1 October 2016 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  01 OCTOBER 2016 | Issue 6652 | $1.50

THE ARMY THAT BRINGS LIFE: New Mission Plan Launched Support #14HoursHomeless

30 Years of Service in South Auckland On the Spot with Chelsea Winter

THE GAP TRAP 2017 Officer Appointments Announced

NORM HEWITT

from

hard man to good man A transformation from violence and alcohol, to reconciliation and truth

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth | GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Major Christina Tyson | GRAPHIC DESIGN Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond. | PROOF READING Major Jill Gainsford | COVER Norm Hewitt and son Alex, Photography: Te Amokura Productions OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry

SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone (04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.co.nz | PAPER 100gsm

Sumo Offset. This publication is produced on an environmentally responsible paper, using ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) FSC Certified Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources and is manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

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Do we see and care about the ugly?

Recently, I was chatting to some overseas tourists full of praise for New Zealand’s beautiful scenery. The point was made that New Zealand is a country that never looks ugly. This year I took my first trips to Tonga and Fiji. Neither of those nations looks ugly either. Not on the surface, anyway.

And yet sadly, there’s still too much ‘ugly’ in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

There’s poverty and inequality, violence and abuse, addiction and loneliness, bigotry, racism and other injustices. Into this environment, God has placed The Salvation Army. This is our mission field!

The Salvation Army has—almost from its outset—adopted an ‘integrated mission’ approach of ministry to the whole person. When The Salvation Army seeks to bring life-giving salvation to people, we understand this as encompassing people’s physical, mental, social and spiritual needs.

This weekend in Wellington, we launch a new Mission Plan that calls us back to the heart of our purpose: bringing life, and that invites us to recommit ourselves to mission to the whole person.

Just as this edition of War Cry looks different to how the magazine has looked over recent years, and certainly to how it looked back in 1883, so the way The Salvation Army will operate moving forward will be different in some ways to how we operated in the past. But our purpose is unchanged: to bring the full and forever salvation of Jesus Christ to ‘the whosoever’.

Christina Tyson Editor

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 133 years | ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6652 Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz salvationarmynzftwarcry @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense.

Rick Warren

2 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

John 10:10 Contemporary English Version A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy.

I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.

Hoani 10:10 Heoi anō tā te tāhae e haere mai ai, he tāhae, he patu, he whakamōtī hoki: i haere mai ahau kia whiwhi ai rātou ki te ora, inā, tōna nui noa atu.

W

ell-known restaurateur Steve Logan and CQ Hotel manager Olivier Lacoua are challenging other restaurant and hotel owners to join them in sleeping out in Wellington for 14 Hours Homeless, on 7 October.

The co-founder of Logan Brown says, ‘Experiencing 14 Hours Homeless is a great way for me to do more than giving them a smile or dropping a coin in a hat. Putting myself in [homeless people’s] shoes means I can understand their situation better—and I’ll be supporting the services that are helping them every day.’

14 Hours Homeless is a Salvation Army initiative, now in its third year, that sees the organisation partner with other agencies, businesses, churches and individuals to raise awareness of the experiences of homeless people.

It also raises funds to make a difference. People aged over 18 are invited to join co-workers, friends and family to seek sponsorship to spend 14 hours sleeping outside on cardboard or couches or in cars.

14 Hours Homeless will be held in Waitakere, Napier, Wellington and Invercargill on 7 October, and in Palmerston North on 5 October. In Palmerston North, soldiers from Linton Military Camp have signed up to take part.

But The Salvation Army’s new community engagement manager Rhondda Middleton is calling on Salvation Army groups to get behind the night too. ‘We know people might still be making up their minds, but it’s not too late to sign up to take part.

As Christians we really need to put our faith into action—and as The Salvation Army we should really

Steve Logan is supporting 14 Hours Homeless in Wellington | Photography: Robin Raymond

be the first to be standing up to be part of this. If you can’t take part, at least make a donation.’

Rhondda took part in 14 Hours Homeless in Waitakere last year and really enjoyed it. ‘Doing something like this with our community was great. There was a real sense that we were all there together and an awareness that we were making a difference,’ she says.

Recent University of Otago analysis on the 2013 census showed that 41,000 people (approximately one in 100) were living in severe housing deprivation in New Zealand. More than half were families with children. Housing ranged from living rough or in emergency shelters, boarding houses and maraes, to squeezing into over-crowded housing, or living in housing still woefully short on basic amenities.

‘Just to experience that one night of being homeless was enough to make me realise we have to do something,’ says Rhondda. ‘This is not a way that people should have to live! And at the moment, a lot of people don’t have any better options.’

BY CHRISTINA TYSON

GET INVOLVED | Last year’s 14 Hours Homeless events involved over 500 people and raised over $80,000 | To sign up as a participant or sponsor, www.14hourshomeless.org.nz

01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 3

GOODSTUFF It was a hive of activity last month with New Zealand’s first ever ‘bee census’, The Great Kiwi Bee Count. To bee part of it, people simply had to spend two minutes counting bees in their garden. Bees really are the bees-knees, providing $5 billion into our economy each year. And more importantly, pollinating a third of everything we eat and drink. Show me the honey! This census will provide a baseline for generations of research. So that’s the buzz. All puns intended.

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Author 1749

Self-Compassion for Tough Guys In New Zealand, middle-aged men are among the most likely to commit suicide. This may be because, in our blokey culture, sharing emotional needs is considered too ‘touchy-feely’. Of course, the issue is complex, but Equip—a church-based mental health provider and leader in its field—says that a major key to good mental health is self-compassion. This simply means being kind to yourself, and the good news is that you can re-train your brain to be kinder.

Train like you would down at the gym, with regular exercises that build your kindness muscles. Here are three top ways you can re-train your brain:

Netflix Stranger Things (M) Duffer Brothers We’ve all heard we’re in the Golden Age of television. Stranger Things (available on Netflix) is proof of this, and a legitimate reason to binge watch TV and avoid the housework. This is ’80s nostalgia with a sci-fi edge. Stranger Things takes an honest look at tween and teen relationships, where young people are still finding their footing and the friends in their lives are a help or a hindrance. It’s reminiscent of Spielberg’s Goonies and ET, hinting that the adult world can be scary and sometimes all we have are our friends to get us through.

The cast in this story of conspiracies and strange occurrences is lovable—there are so many favourite characters that will remind you of the friends who made being a child an adventure. The women are refreshingly realistic—clever, powerful and brave, while the boys are unafraid to express their feelings or change their ways. The soundtrack is full of ’80s punk and synth classics, Joy Division and The Clash among them. You will need to give this a little time—the first episode is slow, similar to episode one of Firefly with lots of backstory, but by the end of the second episode you’ll be hooked.

(Reviewed by Alisha Tyson)

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1. Treat yourself like a good friend—if your friend was struggling with something, what would you say, and how would you say it? If you’re struggling with the same thing, what would you say to yourself? If your two answers are different, ask yourself why.

When critical thoughts invade, try talking to yourself like you would talk to a friend.

2. Take a moment—when you find yourself stressed, talk yourself through this three-part mental break.

Say to yourself: ‘This hurts’ or ‘This is suffering’. Then, ‘Everybody hurts’ or ‘Everybody suffers’. Finally, ask yourself, ‘How can I be kind to myself right now?’

This may mean, how can I forgive, be patient, or accept myself?

3. Change your self-critical talk—catch yourself out when you are being critical. Think about why you feel you need to talk to yourself this way. Now re-frame your words so they make you feel better, not worse.

