‘BEHOLD, I am doing a new thing.’ Most people would probably quote Isaiah 43:19 when talking about a new project, whether it’s planting a Salvation Army presence or a creative ministry idea at a corps that’s been around for years. As a Movement, we love doing new things so much we’ve got our own terms for it. ‘Pioneering.’ ‘Fresh expression.’ ‘Outpost.’
They all carry their own meanings, associations and assumptions, but how often do you talk about being a new thing? Isaiah 43 is all about our relationship with and identity in God, who calls us by name and says: ‘You are mine’ (v1). Following God’s call to be – and do – is not a one-stop destination. You might not think of yourself as a pioneer, but behold! God is doing a new thing in you and he continues to do it every day as he renews your mind and transforms who you are.
No wonder we feel the urge to pioneer new ways to share the gospel with others. The good news is that there’s always more good news, there’s always another new thing to discover about God – for ourselves, for others and for our Army. What new thing are you being called to do where you are? What new person are you called to be?
EDITOR Major Julian Watchorn
MANAGING EDITOR Ivan Radford
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Stevie Hope, George Tanton, Lyn Woods, Major Margaret Bovey, Major Lynne Shaw
SENIOR DESIGNER Hannah Holden
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Louise Phillips, Joseph Halliday, Oyindamola Olagunju
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland
IVAN RADFORD Managing Editor
The gift of love
Felicity Grubb reflects on Mother’s Day this weekend
FOR some, Mother’s Day (30 March) is a time of great celebration. But it can also be a difficult day of complicated emotions, such as grief, disappointment or frustration, perhaps due to difficult relationships. If I’m honest, it’s a day I often avoid.
One of my favourite programmes is Call the Midwife and I recall an episode that focused on a Mother of the Year competition and looked at different variations of what a ‘mum’ can be. There was Nurse Nancy Corrigan, who became a mum as a teenager and was forced to leave her daughter in a convent-led children’s home, only granted access
Reflect and respond
Pray for the mothers and mother figures in the lives of you and your loved ones. Thank God for their example of God’s love.
Thank God for the mothers within our church. Pray that God will bless them and surround them with love.
Pray for anyone who finds Mother’s Day difficult. Pray for people who miss their mothers, people who miss their children and people longing to be mothers. Pray they will feel God’s love today.
if she pretended they were sisters. Such was her love that she fought to bring her daughter home.
There was Reggie, who, since the death of his mother, had lived with his cousin and his cousin’s wife. Such was her love for Reggie that she helped nurture him into a fine young man.
There was Timothy, whose mother died when he was young. His life was changed when his father, Patrick, fell in love with Sheilagh and married her. Patrick and Sheilagh also adopted Angela and then found out they were pregnant with Teddie. Such was Sheilagh’s abundance of love that they also fostered May from Hong Kong. Each child came to them in a different way and was loved equally.
Finally, there was Mrs Higgins, who had a baby when she was working in India and fell in love. This caused social outrage at the time, but such was her love for her child that she allowed him to be adopted by a local family. In the episode, her terminally ill son travelled to London to see her.
Who won Mother of the Year? None of them! It was Sister Julienne, head of Nonnatus House. Such was her love that she had supported, held the hands of and wiped the tears of countless people over her time as a midwife.
In the Bible, we also see many examples of motherly love. In Exodus, such is Jochebed’s love and faith in God that she sends her newborn son up the river, in the hope he will survive the atrocities
happening at the time. Had it not been for her love and faithfulness, arguably Moses never would have led the Hebrews to the Promised Land.
In 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah, who is desperate to be a mother. The Lord answers her prayer by blessing her with Samuel. Such is her love that she takes him to serve at the Temple – he goes on to become a great prophet.
We cannot forget Mary, mother of Jesus. Such is her love that she watches her son die on a cross to save us all –I cannot begin to fathom the pain she must have experienced.
From a personal perspective, such was the love of my mother that she handed me over to the Sisters. Such was their love that they then found my mum to raise me. Such was her love that I grew up knowing love. Such is the love of countless women within my life that I am able to be the mother I am today.
What does it mean to be a mother? Is it just to carry a child within your body? Is it just to raise that child? I think these are not the only ways. The above examples all have one thing in common: passing on the gift of love.
by Garry D Reed
2
3
9
12
IWAS born into a Salvation Army family. I enjoyed every moment of my early life growing up as a corps cadet at Wembley Corps and attending corps cadet house parties. l loved working with children and young people, so I became a young people’s sergeant-major at an early age. I married a young man in the corps, and we now have two lovely sons. We moved from London to the Isle of Sheppey, to Sheerness Corps, where I was also young people’s sergeant-major.
