to her. He talks to her about water and husbands and earthly things. She is convinced that he is the Messiah To think through
1. What feelings do you think the Samaritan woman would have experienced?
2. What might her life have been like because of the choices she had made? 3. When Jesus first spoke to her, what might she have thought and felt? Imagine the variety of thoughts and feelings and talk about them within your group, or write them down if you are doing this study by yourself. 4. Try to imagine her loneliness and shame, coming at noon each day to avoid the other women who came to draw water. 5. Why did Jesus do this? Why did he take the risk to reach out and speak to her? 6. Is the Kingdom of God really for everyone, from every nation and every culture? B. He shares a Jesus faith journey with her Jesus talks about things that she understands. She comes every day to draw water. She talks about things she is comfortable with, and readily debates. He talks about things she understands and needs, but more than that, something that she doesn’t yet know about. He talks about living water – water that flows. This kind of water was valued. It was the only water that could be used in ritual washings to make unclean worshippers pure. Shechem had no rivers or streams. Even Jacob had to dig a well!
her. He knows that she has had five husbands and isn’t married to her current lover. There is no hint of condemnation. She knows he’s a prophet.
sharing a faith journey. The disciples return and don’t understand why he is even talking to her – especially about things that are so profound.
She changes the subject, suggesting that ‘your people worship in Jerusalem, our people worship here, so we have little in common’. And Jesus shares with her that there is more.
Jesus doesn’t offer religion, but rather a relationship with him. He isn’t afraid to delve deeply into her life. The woman has both a heart and a head experience and bears witness to Jesus. Her life is transformed.
Worship is dynamic and life-giving. That’s what she needs, and what he wants for her. Worship isn’t tied to holy places, but is a response to a holy person – Jesus.
To think through
1. Jesus talks about things to do with her life. Why was that important?
At first, she doesn’t understand the gift or the giver!
This is the longest conversation recorded in the gospels between Jesus and an individual.
2. She understood drawing water. She understood about living water. She wanted something that might make her life easier! What do you think her first thoughts may have been when Jesus spoke about living water?
He talks about husbands, but doesn’t judge
Jesus and the Samaritan woman are
3. Jesus keeps going deeper into the
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And then she identifies Jesus!
bible study C o M M U n i C aT i n g C h R i S T U n a S h a M E D LY
‘WHAT FEELINGS DO YOU THINK THE SAMARITAN WOMAN WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED?’
harvest, about the many people who would believe in him. The Jews and Samaritans were enemies, so Jesus’ inclusion of the Samaritans among those he favours is revolutionary. 1. What do you think happened To think when the woman went back to through the town and shared with the people? What was so convincing? What was so different? 2. Why does Jesus talk about the harvest in this story? What does it say about the harvest? 3. How do you think the Samaritans felt? What did this mean for them? 4. There is power in the story of a transformed life. What are three major things that happened for this woman, the disciples, the Samaritans?
