FAITH IN ACTION  27 JUNE 2020 | Issue 6745 | $1.50
Covenant Renewal: Call to Prayer Welcome Back to Worship Phone Phobia
Blueprint of Your Life Tribute: Ned Cook
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WAR CRY The Salvation Army
New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William
& Catherine Booth
The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission. EDITOR Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Captain Jules Badger, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major
Colleen Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,
PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone
(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset
is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System. Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.
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Uniquely You Every year at Territorial Headquarters, we celebrate Christmas with a lunch and (not so) Secret Santa. One year, I received a very special gift. My Secret Santa gave me a lovely framed poem, which now features on the back cover of this edition of War Cry. I love poetry, so that was a winner, but, more importantly, it reminded me of something I had lost sight of, and that was the lines preceding and including: ‘This world needs you as you are’. I realised I was not appreciating my ‘uniqueness’. I was more than happy to be homogenous and blend in, preferably somewhere in the proverbial back seats. But, as a Christian, God was asking me to be who he created me to be, with all my failings, bad hair days and quirkiness—and use it for his glory. This edition of War Cry is a call to identify your uniqueness in Christ and commit to using your particular giftings and talents in service with him. It is a recommitment of covenant and also a re-focusing on the mission of The Salvation Army as first envisioned by William and Catherine Booth. It reminds me of another poem, one which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty: ‘Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’ May we all be counted amongst those who commit to the greatest work of all—speaking hope and salvation to the lost. Vivienne Hill Editor
All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission. Publishing for 136 years | Issue 6745 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry
www.salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts
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People must not only hear about the kingdom of God, but must see it in actual operation, on a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form, but a real demonstration nevertheless. Pandita Ramabai
Colossians 1:12 …and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Korohe 1:12 Me te whakawhetai atu anō ki te Matua, nana nei tātou i whai tikanga ai ki tētahi wāhi o te kāinga o te hunga tapu i roto i te mārama.
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ovid-19 lockdown gave me the perfect opportunity to sort through boxes of memorabilia going back five decades. Talk about memory lane! The black and white photo was small—two serious young girls peered out at me. Memories flooded back. We were eight years old and best friends. We’d even made a promise to each other—‘crossed our heart’, said ‘God’s honour’ and promised friendship forever. Within two years, she moved to another town; I’ve never seen her since. Mmmm … that ‘forever promise’ didn’t last long! My next discovery revealed two tatty certificates, yellow with age, edged with rusty drawing-pin holes and speckled evidence of insect visits. At just six years old, the New Zealand Temperance Club was my first pledge: Having received the consent of my parents, I promise to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage at least until I am over 21 years of age. I’ve been pleased to keep that promise throughout my life. My Salvation Army Junior Soldier Pledge, signed aged eight, adds more personal meaning and direction than the Temperance Pledge. It explains my trust in Jesus as my own Saviour. It affirms that Jesus will help me to live as his child. I promised to pray, read my Bible and abstain from all intoxicating drink. At 15, I became a senior soldier (member) of The Salvation Army and promised to make the values of the Kingdom of God the values of my life. It hasn’t always been easy; sometimes I’ve messed up, but God’s grace is amazing, forgiving and unfailing.
It was 53 years ago when I signed another promise—this one a ‘covenant’ with God as a Salvation Army officer (ordained minister), to love, trust and serve him supremely so long as I live. What an awesome privilege. I’m still keeping that promise! Over 50 years ago on our wedding day, David and I signed a marriage covenant: for better for worse (95 percent on the better side!), in sickness and in health (so far, so good!), to love and to cherish … and this I declare upon my honour. Absolutely no regrets here! Promise, Pledge, Covenant? Three words, yet all describe our ‘word of honour’, sometimes to God, sometimes to another person. The spirit of each is a binding agreement. In ancient times, the transfer of property rights was ratified by one party taking off a sandal and giving it to the other party. Elders then sealed the transaction, and that covenant was legally binding. In modern times we swap the sandal for our signature. At the age of 15, William Booth (co-founder of The Salvation Army with his wife Catherine) made the promise: ‘God shall have all there is of William Booth’. Because he kept his promise, we have the opportunity to serve in this ‘Army that brings life’. How are you going with honouring your past promises? It’s never too late to dust off memory-lane words of honour and breathe new life into them. BY MAJOR JUDITH BENNETT
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TOPFIVE
Today’s geography trivia lesson: here are five often-mistaken global capital cities. 5. Brasilia, Brazil—not Rio de Janeiro. Podcast The Relevant Podcast Relevant Magazine The Relevant Podcast has recently revamped the cast of their weekly show, adding author/ podcaster Jamie Ivey and hip-hop artist Derek Minor. These new additions are a breath of fresh air and diversity as they discuss ‘the intersection of faith and culture’. Episodes feature guest interviews (with Christian authors, musicians and even Frozen voice actors Kristen Bell and Josh Gad), a weekly look back at faith-related stories in the mainstream news cycle and plenty of banter. This podcast also has its serious side; look out for the recent episodes discussing a Christian response to the Black Lives Matter movement. (Reviewed by Bethany Slaughter)
4. A nkara, Turkey—not Istanbul. 3. B ern, Switzerland—not Geneva or Zurich. 2. C anberra, Australia—not Melbourne or Sydney. 1. R abat, Morocco—not Marrakech or Casablanca. Bonus: Ottawa, Canada—rather than Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Whangārei Corps Welcomes Lockdown Soldiers Whangārei Corps is celebrating the enrolment of 18 soldiers during the lockdown period. Corps Officer Captain Peter Koia says it was the perfect time to equip new soldiers to help serve the ongoing need in the Northland region.
‘There are lots of people who actually don’t want to be in the limelight, or don’t want to be on the stage … we still need to celebrate them as soldiers.’
‘They’re helping us pack the food parcels, breaking down stuff, removing the rubbish, right down to the cleaning of the toilets. These people have stepped up,’ Peter says.
While enrolling six soldiers in Paihia during level 2 restrictions, they incorporated Māori customs such as pōwhiri and sharing kai, even though they had to adapt their hongi by bumping elbows together instead.
‘I enrol soldiers to serve, not to sit.’ Given the limits on public gathering sizes, the traditional model of being enrolled on a Sunday morning in front of the congregation could not happen. However, Peter believes lockdown has shown that enrolment can take many forms, whether at a Sunday service, Recovery Church, waiata, the office or the beach. 4 WarCry 27 JUNE 2020
‘It was done over a meal together, there was whakawhanaungatanga and we were doing the whānau connections, and then we went into this time of them signing our covenant,’ Peter says. ‘It was a beautiful way of enrolling.’