September 2017 was a very sad time because of the closure of Sheerness Corps. Nevertheless, I felt that God hadn’t finished with the work of The Salvation Army on the island. So a few of us decided to continue our coffee mornings, sharing with the folk of a church in the town. We continue to meet every Tuesday and I lead fellowship.
Soon after the corps closed, the hall remained unsold. God had other plans! In December 2018, the divisional commander gave me some very exciting news: we were to start something called a fresh expression on the island! It’s all in the name, a new way of ministry and working. Before we started, we prayer-walked through the town.
Our worship and ministry is out in the community, every time we pray with a tearful mother on the doorstep delivering a food parcel to her. Our ministry is about people not buildings. We continue to pray
and ask God for his leading. We now meet every Sunday at 4pm and once a month it’s Café Church, which is attracting new people, small babies and old folk alike, including those who are not churchgoers. We have a leadership team of eight, who are amazing.
I have also seen God working in my own life. A difficult challenge came when my husband died, completely out of the blue, on the way to band practice. Our boys were married with families living a long way from home. However, God gave me the courage and strength to continue. My love for him grows stronger each day.
My testimony is directed to any folk of my age: please don’t be afraid of change. It is now a different world, but it can be so good. Don’t feel you can’t be part of that. God needs you today, just as he needed you in the past. Age doesn’t come into it, believe me! It’s so exciting to be involved in new things happening here at Sheerness. My son, Robert, said: ‘Amazing! Mum, a pioneer at 87!’ I feel so privileged to be part of this pioneering team.
A daring innovator
George Tanton explores the life of Elijah Cadman, an early pioneer of The Salvation Army
ELIJAH Cadman began life destitute. Born in Coventry in 1843 into abject poverty, it seemed he was destined for a life of crime.
‘No star of promise rose at his birth, unless it was some baleful foreteller of human degradation shining in upon a Coventry slum dwelling,’ wrote The Observer in 1927.
His father was transported to a convict colony in Australia, and so Elijah was brought up by his mother within a workhouse in Rugby. Trained as a chimney sweep, his means of income ended when the government passed laws to restrict the use of minors for that difficult work.
An impoverished son of industrial Britain, his life appeared set to be both brutal and short. As a teenager, he gained a reputation as King of the Roughs. By his own admittance, as quoted by the Rugby Advertiser in 1911, he could ‘fight like a devil and drink like a fish’.
One day, he and his gang travelled to Warwick to see a public hanging. Here, his conversion began. Upon seeing two convicts swinging from the gallows, he decided that his life would not end at the hangman’s noose. His new conviction was cemented soon after when he witnessed a Methodist preacher, whom he had planned to heckle, evangelising in the streets.
Elijah then pursued a career as a preacher, having to memorise Bible passages because of his illiteracy. While giving an impassioned sermon at the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Grandborough in 1870 – on the subject of the temptations of Christ in the wilderness – the Rugby Advertiser reported he was ‘so warmed up to his subject’ that he kicked away the front panel of the pulpit!
meet William Booth, eager to know more about the work of The Christian Mission. So, impressed by the Movement’s work, he quickly enlisted his support, being appointed to administer the gospel in Hackney’s slums.
In 1877, war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire broke out. The newspapers were full of wartime rhetoric, with many observers predicting that Great Britain would eventually enter the conflict. In a masterstroke of evangelical enterprise, Elijah harnessed the populism and political nuances of the day when he declared ‘war in Whitby’ during his Christian Mission campaign there. He produced pamphlets calling for 2,000 men and women to enlist in the ‘Hallelujah Army’ to help fight the works of the Devil and referred to William Booth as the General. Captain Elijah’s ingenuity helped influence The Christian Mission’s rebranding into The Salvation Army and led to the system of ranks.
Elijah carried out evangelistic work in Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Coventry. In 1888, he was appointed to the Army’s international headquarters in London.
In 1890, as a colonel, he became the first leader of the Men’s Social Work Headquarters. In June 1911, the Rugby Advertiser reported that his influence on this work had helped provide 12 million beds to rough sleepers, 30 million meals to the poor, and employment for 100,000 men across the country.