For us to apply to our lives today subject. He doesn’t leave it at the superficial level. Where does he get to? 4. He talks about husbands, without judgement. What would that have meant to her? How did she begin to see him? 5. She changes the subject and starts to talk about differences. Why did she do that? 6. What is the difference between religion and relationship? What did she understand? 7. How do you think this changed her life? C. Through one enthusiastic convert the word is spread and others believe John 4:39-42 says ‘Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.” So
when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.”’ This woman goes away transformed, and tells everyone in her town about the experience she has had with Jesus. She leaves her water jar, like those who had left their nets, or their tax collector’s table, to respond to Jesus. Almost immediately, the woman becomes an evangelist and apostle, going out to tell people about Jesus and bringing them in. The whole village comes to see for themselves! Many Samaritans believe because of the woman’s witness. Jesus talks with the disciples about
A. Doing life with people B. Sharing a Jesus faith journey C. Inspiring people to serve alongside us A. Doing life with people 1. Who is the needy individual I need to single out and, like Jesus, do life with? 2. What will this look like if it takes time? What if the person becomes a Christian? What if they don’t? 3. What will it mean to create a safe place for them – loving them, knowing them, serving them and celebrating them? Will I let them love, know, serve and celebrate me? 4. What things might come up from their life? How might I help them with some of those feelings, past hurts, loneliness, shame and pain? Revive 13
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bible study
? 5. Am I prepared to give time to relationships like this? How many people can I really do life with outside of my circle of friends and family? How important is this to me? B. Sharing a Jesus faith journey 1. Write down your own story (no-one can dispute your personal story). Take out any clichés. See if you can put it on a single page. Write about what your life was like before you became a Christian, how you encountered Jesus at the Cross, and how life is now. Share it with each other. Make this a normal part of life. Unashamedly share what Jesus has done. 2. What is your responsibility in drinking, sharing and making known this living water? 3. How might you bring Jesus into conversations, relationships, friendships – naturally? 4. What is involved in a Jesus faith journey? Tell your group about some of the journey you have taken with people and how you shared Jesus. 5. The Samaritan woman brought her empty jar to the well to be filled. She also brought her empty self, not knowing that she would be filled. What brings you to the well? 14 Revive
‘ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU THE NAMES OF PEOPLE THAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO LIFE WITH. WRITE THEIR NAMES DOWN’ 6. The Church needs to find the Samaritan woman/man today and share the Saviour of the world with them. How might we do that? C. Inspiring people to serve alongside us 1. People are looking for meaning. Where could they come and serve alongside you to see what this adventure is all about? How might that add meaning to their lives? 2. People usually leave something behind to come and follow Jesus – jars, fishing nets, tax-collector’s table. How might you help people to do that in order to find what they are really looking for? 3. New Christians make great evangelists. How might you help them to share Jesus as they serve alongside you? How might you also be a ‘discipler’? 4. In serving alongside them, what would you want that person to do, learn, become? How might you help them? 5. Apply the Army’s International Vision to the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman – We see a God-raised, Spirit-
filled Army for the 21st century convinced of its calling moving forward together into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means with the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life.
Going forward Ask God to give you the names of people that he wants you to do life with. Write their names down. Decide as a group how you can keep each other accountable – pray for each other and for the people that you will share with. Believe for ‘salvations’! Believe for transformed lives!
Miriam Gluyas TERRIToRIAL PRoGRAMME SECRETARy AUSTRALIA EASTERN TERRIToRy
I
I
jusT beGinninG
Auxiliary-Captain Leonie (Lol) Raven Leonie (Lol) Raven’s passion for evangelism comes from God’s saving grace in her life. For her, God’s transforming power is the complete story.
F
or 35 years Lol lived in hardened addiction which resulted in the destruction of her family, the death of her son to a drug overdose, and the loss of a partner in drug-related circumstances. Now Lol is a woman who says, ‘No more!’ Through God’s transformation of her life she now knows she is called to
Photo: courtesy Luke Tearle, War Cry New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory
It s not over It s only I
