25 June 2016 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION | 25 June 2016 | Issue 6645 | $1.50

BIBLE VERSES WE WISH DIDN’T EXIST GET INVOLVED WITH DRY JULY CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN TONGA FIREZONE: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? SALVATION ARMY HELPS IN ORLANDO

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Kia ora Car crash and calling 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, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Martin Barratt (movie reviewer) PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford COVER

AJ Johnston 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

Recently, my friend Jenny and I were travelling along a dark 70 km road, when a car from a 100 km zone—with no lights —hit an island in the middle of the road. I looked in my rear view mirror just as the car smashed into the vehicle behind us.

We quickly stopped, put on our hazard lights and raced to help.

Jenny, a nurse, went straight into ‘nurse mode’. It was incredible to watch her work with the serioulsy injured occupants of one car. I made myself useful by checking on the people who’d been hit and ringing 111. Eventually, when those hurt were taken away by ambulance and the police had taken our statements, it started to sink in just how close we had come to injury.

While that situation is not something anyone wants to find themselves in, Jenny was in her element. It turns outs being a nurse is all she’s ever wanted to be. You might even say she feels called to be a nurse. Now, I’m okay with the sight of blood, and I can give CPR to a first aid dummy with the best of them. But I am definitely not called to be in the medical profession.

What is it about certain occupations or vocations that draw some people and not others? Does every occupation have a ‘type’? I will never understand wanting to be a dentist, for example—but my friend Kimbo has wanted to be one for as long as I’ve known her.

I’ve decided that sometimes people feel strongly called to an occupation. Sometimes people do something and then discover they love it—even though is was never on their radar.

I’ve been reflecting on officership lately in preparation for this year’s Candidates Sunday, and for me it is both a calling and a discovery. I felt called, and along the way, I’ve discovered things I love that I would never imagined I’d have been any good at. God doesn’t call us because we are capable; rather, God gives us the capacity for the work we do if we are willing to say ‘yes’.

BIBLE VERSE

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

salvationarmy.org.nz

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‘My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.’

Karatia 5:13

‘Kua karangatia nei hoki koutou, e ōku tēina, ki te tikanga herekore; kaua ia tā koutou tikanga herekore e waiho hei whakaoho i te kikokiko, engari me mahi koutou tētahi ki tētahi i runga i te aroha.’

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6645

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Galatians 5:13 Contemporary English Version

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Shar Davis

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WISE WORDS

Christians cannot get beyond the first word of the Lord’s Prayer without sensing a stirring of soul to report for duty to help a neighbour in need. God is our Father, as well as my Father.

Clarence Wiseman A Burning in My Bones

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Let’s Talk | 03

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

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Photography: Bruce Millar

ext weekend, The Salvation Army will celebrate 30 years of being in Tonga. Along with marking history, Regional Commander Captain Sila Siufanga says they will also be marking a new and exciting phase for the future of the Army in Tonga.

The Army has faced challenges establishing itself in Tonga, finding a place as the new denomination in a country where other traditional churches have deep roots in society—stretching back to the arrival of Christianity in 1826—and where Tongan culture and customs such as kava drinking have even deeper roots and significance, Sila says. But in 30 years it has established strong foundations.

The Army has built up four corps (churches) and two corps plants running men’s, women’s, youth and children’s programmes. It has also run a variety of social service programmes starting with fishing and farming, through to medical care, and on to today’s community ministries work with food parcels and emergency support.

It established the first addiction treatment centre in the Pacific Islands. The centre is the most high-profile part of the Army’s work in Tonga, having a significant impact, and is highly respected, Sila says.

The Army in Tonga also runs two popular and well regarded kindergartens and has received strong support from the Tongan royal family, Ministry of Education and from other countries through Salvation Army child sponsorship.

Almost 200 Tongan children are supported through the Cherish a Child sponsorship programme, and a large number will parade with The Salvation Army during a public march of witness to open its 30-year celebrations, which will be a great showcase of the Army’s impact in Tonga, Sila says.

During the celebrations 27 junior soldiers and 33 senior soldiers, mostly youth, will be enrolled. These are an example of the new future for The Salvation Army in Tonga that will come from investing in children and youth.

Sila and his wife, Regional Director of Women’s Ministries Captain Malia Siufanga, are the first Tongans to be regional leaders in the country. That has been an honour and a privilege for them, and significant for Tongan people, helping them claim further ownership of the church, Sila says.

‘We have a sense of belonging and a sense that we have to play our part as Tongan Salvationists. Before, the mentality has been that this is a Pālagi (European) church.

Now, people see it’s Tongans leading the Tongan church.’

The theme of the 30 year celebrations is ‘Arise’, taken from the verse Isaiah 60:1: ‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.’

And with the foundations of the past in place, Sila says the Tongan Salvation Army is ready to arise, and make new strides in its ministry, following the footsteps of Jesus, Joseph and David who all began the main part of their ministry at 30.

‘We’ve reached our 30 years and we’re still young, but it’s time for action! We may be small in number, but with God we can do mighty things in Tonga and we need to rise up now. So, it’s all action packed from here.’

04 WarCry 25 June 2016

Bookshelf Art Blessings of the Righteous Jo Brookshaw With the rise in popularity of adult colouring books it’s lovely to see Jo Brookshaw’s offering. An officer with a background in graphic design, Jo brings both her artistic skill and her faith to the pages as she invites the reader/colourer on a journey through Psalm 112. The design on each page is inspired by a verse in the psalm. On the adjacent page are thoughts to help you mediate on the words and connect with God deeper. In this way, colouring becomes a wonderful, contemplative experience. As Jo suggests, ‘grab your colouring weapon of choice, find a peaceful space, quiet your heart and begin with a prayer’. (Salvo Publishing)

Playlist

Christian Living Re-Jesus Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch At some stage, almost every Christian will become disillusioned about the injustices people do in the name of Jesus. This book examines this painful reality, and even goes as far as claiming that growing up in Christian churches may teach us how not to follow Jesus. But the authors offer an antedote: refocusing on the real Jesus. Although the ‘radical Jesus’ model has become a sub-genre in itself, the authors offer a fresh and authentic perspective, reclaiming the humanity of Jesus, and laying out a radical alternative to what is so often called ‘Christian living’, examining what it means to live like Christ. (Hendrickson Publishers)

Christian Living Out of Sorts Sarah Bessey Popular blogger and author of Jesus Feminist, Sarah Bessey’s latest offering is an invitation to ask some tough questions. Who is Jesus?

How can we disagree and remain within a community? What place does the church have in our lives?

How do we love the Bible for what it is rather than what we want it to be? It is a perfect mix of challenge and encouragement, written with a real sense of honest reflection that helps us to become as secure in our uncertainty as we are when we have solid answers. It is possible to make peace with an evolving faith.

(Howard Books)

Reel News Men’s Ministry Men’s Series Review Olive Tree Media Does your church struggle to attract men? Are men sitting on your seats but unengaged? Are your men keen to get together for more than just rugby games or golf? Despite a large proportion of church leadership being male, men are generally in the minority within the local church. If you are trying to address this issue, Men’s Series could be the tool you’re missing from your Men’s Ministry toolbox.

Men’s Series, hosted by Karl Faase and Al Stewart, is a superb 12-episode series. Filmed before a live studio audience, each episode covers a specific theme and has the same essential elements: an interview with an expert, question and answer time with the audience, a teaching segment, music performance and poetry by Cameron Semmens.

‘We don’t believe men are disinterested in issues of faith, rather we believe they are disengaged from the church,’ say the creators.

So who exactly are Karl Faase and Al Stewart?

Karl Faase is a well-known Australian Christian communicator, media presenter, leader and social commentator. He is CEO of Olive Tree Media. The Rt Rev Al Stewart was recently appointed Bishop of Wollongong within the Diocese of Sydney. Al trained at Moore Theological College and was CEO of Anglican Youthworks.

The topics covered are marriage, parenting, faith, sex and pornography, depression and anxiety, midlife, mates, money and generosity, health, work, finding your passion.

This two DVD series with discussion guide can be used for individual study or we would recommend as the curriculum for a small group or men’s breakfast gathering.

GIVEAWAY To win a copy of Blessings of the Righteous, tell us when God blessed you through another person.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 11 July.

Thriller Money Monster Director: Jodie Foster / M (Offensive language & violence) A gripping thriller following a popular TV financial reporter Lee Gates, who is taken hostage, live on air, by an irate investor who has lost all his money.

One day, Lee endorses a hedge fund company as a ‘sure bet’, encouraging viewers to invest in it. The firm suddenly loses $800 million, taking down the life savings of many ordinary people.

One of the victims, Kyle Budwell, breaks onto the set and holds Lee at gunpoint on live TV, making him wear a suicide-bomber vest, and demanding he apologise and give an explanation to all the ordinary people that have been financially ruined.

Kyle blames Lee, Wall Street, the government, and the rapacious American financial system in general. Soon, Lee’s set becomes a reality-TV exercise in fear, suspense and investigative journalism, as Lee’s colleagues delve into the real story behind the hedge-fund fiasco.

The film delivers a satire of celebrity and social-media culture, in which the darkest moments are among both the film’s and George Clooney’s best as Gates. Forced into direct contact with his audience in entirely new ways, Gates faces the limits of his own popularity.

Money Monster looks for the human wreckage left by a blind profit motive. But it’s intelligent enough to note that most tragedies only have a lasting impact on people who experience them personally. It shows that wrongdoing is a simple matter of flesh-and-blood people committing fraud, lying and breaking the law in a way that everyone can understand and do something about.