Weird of the Week: Scientist Marie Curie is the only person to ever earn Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is youer than you!
QUIKQUIZ
1 What is Brolliology the study of?
Dr. Seuss
2 Who was known as the ‘Nine Days Queen’?
SALLIEOF THEWEEK
Tim Hamilton (PR Director, THQ) Tim Hamilton is the Public Relations Director at THQ for the territory, and in his past-life he mentored and managed high-profile sports teams. Tim is a practical, hands-on leader who has no qualms about rolling up his sleeves and cleaning up the dishes in the PR kitchen, with as much grace as he uses to interreact with our donors and corporates. In Tim’s spare time, he is passionate about sport— particularly cricket and rugby—and he enjoys reading and history. Tim is a people-person who supports and encourages his staff and is the champion of the PR Department; this is why Tim Hamilton is our Sallie of the Week!
3 What film features the characters Don Lockwood and Cosmo Brown? 4 Scotland’s Forth Bridge crosses over which body of water? 5 What king’s reign saw a three-year famine, which ended when Elijah said rain was coming?
Chicken and Mushroom Pasta Pie
Answers on page 22
2 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, thinly sliced 150g mushrooms, sliced 2 cups penne pasta, chopped 1½ cups shredded barbecued chicken 4 eggs
WARCRYINHISTORY As we commemorate Founders’ Day, who else could we feature for War Cry In History than William and Catherine Booth? Here is one of the many portraits of them from our archives. Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Ploughman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission
1 cup milk ½ cup grated parmesan ¼ cup plain flour ¼ cup chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease a 6-cup ovenproof dish. Heat oil in a large frying pan on high. Sauté onion for 1–2 minutes, until tender. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir pasta and chicken through mushroom mixture. Spoon into prepared dish. In a bowl, beat together eggs, milk, parmesan, flour and parsley. Season to taste. Pour over mushroom mixture. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until set. Serve in wedges with salad.
Source: Countdown.co.nz
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Covenant Renewal Sunday is not only a call to recommitment for officers and soldiers, but a call to all who do and will choose The Salvation Army as the vehicle to bring the message of salvation to the world. BY JULES BADGER
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n 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote, ‘Imagine’, with lyrics that still roll easily off the tongue almost 50 years later. The song called for peace during the Vietnam War, and urged the world to live in unity. Music critics claim the song’s message has remained relatable throughout the years—the desire for unity and peace resonates strongly in the human psyche. But for people of faith, the lyrics are obviously jarring: Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try. No hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today. Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people living life in peace.
The fact that Lennon identified religion as part of the problem rather than the solution is confronting. And yet the answer he offered remains as empty today as it has proven to be since the song was written. A world without hope, without the assurance that God is ultimately in control and will right every wrong and wipe every tear, is clearly not the answer. Far from it. Now perhaps more than ever, we need to imagine a world where the hope of Christ is embraced. As we face a global pandemic with its ensuing economic fallout and waves of unemployment—the world needs the hope found only in Jesus Christ. And it needs you and I to illuminate that hope in meaningful ways.
Being and doing salt and light Territorial Commander Commissioner Mark Campbell is excited that Covenant Renewal Sunday, on July 5, gives us the opportunity to reflect, remember, reaffirm and reimagine God’s call to us to bring hope to the world by being salt and light. ‘The world desperately needs the salt and light of Christ [Matthew 6:13–16]. First and foremost, it needs the message of Jesus Christ. And that message comes through us, his people. The world needs you! It needs our being—who we are in Christ, and it needs our doing—our love, our voice and service. Knowing who we are in Christ as God’s people is the foundation. Our faith and prayers determine our attitudes and give us the determination, courage and energy to then go out and love and serve. Who we are internally flows out into our attitudes and actions,’ explains Mark. ‘Ultimately we are a sent people. Jesus prays in John 17 that his disciples would be out in the world making a difference. Pentecost was all about sending us out with the power of the Spirit so we could be salt and light. Salt literally means to “stop the rot”. I like that. That’s what we’re called to do as God’s Army. That’s why the church has been placed in the community. Our job is to “stop the rot”, by being the salt of Christ. 27 JUNE 2020 WarCry 7
‘We’re also called to be light. I loved the way groups of protestors in the United States gathered together in response to George Floyd’s death and used the light of their mobile phones—holding them up in the air—as a symbol of light illuminating racism. Light signifies hope and shows the way for others to follow. Light is powerful. When we identify with the light, others can find the way to Jesus. I spoke to a young person recently who’d “come out as a Christian” in his workplace. In doing so, he discovered there were other Christians there too— other lights. Now he’s connected and stepping up wanting to be salt and light.’
You are the Army Territorial President for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Julie Campbell affirms this, ‘We want to be a strong force for God in the world. We want to move out of lockdown prepared to do whatever it takes because our world is in such great need. We need to ask ourselves again: Who are we? Who are we as an Army? What does God want us to do? What part will we play as individuals?’ Julie believes that sometimes we forget that each one of us makes up The Salvation Army. ‘The world needs The Salvation Army, but that Army is you and me. It’s not just the brand or the buildings, it’s who we are, wherever we are. God needs us to be salt and light disciples. Yes, we serve in The Salvation Army, but it’s the part we play as individuals that matters most and makes up our corporate identity.’ For Mark and Julie, Covenant Renewal Sunday this year is not just about soldiers and officers. ‘We certainly want our officers and soldiers to have the chance to renew their covenants again—that’s a special and sacred matter between those individuals and God. But we also want to celebrate the contribution of every person who serves as salt and light to the world under the banner of The Salvation Army—and that includes our highly valued staff and volunteers. ‘As Christians, we’re all part of the Body of Christ—part of the new covenant. But God continues to call people to step into covenant with The Salvation Army specifically. And so we want this to be an invitation for people to respond to God’s call and put their hand up to be a soldier and align themselves with the mission and ideals of The Salvation Army.’
Imagine we’re all in Mark will be pre-recording a message for Covenant Renewal Sunday for use in corps worship settings, and even during the 8 WarCry 27 JUNE 2020
week in centres around the territory. SalvationOnline is also preparing a full service featuring Mark’s message. There will be special The World Needs You covenant renewal cards for people to sign, including space to note any specific leading God may reveal. ‘I imagine people signing those cards in every corps and centre across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. I have this picture in my mind of us all signing The World Needs You cards and declaring, “I’m all in!”,’ affirms Julie.
The world needs you to pray Mark and Julie are also emphatic that the world needs us to pray. ‘Prayer and practical service go hand in hand. We want everyone “on duty” in prayer for the world during the month of July,’ affirms Julie. Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Colonel Heather Rodwell is leading the prayer charge throughout July (more information can be found in this issue’s news feature on page 14).