QUIKQUIZ

1 Who won the first

ONTHESPOT Chelsea Winter Masterchef winner, online food guru and cookbook author Secret indulgence: Spaghetti alfredo with far too much cheese. The recipe’s in Scrumptious.

Fave Friday night meal: Whatever I’ve been testing in the kitchen that day, most likely!

Celebrity crush: Jim Carrey What I’m watching: Narcos One thing I love: Anything related to the beach— walking it, running it, swimming or bodysurfing or body boarding it.

And now I’m learning to surf!

One thing you hate: Unkindness.

gold medal for NZ in the 2016 Paralympics?

2 Into which river

did Chesley Sullenberger successfully land an Airbus A320?

3 What animal

officially came off the endangered list in September?

4 Besides orange, what are three other colours of carrots?

5 On what day did

God create birds?

Chelsea’s Kumara & Bacon Salad The textures and flavours are sensational—equally good served warm or chilled | Serves 6 1kg purple kumara oil for frying 250g bacon, chopped ¾ cup chopped walnuts ½ red onion, sliced ¼ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream (or extra mayo) ¼ cup chopped parsley ½ cup grated Parmesan ¾ cup peas, cooked ¼ tsp each ground white and black pepper ½ tsp salt

Peel kumara and chop into 4 cm pieces. Add to a large saucepan of salted water over a medium heat, bring to a simmer and cook for 10–15 mins until tender.

Drain and allow to cool to warm.

While kumara is cooking, add oil and bacon to a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry for 15 mins until bacon is crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Add warm kumara, bacon, walnuts, onion, mayonnaise, sour cream (or extra mayo), parsley, Parmesan, peas, peppers and salt to a large bowl. Squeeze in lemon juice and toss gently to combine. Serve garnished with extra parsley—either straight away, or refrigerate until needed.

lemon to serve Extracted from Scrumptious by Chelsea Winter, published by Random House NZ, RRP $50.

Photography by Tam West

Answers on page 22 Christian Life Present Over Perfect Shauna Niequist

Already an established author, this is Shauna’s personal story of what she describes as ‘dethroning the idol’ of busyness in her life. A working mum on steroids, Shauna describes the feelings of many burnt-out parents: ‘I am stuffed.’ She has many quotable quotes that play in the mind: ‘I handled it all, I showed them! But who is them?’ But this book is really about learning to live life in a new way—a way that understands your purpose but lives out of a ‘well-tended spirit’. It’s the opposite of preachy: it’s personal and personable, witty, and written with an authentic but well-crafted voice. (Zondervan)

If the Internet went down for a day, 196 Billion emails and 3 Billion Google searches would have to wait.

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Former All Black Norm Hewitt lets us into his private world, and the moment he got on his knees in prayer for the first time. It was the beginning of a transformation from violence and alcohol, to reconciliation and discovering his true, quiet greatness.

BY INGRID BARRATT

N

orm Hewitt has long been a name synonymous with massive, hard-hitting rugby. And off the field, he was known for his equally hard-hitting lifestyle. But Norm has become a New Zealand redemption story. Today, he is a champion for leadership-building and the anti-violence message. And, yes, a whole new group of Kiwis fell in love with Norm when he won the first season of Dancing with the Stars.

That’s the Norm we know. The Norm we’ve come to love. But behind his public redemption, was a very private journey.

Now, a new documentary, Making Good Men, re-visits Norm’s early years when, as a senior at Te Aute College, he severely assaulted his school mate, Manu Bennett—who has since become an international actor, known for roles like Slade Wilson in Arrow.

Together, the two look at what shaped them up to that defining moment, and find reconciliation with each other and themselves.

Father and son As so often happens, it all began with the words of a child.

‘My son loves the Arrow series and we were sitting down watching it,’ recalls Norm when he speaks to War Cry. ‘I said, “I know that man.” My son said, “How do you know that man, Dad?” And I thought to myself, “Well, I can say I went to school with him, or I could be honest with my son.” ’ The conversation went like this: ‘Well, son, I went to school with Manu and I gave him a hiding at school.’

‘How did that make you feel, Dad?’ ‘It made me feel really stink, son.’

‘What would you do if you ever met him again?’

Norm says that question gave him pause, and he thought about his korero on seizing the moment, and realising your own potential …

Then came the day when Norm spotted Manu in an airport Koru lounge.

With heart pounding, he approached Manu. They hongied, and Manu said, ‘It’s really good to see you, Norm’. Norm responded, ‘I’m sorry—I’m sorry that I hurt you.’ The next day both families came together for lunch.

It was a profound experience of reconciliation. But it was also the start of a new journey, exploring what had led them both to that place, where—as Norm recalls with startling honesty—‘something took over me … I wanted to kill him.’

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The making of a hard man Norm remembers his fifth birthday as a day for the whole whānau. ‘Part of my job was to open up the beers and suck the froth off the top. I always remember my mum saying I didn’t attend my first day of school because I had a hangover.’

From early on, alcohol was part of Norm’s life. So was violence. It began with his dad beating his mum, and then he turned on Norm. At the age of nine, Norm was so badly beaten he thought he was going to die. By the age of 13, Norm was angry and disruptive.

But he had rugby and a fierce ambition. ‘I watched the All Blacks doing the haka on TV, and I stood in front of the black and white telly, in my favourite cowboy pyjamas, and said, “I’m going to be an All Black!” ’ recalled Norm when he recently spoke at Tawa Salvation Army Corps (church).

‘I imagined there was another boy out there [training to be an All Black]. I used to say to myself, “There’s a boy out there running when it’s freezing cold, running when it’s absolutely hot.” If I did two push-ups, the other boy did five. That motivated me, but I also believe it was the Lord, pushing me to go further.’

When Norm began high school at the prestigious Māori boys’ boarding school Te Aute College, it was the chance to start again. He was paired with a senior—who he did chores for, and sometimes top-and-tailed with to keep the bed warm.

Until, one night, the senior sexually abused him.

Norm says that was the moment his whole world turned upside down. That was when ‘the bullied became the bully’.

Fast forward to seventh form (Year 13), when a handsome, talented new kid arrived at school. His name was Manu Bennett, and he was immediately given a place in the first-15 rugby team. Norm, the captain, wasn’t having a bar of it—in his eyes, Manu needed to be taught who was the boss. And the boss was Norm.

The rise and fall Norm’s reputation was fierce both on and off the rugby pitch.

‘Yes, I became an All Black and I loved it,’ remembers Norm.

‘But I also got lost in that world, because I didn’t like who I had become. When I looked in the mirror, the person who stared back at me wasn’t the boy who had absolute faith that he could be someone extraordinary.’

Norm describes the turning point in his life simply as ‘99’.

In the midst of his 23-cap All Black career, came an incident 8 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

that scandalised the nation. Here is how it was described in the press: ‘In 1999, drunk, [Norm Hewitt] smashed through a glass door at a hotel in Queenstown,’ writes The Listener. ‘There was blood, headlines and, in times when such things were less common, a tearful tele­vision apology: an All Black making the dismal journey from hero to zero.’

But here’s how Norm remembers it: ‘In 1999, when all that came to the fore in a very public display of what people call humiliation … it was the first time I could be me. It was the journey of freedom.

‘When ’99 happened, the first thing I did was get down on my knees and pray. I had never prayed before, but I realised I had to humble myself, get on my knees and ask forgiveness for what I had done.’

Behind the scenes While still reeling from his public disgrace, Norm got a call from iwi leader Selwyn Jones who took him to Huria Marae in Tauranga. ‘He started filling in the gaps of who I was in my whakapapa … he talked about the marae, the whare, as being the embodiment of male and female. He talked about the significance of wāhine and of karakia,’ remembers Norm. ‘We were there for six hours, but it felt like two minutes—he talked directly to my soul.