War Cry does not endorse or condone all the content in the films, albums and books we review. Our reviewers endeavour to inform readers of helpful and harmful components of the items under review.

Feature | 05

A few years ago, Beany Cho was an awardwinning bartender with dreams of owning his own bar. Today, Cadet Beany is studying to become a Salvation Army officer, in his first year at Booth College of Mission. He’s been given a completely new dream, and a brand new future.

Photography: AJ Johnston

06 | WarCry 25 June 2016

orn in South Korea to a Buddhist family, Beany never really fitted in with his own culture. He went to a prestigious private school, where standard working hours were from 7 am to 11 pm, going to school seven days a week—something that Beany points out is actually illegal … but still expected.

Beany gave himself his English name after looking up the word in the dictionary and discovering it means ‘spirited’. It’s a mirror to Beany’s lively, at times unconventional, personality.

At school, Beany was sporty, but rebelled against the schooling system. To let off steam, he began drinking alcohol at the age of 13.

Although South Korea has a fairly even split between the Christian and Buddhist religions, Beany prided himself on his rational mind and describes himself as ‘persecuting the Christians, like Saul, because I saw them as hypocritical’.

But the door to faith in Jesus was opened by a Christian girl Beany was trying to impress. He went along to church with her family, and recalls, ‘I was sitting there ready to criticise what the pastor said, but I enjoyed it, and I couldn’t explain it by rational thinking. That was the first day of my life.’

Meanwhile, Beany had found his place in the hospitality industry as a bartender, winning competitions with his ‘flair’—the art of flipping bottles while mixing drinks.

The night life It was then that Beany found himself half a world away, in New Zealand, where he dreamed of a change of pace and lifestyle. But in the Kiwi hospitality industry the motto ‘work hard, play hard’ still rang true. Beany had stopped going to church, immersing himself in bar culture—he came third in a national bartending competition, winning regional competitions for his flair.

But Beany didn’t like the person he was becoming. ‘I was arrogant, mean. I was an alcoholic who drank every day. I stole and I cheated on someone who loved me,’ he admits. ‘I thought stealing from my workplace was fair because I didn’t think I was paid enough, so I topped it up from the till. I set my own moral standards, because I was arrogant.’

It was one fleeting moment that changed the course of Beany’s life. When he was dropping his car off at a workshop, a young girl nudged her dad and pointed over to Beany. The man came over and gave Beany a newsletter from The Salvation Army Auckland City Korean Corps (church). Beany put the flyer in his glove box and promptly forgot about it.

But one Sunday, Beany found himself with a rare day off. ‘I had worked Sundays all my life, so I didn’t know what to do with myself. I thought I would go to church. I remembered the flyer and discovered the corps was really close to my house, so that’s how I started going to church.’

He was a ‘church-goer’ for two years, but kept a list in his mind of things he couldn’t believe—‘At the top of my list was the existence of God. Could I really believe that God existed?’ reflects Beany.

God is real But a series of seemingly unrelated events began to take place, in which God was conspiring to show Beany that he was real. And that he wanted to be real in Beany’s life.

Alcohol had taken hold of Beany, putting a huge strain on his relationship with his girlfriend at that time. So Beany promised that he would stop drinking for a year. But, with a newly cleared head, Beany began to see that his life was falling apart. ‘I lost my

job, I lost my visa and I had no money—even for groceries or rent.

I was so desperate.

‘All the time I had been going to church, I had heard that if you repent, God will forgive you. I realised the situation I was in was a result of the life I had been living.’

Early the next morning, he went to the Korean prayer service—which starts at 5:30 am. ‘I started to pray, for two hours, three hours. I kept praying and praying, and I felt a gleam of light on my back. At that point, I sensed God was there with me. God told me, “Whatever you did, and whoever you are, I still love you.

I love you, Beany. I love you, Beany.” I started speaking in tongues and couldn’t stop for half an hour.’

He finally knew without a doubt that God was real. And that God loved him. ‘After that I was changed. It wasn’t that I changed, it was that I was changed completely by God.’

I know that if I had continued with my old life, I would be dead by now. It’s by total grace that I am here.

The real life Without his even realising, God had already been helping Beany to stop drinking. Now Beany knew he had to take the next step, and stop selling liquor to others—but it meant leaving behind everything he knew.

Beany gave up his new, high-ranking job running a bar. And he became a regular at the early morning prayer meeting. ‘I was thankful to God. I was changed a lot by the Holy Spirit, and I was so thankful that God loved me as I was. And I found myself committing my life to [Salvation Army] officership. I no longer wanted to live for myself, but for Christ alone,’ says Beany, recalling 2 Corinthians 5:15, which has become his life verse.

With Beany’s change of lifestyle, things started to get better.

He began saving to buy his own restaurant, and was accepted to study theology at Auckland University. Beany felt his life was on the right track. ‘Basically, I forgot about my officer calling,’ says Beany honestly.

He may have forgotten, but God hadn’t. At a meeting with the Auckland City Korean corps officer (pastor), Beany sensed God was nudging him towards another vision for his life. But Beany didn’t want to give up his dreams for a second time. ‘I started to pray for my vision, and I committed to praying for 40 days. If I was going to become an officer, I wanted a really big calling.’

He went to church each morning and prayed, ‘God, give me a big calling.’ God gave him several confirmations, but Beany replied to God, ‘That’s not enough. I want more!’

One Sunday, the assistant candidates secretary was visiting Auckland City Korean Corps and Beany was asked to come up the front and pray for him before the message. ‘I still hadn’t felt the calling. But as I prayed, I had a vision that the officer was waving at me and calling me up to the pulpit, and I sensed that was God. ‘It’s hard to explain God’s presence logically, but I had a strong assurance that God was calling me.’

Everyone’s experience of being called to officership is different, explains Beany—‘But we are still fragile human beings, and I felt that if I didn’t have a strong calling I would give up when it got hard.’

He was accepted to train at The Salvation Army’s Booth College

Feature | 07

of Mission in Upper Hutt. But God still had to show Beany just how fragile he really was.

What happened, God? After two years sober, and with officership firmly in his sights, Beany returned to Korea for a visit. He wanted to show his family just how much he had changed. ‘And not a joke, as soon as I got there, I picked up all the bad character traits I thought I had thrown away. I was hot tempered and swore. As soon as I got to Korea I forgot to pray,’ says Beany humbly. ‘After a week, I cried out to God, “What happened?” I have a big call to officership and look what I’ve done.’

But even in this, God was sovereign. ‘There was a reason, and it was that God showed me that he wanted to use me, Beany, as I really was. I had wanted to throw out who I was, but God showed me that he wanted to use me. He didn’t want a missionary or a preacher, he wanted me.’

Even today, in the midst of his studies at Booth College of Mission to become a Salvation Army officer, Beany says his ‘biggest fight is always against me’.

‘That’s why I want to encourage others that God will use you for who you are. You can assume you’re not good enough to be an officer, but you will be used as you are. You have strengths, and if you have the right passion and direction, God will equip you.

‘I believe every officer should be their true self—and that’s a journey that doesn’t end. We struggle with our weaknesses, but we pray, and we overcome.’

The journey continues …

Just days before entering training as a cadet, Beany was reminded again that ‘taking up his cross’ for the sake of Christ would require all of him. ‘Just before I entered college I saw my old house being renovated, and it came flooding back to me that owning my own home and renovating it had always been my dream,’ he remembers.

‘But God said to me, “I sacrificed myself for you.” Compared to his sacrifice, those dreams are nothing.’

At 38, Beany has placed his singleness in God’s hands to fulfil his calling. And God has replaced old dreams with new: ‘I know that if I had continued with my old life, I would be dead by now. It’s by total grace that I am here. God has given me a second chance at life, and I am following his way. Today, that’s who I am.’

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. The road can be hard, but it brings incredible joy and immense fulfilment.

What does it take to be an officer?

An officer promises to live to win souls; to care for the poor and feed the hungry; love the unlovable and befriend the friendless.

They are asked to exercise a particular kind of leadership within The Salvation Army—so what kind of qualities does it take?

That’s a tough one: we have and we need officers of all kinds of backgrounds, personalities, skills and interests. But here are a few ideas on common qualities in effective officers: ΕΕ a willingness to give your life to serving God ΕΕ flexibility—the life of an officer is full of variety and the unexpected ΕΕ a sense of humour (trust me on this one) ΕΕ compassion—an officer will encounter people in the midst of deep hurt and profound need ΕΕ humility—it’s not about you! ΕΕ the ability to use your time wisely ΕΕ an open mind, a generous heart and a bold imagination ΕΕ a willingness to stand up against injustice and for what’s right—especially when it’s hard ΕΕ availability to go where you’re sent and love the people you find there ΕΕ the ability to see the good in others even when they don’t see it in themselves ΕΕ being prepared to shift when you’re shown a better way —and to look for the input and involvement of those you lead, rather than doing it all yourself.

Is there more? Of course! Good, godly, faithful, resilient … we don’t need perfect people, but we do need people of capacity to inspire, lead and serve as officers. Might that include you?

What does it mean to be called?

‘Not called, did you say? Not heard the call, I think you should say.’—William Booth Let’s get one thing clear: when Booth wrote these words, he wasn’t referring to officership. He was speaking of God’s call for every believer to proclaim and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you sing in the worship team, help in the kitchen, support the home league, or join in outreach to the homeless, you are called to embody the good news that Christ came to set people free to live lives of holy love and purpose.