live for and serve Jesus. As a Maori woman her witness speaks powerfully to others of her culture. Today Lol and her husband Rob are corps officers of the Tokoroa Corps, effectively ministering God’s saving grace in the community. Jeremiah 1:5 is the verse that best describes Lol’s life. God knew her before she was born and had better plans for her than the life she was living. Lol says, ‘I have been in prison both physically and spiritually, but you must never give up. I was sentenced to a life Revive 15
‘LOL HAD HELPED BUILD THAT STEEL WALL AROUND HERSELF, CREATING HER OWN PRISON’
Photo: courtesy Luke Tearle, War Cry New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory
imprisoned in substance abuse, but God was in that sentence and he had another life plan.’ Lol had not been in a place to see or recognise this and she describes her life of addiction as being ‘handcuffed and tied up completely during these years. My prison was like steel but God was able to infiltrate those walls.’ Lol had helped build that steel wall around herself, creating her own prison which was more formidable than the physical detention centre. From her experiences Lol knows that God relentlessly pursues us and he will not give 16 Revive
up. What a concept! Although it is deeply personal and dramatic, Lol is prepared to tell her story because she wants to be an instrument of God’s redeeming grace. Release came for her in 2004 when God intervened in her life during a period in a Salvation Army addictions treatment programme. Lol began to see that she had believed a lie and in reality Jesus had come to set people free – to set her free! Lol has an amazing gift of music and she can talk the ‘old’ language of drug users, but then turns it to good. She can build authentic relationships with people
who know the reality of her journey but can see in front of them the evidence of extraordinary change. For them her story is like looking in a mirror and Lol believes her unmistakable transformation is living proof of Jesus’ power at work in her life. In the past, people tried to push Jesus at her and she would resentfully back away. She now knows that she must simply be quietly present with people, and watch God work as she walks alongside them. When Lol meets people she first sits and listens, trying to see and hear with God’s eyes and ears. She recognises that her role is not to fix others but to be a channel for God to work through. In that space, she sees God move by his Holy Spirit. ‘I am just imitating what others have taught me through what Jesus has taught them!’ she says. And now she models the same behaviour, believing that in time those she has contact with will be God’s instruments in the same way. Lol describes her interactions as ‘intentionally making disciples’ and her agenda is totally in line with The Salvation Army’s mandate or kaupapa (Maori term with similar meaning), following Christ’s instruction in Matthew’s Gospel to make disciples. Lol is constantly amazed by what God has done for her and her daily mantra is, ‘It’s not over – it’s only just beginning. I never give up because God never gave up on me!’
Article submitted by Major Lynette Hutson dIvISIoNAL dIRECToR oF WoMEN’S MINISTRIES NATIoNAL CoNSULTANT – AddICTIoNS SUPPoRTIvE ACCoMModATIoN SERvICES, MIdLANd dIvISIoN NEW ZEALANd, FIJI ANd ToNGA TERRIToRy
spiritual life
Major Molvie Graham EdIToR, CARIBBEAN TERRIToRy
Columnist for 2012
A
clear and plain message captures the listeners’ attention and connects them to God. As we continue to live out the International Vision, One Army, One Mission, One Message, let us bear in mind that being linked by prayer unifies the message and ‘though sundered far, by faith they meet around one common mercy seat’ (SASB No 573 v 3).
Simplicity How we share the message is vital if we are to reach our target audience. Whatever the language, it should have as its base, Jesus saves, keeps and satisfies. It must be geared to reach all, especially those who have not heard the gospel. Today many of us can share the message simply through social media such as Facebook and Twitter to reach a large number of people. A plain and simple message is important as we communicate with our heavenly Father in prayer. While on earth Jesus preached using analogies with which his audience could identify. In a farming community he drew the attention of his followers to the fields: ‘I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest’ (John 4:35). For those of us who are leaders, we try to tailor our messages to suit our congregations. Regardless of the occasion it should be clear and plain – ‘Christ receiveth sinful men’ (SASB No 262). A doctor uses his medical knowledge to heal the sick, the lawyer defends his clients, and as God’s representatives Christians should always seek to win souls for Christ. William Booth, the Founder of The Salvation Army, encouraged Salvationists ‘HOW WE to ‘Go for souls and go for the worst’, SHARE THE aware that the ‘whoever’ recorded in John 3:16 meant ‘all’. MESSAGE
IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO REACH OUR TARGET AUDIENCE’
we left the corps we were delighted to hear that she became a Sunday school teacher when she was 14 years old. In 2007 she sent my husband an air ticket to attend her wedding in Canada and asked him to wear his uniform and play his cornet. We sow the seeds of ministry – God completes his work of grace. In my teenage years I began listening with keen interest, to evangelist Dr Billy Graham, whose sermons were simple and plain, yet profound. Fifty years later, I still listen and am still impacted by his ministry. His life and ministry is an example for us all.