So many ways to serve There are so many ways to serve in and through The Salvation Army. God is still calling officers to lead the mission, but there’s also great need for specifically qualified leaders and workers across the Army’s operation. National Director for Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS), Lt-Colonel Lynnette Hutson explains that she is always on the hunt for passionate people with a heart for helping others. ‘We need such a wide range of people with social work and addictions training skills and qualifications in this area of the Army’s work. We also welcome people with “lived experience” of addiction and recovery. We need you to be support workers, and we can help with training,’ she explains. ‘We also need officers who might have a passion in this area. God ignited a passion in me for people who are homeless and struggle with addiction and it became “the call within the call” of officership for me. We know that wholeness is found in a relationship with Christ, and across ASARS we have a high percentage of people making a faith commitment. It’s a highly effective space for the kingdom. But even when people don’t make a faith commitment, we still make a huge difference in people’s lives. It’s a very rewarding field. ‘For young people or people changing career paths and pursuing their own educational pathway, consider studying with a view to working for The Salvation Army by pursuing
BUT WE ALSO WANT TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF EVERY PERSON WHO SERVES AS SALT AND LIGHT TO THE WORLD UNDER THE BANNER OF THE SALVATION ARMY—AND THAT INCLUDES OUR HIGHLY VALUED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. qualifications in the Health and Wellbeing sector. There are also a lot of generic pathways into ASARS work—including nursing, occupational therapy, mental health and psychology. Talk to us. The doorway into ASARS work is broader than you might think in the twenty-first century.’
Saying yes to diversity When it comes to Salvation Army officers, the days of the ‘onesize-fits-all’ or ‘jack-of-all-trades’ concept is well and truly over. Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Kylie Tong says, ‘We need people who break the traditional mould!’ With 12 accepted candidates for 2021 (eight in New Zealand, four in Fiji), and work already underway for the 2022 intake, Kylie is excited by the wide range of people applying for officership. ‘It’s exciting to see the increasing diversity amongst those applying and being accepted as officers. So, if you think you don’t “fit the box”, believe me “the box” is changing! It’s enlarging its scope, and God’s making all sorts of new ways for different sorts of people to take their place in our ranks as leaders.’ Importantly, the process toward officership is changing for Māori and Pasifika candidates. And while these changes may be coming too slowly for some, they nonetheless signify that the Army is changing, and truly seeking to ‘bring life’ by training leaders who represent our Army’s rich diversity and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ‘Don’t be limited by what you think “the box” looks like or what it’s looked like in the past. Have the conversation,’ Kylie urges. ‘We still need people who are adaptable and resilient, can lead others, and who are obviously sold out for Jesus. But we also need people to bring their whole selves and see what God does with that sacrifice.’
Never to young (or old) The Salvation Army in New Zealand was founded by young people, and young people today are still bringing their passion and energy to the mission. Territorial Youth Secretary and
National Director for Youth Missions Training Captain Mat Badger points out that teenagers who choose to follow Jesus are automatically thrust into salt and light missionary service at school and sometimes also at home. ‘They need our support, prayers and encouragement. It’s not easy being a young person—Christian or not—in today’s world. There’s a lot to navigate that didn’t exist for prior generations.’ Young adults are also applying for officership, studying with a view to working for ASARS, training as youth workers and, like so many other Salvationists, they’re being salt and light in the world while fulfilling their various vocational callings as teachers, IT specialists, retail assistants, trades apprentices, digital engagement managers—you name it! Mat also explains that responding to the call to work with young people and training accordingly is far from a smooth path, but it is rewarding. Qualifications in youth development can lead to working in churches, schools, government departments and as sports coaches and chaplains. ‘The reach of faith-based youth work in the twenty-first century is extensive,’ says Mat. ‘We need salt and light in all these spaces.’
The world needs you Imagine if we ignored that call? John Lennon believed the world would be better off without heaven and religion, and people still sing along and try to imagine such a place. Let’s be the kind of church that makes them think twice. The world needs you! Matthew 6:13–16 (NLT) ‘You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world— like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.’
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Phone Phobia Making a phone call might seem like a simple task, but just because the majority of us are glued to our smartphones, doesn’t mean we are all at ease with them. Being genuinely afraid to make or answer a call is common for people with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), but this fear can affect anyone. Think about your responses to the following statements: Before (or after) making a phone call, I… • feel anxious • avoid or delay calling due to feeling anxious • worry I am bothering the other person • worry about what I am going to say • think I am going to embarrass myself • obsess about what I will say (or said). When I am on the phone, I… • shake • feel nauseous • feel my heart racing • have trouble concentrating.
IT IS OKAY TO OCCASIONALLY LET CALLS GO THROUGH TO VOICEMAIL IF YOU ARE FEELING TOO ANXIOUS TO PICK UP, BUT WHERE POSSIBLE, CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
If you identify with most or all of these statements, phone call anxiety could be influencing both your personal and professional life, which is problematic in a time when phone usage is an integral part of communicating. If you are struggling to complete daily tasks, you should consider professional psychological counselling and investigate whether there is a treatment option within your budget. Acknowledge and validate your anxiety as a genuine problem (especially if you suspect you are dealing with SAD), then take steps to get help. It is okay to occasionally let calls go through to voicemail if you are feeling too anxious to pick up, but where possible, challenge
yourself. You cannot realistically avoid phone calls entirely. Practise by calling businesses where you will receive an automated message (e.g. customer service lines) or where you can ask a simple question (e.g. when do you open?). Family and friends are also good people to rehearse with. From there, you can take gradual steps to call or receive calls from people you do not know very well and, with these strategies in mind, know you can survive that sensation of panic. Source: verywellmind.com
Here are some coping strategies you can call on when times get tough: • Smile before making or receiving a call. This will relax your body and convey a sense of pleasantness over the phone.
• If you are concerned about bothering the person, ask them at the beginning if you have reached them at a good time. Give them the option to call you back.
• Have a general idea of what you want/need to say, write down important points and visualise yourself successfully making or receiving a call.
• Try not to read into the actions of the person on the other end of the line. It is easy to mishear or misinterpret vocal cues, and their reactions most likely have nothing to do with you.
• Keep water nearby in case your mouth starts to feel dry.
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• Reward yourself after making difficult calls by taking some time to do something you enjoy or an easy task.
