18 April 2020 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION  18 APRIL 2020 | Issue 6740 | $1.50

Pandemics: Past & Present Reflections on Gallipoli Lockdown Wedding

Conspiring Prayer Foodbank Project

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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 | COVER PHOTOS Kayleigh Owens.

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

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ.

PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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The Salvation Army, A Standing Army A standing army is a permanent army. It is often composed of career soldiers or conscripts who are enrolled for the long term. This differs from army reserves or territorials, who are largely temporary and are only activated in response to wars and natural disasters. The Apostle Paul used military metaphors to compare our fight, which is not against flesh and blood, with the Roman Army of his day. His focus on obedience and discipline was often prefaced with a military comparison.

The Salvation Army is a standing army. Our structures, training and preparation are such that we can activate to a threat with flexibility and professionalism. Our ability to form a response to a threat is highlighted in our feature: The Salvation Army’s Response to a Past and a Present Pandemic, by Major Kingsley Sampson.

In this article, Kingsley highlights the Army’s response to another pandemic over a century ago and documents the sacrifices and dedication of The Salvation Army at an earlier time in our history.

We have been through a time in recent weeks where we have had to change the way we work. Many of us are isolated at home and working with our teams via platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Others are working at the front line in our various corps and ministries. We are responding as best we can to this global threat. I can assure you, this work has been undertaken with compassion and creativity, not only in my own team, but in the many teams within The Salvation Army across New Zealand.

Vivienne Hill Editor

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 6740 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

2 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

God does his deepest work in our darkest hours.

A.W. Tozer

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Ihāia 52:10 Kua huhua te ringa tapu ō Ihowā ki te aroaro ō ngā tauiwi katoa, ā ka kite ngā pito katoa ō te ao i te whakaora ā to tātou Atua.

G

allipoli is a beautiful spot in summer.

The deep clear Mediterranean waters, small beaches and steep surrounding cliffs could almost be mistaken for parts of Wellington Harbour (on a good day). It is hard to believe that so much carnage had taken place there in 1915, as Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire) sought to repel a naval assault by a British and French naval task force, intent on capturing the strategic Dardanelles. This neutralised an important German ally and opened a supply route to Russian forces fighting on the Eastern Front.

Ironically, a tiny Turkish minelayer, the Musret, had brought the might of the British and French Navies to their knees with the sinking and disabling of six major battleships. This forced the move by Winston Churchill, as First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, to resort to a Plan B … the attack on the Gallipoli Peninsula by British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian Army units. Churchill said of the Musret, that of the many thousands of naval vessels existing in the world at the time, no other ship was more significant or important than the diminutive Musret and its payload of 20 German mines. Bizarrely, it could be argued that it was the Musret which was to also sink Churchill’s career until the outbreak of World War Two. I have visited Gallipoli four times now. On each occasion it has been a deeply moving and emotional experience. Tears come easily here. Gallipoli is the nearest thing to a pilgrimage for New Zealanders.

There are New Zealand voices in this place. So much of Kiwi identity is caught up with what happened there. This is not an identity associated with a great military victory but rather the opposite. Gallipoli was a terrible defeat and disaster. These dynamics speak into Kiwi consciousness and national awareness as a country with a narrative which values peace-keeping, service and sacrifice.

I have noted with interest that the development of identity from what happened at Gallipoli also is true, not only of New Zealand and Australia, but also of Turkey. It is a common sight at Gallipoli to see large numbers of Turkish people also connecting with their national history from quite a different perspective. The brilliant red incorporated into Turkey’s flag has its origins in Gallipoli, as it commemorates the blood of her soldiers killed in this conflict defending their homeland, and who are honoured as martyrs. This is a place of tears for several nations.

There is, however, an even wider perspective of Gallipoli which has always made itself evident to me whenever I have visited the Dardanelles. Yes, I am a very proud Kiwi. But I choose to give ultimate allegiance to something else … the sacrifice and suffering of the crucified Christ. He is the narrative central to all humanity and peoples of all times.

This story continues to outlast all kingdoms and nation states. Dare I suggest that herein lies one’s ultimate identity?

BY MAJOR DAVID NOAKES 18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 3

TOPFIVE

If you’re considering a career change, here are five of the more unusual jobs out there.

5. Cuidacarro: In Costa Rica, you can hire a Cuidacarro to watch your car so that no one steals it while you go about your day.

WARCRYINHISTORY

This photograph of William Booth was taken during his visit to New Zealand in 1905.

Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission

4. P rofessional Sleeper: What a dream—literally! A Finnish hotel once advertised this role for people to test out their hotel rooms.

3. Pet Food Taster: First of all, yuck! But yes, humans are paid to do this for the good of our furry friends.

2. N umber Plate Blocker: In Iran, cars with number plates ending in even and odd numbers can only take to the roads on alternate days. To get around the rule without getting caught on camera, drivers hire men to walk behind their cars.

1. P rofessional Mourner: In other words, you get paid to weep and look sorrowful at a stranger’s funeral.

You can also become a Paid Wedding Guest—but you might want to hold back on the sour faces for that job.

Weird of the Week: In 2011, more than a third of divorce filings in the USA included the word ‘Facebook’.

ANZAC Slice 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup brown sugar

Novel And the Mountains Echoed Khaled Hosseini War Cry readers may be familiar with bestselling author Khaled Hosseini’s previous award-winning novels, The Kite Runner (also a major film) and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan, Hosseini’s books have sold over 38 million copies in more than 70 countries. His third novel, And the Mountains Echoed, is a tapestry of heart-breaking tales woven together amidst the troubled history of Afghanistan. The story of reuniting Abdullah and Pari—a brother and sister separated in childhood—spans three continents, 60 years and the seemingly unrelated but overlapping stories of several integral characters. It’s a story about family, poverty, loss, sacrifice and hope. I wept at both the simplicity and complexity of love as portrayed by Hosseini. Like all his books, I struggled to put it down and carry on with my own life. But when the story was finished, my heart was smiling, and my life was richer and larger for having read And the Mountains Echoed.

(Reviewed by Jules Badger) 4 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

¾ cup coconut ½ cup plain flour, sifted ½ cup self-raising flour, sifted 125g butter 2 Tbsp golden syrup ¼ cup coconut, to sprinkle

Preheat oven to 180°C. Lightly grease an 18x28cm slice pan.

In a large bowl, combine oats, sugar, coconut and sifted flours.

Heat butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan on low heat for 1–2 minutes, until butter has melted and mixture is well combined.

Make a well in centre of dry ingredients. Add butter mixture and combine well.

Press firmly into prepared pan using base of a glass. Sprinkle with coconut.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden. Sprinkle with remaining coconut.

Cool in pan. Cut into squares to serve.

Source: kidspot.com.au

SALLIEOFTHEWEEK

Chayne Steen (Far North Corps) Chayne Steen came to the Far North Corps as a social work student on placement in 2018. Chayne and his family soon started attending church on Sundays.