That being said, we often use the language of ‘calling’ about officership because it is a specific calling from God to become available wherever and whenever to lead mission that builds the kingdom of God through The Salvation Army. For some, it comes as a clear and unmistakable message; for others, as a growing awareness that nothing else seems to quite ‘fit’. Chances are, God will tailor his call to you to fit who you are.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

If you feel God is asking you to consider making yourself available for training as an Army officer—or even if you just wonder if that might be the case—talk to your corps officer, or find out who your Divisional Candidates Secretary is and let them know you’re interested in more information.

Speak to your local Divisional Candidates Secretary or talk to your corps officer. The application process that follows gives time and space for God’s will to be tested and confirmed.

And whatever God’s calling you to—officership, or getting more involved with your corps, or bringing grace into the lives of your workmates or your neighbours—make sure you answer!

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

Captain Ian Gainsford, Principal, Booth College of Mission

08 | WarCry 25 June 2016

BUDGET

HEALTH

Non-Toys to Blow Kids’ Minds

Dry July

Lucy Aitken Read, of Wonderthrift and Lulastic blog sites, asked the question: ‘What is the best non-toy present you ever received as a kid, or have given a kid?’ The answers were imaginative, thrifty and full of fun.

This July, thousands of people have pledged to give up alcohol to raise funds for cancer patients.

Kids need to be useful. Exactly like adults! They love to be taken seriously, and to be able to truly, genuinely help and build. So here’s a few, insanely fun, non-toy gift ideas from readers: • Proper hammer and nails. Throw in some wheels and planks and they’ll be set for days.

• A greenhouse. A reader says, ‘When I was nine I got a greenhouse. To this day it is still my best Christmas present ever, as I spent hours with my grandad learning how to grow food.’

• Cress seeds. Even very young children can help grow them. Make a ‘head’ to grow them in so it looks like hair!

• A survival kit. This was a massive hit for one six-year-old: good rope, pegs and a tarpaulin for den making, camo paint, a good torch.

• Baking equipment. One reader received a sieve when she was young and it was her favourite present ever! Another mum gave a bag filled with ingredients, cookie cutters and a recipe—it was a huge hit.

• Kitchen basics. One reader gave her young son a peeler with a big handle, as he loves helping in the kitchen.

• Something to pull apart. Give them an old typewriter and a screw driver, so your child can pull it apart and explore its inner workings.

• A box. This was the third best gift, suggested by over 30 people! The best explanation comes from reader, Clare: ‘The best “present” I ever got was a great big cardboard box. I made it into a house and played in it for years. My mum made curtains for it and they never complained about the tatty old box.’

• A subscription to a magazine such as National Geographic. ‘I always felt very grown up and acknowledged when I read them,’ says one reader.

• A box of tissues. A brilliant idea for a baby—entirely theirs to pull out. www.lulastic.co.uk

Dry July is just a few days away, where people pledge to give up alcohol for a month, and get sponsorship to raise funds for cancer patients. It’s a positive message that by helping your own health, you can help the health of others too.

So far, almost 3000 people have signed up to Dry July, and over $112,660 has already been raised across Australia and New Zealand. All the funds raised go directly to helping people affected by cancer, by providing additional support such as wig libraries, complementary therapies, accommodation, wi-fi access, and other services that help reduce patient anxiety.

Dry July has many benefits for participants too—you’ll save money and clear your head. You may even sleep better, lose weight and improve your health. It’s also a good opportunity to take a break and think about whether you’re happy with your drinking habits.

For Salvation Army soldiers—who pledge not to drink alcohol—the idea of not drinking alcohol for a month might seem like no big deal. But for many people it is a big deal—it can feel quite daunting, and even scary.

That’s why the Salvation Army Bridge, a service that provides help for alcohol and drug use, is getting behind the campaign. If you feel like you would like to stop drinking for a bit, this is a great opportunity to do something positive for yourself—and help others at the same time.

Bridge is a world-class programme that can help you evaluate your drinking and drug use, and explore ways that you can get things under control. If you find yourself struggling with Dry July, don’t give up, contact the Bridge for help.

If you make it through Dry July—congratulations! But if you don’t want to go back to old drinking habits, and need some help forming new ones, the Bridge can help with that as well.

For more info go to www salvationarmy.org.nz/bridge To sign up for Dry July go to www dryjuly.com

Oriental Braised Chicken A quick, tasty alternative to roast chicken. Great with coconut rice and Asianstyle veges | Serves 4 4 whole (thigh and drumstick) chicken legs 2 cloves garlic (crushed, peeled and chopped) 1cm piece of ginger (peeled and grated) ½ cup dark soy sauce 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 Tbsp orange juice 1 Tbsp sesame oil 1 tsp cornflour 1 dried chilli 2 whole star anise

Make 3–4 deep (to the bone) slashes across each of the chicken legs, then arrange in a casserole dish just big enough to hold them in a single layer. (Non-stick spray makes cleaning up easier.)

Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken.

Turn pieces several times until well coated, then leave to stand for 10–15 mins while oven heats to 180˚C. Arrange legs skin-side down, then cover casserole and bake for 20 mins, then uncover. Turn chicken skin-side up, and bake for a further 20 mins until glossy and brown.

From 100 Favourite Ways with Chicken by Simon and Alison Holst www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A Single and ‘Desperate’?

I’m a Christian, single woman in my forties. How can I stay open to love without being seen as ‘desperate’?

Thank you for bringing up an issue that is so common, but rarely brought out into the open. One woman in her 30s, who worked in a church office, confided in her pastor that she would love to meet someone. Later, her male colleague told her that the pastor had taken him aside and told him to ‘be careful’ because she was ‘vulnerable and desperate’. What an ugly label, and what a careless misunderstanding of a genuine, and very valid, struggle.

Firstly, don’t wear the labels that other people give you. ‘Single’ is neither good nor bad, so you need not wear it as a label. God sees your singleness as a gift. And being open to love does not make you ‘desperate’.

But people often cope with the disappointment of not having a mate in two ways: we become independent and put up protective walls around us. Or we become consumed with the need to meet someone. Both of these extremes are ways of controlling disappointment.

Maybe—and this is only a maybe —other people have noticed that you have become over-focused on meeting someone … but there is a better, more peaceful way to navigate singleness.

Be open with God, and with a few, trusted others, about your disappointment. When we’re young, we think life can be controlled.

As we get older, we discover that control is just an illusion. You will experience feelings of grief and loss as you acknowledge that you cannot control your singleness.

But, ultimately, this will lead you to a place where you can surrender the next part of your life to God. What surprises does he have for you? What other, unexpected paths might he lead you down?. There is incredible freedom in letting go of expectations, and opening yourself up to the world of possibilities God has for you.

Focus on fulfilling your potential in God—and as you do so, be open to men who see your potential as well.

Testify Seeing lives changed, making tough calls and knowing who you are in Christ, is all in a day’s work for a Salvation Army officer, says Nathan Holt.

My parents and family raised me to carry faith in God. I grew up in The Salvation Army, becoming a soldier at age 14. I went through the typical teenage rebellion and ‘crisis of faith’ kind of thing. I questioned a lot of things and didn’t really live like I was following Jesus.

When I was 20, I really started to dig into my Bible and that was what changed my faith. I spent two years exclusively studying the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). I found it impossible to ignore Jesus’ teaching on mission and loving people. The Salvation Army spirit is that of mission and a love for people.

In our two and a half years of officership, my wife Naomi and I have had the privilege of planting a Salvation Army corps (church) in Rolleston, Christchurch. This has been, and continues to be, a great adventure. It’s fulfilling seeing people come to grips (all at their own pace) with what it means to be loved by God, called by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

There have been young people who have finally found a place to ask questions, young adults who have finally found mission and purpose, young families who have finally found freedom from religious obligation, and others who have finally found a place to call ‘family’ where they are accepted and cared for ... that kind of thing never gets old. We get

to see it a lot.

My role as an officer has given me the opportunity to speak into many local issues in Rolleston. I am able to represent the voice of the people in local government, on social issues, on boards and in meetings that most people wouldn’t be privileged to be a part of.

The greatest challenge of being an officer, I feel, is accepting the responsibilities of being a leader.

The challenges that exist within that sphere are almost endless.

Officers have to make some tough calls. Officers have to make decisions that impact entire groups of people. Officers have to decide every day who they are going to stand for and how they are going to do it. These moments are always challenging. I have to know what Jesus has called me to do every day. That’s the only thing that works for me.

To be an officer, I would say that you first need to know what God has called you to do. Then do it. Find what breaks your heart, and then use what you love to conquer that heartbreak. If you know your calling and know what you are meant to do for God, ask yourself this question: ‘Will being an officer help or hinder my ministry?’

Then you’ll have your answer.

Officership is leadership. It is about representing a movement.

You lose yourself. You wear the

uniform. You work tirelessly with and for people, with and for the community, with and for the people you interact with.

Helping people is what every person who proclaims Christ as their Saviour should make a part of their everyday life.

I don’t think that the Bible reads any other way. Do ministry, as defined by Jesus in the gospels.

Do it in a way that is natural to you. That is the call of every person. Helping people is not an officer’s duty. It is a Christian duty.

Find what breaks your heart, and then use what you love to conquer that heartbreak.

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10 | WarCry 25 June 2016

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Pants Truth Foe Opportunities Conduct Used for measuring Cutting weapons Begins Governmental Less than zero Equivalent words Strong feeling Calls in on someone The deepest parts Between red and blue Overcome by sudden fear

QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5

What animal was introduced to NZ in 1837 to establish a fur trade?

