23 January 2016 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION | 23 January 2016 | Issue 6634 | $1.50

STAR WARS GOES TO CHURCH ODE TO JOY COWLEY FIREZONE: PADDY BASH LIVES UP TO THE HYPE TRY A TECH-FREE SUNDAY ‘MISSION IN PLACE’ FOR SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL HOUSING

02 WarCry 23 January 2016

Kia ora Is the door open?

WAR CRY

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

War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR

Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Kris Singh (music reviewer) PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford COVER

Photo: Newly commissioned officers, brothers Lieuts Francis and Misi Vemoa OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 384 5649 Fax (04) 382 0716 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0768 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $75 per year within NZ

Chief Secretary Colonel Willis Howell delivered the final challenge of the weekend when the Messengers of Light Session was commissioned. He asked, ‘Are you available if the Lord were to ask you about envoyship, auxiliary captaincy or officership?’

(All of which are ways of serving God within The Salvation Army.) ‘Have you left that door open?’

It was a timely question for New Zealand Salvationists. On Saturday, 19 men and women filled the Wellington City Corps platform. Having completed two years of training, they were being sent out to full-time mission roles. On Sunday, there were just six cadets on the platform, about to enter their final year of training. In no way am I expressing any lack of confidence in their quality, but with only seven more cadets entering training this year, The Salvation Army in New Zealand has a pressing need for more leaders.

If you enjoy the fulfilment of employing your talents in your corps or centre, but you’ve also experienced the frustration of trying to squeeze these tasks into just an evening or a few hours when you’re tired and stretched, officership might be for you.

Did you realise as an officer you no longer need to balance work and mission but can be fully devoted to growing God’s kingdom 24/7? Did you realise being an envoy offers a way to perhaps test the water of officership? Did you realise that if you’re married, it’s possible for just one spouse to serve as an envoy?

Not everyone who offers will be accepted—there is an application and assessment process. But if you know the great satisfaction of serving God through the Army part-time, would you at least consider if full-time service might be for you? Would you open that door?

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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 132 years

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6634

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Christina Tyson Editor

PRINT MANAGEMENT

MakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

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14 BIBLE VERSE John 8:12 New Living Translation

‘Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”’

Hoani 8:12

‘I kī atu anō a Īhu ki a rātou, i mea, “Ko ahau te whakāmarama o te ao; ki te aru tētahi i ahau, e kore ia e haere i te pōuri, engari ka whiwhi ki te mārama o te ora.”’

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WISE WORDS

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a weary world.

William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice

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Let’s Talk | 03

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

I

don’t know about you, but I’m still recovering from 2015 and getting confused about what year I’m in and whether things happened this year or last year. But one thing that’s still around from last year seems to be the hype about Star Wars.

At its peak last month there were weather presenters doing Star Wars-themed bulletins and a Mexican football team presented a new player dressed up as Darth Vader. A pastor friend of mine even did a four-part series of Star Wars themed sermons. And the Zion Church in Berlin made international news headlines for its Star Wars-themed church service, where the pastors had lightsabers, the organist played music from the movies, and the service drew a full house of about 500 people, many in costume.

Although some people thought that was going too far, the Berlin service certainly demonstrated one good reason for a Star Wars-themed church service—it’s fun. All too often people’s (sometimes correct) perception of church is ‘and now let us enter a time of taking this all a bit too seriously’. Fun is an important part of life and church! It’s part of helping us cope in the bad times. So maybe it’s time, right at the start of the year, to embrace a sense of fun.

At the same time, Star Wars and church do seem, at first, to be from two galaxies far, far away from each other (see what I did there …).

Except that Star Wars creator George Lucas actually says he wanted the films to start people talking about religion. That’s why he made the Jedi religion central to the story.

He certainly uses a lot of Christian ideas in the movies.

A key theme in the original films was people being redeemed, no matter their past, and that being achieving by overcoming evil with love.

Lucas talks about having several characters symbolically die and come back to life—most obviously Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader and later back to Anakin again, in a death and resurrection that frees the galaxy (until episode seven). There are also scenes echoing Satan’s temptations of Adam and Eve and Jesus, characters who give up their lives for others, and on and on it goes.

Star Wars will never be a perfect Christian analogy, since Lucas used ideas from many religions. But his ultimate aims were quite simple, he says. ‘All I was trying to say, in a very simple and straightforward way, is that there is a God and there is a good and bad side.’ Later, he says, ‘That, in essence, is what Star Wars is about. We are both good and evil, and we have a choice.’

Or, to return to Star Wars terminology, it’s a choice between the light and dark side.

Jesus and other biblical figures also use light and dark to describe good and evil and it’s something that’s become a big part of Christian tradition. In fact, in this War Cry edition we celebrate new Salvation Army officers who trained as ‘Messengers of Light’.

It’s a handy image—what message are we spreading this year? That Lucas quote also seems a good thought to help start the year: ‘We are both good and evil, and we have a choice.’

04 WarCry 23 January 2016

Bookshelf Cooking The Ultimate Vegetarian Collection Alison and Simon Holst It is wonderful to see Dame Alison and her son Simon being paid homage to with a gloriouslooking cookbook. It has beautiful photographs, glossy pages, a hard cover and clean design. But … and this is a big one … the recipes are economical, easy and accessible.

This is a great accompaniment to any cookbook collection, especially for vegophobics. It will open up a world of possibilities with ingredients already in your cupboard. There are great ideas for using potato, pasta, legumes and eggs. And yes, for those with more adventurous spirits, there is tofu and artichoke. (New Holland)

Playlist

Christian Life Who Are We To Judge?

Fraser Dyer None of us like to be judged or think of ourselves as judgemental.

So how has the church become synonymous with judgementalism?

This is the question asked by Fraser Dyer in his very perceptive book.

Instead of picking apart beliefs topic by topic, he looks at the root cause—the place of judgement in the Christian life. He challenges the Christian need to ‘be right’, or hold to an objective truth (when as Christians we cannot claim to be objective). Instead, he asks, how can we discern well? This allows us to have divergent views, while striving for truth. Changing this fundamental world view frees us to live more like Jesus. (SPCK)

Home Spark Joy Marie Kondo There are two types of people in this world: people who will sigh in wonder at this minimalist manifesto about the correct way to fold your socks, and people who will think, ‘Life’s too short.’ Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying is the follow-up to ‘tidying expert’ Marie Kondo’s worldwide bestseller The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying. It’s a feat of marketing that books about tidying up became a phenomenon.

Still, ‘tidy house, tidy mind’, as our mothers would say. There is something beautiful, peaceful and wonderful about a tidy home—for many, this book will spark joy.

(Penguin Random House)

Reel News

Pop/Rock A Head Full of Dreams Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams is Coldplay’s seventh studio album. The band’s position at the top of the stadium pile sees this record full of big name collaborators, including Beyoncé and Noel Gallager. Dreams remains fairly consistent with Coldplay’s current sound, but the synth-tinged pop rock sounds are uplifting and fun. This is a playful record, with tracks like ‘Army of One’ and ‘Up&Up’ flirting with vocal samples and held together with tight, dry drum grooves. Chris Martin commands vocally with dynamics and sensitivity, and works particularly well next to Beyoncé in ‘Hymn For The Weekend’. Fans of the band will love this counterpoint to 2014’s Ghost Stories.

Worship Salvation’s Tide Is Rising Passion The annual Passion Conference brings together some of contemporary Christian music’s biggest artists. In somewhat of a departure from their normal live album, Salvation’s Tide is a studio recording, with original music from Kristian Stanfill, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin and more.

There’s definitely a change of tone. The tighter production and refined song structure means that restraint, rather than over-the-top live layering, drives each track.

Each of the 10 tracks is carried by a strong hook and supported by only the elements needed to make that hook work well. This is a solid, refined album and a creative way to rejuvenate the yearly album cycle.

GIVEAWAY To win our review copy of The Ultimate Vegetarian Collection, tell us your favourite vegetarian meal.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 08 Feb.

Historical Drama Suffragette Sarah Gavron / M (Violence & offensive language) It seems incredible that Britain has never made a movie about the suffrage movement before now (and the US still hasn’t). The suffragettes have all the makings of great drama with their battle against injustice and what was perhaps the first modern civil rights movement. You could speculate about the innate sexism that still exists in our society … but that would detract from what is a bright and beautiful spark. Finally, the tale has been told.