Effectiveness
Preparation
In the early 1970s a Hindu girl, Nalini, and Mukesh, her brother, came to our Sunday school and other youth programmes in Guyana. Although still Hindu by tradition, Nalini confided in me that she knew much about Christianity which she learned from the ministry of my husband and me. After
As we continue to share the gospel message let us seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to make it effective. Using the Bible and pertinent literature such as a concordance and other resource materials in our preparation, may we make prayer a vital part of this venture and claim souls as the ultimate goal. To reiterate songwriter Erdmann Neumeister, let us persistently ‘make the message clear and plain, Christ receiveth sinful men’. Revive 17
the
prayerhouse ‘ T h E Y a L L J o i n E D T o g E T h E R C o n S Ta n T LY i n P R aY E R ’ ( a C T S 1 : 1 4 )
PRAYER ROOM KENyA EAST TERRIToRy
The Kenya East Territory is experiencing the spiritual fruits of a women officers’ retreat, ‘Growing in Grace and Knowledge’, led by Lieut-Colonel Janet Munn, International Secretary for Spiritual Life development. Workshops included teaching on the spiritual disciplines of praying the Bible, simplicity, prayer and fasting. Lieut-Colonel Munn led four Bible studies on the theme El roi – ‘The
‘MANY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO SET UP PRAYER ROOMS IN THEIR CORPS OFFICE, HALL OR QUARTERS’ God who sees’ and quoted from memory the Scripture passages related to the Bible studies. A prayer room was created for 24-7 prayer during the four days of the retreat. Since then many officers have been inspired to set up prayer rooms in their corps office, hall or quarters. Men, women and youth have become involved. Some officers have been prayer walking in their communities and many are now able to recite Scripture. Lieut-Colonel Phyllis Mukonga (divisional director of Women’s Ministries, Embu division) writes about the transformation she has seen in her officers: ‘I have received testimonies of new converts joining the Army through the powerful sermons preached in meetings, and this is through the empowerment women officers received during the retreat. Two men officers have told me of the great change they are seeing in their wives’ ministry, personal spiritual growth and when dealing with family issues. Some have joined their wives in using the prayer room – something that did not happen before the retreat. during praise and worship times we are seeing the unlimited moving of the Spirit – people praying to God asking for forgiveness of their sins and claiming the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.’ I also have created a prayer room in a spare room in my home. I visit it twice a day – morning and evening. 18 Revive
of e blessings Some of th room are : the prayer = There is no interruption during prayers = It is available to you at any time of the
Women officers at the final praise and worship meeting of the women officers’ retreat where all the delegates dressed in the outfits they had made from the 90th anniversary kanga material.
day = you can take all the time you wish = It is a commitment you have made with
your inner self = The room is there as a reminder to pray = other family members learn the
importance of prayer.
ins: room conta My prayer = A Bible
When I invited my husband to the prayer room it was a surprise to him and at first he had many questions. I thank God that he is now familiar with the prayer room and uses it for his personal devotions. For me this is not something that will last just a few years. I will always have the prayer room and I will teach my children and even my grandchildren how to use it.
= A song book = Four small pillows for kneeling = A small table = A chair to sit in while reading the Bible = A monthly prayer list = A daily devotional guide.
Commissioner Dorita Wainwright TERRIToRIAL PRESIdENT oF WoMEN’S MINISTRIES KENyA EAST TERRIToRy
Sharing the Message Myriam Segura
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y name is Myriam Segura – I am 28 years old and an adherent member of The Salvation Army. I have been employed by the Army for two years in youth ministry with ‘Action Quartiers’ (youth work in deprived areas) led by Majors Isabella and Didier Chastagnier. My mission in Mulhouse is to set up street activities in the district, run an afterschool club for homework twice a week, meet with a group of mums, and welcome young adults from another area. This work allows me to share my faith in positive ways supporting needy children and their families. For me, the key is that God is always present when I visit families, or when I’m involved with street ministry activities. I give him my attitudes and my words so
that he will inspire me in everything. Our faith must be lived out by putting the gospel into action, even more than through our words. Smiles and our availability and generosity are things that touch the greatest number of Muslim mothers with whom we are in contact. I often tell myself that we may do a thousand and one things to offer Christian love and a ray of hope to these families in distress, but if we do not have love for others at heart, then our actions are in vain. Our sincere attitude toward these families and God instills confidence. I can see God at work through these relationships. He opens doors for me to present the gospel and I can testify about a God who loves and cares for them. An example of this was seen in a mother – an illegal immigrant – who we helped to get her documents in order. Later she witnessed that through this process she had learned the ‘If we do not have love importance of prayer. I do not for others at heart, then hesitate to tell the children and their our actions are in vain’ parents that we pray for them, and
IN AC TION
this gives me the opportunity to testify about God. I have learned that the most important things are a sincere smile, a look of love, a large dose of prayer, and the need to take a firm hold of the words and promises of God. These promises are applied to my life, but also to the life of my neighbour – whoever that may be. These are the tools that God has given me – tools which I must put into use as a Christian, right here where he has placed me. It’s not always easy, but I lean on the only One who has the power to transform all things – Jesus Christ. For without him I can do nothing! I guard in my heart this verse from John’s Gospel: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5).