Who built Thornbury Castle, before being executed for treason?

What is a polydactyl?

What country was margarine invented in and when?

Who rolled back the stone from Jesus’ tomb?

Bible Verses We Wish Didn’t Exist We begin an occasional series, tackling some of the Bible’s most difficult verses—the ones we often pretend don’t exist. In this issue, we asked six of The Salvation Army’s most intrepid thinkers and theologians to reflect on Isaiah 45:7: ‘I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

Harold Hill, Retired Officer Does God create disasters? Or prosperity? The writers of the Bible had such an overwhelming sense of God’s sovereignty that they attributed everything that happened to God’s will.

Perhaps for this reason ancient Semitic languages were reluctant to distinguish between ‘purpose’ and ‘result’ in the way we do today—anything that happened must have been intended. But Scripture contains other points of view: biblical writers also recognised people’s freedom to choose, and also that from time to time ‘stuff just happens’. There is a continuum of belief between these extremes of ‘God’s will’ and ‘any other reason’. Some people feel more comfortable at one end of the continuum and some at the other, with still others in the middle. In dealing with what is essentially unknowable, with positions ultimately held by faith (even if arrived at by rational thought), there are no right or wrong answers to this: we live with what makes sense for us.

Over-emphasis on sovereignty makes God appear a disastercausing monster; too much free will and we can become monsters!

We cause enough disasters, but we can also work for prosperity.

The paradox of God’s power and our freedom can be held together in creative tension.

Sue Hay, Missions Director, Addictions Services

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

I love the book of Isaiah. It is the place I turn to for comfort, encouragement and reassurance through promises such as: ‘I am with you … I will help you … do not be afraid’ (Isaiah 41:10–14). Such promises seem to be in stark opposition to the proclamation that God is the source of disaster. To make sense

Close Up | 11

of this I went back to the surrounding verses and looked into their context. I needed to ponder on the words and their original purpose to better understand them. In doing so, I reflected that although we long for a God who allows only good and positive things to happen to us; in reality, life is made up of many diverse healing and painful, enriching and challenging experiences. We cannot have light without darkness, or joy without also knowing deep sorrow and pain. These words are part of a declaration to the Emperor Cyrus, and now to us.

The whole passage is an affirmation that God remains in control as he weaves together the perfect balance of light and dark, positive and negative life experiences. The words remind me to keep trusting God’s sovereignty even when I face seemingly disastrous life experiences.

Ian Gainsford, Principal, Booth College of Mission Is God really saying here that he chooses to enrich some and send disaster to others? Is this the statement of a micro-managing God who blesses or inflicts according to whim? Of course not!

This is the God who, in the face of those who wish to assert their own dominance over the world, who wish to build up their own importance—the false prophets, diviners, and even Cyrus in Isaiah 44 and 45—reminds us that we are not God. Of course, that’s not what is said at all. God never says, ‘you are not’. God says, ‘I am’, as a counter to our repeated attempts to make it ‘all about us’. This is the same reminder God brings to Job at the end of that great and perplexing book: ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

Have you ever given orders to the morning? Can you raise your voice to the clouds?’ (Job 38:4, 12, 34). This is God’s bold claim to be and to do what we are not, and cannot do: be truly free, truly great, truly boundless. The heightened use of metaphor and poetic language in and leading up to this verse are a summons to trust God, be humble before God, acknowledge God as God—not just to see his hand in our personal finances or in natural disaster.

Coralie Bridle, Tri-Territorial Theological Forum In the technologically challenging world of text-messaging, the predictive feature can result in almost as much confusion as ‘predictive-prophecy’ causes for students of the Bible. Isaiah 45:7 is a case in point. If you are looking to this verse for a strictly logical response to the problem of evil in the presence of a supposedly

benevolent God, you may well miss the point. Computer literate people understand the binary nature of computer code. In a similar manner, creation is composed of binary opposites—for example, light and darkness reflecting the physical world, or wellbeing and evil reflecting the ethical world. In the face of Isaiah’s predictive prophecy, that trouble was indeed coming for the Babylonian Empire, this verse affirms that behind such realities is a God whose creative and redemptive will cannot be thwarted, even by evil or calamity.

Emmanuel Levinas speaks in this context of a ‘difficult freedom’ and a ‘difficult adoration’. These are not simplistic matters. However, adult faith and worship acknowledges such realities and recognises that evil, amongst other things, alerts us to the urgency of our ethical responsibilities. I recently purchased a Fitbit, primarily for its vibrating silent alarm—since my effective earplugs, designed to deal with the evil of snoring, have rendered my normal alarm clock redundant.

When I think about Isaiah 45:7, I am reminded that a soul asleep is impervious to the sound of evil. Sometimes we need a different sort of alarm to gain our attention.

Ross Wardle, Director, Heritage Centre and Archives Some verses in the Bible make me uncomfortable. But Isaiah 45:7 is not one of them. The ‘uncomfortable’ verses usually require something of me. I need to forgive when I don’t want to. I need to be patient when I so want to rip into someone! Isaiah 45:7 is actually quite comforting.

It reassures me that someone infinitely more capable than me is running things. It reassures me that the founding Salvation Army leadership didn’t just find our doctrines at the bottom of a packet of ‘Ye Olde Weetbix.’ The second doctrine of The Salvation Army says, ‘We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.’ God takes ultimate responsibility for his creation. We know from the whole Bible that God is love and is a God of mercy, grace, justice and truth. He is not a small boy who pulls the wings off flies for his entertainment. The life he created involves prosperity and disaster, but whether disaster comes from human error or a broken world, God doesn’t cut and run. He takes responsibility for the problem and for its solution.

When was the last time you were asked the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Ever felt like you had no idea how to answer that question? (Apart from the obvious answer of Batman, because who doesn’t want to be Batman?)

When I was younger I wanted to be a bunch of different things, but I really had no set plans. I dreamed of being an actress, a lawyer, a policewoman, an author, a mother, a wife, a journalist, a television presenter and even a nun—in other words, I was open to anything.

I recall the very first time the idea of being a Salvation Army officer entered the mix. It was a Sunday evening meeting at Christchurch City Corps and Major Judith Bennett was preaching.

Judith talked about being an officer and my heart started to beat really fast and I felt kinda weird. My 12-year-old self didn’t know that the ‘kinda weird’ feeling was actually the Holy Spirit. I thought to myself ‘I’ll be an officer one day’, and then didn’t think anything more of it.

COMFORT ZONES Fast forward through dropping out in my last year of high school (basically because I was bored, and had chosen subjects I thought I should do rather than ones I wanted to do). I left school and did an Introduction to Computers course at what would now be known as Education and Employment. I was drifting, still unsure of what I wanted to do, or perhaps stalling having to make a decision. I had a couple of different jobs, went to the Salvation Army’s Camp Connri in America for a summer, came home and tried to figure out what on earth I was doing with my life.

A turning point for me was meeting Major Ivan Bezzant. I first met him when I was on a Divisional Youth Board, and let’s just say I didn’t make a great first impression! I was a girl totally lost in knowing my destiny and identity. But Ivan didn’t write me off, because he saw something more in me.

Ivan and his wife Glenda were the corps officers at Sydenham Corps and I was attending another corps at the time. Ivan planted the seed that while I was quite comfortable at my corps, the opportunities for leadership development might be limited—as it

25 June 2016 WarCry | 13

was evident not everyone shared Ivan’s view of my potential.

I was hungry for God and was prepared to do whatever it took to pursue his presence. So I walked away from the corps with a big thriving youth group, a fantastic worship team singing the latest Hillsong hits, and all my friends, and went to Sydenham.

I recall feeling pretty flat the first few weeks. I was struggling without my friends and the music I was used to. Ivan challenged me that the God Hillsong sings about, is the same God that is spoken of in the Salvation Army song book. If I was struggling to connect with him, it was my issue and not God’s. So I set about trying to reconnect with God outside my comfort zone.

I needed to take a leap of faith with God and trust that whatever he was writing with the story of my life, would be worth it.

This attitude shift has become part of the foundation of my faith. It can be really easy to worship God in the comfort zone of our preference, rather than in the invitation of his presence.

WRESTLING WITH GOD Ivan and Glenda modelled for me what it was to be a disciple of Jesus and how to be led by the Holy Spirit. The seed the Holy Spirit had planted in my life about officership all those years ago began to grow and it scared me.

I found the idea of officership both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I saw so many restrictions, rules and regulations, and limitations. The idea of having no choice about where I would live, who I could marry, and what I would do was pretty scary for someone like me, who hated being labelled, being boxed in and being told what to do.

I wanted to see the world, to have a sense of control over my own destiny and express myself however I chose to—whether that be pajama pants as trousers, piercings, braided hair or driving a beat-up old Ford Anglia with my own graffiti all over it. I didn’t see that these things would be accepted in an officer.

I remember reading through the account of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and how he was wrestling with the future that lay before him. It was a pretty big deal and this decison was going to directly affect the rest of his life.

I had been trying to weigh everything up all at once and it was just too big of a beast. You know the saying the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time? It was time to start biting!

Matthew 16:24–26 really helped me. Verse 25 says, ‘If you try and hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.’

MY OWN GETHSEMANE I felt like God was saying, ‘Forget officership for now, let’s just focus on this one thing.

