Preview

A new digital chapter starts here

Bethany Gibson introduces the newly launched territorial website

THE new territorial website salvationist.org.uk is live and ready for action. It offers a whole new way for Salvationists and others to engage with Christianity and The Salvation Army.

It will be the go-to digital space for people linked to our Movement and anyone who wants to explore faith and belonging – it’s for members, attenders, volunteers, employees, supporters, friends from other churches and people who are curious to learn more about The Salvation Army or about God.

Until now we have had two territorial websites: salvationarmy.org.uk, which is primarily aimed at external audiences, and OurHub, a private digital space for operational matters that can only be accessed by people with login details, such as officers and employees. What’s missing has been a dedicated online space for all Salvationists. That’s where salvationist.org.uk comes in.

It is home to internal Army news, stories, devotional materials, resources, events and learning opportunities, plus key information about how people can get involved in mission.

People are creating resources, planning events and telling stories across the territory, and one of our aims is to make this content easier to discover and more broadly accessible.

As we’ve been planning content, we’ve been excited about the potential of this website. The launch is the beginning of a new digital chapter and the website will continue to grow and develop.

It is guided by a steering group, which advises on content and direction, and a feedback group, which reports on the user experience and ensures the site is working and helpful. Both groups are diverse in membership and include soldiers, adherents, staff and officers from all across the UKI Territory. Because the website sits within the remit of the Communications Service, a Territorial Communications Board will also monitor and give oversight.

We want to continually listen to each other and the prompting of the Spirit to see how this new resource can help build God’s Kingdom. This means that, when you visit the website, we want you to be ready to share your feedback – to tell us what you want to see more of, and to let us know how your experience could be improved and how we could make the website more engaging, accessible and inclusive.

In related news, in late 2021 The Salvation Army was approached by the leaders of Fortress Radio with an offer to take over management of the online radio station. After due consideration, this offer was accepted and we’re working through a transition plan that will see the station continue with some rebranding, new programming and a new home: salvationist.org.uk.

We’re also pleased to announce that we’ve recruited an audio content editor who will take the lead on the radio station and oversee audio content for the website. Fortress Radio has developed a strong foundation on which we can build – audio is one of the areas that has huge potential for supporting our mission.

Links between the website, radio station and weekly papers will be strong, but each format will allow room for unique content and innovation. So now Salvationists can read and hear the latest territorial information across multiple media formats and access a broad range of resources.

Please remember salvationist.org.uk in your prayers. Pray that the website will be a space where people can encounter the inclusive, radical and transforming good news of Jesus.

l Tell us what you think of the new website by emailing salvationist@ salvationarmy.org.uk

BETHANY GIBSON

Online Content Editor THQ

God’s way with me

Three delegates from the 249th session at the International College for Officers and Centre for Spiritual Life Development share their testimonies

MAJOR GILDA VALENCIA DE ALIAGA Executive Director, Harry Williams Hospital, Bolivia

South America West Territory I WAS born in 1980 in La Paz, Bolivia, in the heart of a very poor family. I came to a Salvation Army day care centre at the age of five and spent my childhood and part of my youth there. I received food, support with school supplies and, most importantly, I met the Lord.

My mum always worked hard; we went through times of great need. I remember on several occasions we used to go to sleep without eating, in the hope that the next day we would have a rich breakfast at The Salvation Army. Out of necessity my younger brothers and I began, as children, to work to help support our home.

Remembering this situation gives me a lot of sadness, but I am sure that God protected my life and my family.

I attended church on Sundays, but I really received the Lord in my heart at 15 years of age when he spoke to me through Isaiah 41:9 and 10. He told me that he had chosen me, that I was not alone and that he would help and sustain me.

Until that moment I had thought that I would not have opportunities in life. I was a poor girl, rejected by my biological father and I felt insignificant. But God did not think the same. He made me valuable.

At the age of 16, during a young people’s activity, I met a special person whom God had prepared for me: Freddy Aliaga. On finishing high school in December 1998 we got married and God has blessed us with four wonderful children. In our first year of marriage we received the Lord’s call to serve him as officers. We have served for 21 years and in each appointment God has been faithful to us and we to him.

Participating in the ICO has been a privilege, a blessing and a gift. The Lord has renewed and strengthened my life. I know that, when I return home, everything I have learnt will help me to strengthen my ties with my God, family and ministry. I thank God for everything he has done and will do in me.

I once thought I was insignificant, but God renewed my thoughts and gave me a new life. If at any time you feel that way, he can do the same for you. You just have to trust him and put your life in his hands.

CAPTAIN LUCA LONGO Assistant HR Officer and Spiritual Life Development Co-ordinator

Italy and Greece Command THE gospel was in my home when I was a child because I am the son of officers. I started going to church from a very young age. Although I didn’t know what it meant to accept Jesus into my life, a desire for him was burning in my heart. Sometimes I went to church, but not of my own free will – my parents forced me to go with them and my mind was distracted by other things.

Years went by and I felt sure that I was in God’s plan. But then there was a time when I left the church and God. I started hanging out with friends who were not good for me. However, my parents never gave up praying for me, because they were certain that one day I would realise the need to surrender my life to God and give my heart to Jesus.

In 2001 I won an Erasmus scholarship to go and study at a university in the north of Spain. Once there, I felt I had to look for a Protestant church because there was no Salvation Army corps where I was. I did not realise at the time that God was preparing the way for me to realise that my heart needed a real transformation. No one knows God’s timing, but I knew that God had already prepared something wonderful for me.

In this church I met youth pastors Monchu and Merced, who realised that I always had one foot in and one foot out. They organised a weekend for young people and invited me. I didn’t