‘He told me to ask the Lord to help me. And those moments of getting on my knees, in tears, and asking the Lord to help me is a big part of who I am today.’

From that day, Norm has been alcohol-free, he still says karakia with his family every day, and he has become a passionate anti-violence campaigner. Among his many charities, Norm is a ‘kahukura’ (influencer) for E Tū Whānau—a Māori initiative that focuses on strengthening whānau to bring about changes that prevent violence.

Father and son, again Yet, his private journey continued … and continues. It was only recently that Norm was able to put a final piece of the puzzle in place.

The documentary Making Good Men culminates in a powerful and moving moment of reconciliation with Norm’s father. But in reality, that reconciliation was years in the making.

‘First, I had to get myself ready, preparing myself very deliberately, emotionally and spiritually. I needed to seek

forgiveness from the people I had transgressed against,’ explains Norm.

He reached out to his parents, inviting them to come and live with his family. He bought them both hearing aids, because he saw that this had become a barrier to communication.

‘So, I started having conversations with my parents. Five years ago, I said, “Please help me to put in place this last piece of healing and forgiveness. Please invite me in for a cup of tea so we can talk about it.” ’ But a year went by, and then another year.

Norm realised his father didn’t have the tools to start the conversation about their violent past, so Norm began to open up the discussion over cups of tea. ‘[Dad] went through the angry stage, where he didn’t want a bar of it. But I just kept going back. You have to sow those seeds with love, so I kept going back.’

Eventually, Norm’s dad told his own story—of how his dad had been a violent man towards his mum. How he had yelled at his dad to stop, and his dad had chased him, dragging him out from under the bed and beating him until he thought he was going to die.

‘My father stands and he starts to weep. He walks across the lounge and we hug and he is sobbing, and I’m sobbing.

And I said, “Dad, at nine years old, you scarred me.” And Dad said, “Son, it was never your fault.” At the age of 45, I heard my father say the words “I love you” for the first time. Now, I know I can describe peace and freedom.’

In the documentary, Norm takes his 10-year-old son Alex to visit his grandparents—three generations of Hewitt men coming together to face up to the past. ‘The violence stops with me,’ says Norm. ‘The violence in our whānau stops with me.

Alexander will never grow up with the violence I grew up with.’

It has been a long journey of forgiveness and being forgiven, says Norm. But he has discovered there is no greater gift, no higher purpose. This is what it means to be extraordinary.

‘It’s been an amazing journey. As much as I had to work hard as an athlete, I had to work 10 times as hard to be a father and a husband,’ says Norm. ‘Nothing is greater than that.’

‘WELL, SON, I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH MANU AND I GAVE HIM A HIDING AT SCHOOL’ … ‘HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL, DAD?’

FIND OUT MORE | The story behind the Making Good Men documentary | www.teamokura.com/making-good-men

Stand Against Violence If you’re aware of violence—during or after the incident—you can: • Talk to the person who is displaying abusive behaviour in private, when things have calmed down. Tell them what you witnessed was not okay, and they need to get some help.

• Talk to a group of the perpetrator’s friends and, together, decide on a course of action.

• If you have witnessed a friend or colleague abusing a partner, talk to a group of the victim’s friends and develop a group response.

• Talk to the victim and let them know you saw what was going on and you’re willing to help.

• If you’re a high school or uni student, approach a trusted teacher, social worker, or health professional. Tell them what you’ve observed and ask them to do something, or advise you on how you might proceed.

If friends are engaged in harassing/abusive behaviour: • Distract them, e.g. by saying ‘Chill out, guys.’

• Try to convince your peers to stop.

• Walk away, signalling you reject their behaviour.

Always keep yourself and others safe! Phone 111 in an emergency.

Source: www.whiteribbon.org.au

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Stages of Love Every relationship goes through different stages, so how do I move through disillusionment to true intimacy?

In the science of psychology, all couples go through stages as they develop their relationship. Most relationships break down at stage three—but if you can ride out the storm, you will discover that this is just the beginning of true love.

1. The honeymoon phase: The wonderful wash of hormones that conspire together to help us fall in love and develop a deep attachment. Almost all love songs and rom-coms focus on this stage. But as someone once said, ‘The honeymoon phase is God’s way of getting us to commit, because if we knew what was to come, no one would get married.’

2. Accommodation: As day-to-day realities set in, you may realise your perfect partner has flaws after all. This is where you engage in power struggles. If you can't successfully navigate your way through these, you will keep re-visiting this stage. But by learning to share power, accept and appreciate each other’s differences, giving up the fantasy of a conflict-free relationship and surrendering to life as it is, you will navigate your way to the next relationship stage. Congratulations, you’ve reached the make-or-break stage!

IF YOU CAN RIDE OUT THE STORM, YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF TRUE LOVE.

3. Disillusionment: Life throws its curveballs and you get to see how each partner reacts to challenging and demanding times.

Disillusionment sets in—the relationship is not what you dreamed of, you may be attracted to others, and you might feel like you want to ‘escape’. ‘Flight or flight’ instincts are easily triggered. According to psychologists, this is the stage where most people break up—but it helps to understand that this is a tumultuous phase that can usher in true and deeper intimacy. You will re-connect as you begin to accept your partners’ flaws and love them anyway. You will find a balance of separateness and connectedness, meaning ‘I have my life, you have your life, and we have our life.’

4. Re-birth: The gift of stage three is that you are forced to confront the root causes of your issues, and as you determine to work through them, you will learn to be allies again. You have had to face your true self, which means you can now truly allow yourself to be known—and to truly know your partner in return. You accept each other, including your flaws. This is true intimacy. It may take 15–20 years, but once couples reach this stage, break-ups are rare.

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DID YOU KNOW? In Ancient Rome, women were forbidden to drink wine. A kiss allowed a woman’s male relatives to check if she’d been drinking.

With widespread illiteracy, Romans also used kisses to seal agreements, leading to the expression ‘to seal with a kiss’ and to sign with an ‘X’.

Early Christians greeted one another with a ‘holy kiss’—similar to the Māori hongi greeting where the ha (breath of life) is exchanged.

WANT TO STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP? | A strong, loving and lifelong relationship doesn’t happen by chance.

The Alpha Marriage Course can make even the happiest marriage better | Find a course near you, go to www. relationshipcentral.org.nz

TESTIFY! Sammy Millar features in a new Salvation Army campaign encouraging more people to explore the option of becoming Salvation Army officers (ministers).

I came to The Salvation Army through a friend of my mum. From a young age I felt a strong sense of belonging.

My home environment had been dysfunctional at times and the Army provided a place of safety and refuge.

Exploring Officership?

When I was 15 I had a dream—I was standing at the front of the corps wearing a Salvation Army uniform.

For me, this was a message from God encouraging me to pursue a life of officership.

Life as an officer is filled with variety and excitement. It’s a great privilege to be able to walk alongside people as they navigate life and grow as disciples of Jesus. I get to introduce people to Jesus, work within our local community, and help people step into a life of freedom and fullness. Because we are invited into people’s lives, into their most vulnerable circumstances and situations a lot of the time, compassion and empathy are really important qualities.

The autonomy within officership means I get to focus on my passions and strengths. One of the things I love to do is rally the troops to fight against injustice locally, nationally and globally.

Officership gives me the freedom to do this. I appreciate the different opportunities within officership. As someone who likes to initiate and start new things, I like that we can be appointed in different environments and different situations.