Would you be willing to give up [insert thing] for me?’ So I went on a journey through my own garden of Gethsemane with God. One by one, my objections, concerns and perceptions about what officership would mean were examined against the backdrop of Gethsemane. And one by one they were laid to rest as I said ‘yes’ to God. This was by no means an easy task. For someone who had wanted to be married by 21 and have at least four kids, the idea that I was severely limiting my chances in the fishing pool of eligible bachelor officers was a big deal.

But at the end of the day, I felt I needed to take a leap of faith with God and trust that whatever he was writing with the story of my life, would be worth it—because he knows me better than I know myself.

Back to the garden. After working through all the things on my list (and a few the Holy Spirit highlighted along the way), I found myself with

While many would say that people need lots of worldly experience before becoming an officer, I would say, go when God says go. nothing left to hold on to. It was at this point that the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want you to be an officer.’ This time, instead of angst or objections and fear, I simply felt peace. It felt like a door had just swung open to a world of new opportunites. I was 22 years old, single, and had no real qualifications to speak of—unless you count being a Subway sandwich artist.

I went into training having just turned 23 years old, and was the youngest in my session by 10 years. College was challenging, rewarding, hard work and so much fun—all contained in a giant fishbowl.

ADVENTURES AS AN OFFICER I was commissioned at 25 years old, and set off on the adventure of my first appointment as the Divisional Assistant with responsibility for Youth and Children. I then moved to Queenstown (heaven on earth), Dunedin City Corps, Grandview Corps, the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, Christchurch City Corps with Street Outreach Services, and Aranui Corps, before moving to Wellington this year to take up an appointment within the communications team at Territorial Headquarters.

As I reflect on the past 17 years of officership, I realise the opportunities that have been given to me are quite incredible. I have been privileged to speak overseas on a number of occasions, to lunch with a prime minister, and to meet and become friends with General Eva Burrows, who mentored and guided me through tricky times.

I got to work with sex workers, hear their stories, and know them as individuals. I have seen people come to faith, others become officers themselves. I have wept with those who are heartbroken and celebrated with others who are full of joy. The Salvation Army has invested in my education and upskilling.

I have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Māori Studies), a Bachelor of Theology (Biblical Studies), a Certificate in Adult Education and Training, and am about to start a Diploma in Journalism Multi-Media. I have been blessed with friends up and down the country and a broad perspective on life, ministry, faith and people.

DOES GOD REALLY CARE ABOUT WHAT WE WATCH?

While many would say that people need lots of worldly experience before becoming an officer, I would say, go when God says go. If you’re 21 or 41, God knows what he’s doing with you.

It has not always been easy. My personality type is the least suited to officership, and there have definitely been some challenges along the way.

The biggest lesson I have learnt is the importance of looking after my own health—physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I can only give to others what I carry in my own life. It is easy to get offended or hurt (whether you are an officer or not), and if we don’t deal with our own stuff it can fester and become infected, which then impacts your whole life.

On 3 July, hundreds of churches throughout New Zealand will join together in prayer for those working in our media.

A few years ago, the Lord reminded me that who I am is not defined by my rank, my appointment, or even my vocation, but rather by my position as his daughter.

I am a child of God first and foremost.

I am called to love God and love others first—The Salvation Army is the vehicle that I work that calling out through.

The simple answer is yes, God is interested in what we watch. As Christ followers, God should be in all that we do and should affect how we choose to use our time and fill our mind.

I absolutely love The Salvation Army. I love what we stand for, even when we fall short sometimes. I love our potential to change the world and the doors that open up to us because of the work of others who have gone before us. I may not be an actress, a journalist, a policewoman or a mother, but I believe that the best things about all of those occupations are things I have been able to do as an officer.

In order to write the best version of my story I need to keep tending to my garden of Gethsemane, making sure that nothing gets ahead of following Jesus ...

What story are you writing with your life?

How is your garden looking? Have you said ‘yes’ to God?

It’s a pretty cool thing to do and we reckon it would be awesome to have as many young people involved as possible.

Last time, more than 800 churches participated in Media Prayer Day. It’s expected that more than 1200 will be involved this year, which is pretty amazing!

The day is there to encourage us to pray for all people who work in New Zealand’s media: presenters, writers, editors, directors, journalists, designers, actors, producers, industry executives, and the multitude of others who work within our media industry.

It’s a great idea, but why should we get involved?

Does God care about what we watch? And if so, how should that affect my attitude to the media?

In the age of Netflix, streaming and online news, our lives can quickly become filled with the noise of the media. We often head straight for the TV or our smartphone to fill up our downtime.

This isn’t necessarily bad—there are some great media forms that allow us to unwind, learn new things or keep up-to-date with the world.

The problem is there are also plenty of unhelpful media forms that can tempt us, distract us from doing something more worthwhile or just fill our mind with junk.

This doesn’t mean we should turn off the TV, pack it up and take it to the dump. We just need to be very aware of what we’re taking in.

The Bible encourages us to fill our minds with good things. In Philippians 4:8, Paul says, ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’

We need to be making sure that what is filling our head space and time is uplifting us, not tearing us down or redirecting our focus off God. To do so, we need to limit how much ‘other’ stuff is going in.

Everything we watch and do should be filtered through our faith. So, next time before you’re flicking through Netflix or checking out an article online, have a think: • will this content uplift me or tear me (or someone else) down?

• would this content distract me from Jesus?

• will this content help me relax/learn more, or will I regret choosing to do this?

God wants to be involved in all that we’re doing and pursuing.

God cares how we choose to fill our time and mind. Let’s continually strive toward understanding what God wants for us and pray for those involved in the media to know Christ and for the media to be used for his glory.

Let’s take time to pray on 3 July for those working in the media and ask God to influence our own media habits. VANESSA SINGH

Our Community | 15

Young Artist Donates Profits to Famine

Across the weekend of 10-12 June, young people all over New Zealand took part in the annual 40 Hour Famine event organised

by World Vision.

One young person from Hamilton took the challenge a step further this year in an effort to raise awareness and funds for this year’s cause—the Syrian refugee crisis.

Natalie Jellyman, who attended Grandview Corps in Hamilton through her teens,

completed 40 illustrations leading up to the weekend and sold them, with all proceeds going to World Vision’s work.

Natalie, a talented young artist, felt a strong conviction to do something after learning more about the crisis.

‘Mid last year I was hit with the reality and urgency of the refugee crisis. With more than 250,000 dead, millions displaced within their own country and millions fleeing for safety, I

couldn’t sit back and watch.

This is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time and I want to make change.’

Natalie has been a youth ambassador for World Vision and had the opportunity to spend a weekend at the World Vision Youth Hui and learn more about refugees and the powerful voice young people have to raise awareness about the crisis.

It was after this event that Natalie chose to make

her illustration business ‘not for profit’ and made the commitment to donate all her work’s proceeds to World Vision.

Natalie spent 10 weeks leading up to the weekend completing the illustrations, working on between three to six drawings per week to be sold. Along with thousands of other young people, Natalie also participated in the ‘One Weekend, One Backpack’ challenge—choosing to live out of a backpack for the weekend —including all food, water, blankets and clothing she would need for 40 hours.

Natalie hoped her efforts would do more than just raise essential funds. ‘I’m hoping to achieve so much more than selling artwork this Famine.

Above all, I want to see people’s eyes opened to the refugee crisis, and have them seriously think about the impact they can make for the people who have lost everything.’

Money donated to this year’s 40 Hour Famine is going directly to World Vision’s work with Syrian children affected by the refugee crisis. Natalie believes in the work World Vision is doing and believes helping others aligns with her Christian faith.

‘World Vision is helping them recover from the trauma of war, restoring years of lost education and helping kids be kids again. Anything dedicated to something like that—I want in. Our God is a God of justice, of mercy and of love, I want to reflect that in any way and every way I can.’

Hundreds of Books Go to Young Readers in Tonga Young readers in Tonga are being encouraged, thanks to a new Salvation Army initiative helping primary school children to read.

Tongan Regional Commander Captain Sila Siufanga said three corps in the country have begun offering after-school programmes, to support parents and the children. The programmes, known as Joy Hour, include reading times. This week, young readers will be getting their hands on some new material to help them, thanks to a donation from a Kiwi company.

The after-school initiative was suggested at first to address a daily problem of many children being left unsupervised after school, with their parents being unable to be home, Sila said.

‘What we have found is that schools, especially primary schools, finish at 3 pm and kids come home and they just play around in their community. Rather than running around on the road they [can now] come somewhere safe,’ Sila said.

In addition to providing the children with somewhere safe to go, the corps decided to help encourage their learning with educational times built in. They included a time specifically for reading, where corps officers and young people’s workers could help the children to

learn to read—especially in English.

The programmes have been very popular, and corps officers and young people’s workers have been on the lookout for more supplies, especially books for children aged 5–13. They will receive a boost, just in time for the start of the new school term, with the arrival of two crates of books for early readers from New Zealand.

The books were given to The Salvation Army by North Shore publishing company Flying Start, which donated 13,500 books for early readers, covering 39 different titles, late last year.

Initially, the books were stored at the Royal Oak Community Ministries in Auckland, which distributed some to schools and families the centre worked with. Then, when Sila got in touch asking about supplies, Assistant Secretary for Programme Lieut-Colonel Jenny Carey arranged for a large number of the remaining books to be sent to Tonga.

The books have been sent with other supplies going to Tonga for the 30-year celebration of The Salvation Army’s work there, and some remaining books will also be sent to Fiji to support programmes there.

16 | WarCry 25 June 2016

Hamilton Band Supporting Tongan Celebrations

The sound of New Zealand will play a guest part during celebrations of 30 years of work

by The Salvation Army in Tonga next month.