Myriam Segura MULLHoUSE CoRPS FRANCE ANd BELGIUM TERRIToRy
Revive 19
Sharing the Message
Simply live Jesus n Major Lynette Hutso
I
am continually amazed by the way God takes us to unexpected places. When we received a request for help from the Notorious Chapter of the Mongrel Mob, a New Zealand Maori gang known for their culture of violence and criminal behaviour, I was cautious. Because of their violent history the gang is feared and rejected and its members are societal outcasts. The Mongrel Mob had been severely impacted by its involvement with the drug methamphetamine and its use and dealing had spread through the gang like a virus, leading to the deaths of more than 50 members in five years. The leaders had come to a point of wanting more than prison and addiction for their children. The costs were simply too high. A large part of my ministry has been in the area of addictions. My passion is seeing broken people healed and restored (made whole again) through God’s power combined with the professional treatment we provide. God is still in the business of transforming lives, but the challenge of working with the Mongrel Mob was at the extreme end of the spectrum – hence my caution. Designing a programme that used our skills and experience but also included their knowledge was a challenge. The Maori cultural paradigm is to work in partnership and to involve the whole family (whanau) and so the design for a seven-week residential programme, where the entire family accompanied the client, began. Mongrel Mob members were to provide supervision and the day-to-day
20 Revive
activities were guided by joint leadership with The Salvation Army. This was a new experience for both parties and it was a rocky journey at first. The first programme commenced – by an amazing intervention of God we received government funding on the very day we started – however we faced enormous community opposition and national media attention. As a Salvation Army officer I had always experienced positive community support, but working with this group was perceived as a step too far and few believed the Mob were
‘My passion is seeing broken people healed and restored’
genuine in wanting help. I was convinced differently and even though things were rough at the edges I was sure God was leading us. In the early days of the programme it became evident that we needed to live in community with them, both to keep a steadying influence and also to show our genuine commitment. I was extremely uncertain, but living together cemented genuine and positive relationships and earned us the right to speak into the issues of dysfunctional behaviour of the gang members. Personally this relationship has proven to be a delight of unexpected learning. Far from coming in as the expert, I have found that in their total commitment and caring for each other the Mob has taught me much. More
How I me t m Lieut-Colonel y koko Mou Arschette Lord
M
importantly, Jesus was already present with the group and he has prepared the way. Many in the Mongrel Mob have experienced great pain and rejection and had a perception of a harsh and unjust God. I struggled with wanting to defend Jesus, but a wise Maori elder told me that because Jesus is so beautiful I don’t need to defend him. I must simply live Jesus! In my journey with this amazing group of people I have seen more and more of Jesus speaking to me through them, as his light shines ever more powerfully into their lives.
y mum was a woman of prayer and I am the product of her faith. When I was young I battled to recognise God’s love in my life, as I wanted to live in the same way as many girls in my generation did, but God worked through my mum’s love, care and faithfulness to draw me close to him. I was 11 years old when I was enrolled as a junior soldier, but I was not really conscious of God’s love and grace at that time. My enthusiasm and love for others is something God used to help my faith grow. At the age of 20 I became more serious about God and knew who he was and what he meant to me. I decided to commit my life to him and became a senior soldier. The influence of my mum helped me to discern the purpose of my life. The power of a praying woman is not a means of gaining control – it’s quite the opposite. It’s laying down all and relying on God’s power to transform circumstances and people. I know that God has plans for me, he has things he wants me to do and I am in his mighty hands. But I have to take steps of obedience to get there, trusting that he knows the way. God has called me to love, care, encourage, help and be the voice of the voiceless. I delight in the Lord and place my confidence in him!