Life as an officer has been filled with challenges, but even when it’s really hard and a struggle, I come back to the fact that God wants me here. Amongst the challenges he always brings affirmation, encouragement and the

IT’S ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE STEP INTO A LIFE OF FREEDOM AND FULLNESS. strength I need to keep going.

I said yes to officership because of God’s love and the way he has changed my life. Because of the change and the love I’ve experienced, I want to see other people experience that as well.

If you’re called by God to be an officer, you won’t find peace apart from it.

It wasn’t until I stepped into officership that I really did start to feel fulfilled and satisfied with what I was doing with my life. If you’re feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled in what you’re currently doing, if you feel like God is calling you into a life of officership, you should just do it. Step into the excitement and adventure and say yes!

Karl Foreman: I said yes to officership because I wanted to be in a place of influence, where I could empower other people to live out their Godgiven destinies. It’s seeing God’s love touch people’s lives that makes it all worthwhile!

Peter Koia: It’s living and breathing this message of hope that I think the world needs. We’re all called to something, and if officership is one of those things, then I say, explore it!

Kylie Tong: It’s been a positive thing for our family, being officers and our kids being officers’ kids. It’s made us really close as a family. I love that Stu and I get to be a team. This is our family, living life with people.

Stu Tong: I’m motivated by God, by doing what he wants me to do and being available to him. I’ve said yes to life with God—I say yes every day. I say yes when I wake up and I remind myself that I’m in his will.

Joe Serevi: God’s love is the greatest thing for me and I just want to share it. If there is a purpose of God in your life that you become an officer, then you have a choice to make … because God’s calling you.

WATCH ONLINE | See Sammy, Karl, Peter, Kylie, Stu, and Joe share their stories | Go to www.salvationarmy. org.nz/SayYes 01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 11

Argh, not another puzzle! Just stay on game, you'll reel her in eventually.

It's so awesome I've found someone else who loves puzzles

THE GAP TRAP It happened so many times among my mates that we gave it a name—the ‘gap girl’, or ‘gap guy’. It’s that thing that happens when you get to know someone of the opposite sex, and they text and message, and you spend time alone together and you have D&Ms … and basically you act like you’re boyfriend and girlfriend. But you’re not. You’ve become the person that fills the gap, while they wait to find their perfect someone.

BY INGRID BARRATT

I’ve definitely been gapped. I couldn’t work out if we were friends or more than just friends … I didn’t want to ask ’cause it would be sooooo awkward. But I couldn’t help falling for the guy. All the time wondering if our bestie status was going to become something more.

But if I’m really honest, I’ve done it to guys as well.

I’ve been the gapper. I’ve been friends with a guy, and known he wanted something more, but I wasn’t into him like that. I enjoyed the friendship and good times, and so it suited me to ignore his feelings. Looking back, I was totally selfish.

I’m not saying that guys and girls can’t be friends.

But, to be honest, they can only be friends if they both understand that it’s just mates, and neither of them fancies the other. If that changes for one of you, then the friendship is no longer working.

12 firezone.co.nz 01 OCTOBER 2016

WHY DO WE DO IT? The simple answer to why we let ourselves get into the gap trap is that it meets a need. We all need connection and intimacy.

Sin is meeting a legitimate need in an illegitimate way, says Christian counsellor David Riddell. Our need for intimacy is real, and God-given. But without commitment, it’s not God’s best for us.

To be honest, if you weren’t a Christian, you might meet your need for intimacy with a one-time hook-up.

As Christians, we try to keep ourselves sexually pure, so we nurture emotional intimacy—by spending time together alone and sharing our deepest selves.

But the danger here is that we might create a deep connection without commitment, using another person to meet our needs—to fill a gap. This can end up

WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR VALUE, YOU’LL KNOW YOU’RE TOO GOOD TO GAP IT. hurting the other person if they think our connection means more than it does.

GETTING OUT OF THE GAP TRAP If you don’t want to keep repeating the gap cycle, you have to start doing things in a different way.

If you tend to be the gapper, you need to stop initiating intimate friendships. But wait, I hear you say, how do I know whether I want something more until I’ve spent time with the other person? Okay, fair enough, here’s some tips …

Spend time with guys and girls as a group. If someone stands out for you, don’t single them out for special attention. Just get to know them slowly and surely. Don’t take the shortcut to intimacy, put in the hard yards.

Only if you know you fancy them, set up some time alone. Maybe ask them out on a legit date. Aaaargggh, I know. It’s scary. You might be rejected. It might not work out and meanwhile they’ll think you want to marry them! All those are rubbish excuses. Of course it’s scary, being honest is always scary. But it’s upfront and takes guts, and gives you both clear boundaries.

You don’t have to spend months wondering whether a guy or girl likes you. Get a friend to give them a hint, or find out what they think of you. Hey, everyone needs a wing man or woman! If your crush doesn’t make a move, they’re most likely not that into you. It’s painful, but it’s time to move on.

IT’S NOT A PROPOSAL Whenever you start dating or spending time alone with someone, you’ve got to give the other person freedom to decide how they want to keep moving forward.

If they change their mind, it will hurt. But you can’t control how their feelings will develop. So, no, dating is not a marriage proposal.

If you’re the one that changes your mind, here is what not to do: Do not say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry if you got the wrong impression, I just wanted to be friends’.

That’s just an easy way to excuse yourself of any responsibility. It will leave the other person feeling pretty small and totally confused. Be honest. Say something genuine, like ‘Look, I did really like you, but I don’t see this going any further.’ Don’t try to stay friends … you’ll find yourself back in the gap trap.

Also, if you find yourself wanting to back out as you get closer to the other person, it’s important to ask

Keeping falling into the gap trap? Ask yourself: What can I do differently in the future, so I don’t fall back into this pattern?

How would God want me to act in a friendship?

Do I really fancy them, or am I just meeting a need?

What is the most respectful way I can act towards myself and the other person?

yourself some honest questions. What are you afraid of? Getting into a relationship is always scary, so don’t be put off by feelings of anxiety.

And finally, are my expectations realistic? Many girl-guy best friends have missed their opportunity for a relationship because they’re expecting some Hollywood version of romance. If you love being with them, you admire their character and their qualities, you think about them a lot and you want to be around them, then there is something drawing you to them.

Get your false expectations out of the way and they might turn out to be your perfect someone, after all.

Sometimes we can actually be quite prideful, and think that we’re too good for someone, they’re not hot enough or cool enough. How would you feel if someone was thinking that about you? Maybe we need to start asking ourselves different questions, like, why would they want to hang out with me? Am I good enough for them? Can I be the person they need?

TOO GOOD TO GAP I was single for a loooong time—like 10 years kinda long—so I know that when you’re single you have to grapple with a longing to know and be known. Plus, you’re sexy.

But, I also learned that surrounding yourself with supportive, close, crazy, godly friends of the same sex is safer, less heartbreaking, and way more fun. Having real, accountable friends of the same sex will challenge you to be a better person. This is great prep for when you do meet a special someone.

When you know your value, you’ll know you’re too good to gap it.

FOR ALL THINGS 'YOUTH' | Go to www.firezone.co.nz 01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 13

OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE IN SOUTH AUCKLAND

Photography: Bruce Millar

Senior Salvation Army staff have paid tribute to an ‘unsung hero’ of The Salvation Army in Auckland after more than three decades of work.

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

Ross Richards worked with the Army for 33 years, almost all at Manukau Community Ministries, and was among a group who established the East City Corps.

The son of Salvation Army officers, Ross said he felt a calling to serve God during a time when he had wandered from his parents’ faith and was living in Australia. ‘I had an experience when the Lord gave me a kick up the backside and a smile and turned my life around. After I got back here I couldn’t do anything else but work for the Lord in helping people—wild horses couldn’t have kept me away.’