The Hamilton City Corps band have been invited to join the celebrations, performing alongside the Tonga Salvation Army’s regional brass band and in a public parade with the national police band.

Bandmaster Stewart Stanbridge said it was a big honour to be invited and there was a long-standing link between Hamilton City Corps and the Tonga region. Groups from the corps have been involved in a wide range of work in Tonga, and Stewart said this

would be his 14th trip there and the band’s fourth. Former corps and band member the late Hugh McCready also set up The Salvation Army addiction treatment programme in Tonga.

Some family and friends are also joining the trip, so there will be 50 people in the group, including the 33-member band, who will spend six days in Tonga.

The band members range in age from 12-years-old to 77 and they will be joined by some extra members from other corps, including Territorial Director of Creative Ministries Jim Downey.

It was good to be able to take the younger players from the corps and other regions and give them an opportunity to take part in a

special trip, Stewart said.

Band members described the trip as being a chance to see old friends and a new country, to use their gifts and abilities to support a special occasion, and to return support and love to people who had blessed their corps.

Tonga Regional Commander Captain Sila Siufanga said having the Hamilton City Corps band and other corps members there would be special. Hamilton City, Whangarei, Timaru and other corps had been particularly strong supporters and partners with corps in Tonga and it was good to have that represented.

It was also special on a personal note for him and his wife

Captain Malia Siufanga, he said. ‘[Hamilton City Corps] is sort of a mother corps to Tonga.

That’s where we found The Salvation Army and that’s where Malia and I first had our calling to serve—and we’ve had other Tongan officers who’ve studied in Waikato.’

The band fundraised for the trip, working at the corps Family Store on public holidays, running a book sale and putting on a concert.

As well as supporting the celebrations, they will visit schools, a prison and a hospital.

On past trips, corps members have been involved in music camps, or helping with projects like building and painting and they were looking forward to the outreach, Stewart said.

As part of the trip they are taking gifts of soft toys for children in hospital wards, toiletries for people in prison and hospital, and some gifts for school children.

Members of the corps home league had knitted items for them to take and fundraised for toys, and the corps and Midland Division had also supported the effort. The group are also taking some items requested by the Tonga Region, including Tonga/ English parallel New Testaments.

Salvation Army Responds to Orlando Shooting The Salvation Army’s disaster relief team in Orlando, Florida, USA, took part in the response to a fatal nightclub shooting in the city last week.

Salvation Army General André Cox called on all Salvationists to pray and to ‘demonstrate God’s mercy in a tangible way’.

The team provided food and drink to emergency responders dealing with the aftermath of a shooting at Pulse nightclub that left 49 people dead and another 53 injured.

Salvation Army units around Florida were placed on standby to support families and responders as needed. Emotional and spiritual care teams were also ready to support the central Florida community as it comes to terms with the tragedy.

Responding the day after the shooting, Orlando Area Commander Major Ted Morris, who was working with local officials and offering additional support as needed, said, ‘We were awakened this morning to this tragic news in Orlando. Our local disaster team members immediately reached out to ask how they could help their neighbours. This is why we train, this is why our volunteers serve and today we are here to comfort those impacted across our community.

Right now, as we respond with hydration and food, we ask everyone to join us in praying for those families who lost loved ones and those who struggle to recover in hospitals around our area.’

The request for prayer was also reflected by The Salvation Army’s international leader, General André Cox, who sent out a message asking ‘all Salvationists to pray for the bereaved, the injured, the emergency services and government officials who need to provide leadership’.

In a video message, the General offered prayers for everyone affected by the tragedy, and for ‘President Obama and government

officials who need to provide leadership in these days’.

The General laid down a strong challenge to Salvationists and friends to live out Jesus’ command to love your neighbour, even when that neighbour had different beliefs or came from another culture.

‘Let us as The Salvation Army rise up and be mobilised, showing God’s love to those who may not expect to be loved by us. Let’s transcend the man-made barriers that seek to divide us from our “neighbour”. And let’s do it today, with God’s help.’

Our Community | 17

General Makes Historic Eastern Europe Visit

Romania has welcomed its first ever visit by The General of The Salvation Army.

General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox made the historic trip while visiting the Eastern Europe Territory at the start of June.

The couple travelled to all four countries in the territory, Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

In Romania, the General and Commissioner Cox visited corps (churches) and danced with children in the city of Ploiești an hour north of Bucharest. They visited staff and trainees at the SALVATtex warehouse in Bucharest, which helps train people for work and sort stock for the Army’s first shop, recently opened in Bucharest. The General and Commissioner Cox joined the Army’s new mobile medical team in its work on the streets of the Romanian capital and also joined a long-running mobile health clinic in Moldova that provides services to remote communities.

During the public meetings held in Romania, Moldova and Georgia, representatives of different corps testified to God’s work in their lives through physical healing and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Testimony was also given of God’s power to love and rescue and of the way in which he is working in corps and communities. The message of ‘God’s Priceless Kingdom’ was illustrated in beautiful ways through singing, music and words of witness. Dance in national costumes in Romania and Georgia illustrated local traditions. In Romania, two young people interviewed the General, who revealed during the interview that he is a fan of Manchester United football team and that his favourite Bible hero is Joshua.

At the public meeting in Georgia, a camera man and interviewer from the Georgian TV station Tabula attended the meeting and clips and an interview with the General were featured on the station, giving Khsnis Armia [The Salvation Army] some good publicity.

Following the Bible message in Georgia, many people knelt and responded to a calling to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. A large number also gathered on the platform to express their interest in becoming Salvation Army officers, reflecting their desire to be agents of change in an often-fractured world.

The conclusion of the meeting included another historic moment as, for the first time ever, the Founder’s song, ‘O Boundless Salvation!’, was sung in the Georgian language, bringing a moving end to the visit.

GAZETTE Bereaved Mjr Bruce Tremain of his mother and Capt Rebekah Herring of her grandmother Alexia Beth Tremain, on 2 June from Christchurch. Please remember in prayer Majors Bruce and Marilyn Tremain, Capts Rebekah and Matt Herring and other family members.

Appointment Effective 4 July: Mjr Silone Collins Corps Officer, Mount Maunganui Corps, Midland Division.

Effective 18 July: Lieuts Nathan and Jessica Bezzant, Assistant Officers, Tawa Corps, Central Division.

Effective 1 August: Mjr Janette and Capt Kevin Waugh, Directors, Hornby Community Ministries, Southern Division; Aux-Capt Eric Turner, Director, Epsom Lodge, Addiction, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS); Aux-Capt Julie Turner, Mission Director, Epsom Lodge, Addiction, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS).

Birth Capts Brenton and Sammy Millar (Sydenham Corps) on the addition to their family of Hope Tabitha Clarke Millar. Hope was born on 5th May 2016. May God bless Brenton and Sammy and their children as they have welcomed Hope into their family.

18 | WarCry 25 June 2016

LEADERSHIP LINKS

Because of the work of local Salvationists, life would never be the same again …

As I write, I’m surrounded by 25 million people in Mumbai, India.

It’s 42 degrees, with high humidity. Blaring horns, scooters, taxis, music, colour, architecture and food alerts all my senses. I reflect on and contrast two events from the past weekend.

Firstly, it was the final of the Indian Premier League, with the Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Glamour, lights, star-studded teams, a full stadium, TV replays on huge screens, the world’s best umpires and commentators, international cricket superstars, a massive advertising machine, and thousands upon thousands of supporters wearing their team shirts.

There was great hype and lengthy conversation about the comparative strengths of the two teams. I may have even mentioned during my sermon at Byculla Three Corps that our own Daniel Vettori was the head coach of RCB. The hype and tension built as the game approached. Then there seemed to be a hush over the bustling city as the first ball was bowled. It was a see-sawing contest, with the winner only becoming clear in the final over. Some went home happy; others sad. But in the end, it was only a game of cricket and life continued on as always.

Secondly, on the Saturday, Janine and I visited two Salvation Army children’s programmes: the Aruna Children’s Home and the Jeevan Asha Programme for Sex Workers’ Children. Both programmes focus on caring for the children of sex workers from a red light district, covering an area of 16 streets.

One was a home for the daughters of sex workers. The 40 girls were rescued from the red light district at age five to protect them from potential abuse. The Salvation Army provides basic shelter, clothing, meals and education within one of its compounds. As we met with the girls, they spoke of their hopes of becoming teachers and flight attendants, and their knowledge of God’s love for them. And many looked forward to the Saturday afternoon visit from their mothers.

The Jeevan Asha programme was located in the heart of the red light district, at the top of a very steep, dark set of stairs. By day, the two rooms were used as a Salvation Army Community Centre for sex workers. By night, it became the place where their sons could do homework, enjoy a meal and sleep. The boys expressed hopes of being engineers and … you guessed it … cricketers! One thing was for sure: because of the work of local Salvationists, life would never be the same again for these delightful young children.

How pleased we were to think that these programmes bring life to children because of the financial support of Salvationists around the world. May we continue to bring life through our child sponsorships and our annual Self Denial Appeal support. Thank you and God bless you.

Commissioner Robert Donaldson Territorial Commander

BY ALASTAIR KENDREW

Thanks For Your Feedback Here is what you had to say about the proposed new mission plan for The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, which focuses on the central theme of ‘bringing life’.

This week, I heard about the amazing power of Belgian draft horses.

