FAITH IN ACTION 4 APRIL 2020 | Issue 6739 | $1.50
Prayer for a Pandemic General’s Message: Healed and Made Whole
Go and Tell; Reimagining Women’s Ministries Welcome to Cadets and Territorial Leaders
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WAR CRY The Salvation Army
New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William
& Catherine Booth
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 Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Captain Jules Badger, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major Colleen
Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,
PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone
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Resurrection Hope The last few weeks have been a time of fear and trepidation as we contemplate a global virus and the economic fallout that will inevitably follow. It is easy to spiral downwards in our thoughts and conversations about the present and an unknown future. Easter cuts right through the misery and despair. Its message of hope and sacrificial love from an Eternal God is the light that will extinguish the accuser’s plans to intimidate the Church. We have a message called the ‘Good News’! This has not changed or altered. We need to remember that God is in control. His plans and purposes are not on hold, his mandate for The Salvation Army has not changed. I know as we traverse the challenges ahead that we will take every opportunity to bring the life-affirming message of the Resurrection to our communities. We may have to adjust how we communicate this, but we need to bring the hope—to speak life—to the frightened, the despairing, the people of New Zealand who do not have the comfort of the promises of the Easter Resurrection. In this week’s War Cry feature, we are reminded of the impact of the Resurrection story from women’s perspective. Women were the first witnesses to the Resurrection, they were the first to ‘Go and Tell’. Many attempts have been made to silence the feminine voice, but the Great Commission was given to each one of us. Jesus asked us all to bring the hope-filled message to our generation. This is our time. Vivienne Hill Editor
Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission. Publishing for 136 years | Issue 6739 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry
www.salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts
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John 20:17 [Jesus talking to Mary] Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God”.’ Hoani 20:17 Ka mea a Īhu ki a ia, ‘Kei pā ki ahau; kīanō hoki ahau i kake noa ki tōku Matua. Engari haere ki ōku tēina, ka mea atu ki a rātou, “Ka kake ahau ki tōku Matua, ki tō koutou Matua: ki tōku Atua, ki tō koutou Atua”.’
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hat a maelstrom we are caught in as the full implications of COVID-19 come upon us. Very rapidly Government, business and community leaders stepped up to lead us through these unprecedented times. The whole world has been shaken, as many lives and some livelihoods have been left in tatters. Being overtaken by events beyond our control is not uncommon. Many of us have our own story of dreams that have been torn to shreds during our lifetime. Yet here we are. The global crisis has upended any sense of ‘normal’ as daily measures are taken to contain the spread of this invisible killer. Our sense of autonomy and the authorship of our own lives has been shattered. None of us have escaped this frightening reality, as everyone within their realm of responsibilities and relationships fights to do what needs to be done. As we revisit the events of Easter as recorded in the Gospels, we get a sense that Jesus’ friends, family and disciples were also caught up in a maelstrom which made no sense to them whatsoever. For Jesus’ first followers this meant facing the agonising loss of someone on whom they’d pinned their hopes and their futures. Worse still, the nature of His death ripped deep scars into their hearts. We are fortunate to live knowing that Christ’s death was not the end of the story. But give some thought to those first followers who endured the darkness of a Sabbath when all seemed lost. For some women the darkness of these hours was only
slightly relieved by the thought that they could make one final act to demonstrate their love. The task of anointing the body for burial was theirs. Imagine the care taken to ensure that the necessary spices and oils were the purest and the best. But further shockwaves were to confront them when, upon arrival at the tomb, it was empty. Could Mary’s sorrow and bewilderment get any deeper? Little wonder that she was confused when first encountering the unknown stranger in the garden. John 20:10–18 captures the startling conversation which culminates in Mary becoming the messenger to the others that she has seen the LORD! At Easter this year we will approach our worship and re-telling of the events with a greater sense of identifying with what was happening for Jesus’ first followers. The tyranny of our times helps us to see at a deeper level what it was like to live Christ’s crucifixion in real time. As his followers faced the end of all they’d hoped and dreamed of, and the loss of the One central to the fulfilment of their hopes, they didn’t know the end of the story. They needed to wait through the agonising and bewildering hours of that dark Sabbath before the glorious news of Christ’s resurrection came to them. We are in the waiting room of uncertainty, not knowing the end of our story; yet we can rest in holy expectation that there is new life beyond the grave and there will be new life beyond COVID-19. BY COLONEL HEATHER RODWELL
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SALLIEOFTHEWEEK
TOPFIVE
While we’re munching on Hot Cross Buns, what is the rest of the world eating at Eastertime? 5. A rgentina—Tarta Pascualina: Raw eggs are cracked into this spinach and ricotta pie to cook as it bakes. Its name translates to ‘Eastertime Tart’ in English.
Lillian Shepherd, (Senior Soldier Number One at Wellington South Corps, turned 100 on 16 March.) Lil Smith was born in Australia where her parents were Salvation Army officers. They moved every year, so Lil didn’t make any friends until her parents were sent to New Zealand when she was 15 and stayed put for a while. Lil married Malcolm Shepherd at 21, meeting him at the Army. They shared a strong Christian faith. Lil loved making sweets for fundraising, filling her freezer with baking, marshmallows and fudge. ‘God is in everything and has given me a very good life,’ says Lil. ‘I have lots of good memories to think about and I’m fortunate to have the intelligence to remember them.’
4. Mexico—Capirotada: This bread pudding is traditionally eaten during Lenten season, made with bread boiled in mulled syrup, cheese, nuts and dried fruit, often topped with sprinkles. 3. Finland—Mämmi: Ingredients for this dessert include water, molasses, rye flour, salt, Seville orange zest and powdered malted rye. It takes hours to prepare and days to chill before it is ready— served cold with milk or cream and sugar. 2. Russia—Paskha: A savoury dessert made of quark (a Russian curd cheese). Its white colour symbolises the purity of Christ. It is typically formed into a pyramid then decorated with the ‘Chi Ro’ motif, a three-bar cross and the letters X and B which stand for ‘Christ is Risen’! 1. Greece—Tsoureki: This sweet bread is created in a three-strand braid to represent the Holy Trinity, served with hard boiled eggs which are dyed red to symbolise Christ’s blood.