Ross began working with the Army on an employment programme in 1983. In 1984, Major Campbell Roberts hired him in his first role at Manukau Community Ministries—to convert a 50-seater bus into a mobile Salvation Army centre with offices, computers, a shower and a kitchen, and take it on the road in a pioneering venture in South Auckland.

The centre connected people with Salvation Army services such as food parcels and furniture assistance, and Ross ran courses from the bus, including some of the first computer courses in South Auckland, Campbell said.

14 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

After that, Ross worked in a variety of roles, including emergency housing coordinator, centre manager, director and service manager. He also set up and managed the Family Breakthrough Programme—a mentoring programme connecting young mums with older women mentors. ‘I had a great team. It was something I really enjoyed, because you’re at the grassroots with people. It was a pleasure to help them.’

At times the work was frustrating when clients did not make or maintain changes, but Ross said he was extremely grateful to the Army for the opportunity to live out his calling, and to have been a part of God’s life changing work in the community.

‘I am continually amazed how active God is outside the church in the community. Miracles have happened and lives have been changed. All that is good or of value that has taken place is purely of God’s doing and it been a joy and a privilege to have been a small part of his work. I remember [Major] Heather Rodwell saying to us our work is to undo the works of Satan and bring God’s will on earth. Only God can do this with our help.’

Ross was typical of the often unknown, but crucial people

who made The Salvation Army what it is, Campbell said.

‘It’s people like Ross, who has engaged every day with the deep troubles of people and has never failed to continue to show them respect and never said, “There is no hope.” He kept giving hope and encouraging people to better things.’

Manukau Community Ministries office manager Raewyn Heke said it had been a privilege working with Ross for 17 years and that he was a humble and caring man.

Seen on Facebook Education and Employment Youth Guarantee Service Sector students from Booth Café in Mt Wellington gained experience catering and serving for an Empowering Leadership Summit in July.

ROSS WAS THE FACE OF THE SALVATION ARMY ACROSS MUCH OF SOUTH AUCKLAND. ‘Many clients attribute their survival, wellbeing, family happiness, life turnaround and faith to the work Ross has played in their lives over the years. Much of it is the hope, belief and genuine caring for people that Ross imparted to many without them even realising it, and the fact that he journeyed and walked alongside you.’

As well as his work with clients, Ross was a strong friend to staff at Manukau and always supported them emotionally and spiritually, encouraging, praying for and listening to them, Raewyn added. ‘I see the love of God practiced through Ross.’

Territorial Secretary for Personnel Captain Gerry Walker said it was Ross who convinced him to take up his first role with the Army, at Manukau Community Ministries in the early 2000s. Ross was quiet and extremely humble, but often led pioneering roles for the Army and was highly respected among staff and the community, he said.

‘Ross was the face of The Salvation Army across much of South Auckland. People would do anything for him, because he’d probably already helped them many times. We’ll never know how many people he helped.’

Ross never gave up on anyone and people always came first, even at the cost of other things, Gerry said. ‘It was a standing joke that if toast was burning in the kitchen it was always Ross.

He’d get talking to someone and forget, and then you’d get the smoke and the smell. Every Monday we had a giant wooden spoon we’d give out to the person who’d done the silliest thing during the week and Ross won it many times, for just being Ross—forgetting to go to meetings, losing his car keys or cell phone. But that was because people came first.’

Ross was a practical man who also put a lot of work into the Manukau building, Gerry added. ‘He was always on the roof.

The ladder was always up against the wall and Ross would be on the roof, cleaning a gutter or patching a hole. He’d pitch in and do anything. If the cleaner was away, Ross would step in and clean the toilets—he’d do whatever was required.’

Leaving his job had been hard, Ross said, as the staff at Manukau were his friends. But they haven’t seen the last of each other; he’s still on the property management team and has signed up as a centre volunteer, while he works out how to continue serving God in ‘retirement’.

Hamilton City East Family Store staff got creative and set up a window display to celebrate what would have been Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday on 13 September.

Colonel Margaret Hay and Martin Barratt compete in Father’s Day activities at Upper Hutt Corps.

Elizabeth Iona of Porirua Community Ministries holds one of 11 crates full of women’s sanitary products donated through The Foodbank Project (www. foodbank.org.nz) FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK | SalvationarmyNZFijiTonga

GAZETTE Bereaved: Capt Catherine Walker of her father, Lionel Bernstein, a soldier of Rotorua Corps promoted to Glory on 4 Sept 2016 from Waikato Hspital. The funeral was at Rotorua Corps, on 10 Sept at 1.00 pm, conducted by Lieuts Kylie and Ralph Overbye.

Please support Capts Catherine and Kenneth Walker, Lionel’s wife Barbara, Lionel’s father-in-law Brig Geoff Sampson and other family members in prayers at this time of grief and loss.

Territorial Roles: Effective 10 October: Hannah Medland, Territorial Children’s Mission Director, Territorial Headquarters; Sue Ellis, Assistant Territorial Children’s Mission Director, a support role in addition to her current divisional role. Sue will remain based at Divisional Headquarters, Northern Division.

01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 15

New Mission Plan Launched

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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. In the context of New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, we apply this through our shortened mission statement of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society

by God’s power.

In 2005, senior leaders asked what was holding us back from achieving more of this mission. A subsequent season of consultation and prayer identified four main areas of strategic priority and the Territorial Strategic Mission Plan (TSMP) was born.

TSMP proved extremely helpful in providing focus for Salvationists and so was extended in both 2010 and 2013.

16 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

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In seeking God about what to do next, we have felt a clear and exciting new direction emerge. To date, TSMP has been about action—the ‘what’: we want to make disciples, increase soldiers, fight injustice and develop leaders. But now we feel God is calling us back to a focus on our hearts and attitudes, to consider: ‘Why do we really do what we do?’ and ‘what do we really value?’

In summarising Jesus’ life, John wrote, ‘Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name’ (John 20:30-31).

This is our ‘why’. We want people to have the full and forever life that comes through a relationship with Jesus. The Māori translation of our name, ‘Te Ope Whakaora’, captures

This Mission Plan clarifies our purpose and asks for a determined and unified focus on two specific practices over the next three years, in the hope that we will see greater fruit for the Kingdom of God and a significant, long-term improvement in our culture to support effective mission. that, being translated as ‘the Army that brings Life’.

Bringing Life is the overall purpose of our new Mission Plan.

To answer the question: ‘what do we really value?’ and to signal the culture we want to see reflected across The Salvation Army, we are introducing a set of seven values. These are derived primarily from our Soldier’s Covenant. We hope these values will have a life that extends past the duration of this Mission Plan.

So, where are we now?

We are well resourced, we enjoy a respected profile with the Government and the general public, and God is bringing 120,000 people through our doors each year—people seeking our help. In other words, God has given us everything we need to make a difference for his Kingdom!

We also recognise areas where we need to see improvement, particularly in how we live and serve together. With this in mind, for the next three years, we are looking to focus on two practices: • Living like Jesus: Consistently reflecting the values and standards of Jesus in

100%

all aspects of our lives and in the way we ‘do’ mission • Doing mission together: Offering holistic ministries that consider the whole needs of a person (spiritual, physical, emotional and social), with seamless connections between our faith communities and social service centres.

We will continue to focus on our mission. Our previous goals of making disciples, recruiting and deploying soldiers, fighting injustice and

developing leaders will always be important.

And we will continue to expect corps and centres to pursue localised mission opportunities to meet needs in their own communities.