TESTIFY! Despite a rebellious past, addiction and a serious motorcycle accident, Tony Rielly journeyed from feeling powerless to freedom in Christ. Even in my darkest moments and wrong decisions, I have always prayed and believed in Jesus. My father was abusive to my mother, my sisters and me. He left home when I was thirteen. I guess I always looked up to him—as a son to his father—so when he left, I became a bit of a rebel. I had an attitude against Mum. In my own way, I blamed her, pretty undeserved. Then came drugs, addiction and gangsters. I had a serious motorcycle accident in 1985. After 17 days unconscious, the minister came and prayed over me, and I woke up. It was a touch of God’s power. I ended up with a disabled arm, some internal injuries (which I keep at bay) and bad head injuries, which affected my life more than drugs. I had anger problems and couldn’t get work for many years. I lost all my self-esteem seeing my friends getting ahead. I alienated myself, thought there was no hope and that no one cared. But now— through God’s grace—I’m mentally, physically and spiritually healthier than ever. I give addiction no say in my life. I started coming to The Salvation Army casually about five years ago. One time, after I stayed away for a few months, I went back and one of the seniors gave me a great big hug. He said, ‘Oh, Tony, it’s good to see you back’. I said, ‘Brother, I didn’t think you liked me.’ He goes, ‘No, I don’t … I love you, Tony’. The way he hugged me, I believed him. To be able to say that to one another, it’s a true understanding of what love means. I got installed as a senior soldier at the New Plymouth Corps; it was the biggest achievement of my life. Nothing was going to stop me—not addiction, not darkness, not people. Mum said it was
Captain Karl Forman (left) with Tony Rielly at New Plymouth Corps.
GOD FILLS THE VOID THAT CANNOT BE FILLED BY DRUGS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SELF-SATISFACTION. one of the proudest moments of her life. She told me, ‘I prayed every day for ten years that you would come right, Tony.’ I obviously want to acknowledge my heavenly father, but also my mother’s love. I remember once, my father smashed the kitchen table and Mum stood between him and us—and he was a big man in stature. When he left, Mum had to do three jobs. She supported me through ugly times; I have two daughters, and Mum was always looking after the kids. Even when I lied about needing money for food, she would still give it to me. I don’t think my mum’s ever, ever let me down. I let my family down, but they never stopped loving me. I just thought they did. To be totally accepted in the Sallies and have a role here, it’s soul satisfying.
The Salvation Army is an overcoming church, with overcoming people. After my accident, I never thought I had much to lose; today, I’ve got much to lose and much to give, too. I’ve got two beautiful daughters, Mum, two sisters, brothers-in-law, good friends and a whole world of people who are part of my church family. Some people say, ‘I want to act, but I’m powerless’. Christ didn’t die for us to call ourselves powerless. He gave us full power in his name. That doesn’t mean I’m silly enough to go and have a beer or smoke, but it means I don’t need to. God fills the void that cannot be filled by drugs, substance abuse and selfsatisfaction. He’s always there; it was I who turned away from him—he never turned away from me.
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follow me Leadership does not require an official role—although, as you go through school, taking on a leadership role may be something you are interested in. Sometimes it means standing up for someone else, organising a group project or volunteering to pick up rubbish. Whether it’s a long-term commitment, or one small moment of action, leadership can make a big impact.
BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER
How Can You Practise Leadership In Your Life?
what Makes a Good Leader? ‘Good leaders don’t see themselves as the biggest person on the block. They see themselves more like shepherds caring for their flock. They understand how vital it is to build good relationships. Good leaders care; great leaders serve’ (Bear Grylls). There are many qualities that make good leaders stand out. The best leaders are the first to admit they have flaws, but they are communicators, collaborators, decision makers and strategic thinkers. They are organised, resilient and accepting of others. They listen and can manage risks. You too will need a chunk of these attributes—or at least an awareness of them—to be a good leader. If you are looking for a blueprint of leadership to follow, as Christians, we have the best one. ‘If you want your life to impact others,’ writes Adventurer Bear Grylls in his book Soul Fuel, ‘there’s no finer leadership example to follow than Jesus’.
Leading At School: A Quick FAQ To lead or not to lead, that is the question … at least, it is the question you might be asking if you are approaching your final years of education. Schools are now introducing a range of roles to recognise and provide opportunities for students to lead in areas such as communications, arts, environment, culture and community service, each with varying levels of responsibility.
But what will i gain from a leadership position? ‘Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others’ (Jack Welch). It is okay to have some internal motivation for taking on a leadership role—such as having a credential on your résumé or building your own skills—but it is important to question your motives. Are you only applying so that you get a special badge, or to look important? Or do you have a genuine interest to serve your peers? Are there things you want to change for the better, or work hard to maintain? Do you truly want to develop your leadership skills? These are all great things you can get from taking on an official role. 12 firezone.co.nz 27 JUNE 2020
Remember, being a leader is also a chance to be an example of Jesus to others through your actions. ‘Prominent positions and public flattery are not good for some of us—we start believing our own hype when people treat us as special,’ Grylls writes. ‘Make it your goal to promote Christ, not yourself.’
Isn’t school leadership just a popularity contest? If your school allows students to vote during the application process, then there is a chance you may be up against other students who have a large friendship group to back them, whether they are the best applicant or not. But does that mean the process is rigged? No. Think about independent Members of Parliament, who compete against the main political parties. They believe strongly in what sets them apart. When they relate and resonate with the public, they often pick up a lot of votes, and sometimes even win their seat. The same principles apply for you. If you have a vision, then express it with passion and embrace chances to make written or spoken presentations, even if it scares you. You might be surprised how many people are on your side.
Do these leadership positions actually count for anything outside of school? At face-value, it can reflect favourably on your résumé to have held a leadership position at school, but once you get to an interview (e.g. for a scholarship, job or internship opportunity), it will only matter if you can show that you did something—or learned something. Put it this way: if you can provide concrete examples of ways that you have served your community or worked through problems as part of a team, that will matter far more than a badge or yearbook title.
leadership lessons from the bible • Jesus … leaders make sacrifices, lead by example and practise servant leadership • Noah … leaders do what is right, even if they are the only one doing it • Abraham … leaders leave their comfort zone • Joshua … leaders get involved in the action • David … leaders are not afraid of giants • Isaiah … leaders take initiative • John the Baptist … leaders tell it like it is • Paul … leaders are passionate Source: Doug Rice / 12most.com/2011/12/13/12-inspiring-leadershiplessons-bible-characters
If you apply for a role and miss out, then it is totally okay to feel disappointed, but remember there are lots of other ways you can make a difference without an official position. And if you find you are not so keen to do the extra work without the recognition of a title, that may be an indicator that you do not have the right motivations for leadership yet.