After graduating, Chayne undertook social work for the corps as a volunteer, cooked for Kids’ Club, participated in food and welfare referrals, made trips to Auckland to stock the foodbank and helped with the Christmas Appeal. On March 1, Chayne was enrolled as a Senior Soldier. ‘Chayne has been a massive asset to ministry here in the Far North,’ says Lieutenant Sheree Vemoa. More than enough reason to make Chayne our ‘Sallie of the Week’—wouldn’t you agree?!

Lockdown Wedding Carrie Dudding and Stuart Heath (Napier Corps) were scheduled to be married on March 28, but rapidly rising Covid-19 alert levels forced the couple to hastily review their plans.

‘I was watching Jacinda’s update, as Alert Levels 3 and 4 were announced. I burst into tears,’ reveals the brideto-be, Carrie. Groom-to-be Stuart adds, ‘I was pretty devastated all our plans got thrown out the window’.

Captain Sammy Millar suggested she officiate and marry the couple the following day before lockdown went into effect. With Sammy and two witnesses, the five-person ceremony went ahead with all the physical distancing protocols in place—the only exception being the bride and groom, of course!

QUIKQUIZ

1 How many seasons of Friends were produced?

2 What is the ‘Lion’s mane’ jellyfish known for?

3 What city is Neighbours set in?

4 How old is Sylvester Stallone?

‘Exchanging vows was surreal because it wasn’t how we planned it,’ says Stuart. For Carrie it was not having family and friends present that made it especially hard. ‘But it was our decision and we made the choice so we could be in lockdown together,’ she says.

Stuart reveals that initially he was keen on a small wedding—but not quite as small as it ended up being! ‘He sort-of got his wish,’ laughs Carrie.

Since their hasty nuptials, the couple have been in their own exclusive honeymoon bubble. ‘It’s been pretty weird being newlyweds in lockdown! We’ve had a crash course in married life, because it’s been just the two of us—no visitors and no outings. We’ve had to learn to adapt to each other quickly,’ says Carrie.

5 Who was the last king of Judah?

Answers on page 22

The wedding party (from left): Morgan Dysart, the bride, the groom & Chris Heath.

The couple plan to go ahead with their wedding celebrations once the threat of Covid-19 has passed.

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 5

The Salvation Army’s Response to a Past and a Present Pandemic

The Government’s quick response to the coronavirus was vastly different to the response of the government of the day during the Spanish influenza pandemic, which swept the globe in 1918. We look back at The Salvation Army’s response to this dark chapter in our history and compare with our current response.

BY MAJOR KINGSLEY SAMPSON

T Clockwise from top: Cadet Chris Moody at Wellington South Community Ministries; Mobile Soup Kitchen, Auckland, 1931; Kelvin Westaway at Wellington South Community Ministries; Emergency Services, 1931; Cadet Blair Dale (left) and Captain Mat Badger at Wellington South Community Ministries; Cadet Jesse Willis Wellington South Community Ministries.

Wellington South photos

by Kayleigh Owens.

he current coronavirus pandemic and the extreme measures being taken in New Zealand to contain it have caused people to draw comparisons with the world-wide 1918 influenza pandemic and its effect on New Zealand. While influenza is different from the coronavirus, the spectre of many deaths if the virus is not quickly contained certainly haunts the New Zealand Government at present.

The 1918 pandemic arrived in New Zealand just as the First World War was drawing to a close and in its wake left about 9000 people dead in two to three months. Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Rice of the University of Canterbury has made a detailed study of the 1918 pandemic. He says the pandemic’s effect in New Zealand was magnified by a ‘complacent and under-staffed Department of Public Health’ and a slow-to-act government. The varied responses to the pandemic often meant that locals were left to their own devices in managing the outbreak and caring for the sick.

This is certainly not the case this time, with the Government ‘going hard and going early’ on the advice of pandemic specialists. This has led to economic packages being rolled out to support people and businesses and an initial 28-day national lockdown apart from essential services, as from midnight on Wednesday 25 March, something which is hoped will break the spread of the virus.

Support for people in emergencies While our family stores may be closed during the lockdown, The Salvation Army’s emergency welfare, addiction and housing support services are continuing to serve needy New Zealanders, albeit in a modified way.

The Salvation Army also assisted where it could in 1918. Many officers at both national and local levels were diverted from their usual tasks to special service at temporary hospitals. Brigadier William Hoare, National Young People’s Secretary, was put in charge of the staff at the 105-bed temporary hospital set up in the Wellington College classrooms and gymnasium. His staff of 28 Salvationists and 22 others worked in 12-hour shifts. Mrs Captain Palmer of Pukekohe was attached to the nursing staff at the local public hospital, while in Oxford, Captain Hill became matron-in-charge of the convalescent hospital set up in the Oxford District High School.

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Some Salvation Army buildings were opened as emergency hospitals for victims of the influenza pandemic. Eighty beds for convalescent women were set up in the Army’s Training Garrison at 33 Aro Street, Wellington, but the opening was delayed a few days by a shortage of staff. In Christchurch, the Salvation Army’s maternity hospital in Bealey Avenue was requisitioned as a temporary hospital, as was the Army hall at Pukekohe.

In Raetihi, Captain John Griffin ‘turned the [Salvation Army] hall into a temporary hospital and himself [became] doctor, nurse, etc’. In Marton, the Army hall was requisitioned as a mortuary and no meetings were held inside for a month.

In Temuka, Captain Herbert Hawkes offered the use of the Army hall as a convalescent hospital so as to free beds at temporary hospitals in the town.

THE VARIED RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC OFTEN MEANT THAT LOCALS WERE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES IN MANAGING THE OUTBREAK AND CARING FOR THE SICK. In Invercargill, Ensign Harold McKenzie served on the local pandemic response committee until he himself fell ill. In Christchurch, where the city was divided into patrolled blocks, the Linwood Salvation Army hall in Fitzgerald Avenue became the headquarters for the local block committee.

Additional support was sent to the military camps, which were hit very hard by the pandemic. Supplies of fruit and drinks were provided for the men. Butter-muslin handkerchiefs, soaked in formalin and lavender, were made and distributed to men in camp. For the worst cases, these handkerchiefs were burned at the end of the day. In mid-November Staff-Captain (Chaplain) Andrew Gray was recorded as the only chaplain on his feet at Trentham Camp. His tasks included meeting wives whose husbands had died in camp before they could reach them.

Then there were the funerals. On Sunday 17 November the Wellington City corps officer, Staff-Captain Fred Burton, spent the whole day at Wellington’s Karori Cemetery conducting 8 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

17 funerals. He continued with burials at the cemetery the following day. Burton also arranged for a Salvation Army band to play hymn tunes in the streets and at several institutions, which was appreciated by the sick and bereaved.

The need for prayer and financial support was not overlooked.

In November, the War Cry asked people to pray for sick comrades, the bereaved, as well as doctors and nurses. In December, the territorial commander established divisional finance boards with the direction that they give requested assistance ‘without any delay whatever’ and ‘without reference to National Headquarters’. He particularly specified that children in distress should be cared for until other arrangements could be made.

The effect on the Army internally The current national lockdown has meant the postponement of the Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal, the cancellation of all indoor meetings and activities for the foreseeable future and the cancellation of Easter Camps and other youth activities.