Weird of the Week: Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida hosted the largest Easter egg hunt in history, on 1 April 2007: they hid 501,000 eggs, which 9753 children searched for. 4 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
Healing Through Listening ‘Chaplaincy is about being available for people—ensuring they feel valued and important. To validate their story is the beginning of healing for so many,’ explains Territorial Secretary for Chaplaincy Services Major Glenton Waugh. Five brand new chaplains (pictured) were recently presented with their certificates at Whangārei Corps, having completed the Foundations for Chaplaincy Course run by The Salvation Army’s Centre for Leadership Development at Booth College of Mission. Glenton sees that there’s a great need for chaplaincy ministry throughout the territory and urges Salvationists to consider whether it might be something God is calling them to. ‘I believe there are people in The Salvation Army who are looking for a ministry to get involved in, and chaplaincy could be the one for them,’ he says. ‘It’s a privilege to meet people and begin a journey with them by listening to their stories. Listening is a key focus of chaplaincy. Many people have shared their stories and yet have not been truly heard.’ Above (l–r): Yvonne Challis (Service Coordinator), Moana Kingi (Emergency Housing Budgeter), Mike Challis (Senior Services Volunteer), Sonya Warren (Community Ministries Whangārei) and Petrina Sullivan (Māori Ministries).
QUIKQUIZ Fantasy/Animation Onward (G) Directed by Dan Scanlon Elf, Ian Lightfoot, has always yearned to see his father, who died from illness before Ian got to meet him. On his sixteenth birthday, Ian embarks on a journey with his older brother Barley to bring their father back for one day, in a once-magical world now governed by technology. If this premise sounds predictable, think again. Scanlon navigates the tropes of a quest film (eg, car chases and magic going awry) with creativity and humour, culminating in a climax that is both wonderfully animated and emotionally resonant—particularly to those who have lost a parent or have a close relationship with their sibling. Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer spearhead the voice cast. Here’s hoping Disney+ fasttracks Pixar’s Onward onto the streaming platform in New Zealand. (Reviewed by Bethany Slaughter)
1 A Peekapoo is a hybrid of which two breeds of dog?
2 What is the scientific name for hair loss? 3 Who is the prime minister of Denmark?
Mini Choc-Chip Hot Cross Scones 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
Preheat oven to 220°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
¾ cup milk choc chip bits
In a large bowl, combine flour, choc-chip bits, sugar and salt. Make a well in the centre and stir through cream and lemonade with a butter knife until just combined.
¼ cup caster sugar 1 pinch salt ½ cup cream, plus 2 Tbsp extra for brushing ½ cup lemonade 60g milk chocolate, melted
WARCRYINHISTORY This week we bring you an early photo of the Invercargill Lassies Band, one of the earliest opportunities for New Zealand women to play brass music. Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission
4 What year was the video game Minecraft first released? 5 What was Judas given to betray Jesus?
Answers on page 22
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead lightly to combine. Gently flatten dough until 3cm thick. Use a 5cm round cutter to cut out scones. Arrange close together on tray. Brush with extra cream. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until scones are lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped. Allow to cool. Fill a piping bag fitted with a writing tube with melted chocolate. Pipe chocolate crosses over cooled scones.
Source: countdown.co.nz
Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. Corrie Ten Boom
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The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Christian faith—the whole point of the Easter story. The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen! Sin has been atoned for, death defeated and the grave conquered. Christ’s resurrection changed everything, for everyone, everywhere, and for all time. It may have been the end of an horrific weekend for Jesus and his followers, but it was just the beginning of a whole new chapter in human history. And women were given a very special role. BY JULES BADGER
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esus entrusted the news of his resurrection—the biggest news of all time—to women. Women who, at that time in history, were deemed unreliable witnesses, simply because they were female. But Jesus was doing something new—something powerful and unprecedented, yet again. Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Julie Campbell says, ‘It was hugely significant for Jesus to take the greatest message of all time and give it to women—it was empowering! This was freedom and release from the restrictive cultural norms of the day. This is Jesus saying to women, you’re valuable, you matter in my Kingdom and you have a part to play. When I look at Jesus’ life and his teaching, and the way he treated women, he was inclusive. There’s nothing in his teaching that says this is only for men.’ When Jesus appears to Mary in John’s Gospel, not only is she filled with grief and sorrow but now she’s confronted with the shock of the empty tomb. But Jesus says to her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Mary doesn’t recognise him at first—not until he gently speaks her name. ‘Mary,’ Jesus says. And suddenly she recognises her Lord and cries out, ‘Teacher!’ And what does Jesus say? He asks her to, ‘Go and tell’. And so, she did.
Can I Get a Witness? Jesus was criticised during his earthly ministry because he allowed a ‘fallen woman’, such as Mary Magdalene, to touch him. But Jesus showed Mary nothing but love and acceptance. He extended mercy by casting out seven demons and bringing healing and peace to her life. And he chose Mary—Mary —to announce the news of his resurrection to the disciples. Even before the resurrection, Jesus spent time at a well during the hottest part of the day with another woman of disrepute who’d been excluded from polite society. And what happened? John records that, ‘Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in (Jesus) because of the woman’s testimony’ (John 4:39). Julie Campbell explains, ‘Jesus singled her out. He explained the Scriptures and delved deeply into theology with her. And the whole community was saved because of the witness of just one woman. ‘Jesus also rewarded the boldness and faith of the woman in the crowd who touched his robe. He saw her—knew her suffering. And he singled her out too, but not to shame her—to heal and release her. How many lives were transformed that day because of her boldness and her faith—because Jesus saw her and valued her?’
To Speak Or Not To Speak Imagine, if you will, if Mary and the other women recorded in the Gospels— Mary the mother of James, and Salome—conformed to the societal strictures of that time and kept quiet, instead of embracing the freedom Jesus offered and undertaking the special mission from their Saviour to ‘Go and tell’. 04 APRIL 2020 WarCry 7
Imagine if the women who appear in the Book of Acts and beyond—women upon whom the Holy Spirit was promised and poured out—kept the message to themselves because society had decided they wouldn’t be taken seriously. What if Lydia, Dorcas, Rhoda, Phoebe, Tryphena and Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, Chloe, Priscilla and all the other women whose names aren’t recorded, kept the good news about Jesus, and what God had done in their lives, to themselves? Can you imagine?
JESUS ENTRUSTED THE NEWS OF HIS RESURRECTION—THE BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL TIME— TO WOMEN. The Call Endures Church history reveals that throughout the centuries many limitations were placed on women, all in the name of God and supposedly based on Scripture. But the call for women to be fully included in the proclamation of the Gospel endured despite such opposition. Allies for equality, like the radical egalitarian leader of the Moravian Church, Count Zinzendorf (1700–1760) is one example. Zinzendorf stated, ‘It is odd, when the Holy Spirit says: “Your daughters shall prophesy”, that we [the church] say, “They shall not prophesy”.’ God continually raised up radical reformers, who were bold enough to go against the grain of society and the mainline churches and fight for that legacy of freedom and inclusion for women. William and Catherine Booth included equality between men and women in the founding documents of The Salvation Army nearly nineteen centuries after Jesus first invited women to ‘Go and tell’. Imagine if Catherine Booth chose not to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and stand up and speak? Or if her husband, William, forbade her? Imagine if Catherine Booth had never been exposed to the teachings of Phoebe Palmer, dubbed the ‘Mother of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement’? The Booths’ incorporated Phoebe’s sanctification teaching into the Army’s foundations. 8 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
What if Phoebe had stayed silent? Imagine if Catherine never wrote her famous pamphlet: ‘Female Ministry’, or ‘Woman’s Right to Preach the Gospel’, in 1859, where she outlined a solid scriptural defence for the full inclusion of women in ministry. Can you imagine The Salvation Army without active female participants and leaders?