“Good leaders care; great leaders serve.” HOW CAN I LEAD—WITH OR WITHOUT A BADGE? You would be surprised how many things you can volunteer to do—or might already be doing—to bolster your leadership skills. Join a student council (your elected student leaders need help to put their ideas in motion. Often, you will learn just as much about leadership from helping them and being on the team as actually leading.) • Take care of/babysit younger siblings, family or neighbours • Sports coaching • Youth leading • Be a tutor, peer mentor or role model to another student. ‘It is in the quiet, unseen moments of simple kindness that we truly define ourselves,’ Grylls writes, ‘that’s leadership.’ Remember, if you do these things outside of an official role, or in your free time, it will be even clearer that you genuinely want to learn and see change happen. What are you waiting for? Lead on!
FAMOUS FORMER SCHOOL LEADERS Check out some of these famous artists, politicians and athletes who were Head Girl or Head Boy at their school. • Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith: Actors who played the Ninth and Eleventh doctors on the TV show Doctor Who. • Leigh-Anne Pinnock: One of the Four Vocalists in Little Mix. • J.K. Rowling: Author of the Harry Potter series. • Margaret Thatcher: Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, aka The Iron Lady. • Richie McCaw: Former All Blacks Captain.
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Unified in Prayer for The World BY JULES BADGER
Flowing out of ‘The World Needs You’ Covenant Renewal Sunday, territorial leaders Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell are calling Salvationists from across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to three weeks of intentional prayer for our world. War Cry spoke with Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Colonel Heather Rodwell about what to expect. ‘On duty’ in prayer
A prophetic call to prayer
‘A shift has happened in the past three months as we’ve lived through the Covid-19 pandemic—we’re far more globally aware and connected. As we move forward, prayer can’t just be about us and our needs. We want to come out of this lockdown period strongly committed to praying together for our world,’ affirms Heather. Between 6 and 31 July, every corps and centre across the territory will be assigned a day, meaning that at any one time at least six people from the four nations will be rostered ‘on-duty’ in prayer. This will be facilitated by the Spiritual Life and Prayer Coordinators in each division, and will include daily updates and regular messaging on our various social media platforms. Heather explains that there’s complete freedom for corps and centres to decide how they use this time, with the main encouragement being to go above and beyond what’s usual, while being very intentional about gathering together to pray for the world. ‘Prayer meetings, prayer walks, prayer concerts, prayer lunches or even 24/7 prayer rooms are all on the table,’ she explains. This three-week period of prayer for the world is a springboard into a full year of territorial prayer beginning in February 2021.
‘During the genesis of The Salvation Army, our founders William and Catherine Booth were called to form a new and different kind of movement to the churches of the day. Winning the world for God began with a deep commitment to the work of prayer,’ Heather reminds us. During last year’s New Zeal season of encounter, Captain Sammy Millar (Napier Corps) preached a powerful Pentecost message that included this prophetic call to the territory: ‘If we want the Holy Spirit to spread like wildfire in our ranks, we need to position ourselves in prayerful expectancy’. ‘Sammy’s words not only echo the heart and practice of our founders and generations of Salvationists, but they provide inspiration for us as we head into this season of prayer for our world and “position ourselves” to hear from the Spirit,’ says Heather.
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Outward focused Heather is careful to emphasise that many Salvationists have vibrant personal prayer lives. ‘We have in our Army saints in Jesus who are totally invested mature Christians, and they have a strong prayer life which will
look as different as each person, but we celebrate that this is true. And that is more generally true than perhaps we think— we can’t test that of course. So that’s the personal prayer space, but at the territorial ‘on duty’ intercessory level, let’s gather together and commit to being unified in outward focused prayer for our world.’
Sharper together It’s what we do corporately moving forward that Heather’s especially interested in. ‘My sense is that this is an area God wants us to be sharper in—together. We know that when we get together and pray, something powerful happens. But it doesn’t happen just by accident. It happens because someone planned for us to gather together.’ Heather knows there’s also another element at play in what God’s wanting to do during this season of prayer. ‘There’s this other narrative that says, I don’t know how to pray—teach me. Part of this season is also giving people tools and first-time experiences of the wide diversity of how we can pray together. There has been a growing appreciation across the Army of the strength of the liturgical style in corporate meetings for example,’ she says. Thoughtfully-prepared responsive prayers can help us to pray together meaningfully and powerfully.
Taking shape Interestingly, but not surprisingly, statistics show that prayerrelated online searches rose considerably during the Covid-19 lockdown period. ‘As we have come out of lockdown into alert level 1 and begun to gather together again, our corps know that they can’t go back to “business as usual” as it was before Covid-19 hit. The world has changed. Corps have discovered that we have to do life differently. Some things have even been pruned away from us which we don’t necessarily want to restore. So we have this opportunity in the first instance, to pause and make this period of time following Covenant Renewal Sunday a time of intentional prayer, as we come onto one page with that corporate focus of “The World Needs You”.’ Heather says she was listening to a speaker recently who asked the question: What if we’re not just being shaken, but being shaped? Now that’s something worth praying about, as we anticipate the beginning of this New Zeal season of prayer for our world. 2 Chronicles 7:14 ‘Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer.’
If we want the Holy Spirit to spread like wildfire in our ranks, we need to position ourselves in prayerful expectancy. Captain Sammy Millar, Pentecost Sunday 2019
Tribute: Ned Samson Cook Ned Tu’ipulotu Afiulo Cook was promoted to Glory, unexpectedly, on 17 May 2020, aged 66 years, from Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Born on 28 October 1953, to Samisoni Cook and ‘Ofa Savelio, Ned was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Ma’ufanga, a suburb of Nuku’alofa. Ned’s great-great-greatgrandfather was William Cook who migrated to New Zealand from the UK and married a Māori princess named Tiraha. Their son George Cook fathered Albert Edward Cook, who was a whaler and migrated to Tonga—marrying ‘Ilaise Ma’ake. Their son Ned Cook (snr) fathered Samisoni Cook, Ned’s father. Ned migrated to Fiji in 1972, and then to New Zealand in 1973. In 1974, Ned married Christina Retter. He faithfully sent money home to Tonga to help support his family and is remembered by his younger siblings for his generosity, sacrifice and kindness. In the 1980s, Ned served in the Territorial Royal New Zealand Artillery. In 1992, Ned remarried—Tamsin Brown, a clinical psychologist who lives in Porirua. In 1993, Ned helped found a Registered Tongan Cooperative Trust called, ‘Na’a ‘o Felenite’, before beginning work with The Salvation Army in Hamilton, which focused on the care and wellbeing of Pacific Island people. This included working with alcohol and drugs services, domestic violence, university student support, prison visitation and life skills for unemployed youth. This led The Salvation Army to commence the Alcohol Drug and Addiction Centre (ADAC) in Tonga in 1998, in partnership with the Nest Hamilton. Following this, Ned started the Pacific Islands Drug and Alcohol Services (PIDAS) in Hamilton, before moving to Porirua to do the same work for a number of years. In October 2016, Ned returned to working with The Salvation Army in Hamilton as an Addictions Caseworker at the Waikato Bridge. In January 2019, Ned moved to Tonga (after 45 years in New Zealand) to take on the role of ADAC Team Leader. While in Tonga, Ned was integral to the planning and engagement around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding proposal to increase and develop the addictions work. Ned had also been working to strengthen the ADAC services and train and upskill the staff. Ned was a highly regarded and respected man in Tonga across many service providers. Ned’s second middle name Afiulo means ‘burning fire’, and those close to him say his entire life was like a light shining in the darkness. He was an avid Chiefs fan, who loved fishing and was proud of his seafaring roots. To keep fit, he trained in kickboxing— winning awards in his younger years. The many tributes posted on the Facebook page, ‘In memory of Ned Cook’, attest to his extensive influence and legacy. Ned is described as a mentor, counsellor, guardian, brother and father figure to many; an inspirational leader, a man of tremendous wisdom, a big-hearted man, a dedicated and focused servant of the Lord and a committed Salvationist. Ned leaves two children, Susitina and Nathan, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and extended family in Tonga, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. We salute you Ned Tu’ipulotu Afiulo Cook—well done good and faithful servant.