In 1918 the influenza pandemic also seriously affected the Army’s operations—with people unwell, reduced or abandoned corps programmes and officers were reallocated to fill gaps left by sick officers. At one stage at least 20 officers and employees— out of a staff of 77 at territorial headquarters—were unwell, while Petone Corps reported that ‘practically every [Salvationist] home’ had been affected. There were similar reports from Stratford and Marton Corps.

Salvation Army institutions were affected by the pandemic.

In November, the Army’s home for inebriate men on Rotoroa Island had up to 40 inmates unwell at a time, plus officer staff and the doctor. The Bethany Maternity Hospital, the Paulina Women’s Rescue Home and the Men’s Prison Gate Brigade all reported staff and residents suffering from the pandemic.

Government regulations aimed at containing the pandemic called for the closing of all public halls and meeting places for four or five weeks in November and December, but this was not always observed. Some indoor meetings were still held, one exception being on Sunday 17 November when health authorities allowed the Wellington City Corps to hold an Armistice thanksgiving service. Onehunga and Hamilton Corps cancelled weeknight meetings but still held some Sunday indoor services during the pandemic.

Open-air services were often held in lieu of cancelled indoor meetings. New Plymouth Corps held its Sunday meetings at Marsden’s Hill, while on one Sunday, the Christchurch City

Corps held open-air services at the Montreal Street Bridge, the Square, Hereford Street and in front of the Victoria Street citadel.

Promoted to Glory At the time of publication, there have been 12 deaths nationally with a link to coronavirus. Also, the virus has repercussions for older people, not so much younger people, but in 1918 it was far different, both for the country and for the Army and its people.

The War Cry reported on Salvationists who were promoted to Glory and those who had lost non-Salvationist family members.

From War Cry reports, it seems that at least 30 Salvationists from 20 corps died as a result of the pandemic. A more accurate figure is not possible, as the reporting of promotions to Glory in this period was not always accompanied by the cause of death.

Corps affected included Invercargill (four deaths), Palmerston North (three) and Auckland City (two).

Among the younger Salvationists promoted to Glory was Corps Cadet Eva Mills of Woodville, who died on 13 November aged 18; Myra Avenall, aged eight, daughter of Adjutant and Mrs William Avenall of Dunedin City Corps; and Fred Brown, aged 11 of Whangārei Corps, the eldest son of Bandmaster and Mrs Brown. Representative of older Salvationists who died at this time are Sister A. Janes (New Plymouth), Bandsman James Voitrekovsky (Palmerston North) and Sister Dorothy Lovett (Temuka). In one particularly sad case, Sister Mrs Kendall of Petone Corps died, leaving a husband, a six-week-old daughter, a three-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter.

Three officers died in the pandemic. Adjutant Edith Chapman, matron at the Auckland People’s Palace, died on 19 November; Captain Alfred Kemp, aged 30 and a medical orderly at Featherston Military Camp, died on 15 November; and Lieutenant Myrtle Bradley, aged 27 and stationed in South Taranaki, died on 15 November 1918. Bradley had been an officer for barely a year, while Kemp left behind a wife and a nine-month-old baby son.

Aftermath By early December, restrictions on public meetings were being relaxed, which meant that regular Salvation Army meetings and routines could be resumed and the temporary hospitals were being disbanded. Some corps held memorial services for those who had died in the pandemic and for whom public funeral services were not held. But given the number of deaths, there can be no denying that the pandemic, coming as it did

at the end of the war, had a long-lasting effect both on New Zealand and on The Salvation Army.

Major Kingsley Sampson is the editor and contributor of the book: Under Two Flags: The New Zealand Salvation Army Response to the First World War, which was published last year by Flag Publications. This article is based on chapter 13, titled: The Salvation Army and 1918 Influenza Pandemic.

Get your copy of Under Two Flags today! $59.95 + P&P email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 9

Long-Distance Friendships Long-distance relationships are the type of subject material that cheesy made-for-TV movies and rom-coms have fawned over for years: the couple struggling to make it work across two continents, the family reunited at Christmas when all hell breaks loose and, increasingly, the friends who go their separate ways after school and try to keep in touch.

Despite how simply these movies are portrayed, it is hard to keep your friendship bonds strong as everybody scatters around the globe. Thanks to technology, it is easy to keep in contact, but it is harder to connect meaningfully. Sure, you might be tagging them in memes, but when you catch up in person, you have no idea what is really going on in their lives.

If you want to keep in contact with your friends virtually, here are some things you can do to show your friend(s) you are in it for the long haul.

BUILD THEM UP AND REMIND THEM THERE IS SOMEONE IN THEIR CORNER, EVEN IF YOU ARE FAR AWAY.

• Send a letter or card. It requires little effort, but shows you are thinking of them. In particular, sending something for their birthday tells them that you remembered without Facebook’s prompting, and goes a step beyond only posting on their wall.

• Make your phone calls and texts meaningful. Don’t just ask, ‘how are you?’ Be vulnerable with each other and don’t be afraid to be an ‘inconvenience’ or take up each other’s time— that’s what friends are for.

• Build them up and remind them there is someone in their corner, even if you are far away.

• When you see something that reminds you of them or a shared memory, let them know.

• Make the most of your time together and prioritise each other when you are in the same place.

The most important thing you can do is be there for your friends and show that you care about them; by making the extra effort to do this from afar, it will mean even more to them.

Sources: Kate Leaver/fashionbeans.com and Shasta Nelson/huffpost.com

Drifting Apart?

At times we do grow apart and the closeness is no longer there. Here are the indicators that it might be time to stop pursuing a long-distance friendship.

• You cannot resolve your disagreements.

• They start putting you down or behaving like a

• You struggle to fit them into your schedule, or make

• Your relationship has become superficial; you only

time for them.

• Catching up with them feels like a chore—logistically, but also sitting through the catch up and finding things to talk about.

• Your conversations feel awkward (either in person or via technology), or you find yourself censoring your conversation.

10 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

toxic friend.

know what they share on social media, and you don’t share any personalised conversations anymore.

• You keep trying to maintain your friendship like it

used to be, without accepting that the two of you (and your friendship) have changed.

If this list describes your long-distance friendship, then maybe it’s time to let go.

TESTIFY! Discovering that he was adopted shattered Peter Johnson, but despite a lifelong battle with addiction and health, he found his true identity in Christ.

I was in and out of foster homes for most of my teenage life. It wasn’t a good experience; there was a lot of abuse. At 16, I discovered I had been adopted by the family that had given me up when I was 11. It was like having my legs chopped off. I felt like I’d lost my identity. I developed an addiction to opiates and from age 16 to 25, I don’t think I had a day straight.

On my third day at my first rehab, I realised I had a drug problem. One of the steps of the 12-Steps Programme talks about God, so I went to see the local pastor. If I was going to have a God, I wanted it to be the God. The pastor started speaking about Jesus, and I said, ‘I don’t want to hear about that crap, I want to hear about God’, and left. But I felt this stirring to go back and be open-minded. Then, it all jig-sawed into place. I understood that I had a purpose. I was a child of God; the cross, Christ dying for my sins, it all made perfect sense.