An Inclusive Commission Like Catherine Booth, Julie Campbell doesn’t believe God would prevent half the body of Christ from attending to the urgent work of the Great Commission, based purely on gender. ‘When I think of the Great Commission, Jesus didn’t say, It’s just the men who must go out and make disciples; nor did he stand up and make a big proclamation that said, From now on I’m going to allow women to go…; he just gave that commission to everyone who was there that day. If we’re passionate disciples—regardless of whether we’re male or female—we’ll be demonstrating the love of God and discerning when and how to proclaim the message using our gifts and abilities.’ In Galatians 3:28, the Apostle Paul explains that through faith ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ’. And yet still some churches today consider Paul’s firmness with the women at Corinth—a specific group of women, in a specific church, at a specific time in history—as evidence for the exclusion of women. ‘The New Testament is beautifully subtle. We can get stuck on a couple of passages and miss so much. The New Testament shows more than it tells. What does Jesus’ interaction with women reveal? There are so many examples of women being included and valued, speaking and leading,’ affirms Julie.
Freedom For All As Salvationist women and men, we belong to an incredible legacy of liberation and freedom for women. We’ve been on quite a journey as a movement over the past 150 years, sometimes taking backward steps. And yet, The Salvation Army’s foundational commitment to equality of opportunity for both women and men remains intact and is being strengthened every day. But we cannot take that freedom for granted. More than ever, we need to exercise it and work together to see all women everywhere walk in that same freedom. ‘This is what we celebrate at Easter,’ Julie affirms. ‘Throughout the New Testament men and women both found freedom in Christ. Jesus came to give us life in all its fullness—
it’s lifechanging for everyone! I love that Jesus didn’t just intend this new life to be for one gender or one people group. He didn’t come to hinder us and say, No you can’t do that, he came to set us free!’ Given the value with which Jesus treated women, the dignity he showed them, and the mission he entrusted to them at the tomb that first Easter, it’s incomprehensible that 2000 years on statistics would reveal that in every context of injustice, females still suffer the most.
2020: A Pivotal Year For Women and Girls With its mandate to be The Salvation Army’s strategic voice advocating for human dignity and social justice with the world’s poor and oppressed, The International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) has declared 2020 to be, ‘a pivotal year for the Empowerment of All Women and Girls, Everywhere’. According to the ISJC, globally, women do three times more unpaid care-work than men. Women and girls together account for 72 percent of trafficking victims worldwide. In the least developed countries, 60 percent of girls complete primary school and just 30 percent enrol in high school.
AS SALVATIONIST WOMEN AND MEN, WE BELONG TO AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY OF LIBERATION AND FREEDOM FOR WOMEN. The fact that we’re still working hard for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the twenty-first century should motivate us as Salvationists—both women and men—to leverage our various platforms of influence to ensure all women, everywhere, enjoy that same liberation. As Salvationists we are extremely well positioned to make a real difference in the lives of women and girls. And this is why Julie is so passionate about men and women discovering and using their gifts. ‘As men and women, young and old, regardless of race or culture, we have been provided with gifts and abilities to equip one another to share the Gospel. Whether we’re preaching or
teaching or whatever our gifts are—we must be using them. There will be some people—men or women—who may prefer or need to hear something I say because I’m a woman, rather than Mark. So, if I don’t speak—if I don’t use my gifts— there’s a part of the body missing and someone’s missing out on the message.’
Men Of Quality Don’t Fear Equality Julie believes that God is lifting women in these days, and calls men to be allies. ‘When we’re all empowered to use our gifts, we can share the load and have a far greater impact. We’re all in this together—men and women. We’re more powerful for God together. When we’re using our gifts and our abilities and building each other up and honouring each other, calling those gifts out and encouraging each other in the mission—that’s when we’re strongest as an Army. That’s when we’re best able to make a difference in the world.’ So, let’s be faithful to the Founders’ mandate and ensure women and girls around the globe are included as participants in the mission, receivers of the message and benefactors of the freedom we enjoy as Salvationists. Let’s not waver or falter in the call Christ gave the women at the tomb and ‘Go and tell’ the good news that Jesus is risen!
The International Salvation Army is calling Salvationists around the world to prioritise prayer, specifically for justice on behalf of women and girls through the #cryforjustice prayer focus. Go to salvationarmy.org/ isjc/2020-cry-for-justice.
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The Start of Something New Is there a musical instrument you want to learn, or an outdoor activity that you think looks like a ton of fun? Maybe you have been thinking about building your own furniture, or expanding your recipe repertoire? What about a skill or a behavioural trait you want to develop? Most of us can think of something we have always wanted to try, so what is holding us back from getting started? • Lack of resources—such as money, time, energy or location. • Confusing doing with achieving—we are our own worst critics and often don’t want to begin something only to be bad at it. • Thinking we cannot change—mistakenly believing that something is an attribute we either have or don’t have, rather than a skill which can be learned (for example, being a confident conversationalist is not just something we are born with, but an ability which we can develop).
HAVING A HOBBY, SKILL OR PASSION MAKES YOU A MORE WELL-ROUNDED AND MARKETABLE PERSON.