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Welcome back!
A collection of photos from corps around the territory, celebrating their first weekend back in their buildings after lockdown was lifted. Taupō Corps
Auckland City Corps
Rangiora Corps
Aranui Corps Cambridge Corps
Winton Corps Queenstown Corps
Wellington South Corps
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We Are Changed People! Party poppers, streamers and dancing were the order of the day as officers and staff from Territorial and Central Divisional Headquarters gathered at Wellington City Corps on Tuesday 16 June. It was certainly not a celebration of Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham leaving the territory for new appointments at International Headquarters, but a wonderful opportunity to honour and celebrate their leadership over the past (almost) three years. A live feed from Sydney enabled Territorial Commander Commissioner Mark Campbell and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Julie Campbell to express their heart-felt appreciation and love for Melvin and Suzanne as people, as well as their gratitude for their leadership and influence across the territory. While Mark and Julie also expressed their obvious disappointment and feelings of being ‘short-changed’ with the announcement of the Fincham’s new appointment, they affirmed their trust in God, and urged those watching to also trust in God’s perfect timing and careful plan. Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministies and Spiritual Life Development Colonel Heather Rodwell led the celebration, with speakers Captain David Daly (in-coming Territorial Secretary for Mission) and Captain Gerry Walker (in-coming Chief Secretary) sharing on behalf of the territory and divisions. Both speakers affirmed how well Melvin and Suzanne have fitted into the territory, as well as the extensive reach of their influence, not only as extremely competent leaders, but as people who have consistently embodied the love of Christ in their leadership, pastoral care and prayer for others. Sharing on behalf of Divisional Leaders from around the territory, David spoke of his first experience of Suzanne’s leadership as Chief Secretary and chairperson of the Territorial Executive Council (TEC). Suzanne had been presented with an issue requiring a decision, and while some members called out, ‘Just say “yes” Chief’, Suzanne’s reply of ‘Do I look like a yeswoman?’ reassured David that he was in the presence of a leader who would be firm but fair. And this she proved to be—as well as compassionate and gracious—even amidst what Suzanne describes as challenging ‘tussles’. Heather, along with Māori Ministry representatives Ken Te Tau (Central Division Pou Tikanga/Cultural Advisor) and Captain Nicki Dutton (Porirua Corps), presented the Finchams with the special gift of a beautiful and sizable greenstone mere. The mere represented Aotearoa—Land of the Long White Cloud— and was contextualised within the biblical account of the Exodus and the image of the pillar of cloud that guided the Israelites by day, and the pillar of fire that protected the camp at night. Both Suzanne and Melvin responded, with Melvin explaining that when their overseas service had been announced, he’d been concerned about where they would be sent and whether he would need to learn a new language. When it was confirmed they were headed for New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, he was initially relieved. ‘They speak English in New Zealand! Little did I know,’ Melvin explained, ‘that I was about to step into a season of such rich cultural diversity and so many different languages as we began to understand the true nature of the whānau we were joining in Aotearoa, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.’ ‘We are changed people,’ Suzanne declared.
Lt-Colonel Michelle Collins (left), leading prayer for Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham (front centre and right).
Colonel Heather Rodwell (left) and Ken Te Tau introducing the mere gifted to Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham.
THQ worship team, lead by Selena Thomson (front right), at the farewell event for Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham.
Selena Thomson (left), presenting Colonels Suzanne and Melvin Fincham with a memories book filled in by THQ staff. To see the full interview with Major Jules Badger and the Finchams, go to https://tinyurl.com/TSAFincham 27 JUNE 2020 WarCry 17
Seeking Justice Together Captain Missy Ditchburn was at The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission, Officer Capacity Building Programme. She updates us on the goals of the Commission and highlights the work with womens’ rights and climate change. She is now back in Aotearoa serving The Salvation Army Midland Division Children’s Department. The Salvation Army knows first-hand the horrors of human suffering. By 1940, under the fierce and fabulous leadership of General Evangeline Booth, we were serving troops in the trenches and bringing hope in war-torn countries. All over the world, The Salvation Army was fighting for the rights of vulnerable people to experience God’s love in action. After WWII ended, 51 nations came together with one goal: to promote peace and use international cooperation to address human rights issues. There were 12 founding non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and one of them was The Salvation Army. We were ready to work with any country prepared to fight with us to meet human need. Love had an Army. Since then, The Salvation Army has held a ‘consultative’ status at the United Nations (UN). This means we have a voice. Today, alongside the other 3000 NGOs who hold this status, we speak directly to the UN on human rights issues, providing
important information to governments as they coordinate measures to fight injustice. In 2007, General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton opened The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), just a ten minute walk from UN Headquarters in New York. This proximity was no accident. More work was needed to achieve human dignity for all and The Salvation Army had more to contribute in practice and in presence. The ISJC has senior representatives at the UN in New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Their voices, alongside the work of a senior research analyst (our very own Laurelle Smith, see War Cry, 5 October 2019), policy analyst, officers, international human trafficking response coordinator and some amazing staff and interns, make up the ISJC team. The work we do on the front lines of community injustice (and yes, those statistical reports) are contributing to our international voice. Back in 2000, the UN (189 countries) agreed on a plan to address some of the major injustices facing our world. They called them the Millennium Goals, and they were hugely successful. Having a framework for addressing injustice saw significant international change. The ISJC’s international work provides a platform to support sustainable change for the people we serve. The UN Global Goals have a 2030 deadline—their motto: ‘Leave No One Behind’.