I finished rehab, got educated and got married and stopped going to my Narcotics Anonymous [NA] meetings, thinking I was doing okay. I’d never had a problem with drinking—only an occasional beer or wine—but as the pressure increased at work, I drank more and more. I ended up finishing the Bridge programme, which got me out of alcohol, but I still wasn’t clean.

I found my birth mother in Christchurch, met my family and bought a home. But my drug problem increased. My mother was highly embarrassed, and she left town because of me. That broke my heart. I used my medical conditions as an excuse to get more drugs from the doctors. My wife tried and tried to help,

MY WHOLE LIFE I’VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK OUT WHO I AM, AND IT WASN’T UNTIL I CAME BACK TO GOD THAT I REALISED HE’S MY IDENTITY. but I was getting wasted all the time.

She rang a Christian friend of mine in New Plymouth, who sent me some airline tickets. I went in order to get my life together, but my refusal to go back to church and NA meetings kept me sick and my relationship with my wife progressively got worse. Even though I still believed in God, I had no vision for my future, and I tried to take my life.

Someone in the mental health ward asked me: ‘When did you feel your best?’

I admitted it was when I was going to NA

and living a healthy Christian life. I got very lost, but three and a half years ago, the Bridge programme in New Plymouth was there for me. All the lights switched back on. My wife separated from me, but I got involved with Recovery Church, went to NA meetings and found myself going back to God. There’s still aftercare to this day: I go to a weekly group called Stage Three, I help newcomers come through rehab and I am involved in Recovery Church leadership. Helping others is part of how I stay clean.

I’ve got encephalopathy, where the liver’s not treating all of my blood, so it goes directly to my brain. Thirty years ago, they gave me ten years to live. Three years ago, they gave me a month. God has miraculously turned my healtharound and my emotional well-being is improving. I’ve experienced spiritual, physical and emotional miracles. There is a real family atmosphere at the New Plymouth Corps; it’s like I’ve come home.

My whole life I’ve been trying to work out who I am, and it wasn’t until I came back to God that I realised he’s my identity.

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 11

Conspiring With God: Prayer In The Pandemic

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

Right now, all across the globe, there is a pervading sense that the world is out of control.

Many countries are in lockdown, trying to contain and eradicate this fast-moving virus from their communities, while the rest are watching on nervously.

Turning to prayer is a natural response—our natural response—when a situation feels too big for us to handle on our own. In this case, we may be asking God to: • stop the virus from spreading • keep safe those who are most at risk • heal the patients fighting for their health • protect medical workers and other essential service staff • provide work for those who have lost their jobs.

However, as with any ongoing world crisis, a common question arises: If God loves us, if he is listening to our prayers and if his power is limitless, then why does the need remain? What—if anything—is happening when we pray?

12 firezone.co.nz 18 APRIL 2020

Author and Pastor Mark Karris suggests that these concerns stem from a common way that many of us approach petitionary prayer (when we ask God to do something, such as any of the examples listed above).

We ask him to intervene, to save, to heal, to cause disruption in an issue where major change is needed.

However, Karris believes that there is a problem when we see a need and simply send a quick prayer up to God; for example, ‘God, please keep my neighbour Katy safe’— because we sometimes then paradoxically ignore our own responsibility to step in and help. We leave the onus on God to act, rather than actually checking on Katy to make sure she is being looked after and has enough food. This approach to petitionary prayer can also, he argues, cause

us to doubt God’s character and (sometimes unknowingly) blame him if things don’t improve.

Karris’s point is not that these types of prayers are futile; rather, he suggests that wording our prayers like this is not necessarily the most effective way to harness their potential to change both the world around us and ourselves.

GOD LOVES US FULLY … IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE Right now, we trust that our nurses and doctors are doing everything humanly possible to help each patient in their care. We don’t have to tell them to do this; why, then, would we need to tell God to love us when it is fundamental to who he is?

Moreover, when we pray and ask God to do something, do we think he hasn’t seen the need long before we have?

Or worse, do we think he can see the need but isn’t acting?

Do we think his hand is hovering over a green button, waiting for enough people to pray so that a certain quota is reached? That doesn’t line up with who we believe God to be. God is love, and he is protecting, rescuing and loving us all to the fullest extent in every situation.

‘Sometimes, earnest and hopeful prayers can paint a rather unflattering picture of God, who picks and chooses when to act and when to care,’ says Pastor Liam Miller on his podcast Love, Rinse, Repeat. Miller compares the concept of asking God not to love us with asking a mermaid to run—impossible.

But in addition to love, God gives us freedom. He is non-coercive and non-controlling. In the Book of Genesis, we read straight away that allowing humans their own free will means that God does not always get what he wants. Still, many people—both Christians and non-Christians—have an image of a God who is picking and choosing when to intervene in the world’s troubles.

From 2 Peter 3:9, we know that God wants to be in relationship with us all, and he doesn’t want any of us to perish. If we truly believe that God is love, then we know that he is good and he never withholds blessing where he can give it to us.

PLOTTING WITH GOD When it feels like our prayers are hitting the ceiling, Pastor Dale Green agrees with Karris that we need to change our vision. Whether it’s a friend who we want to know Jesus, a career obstacle or a pandemic like Covid-19, we need to remember that the problem isn’t

God. The problem is the circumstances we are praying into, and the people we are praying for. ‘We’re not dealing with an unwilling God,’ he says, ‘we’re dealing with hard-hearted people—including ourselves.’

So how can we re-orientate our prayer focus? Karris suggests a method called, ‘Conspiring Prayer’, which changes the focus of prayer to ‘breathing together’ with the creator; speaking with God, rather than to God. As an example, rather than saying, ‘God, please bless our health-care workers’, the prayer is developed into, ‘God, how can we work together to bring blessing to our health-care workers and their situations?’ As we do this, we involve ourselves in the process. We meditate on God’s word, listen intently for him and consider how we too might be able to act.

WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE PROBLEM ISN’T GOD. THE PROBLEM IS THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE PRAYING INTO, AND THE PEOPLE WE ARE PRAYING FOR. As Green points out, sometimes the idea of an autocratic God gives us some comfort when world suffering and great tragedy occur, because we believe that as long as we pray, he will step in and handle it. But conspiring prayer makes us co-workers with God. It gives us the power to fight with him, to bless others with him, to unite with his vision and actions.

At a time when we are separated physically from those we love, prayer becomes an even more crucial response. Rather than manipulating, convincing or begging God, we are partnering with him.

Instead of believing that our words have the power to influence him, we look at them with renewed focus.

Let’s trust that God is loving all the time, not moment-to-moment, and see prayer as a practice that changes us as it changes the world.

Sources: ‘Ep14. Conspiring Prayer with the Uncontrolling Love of God, Mark Karris’—Liam Miller [podcast]; ‘Bad Prayers’—Dale Green [video].

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Captain Mat Badger at Wellington South Community Ministries. Photography: Kayleigh Owens.

Cadet Blair Dale at Wellington South Community Ministries.

Photography: Kayleigh Owens.

The Foodbank Project Celebrates Generous Response To Covid-19 Appeal

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

As New Zealand entered a state of lockdown and many businesses were forced to shut their doors, the skyrocketing demand for The Salvation Army’s food banks was inevitable.