• Anxiety—trying a new activity, sometimes in front of people, can be scary. It is easy to worry about the worst-case scenario (for example, embarrassing yourself or wasting money). • Pessimism—many of us revert to a glass half-empty approach to protect ourselves from potential humiliation or failure. Remember, there is no guarantee that you will be good at any new activity you try, but you can always control your own actions and decisions. What matters is that you enjoy it (or at least give it a try). If resources are the problem, you may need to think outside the box, re-prioritise and consider smaller steps you can take to get started. Provided you are passionate because you want to try this new endeavour, not because you/ somebody else thinks you should do it, then stop waiting and put a plan in action. Having a hobby, skill or passion makes you a more wellrounded and marketable person—not just on the all-important résumé, but in your personal life too. You can meet new friends, relieve stress and sometimes even earn a little pocket money. It stimulates your creativity, and by learning what you do and do not enjoy, you get to understand yourself better. Stepping past your insecurities teaches you to take the initial leap, even when it scares you, and then in the future you know
that you can do it again. Most importantly, you will not be left wondering what might have been if you had given it a go. If you find you do not have fun or are not very good at it, who cares? You will learn something either way and might just discover something you are passionate about. Source: psychologytoday.com
Give-it-a-go Inspo • Join a book club
• Try a new sport/outdoors activity (e.g. team sports, fishing, camping, water sports, cycling) • Learn a musical instrument • Pick up a hobby (eg, art/craft, sewing, photography, woodwork, furniture making, model trains) • Study a new language • Travel • Cook or Bake • Go to concerts/shows/movies • Start a small business (aka, side-hustle) • Volunteer
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TESTIFY! Since coming to know God one year ago through a life group, Lisa Davies has learned to trust him—particularly when it comes to her son’s medical condition—and interpret the hidden messages in her own artwork. I was born in Hastings, the youngest of three girls, and we moved to Rotorua when I was five. The Rotorua Family Store is where I originally started at The Salvation Army as a volunteer, about three years ago. My son Elijah was getting older and it was something to do, basically. Elijah was born with Cystic Fibrosis. It’s genetic, and it’s life-altering. He takes up to 10 tablets a day and has countless other medications and stuff that he has to do. I spent quite a few years in denial about it, because that was easier than accepting it was happening to my own child. Because he was my first child, I had nothing else to go on. When it came to all his needs, that has always been my normal. But he is doing good. He’s a normal seven-year-old boy, he just takes lots of medication. He does baffle doctors quite a bit—there’s no medical reason why he should be so healthy. About a year ago, I started going to a life group, and then I slowly felt the need to go to church. Walking in the first time I was pretty much petrified, but as soon as I went in, there were people I knew from the shop, and it was all hugs and stuff like that. No matter what, the Rotorua Corps has always been really welcoming. If you miss a week, for whatever reason, they always notice that you’re not there and check up to see how you’re doing. Kylie Overbye (corps officer) and I have had good talks, and she’s always been the one I’ve gone to when I’ve read something or if something doesn’t seem quite right. I’m still part of the life group, and I’ve just
GOD’S PROVEN TO ME THAT HE DOES KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING … ULTIMATELY, HE’S IN CONTROL AND THERE WILL BE A REASON FOR EVERYTHING. made the decision to change over from the shop to ministry work.
inspires me to keep going, and one day I will share them with others.
I do a lot of artwork, which is where my decision to become a soldier started. I work with pencil and charcoal mostly, and I began feeling the need to draw soldiers. They had to be drawn in a very specific way. I did about four different ones before I got it right and was satisfied. It was a soldier—they had no weapons, no guns, no helmet—and were looking at the cross. Once I drew it, I knew, ‘okay, this is what I need to do.’
My faith journey has been a lot of letting go and allowing God to take control when it comes to my life, and even Elijah’s. It occurred to me recently that it’s only been six months, and how much has happened and how well Elijah’s doing. God’s proven to me that he does know what he’s doing. It is just about knowing that you’ll have your good days and your bad days, but, ultimately, he’s in control and there will be a reason for everything, even if I don’t like it some days. It means I’m human.
When it comes to my drawings, they always have a secret meaning behind them. They’ve got a story behind what you’re seeing on the page. It kind of
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Artwork by Frida Lindstrom @ Voices of Hope
General Tweets #WMReimagining ‘God is calling us to be men and women of courage as we engage in his mission today! May we see the needs of women and girls around our communities through his eyes, and may we be moved with his love and compassion that we have no other choice but to “Do something!” and “Do it now!”’ These are the bold words of Commissioner Rosalie Peddle (World President of Women’s Ministries) at the International Women’s Ministries Reimagining Launch held at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle made clear her challenge to freely reimagine Women’s Ministries for a new day and a new generation: ‘The breadth and reach of Women’s Ministries is limited only by our vision and our willingness to step out in faith to make a difference in the lives of women and girls today. ‘Today we celebrate a legacy of ministry to women, for women and by women, but we also celebrate the greater things that God has promised to those who willingly and bravely follow his leading. What is God calling you to reimagine, and what will your response be? The experience of greater things comes only by greater faith. So, let’s be bold in our faith, let’s be purposeful in our action, so that our ministry to women and girls will see even greater things.’ General Brian Peddle was given the special task of launching the new International Women’s Ministries Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels, as part of the recent Reimagining launch at IHQ. ‘We know from God’s Word,’ said the General, ‘the familiar call of Christ to go into all the world and preach the good news … Times have changed and, thanks to technology, so have the methods by which we can connect and accomplish this great commission.’ The General then took a selfie with those gathered, saying, ‘While I Tweet this photo, I invite you and those watching via live-stream to take a selfie or group photo and share it on one of the Women’s Ministries social media platforms. Let us know what you are doing to reach out to women and girls in your communities. Use the hashtag #WMReimagining.’ The launching of a new International Women’s Ministries vision statement and logo were also key facets to the launch. Colonel Heather Rodwell affirms that Territorial Women’s
Ministries for New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa fully endorses the new four-fold aims. ‘The launch has provided a further opportunity to reinforce the message that Women’s Ministries isn’t only about women’s programmes—although programmes may well be one way by which women are reached and served. We have all heard the renewed call to fresh mission endeavour which meets the needs of women in the twenty-first century and in ways that will vary depending on context … As a globally connected world, we are vitally aware that many women continue to experience oppression and hardship which is within our power to address. This is true both in our local communities and beyond our shores,’ Heather affirms. ‘It is our hope that every corps will identify one thing that will be the means by which they take action to strengthen relationships with women and families within their reach, and make a commitment to invest in these relationships. This will require intentional action and sustained engagement. This may mean stopping something that is no longer achieving its intended purpose, in order to free up time and resources to invest in new mission endeavour.’ Top: General Brian Peddle taking a selfie with leaders at the launch event at IHQ. Right: The English version of the new logo.
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Foreground: New Territorial Leaders, Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell. Background: Cadets Jesse and Ben Willis, Cadets Chris and Alanah Moody, Cadet Meredeigh Minhinnick. Photography: Major Paul Gardner.