The filmmakers chose not to focus on the leaders, or of their ultimate victory—perhaps that would have been too big a burden. Instead, they have focused on the intriguing role of the working class women who made the greatest sacrifices for the movement. This is not the period drama of Jane Austen’s world; this is dark, colourless and cruel.

The story focuses on Maud Watts, played by Cary Mulligan, who is forced to give up her livelihood, home and even her family to become a suffragette. Mulligan is a powerhouse who gives both fire and vulnerability to her character. She provides depth to the suffrage battle—they weren’t just fighting for votes, they were fighting a system that kept women in absolute powerlessness.

As a 21st century retrospective, the suffragettes still throw up uncomfortable issues for today—they plugged away peacefully for 50 years before turning to more militant tactics. It is discomforting to see women with gunpowder—adopting the male language of violence—but it was the language that finally got them noticed. It’s not a neatly packaged film, but portrays a legacy we are still learning to honour—that is the beauty and heartbreak of Suffragette.

Feature | 05

Ode to Joy Cowley, the beloved children’s author, has more to do with how you learnt to read than you realise. At 80 years young, she has announced her ‘semi-retirement’ from writing, but remains devoted to another passion: walking with others on their spiritual journey.

By INGRID BARRATT

06 | WarCry 23 January 2016

oy Cowley’s conversation is peppered with grace. She tells many stories—as a story teller should—and casually drops into conversation that ‘Terry and I have been listening to tapes on quantum physics’.

At 80 years old, Joy knits, spins, bakes, enjoys trips to the city, and equally, putting her ‘feet in the grass’ at home in the South Wairarapa. She has taken up woodturning, with two lathes kept the garage. In her lounge room is an ornate Kauri lamp, ‘Woody’—a type of Pinocchio figure, and bowls of native wood, all made by her hand. Joy is simply that. A joy.

The conversation almost immediately turns to what is her deepest, abiding love, her Christian spirituality. ‘All writing and prayer comes from a very deep place, so I don’t confuse writing and prayer. They go together,’ reflects Joy. ‘That deep place is our connection with God.’ She reflects on the world’s greatest story, beginning with the Genesis creation tale. ‘I used to worry about the serpent in the Garden of Eden,’ muses Joy. ‘But, even today, the serpent is a symbol of wisdom and healing in the Middle East. The Babylonians revered the serpent, so the serpent became a symbol of evil to the Jews, like the Nazi Swastika in World War II.’ Yet, in the grand story of Scripture, evil is fully redeemed.

‘There was Moses lifting up the serpent in the desert to bring healing, and Jesus compares himself to the serpent, saying, “So must the Son of Man be lifted up.” ’ Joy explains all this on her way to recounting a favourite story, first told to her by a Jewish Rabbi: ‘In the beginning, God created a huge clay vessel, and God breathed his fire of love into the vessel.

And God’s love was so strong that it shattered the vessel into trillions of pieces and creation was born. So every one of us is a shard of clay with a spark of God in it. It’s our duty in this life to fan that spark into flame.’

The God spark Joy’s relationship with God has always been with her, even before she had the words for it. ‘I used to say I had a twin sister who died, but watched over me. I knew this was made up, but it was a way of explaining the sense of guidance I felt in my life.’ Her parents were both people of faith in their own ways, but her father’s ill health and her mother’s bouts of mental illness skewed their perspectives.

Joy was taught a fearsome and angry God. Yet, ‘to me, Jesus was the children’s friend,’ she recalls.

‘I used to go to the Presbyterian church in the morning and The Salvation Army in the afternoon. I was an explorer from an early age, and I really enjoyed that.’ At the age of nine, Joy dedicated her life to Jesus in her own private ceremony: ‘I took a broken plate, some newspaper, rose petals, my father’s matches, and went into the pine trees at the back of our house. I lit a small fire in the plate and sprinkled the rose petals on it. I made the commitment and there was no heavy feeling,’ she writes in her memoirs Navigation.

As a ‘young’ 19 year old, Joy discovered that she was three months pregnant, and instead of feeling the weight of ire, she was overjoyed. Under pressure from her boyfriend Ted’s mother, they married and went on to have four children together. But Ted then left Joy for another woman. They were bleak times.

One day, Ted took the children ... and didn’t bring them back.

Joy was overwhelmed with sorrow so heavy she longed ‘for a deep sleep’. A trained pharmacist, she took twice the fatal dose of Soneryl butobarbitone and lay back on her bed. What transpired

next was a mysterious, near-death experience.

‘I had a feeling of peace come over me, and all was dissolving, earth was dissolving and rushing past like a waterfall. What was behind it was light, an amazing light. That’s where I run out of words to describe it. It’s not like any definition of light that we know, it was this great, loving Presence enveloping me. In a second I was just filled with rapture, it was bliss. There was absolute knowledge, and I was going home. My last conscious thought was, “How could I have forgotten?”

‘I started falling back, like falling down a well, but I could still see the light and really wanted to go back to it. Then I heard voices around me and I was in hospital. I thought it had been about 20 seconds; it was three days.’

Joy woke up blind and paralysed—she compares this to Saul’s Damascus experience that left him blind with the revelation of God. ‘The depression disappeared, the physical effects, the headaches, and everything fell into place.’ She regained her sight and the use of her legs—despite complications that have lasted to this day—and most of all, she still treasures a close relationship with all of her four children.

I felt ancient when I was a child … But I have become simpler and more childlike.

The real Mrs Wishy-Washy All this occurred just a year after Joy had her first novel published, Nest in a Falling Tree, and she was already becoming an acclaimed writer. Roald Dahl bought the film rights for her book, establishing a firm and lasting friendship between the authors. With the money she received, Joy was able to buy property in Fish Bay, on the Marlborough Sounds. In time, she turned this into a retreat, where many people bruised by life took solace—organisations such as Women’s Refuge sent Joy their clients, where prayer, silence and retreat became a healing balm.

But it is as a children’s novelist that Joy is best known and most loved. Anyone growing up in a New Zealand school from the ’60s onwards has read many a Joy Cowley story as part of their reading programme. Perhaps her best known novel is The Silent One, which took shape during a trip to Fiji, when Joy saw a turtle in deep distress being sold at the local markets. And her most loved character may be Mrs Wishy-Washy—you can’t help but feel that Joy is more at home with this delightful, bustling old woman than with the literati she has found herself part of.

But it was Joy’s work in early reading that really transformed the way we teach our children. Joy, herself, could easily have written herself off as a ‘bad reader’. She didn’t master reading until she was seven years old, finding the rote learning of words confusing.

Working in early learning and writing for The School Journal, Joy was frustrated that stories for young children were written without any concept of the language or ideas that were important to young readers. The words being taught came from a seemingly random list, compiled by adults, without any consultation. Joy and her co-conspirators revolutionised the way we learn, focusing on language that real children used, and setting their stories firmly within our Kiwi context. No more Janet and John.

It is impossible to measure the impact that having our own

Feature | 07

stories has had on the development of our cultural identity.

But perhaps the fact that almost everyone knows the name ‘Joy Cowley’ is some small hint. She is New Zealand’s number one selling author by far—having sold at least 40 million books.

Every one of us is a shard of clay with a spark of God in it. It’s our duty in this life to fan that spark into flame.

The spiritual life In her adult life, God called Joy to the one church she had never considered—the Catholic church. She has become sought after as a retreat leader, where she helps people connect with God through their own life stories. ‘Our lives are full of mystery. How many of us have thought about a person, and then that moment the phone rings and it’s them. Or we’ve had a dream that comes true. Those are messages from the spiritual realm, and it’s all around us. That’s where true guidance comes from,’ she says.

‘God is beyond our limited sensate system—we know only what we can see, taste, touch, smell. But the spiritual realm is all around us.’

After her marriage to Ted broke up, Joy met and married Malcolm Mason. They had 14 contented years of marriage, and Joy nursed her husband at home as he was dying of cancer. A priest called Terry Coles visited every day, spending an hour or two with Malcolm.

After Malcolm passed away, Joy kept in touch with the priest.

‘One day on the phone he said, “B****r this, I want to get married!”

And I waited for him to tell me who he had met. Then he said, “What do you think about that?” And I realised he meant me.’