However, the outpouring of generosity that followed their callout for support was astounding.

Within two days of the Government enforcing a Level 4 response to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Foodbank Project had launched an appeal via email, and regular donors were quick to react.

The campaign soon attracted television attention. TV programme Seven Sharp aired a segment highlighting the work of The Foodbank Project during prime time, which was then uploaded to Facebook, creating a surge in both awareness and donations. 1News also featured the project, while social media influencers shared the initiative, thanks to a dollar-matching partnership with ZURU. The donors came from throughout New Zealand and even internationally—one person in Singapore donated $914 in a single transaction—causing the average order value to triple 14 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

from between $20–$30, to $91. On one day, the collective orders added up to $163,000.

To date, the appeal has raised a total of $1,051,516 to support vulnerable Kiwi through the lockdown and the financial hardship it has exacerbated.

‘When we send out an email to Foodbank Project donors, we normally have a really good response and I would say at least 60 percent of people donate, but this one was just incredible,’ says The Foodbank Project’s Digital Engagement Manager Julia de Ruiter. ‘We are blown away by how generous people are.’

Before the campaign launched, just under 8000 people had donated to The Foodbank Project since its inception. Now, that number has more than doubled to 16,657, and the platform has surpassed an all-time total of $2.5 million worth in donations.

‘It's exciting for us because that’s a huge amount of people who believe in the project, and now they’re aware of the work

The Salvation Army does … hopefully, for future things, they’ll consider donating as well.’

As an online portal, The Foodbank Project is well set-up to continue operating and serving the community through Covid-19 restrictions. Created in 2015 through a partnership between The Salvation Army, Lucid and Countdown Supermarkets, it enables a safe way for people to donate, which responds to the direct needs of those most vulnerable.

By visiting the online store at foodbank.org.nz, donors can choose from a range of listed groceries or food parcels which are most sought after by food banks to serve their clients.

These items are then packed by Countdown and delivered to the nearest Salvation Army food bank. Donations can be made as a one-off or on a recurring basis.

Despite stock shortages and quantity restrictions for certain items, Julia says that through early dialogue with Countdown, their team was able to plan ahead and transition The Foodbank Project into this season of lockdown with minimal disruption.

‘Because of the good working relationship that we’ve got with Countdown, we were able to talk logistics,’ she says. ‘They were really understanding, and we were able to work out a system where we could put through a certain amount of orders per day or per week that they would be able to fulfil in a realistic timeframe, so that our food banks could continue to keep getting food as they needed to.’

‘WE ARE BLOWN AWAY BY HOW GENEROUS PEOPLE ARE.’ They also consulted foodbank hubs to confirm what the most in-demand items were, and adjusted their food bundles to make sure they were comprised of readily available and much-needed groceries, such as cereals, pasta, baked beans, spaghetti, toilet paper and long-life milk, along with fresh food items like fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.

As Countdown wrestles with the increasing busyness in their stores, the time taken to transport donations from the shelves into the food banks has slightly increased (usually, donations have less than a week’s turnaround). However, Julia believes this is a positive.

‘Instead of getting inundated with a huge amount of food all at once,’ she says, ‘we’ll be able to keep supplying food for at least three or four months, as opposed to just a couple of weeks, and that’s also really important when it comes to that fresh food.’

…THE FINANCIAL SQUEEZE ON KIWI BUDGETS WILL HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FAR BEYOND THE LIFTING OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS… orders to twice a week and double the quantity of food within these orders. Four additional food banks in Tauranga, Whakatāne, Rotorua and Wellington have been established to process the increasing number of people seeking food assistance. Many of them have lost their jobs, or were already on strict budgets, and simply do not have the savings to support their supermarket bill.

‘People who are normally on a really tight budget and then buy the lower end items, or they buy a lot of canned foods and the cheaper cuts of meat, were finding that when they go to the supermarket all of that is sold out,’ Julia explains. ‘They’re having to buy more expensive cuts of meat or items they wouldn’t normally buy, which is pushing their food bill up.

‘If you’re already on a low income, you might have had your wage dropped to the government subsidy, and it’s just not quite enough, so they’re having to come to us for food bank assistance.’

The Foodbank Project is continuing to appeal to new donors, because the financial squeeze on Kiwi budgets will have ramifications far beyond the lifting of lockdown restrictions, and they want to ensure that food banks have the resources to support this turbulence.

‘We will still be supporting people for months, even years to come,’ Tessa implores.

Encouragingly, donations have remained steady in the weeks following the initial call to action.

‘We’ve still been amazed every day at how much is coming in,’ Julia affirms.

‘Thank you to everyone who’s donated, because we expected that there would be an uptake in donations, but we had no idea it was going to be so huge,’ Julia says. ‘We’re just really grateful.’

To donate to The Foodbank Project, visit the online store at foodbank.org.nz or—where able—place food items into the marked purple bins within Countdown stores.

Meeting The Ongoing Need ‘The Foodbank Project has moved from being a great project to being an essential one,’ says Business Partnerships Manager Tessa Reardon.

‘The generosity of Kiwi helping other Kiwi is such a special culture … never did we imagine that one day being able to donate from the safety of a bubble would mean that The Foodbank Project would become a key player in the response to a national crisis.’

In their five years of operation, Covid-19 has placed the greatest pressure on The Foodbank Project’s services so far.

By the second week of April, food parcel demand had increased by 95 percent across the country. They have had to increase 18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 15

Revelation at Umupuia In early March, 40 leaders gathered at Umupuia Marae in Maraetai East Auckland, for the Community Ministries National Managers Conference.

National Director for Community Ministries Jono Bell says that a highlight was, ‘the wairua (spirit) of the peaceful setting of Umupuia.

The beautiful change of scenery allowed people to breathe as they arrived from their busy lives. The beach provided a helpful reflective space following discussions—some of which was very challenging.’

Jono explains that being at Umupuia was intentional. ‘It was great for our leaders to be immersed in te ao Māori—not just talking about it, but experiencing it. We had the opportunity to participate in pōwhiri and mihi whakatau (welcome), and poropoaki (farewell) ceremonies, as well as sleeping in the wharenui (meeting house).’

A key feature of the conference was a full-day workshop facilitated by well-respected Pākehā treaty workers Marisa Maclachlan and Dr Susan Healy from Tangata Tiriti (People of the Treaty). Of note to War Cry readers, Dr Susan Healy is a descendant of pioneering Salvationist Captain Ernest Holdaway who first brought the gospel to Māori along the Whanganui River. Susan also spoke at Just Action 2019.

‘We were able to be refreshed in our understanding of Ti Tiriti o Waitangi, but to go further than just unpacking the document, and really grapple with the injustices against Māori over the last 150 years,’ Jono explains.

Community Ministries leaders were joined by Divisional Māori Ministry leaders from Northern, Midland and Central—Captain Hana Seddon, Envoy Anihera Carrol and Ken Te Tau. Hana reports that after Marisa and Susan laid down the history of Ti Tiriti o Waitangi and the breaches, the last part of the day was spent unpacking Te Ōhākī (Māori Ministry Strategy) together. The four goals of Te Ōhākī are: Being Church Together, Leadership, Relationships and Let Justice Roll Like A River.

