The General’s Easter message

I am not ashamed of the gospel,

because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes

(Romans 1:16)

MY greetings to you as we recognise and celebrate Easter 2022.

The apostle Paul made the following affirmation in chapter 1 verse 16 of his letter to the church in Rome: ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.’ And I join Paul in declaring my fearless confidence in the truth, power and need of the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Easter and the preparatory time of Lent provide us with an opportunity to enter into the salvation story of God in an immersive way. It is important to remind ourselves of the foundational and overarching story of the gospel that is at the heart of both our spiritual reality and the mission of The Salvation Army.

Wherever you are in the world, whatever your age, no matter your circumstances, the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news and is directly applicable and relevant to you. The gospel encapsulates God’s love for and choice of you; it communicates the provision of grace, mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation; it contains the power of resurrection and promise of eternal life; it is the all-encompassing story of Scripture that continues to be lived out in our lives today.

For those who are more than familiar communicate the gospel in our context, but there is no need for us to lose confidence in or shy away from the saving grace of God, made manifest in Jesus. If we don’t take the opportunity to share this message at Easter, when will we?

Salvation Army, this is your moment to share the gospel with everyone – in every and any way you can. And may you know the presence of the risen Christ as you do so.

with the events of Easter, there may be the danger of taking a blasé approach to Holy Week, but I encourage all of us to focus on Easter 2022 with fresh eyes and expectation. Jesus is still the Saviour of the world. He is still the Way that leads to God.

Today’s world is a melting pot of cultures, faiths, viewpoints and practices. Some people propose we de-emphasise the harder parts of the message, but it is the essence of the good news that makes the forgiveness of sin, the path of repentance and the reality of Heaven possible for each of us.

The gospel has something to say. It brings hope, and offers an eternal dimension to impart a message that is desperately needed. Yes, we need to find relevant and respectful ways to

INTERNATIONAL

International leaders celebrate with territory

LATIN AMERICA NORTH

THE territory joined in worship with special guests General Brian Peddle and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Rosalie Peddle for the aptly themed congress Together We Are Stronger.

Men, women and young people journeyed from across 10 countries in the territory to attend the event, which featured meetings and many displays of singing and dancing, including the territorial timbrel brigade and the Panama divisional brass band.

The youth of the Latin America North Territory wel comed the international leaders and had the opportunity to share in a live interview with them.

A particularly exciting occ asion was the thanksgiving for 50 years of The Salvation Army in the Venezuela Region. This celebration inspired an evening of cultural appreciation, where each country within the territory – Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Ven ezuela – offered its artistic expression.

Another highlight was the General’s enrolment of 18 soldiers and 9 junior soldiers. In the same holiness meeting, the General implored: ‘We need an Army that is ready. We need an Army that bends its knees and prays. We need an Army that opens its heart to purity, to holy living and to fighting the battle for salvation.’

‘God is good all the time, and this visit of the international leaders has been of great blessing to our territory,’ said Territorial Commander Com missioner Merle Heatwole. ‘We thank God that through the visit of the General and Commissioner Peddle we are inspired to renew and move forward in this century, but with the same purpose remaining: the salvation of souls.’ – JO PRESENTATION

WICK Four soldiers achieved a remarkable milestone by attaining more than 170 years of service between them: Jack Glass (50 years), Mary Glass (45 years), Jean Bremner (50 years) and Donald Plowman (25 years). The corps recognised and gave thanks to God for their faithful service during a meeting appropriately themed Perseverance and Determination. – KC

COMMUNITY

HEDNESFORD Representatives of seven local charities were invited to attend a dinner and receive a portion of the funds raised by Rotary at last year’s Christmas collections. Major Anne Finch explained how the corps had been reaching out to people in the area through its community table and café, which is open four days a week and enables people to receive a variety of food donated by supermarkets. The corps also continues to raise funds for the fuel poverty project, which assists people struggling to pay for gas and electricity in the Cannock Chase area. – AF

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL The band united with Gresley Colliery Band for a joint concert, their first event of this kind since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Each band presented a short programme, with Gresley featuring ‘Spectrum’ and the corps band playing ‘Quintessence’. The bands massed for three final items: ‘Rolling Along’, ‘Mr Jums’ and ‘The Kingdom Triumphant’. – RO

FUNDRAISING COMMUNITY

STAPLE HILL The corps held a coffee morning to raise money for the Army’s Ukraine crisis response appeal. Members of the band played outside the hall, while people went inside for coffee and cake. More than £2,250 was raised. – VW

COVENTRY CITY Junior soldier Rosie Street wanted to help those affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis and held a cake stall following a Sunday meeting. She involved her friends and raised £337.50. A concert given by the band the following Saturday evening, as well as a second cake sale, raised that total to more than £1,110. – VS WILLIAMSTOWN Eleven corps members were promoted to Glory during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the lockdowns and restrictions imposed on funerals at the time, corps folk were unable to say goodbye in a normal memorial service, so a remembrance meeting was led by Major David Emery. During the service family members were able to light a candle in memory of their loved ones while comrades expressed their support and gratitude. – EB

BRISTON Andrew-Paul Jones used the corps car park for a sleepout to raise funds for The Great Tommy Sleepout, which supports Royal British Legion veterans experiencing homelessness. The corps was happy to support Andrew, who raised £760. – MR

SCARBOROUGH The corps raised £1,175 at a tabletop sale to support The Salvation Army’s emergency response teams working in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries. Youth leader Josh Barker organised a team of volunteers who ran the sale near the town centre. Another team provided refreshments, including homemade cakes and pastries. ‘We’re delighted so many people supported us. We would like to thank them for their generosity,’ said corps officer Major Stephen Noble. – MT Bristol South hosts its first learner junior band practice in response to local schools and families not having money for music lessons

MEETING

FUNDRAISING