Women’s Rights Are Human Rights In 2015, the UN acknowledged that they needed to build on progress, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were born. The UN made this statement about achieving the goals: ‘reach the furthest behind first’. The truth is, not everyone is at equal risk of experiencing injustice. Some groups of people are more vulnerable than others. One group—that makes up over half the world’s population—are women.
freedoms than men in their families, marriages, school system, laws and decision-making. In spite of all these challenges, when women are empowered, the whole community benefits. Women have the ability to provide for themselves and others when they have good jobs, to contribute to peacemaking efforts in conflict, to provide solutions to tackle climate change, to educate, inspire and lift themselves and others out of oppression.
Women are more at risk of domestic violence, low wages and sexual exploitation; they are adversely affected by climate change, poverty and lack of electricity. In many places, women experience fewer opportunities and
When women thrive, communities thrive. When women are free, so can we all be free. Empowering women is essential to achieving all other SDGs.
MORE INFO | Keep informed on the plans and progress of the work the ISJC undertakes globally—follow the ISJC on instagram or twitter @salvarmyisjc, or facebook @salvationarmyisjc and website endpoverty2030.com 18 WarCry 27 JUNE 2020
There is No Planet ‘B’ When humans are faced with danger, they say we react one of two ways: fight or flight. Personally, I’ve found my reaction is often something else: freeze. Sometimes, even when I’ve wanted to act or run, I’ve found myself stuck— paralysed by what I was feeling. I wonder if this is what happens when the word ‘climate change’ is mentioned? We can’t deny it, but we also have no idea what we can really do about it, and so we do nothing. We freeze. Our territory's name is New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, and the truth is, we can’t afford to freeze when it comes to climate action. The Pacific Islands are already bearing the impact of climate change: there is no Fiji, Tonga or Samoa ‘B’. Rising ocean levels have polluted water resources; changes in weather have impacted crop growth leading to loss of income and loss of food. Natural weather disasters leave devastating destruction, keeping children out of school, families in poverty and negatively impact the emotional wellbeing of communities. What can we do now to protect the future of the South Pacific and all its peoples? The Salvation Army has a positional statement that says we will ‘enact sound environmental policies and practices within The Salvation Army … provide practical care and advocacy for those who are impacted by adverse or damaging environmental situations’, and ‘work to educate ourselves to change the way we view our responsibility to our planet’. But a positional statement is only as good as the actions that follow it. The ISJC is participating in UN and Salvation Army discussions around how to address climate change. Our territory has an opportunity to make change that could add crucial contributions to the International Salvation Army's environmental plans.
THE WORLD NEEDS YOU
‘The world needs you’ is the theme of our Founders’ Day celebrations, which encapsulates renewing our covenant and commitment to love and serve God through The Salvation Army. On 2 July, The Salvation Army celebrates Founders’ Day—remembering the incredible step of faith taken by William and Catherine Booth to set in motion what is now a truly international Christian movement, expressing the heart of our love for God to serve the community like Jesus. William and Catherine Booth certainly knew that the world needed them to show the love of God in the East End of London and indeed throughout the world. God called them to passionately preach about the love of Jesus to people in their community who were overlooked and undervalued. They shared the love of Jesus with soup, soap and salvation. The analogy of the two wings of a bird that are essential for the bird to soar and fly, reminds us that the two focuses of The Salvation Army are preaching the good news of Jesus and loving others. This is our mission—to care for people, transform lives and reform society by God’s power. This is true for us now more than ever before as we continue to commit to doing our part in keeping our community safe from Covid-19, and to speak up and stand alongside our neighbours in love and respect to eradicate injustice. It is out of our love for Jesus that we serve our community and shine his light for everyone to see so that they are drawn to him. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:13–16: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.’ On this Founders’ Day, when we traditionally look back on the birth of our movement, the zeal and sacrificial service of the Army of the past, we again turn our focus to the mission of the Army today. How are we impacting the world with the message of Christ? How are we working to serve the world, address social need and injustice in the name of the Father? How are we living up to the missional zeal of the early church and The Salvation Army. Just as the world needs the Booths, the world needs you where you are. As we remember Founders’ Day 2020 and celebrate Covenant Renewal Sunday on 5 July, we remember and thank God for the commencement of The Salvation Army, and commit again to renewing our covenant to love and serve God through The Salvation Army. Commissioner Mark Campbell Territorial Commander 27 JUNE 2020 WarCry 19
The Blueprint of Your Life A blueprint is an architectural drawing on paper, a guide for making something—it’s a design or pattern that can be followed in the process of building, for example, a house. A blueprint can also refer to a strategic plan for your life. Every person born on this earth has a blueprint designed for their life. BY VIVIENNE HILL
There are several passages in the Bible that speak to the fact that we were designed and planned for before the world was made. It says in Ephesians 1:3–4: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the 20 WarCry 27 JUNE 2020
heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him’.
(DNA) for all of us resided in Adam at the time of his creation and passed down to us through the generations.
God in his omnipotence foreknew us and had specific plans for us individually. Furthermore, not only did he create a blueprint for each life, but he took a personal interest in your individual creation. It says in Psalms 139:15–16: ‘My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’
DNA is an inherited record of instructions telling each cell in our body what its job is going to be. It’s a whole set of blueprints for the cell. DNA is like our fingerprint and unique to us. No two people have the same DNA. God uses DNA as building blocks, each individually designed from the blueprint he first envisioned for you. This blueprint or plan is hardwired into your life.
Adam was created in ‘the depths of the earth’. In Genesis 2:7 it says, ‘Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being’. The genetic code
In Luke 3:23, 38 it says, ‘Jesus was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph… the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God’. Your lineage traces back to Adam, which connects you to the DNA of Almighty God. Not only spiritually, but in every dimension of reality, your DNA is God’s DNA!
Once we come to Christ and experience this new birth, we too are cleansed by Christ’s blood, but the sin nature, or tainted DNA, still resides in our being. This is the ongoing battle we have within our nature, but God’s plans for us take precedence once we experience the new birth. The Bible is our manual for life and gives us clear guidelines on how to live our optimum life. If we choose to live the life we are called to live, we can make positive changes in our very DNA.
WE DO NOT NEED TO LOOK LIKE EVERY OTHER CHURCH. WE CAN BE WHO WE WERE CALLED TO BE.
The study of epigenetics is now catching up with the Bible. It tells us that the genes in our DNA can be turned on and off as we make the right choices for our lives. The satanic realm has studied our family lines for years and is well acquainted with our weaknesses and biases, but we do not have to build to its specifications, we each can follow God’s blueprint for our lives and build something beautiful.