‘We worked with the teams as they considered how they could move the four goals forward in their personal journeys and māhī (work). It was an emotional day as many recognised the magnitude of what was lost, what we are trying to recover, and the role of The Salvation Army. We have the ability to bring reconciliation and to restore the place of tangata whenua in Aotearoa. I really felt people embracing the reality that we need to move forward together— Māori can’t do this alone.’

Northern Divisional Director for Community Ministries Rhondda Middleton reports that, ‘For many of our Pākehā staff, it was a time for being vulnerable and humble, acknowledging that there is a lot to learn. We clearly don’t have all the answers, but the team at the marae were able to help us ensure our bi-cultural practice is strong. The manaakitanga (hospitality) of the team at the marae was amazing and we were so well cared for, which made for an environment conducive to taking in new learning.’

Rhondda affirms that, ‘I came back understanding that if I’m to be an authentic ally in this bi-cultural landscape of Te Ope Whakaora, then I need to put the work in to connect and learn te reo and te ao Māori practice. There’s also so much I need to let go of so I can learn from our Māori staff and clients, and move forward in a way that brings life for us all.’

You can learn more about the four goals of Te Ōhākī by going to maori.salvationarmy.org.nz 16 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

Photography: Captain Hana Seddon.

Next Generation Study: Salvation Army Enlisted for Groundbreaking Research The University of Otago has invited The Salvation Army to collaborate on their acclaimed Next Generation Study, a continuation of the worldrenowned Dunedin Study.

Since 2007, The University of Otago has asked the biological, foster and step-children of the original Dunedin Study members to take part in this new research. The data is being collected over multiple years as each participant reaches 15 years of age.

The study aims to discover how parenting practices, lifestyles, health and other aspects of socio-economic wellbeing are passed from one generation to the next.

‘It’s one of the world’s most highly regarded cohort studies, and it will provide high-quality, robust, intergenerational research,’ says Social Programmes Research and Evaluation Manager Maureen Healy.

The Salvation Army was asked to assist because of its practical experience in dealing with social wellbeing issues in New Zealand, and also for the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit’s (SPPU) expertise, to inform the analysis and interpret the data.

‘To maximise both the impact of the findings and improvements in society’s wellbeing, the researchers have to ensure that the research findings are actually used to inform both policy and practice,’ Maureen explains.

‘They wanted to utilise our existing networks and relationships across government to help disseminate the findings to policymakers.’

As well as informing the design and service delivery of The Salvation Army’s social programmes, Maureen believes SPPU and Community Ministries in particular will benefit from the research findings.

‘Having access to high-quality, world-renowned research is definitely going to assist SPPU with their lobbying work and will inform their analysis of complex social problems,’ she says.

However, clients will be the biggest benefactors. The findings will have an immediate benefit to young people and their families, but Maureen believes the longterm impacts will extend through generations.

‘Ensuring young people thrive

is probably the best investment that any society can make, and, unfortunately, many young New Zealanders are not currently thriving,’ she says.

‘This research will enable us to understand how intergenerational cycles of advantage and adversity function, and help us identify targets for intervening to promote their long-term wellbeing.’

The research is expected to be completed in five years, although some findings—based on reliable samples—have already been released.

Wellington South Greets Newtown Festival Amongst the hustle and bustle of the Newtown Festival on March 8, Wellington South Corps ensured there was a place for people to relax from the busyness outside.

Perfectly positioned on Riddiford Street in the heart of the festival, the corps premises was open for

festival-goers to come in and enjoy the ‘chill space’. It was an ideal opportunity for The Salvation Army to welcome the local community inside for some downtime from the 450 stalls, 12 music stages, noise and crowds outside.

Free baked goods, tea and coffee were offered,

and there were plenty of beanbags, couches, cuppas and conversations in the cool, air-conditioned centre.

With their carpark unavailable for the day, local corps volunteers who could travel to the festival by foot kept the centre open from morning until 3pm. Major

Christina Tyson was the sole corps officer present on the day as Major Keith Tyson was participating in Tour Aotearoa, cycling around New Zealand to raise funds for Wellington South Community Ministries. Unfortunately this was interrupted due to the lockdown.

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 17

Lockdown a Gamble for Many The Salvation Army Oasis continues to provide service to people impacted by gambling harm, despite the national Covid-19 lockdown.

‘I am extremely proud of our Oasis team for their openness and flexibility as we moved to working remotely so quickly and efficiently. We’re a passionate and committed team and want to support our gambling tangata whaiora (people pursuing wellness) and their whānau at this unprecedented time,’ says Lisa Campbell, National Operations Manager for The Salvation Army Oasis (Reducing Gambling Harm).

‘We understand this is a challenging time for all people under the Covid-19 lockdown, but our clients are really concerned about how they will cope, both financially and practically, at home with family or alone during the lockdown period,’ explains Lisa. ‘Some have asked for more support than normal.’

Oasis is especially concerned about rising levels of online gambling. Lisa reports that casinos and pokie machine venues may be closed, but TAB and Lotto

services remain available online, as well as various overseas gambling companies via Facebook advertising links.

‘I’m sure they see social isolation as a great opportunity to expand business, without any thought for the additional harm this could cause, further exacerbating the financial and mental harm on people already,’ says Lisa.

Oasis is making information available through their Facebook page about online tools that can enable people to block internet gambling sites.

Over the past year, Lisa and her team had been working towards bringing more of their services online to broaden engagement. ‘There’s a lot of stigma around problem gambling making it harder for people to engage in seeking help early, before harm is significant,’ she explains.

As a result of this service development being underway, some staff training had already begun for working remotely, enabling Oasis to move fast with their remote service delivery during lockdown.

Christchurch member of the Oasis team, Nicky Taylor, observes, ‘It’s been

GAZETTE Retirement: Captain Kristine Walker, on 31 March 2020, having completed 12 years and 1 month of active service. Kristine and Gerald Walker were accepted as Auxiliary Captains on 25 February 2008, when Kristine was appointed to Papakura Corps as Assistant Corps Officer. Kristine was appointed as Assistant Officer to Auckland City Community Ministries on 8 January 2009. An appointment as Assistant Officer for Addiction and Supportive Accommodation Services followed on 13 January 2011. On 8 December 2012, Kristine and Gerry Walker were commissioned as Captains. From 10 January 2013, Kristine served as National Coordinator Mission and Development until 1 April 2014, when Kristine was appointed as Research Officer, Family Tracing Service, THQ. On 12 January 2017, Kristine was appointed as Divisional Secretary for Retired Officers, Central Division. Since 1 September 2018, Kristine has served as Assistant Officer, Porirua Corps and it is from this appointment that Kristine enters retirement. It is with sincere thanks and appreciation that we honour Captain Kristine Walker for her loyal, sincere and faithful service to God. We pray God’s blessing on Captain Kristine as she enters retirement and on Captain Gerry Walker as he continues in active service.