Apparently, one Belgian horse can pull a load of almost four tonnes, but harnessed together, two horses that know each other and are used to working together can pull four times as much.

This really has been the principle behind our Territorial Strategic Mission Plan (TSMP). For the past 10 years, we’ve had a focus on four goals to help us all work together and pull in the same direction, and so be more effective in mission.

TSMP has been very helpful, but we feel it is coming to the end of its useful life, so we are in the process of developing a new mission plan to be launched at our Congress gathering in October.

Part of this process has been to share our thinking through a consultation video, and to invite feedback.

Our proposal is that, for the next three years, we focus on one purpose: Bringing Life. Plus, two practices: Christ-like Living and Integrated Mission. As part of this, we would also like to establish a set of values, derived predominantly from our Soldier’s Covenant.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond.

Even though responses are still arriving, and we aren’t scheduled to discuss the results for a few more weeks, I thought it might be of interest to share what we have received to date.

Overall, the feedback has been very positive, with 85 per cent of respondents stating they love the plan, or think it is good but needs a little tweaking. They like that the plan is simple, making it easy to remember and apply, plus its focus is on ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’.

There was some confusion about how this plan will fit into our existing mission statement, and a number of people like the ideas presented, but are waiting for more detail about how we propose to implement them.

Of those against, some people feel we are becoming too ‘corporate’, questioning our need for a plan, vision or values, while others feel the plan should be derived more directly from the Bible.

Mission Matters | 19

In general, people really like the purpose of ‘Bringing Life’, with 90 per cent relating to it (80 per cent strongly). People like that it is both biblical and reflects the Māori translation of our name. A number of people feel that, like our mission statement, the phrase is open to an interpretation that leaves out Jesus. One person explained this with a quote from singer Keith Green, saying, ‘Christ did not come to make bad people good—he came to make dead people live.’ Others posed the question, is it the Army that ‘brings life’, or God? As part of the consultation, we proposed a set of seven values.

There was widespread support for all the values, but also a lot of feedback on their wording. Are we a Christian organisation or a movement? Is it helpful to talk about material and spiritual needs separately? Do we want to partner or collaborate? The most supported values were Christ-like Living, Compassion and Internationalism, followed by Holistic Ministry and Stewardship.

I expected Partnership to be lower, but it was disappointing to have reaffirmed that we are struggling in some places to develop Authentic Community.

The two proposed practices were strongly endorsed, particularly Christ-like Living, with 94 per cent strongly supporting this. When asked how we should set about promoting Christ-like Living, three very clear themes emerged. The most common response was to start with ourselves—living authentic lives, modelling Christ-like behaviour, and living a life of prayer. This included each of us being open to receiving feedback.

The second theme was the need to develop alongside others, through ideas such as accountability partners, small groups, and holding prayer times and devotions within our teams. The third theme was the need for clear teaching about what Christ-like living looks like, an explanation of terms like holiness, a return to holiness meetings, and a need to increase our knowledge and application of the Bible.

For those concerned about the timeframe, don’t worry—we’re not proposing that we focus on Christ-like living for the next three years only. It’s a lifelong focus that we want to particularly emphasise over these years.

The practice of Integrated Mission was also strongly endorsed, but people wanted more clarity over what is intended. When asked how we might better integrate our mission, a wide range of ideas were suggested, like having headquarters staff serve in local centres one day a month; renaming all centres ‘corps’; and inviting team members home for meals.

The vast majority of ideas, though, fall into four themes: There was a sense of starting with personal accountability—asking each other about what we are doing on a personal level to share the good news

of Jesus with others. Next was the idea of intentional connections between centres, such as forming hubs, assigning local coordinators, developing regional plans, co-locating services, and having community ministries as services within corps, not separate.

A similar theme was to provide opportunities for people to serve. Perhaps we should be less professional with our services and reintroduce teams like our League of Mercy service. Corps need to be outward focused, and should get out into their communities more. The fourth theme is a little more contentious, but refers to the employment of non-Christian staff in front-line roles. There was a strong sense of ‘you can’t pass on something that you don’t have yourself’, and that we might be in danger of becoming a place of good works only.

Overall, we are very pleased with the consultation process. It seems that we are on the right track, and the huge range of both concerns and ideas shared will greatly enhance the plan.

CONGRESS UPDATE: Mission Now Conference The speakers for our Mission Now conference are finalised—have you made your plans to attend?

This conference is all day Friday and Saturday morning of Congress and promises to be an inspirational couple of days.

Headlining the conference will be Paul de Jong, Senior Pastor of Life Church in Auckland, and Chris Clarke, CEO of World Vision New Zealand. Both are sought after, dynamic speakers who will share from their different contexts of mission.

In between, you will have the choice of a range of seminar options on topics such as inspiring great worship, innovation in mission, leading through others, passing on a faith to young people that sticks, and communicating the gospel in a postmodern and secular age. We’re confident that with the quality of speakers and topics available, you’ll wish you can attend them all. The Congress website provides a full list of the speakers and seminars available.

The conference is free, but you will need to register through the Congress website. Spaces are limited for some seminar options, so you are advised to get in early to indicate your preferences.

www salvationarmy.org.nz/now

20 | WarCry 25 June 2016

Part 4 of 5 ‘I’ve got some good news, and some bad news,’ says Jonah to Nineveh. ‘What do you want to hear first?’

Carla Lindsey explains that in Chapter Four, Jonah finally becomes the prophet God called him to be.

God is a God of second chances. Phew … just as well. Sometimes he’s a God of third, fourth and 78th chances too, because sometimes his children are quite slow learners! It is quite comforting to know that many of the ‘heroes’ of the Bible got it wrong the first time, but God didn’t give up on them. Instead, he graciously gave them another go.

There was Abraham, Moses, Peter and, of course, Jonah.

Second chances The first two chapters in the book of Jonah tell the story of how Jonah blew it the first time. God told Jonah to deliver his message to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah ran in the opposite direction. He ended up on a boat, then off the boat … then in the ocean … then drowning.

But God rescued Jonah via a large fish that spewed him back on shore.

As we move into Jonah chapter three, we see God didn’t just rescue Jonah so he could go back to his old life. No! He was rescued for a purpose. There was still a message that needed delivering and Jonah was still God’s man to do it. Yes, Jonah had made a bad choice, but that didn’t mean it was all over. God didn’t give up on Jonah. Instead, God gave Jonah a second shot.

We’re picking up the story at Jonah chapter three, which interestingly starts with words almost identical to the start of chapter one. It reads, ‘Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you” ’ (3:1–2).

History repeats itself. The story begins again as Jonah is called for a second time.

But what will Jonah do this time? Run again? Will he go? There is almost a dramatic pause between verse two and three while the audience hold their breath wondering if the second time would be different.

And was it? Yes! This time ‘Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh’ (3:3).

Superlatives Here the narrator interrupts the flow of the story for a moment to give his readers some information about Nineveh. He tells us, ‘Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it’ (3:4). We can presume from this that the book of Jonah was written down sometime after the fall of Nineveh (612 BC) and that memories of Nineveh’s greatness had faded.

So, what does the writer tell us about Nineveh? Firstly, that the city was large. This phrase could also read that Nineveh was ‘important’, ‘great’ or ‘great to God’. In Hebrew, the phrase was used to show that something was superlative.

Secondly, it took three days to go through it. This is puzzling, as

the city walls have been excavated and unless you were going very slowly, walking across Nineveh did not take three days—more like less than a day.

So what was meant here? It might be that the greater Nineveh region was included. It could be an exaggeration meant to convey that it was big. Or perhaps, that going into every square proclaiming the message would take three days. The book of Jonah reveals a couple of other pieces of information about Nineveh. Jonah 1:3 tells us the city was wicked and Jonah 4:11 tells us that there were 120,000 people living there.

So, the picture we get is of an important, large and wicked city. A city full of people—people that mattered to God. And that’s why Jonah needed to go there.

The good news and bad news So he did. Jonah began ‘by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown’’ ’ (3:4). The narrator takes us straight back to the action. We skip Jonah’s journey to Nineveh and simply find Jonah boldly proclaiming his brief message.

Was it really that short? Just eight words in English and only five in Hebrew! Surely more explanation was needed? Maybe the author just gives us the main point? A point that was important for them to hear. God had had enough and was counting to three … so to speak.

There would be consequences! Nineveh would be overturned, but that overturning, or turning around, could happen two ways: Erther God would overturn Nineveh. Or Nineveh itself would turn around, repent and turn towards God. Either way, a change of direction was going to occur for Nineveh.

Understandably, many have been sceptical of the sudden conversion of the whole of Nineveh and her king.

Jonah had now done his part. Mission complete. The message he had been given was delivered and the rest was out of his hands. Here, Jonah steps out of the story for a while and our focus moves to the people of Nineveh. What would they do with Jonah’s message?

The Ninevites heard Jonah’s message and believed it. In fact, they took it very seriously. ‘A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth’ (3:5). What a surprising response!

The whole community instantly joined together, expressing their sorrow and begging for mercy by fasting and wearing sackcloth. They had heard, they believed—and because they believed, action followed.

The response didn’t stop with the people. ‘When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust’ (3:6).

For the King to respond with such humility is remarkable!

Soul Food | 21

But did it really happen?

Some would say this account is unbelievable. Understandably, many have been sceptical of the sudden conversion of all of Nineveh and her king. Would a pagan king really respond like that to one crazy prophet?

Would a whole city convert so easily? Extra-biblical sources show no evidence of it ever having happened.

But are extra-biblical sources likely to contain such information?