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome! BY JULES BADGER
Three significant factors converged on Sunday 15 March as Salvationist whānau from around the country gathered at Wellington City Corps for the welcome of the new territorial leaders and the latest session of Booth College of Mission cadets. Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Colonel Heather Rodwell led a moving time of reflection and prayer midway through the service for the victims of the mosque terrorist shootings in Christchurch last year. The afternoon service was live-streamed, which meant that with the cancellation of public memorial services there was an opportunity to extend the reach of corporate prayer. Regaled in tātai korowai, Rangatira Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell, together with the Messengers of Reconciliation/Ngā Karere o te Maungārongo, responded to the strong karanga from Envoy Anihera Carroll (Midland Divisional Secretary for Māori Ministry), by moving toward the platform. Following waiata led by Pou Tikanga Ken Te Tau (Central Division) and Anihera, Cadet Meredeigh Minhinnick, Cadets Alanah and Chris Moody, and Cadets Ben and Jesse Willis were accompanied onto the platform by their corps flagbearers. A poignant and powerful moment at the beginning of the service was the fulsome singing by the congregation of the national anthem, beautifully led by Anihera and Pou Tikanga Ken Te Tau. It was clear to everyone present that this was not a moment of ordinary singing, but a prayerful chorus of protection and intercession, given the anniversary of the mosque terrorist shootings and the coronavirus national alert. 14 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
Chief Secretary Colonel Suzanne Fincham introduced the cadets to rousing cheers and applause from supporters, before explaining that International Headquarters would not allow the General to return to New Zealand again, but instead had chosen Australian Territorial Leaders Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson to install Julie and Mark. Janine and Robert were delighted to be ‘home’, and spoke fondly of their season serving with Julie and Mark in Australia in recent years. ‘I introduce Julie and Mark to you with great confidence. They come to the territory with their calling, integrity, experience and great love for others,’ said Robert. He then made it clear to the Campbells that this territory will respond well to leadership that is ‘mission-focussed, encouraging and empowering’. Janine referred to the promises both Julie and Mark had made as junior and then senior soldiers, highlighting her observation that the officers’ covenant’s injunction to ‘live to win souls and make salvation the first priority of your life’ was clearly ‘the heart’ of Julie and Mark’s service. Robert affirmed that the Campbells would ‘set a high example of genuine spiritual experience’, adding that Mark is ‘a great Roosters fan [NRL] and always good for a giggle!’ Mark courageously responded with his broad Australian accent in te reo, receiving encouraging and affirming applause
‘I INTRODUCE JULIE AND MARK TO YOU WITH GREAT CONFIDENCE. THEY COME TO THE TERRITORY WITH THEIR CALLING, INTEGRITY, EXPERIENCE AND GREAT LOVE FOR OTHERS.’ for his effort. Julie expressed their thanks for such a supportive welcome by the territory. ‘We are incredibly blessed to be your territorial leaders … We don’t come with all the answers, but we know God’s faithfulness and are trusting him … We are committed to doing mission together—especially with corps and centres doing the frontline mission. It’s important to us that they are well resourced and supported … We work best when we work collaboratively and respect each other,’ Julie explained. Julie and Mark preached together, addressing the cadets as they unpacked verses from 2 Corinthians 5:11 through to the end of the chapter. Mark testified that like Paul on the Damascus Road, ‘Jesus Christ grabbed hold of me. I knew I was a son, forgiven of much and valued’. Mark also affirmed it’s Christ’s love that compels him. ‘It’s the deeper reason behind the mission … Christ’s work on the cross compels each of us— regardless of rank or position.’
Cadet Alanah Moody sharing her story of the journey toward officership. Photography: Georgia Cotter.
Julie explained that the te reo word for reconciliation means peace with God, each other and the land. ‘Because of God’s transforming love we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ. Christ changes everything! We’re new creations, new people … We view others through God’s glasses now … To be reconciled means there are changes in our relationships … We can even move from enemies to friends.’ Referring to the greenstone gifts they had received upon arrival in New Zealand, Julie explained that the koru symbolised new beginnings, and the piko iti means eternal friendship and the bringing together of cultures. ‘We want to see cultural barriers broken down. We want to be an Army that is diverse, unified and inclusive,’ she declared.
Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Kylie Tong presented the cadets to Training Principal Major Garth Stevenson, who commended them for their courage, obedience and trust in God. Referring to the cadets’ sessional name, Garth suggested that, ‘[this name] is not meant to define or confine you, but to add a focal point for your ministry’. He explained, ‘Reconciliation is about bringing together things that are separated … It’s about discarded things being brought back into unity and connectedness.’
A POIGNANT AND POWERFUL MOMENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SERVICE WAS THE FULSOME SINGING BY THE CONGREGATION OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM… Cadet Alanah Moody radiated quiet strength and absolute confidence in God as she shared about the journey she and Chris had been on as candidates for officership. The territory deferred their acceptance for a year, and Alanah explained that while they initially struggled with this decision, God’s hand in the decision became clear. ‘We had more time with family, and as a youth leader I had the joy of seeing growth and decisions made for Christ. I want to be an active supporter and light to those around me—I would’ve loved that when I was younger,’ she said. Captain Karl Foreman, Father of Cadet Jesse Willis; and Captain Matt Herring, Cadet Meredeigh Minhinnick’s sending corps officer, joined the second-year cadets in performing a powerful haka before the service concluded with kai in the social hall. Saluting the Army: Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell. Photography: Major Paul Gardner.
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Seniors Band Still Going Strong When the Wellington City Council invited The Salvation Army to provide a brass band to play during the 1999 festival for the United Nation’s International Year of Older Persons, Territorial Director of Music (at the time) Stephen Stein replied, ‘Yes we can do that!’ To pull a band together mid-week when most people are working was a challenge, but given the event was to honour seniors, the obvious solution was to recruit retirees. Stephen, in conjunction with Bandmaster Eric Geddes (Wellington City), wrote 50 letters of invitation, and due to the overwhelmingly positive response, the Central Division Seniors Band was born. Foundational bands-people still playing include David Howan, John Millar, Lorraine DeMaine, Major Don Hutson and Clive Robinson. Not only is the band still going strong, but it has just celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a weekend of special activities, with founder Stephen Stein attending as the special guest.
The five founding members (from left): David Howan (2nd Cornet, Wellington South), John Millar (Solo Cornet, Wellington City), Lorraine DeMaine (2nd Tenor Horn, Wellington South), Major Don Hutson (1st Baritone, Wellington South), Clive Robinson (2nd Baritone, Wellington City).
On Saturday 29 February, past and present band members, together with spouses, friends and whānau, gathered at Wellington South for an open rehearsal, a special dinner and an informal evening gathering of music and testimony. A very special and moving moment during the evening was Stephen’s presentation of an ‘honour roll’ of bands-people, of which 21 had since been promoted to Glory. Wellington South Corps Officer Major Christina Tyson says, ‘The weekend was a wonderful opportunity for the Wellington South Corps, with strong representation in the Seniors Band over the years, to celebrate and be encouraged by their ministry. Lots of people who are new to the Army appreciated the worship on Sunday morning, in a weekend that also gave us the opportunity 16 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
to show manaakitanga, which is one of our local values. It was a joy to host the band and its enthusiastic supporters. We honour their long-standing contribution to the division.’
The three bands-women (from left): Katherine Armstrong, Lorraine DeMaine and Ruth Worsell.
The band meets together every month. ‘We rehearse for two hours, and then we have a big supper together,’ explains David Howan. ‘I love it—the big thing is the fellowship. Catching up with everyone from all around the division from the different corps.’ Major Don Hutson, also a founding member and just topping David as the band’s most senior member at age 87, says it’s also about the music. ‘I love to play music. The Army opened up the opportunity for me to play a brass instrument as a 12-year-old.’ Lorraine DeMaine is also a founding member. ‘Many of us have grown up together,’ she says. Lorraine’s been playing for 53 years, with her father—a bandmaster—encouraging her to take up the tenor horn when she was 13. As one of the few women in the band, Lorraine says she’s always been treated well. ‘I’ve just been part of the team,’ she testifies. Band Secretary and event organiser Ian McLaren reports: ‘Feedback from the weekend has been overwhelmingly positive’. Sounds like there will be many more anniversary celebrations to come! The celebration cake made by Captain Jessica Bezzant.