But our prayer and plan as a territorial strategy is that by clarifying our purpose and maintaining a determined and unified focus on two specific practices over the next three years, we will see greater fruit for the Kingdom of God and a significant improvement in our culture to support effective mission.

Seven Values Introduced Putting Jesus first is about pursuing a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, becoming more like Him, and promoting this life-changing relationship to others.

Our Christian faith compels us to care for others, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised in society.

It’s compassion in action, walking alongside people in relationship and offering a hand up.

Walking the talk is about authenticity—living according to the teachings in the Bible, upholding Christian integrity in every area of our lives, doing what we expect of others and treating others as we would want to be treated. It allows no room for hypocrisy or duplicity.

We think holistically to provide a ministry that addresses the whole person—their spiritual, physical, mental/ emotional and social needs. It is this integrated holistic ministry that leads to true life transformation.

In a world that is becoming increasingly individualistic, we offer a place to belong—authentic faith communities where anyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background. And we expect people who profess to follow Jesus to not only belong, but also to contribute as they are able to the life, work, worship and witness of the faith community.

We look to do the right thing with our time and gifts, money and possessions, body, mind and spirit, recognising we are accountable to God. This includes collaborating with others, challenging injustice and being good stewards of creation.

We are proud to be a part of the international Salvation Army, and willingly support our Army and fellow Salvationists, locally and around the world. We are loyal to our leaders and remain true to the international principles and practices of the Army, to win the world for Jesus.

From Our Territorial Leaders As our Territorial Strategic Mission Plan season draws to a close, The Salvation Army’s senior leaders feel excited at the direction ahead as we launch a new Mission Plan under the banner of ‘the Army that brings Life’.

In helping form this plan, we had expected to be here to see it through with you, but have since learnt that in December we will leave for International Headquarters in London, to take up new roles there. As we prepare to depart, it is with a strong sense that God has spoken into and shaped this Mission Plan.

God has continued to challenge us that we need to be known as people who live like Jesus, and that we must commit to an integrated and holistic approach, so we can truly say that we are doing mission together. And so we entrust this endeavour into your keeping, confident that this is God’s plan for the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory at this time.

We commend to you Colonels Andy and Yvonne Westrupp, fellow New Zealanders who will take up leadership of the territory in January 2017. Andy and Yvonne were instrumental at the beginning of TSMP, championed that plan for a number of years, and are now committed to advancing this new Mission Plan.

Will you commit to living more like Jesus and doing mission together? Such a commitment will mean that many more of those who come in contact with The Salvation Army across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga every day will experience the full life that God longs for them to know.

Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson

WANT TO KNOW MORE? | Contact the Territorial Headquarters Mission Resources team, email MissionTeam@nzf. salvationarmy.org | www.salvationarmy.org.nz/MissionPlan | www.facebook.com/NZFTMissionResources 01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 17

Church on the Road in Clendon The streets of Clendon have become the office of the Clendon Corps Plant, with plenty of work to be found for the new church.

The Salvation Army corps plant opened a netball academy in April for students in year 7–8 and began holding services in the Clendon Recreation Centre in May. Corps officer Major Jeannine Serevi said the work in Clendon is proving very different to what she and husband Captain Joe Serevi are used to, but has been hugely rewarding.

Their average attendance for Sunday meetings is growing steadily, has already reached 60 people, the maximum the hall can take, and they have seen three firsttime decisions to follow Jesus.

Over 70 per cent of the Clendon population is under 18, Jeannine says, and more than half of their congregation is under 10, which affects how they run services. ‘It’s very much family focused.

Most people who come are not from church backgrounds, so we’re trying to make it a positive and relaxed atmosphere.’

However, one of the big areas of growth has come from not having an office, which has left them walking the streets in the main public areas of the suburb talking to people.

People have been quick to approach them and are open about their need for help, Jeannine says. ‘Food parcels are a big issue in this area. There are a lot of people going to court with no one to support them, so Joe’s been a number of times to court to support people.

There are a lot of people in domestic

Mjrs Heather and Thomas Kopu, Corps Officers, Tauranga Corps (appointments in retirement); Mjr Heather Kopu, Director, Tauranga Community Ministries; Mjrs Murray & Wendy Sanson, Corps Officers, Waihi Corps.

Central Division Mjr Clive Nicolson, Divisional Secretary for Programme (appointment in retirement); Mjr Lesley Nicolson, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Personnel (also continuing appointment as Divisional Candidates Secretary); Capt Katherine Sonntag, Divisional Children’s Secretary; Capt Kristine Walker, Divisional Secretary for Retired Officers; Lieut Janet Green, Corps Officer, Foxton Corps; Lieuts Robert & Susan Adams, Corps Officers, Johnsonville Corps; Envoys Marilyn and Peter McRae*, In Charge, Masterton Corps; Envoy Marilyn McRae, Director, Cecilia Whatman Oscar Programme; Capts Julie & Lachlan Marshall, Corps Officers, Wellington South Corps.

Southern Division Capts Christine & Nigel DeMaine, Corps Officers, Rangiora Corps.

Fiji Division Capt Phillippa Serevi, Divisional Secretary for Programme; Capt Adrian Marika Serevi, Divisional Candidates Secretary; Mjrs Arone & Tauantabo Cheer, Corps Officers, Nasinu Corps.

Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services Capt Debbie Wilson**, National Mission Coordinator, National Office Auckland.

Booth College of Mission Mjr Elisabeth Gainsford, Assistant Principal (continuing appointments as Project Manager Officer Development, CLD, and Director, William Booth Educare).

School for Officer Training—New Zealand Capt Stuart Tong, Senior Training Officer, Discipleship Formation Officer; Mjr Darrell

LePine, Senior Training Officer (appointment in retirement); Captain Kylie Tong, Mission Training Officer.

Centre for Leadership Development Mjr Elisabeth Gainsford, Director.

School for Officer Training—Fiji Capt Racheal-Lee Kendrick, Assistant Training Principal; Capt Adrian Marika Serevi, Mission Training Officer.

Officers Concluding Appointments in Retirement at the General Change Mjrs Christine & Graham Rattray.

Officers Retiring at the End of 2016 Mjr Hylton Froggatt, Mjr Darrell LePine, Mjrs John & Karen Fitness, Capt Sharryn McAuliffe. *Marilyn and Peter McRae are accepted as envoys into the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, effective at the General Change on 12 January 2017. The McRaes are New Zealanders currently serving as envoys in the Australia Southern Territory. **Capt Debbie Wilson, an officer of Australia Southern Territory, is transferring to New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, effective at the General Change on 12 January 2017.

Joyful Intercessors—He Kaiwhakawhiti O Te Hari—Session Northern Division: Lieuts Aram Kwon & Tae Hwan (Ted) Kim, Corps Officers, Pukekohe Corps. Southern Division: Lieuts Erica & Fraser Kearse, Corps Officers, Aranui Corps; Lieut Erica Kearse, SOS Officer–Christchurch; Lieut Fraser Kearse, Director, Community Ministries Aranui, and Court Officer— Christchurch; Lieuts Emma & Jacob Howan, Corps Officers, Timaru Corps. Lieut Emma Howan, Director, Timaru Community Ministries.

Messengers of the Gospel—Ngā Kārere O Te Rongopai Session Northern Division: Cadets Andrew & Maree O’Brien, Cadets in Appointment, In Charge, Manukau Central Corps.

ANNUAL GENERAL CHANGE 2017 The following appointments are effective on Thursday 12 January 2017.

Territorial Headquarters Office of the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries: Mjr June Allwright, Assistant Territorial Women’s Ministries Secretary. Personnel Section: Capt Kylie Tong, Territorial Candidates Secretary.