After some protestation, she agreed. ‘Terry said, “You know there’ll be a fuss in the church”, and I said, “No, it won’t be too bad.” But it was. The other priests and bishops were wonderful, but it was the lay people—we got anonymous letters and friends avoided us. But the dust soon settled.’

Over the years, Joy has learnt that life’s hardest moments have been her greatest teachers. ‘Loss and grief have emptied me, and I’ve been filled with something greater and more expansive,’ she reflects. ‘There are no crucifixions without resurrection, and what is resurrected is always greater than had died.’

New stories Although Joy says she has no plans to keep writing beyond her current projects, stories still ‘just come’ to her. Joy gives a sneak peak of a new character she has created for three year olds called Freddy Bear: ‘Freddy goes to the potty really well most of the time, but sometimes it’s, “Oops” and his mother brings him dry pants.

He goes to the beach with Daddy and is having such a lovely time.

Dad carries him on his shoulders, and Freddy goes “Oops” on daddy’s back. Not only does Freddy need new pants, but Dad needs a new shirt.’ You can hear the echoes of laughter in New Zealand pre-schools already.

With age has come lightness, reflects Joy: ‘I feel younger now than I did when I was 10 or 11. I felt ancient when I was a child, because life was hard. But I have become simpler and more childlike. I think it’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Come as little children.” ’ She tells one last story: ‘When we are young, a tree is simply a tree. Then we see it’s made of wood and leaves and branches. Then we go further and we see it’s made of cellular tissue and a cambium layer, and we study photosynthesis. Finally, it all comes together again, and a tree is simply a tree. But this time we know what it is to be a tree. That is the spiritual journey.’

A Morning Prayer Kia ora my Friend God. I give to you the voyage of this day, that to be which is already yours, adding to it my rejoicing, a shout of praise. Amen. Amen.

You are the wind: fill up my sails.

You are the water: run fast beneath my keel.

And I will sing in the wind and dance over the water, God my Friend, oh God my Friend.

You are the light: enfold me, You are the darkness: embrace me.

You are pain: hollow me.

You are love: overflow me.

The storms of change are you, and the peace of tranquil waters.

You are all these things Friend God, and I thank you. Amen. Amen.

May I journey without fear through all your seasons.

In emptiness let me find fullness.

In imprisonment let me find freedom.

Render me passive in your will and I shall be most active, moving with you in everything, seeing you in everything knowing you in everything.

Joy Cowley Aotearoa Psalms

08 | WarCry 23 January 2016

HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

World’s Healthiest Foods

Tech-free Sunday It’s not churches, but techies, that are leading the movement for a Sabbath rest from technology.

Not too long ago, if you called yourself a Christian, you very probably didn’t play sport on Sundays, go shopping or do anything that would be labelled ‘work’. Today, the mainstream church has matured beyond this legalistic approach to the Sabbath. Yet, with it, the very important concept of a day of rest has sometimes been lost.

An index developed by Yale University has found the 100 most nutrientrich foods on the planet.

The big-brained folks at Yale University have come up with an algorithm that measures the top 100 most nutritional foods. At its most basic, the Overall Nutritional Quality Index measures ‘numerators’—the good stuff like vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. This is then divided by ‘denominators’—the not so beneficial stuff—like sugar, salt, trans fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. The system also measures the quality of protein, fat and carbohydrates, as well as calories and omega-3 fats.

The foods that received a sparkling 100 out of 100 were broccoli, blueberries, okra, oranges and green beans. These truly deserve the title of superfoods! They are packed with the most nutrients and free of the stuff that will clog your heart.

The lesser known food for New Zealanders is okra—also known as ladyfingers—a type of pod vegetable, with sticky seeds that make an excellent thickening agent in stews and curries. In the US, it is a key ingredient in gumbo or often served deep fried (which seems to miss the health point). You probably won’t find okra at your local supermarket, but look out for it at specialist fruit and vege stores. Select smaller pods, as the bigger ones can be tough. Trim the stalk ends, leave whole or slice, and cook until soft and tender.

Coming in close second are pineapple and radishes, with a score of 99.

Generally the healthiest foods are fruit and vege—with many scoring over 90—followed by skim milk, oatmeal, salmon and other seafood. Pasta is not the baddie that it has been made out to be, scraping in with a ‘pass’ at 50. Leading the rear are most forms of protein.

It’s refreshing, then, to be reminded of the importance of Sabbath rest. It’s not churches leading the charge, but people involved in technology daily that are declaring a weekly ‘Technology free Sunday.’

Monica Guzman, a journalist for the Techie website Geekwire, says that she decided to switch-off on Sundays when she started to feel uncomfortable about her pre-occupation with checking her phone. ‘I used to check only when I needed to look up info … [then it became, why not] while you’re stopped at a red light? While you’re walking to the coffee shop? While you’re talking with friends and there’s a lull in the conversation?’ She argues that the ‘real’ world can’t compete with the world available to you at the touch of a button. ‘Those superpowers tech gives us—they’re tough to switch off.’

So, Monica gave Sundays back to idle moments. She argues this is not a rejection of technology, but a means to get perspective and take control —rather than allowing technology to control us.

More and more people are even choosing to go on ‘tech-free holidays’, where they leave their phones, tablets and laptops at home. The more scary this feels, the more liberating it is. And nowadays, it’s the only way we can truly get away from the demands of work.

This is a principle ordained by God, when he asked us to take time out weekly for rest.

Going tech free can serve as a reminder of what the Sabbath should be about—a day of rest from busyness, a time to connect with what is important, and a chance to re-charge for the week ahead.

But some of our guilty pleasures will have to stay just that—bacon gets a 13, and white bread gets nine. Milk chocolate only scores a three out of 100, boo hoo. And the worst rating foods, with a score of only one, are fizzy

One machine can do the work of 50 ordinary men.

No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.

Elbert Hubbard

drink and popsicles.

Rolled Pork Belly Roast Pork belly is one of the cheaper cuts of pork. While it has great flavour it does tend to be fatty so is best as an occasional treat. | Serves 4–6 800–900g boneless pork belly salt and pepper to taste 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 medium apple (preferably Braeburn or Granny Smith) 6 dried apricots ½ cup water

Lay pork on a board and use a sharp knife to score skin at 1 cm intervals. Rub both sides with salt and pepper, then turn meat so it is lying skin-side down.

Preheat oven to 220°C. Core and halve apple, then cut each half into eight wedges. Roughly chop dried apricots.

Arrange half the apple wedges down length of pork, then sprinkle with chopped apricots. Lift uncovered edges of pork, gathering together to make a roll that encloses apple and apricots in the middle. Tie firmly with cotton string.

Place pork in a roasting dish, then cook for 30 mins in oven to make skin crackle. Reduce heat to 170°C, carefully pour water around pork, then cook for further 1½ hours.

(Roast vegetables can be added to dish during this time.)

Remove pork from oven and leave to stand for 5–10 mins before slicing and serving.

From Easy Inexpensive Family Meals by Simon Holst. Go to www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A How can I meet someone?

I am single and praying that this is the year I meet someone (but I pray that every year). How can I make it different this time?

In every Christian’s life, they will utter the words of the psalmist David, ‘How long, Oh Lord?’ It’s very natural and healthy for you to cry out to God, saying, ‘When will you bring the right person along?’

Some Christian counsellors believe that you can meet someone by becoming more proactive, and there is a lot of wisdom in this. But firstly, let me acknowledge that there is not much in life we have real control over.

The Christian life is one of deeper and deeper surrender to God, leading to greater and greater life in Christ.

Make it your goal to become the person God has called you to be.

If you are living by faith, you will be full of life, engaged with others, passionate about what God has put in your heart, and expressing yourself in your interests.

Don’t make meeting someone your goal, as this puts far too much pressure on every social situation. But do live your best life—and it just so happens that this will open up many opportunities for meeting someone … you certainly won’t be sitting at home alone night after night.

Having said all that, it’s obvious that your chances of meeting someone are helped greatly if you put yourself into social situations—whether at church, in social groups or through hobbies. Nowadays online dating is accepted as another tool for meeting people, so make the most of it. Let your Christian friends know you’re open to being set up—hey, it does work sometimes! Ask people out on dates (if they say no, chalk it up to experience). Get counselling to help with your sorrow, and see if there are any personal blockages to meeting someone.