Arschette Moukoko TERRIToRIAL SECRETARy FoR WoMEN’S MINISTRIES CoNGo (BRAZZAvILLE) TERRIToRy
Lynette Hutson dIvISIoNAL dIRECToR oF WoMEN’S MINISTRIES NATIoNAL CoNSULTANT – AddICTIoNS SUPPoRTIvE ACCoMModATIoN SERvICES, MIdLANd dIvISIoN NEW ZEALANd, FIJI ANd ToNGA TERRIToRy
Revive 21
Sharing the Message Ranjani Samarathunga y name is Ranjani and I am the third of four children. We are Buddhists by birth and none of our family members were Christians. I had no knowledge of Christianity. I only knew Jesus Christ as another religious leader. We were taught that this religion was a lie. However, the Lord that I didn’t know performed a miracle in my life! I was a science student in school and, as a result, I could not do any further study in what I liked – dancing, singing and sewing. However, I spent most of the time at home learning sewing from my mother and sister. I was married at the age of 24. My husband was also a Buddhist. After 17 years of married life I got a job as the sewing instructor for a development research institute, but even though I could sew I had no formal qualifications. A couple connected with The Salvation Army asked if I could teach in a sewing class they were planning to start in
Gonahena Corps. I agreed even though I had not heard of The Salvation Army before. Within no time at all, while listening to the prayers before and after the sewing classes, I felt the need to attend Sunday church services. I wanted to read the Bible and I was given one. I saw Jesus through the love and kindness poured out by the people I met at The Salvation Army. Further, the promises in the Bible, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you’ (James 4:8) and ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3) went deep into my heart. Even though I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour much later, I strongly believe that all this was the work of the Lord. When I look back, I see that God’s hand has ‘The Lord that I didn’t know been on my life from a performed a miracle in my life!’ young age.
After I came to the Lord, I prayed about my husband. Exactly three months after this he suddenly said that he too had accepted Jesus Christ. I asked him how? Then he said that he had read the Bible and that it was the truth. I believe that God changed my husband in this way, as a blessing to the journey I started with him. My parents and brothers never objected to this, which is great. The path prepared by the Lord for me to come to him was a beautiful one, devoid of any hard rocks, mountains, bends or thorny bushes. My soul will praise the Lord forever. The Salvation Army as a Christian church has become very popular and wellknown among many women – Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil – and the village folks because of the sewing classes. I never fail to share my experience of God with them and through these classes women have learned about God. The close association I have with the women – both married and single – makes them feel comfortable sharing their problems with me. I thank God for his grace in showing me how to do this. I praise God for his guidance and for using me to benefit the women that I teach. Ranjani Samarathunga GoNAHENA CoRPS SRI LANKA TERRIToRy
22 Revive
comingevents
In a number of parts of the world, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. Girls who survive infancy are often subject to neglect, growing up to face extreme violence and even death at the hands of their husbands or other family members. it’s a Girl is a documentary which asks why this is happening, and examines why so little is being done to save them.
Visit www.itsagirlmovie.com for screening details globally
There are two ways of spreading light: being the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
A candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle.
I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelise all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond! IsObEL KUHN,
missionary to China and Thailand
UNKNOwN
EDITH wHARTON
Now we’re going to take up the offering but you won’t need your wallets – [pointing to the mercy seat] here’s the offering plate.
Not only do we have the message but we also are the message. KRIs vALLOTTON
COMMIssIONER sUE swANsON
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Neshoko renyu ndinoona kwandinoenda; Rinopa chiedza munzira yangu ine rima. By your words
I can see
where I’m going;
they throw
a beam of light
on my dark path Psalm 119:105 (The Message)