No, they’re not. Ancient records (with the exception of the Bible!) didn’t evaluate their own kings negatively, and for the king to get off his throne, exchange his robes for sackcloth and sit in the dust would definitely have been seen as negative. Such behaviour was not the way a king should be remembered. Nor did extra-biblical sources list every visiting prophet, there were lots of them.

Perhaps the most important factor here is that ancient people like the Ninevites were very superstitious. They lived in a world where, to avoid calamity, gods needed to be appeased. Because Jonah gets a mention in 2 Kings 14:15, we know he prophesied during the rule of Jeroboam II, which was 753–793 BC. During this time there were several wars, famines and earthquakes in Nineveh. There were severe plagues in 753 BC and 765 BC, and there was an eclipse of the sun in 763 BC. These were all things that were seen as a bad omen or sign sent from the divine realm showing the gods’ displeasure. In that climate, having so many calamities already happen to them, would the Ninevites want to take a chance? What if Jonah’s God sent a really big earthquake this time? What if Jonah’s God finished them off completely?

That was not a chance the Ninevites were prepared to take. We don’t know if they completely gave up their other gods, but Jonah records that they did turn towards God.

Calling on God The king issued a decree: ‘Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish’ (3:7–9).

Similar decrees from the same period exist outside the Bible.

Another Assyrian decree has been found that was addressed to Governor Mannu-ki-Assur and reads, ‘Decree of the King. You and all the people, your land, your meadows will mourn and pray for three days before the god Adad and repent. You will perform the purification rites so that there may be rest.’

So serious was the fast in Jonah chapter three that not even water was allowed! And even the animals were included. Poor animals, what had they done? This seems a bit extreme. Including animals in a fast was rare, but it did happen (see Judith 4:9 and Joel 1:19–20). If the people died, the animals would as well—they too were part of the

… Jonah’s job was simply to do what God called him to do. community. The bellowing and moaning from the hungry animals would have risen up and echoed the sorrow of the desperate people.

Not only was the whole community to fast, but they were to wear sackcloth. Sackcloth was uncomfortable. People wore it to make themselves miserable and show how sincerely they were sorry.

They were also to call on God. Just as the opening words of chapter three parallels chapter one, here we see the king’s role runs in parallel to the role of the ship’s captain. Both the captain and king are the leaders, and both ask people to call on God. The Ninevites parallel the ship’s crew in their actions.

The decree takes it one step further, which suggests the genuineness of the response. The king asked his people to give up the evil ways and violence that Assyrians were known for. The king seems to have known this behaviour was displeasing to God. ‘Give up’ here means repent, or turn and go in the opposite direction. In chapter one, Jonah chose to turn and run away from God,’ but here the Ninevites choose to turn and move towards God. The King had hope that by doing these things Jonah’s God could be appeased and that he would not overturn them. And, indeed, God did hear the cries of the king and the Ninevites and chose not to overturn them.

Crisis averted Jonah’s mission was a success. Jonah should be delighted, right? We’ll have to wait to find out how Jonah felt about his mission. But in the meantime, some lessons from Jonah chapter three: These 10 verses that are often skipped over when the story of Jonah is told have lots to teach us. They remind us that Jonah’s job was simply to do what God called him to do, the rest was out of his hands. They remind us that true repentance requires a change of behaviour. And, finally, they remind us of God’s character.

This chapter isn’t about Jonah’s amazing preaching, but about God’s extravagant love and grace to Jonah and to the Ninevites. That grace is extended to us, too, if we choose to turn in his direction.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER Is God asking you to simply obey him in a situation and trust him with the outcome?

Is there an area of your life where your behaviour does not match with what you claim to believe?

How can you avoid falling into the trap of trying to appease God, and rather, grow in a relationship with him?

22 | WarCry 25 June 2016

CALENDAR JULY 5–8: Foundations for Chaplaincy / Booth College of Mission 9-15: The Odyssey Adventure / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 24: Self Denial Appeal Launch

AUGUST 2–3: Leadership Essentials / Booth College of Mission 12–14: Missional Leadership Hui / Booth College of Mission 12-14: Southern Division Kids Camp (Timaru and North) 19-20: Central Division Youth Conference / Wellington 22-24: Lead to Grow Conference / Brentwood Hotel 23–25: Re-reading the Scriptures / Booth College of Mission

SEPTEMBER 30–1: Personal Leadership / Booth College of Mission 19–22: 12 Steps Course (Part 1) / Booth College of Mission 29–02 Oct: Now is the Time Congress / Wellington

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 28 June: Education & Employment Governance Board Visit 1–4 July: Tonga Congress with General & Commissioner Cox 9–11 July: Northern Division Governance Board Visit 12 July: ASARS Governance Board Visit Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 28 June: Education & Employment Governance Board Visit 1–4 July: Tonga Congress with General & Commissioner Cox 10–11 July: Northern Division Governance Board Visit 12 July: ASARS Governance Board Visit

MISSION CONFERENCE

An engaging two days on aspects of mission today.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Pastor Paul de Jong, Senior Pastor, LIFE Church / Chris Clarke, CEO, World Vision FRI 30 SEP, 9AM–3PM | SAT 01 OCT, 9AM–12PM Registration required

WORSHIP

Uplifting worship and challenge from the Word.

FRI 30 SEP, 7PM / Celebrate Now / Snr Ps Paul de Jong SAT 01 OCT, 7PM / Vision Now / Comms Robert & Janine Donaldson SUN 02 OCT, 8AM / Prayer Meeting 10AM / Life Now / Comms Robert & Janine Donaldson

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Ashburton, Auckland City and Auckland City Korean Corps, Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC), and The Salvation Army in the Middle East.

KIDS

Exciting kids activities throughout Congress, including during the Mission Conference.

FRI 30 SEP, 9AM–3.30PM, 7PM / SAT 01 OCT, 9AM–12PM, 7PM / SUN 02 OCT, 10AM–12PM Registration required

YOUTH

THE ODYSSEY

WHEN

9–15 JULY 2016

Youth and young adults late-night gatherings plus a BYO dinner. Perfect for catching up with old mates and making new ones.

FRI 30 SEPT, 10PM–LATE / Café Hangs SAT 02 OCT, 4.30PM–6PM / BYO Dinner—we’ll supply dessert!

10PM–LATE / Youth Now / Fulton Hawk

WHO Anyone aged 14–17 years.

WHAT The ultimate six-day snow adventure. Whether snowboarding, flying off a waterfall, or deep in a snow cave, challenge your body, mind and spirit to discover your massive God-given potential.

FOR MORE INFO bluemountainadventure.org.nz bmac@nzf.salvationarmy.org Crossword Answers: Across: 1 Travel, 4 Icebergs, 10 Orchestra, 11 Hello, 12 Sorry, 13 Recovered, 14 Recipes, 16 Spot, 19 Aloe, 21 Variety, 24 Equations, 25 Piano, 26 Topic, 27 Intensify, 28 Stealing, 29 Access. Down: 1 Trousers, 2 Accuracy, 3 Enemy, 5 Chances, 6 Behaviour, 7 Rulers, 8 Swords, 9 Starts, 15 Political, 17 Negative, 18 Synonyms, 20 Emotion, 21 Visits, 22 Depths, 23 Purple, 25 Panic. Quiz Answers: 1 Australian brush tailed possum, 2 Duke of Buckingham, 3 A cat born with more than the usual number of toes on one or more of its paws, 4 France, 1869 (Created by Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès), 5 The angel of the Lord (Matthew 28:2).

CONCERTS

THUR 29 SEP, 7PM / Rhythm + Culture SAT 01 OCT, 2PM / #talentnow SUN 02 OCT, 2PM / National Youth Band and SpiritSong WELLINGTON, NZ / 29 SEPTEMBER–02 OCTOBER FOR MORE INFO GO TO

salvationarmy.org.nz/now

Fun4Kids | 23

match the pictures to their shadows

colour by numbers each line has a different rule, can you find them all?

20

21

?

2

4

8

16

2

15

27 ?

?

51

?

1. 23 (+1, +2, +1, +2); 2. 39, 63 (+12); 3. 32 (x2)

3

18

1&2,3&8, 5&4, 7&6.

17

1

read it ‘Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of wisdom.’ (Proverbs 9:10, CEV)

Who is the wisest person you know?

How do you think they became so wise?

So, how will you become wise? The Bible tells us that respecting and obeying God is a great place to start.

But we also become wise when we spend time with wise people.

Proverbs 13:20 (CEV) says, ‘Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.’

Even if you have lots of friends at school, make sure that your closest friends are people who also want to live for God and do the right things.

God speaks to us through the Bible, and through wise people like our parents, our teachers at school and our leaders at church. Wisdom is knowing what is right and doing it.

And wisdom is also knowing when we shouldn’t do something.

let’s pray Dear Jesus, I want to read the Bible often to see the best way to live. Help me to choose good friends who will help me obey you, and help me to ask wise people for advice. Amen.

Take up the mantle Now consider God looking out upon creation and choosing leaders of leaders to lead this work—and He chooses you.

Wow! God knows all about your weaknesses, yet He calls you to lead in this great endeavour for His Kingdom.

This must be the best thing about being a Salvation Army officer. To join in this mission along with your spiritual ancestors who have carried the vision, to honour their part in the journey, and now to take hold of your moment in history and live with eyes on the past, serving the present, and reaching into the future to pass on to the next generation of officers the mantle of leadership of this great work. IVAN BEZZANT Talk to your Corps Officer or Divisional Candidates Secretary for more info