Rely on your friends, as they are your partners in life. Most of all, though, as you continue to pray, remember that your life matters to God and you are of utmost value to him.

Testify An unexpected dream led Faleata Leha to The Salvation Army. Last December he was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer.

I am the youngest of seven brothers, raised in the friendly islands of Tonga. Our family mostly relied on farming, and Jesus was always at the centre of everything.

From a young age I loved to serve Jesus. I guess this was in my DNA—my grandfather was President of the Free Church of Tonga for seven years. My father passed away, but my 94-year-old mother remains a prayer warrior and prays for me and my family all the time.

While working in Tonga’s Treasury Department, God answered my prayers to study at the Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism. This trip, in 1988, changed my life forever. Not only did I graduate, I also met my beautiful wife, Raechal.

We returned to Tonga and served in the Free Wesleyan Church. It was my family’s prayer that I would one day become a minister in this church. But God had his own plan for me.

Between 1997 and 1999 I translated material for The Salvation Army in Tonga at the request of leaders Majors Ian and Caroline Frazer. I also preached at two Salvation Army corps (churches) and led Bible studies.

Raechal and I were involved with other Christian ministries, so I was not expecting to do more with The Salvation Army.

God has put a lot of U-turns in my life. In 2004, I had a Green Card to move to America to live with my family. But God changed this plan. In 2007, I was passed over to become a minister in the Free Wesleyan Church. God did not allow this to happen. In 2010, I had the offer to pastor a Tongan church in Auckland. But God did not allow this to happen either.

Did I complain to God? Yes! But did I leave God and follow my own plans? No! I continued to believe God had the best plan.

And then, in June 2012, I had a dream that brought me back to the Army. In my dream I saw two Salvation Army officers and then heard a voice saying, ‘Go and help The Salvation Army.’ That same week I attended a morning service at Nuku’alofa Corps, telling them God had called me to serve him in The Salvation Army.

Since entering training to

become a Salvation Army officer in 2014, I have fallen in love with the name ‘Salvation Army’—the Army that brings life. I really like what its founder, William Booth, said: ‘When The Salvation Army ceases to be a militant body of red-hot men and women whose supreme business is the saving of souls, I hope it will vanish utterly.’

I have two things to say to The Salvation Army. Firstly, we need soldiers now more than ever. We are on the battle field! We are at war! And we need more soldiers to engage and fight for Christ.

Secondly, there is too much ‘friendly fire’ in The Salvation Army. This is when you mistakenly shoot your own soldiers. I saw it in Tonga and I have seen it in New Zealand. This is not friendly fire by mistake, but knowingly. If we want to be effective, we must stop shooting our own and focus on winning souls for Christ.

Let’s Talk I would like: to explore what it means to follow Jesus information about Salvation Army worship and activities prayer for the following needs:

NAME: ADDRESS:

Please post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

10 | WarCry 23 January 2016

SUDOKU

1 5

Difficulty Easy

7 6 2 9

6 9 3 4 5 3 7 5 2 6 9 4 2 3 7 7 3 4 5 2 4 3 6 2 3 1 5

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

Mission Starts at Home

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.

The Salvation Army is making big changes to its longterm plans for providing social housing support to vulnerable Kiwis.

QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Lianne Dalziel is the mayor of which New Zealand city?

In the 1983 movie The Big Chill, what brought the characters together?

Who is President of Russia??

What was the nationality of Winston Churchill’s mother?

Ageusia is the loss of which of your senses?

Which river flows through the city of Glasgow?

What type of vegetable is a wood ear?

In which song did Sharon O’Neill refer to a murdered prostitute as ‘case 1352’?

9 Where would you find a lychgate?

10 Where did Moses see the burning bush?

2 8 6 1 3 5 7 9 4

1 5 4 2 7 9 3 8 6

9 7 3 6 4 8 1 5 2

3 6 1 7 8 4 5 2 9

5 2 7 9 1 6 8 4 3

4 9 8 3 5 2 6 7 1

7 1 5 4 2 3 9 6 8

8 4 9 5 6 1 2 3 7

6 3 2 8 9 7 4 1 5

Find more Cartoons by McKerrow on www.facebook.com/cartoonsbymckerrow

Two new housing projects in Christchurch and Auckland are the start of a change putting life transformation at the heart of the Salvation Army’s social housing plans.

The first project has seen The Salvation Army build 10 new houses in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby, part of a block of 40 social houses built by four agencies to house vulnerable people.

The first families moved into the Salvation Army houses in late November last year.

Hornby Community Ministries Director Auxiliary-Captain Eric Turner said the plan for the Hornby Housing project came about after the Canterbury earthquakes, when the Army was looking for ways to support Canterbury residents. The initial aim was to help ease the housing shortage after the quakes and after discussions with other agencies they decided to work together on the longterm project.

The Salvation Army houses are for clients referred by the Ministry of Social Development. Most of the tenants so far are young families, Eric says.

But, in a new development, only nine of the Salvation Army houses will be occupied by clients. The final house has been set aside for a staff member employed by the Salvation Army to live on the street and work with the residents of all 40 houses.

The idea, titled ‘Mission in Place’, is a first for the Salvation Army and sees the staff member working to build community among the residents, Eric says. They will do things like organise street barbecues and other events and visit residents, offering support and identifying any specific needs. They will also link clients into Salvation Army services and social activities and work with another church nearby for additional support.

In addition to getting a brand new, warm and safe roof over their heads, the clients in the Salvation Army houses will work with the Mission in Place workers, and other Salvation Army staff to get back on their feet and get to a point where they no longer need accommodation support, Eric says.

Quick quiz answers: 1 Christchurch, 2 A funeral, 3 Vladimir Putin, 4 American, 5 Taste, 6 The Clyde, 7 Mushroom, 8 ‘Maxine’, 9 At the entrance to a churchyard or cemetery, 10 Horeb (Exodus 3:1).

Close Up | 11

(l-r) Comm Robert Donaldson, MP Paula Bennett and Lt-Col Rod Carey at the dedication of a site that will house 50 new social housing units in Auckland.

‘We’re offering them support with their entire life, sharing their journey and trying to help them identify goals and stick with them to achieve those. Hopefully, with the young families, we can help them with education and training to get into employment.’

Mission in Place workers are at the heart of a shift in The Salvation Army’s social housing plans put forward in a newly approved five year plan for Salvation Army social housing, says Secretary for Programme and chair of the Salvation Army Social Housing Council, LieutenantColonel Rod Carey. As part of the plan, The Salvation Army is looking at sustainably growing its social housing stock, targeting areas in need and expanding Mission in Place across the country, backed by new government initiatives.

Mission in Place workers are at the heart of a shift in The Salvation Army’s social housing plans The Army has been involved in social housing for a long time, through Independent Living Units, Community Ministries Emergency Housing, Reintegration Services and Supportive Accommodation that house more than 1000 people in need. Housing remains an important part of the Army’s work, addressing a growing concern for many New Zealanders, Rod says.

‘If it’s important to Kiwis, it’s important to The Salvation Army.

Housing affects every area of a vulnerable person’s life. If it’s not adequate, is overcrowded, cold and damp, this has massive social and health implications for people, and as a responsible Christian social service provider we should be making the appropriate response.’

Work will start soon on 50 new units the Army is building in Royal Oak in Auckland, which are due to be completed in 2017 and will be used to house people aged over 55 who can’t afford a home or rent. It is a first step to help address some of the concerns raised in a Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit report last year, which predicted that if current trends continue, up to 100,000 Baby Boomers could be homeless by 2025.

However, for The Salvation Army, housing is just one part of the package and it hopes to do more for its social housing clients than just provide a roof over their heads. It’s all about transforming lives and Mission in Place aims to help that, Rod says.

Under the Army’s current model, the responsibility of caring for

We’re offering them support with their entire life and sharing their journey. tenants in Salvation Army units has increasingly fallen on busy corps officers, who also had to act as landlords.

The Mission in Place programme will instead provide dedicated staff who can work close up, practically and professionally with people in need. At a dedication of the Royal Oak site in December, Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson said Mission in Place guarantees wraparound pastoral and support services for all tennants.

‘We want to build a strong and nurturing comunity for those who will eventually come to call this location home,’ he said.

Housing also provides a unique chance to work and journey with people over a long period of time, building community and also the individual relationships that help change lives, Rod says.