Appointment and Promotion: Effective 1 August 2020, Captain Gerald Walker (Gerry), appointed as Chief Secretary, New Zealand Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. Gerry will take up this new appointment with the rank of Colonel. Please pray for Gerry and his wife Captain Kristine Walker (retired) during this time of transition, and as Gerry takes up his new appointment in August.

Appointments and Promotions: Effective 1 August 2020, Captain Gerald Walker (Gerry), appointed as Chief Secretary, New Zealand Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. Gerry will take up this new appointment with the rank of Colonel. Please pray for Gerry and his wife Captain

18 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

really interesting learning and getting familiar with using more technology, attending and hosting online meetings, and balancing work with two teenagers during this Rahui! But I feel proud to be part of The Salvation Army team just now, knowing that we have the resources and ability to continue to make a difference when people need us.’

Visit salvationarmy.org.nz/oasis for direct access to our Oasis services or follow us on Facebook at OasisReducingGamblingHarm.

Kristine Walker (retired) during this time of transition, and as Gerry takes up his new appointment in August.

Effective 1 August 2020, Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham, UKI officers serving in New Zealand, are appointed to International Headquarters. Colonel Suzanne is appointed as Governance Advisor and IHQ Liaison Officer, Administration Department. Colonel Melvin is appointed as Under Secretary for Programme Resources. Please pray for Colonels Melvin and Suzanne during this time of transition.

Birth: Esther Grace Vemoa, born Monday 6 April 2020 (3.46kg), to parents Captain Corryn and Lieutenant Francis Vemoa, of Tauranga Corps. Please pray for Captain Corryn and Lieutenant Francis Vemoa and older siblings Angel, Julius, Solomon and Malachi as they welcome Esther into their family.

Promotion to Glory: Captain Miriama Thomas, on Saturday 11 April 2020, from Vanua Levu, Fiji, aged 67 years. Miriama Taria Rokobiti was born in Fiji on 24 February 1953 and entered the Training College from Raiwai Corps, with her husband David, as a cadet in the Guardians of the Truth Session in Fiji. Commissioned in 1986, Lieutenants Miriama and David Thomas were appointed as Corps Officers, Suva Central Corps. Corps appointments followed at Lomaivuna in 1988, Sigatoka in 1990, back to Suva Central Corps in 1997, from where they retired on 1 March 1998. We honour Captain Miriama Thomas for her 12 years and 3 months of active officership and her service in retirement. Please uphold Captain David Thomas, son Robert and extended family in prayer at this time of grief and loss. Well done, good and faithful servant of Christ!

Bereavement: Major Hylton Froggatt, of his brother Wayne Froggatt, on Thursday 9 April from Napier. We ask you to please uphold Major Hylton Froggatt and other family members in prayer, especially in this unprecedented time when they are not able to physically be with their loved ones.

Corps Census Data: Our Territory In Figures

…HE WALKS BESIDE US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. In recent weeks, the value of commitment has been powerfully brought home to our family.

Over these troubling and anxious days, our daughter and partner found themselves trapped in the UK, her visa and money rapidly running out.

Salvation Army corps (churches) had 10,220 regular attenders in the previous year, as reported in the 2019 Corps Census.

The average congregation has approximately 90 regular attenders, with the median number slightly lower at 71, due to the many smaller sized faith communities which make up the territory. The census working definition of a regular attender was, ‘someone the corps would expect to attend a worship service at their corps over the next month’. Of the territory’s 114 faith communities, Hamilton City was identified as the largest.

The territory is 54.7 percent female (55.8 percent female in New Zealand, 51.2 percent female in Fiji, 50.1 percent male in Tonga and 63.0 percent male in Samoa), although Recovery Churches are 57 percent male. This is emblematic of the typical greater numbers of men in recovery (and, in relation, the significant number of new attenders in Samoa who have come through their local Recovery Church).

Māori representation within New Zealand-based congregations was indicated in the census for the first time and found to be 9.3 percent. The majority of our Māori Salvationists are part of the Northern and Midland Divisions.

In the Pacific, the average attendee is 19 years old, while the average New Zealander is 47 years of age. This disparity reflects both the success of recent Children’s and Youth work in the Pacific, as well as the greater number of seniors in New Zealand congregations.

When the Government called for Kiwi to come home, she booked flights. But only hours before she was scheduled to leave, she was advised that all flights from her airline had been suspended. She tried several providers, with the same response.

Whilst anxiously waiting, she got a call from her travel agent. One airline was still flying to New Zealand, one airline had made a bold and courageous commitment —they simply announced to all their distressed customers: ‘We will get you home!’

And they did. Long after others had left the market, they were there.

Commitment really does mean something. We as members of this territory of The Salvation Army have embraced five significant commitments that will genuinely enhance our mission and bring life to those we serve.

• We will sharpen our focus and do mission together.

• We will intentionally make passionate disciples of Jesus.

• We will prioritise the next generations, cultural diversity and, in New Zealand, our Tiriti partnership.

• We will re-imagine mission centres to be effective and sustainable.

• We will provide processes that are user-friendly, nimble and able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Each commitment is an important piece of the puzzle to bring God’s plan of salvation and shalom to the people we are called to minister to.

Let us take a moment to honour the commitment of our healthcare professionals, supermarket workers and essential services providers, the Government and the many teams tirelessly working to protect us from the ravages of Covid-19 and bring provision to our communities. Their commitment really does make a difference and we applaud them for it.

When it comes to commitment, the greatest assurance mankind has been given comes from God himself. He tells us in Isaiah 43 that we do not need to fear because he has redeemed us and will be with us no matter what comes our way. We can pass through flood or fire and we will not be overwhelmed.

Yes, commitments really do matter, and God’s unwavering commitment to us means that we can confidently face the future, in the knowledge that he walks beside us every step of the way.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen Jarvis Territorial Assistant Secretary for Personnel 18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 19

EPHESIANS 6

part three

PRINTS OF PEACE

In part three of this occasional series on the armour of God, we look for ‘prints of peace’ amidst life’s fiercest battles.

BY JULES BADGER

The national Covid-19 lockdown has provided us with a great illustration for this instalment of ‘Heavy Metal’. The world has been fighting a powerful, unseen enemy, and, as Christians, we are not immune from attack. But we’ve had a great battle strategy: stay close to home. And while that might sound straightforward, logical and even quite simple, it certainly hasn’t been easy for some of us.

While this forced lockdown has been a welcome invitation to stop and rest and reflect, with many of us embracing the opportunity to read that book, do those odd jobs, learn something new, create something different, spend more time with family and actively deepen intimacy 20 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

with God; for others, however, lockdown has magnified triggers and exacerbated the intensity of the battle for those fighting against addiction, mental illness, historic trauma, present abuse, relational breakdown, unforgiveness, failure and even spiritual darkness.

Some of us feel overwhelmed, filled with anxiety, worried and unbalanced— robbed of peace. But this is not what God wants for us—this is not what God has promised for his people!

The battle for peace As Christians, we sometimes struggle to find and experience peace because we’ve been sucked into the world’s flawed definition of peace. We’ve been fed the lie that peace is a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there’s no fighting or war, and everything co-exists in perfect harmony and freedom. This sort of definition couldn’t be further from what the Bible has to say about peace. God promises us his peace—even amidst the fiercest of battles.