Programme Section—Territorial Overseas Development: Mjr Deborah Clark, Territorial Overseas Development Officer (continuing appointment as Territorial Silver Star Secretary). Programme Section—National Youth Band: Capt Juanita Buckingham and Lieut Daniel Buckingham, Executive Officers, National Youth Band (additional).

Programme Section—Family Tracing Service: Mjr Brenda Ennever, Family Tracing Officer.

Northern Division Mjr Allan Bateman, Divisional Secretary for Programme; Mjr Linda Bateman, Assistant Divisional Secretary for Programme/Project Officer; Mjr Michelle Collins, Divisional Candidates Secretary; Capts Sarah & Shane Healey, Divisional Youth Coordinators (additional); Comm Astrid Herring, Divisional Secretary for Retired Officers (appointment in retirement); Mjrs Michelle & Milton Collins, Corps Officers, Auckland City Corps; Mjr Michelle Collins, Director, Auckland City Early Childhood Education Centre; Capts Bryant & Pauleen Richards, Corps Officers, Waitakere Central Corps; Capt Bryant Richards, Director, Waitakere Central Community Ministries —West Auckland Service Hub; Capt Pauleen Richards, Director, Waitakere Early Childhood Education Centre.

Midland Division Capt Lyn Beets, Divisional Assistant, Divisional Silver Star Secretary, Divisional Missionary Fellowship Secretary; Lieuts Daryn and Jessica Bishop, Corps Officers, New Plymouth Corps; Lieut Daryn Bishop, Director, New Plymouth Community Ministries, ILU Referral Officer, Bell Block/New Plymouth;

18 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

WE WANT THE SALVATION ARMY TO BE A PLACE WHERE ALL FEEL WELCOME. violence situations who want to talk. So we spend time talking with people and praying with them. It’s good that nearby Manukau Community Ministries has services we can link people to if required.’

Until now, for those needing food parcels the couple picked up items from Manukau Community Ministries and delivered them. Although helpful, this was not ideal, so The Salvation Army in Clendon is going mobile, bringing in a Salvation Army campervan that was used as a mobile support centre during the Canterbury Earthquakes to act as their on-the-road office.

They will have the van out for two days a week, making them more accessible, streamlining their work, and offering privacy and space to assist people more fully.

The netball academy was also proving exciting. Many parents couldn’t afford to put their children in sport and were extremely grateful for the opportunity —and the team came fifth in their grade.

Four girls from the academy have joined the corps and two brought their family, Jeannine says. However, there were many other long-term issues they were also hoping to help address, including with a group of families trespassed from a large number of public areas, leaving vulnerable children more isolated.

Assisting the large proportion of Māori, Pasifika and new immigrants in the community is also high on the agenda.

‘We can just see huge potential within this community to reach out and show God’s love. There are so many hurting people all around and a lot of them don’t know where to go for the assistance they require.’

Recently, Robert and I attended the 125th Wellington South Anniversary. Such occasions are encouraging, inspiring and give pause for thought about the next 125 years.

In a conversation with a five-year-old boy, our talk turned to asking if he would be coming to The Salvation Army for church the next day. I was not only assured he would be present, but he quickly invited me to sit with him and his family so I could join with him in colouring in. I was surprised and delighted that a little boy whom I had never met before would offer me a place to come back to, a place to belong. I felt special and welcomed—I was excited to see him again on Sunday.

Over the next three years, we are embarking on a new mission plan. In this plan, ‘A Place to Belong’ is listed as one of our values, because we want The Salvation Army to be a place where all feel welcome.

Everyone needs a place to belong. A place that fits us like a favourite item of clothing. That’s the way we’re made. Not to be alone, but to be together, experiencing life with others.

The Bible uses a lot of metaphors to describe the church, but the most persistent is that of family. In the New Testament, believers call each other brothers and sisters and, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul writes: ‘Now you Gentiles are no longer strangers or foreigners. You are citizens along with God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family’ (Ephesians 2:19, NLT).

The church in Jerusalem, as depicted in the book of Acts, was made up of all sorts of believers from a variety of backgrounds, with different personalities and sometimes conflicting opinions. Yet they found a way to work together, because they understood there is both community and strength in numbers. And because they worked together, lives and history were changed.

Jesus is all about helping people up, isn’t he? When Peter tried walking on water and ended up sinking like a rock, Jesus reached out, took him by the hand and helped him back to the boat. When a woman was caught in adultery and publically humiliated, Jesus could have thrown the first stone. He could have kicked her while she was down. But instead, he reached out his hand, lifted her up and gave her a fresh start.

God doesn’t just call us to believe; he calls us to belong! The entire Bible is the story of God building a family that will support, strengthen and stir one another up to love and good works—and he created you to be a part of this family. So thanks, Joshua, for the invite to belong!

Commissioner Janine Donaldson Territorial President of Women’s Ministries 01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 19

THE DEVIL WAS BEATEN AND RAN AWAY. THEN I FELT MY HEART WAS WASHED WHITE AS SNOW … I WAS WASHED CLEAN, NO SPOTS LEFT.

The Army that Brings Life One of the ways Jesus described his mission was to bring life. But what does this look like—and how does it change people’s lives?

BY CHRISTINA TYSON

An awareness of Jesus as life-giving Saviour of the world was well understood by early New Zealand Salvationists, who chose ‘Te Ope Whakaora’ as the term for The Salvation Army’s mission to Māori.

Te Ope Whakaora literally translates as ‘the group bringing (or causing) life’.

The Salvation Army’s foremost missionary to Māori was Ernest Holdaway, who pioneered the Army’s work in Gisborne and among Māori of the Whanganui River district. During Holdaway’s time in Gisborne, a woman named Maraea Morris joined The Salvation Army’s ranks. Her experience of the power of the gospel is a reminder of the life-giving power of Jesus Christ.* 20 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

Maraea’s father, an Irish whaler, had married a high-ranking Māori woman.

Their daughter was schooled by the Wesleyan Mission, where she learned to pray and to love the Bible. But after her mother died and her father began drinking heavily, Maraea left to live with her mother’s tribe.

In 1863, she was married to young chief Pera Taihuka. During the Poverty Bay Massacre of 1868, Maraea’s husband—along with other men, women and children—were murdered before her eyes at the command of rebel chief Te Kooti. Maraea dipped her hands in her husband’s blood and swore she would not rest until she had taken Te Kooti’s life.

Under threat of death, Maraea escaped.

She then searched for Te Kooti for years.

Finally, in 1885, aged 40, she came to Gisborne. By this point, Maraea’s obsession with revenge had taken its toll—she was prematurely aged, dejected and rarely spoke to anyone.

From darkness to light

Full and forever life

Although Maraea declared herself a ‘heathen’, she began attending Salvation Army meetings.

The context for Jesus’ promise is in John 10:1-21, where Jesus calls himself ‘the good shepherd’. This is a shepherd with a recognised ownership relationship with his flock, in contrast to a thief who has no such claim and instead attempts to steal and even harm another’s sheep.

‘At last a light came out of darkness,’ Marea later recalled. ‘One Friday night, 26 days after the Army began in Gisborne, I came forward and knelt at the front.’ The Salvationists prayed for Maraea, but she says her heart was stubborn and the following week was a miserable one. When Captain Holdaway visited and asked Maraea if she could forgive Te Kooti, she responded with a strong ‘No!’ ‘Then he prayed for me to have power to forgive my enemies, and all at once the light broke in upon me, and I cried for forgiveness. I pardoned Te Kooti, and I felt my sins were forgiven from that moment, and I knew I was saved. After this I was so happy.’