‘Working with tenants gives us the opportunity to build a longterm relationship. Seeing someone over a long period of time, there’s a real opportunity to input into their lives and for greater long-term social and spiritual transformation.’

The expansion of Mission in Place programmes and other developments has been made possible through new government initiatives to support non-governmental housing agencies.

One of those new initiatives has allowed The Salvation Army to register with the government as a tier one social housing provider, meaning it qualifies for the government’s Income Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS). Under the IRRS, a tenant’s rent is capped at 25 per cent of their income and the government pays the remainder of the rent up to local market rates.

Currently, the Army charges rents that are lower than the market rate in its units, to be affordable for the people who need it the most.

The IRRS allows the Army to charge a market rate, providing a larger, secure, guaranteed income that it can use to pay for Mission in Place programmes, Rod says.

Along with providing the IRRS for tenants at the Royal Oak site the Government has also signed a contract to pay The Salvation Army $80,000 a year for 20 years to run the Mission in Place programme. At the Royal Oak dedication, Minister for Social Housing Paula Bennett said it was unusual for the government to sign such long contracts, but it did so on occasion where it saw the importance and likely benefit of a long-term project.

PAD DY B A S H

MO RE PO PU LA R TH AN

EV ER

BY ALISON AND DAVID MOODY

The Southern Division held its annual Salvation Army Paddy Bash at Oxford Speedway on Saturday 7 November 2015. You might be wondering what on earth we have against the Irish. Nothing!

The name actually stems from the very first Paddock Bash held approximately 15 years ago.

This is the 14th Paddy Bash event to take place, and there is one thing you can be sure of with this event—it will always live up to the hype and history. And this year was no exception.

THE SMEL L OF PETR OL, BURN ING RUBB ER AND OVER HEAT ING ENGIN ES …

The event continues to grow in popularity, with three teams even travelling from as far away as Nelson Tasman Bays to participate. Ten cars competed this year from Hornby Community Ministries, Sydenham, Christchurch North, Divisional Headquarters, Nelson Tasman Bays and even an independent father/son team.

Despite the appearance of low cloud as people arrived, the sun soon came out and gave us the perfect setting for a day of racing. The warm-up laps around the track before the first official race of the day offered up a few causalities and at least three cars limped off for urgent repairs.

Thirteen races were held with drivers competing in either the competitive or social grades.

the various sounds that cars were making are all part of what makes the Paddy Bash such a great day out. There was a conversation that gained momentum throughout the day that will perhaps see the Paddy Bash take over the country and see Division vs. Division, Island vs. Island, Ford vs. Holden vs. whatever car you can get your hands on. Watch this space on that one!

There were a number of first-time drivers and after a somewhat hesitant start it was soon all go on the track as cars raced, mud flew and at least two cars parted with tyres.

What we loved about the day was seeing guys and girls who are passionate about cars, engines and fast(ish) cars getting together with mates and having an epic day out.

This event is not just about a driver and their car. Every car competing needed running repairs at some stage of the day. The pit crew are a critical part of the car’s success. It was fantastic to see corps helping each other out to get cars back on the track and racing again.

After the dust settled and the cars were loaded on trailers or earmarked for crushing we had the prize giving ceremony. The winners were:

• Novice: Ethan Moody.

It was a fabulous day for spectators too. The smell of petrol, burning rubber and overheating engines mixed with

We’re happy to report that no Irish were harmed in the making of this event. We can’t say the same for cars or egos!

• Competitive: David Moody • Social: Russell Johnston

23 January 2016 WarCry | 13

In 2016, a group of young adults from Hamilton City Corps participated in a life group called Fuel. The aim was to explore our faith and question it. We asked big questions such as who God is, what sin and salvation are, and what does this mean for us and how we live. We finished off the year with an immersion trip to Talasiu, Tonga, to live within the community and experience a new worldview on our faith.

We were fortunate to be invited to attend the Tongatapu youth councils with our leader, Lieutenant Shane Healey, as the guest speaker. The theme for the weekend was ‘chain breaker’.

Using two crisp white t-shirts and one large bucket of mud, Shane demonstrated how to break sin through the Holy Spirit.

Throughout the weekend we not only learnt about decisionmaking, relationships, online safety, becoming closer, and having quiet time with God, but we also began to learn so much about the people, language and culture of Tonga. For a few of us this definitely felt like being chucked in the deep end—all we had to do was keep swimming.

After youth councils we went to stay with our host families for a week. We spent this time touring Tongatapu, visiting Nukualofa and Regional Headquarters and experiencing parts of village life.

We would visit each other all the time. You’d wake up and people would be there, you’d feed them

if they were hungry. If it was late they’d sleep over, and everyone was a close-knit family.

One thing we all noticed was that the youth in Talasiu had amazing gifts and talents which they used to glorify God in all parts of their lives. Over all there was a sense of God at the centre of the whole community.

Courtney’s highlight: I met my mum’s family and got to stay a night in the family home in Kolonga. I got to connect with my uncles and my mum’s cousins and see the village where my mum grew up.

Steph’s highlight: The whole trip was a highlight in itself for me. Getting to experience a new culture and making a lot of new friends. But most of all seeing what God has done through these people and the talents he has gifted them with.

Shaymas’ highlight: Tonga was very interesting and amazing for several reasons. The people and families we met and stayed with were so incredibly hospitable, welcoming us in ways we couldn’t have prepared for. The Salvation Army staff and officers we talked with showed and told us things that really expanded our understanding about how we, as a church, work in our territory.

Lastly, the land itself is indeed in some ways a ‘different world’, but what I found most interesting was the number of things that are almost the same.

Ashley’s highlight: This trip was incredible, it gave me a clear mind and the ability to re-focus and think about what God has planned for me. One of my highlights was being able to pick up my Bible at any given time and read as much as I want—for some reason this was so much easier to do in Tonga. Another highlight was meeting the amazing and inspirational people and making some great friends.

BY ASHLEY BROWN AND COURTNEY FITNESS

… TH IS DEF INIT ELY FELT LIK E BEI NG CHU CKE D IN TH E DEE P END … AL L WE HA D TO DO WA S KEE P SW IMM ING We’d like to thank everyone who supported us spiritually throughout the year as we explored our faith. A special thank you to Hamilton City Corps and all those who supported us, particularly our guest speakers, mentors and those who helped our fundraising. Thank you to Lieutenants Shane and Sarah Healey for opening your home to us every week and feeding us, and thank you to Caroline Jewkes for sharing your knowledge with us.

Our biggest thanks go to the community of Talasiu in Tonga, who hosted us and looked after us, taught us, loved us and put up with our lack of Tongan language.

Thanks for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

14 | WarCry 23 January 2016

2015

Commıssioning New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga & Ordination

Messengers of Light Seven Salvation Army Leaders Commissioned in Fiji …

Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson, Colonels Willis and Barbara Howell, Captain Gerry Walker, Captain Ian Gainsford and Captain Pauleen Richards were delighted to be in Fiji for commissioning meetings held from 4 to 6 December 2015 in Suva.

A series of special events began on Friday morning (l-r) Seru and Ruci Napolioni, Mereyani and Ponipate Bacaivalu, Visa Kaurasi, 4 December, with seven cadets of the Messengers of Tavaita and Peniasi Torocake.

Light Session signing their Officer Covenants in a meaningful and sacred service of commitment.

On Saturday morning, parents of the officers and cadets gathered for their admission to the International Fellowship of the Silver Star, with this ceremony followed by morning tea.

Later that day, more than 300 people gathered to witness the commissioning and ordination of the Messengers of Light. The meeting was led by Colonel Willis Howell (Chief Secretary), with a challenging Bible message from Commissioner Robert Donaldson (Territorial Commander).

Captain Ian Gainsford (Training Principal) awarded Certificates of Salvation Army Officer Training to the Messengers of Light, and then Lieutenant Geoffrey Miller presented a sessional report on behalf of the Suva campus of the School for Officer Training.

No moment was more significant than the commissioning of the new lieutenants by territorial leaders Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson. Other highlights were reflective items by the ‘Kiddets’, an action song entitled ‘Carry Your Candle’, and a School for Officer Training drama about pledging allegiance to the King of Light— none other than Christ Jesus.

Sunday’s celebration meeting was filled with colourful items from corps around Suva and Ba, with prayers in Fijiian, Hindi and English. Colonel Willis Howell preached a powerful message about finding your purpose in life. ‘Each one of us has a specific purpose. We must do all we can to find out what that purpose is,’ he said.