SpiritSong Brings Timely Encouragement In the weekend after the coronavirus outbreak was labelled a pandemic, SpiritSong’s visit to Wellington South Corps was well-timed medicine. Polished harmonies, moving songs, friendly people—God brought encouragement, challenge and comfort through these talented Salvationist musicians. As New Zealand prepared to face the realities of COVID-19, SpiritSong Musical Director Derek Smith and wife Lynley, the group’s pianist, testified in Sunday morning’s meeting that faith in God brings calmness and strength—even in the face of a major health crisis. Lieutenant-Colonel Lynette Hutson, SpiritSong’s Executive Officer, invited Derek and Lynley to recount the impact on their family and faith when Lynley started to lose her sight and memory, and was then diagnosed with a brain tumour. This followed earlier successful treatment for breast cancer. ‘I had only two prayers: find it and fix it,’ Derek said. ‘I’m usually a very anxious person, but as people were praying, I had calmness and assurance. That extra strength came from God.’ Surgery to remove the tumour in November last year was successful and Lynley is recovering well. ‘I don’t know how people cope without God to rely on. It was my faith that kept me going,’ she said. The weekend included a Saturday afternoon visit to the Rita Angus Retirement Village in Kilbirnie, organised by Kilbirnie Corps Officer Major Silone Collins. SpiritSong members filled in health forms and had their temperatures checked to ensure no sick people entered the village. The concert was then held in an open atrium area, allowing the choir’s voices to be heard
by residents in their apartments and minimising the risk of spreading germs through closer contact. Afterwards, a ‘Sing with the Choir’ workshop gave people from the corps and community, including The Salvation Army’s Newtown drop-in centre, the chance to practise a couple of pieces with SpiritSong. Derek told them some of the benefits to singing—it’s a healthy activity, makes people look good, and can even stop snoring! The expanded choir then performed in Saturday evening’s concert and again on Sunday morning. Sunday morning’s worship also included a sensitive segment marking the first anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks with Kevin Mayhew’s prayer song ‘Lord, There are Times’. Several of the weekend’s songs had an Easter theme, focused on the love and sacrificial death of Jesus. Lynette challenged the congregation to find a freshness in Easter by recognising that God sang over them with loving delight (referring to Zephaniah 3:17). ‘Who is the person or people that you take the most delight in?’ Lynette asked. ‘That is a tiny snippet of the love that God has for you. So much love that God gave his most precious thing: his son Jesus!’ SpiritSong’s ministry is anchored in the love of Jesus and the desire to share that love with others. Vaughan Rivett of East City Corps said he was often moved by the words and music of the songs the group sang. Rebecca Howan of Wellington South Corps said while she loved singing, that wasn’t the only reason she was part of SpiritSong. ‘For me, it’s the family—the sense of whānau—and having the chance to play my small part in blessing the wider Army outside my home corps.’
World Day of Prayer 2020 Observed By NZFTS Territory On March 6, several Salvation Army corps and headquarters around the territory prayed simultaneously for the people of Zimbabwe on World Day of Prayer 2020. At Territorial Headquarters, employees joined together in Pollard Hall for a service and shared morning tea. International Headquarters Principal Advisor Seth Le Leu spoke about how despite witnessing the country’s decline into poverty and political trouble, he has been encouraged and amazed through the faith shown by the people of Zimbabwe. ‘Even in one of the most broken countries in Africa, people are resilient,’ he affirmed, encouraging the work of The Salvation Army in Zimbabwe. He commended them for doing ‘the most dangerous thing’ in an already-dangerous country: witnessing for God. ‘It is a light shining in the darkness.’ Following a time of shared prayer, speakers read out letters from Zimbabwean women who wrote about their faith and hope despite the turmoil in their country. Social Media and Resources Specialist for Women’s Ministries Rosy Keane then gave further context to the gaps where prayer is needed for Zimbabwe, before the room sang a rousing rendition of, ‘My Chains are Gone’, led by Scott Keane (Youth Web and Resource Manager) on guitar.
Reflecting on the scripture of John 5:2–9, attendees were encouraged to take action and consider what the day’s theme— ‘Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk’—could mean in each of their own lives. Above: The gathering at Territorial Headquarters. Right: Tauranga Corps. 04 APRIL 2020 WarCry 17
GAZETTE
Regional Leaders Installed in Tonga Tonga has officially welcomed its new Regional Leaders, Captains Kenneth and Catherine Walker. While Kenneth and Catherine have been operating in their roles since January, Territorial Leaders Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell officially installed the Walkers on 8 March at the Nuku’alofa Corps. Representatives from every Tongan corps were present, with busloads of people from each church arriving on the day. Chief Secretary Colonel Suzanne Fincham, Territorial Secretary for Mission Colonel Melvin Fincham, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonel Heather Rodwell and Territorial Secretary for Business Administration Major Allan Clark were also in attendance. Highlights from the service included a dance presentation from Vaini Corps, and a performance from the Fua’amotu Corps. ‘Fua’amotu Corps have a prison ministry, and they had gained permission for a number of the inmates to come and sing, so we had a choir from Hu’atolitoli prison,’ Kenneth recalls. ‘They ministered to the congregation through song and through dance,’ Catherine says. ‘It really was a beautiful addition … a beautiful part of the overall atmosphere of worship in the service.’ This is Kenneth and Catherine’s first appointment outside of New Zealand, and they are looking forward to using their unique skillset to help advance the mission in Tonga. ‘We all have a personal mandate from Christ to make disciples, and how we gather them together in an organised way, is a little bit more about what we help facilitate. But it’s pretty exciting,’ Kenneth says. ‘We want to see the kingdom grow. We want to see people’s relationships with Christ come alive, where they simply become the expression of God’s love, wherever they’re at. We know that’ll change the world, and so we’re excited to be part of it in Tonga.’ ‘It is a big adjustment for us, but at the same time we’re very excited to see what’s going to develop and progress, and what God’s going to do in the days ahead,’ Catherine affirms. 18 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