So impressed was William Booth with the former ‘rough’, he appointed Elijah to be the Army’s international travelling commissioner, and he campaigned on the Army’s behalf across the globe, furthering William Booth’s work in America, South Africa, India, Australia and Europe.
Upon his death in December 1927, the Sydney Morning Herald complimented Elijah for his practical proclamation of the gospel, saying: ‘Of daring innovators, none was more daring.’
GEORGE TANTON Editorial Assistant Salvationist
The silence of Jesus speaks volumes, writes Major Matt Butler Accused
MARK
14:53 TO 15:15
‘WILL the accused please rise!’ Are you still sitting down? Standing accused of something is an uncomfortable place to be. Confession time – when I was around nine years old, I was in an argument with a boy in the playground, resulting in him chasing me. As I ran, I fell. (Do your laces up!) The pencil that was in my pocket went into my stomach as I fell. My response was to accuse the boy of stabbing me with the pencil. After his denial and undergoing questioning from the teacher, I stood accused of lying. I had to admit what I had done. I was punished at school and my parents were informed. Today, I still have that mark as a reminder.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Can you recall a time when you wrongly accused someone?
Have you ever been wrongly accused by others?
How did you feel in either of those situations?
In our passage, we find Jesus at the end of a long week of accusations and questionings. In Mark’s Gospel alone, the week leading up to the cross included his authority being questioned (see Mark 11:28), questions about paying taxes (see Mark 12:13–17), questions about the resurrection of the dead (see Mark 12:18–27) and being pushed on what is the greatest commandment (see Mark 12:28–34).
This week of accusations and questioning, with attempts to trip up Jesus, concluded a three-year ministry
where the teachings of Jesus and his purpose on Earth were often challenged. This campaign against Jesus is found in Mark 14:53 to 15:15.
Finally, the accusers have their man. Jesus was regarded as dangerous to the religious authorities. He taught and acted in ways that challenged their thinking and religious practices. Jesus appeared to break laws and taboos, resulting in him being labelled a ‘glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’ (Matthew 11:19). Jesus forgave sins and healed on the Sabbath. He called out religious leaders for living so strictly by the Law of Moses that they had missed the essence of it. Ultimately, Jesus was accused of blasphemy. All of the four Gospels record Jesus revealing his identity as the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Messiah.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
Have your own actions and practices ever brought accusations from others?
In Mark 14:53, we find Jesus in the home of the high priest. The chief priests and whole Sanhedrin are gathered. They have determined to find witnesses to testify against Jesus in support of their accusations. To their dismay, they initially struggle to find anyone with a valid testimony and are then frustrated that others who testify contradict each other. Despite their best efforts, the leaders are not in a position to punish Jesus –they have no evidence. Therefore, they push Jesus to offer a word of defence. Silence.
The high priest questions: ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ (v61). Jesus replies: ‘I am and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand
of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven’ (v62).
This is too much to hear for the high priest, who tears his clothes and declares: ‘You have heard the blasphemy’ (v64). With this confession from Jesus, they have all they need and condemn him to death. What next? Although the religious rulers condemn Jesus, they live under Roman rule. They need the Romans to execute the sentence.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
When we accuse others, are we willing to face the consequences of our accusations?
Do we pass on the accused for others to deal with?
Chapter 15 finds the religious leaders gathered very early in the morning. In the hours of darkness, a dark plan has been schemed. Jesus is taken before Pilate. As often happens with Mark, there is no time for setting the scene; we are straight into the questioning again.
Pilate’s question focuses on Jesus’ identity: ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ (v2). Jesus affirms but in a way that leaves a little ambiguity. When pushed further regarding the wider accusations, Jesus again falls silent.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
If Jesus was who he said he was, then he had the power to stop his accusers in their tracks. Why did Jesus only answer to confirm his identity?
Why did Jesus not try to defend himself more strongly?
Jesus remains silent before Pilate. He faces the crowd who condemn him to death. Notice how the religious leaders defer punishment to Pilate, and then Pilate defers the option for the freedom or death of Jesus to the crowd. In Matthew 27:20, we read that the leading priests infiltrate the crowd and stir them up to call for Jesus to be crucified.
Jesus stands falsely accused. He is condemned by the noisy, ill-informed and stirred-up crowd. With this in mind, we continue to journey to the cross, where, once again, we will be reminded that Jesus is our suffering Saviour, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:3 –Jesus was accused and condemned for who he was.