By Captain Lusi Leqa

Commissioning 2015 | 15

… and 19 in New Zealand There is always a tangible sense of joy at the commissioning of new Salvation Army officers, but 2015’s commissioning saw a vibrancy born from the coming together of so many cultures in one session.

The Messengers of Peace (Kaikarere o te Māramatanga) Session includes Māori, European and Pacific Island New Zealanders, Fijians, Tongans and Indians. Add to this the visual impact of seeing 19 people on the Wellington City platform for Saturday's ordination and commissioning service—joined by two envoys later in the afternoon—and it’s not hard to understand people’s excitement.

On Thursday 10 December, the session met together in the Booth College of Mission (BCM) chapel for their long-anticipated Covenant Day. In the presence of training college staff, cadets from the Joyful Intercessors (He Kaiwhakawhiti o te Hari) Session and senior Salvation Army leaders, they promised God to: • love and serve him supremely all their days • to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of their lives • to care for the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, love the unlovable and befriend those who have no friends • to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army and, by God’s grace, to prove themselves worthy officers.

Booth College of Mission graduation Covenant Day was followed by the BCM graduation at Hutt City Corps on Friday evening. This was an opportunity to present academic qualifications to the Messengers of Light and five youth workers who trained through BCM’s Youth Mission Training faculty—which operates in partnership with the Territorial Youth Department.

Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson, (back) Sheree Vemoa, Meregina Gataurua, Selalina Prescott, Veronica Rivett, Sarah-Ann Grove, Jessica Londhe, Rachel Montgomery, Kylie Overbye, Raechal Leha; (front) Misi Vemoa, Saimone Gataurua, Eliesa Prescott, Gavin Rivett, Adam Grove, Francis Vemoa, Ameet Londhe, Simon Montgomery, Ralph Overbye, Feleata Leha.

Chair of the BCM Governance Board and a past BCM principal, acknowledged the dedication and hard work of those graduating. He thanked the Army’s educational partner Laidlaw College, represented

by Michael Hanson, and Bible Society New Zealand, represented by Allan Davidson. Allan presented all graduates with a new study Bible on behalf of the Bible Society.

There was a sense of formality in the opening segment of the evening, with a well-practised mihi whakatau (greeting) by the Joyful Intercessors and Māori Ministry representatives—presented under the tutelage of Māori Ministry leaders Lieutenants Tau and Trish Mataki. But this formality soon gave way to dancing, with an energetic song of African origin sung in English, Tonga, Kiswahili and Fijian that proclaimed ‘there’s no one like Jesus’.

‘You are glimpsing something of the joy of a college that is truly Pacific-wide,’ said Captain Ian Gainsford. He introduced representative cadet speaker Cadet Sarah-Ann Grove as an ‘outstanding woman of God who has a great deal to offer in the extension of God’s kingdom’.

Sarah-Ann described how the session had been called together from a variety of occupations to follow God and said session mates from Fiji and Tonga had added richness and depth to their training experience. ‘These past 22 months have shaped our lives in ways we could never have imagined,’ she said. ‘We have shared laughs, tears and frustrations, and seen ministry in almost every part of this country—and come out the better for it.’ She thanked all who had contributed to their training and who had prayed with and for them.

The Territorial Commander presented the graduates with their respective awards: the Certificate in Christian Ministry, Certificate in Salvation Army Mission and Ministry, Diploma in Christian Studies, Diploma in Salvation Army Mission and Ministry, Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training, and Certificate of Youth Work Training. For the Messengers of Light, these qualifications represented the development of Christian thinking and the practical skills necessary for ministry as a Salvation Army officer.

16 | WarCry 23 January 2016

Salvation Army ‘soldier and theologian’ Coralie Bridle of Auckland City Corps shared a message on the topic of ‘enlightened and enlightening’. She challenged the new officers that ‘if you expect people to listen to you on a Sunday, get to know what their Monday looks like’ and cautioned them about ‘the misleading power of the possessive pronoun’ in ministry—to avoid speaking about ‘my people’, ‘my sergeant major’ or ‘my leadership team’. ‘The members of the congregations to whom you will minister are God’s people, they are not your possession,’ she said.

Recalling the encouragement Socrates gave a young man to ‘speak that I might see thee’, Coralie pointed out that speech was not the only mechanism that made character visible. ‘Effective as your preaching and teaching may be, it will be as enchanting as a momentary shaft of light if your life does not speak your convictions,’ she said. ‘Realise that the hope of the world is not new programmes, but new people —people who live that the world might see them in ways that go beyond mere speech, people who are enlightened by the very presence of God and who offer themselves to the process of enlightening that is the heartbeat of the gospel.’

Silver Star The graduation evening opened the door for the cadets’ ordination and commissioning on Saturday. The day started with a moving event at BCM that affirmed the importance of family and mentors to the Messengers of Light. Parents and others who had helped shape the lives of the cadets were honoured with their admission to The Salvation Army’s International Fellowship of the Silver Star.

Cadet representative Misi Vemoa focused on the legacy of those people who had given to the session. Speaking to the parents of the cadets, he said, ‘You probably had great plans [for your children], but the Lord has intervened with great plans of his own. It is the Lord’s purpose that prevails and we ask for your prayers. God only wants the best for us, as surely you do too.’

Commissioner Janine Donaldson presented Silver Star certificates to parents, family representatives and mentors. For the first time, memorial certificates were presented to honour those who had passed away. There were few dry eyes in the Booth College chapel as family groups sat together and cadets quietly shared letters of thanks to their family and friends.

A relaxed brunch followed, with the Joyful Intercessors Session serving guests.

Commissioning and ordination The auditorium at Wellington City Corps was filled to capacity for Saturday afternoon’s ordination and commissioning service. The

service was also live streamed on the internet.

‘We celebrate the dedication of men and women and their families to your plan,’ prayed Commissioner Robert Donaldson. ‘We know that you welcome their commitment and will never forsake them.’

Captain Ian Gainsford presented his Territorial Principal’s report, noting BCM’s desire to produce ‘blood and fire Salvationists’.

He acknowledged the contribution of Majors David and Vyvyenne Noakes, who had been responsible for the cadets’ first year of training.

The Messengers of Light had developed a range of skills while at BCM, he said. ‘They are both leaders and followers, they are holy and becoming holy, they have learned and are learning.’ He had no hesitation in presenting them to the Territorial Commander for their commissioning as officers of The Salvation Army.

Cadet Simon Montgomery gave his testimony, recalling that when he first felt that God wanted him to become an officer with his wife Rachel, he was not even a soldier. But God had confirmed this call in a number of ways. ‘Yes, there were shortcomings in my life, but God overcame these,’ he said. ‘I have enjoyed the experience of college and believe it has prepared me for officership. I am excited to see what God is going to do through our lives and it is my prayer that I would be a person who does everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.’

There was a sense of reverence before God as Commissioners Robert and Janine ordained and commissioned the Messengers of Light. After a dedicatory prayer by Colonel Barbara Howell, Commissioner Robert Donaldson reflected on what it means for people to be drawn to the light that is Jesus Christ. ‘This light of Jesus offers love and forgiveness. It brings hope and restoration and offers freedom from the grip of fear and guilt. It brings presence to the lonely and courage to the week. It offers a wonderful new identity with meaning and purpose. And Jesus said that we are the light of the world, too!’

He reminded the new lieutenants and the congregation that the task of every Christian was to reflect the light of God to the world, but that they had to first choose to turn to face that light and receive it. He challenged long-time Christians to consider if they were still reflecting the purity of God’s light or if they had allowed sin to obscure that light.

‘Face God and let him clean you up and restore you, so you can be his person in the world again,’ he said. A time of prayer followed that also provided an opportunity for friends and family to gather around and pray for the new lieutenants.

The Messengers of Light were welcomed back to the platform, this time with their children, to receive their first appointments as Salvation Army officers. Each appointment was responded to by a salute from the lieutenants and loud applause and cheers from the congregation.

The warranting and appointing of Envoys Collette and Stewart

Commissioning 2015 | 17

Irwin was of great encouragement, with the couple preparing to take up a new appointment as Mission Leaders at Petone Corps Plant from 1 February.