GOD’S PEACE IS PROMISED TO US IN CHRIST THROUGH THE GOSPEL! BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE— WE ALSO RECEIVE THE PEACE OF GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. In her 2015 study, The Armour of God, Priscilla Shirer explains that the familiar Hebrew word for peace, shalom, which is used throughout the Old Testament, does not mean the absence of chaos, but rather refers to an overall, deeply

spiritual practice. Knowing the truth about God’s peace and how it differs from the world’s perception is a great example of using truth to combat lies!

In part two, we established the benefits of being right with God—when we wear God’s righteousness like a breastplate, we can move forward with confidence, rather than reacting defensively. We fight by being right with God. It’s no accident that the next piece of armour the Apostle Paul draws attention to is a Roman soldier’s footwear. That Paul attaches peace to shoes may seem odd, until we understand how distinctive these war-boots were, and their critical contribution to battle-readiness.

AS CHRISTIANS, WE SOMETIMES STRUGGLE TO FIND AND EXPERIENCE PEACE BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN SUCKED INTO THE WORLD’S FLAWED DEFINITION OF PEACE.

Prints of peace

entrenched sense of harmony, health, and wholeness in the midst of chaos.

‘True peace is best detected and measured against the backdrop of commotion and confusion—when instability abounds, yet you remain steadfast; when disappointment and confusion are near, yet you’re still capable of walking with Spirit-infused confidence, stability and steadiness.

That’s how you know your feet are fitted ‘with the readiness of the gospel of peace’—a peace beyond comprehension,’ explains Priscilla.

I want those shoes!

Ephesians 6:14–15 says, ‘Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace’.

In part one of this occasional series, we explored the truth about lies and affirmed the importance of putting on God’s truth like a belt every day, as a foundational

While civilians wore soft-leather outdoor shoes, called calcei, Roman soldiers wore heavy military sandals that were almost boot-like, called caliga. The upper part of the shoe was made up of straps, which allowed for ventilation and easy adjustment. Parts of the boot that might rub (toe joints, ankle, big toenail) were cut away. What made these shoes so essential for battle, though, were the soles. Hobnails were worked into several layers of leather, providing a firm grip on the soil underfoot. These hollow metal studs kept the soldier sure-footed, and able to stand firm when holding his ground or advancing against the enemy. Such shoes certainly gave a soldier the necessary peace of mind that he would not stumble and fall when it mattered most.

through the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is peace! Staying close to God, then remaining in Christ—regardless of the chaos we may be in—enables us to stand firm, and even advance and share the gospel with others.

Maybe you’re thinking that a mere change of shoes couldn’t possibly make a difference to the turmoil you’re living with, and you’d be right. But the shoes God is offering are God-designed! And when you wear shoes rendered by God, prints of peace will begin to appear all over your life.

‘Remember a backdrop of commotion is the best place for the peace of God to be put on display. So, if the enemy has been wreaking havoc all around you, and the chaos he’s instigated has seemed to swallow you whole, don’t be discouraged.

Our God can, and will, anchor your soul, tethering it to the security found in his gospel, the good news of His beloved son. Hang on. Peace is on the way.’

When it comes to accessing God’s peace, we need to remember that the Apostle Paul links peace to the gospel. The Good News of the gospel is that the separation that existed between us and God has been bridged in Jesus Christ. Hearing, receiving and believing the Good News gives us peace with God—his gift to us.

God’s peace is promised to us in Christ through the gospel! But wait, there’s more—we also receive the peace of God

Dressed for victory When Paul talks about the shoes of the gospel of peace in Ephesians 6, he’s reminding readers of what he’s already explained throughout his letter about peace. There are 49 verses in Ephesians devoted to the topic of peace! Priscilla explains that it’s not hard to see why.

‘The strong, tangible presence of peace in our personal lives and our relational interactions is perhaps our most vital spiritual commodity in threatening the success of the enemy’s plans.

So, don’t let the enemy rob you of the peace that is yours in Christ. Press into God, put on his peace, stand firm in it, and advance!

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 21

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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

There are no official engagements until further notice—in response to the directive from the Prime Minister.

PRAY For all corps, centres and personnel of The Salvation

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Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory.

For the international Salvation Army as they respond to need in their home countries.

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Send us 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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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.

GIVE A GIFT THAT TACKLES POVERTY AND INJUSTICE AROUND THE WORLD GIVE A GIFT ONLINE AT JUSTGIFTS.ORG.NZ INTERNET BANKING AVAILABLE

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K K S A E T I E K A T E A S E

SIT DOWN SLEEP SLUMBER STILLNESS TAKE IT EASY

Quiz Answers: 1 10, 2 Biggest known jellyfish in the world, 3 Melbourne (Erinsborough is the fictional suburb), 4 73, 5 Zedekiah (2 Kings 25:1–7).

22 WarCry 18 APRIL 2020

1. Say something!

Talitha Koum!

Can you rearrange these letters to solve the clues? For example, in te reo, a volunteer donation is a … KOHA.

2. A Kangaroo has one of these

3. The postie delivers this 4. Say hello in Hawaii!

5. The sum

‘Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”’

Mark 5:36

6. Calcium dairy-filled drink

7. We eat with this body part

A synagogue leader, named Jairus, approached Jesus as he was teaching one day and fell at his feet. Jairus’s daughter was dying, and he pleaded with Jesus to come and save her.

But some people from Jairus’s house met them while they were on their way.

They told Jairus that his daughter was already dead, he was too late—or so they thought. Jesus overheard them and said, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’.

When they arrived at the house, people were crying out in grief. Jesus asked them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep’. They just laughed at him.

A proper cup of coffee from a proper copper coffee pot.

Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nuts.

If a dog chews shoes, whose shoes Which does he wristwatches choose? are Swiss wristwatches

Say What?!

Have a go at these tricky Tongue Twisters.

Jesus told everyone to leave, except Jairus, his wife and the disciples who were with him. They entered the room where the child lay; Jesus took her hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha Koum!’, which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’. Immediately, the girl stood up and began walking!

God is capable of doing incredible healing when we trust in his power.

THINK ABOUT ...

Right now, people are particularly worried—especially about illness. How can you be a shining light of God’s peace to those around you?

18 APRIL 2020 WarCry 23

Answers: Talk, tail, mail, aloha, total, milk, mouth.

Me rite tonu tō horoi i ō ringaringa ki te hopi me te wai Kaua e pātata atu ki ētahi atu tāngata e māuiui ana

"LOVE E ACH OTHER FROM AFAR"

Me maremare, me matihe hoki ki tō tuke

"LET IT GO, IN YOUR ELBOW"

E noho ki te kāinga mēnā kei te māuiui koe

"CLE AN HANDS ARE HAPPY HANDS"

Me whāwhai tō tuku i ō rauangiangi kua whakamahia ki te ipupara

"AINT AN ISSUE – BIN THE TISSUE"

Whakaarohia ērā atu tāngata

"HOME IS WHERE THE HE ART IS" @SA LVATION A R MYM AOR I M INISTRY

"TOGETHER WE C AN M AKE A DIFFERENCE"