A struggle was still going on in Maraea’s life—to overcome her temper—and she became miserable again. She said, ‘I listened and prayed, and all at once the light came, just as before. I got the victory. The Devil was beaten and ran away. Then I felt my heart was washed white as snow … I was washed clean, no spots left. I soon grew bold to speak for my Saviour … Now I want to do everything or go anywhere for Jesus.’

Until her death in 1907, Maraea showed evidence of the transforming love of God. She had discovered the ‘full life’ that Jesus promised in John 10:10, where he says, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’

This passage reflects an Eastern understanding of a shepherd as an ever-present, caring part of his sheep’s lives. Sheep could wander freely and even mingle with the sheep of other shepherds, but they had such a close relationship with their own shepherd that they easily recognised his voice and quickly came to his side when called.

When we read this passage we perhaps recall Jesus’ parable of the one lost sheep (Luke 15), where the shepherd (again representing Jesus) shows his willingness to seek out those who are lost from his fold—emphasising the loving care God has for those outside his Kingdom. In John 10, Jesus goes on to say that a good shepherd will do whatever it takes to defend his sheep when they are in mortal peril, even laying down his own life to save them.

In the Old Testament God promised, ‘As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered … I will tend them in a good pasture … I myself will tend my sheep …I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak …’ (Ezekiel 34).

And now, Jesus announces, ‘I am the

‘Not called!’ did you say? ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonised heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father’s house and bid their brothers and sisters, and servants and masters not to come there. And then look Christ in the face, whose mercy you have professed to obey, and tell him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish his mercy to the world.

William Booth

PONDERTHIS How would you answer: ‘How has Jesus brought life to you?’

What is your purpose as a Salvationist? How does your daily living reflect this?

Relationships are a pathway to sharing Jesus with others.

How can you strengthen your relationships in your community?

And with Salvation Army clients and those attending church activities who don’t know Jesus?

Many people access The Salvation Army’s help every day. How might corps and social service centres in your area work together more closely to bring the life of Jesus to others?

Take a few minutes to thank God for the gift of salvation and ask for the compassion and boldness to share this gift with others.

gate for the sheep … I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved … The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’

His words parallel John 14:6, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

Jesus is this world’s Saviour, and he has come that all may experience life in its best and fullest sense—the eternal life of the Kingdom of God. As early Māori Salvationists understood, it is the purpose of The Salvation Army to bring the life of Jesus to others. This is why we exist. Do we still appreciate the desperation of people to experience the victory and peace of Jesus in their lives?

Do we still see ourselves as bringers of this life-giving, transforming message? * Maraea Morris’s and Ernest Holdaway’s experiences are recounted in Te Ope Whakaora: A Collection of Documents on The Salvation Army and Māori 1884-2007, edited by Harold Hill (Flag Publications, 2007) 01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 21

SUDOKU

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Each Sudoku number puzzle has a unique solution that can be worked out logically (not mathematically). The numbers 1 to 9 appear once in every row, column and 3x3 square. Difficulty | Easy

3

5 5 6 8

7 4 8

1 3 8 7 9 2 8 1

6 9 6

400–600 words with one or two captioned photos.

Promotion to Glory tributes are approx 300 words. Email reports and large, high-quality jpeg images to: warcry@ nzf.salvationarmy.org

1 8 9 7 4

A year of 24-7 Prayer across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga

To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf. salvationarmy.org

PRAY

I would like: to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army

Our Family Care Centres are safe houses for women escaping domestic violence, homelessness and human trafficking.

For $25 a month, you can help support this work.

4 9 8 3 2 7 5 1 6

8 1 5 6 3 9 2 4 7

6 7 2 4 1 5 9 3 8

9 3 4 8 7 2 6 5 1

5 6 1 7 8 4 3 9 2

2 8 9 5 6 3 1 7 4

7 4 3 2 9 1 8 6 5

Quiz Answers: 1 Anna Grimaldi (Long Jump), 2 The Hudson, 3 Giant Panda—now considered ‘vulnerable to extinction’, 4 White, yellow and purple, 5 The fifth day (Genesis 1:20).

22 WarCry 01 OCTOBER 2016

1 5 6 9 4 8 7 2 3

Send to: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

3 2 7 1 5 6 4 8 9

Name Email Address Phone

salvationarmy.org.nz/prayer

BECOME A FAMILY CARE CENTRE SPONSOR

The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

FOR MORE INFO GO TO

Help Women and Children in Fiji

Lautoka, Levin, Linwood, Lomaivuna and Manukau Central Corps, Salvation Army Emergency Services Team, and The Salvation Army in the Philippines.

Want to Know More?

Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 29 Sept–2 Oct: Now is the Time Congress, Wellington 14 Sept: Jeff Farm AGM (TC) 14–16 Oct: Thought Matters Conference, Melbourne 17–20 Oct: South Pacific Leaders Conference, Sydney 24–28 Oct: Territorial Review with Int’l Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia (SPEA) Zone Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 24–25 Sept: Southern Division Youth Councils 29 Sept–2 Oct: Now is the Time Congress, Wellington 14–16 Oct: Thought Matters Conference, Melbourne 17–20 Oct: South Pacific Leaders Conference, Sydney 21–23 Oct: Fiji visit with International Secretary for South Pacific and East Asia (SPEA) Zone 24–28 Oct: Territorial Review with Int’l Secretary for SPEA Zone

Become a sponsor today Contact Major Helen Knowles (Child Sponsorship Secretary), e: helen_knowles@nzf.salvationarmy.org, p: (04) 384 5649 or download a form from our website

www.salvationarmy.org.nz/FijiFamilyCentreSponsor

Shop online at

salvationarmy.or.nz/shop

‘But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control …’

colour my world

Knock, knock Who’s there?

Amy Amy who?

Amy fraid I’ve forgotten!

Knock, knock Who’s there?

Kiwi Kiwi who?

Kiwi go to the store?

can you spot 10 differences?

Knock, knock Who’s there?

Orange Orange who?

Orange you glad to see me?

Knock, knock Who’s there?

Alpaca Alpaca who?

Alpaca the boot, you pack the suitcase!

Imagine how boring the world would be if everything was black and white! If there were no beautiful colours to make the world look bright and beautiful.

When we do colouring-in, we imagine what a boring picture would look like with colour—and then we use whatever colours we like to make the picture beautiful and complete!

Sometimes our world can seem dark and dirty when people are sad or upset. God wants to help us add colour to sad places and upset people. His Holy Spirit can help us paint beautiful qualities like love, joy, peace and kindness across our world.

We’ll know when God has used us to make his world beautiful because we’ll see people smiling and happy again.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the colours that make our world so beautiful! Help me to colour the lives of people around me with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and gentleness. Amen.

01 OCTOBER 2016 WarCry 23

In the poetry of life The narrative of humanity The prose of poise and personality There is a friend and foe named Struggle Struggle holds the keys Of victory or defeat The power to disarm or empower The ability to give strength Or to weaken Yet there is no truth in her And no truth without her There is never victory—without a victor No battle won—without a fight No overthrow—without something needing to be taken down or out No justice sought—without injustice experienced So I will rise!

I will meet Struggle on the battlefield of life With my other friend Courage For Courage gives me choice Choice to rise and determine which keys I will claim today To walk the pathway of struggle Knowing no hero lives on Easy Street There’s no depth in the paddling pool of life No strength is gained lifting balloons Or strolling the hallways of ease and comfort I will rise I will become stronger I will take hold of the keys that are mine With Courage ever at my side And we will embrace the Struggles As we rise to meet them O Yes, I will Rise! © JOCELYN SMITH