Following the triumphant battle song ‘Storm the Forts of Darkness’, a passionate performance of the Salvation Army haka was a fitting conclusion to an afternoon that signalled the Army’s continuing strength and vitality as it approached the end of its 150th year.

Envoys Collette and Stewart Irwin with son Micah.

Joyful Intercessors Session: Jacob and Emma Howan, Erica and Fraser Kearse, Ted Kim and Aram Kwon.

Celebration service On Sunday morning, the new lieutenants were proudly wearing red epaulettes on their uniforms and the focus shifted to the Joyful Intercessors (He Kaiwhakawhiti o te Hari) Session.

Captain Ian Gainsford assured the congregation that the Joyful Intercessors were truly characterised by joy. The cadets had thrown themselves into their first year of training college as a hardworking and united session. ‘I honour you for the fact that you have opened yourselves up to God as he has shaped you this year,’ he said. ‘We will ask more of you next year—to stand up as leaders, not just as learners.’ He was confident the session would become intercessors on behalf of others in both prayer and action, to bring God’s presence into people’s lives.

Cadet Aram Kwon said that while there had been tough moments in the first year of his training, BCM was a special place, ‘because you can witness the work of God every day’. God had held and strengthened him throughout his training, he said. ‘I have gained a tremendous amount of learning—it has been liberating and empowering.’

Officers who had served 25, 30, 40 and 45 years were honoured for their obedience to God, hard work and service, which had set an example for others to follow. The Territorial Commander thanked the many Salvationists whose ongoing prayer support and encouragement helped the territory’s officers remain faithful to God. In his Bible message, Chief Secretary Willis Howell emphasised that salvation was ‘more than an eternal life insurance policy’; it was provided that people might live a different way—‘that we might do something with our salvation’.

He reminded listeners that it was through their witness that the world would come to know what God was up to. ‘People are going to come to a conclusion about God based on what they hear and see in you, because you are the light of the world.’

God had placed this light strategically and it was intended primarily for those who were in darkness, he continued. ‘Imagine if we made ourselves wholly available to God, for him to place and use wherever he wants! Are you available if the Lord were to ask you about envoyship, auxiliary captaincy, officership? Have you left that door open?’ He encouraged people to speak to Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Pauleen Richards about these options and God’s future direction.

The Salvation Army’s international leader, General André Cox, sent his own message to the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory’s new officers ahead of their commissioning. ‘Whatever appointments you receive now, or in future years, consecrate yourselves to God, dedicate yourselves to the people, and embrace your sessional name in word and deed.’

By Christina Tyson

Thanks from Papua New Guinea Thanks to generous donations from Salvationists and home leagues from around New Zealand, each of the newly commissioned officer families in Papua New Guinea received a new guitar ahead of taking up their new appointments.

‘Music plays a big part in worship here, and the only instruments some corps and fellowships have is a guitar’ says Major Milton Collins, a New Zealand officer serving as Secretary for Business Administration in Papua New Guinea.

Each guitar was labelled ‘from your Salvation Army friends in New Zealand’.

18 | WarCry 23 January 2016

Commissioning 2015 | 19

20 | WarCry 23 January 2016

LEADERSHIP LINKS

This year, be a shining example in even the little things …

At the end of last year, the Messengers of Light Session was ordained and commissioned as Salvation Army officers. During the commissioning weekends in Fiji and New Zealand much emphasis was given to their sessional name, and I’d suggest some of these thoughts are worth applying to the rest of 2016.

In Matthew 5:14–16, Jesus reminds us: ‘You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven’.

• A little light can light a large space. A small light burning strongly offers direction. And so Jesus presents us with a responsible task. If we proclaim Jesus’ message, we will provide others with light.

• Light a candle! A candle that is never lit is worthless, so will you allow yourself at the commencement of this new year to be lit by Jesus, to burn for Jesus and to radiate his joy and love?

• Shine in the dark! A light shone in the dark has an attracting effect and gives people safe direction. As the expression goes: ‘Where there is light, there is life.’ Without light we can feel lost and maybe frightened. Many lights give even more safety and direction. It is important to live out our faith in community with others to give others help and direction. No one has to feel alone.

• Don’t hide your light! As Jesus said, no one lights a lamp and then hides it away (Luke 8:16–18). If we say we’ll follow Jesus, we need to light up the world for him. Not only sometimes, such as only when we’re at church—our light should always be visible.

• Light needs oxygen to burn! The fuel sources for a Christian are well known: the Bible, obedience, prayer and community. Without these, our light will burn more weakly and eventually go out.

Wouldn’t it be great if we looked at this year in a new light?

If we sought to be more positive, encouraging, supportive, understanding, forgiving and kind?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived out our personal relationship with God—showing his love and goodness—so that all those around us saw a difference in the quality of our life?

This year, be a shining example in even the little things so people notice and say, ‘I want the light and love of God in my life, too!’ Will you promise with me: ‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!’

Commissioner Janine Donaldson Territorial President of Women’s Ministries

Accepted for Training MESSENGERS OF COMPASSION SESSION —NGĀ KĀRERE O TE AROHANUI (2017–2018) Betty and Samisoni Akoteu (Vaini Corps) I (Soni) grew up in a Tongan Christian family. When I was younger, a group of boys mistook my twin brother for me, because I was involved in a fight and they wanted revenge. My brother had to pay the cost for my wrong. Seeing that my actions had put my brother in danger was a turning point for me and I decided to give my life to Christ on 10 October 1999. I completed a Youth with a Mission (YWAM) discipleship training school and went to be a missionary in Africa—which is where I met Betty. We have two sons. Kelepi will be 12 in February and Shammah is six years old.

I (Betty) am originally from Uganda, where I grew up in a Muslim family. In 1997, I visited a church and after the preaching responded to the call to give my l life to Christ. But I didn’t remain committed.

God convicted me about this and in 1998 I recommitted my life to God. Like Soni, I also completed YWAM discipleship training and worked with YWAM until 2004. My devotion to Christ is a vital part of my life. Sometimes it isn’t easy walking the Christian journey, but Jesus promises to be with me till the end of the days and has given me power to overcome all in his name.

At Vaini Corps, Soni takes care of the youth and I look after the little ones. We also work at Salvation Army Regional Headquarters and assist at the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre.

While working with YWAM, Soni and I both knew God was directing us in a new direction, but we were not sure where this would be. In 2011, we had similar dreams about taking care of sheep and cattle. We were open to God and let him direct us.

When we started fellowshipping at The Salvation Army we felt we were on the right track. After praying about our future, we applied to become Salvation Army officers. It was exciting to receive the news that we are accepted for training. We are ready for the next step and are following God’s leading with open minds and hearts.

Following the Call An officer is a senior soldier who has responded to a calling from God to devote all their time and energies to the service of God.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST Speak to your local Divisional Candidates Secretary or talk to your corps officer.

Go to www salvationarmy.org.nz/officership for more info

Mission Matters | 21

BY INGRID BARRATT

Would Catherine Booth Have Been a Suffragette?

The new movie Suffragette challenges us to look at the unseen injustices of today, and question whether we are on the right side of history.

The audience burst into spontaneous applause as the credits rolled to the movie Suffragette and New Zealand’s name appeared first on the list of countries that had given women the vote. Since we’re not a whoopin’ and a hollerin’ culture, this hints at the depth of pride we take from being the first country in the world to give women the vote.

It struck me at that moment: people want to be on the right side of history.

What if I was one of the naysayers of history, I thought. Sadly, as Christians, we often fall into this trap.

I did not grow up in a feminist household. In fact, I grew up in a conservative church that didn’t believe women should speak. Despite this, the suffragettes were my first real heroes. When I was 11, our (male) teacher gave all the girls in our class a novel about the British suffragettes to read (no, the boys didn’t have to read it, but it was the ’80s, so still an inspired move). I was totally riveted by the tales of women going on hunger strikes, chaining themselves to fences and, in one case, even dying for their cause. I always remembered the name of suffrage leader Emmeline Pankhurst … even as it faded against Princess Di and Madonna.

You can teach a girl not to fight, but you can’t take the fight out of the girl. Even if you have been steeped in the art of submission, there is something so completely irresistible about a just cause that it makes you want to rise up like an avenging angel.

It’s so easy to look back a hundred years and say, ‘Yeah, of course I would have fought that cause.’ Yet there are many injustices happening right now, before our very eyes, and it begs the question: am I on the right side of history? Who needs an avenging angel at this particular moment in time?