Retirement: Major Brenda Ennever, from 1 April 2020, having completed 25 years, 3 months and 22 days of active officer service. Brenda entered training college with her husband Mark from Newton Corps in 1993, as cadets of the ‘Crusaders for Christ’ session. Following their commissioning in 1994, Brenda and Mark were appointed as Corps Officers, Porirua Corps, followed by appointments as Corps Officers to Oamaru Corps (1999) Wellington City Corps (2004) and Mt Albert Corps (2009). In January 2013 Brenda and Mark were transferred to the Fiji Division where Brenda was appointed as Corps Officer, Suva Central Corps with the additional appointment as Divisional Child Sponsorship Secretary. Remaining in Fiji, in January 2014 Brenda was appointed as Divisional Secretary for Programme with the additional appointment as Divisional Secretary for Social Programme. Returning to New Zealand in 2015, Brenda was appointed as the Divisional Children’s Secretary, Central Division. In 2017, Brenda was appointed to Territorial Headquarters as Family Tracing Officer for the Family Tracing Service and it is from this appointment that Brenda enters retirement. It is with sincere thanks and appreciation that we honour Major Brenda Ennever for her loyal, sincere and faithful service to God through The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. We pray God’s richest blessing on Brenda and Mark in the days ahead. Retirement: Major Lesley Nicolson, from 21 March 2020, having completed 30 years and 2 months of active service. Lesley entered officer training with her husband Clive from the Dunedin Fortress Corps in 1988 as a cadet of the ‘Ambassadors for Christ’ session. Following commissioning in 1990 they were appointed as Corps Officers, Hornby Corps. In 1993 Lesley and Clive were appointed to Resthaven Eventide Home Christchurch, first as Assistants then as Managers in 1995. This was followed by an appointment in 1998, as Corps Officers, Ohinemuri-Paeroa Corps, where Lesley was also the Ohinemuri Home and Hospital Manager. In 1999, Lesley and Clive took up appointments as Corps Officers, Tauranga Corps, with an additional appointment for Lesley as Mission Director, Aspen Eventide Home. In 2006 Lesley and Clive were appointed to the Midland Division where Lesley was appointed as Personnel Secretary. In 2007 Lesley was appointed as Personnel Secretary, Southern Division. In 2009, remaining in the Southern Division, Lesley was appointed as Divisional Secretary for Women’s Ministries, and along with Clive as Divisional Commander, they held these roles during the major earthquakes that hit Canterbury in 2010/2011. In 2012 Lesley was appointed to Booth College of Mission as Assistant Principal and Senior Training Officer. Returning to Corps in January 2014 both Lesley and Clive were appointed as Corps Officers, Johnsonville Corps. Whilst in this appointment Lesley received an additional appointment as Divisional Candidates Secretary, Central Division. Remaining in the Central Division Lesley was appointed as Assistant Divisional Secretary for Personnel, Central Division. This was followed by being appointed as South Island Support Officers for the Officer Support Unit with an additional appointment as Chaplaincy/Bereavement and Family Support at the Marlborough Hospice. It is from these appointments that Lesley joins Clive in retirement. Lesley will be continuing her service as South Island Support Officer, Officer Support Unit, as an Appointment in Retirement. It is with sincere thanks and appreciation that we honour Major Lesley Nicolson’s vivacious and faithful service to God through The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. We pray God’s blessing on Lesley and Clive in the days ahead. Bereavement: Major Murray Sanson, of his mother Hazel Sanson, on Saturday 21 March 2020, from Dunedin. We ask you to uphold in prayer Majors Murray and Wendy Sanson, Murray’s siblings Ross, Colin, Karen and Tracey, along with other family members, at this time of grief and loss.
Promotion to Glory: Brigadier Geoffrey (Geoff) Sampson, on 22 March 2020, from Rotorua, aged 102 years. Geoffrey Alan Sampson was born in Christchurch on 12 August 1917. Geoff entered The Salvation Army Training College from Christchurch City Corps on 11 March 1937 in the ‘Guardians of the Covenant’ Session. He was commissioned on 10 January 1938 as Assistant Corps Officer, Dargaville Corps. In May 1939 Geoff was appointed as Corps Officer, Browns Bay Corps, which was followed by appointments as Assistant Corps Officer in Te Kuiti Corps, Carterton Corps and Wellington City. In April 1940 Geoff was appointed to the Workmen’s Home, Wellington, before being appointed as Corps Officer to Hokitika, Geraldine and Rangiora Corps. Whilst at Rangiora Corps Geoff married Lieutenant Olive Atkin on 21 February 1942. Corps appointments followed over the next 15 years in Dannevirke, Inglewood, Paeroa, Eden, Wellington South, Invercargill and Hamilton Corps. In January 1958 Geoff and Olive, with their family, transferred to the Australian Eastern Territory and were appointed to Earlwood Corps, then Rockdale Corps until their return to New Zealand in December 1960. Corps appointments followed in Palmerston North, Gisborne, and Wellington City. In 1966 Geoff was appointed as the Public Relations Officer based in Hamilton, then in 1968 as the Public Relations Officer based in Wellington. In April 1968 Geoff was appointed as the Divisional Commander for Wellington Division. In 1971 Geoff was appointed as Public Relations Officer, Central North Island Division before returning to Wellington to Territorial Headquarters where he was appointed as Special Efforts Secretary. Geoff and Olive’s last appointment was based in Hamilton where Geoff was Public Relations Secretary and it was from this appointment that they retired on 12 August 1983 to Rotorua. Brigadier Olive Sampson was promoted to Glory on 14 March 2012. We honour Brigadier Geoff Sampson for his 45 years, 7 months and 3 days of active officership and his 37 years of continued active and faithful service through his retirement in the Rotorua Corps. Please uphold Brigadier Geoff Sampson’s family, Barbara Bernstein, Alan Sampson, Patricia Rankin, granddaughter Captain Catherine Walker and extended family members in prayer at this time of grief and loss. Well done good and faithful Guardian of the Covenant!
HOW DO YOU MEASURE THE CONDITION OF YOUR SOUL? While traveling down the North Island during the holiday period, two trees in a paddock captured my attention. Of course I had already passed thousands of trees, so why was I so intrigued by these two particular trees? The two trees were only a few feet apart and, although they were of the same type, they were also noticeably different. One was full of leaves—it was green and luscious, giving shelter from the hot sun to the farm animals beneath it. In contrast, the second tree was devoid of most of its leaves, withering and sick. It was struggling to survive, offering no place of shelter to the animals beneath it. In the days since, I have struggled to get this image—this contrast between the healthy and the unhealthy—out of my mind. Then it struck me that this is an allegory of the spiritual life. The life of the soul. I’m sure that there are some reading this article today who can remember the days when the old stalwarts of the corps would take you aside and ask: ‘How’s your soul, brother? How’s your soul, sister?’ We don’t seem to ask that question so often these days, yet I wonder how comfortable you or I would feel if we were asked about the health of our soul by someone that we knew really cared for us. How do you measure the condition of your soul? God’s word gives some clear insight to help us accurately access our heart health. Luke 6:45 says: ‘A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of’. Proverbs 4:23 says: ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it’. This soul care is vitally important, it is the key to fulfilling our second commitment statement: We Commit to intentionally making passionate disciples of Jesus. If you’re anything like me, you can get so busy doing the urgent that you can easily forget to stop, pause and take stock of how your soul is doing. John Ortberg says, ‘Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life’. Jesus’ words of invitation and encouragement can bring hope and life to our weary souls. It says in Matthew 11:28–30, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’. The lesson for me is that even barren and withered trees can be restored to health and rediscover their true purpose as they reconnect to the true source of their life and health—and so can we. Lieutenant-Colonel Sheryl Jarvis Territorial Secretary for Personnel 04 APRIL 2020 WarCry 19
Healed and Made Whole Surely he took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4–6 Berean Study Bible) BY GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE
Having said that, we need to recognise that there is much more going on.