Army’s involvement in saving those ‘lost on the perilous sea’ was what motivated and drove the formation of an Army. This has and will have implications eternally.
Gideon
YOUR LINEAGE TRACES BACK TO ADAM, WHICH CONNECTS YOU TO THE DNA OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
When we allow God to lead in our lives, he accesses the original blueprint and calls out his original design. In Judges 6, the Israelites were being oppressed by the Midianites and they were hiding away. An angel of the Lord appears to a young man named Gideon. In verse 12 it says: ‘When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior”.’ Gideon didn’t see himself as a ‘mighty warrior’, more like a ‘mighty worrier’, but God did. He saw his original plan for Gideon and spoke it to him. This gave Gideon courage, hope and a vision. It is the same with us, God does not see who we were, he sees who he designed us to be. When he speaks to you, he is calling to the DNA contained in your body and revealing who he called you to be. He gave each of us strengths, talents, gifts and we need to access God’s original intention for our lives.
Spiritual DNA
The DNA of the Salvation Army
But we also have a spiritual DNA. This spiritual DNA is given to us when we are ‘born again’, just as the breath of life was breathed into Adam by God at his creation, the breath of the Holy Spirit was breathed into us—the church— first at Pentecost and then inherited or imparted to each person who becomes a follower of Jesus Christ.
Not only do individuals have spiritual DNA, but churches do too. The Salvation Army’s blueprint was first envisioned by William and Catherine Booth. The Booths saw the problem and became the solution. They worked and formed the DNA of the Army. William had a vision, not only for the work of the Army in the 1800s, but his vision of the ‘lost’ and the
The Salvation Army today inherited this DNA. We are called to carry out an original plan and vision. We can do this because a spiritual vision such as Booth’s is not confined in the here and now, it is seeded in the past, but harvested in the present and in the future. We are still reaping the harvest planted by the Booths. The danger is if we move so far away from the original design we can then develop mutations that bring disease, discord and sickness into the body. We need to access Booth’s purposeful design, remove the mutations and sickness and strengthen the work for future generations.
The DNA of the Church The Salvation Army brings to the body of believers our special DNA, our blueprint. We do not need to look like every other church. We can be who we were called to be. In fact, when we return to the original plan, the original vision, we will fulfil our mandate and enhance the body of Christ internationally. No matter what, you can rest in the truth that God has holy plans for The Salvation Army and for us individually. God requires each of us to play our part, to find our place within the body and express ourselves in all our differences, giftings and vision. He has joined us in unity with each other and with the larger church globally that spans time and place. When we build from the master plan we will build with eternal outcomes.
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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS
There are no official engagements until further notice.
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PRAY Gisborne Corps, Glen Eden Corps, Glenfield Corps, Gore Corps, Grandview Corps; The Salvation Army in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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3 5 2 3 4 8 5
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GIVE A GIFT ONLINE AT JUSTGIFTS.ORG.NZ INTERNET BANKING AVAILABLE
Shop online at
salvationarmy.org.nz/shop
Want to Know More? I would like: to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:
Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
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1
Each Sudoku number puzzle has a unique solution that can be worked out logically (not mathematically). The numbers 1 to 9 appear once in every row, column and 3x3 square.
N H I K E A D V E N T U R G
P T O L Y E N R U O J W F U
A R I L K M U U T R I C T O
S A H A I T R O P S N A R T
S V F I N D P T L B E E I C
A E R E K A A E Q Q X U P R
A L V I S S G Y U P O T Q O
E D Y S W A N D E R I N G S
A T A U Y I O D S A D T F S
Z G A O O J I F S U R R A I
E N V G I T T A L E D I R N
R I D A I R A R K I F I D G
T V S O E V C P R H G A R X
S O N E I T A C A V R H R V
C R U I S E V N H I K T T E
Find these ‘time off’ words that are hidden in the grid above—either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
ADVENTURE CROSSING CRUISE EXPEDITION FARE FLIGHT HIKE HOLIDAY
JOURNEY NAVIGATE PASSAGE QUEST RIDE ROVING SAIL TOUR
TRANSPORT TRAVEL TREK TRIP VACATION VOYAGE WANDERING
Quiz Answers: 1 Umbrellas, 2 Lady Jane Grey—Britain’s shortest reigning monarch, 3 Singin’ in the Rain, 4 Forth of Firth, 5 Ahab (1 Kings 17:1, 18:44–45).
GIVE A GIFT THAT TACKLES POVERTY AND INJUSTICE AROUND THE WORLD
5 1 7 2 3 7 9 7 8 4 6 6 2
Then Samson prayed to the LORD, ‘Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more…’
Design Your Own Hairstyle!
Forget haircuts… can you put a brand new hairstyle on this head? It can be for any occasion, from a formal dinner to crazy hair day!
Judges 16:28a
Why are sers hairdres e? never lat they Because the know all . shortcuts
Change one letter in each of these words to make a new word which solves the clue! GROW
Glowing in the dark A fox’s cave home
CLAY
Have fun with your friends Red nosed party guest
HEAL
FAIR CROWN
Something true This helps you tell time
CLICK
Now, a bit trickier—add a letter to these words to solve the clue! Painting apron SOCK A little bit corny
PECK
A tiny piece of dust
ergy to watch You can save enough en s by recycling one television for three hour aluminium can.
TACK
Samson was born with super strength— just like Mr Incredible! God gave Samson this gift so that he could lead the people of Judah and defend them from the Philistines. There was one condition— he could never, not ever, cut his hair. However, Samson fell in love with a woman called Delilah, so the Philistines paid her to discover the secret to his strength. At first, Samson evaded Delilah’s questions, but she kept pestering. Finally, he revealed that his hair had never been cut [facepalm]. That night, Samson’s hair was shaved as he slept. When the Philistines arrived, Samson could not fend them off and was captured. He had squandered his precious gift. Still, God did not forget him. One night, the Philistines held a huge party and brought Samson out to mock him. By now, his hair had grown back. Samson prayed for God to remember him and strengthen him one last time, and God listened. When Samson pushed against the pillars supporting the roof, it collapsed over the Philistines. I WONDER...
What is your super strength? How can you use your special gift to glorify God and bring good to the world this week? 27 JUNE 2020 WarCry 23
You are loved You are valuable You are crafted with beauty and purpose I treasure you and this world needs you There is no one like you You don't need to look like the rest or talk like the rest or be like the rest This world needs you as you are There is no truth in the lie that you don't matter You were put here for a reason You are loved You were not an accident You are not a mistake. Curt Mega