The Salvation Army was founded in 1846, just a few years after a law was passed that banned women from voting in the UK. Both movements seem so compatible it’s strange to think that the powerhouse that was Catherine Booth would never have had the right to vote. It’s impossible to say whether Catherine would have been a suffragette. But equally impossible to think that she would not have been.

Both causes were deeply entrenched in social justice. The movie’s main character, Maud Watts, has worked in an East London laundry

Am I on the right side of history?

Who needs an avenging angel at this particular moment in time? since she was seven. Her mother died from scalding water at the laundry, and Maud herself is covered in scars from the boiling water.

The film hints at a relationship of abuse with her boss—one she has no power to stop, since all the shame and consequence is on her. At one point in the film, Maud saves a young girl from a similar fate.

It reminded me of the young Salvation Army’s campaign against under-age prostitutes and the dire conditions in match factories. In New Zealand, the links were even closer. Our beloved Kate Shepherd became the leader of the suffrage movement because she wanted the prohibition of alcohol.

One hundred and fifty years later we can rightly be proud of The Salvation Army’s place in history—its compassion for the alcoholic and drug addict, and its care for the poor. But just as in the Booth’s day, Christianity tends towards conservatism—and we have now become part of the ‘establishment’. We enjoy a status quo that can blind us to injustices happening before our very eyes. Are we still radical enough to stand up for what’s right, even at the risk of being ostracised by our peers?

Each one of us is tainted by the injustices that surrounds us—the destruction of our planet, the exclusion of the LGBTIQ community, the idolisation of the body beautiful, the denial of spirituality, the tendency to put money before people … to name a few. But we all have a call to justice within us—it is the Holy Spirit.

The heart of our Christian faith is that we bring redemption to broken places. The Salvation Army is still doing that so well in the areas of addiction and social services. But the justice that the Spirit is calling you towards is your own, and will not look like anyone else’s.

Don’t stifle that call to justice. Let us be able to say with Paul: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7). Let us be on the right side of history!

22 | WarCry 23 January 2016

Recovery Camp

CALENDAR JANUARY 21–28: ‘The Summit’ Adventure / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 25: Wellington Anniversary FEBRUARY 1: Auckland Anniversary 2–3: Youth Work Training Development / Territorial Headquarters 3–4: University of Otago and Salvation Army Colloquium / Dunedin 6–8: Brass Academy Camp & NYB Annual Rehearsal / Silverstream Retreat 6: Waitangi Day 8: Waitangi Day Holiday 9: Divisional Secretaries for Community Ministries Planning Day 9–10: Personnel Conference 12–14: Whangarei Recovery Church 20th Anniversary Camp 15–16: Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Service Retreat 15–17: Officers Pre-Retirement Seminar / Fiji Division 15–18: Summer Councils / Southern Division 17: State of the Nation Launch 19–21: Fathers and Kids Weekend / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 20–21: Westgate Corps 20th Anniversary 25–26: Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Service Leaders Workshops 26–28: Cabinet Retreat 27: Foundations of Youth Work Training / Northern Division 28: Pre-School Ministry Conference / Northern Division 28: Welcome to New Officers / Northern Division 29–1 March: Officers Councils / Northern Division

Celebrating 20 Years of Recovery in Whangarei 12 to 14 February, Mt Manaia, Whangarei Heads With Commissioners Alistair & Astrid Herring and Captains Beryl & John Billington $40 (covers food and accommodation), children free.

For more information or to register, contact Gary Codlin—p: 027 600 4273 or e: gary_codlin@nzf.salvationarmy.org

2016 Study Scholarships The Salvation Army’s Strategic Mission Fund supports leadership development and mission. Three academic scholarships are available of $3000 a year for full-time students for each year of study, with five scholarships a year for part-time students.

Applications close on 20 February.

For more information email bcm@nzf.salvationarmy.org or talk to your corps officer (who will need to endorse your application).

MARCH 1–3: Officers Pre-retirement Seminar / Booth College of Mission 2: Spiritual Day / Booth College of Mission 4: World Day of Prayer 5: Moral and Social Issues Council / Territorial Headquarters 5: Junior Soldiers Big Day Out / Northern Division 5–6: SpiritSong at New Lynn Corps 6: New Zealand Children’s Day

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 30 January: Safe to Serve Training 4 February: University of Otago and Salvation Army Colloquium,BCM (TC) 15 February: Southern Division Summer Councils 17 February: State of the Nation Launch (TC) 20–21 February: Westgate Corps 20th Celebrations 25 February: National Church Unity Meeting (TC) 26-29 February: Cabinet Retreat 6 March: Waihi Corps 7 March: Midland Division Retired Officers Gathering 11-12 March: Territorial Executive Council 13 March: Welcome, Messengers of the Gospel Ngā Kārere o te Rongopai Session Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 29–31 January: Invercargill Leadership Retreat 17 February: State of the Nation Launch 26–29 February: Cabinet Retreat

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Miramar, Mosgiel, Mount Maunganui, Mt Albert, Nadi and Napier Corps, Blue Mountain Adventure Centre, The Salvation Army in Japan.

INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE? Reports, articles and Salvation Army government submissions:

www salvationarmy.org.nz/socialpolicy

LIKE US facebook.com/salvationarmyNZFijiTonga FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @salvationarmynz

Thought Matters 2016: Rediscovering Salvation 14–16 October / Melbourne, Australia

Thought Matters is an annual conference organised by The Salvation Army Tri-Territorial Theological Forum (TTTF), which exists to support theological discussion that informs ministry practice. The TTTF is made up of representatives from the Australia Eastern, Australia Southern and New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga territories.

The 2016 Thought Matters conference topic is ‘Rediscovering Salvation: New Creation and an Abundant Gospel’. This topic provides an opportunity for delegates to explore salvation in a broad context. Its subtitle raises issues related to the breadth of salvation and its implications for new creation in multiple forms (ecologically, structurally for society, temporally and spiritually for the individual). It also considers what the concept of ‘abundance’ might mean, perhaps highlighting that Christians have often individualised and spiritualised notions of salvation.

What would a fuller concept of salvation look like? Start thinking of potential papers now!

To stay up to date—including the deadline for paper ideas—follow Thought Matters on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThoughtMatters

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

Fun4Kids | 23

code breaker

Clue: Philippians 4:4 (NIRV) Use the key to work out what the rest of the sentence says. Each picture represents one letter.

a lways be jo y f u l because you belong to t he lord. i w i ll say it aga in. be joyf u l!

A B C D

E

Can y ou sp differeot 8 nces?

F GH I J K LMN O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Make a Face You’ll Need: one dice, plus paper and a pencil.

EYES

HAIR/ NOSE MOUTH FACIAL HAIR

1. On your first roll, draw the head that matches the number you roll.

Draw the head large enough to fit eyes, a nose, a mouth and some hair.

2. Roll again to find out what eyes your person will have. Copy those eyes into the head you have already drawn.

3. Roll again to add a nose, a mouth and hair.

How weird does your face look?!

read it ‘… Some people came to Jesus and asked him, “Why is it that the disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yours do not? …’ Mark 2:18–21 (GNT)

let’s talk

The religious leaders in Jesus’ time used to ‘fast’ for two days each week. This was a time when they would go without food to help them focus more on God. Some of them would wear serious or even sad faces during this time, so everyone would know they were fasting.

But Jesus’ disciples did not fast.

Instead, they ate joyfully together because they knew that Jesus, God’s son, was with them every day.

People today sometimes complain that Christians don’t seem very happy. But people in Jesus’ time complained that Jesus’ disciples seemed TOO HAPPY. Wouldn’t it be great if people noticed how happy you are and asked you why … and then you could tell them about your friend Jesus?

let’s pray Dear Jesus, I want to be someone who shows people how happy life is when we are your friend. Thank you for the many good things in my life. Help me to be joyful this year. Amen.

We who have seen the

light of Christ are obliged,

by the greatness of the grace that has been

given to us,

to make known the presence of the Saviour to the ends of the earth … not only by preaching the glad tidings of His

coming,

revealing Him in our lives …

but above all by

Every day of our mortal lives must be His manifestation divine Epiphany, in the world which He created and redeemed.

His

THOMAS MERTON ( 1915–1968 )