The Easter message is the most profound, true, life-changing, life-giving message we can ever hear, respond to and participate in. In short, the Easter story is the culmination of God’s plan of salvation for the redemption and restoration of humanity. Such unconditional sacrificial love unleashes the mercy, grace and forgiveness of God. We should be experiencing boundless joy, caught up in awe and wonder, celebrating our new-found freedom and living in a new dynamic relationship with the Almighty. We see in these verses from Isaiah just what God has done for us in Jesus. In going to the Cross, Jesus does 20 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
something extremely positive, yet it involves him being subjected to pain, ridicule, brokenness and separation from the Father with whom he has shared a deep intimacy for all eternity. Jesus takes on everything that is negative, destructive and painful. This display of genuine, unconditional and sacrificial love is unparalleled in human history. Even as we read and consider what Jesus takes on himself, we sense a release, an unburdening and a freedom. Jesus takes on our infirmities and carries our sorrows. Yes, there is a glimpse of the humanity of Jesus here as the Word that ‘became flesh’ (John 1:14)—fully human while fully divine—understands the frailty, weakness and imperfection on a personal level.
Jesus is doing more than identifying with us. He is taking on our weaknesses, infirmities and sorrows so that we don’t have to carry them. Link that opening statement to Philippians 4:6-7 (‘Do not be anxious about anything …’) and 1 Peter 5:7 (‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’) to better understand what is offered to us in Jesus. Look again at what happens to Jesus – he is pierced, crushed, punished and wounded. Why would Jesus accept all of that? Why would God allow his only Son to endure all of that? Another read of the verses from Isaiah illuminates what we receive through this sacrifice—peace and healing for ourselves. The punishment inflicted upon Jesus brings us peace. We experience
healing because Jesus was wounded. It is almost beyond our understanding, but a horribly painful moment brings us healing and a horrifically violent act brings us everlasting peace.
since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’). Yes, it’s that straightforward—we don’t have to complicate it!
The sacrificial code and practices we find in the Old Testament are there to atone for our sins and imperfections. Here on the Cross, the spotless Lamb of God pays the ultimate sacrifice once and for all, ushering us into a new dispensation of grace and deliverance.
The Easter story doesn’t end with Calvary. Easter Sunday is about resurrection and new life. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are reminded that ‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!’ The old reality of being held captive by sin, of death being our final enemy, is gone! On Easter Sunday we rise to new life in Christ—that new life is eternal life, it encapsulates victory over sin and death, it includes our healing and wholeness, it is a life of deep peace (Isaiah 26:3: ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you’).
We have peace with God because of all that was accomplished by Jesus, and this peace is experienced by having faith in Jesus (see Romans 5:1: ‘Therefore,
This Easter you can experience healing and wholeness in Christ. It’s why Jesus came to earth. It’s what God desires most for you.
There is something of an unfair transaction going on that demonstrates the extravagance of God and his unmerited favour that we call grace. There is also something profoundly theological, sacrificial and covenantal taking place.
The Bible verses from Isaiah are brought to life through the song ‘Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs’, sung at the link by Govan Songsters (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) youtube.com/watch?v=3rbDrq7Wneo
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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS
There are no official engagements until further notice—in response to the directive from the Prime Minister.
COVID-19 INFORMATION SOURCES The modern abundance of information sources brings the unfortunate possiblity of misinformation being spread to the public. The following are the official information sources endorsed by The Salvation Army:
salvationarmy.org.nz/covid-19
(The Salvation Army's official positional website page)
covid19.govt.nz
(The official government website)
0800 358 5453
(The official Healthline number for health information)
Join us online 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@ salvationarmy. org.nz
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Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Quiz Answers: 1 Poodle and Pekingese, 2 Alopecia, 3 Mette Frederiksen, 4 2009, 5 Thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14–16).
22 WarCry 04 APRIL 2020
Shadow Puppet Theatre!
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
This is a great way to play around with light and darkness.
JOHN 1:5
Sou rce : kid spot.com.au
You will need: • 1 cardboard box • A sheet of tissue paper (large enough to cover one side of your box) • Sticky tape Step by step: • Scissors 1. Cut out the back panel of your carboard box. • Black felt-tip pen Leave two of the side flaps to keep your theatre • Bedside lamp stable, but cut off the opening flaps (i.e. the or a large torch smaller pieces which close up the box). • Black Paper 2. For the front panel of your carboard box, sketch • Skewers and cut out a smaller square to make it like a
television set. You can decorate the remaining border with your felt-tip pen. 3. On the inside of the box, tape the piece of tissue paper so that it covers the opening which you have just cut out of the front panel. 4. Place the theatre on the edge of a table and position your lamp/torch so that it shines directly into the inside, lighting up the tissue paper from within. 5. Make some shadow puppets: cut your characters out of black or dark paper, and tape them onto skewers. When ready, place them between the light and as close to the screen as possible. Now you are ready for your first show!
Why e sun did th t to go e no decid ersity ? It v to Uni it already d decide enough had s. degree
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Fun Fact: You could fit one million earths inside the sun—and the sun is only considered an average-sized star!
It is not unusual to be afraid of the dark. There is no fun in being left alone in a pitch-black room where you cannot see anything… or anyone. Even though we all know in the light of day that there are no monsters under the bed, lots of people keep a torch, lamp or their everhandy smartphone torch near the bed— just in case—for when the darkness comes. The great thing is that once you switch on that light, it spreads around the whole room. It might still be somewhat dark, if the light is only small and the room is large, but the light illuminates the space and reassures us. Darkness cannot overpower the light. Before we meet Jesus, our lives are pitch-black, but once we let him in, his light travels through our whole life. Even in the darkest of places his hope still keeps on shining. Not only does it reassure us, we can use it to find our way out of tricky situations. Even better, because we have this hope of Jesus inside us, we can shine that light to help other people find him too. I WONDER...
How you can be a light to other people in your life this week? 04 APRIL 2020 WarCry 23
Prayer for a Pandemic May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close Remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country Let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbours. Amen.
by Cameron Bellm of Seattle krugthethinker.com