Today, we might consider ourselves accused. Know this: Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins, no matter how big or small, no matter if the physical or mental marks remain.
Be encouraged – Romans 8:1 tells us: ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’
As I consider all that I have been – and could be – accused of, I am reminded of the words of ‘O Come to the Altar’ by Elevation Worship:
O come to the altar,
The Father’s arms are open wide. Forgiveness was bought with The precious blood of Jesus Christ.
MAJOR MATT BUTLER Corps Officer Bognor Regis
A shortened version of Prayer Matters will continue to be published weekly in Salvationist in 2025. To read the full, unedited booklet, visit salvationist.org.uk/discipleship
SATURDAY 29 MARCH: CARE FOR CREATION
We’d like to have a corps champion for our care for creation mission priority. Pray that someone with a passion for the environment will be called by God to this role. Pray we will be led to a place where we have a culture of caring for creation, where it’s second nature to us in all our different expressions of community. by Captain Kate Newland (Brighton Congress Hall) and the Connect Group
SUNDAY 30 MARCH: SABBATH PRAYER – COURAGEOUS WOMEN (ESTHER 7:1–4)
Jesus, help me see your purpose for me: to see where you have placed me to represent you, to see what you need me to do in this place. It’s not by chance that I am here but by God’s appointment. Help me to willingly stand up for you and do your work.
based on Lent resources at salvationist.org.uk
MONDAY 31 MARCH: SHARING THE GOOD NEWS – 15-YEAR CELEBRATION OF OFFICERSHIP (31 MARCH – 3 APRIL)
Prayers for the celebration of officership which is offered at the 15-year point are appreciated. Pray that coming back together will be a great opportunity to acknowledge and give thanks for God’s faithfulness, and to listen to one another’s stories. Pray those attending will sense a unity in service, even when respective pathways have been very diverse. by Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones (Assistant Secretary for Personnel)
People struggling with alcohol or other drugs often have a history of trauma or adversity and can be isolated and feel anxious and afraid. Pray that people seeking help in our centres will feel they are in a safe place – a place they can drop their guard, breathe, relax and find peace. May our officers, employees and volunteers express love and positive regard to all the people they serve.
by Major Will Pearson (Assistant Director, Addictions Department)
WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL: GROWING IN FAITH – WEST MIDLANDS DIVISION - CANDIDATES
This month, we will be holding the next round of candidates’ interviews with two potential candidates. We pray that God will clearly guide these people in their preparation, and that they will have a strong affirmation of God’s calling on their lives. by Major Clare Allman (Divisional Leader)
THURSDAY 3 APRIL: INTERNATIONAL SALVATION ARMY – GHANA TERRITORY
We pray for Salvationists in Ghana as they live lives of faithful service and courageous witness. We pray that every corps and centre will be a beacon of hope and light over the Easter season, and that many will meet with the risen Jesus because of their ministry. Pray God’s blessing on the territorial leadership team – Colonels Seth and Janet Appeateng and Lieut-Colonels Simon and Zipporah Mbuthu. by Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room Team)
FRIDAY 4 APRIL: JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION – LIVING WITH DISABILITY (JOHN 10:10)
We pray for all who live with disability of any kind, for fullness of life in your love. We pray that no setbacks will prevent us from experiencing that full life you have promised. We are all equal, and unique, and we celebrate our uniqueness, giving thanks to you, our Creator.
adapted from the 2025 Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Resource Calendar
PRAYER REQUESTS
Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for?
Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line.
‘If you feel dissatisfied with the status quo, give it a go!’
Territorial Pioneer Officer Major Sarah Butler talks to Salvationist about embracing the pioneer spirit
What does pioneering look like in The Salvation Army today?
It’s about pushing boundaries, about going beyond, about exploring how we can do things to reach new people groups or new geographic spaces with the gospel.
Sometimes, people go to a new place where there is no Salvation Army and start the work in a fresh way. They might feel called to a specific place –for example, Faversham (see page 13) – and they can’t rest until they’ve done something there.
Others might go dog walking in the same park every week and feel that could become church, and they just go for it. They don’t need funding or status or a title, they’re just going where God is leading.
But an increasing number of corps – particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic – are also recognising the need to do things in a different way to reach different people groups. Sometimes, pioneering is simply about reimagining the culture in your corps.
And so, up and down the territory, what we’ve seen is a whole load of people thinking: ‘What would happen if we tried this?’ In a way, I think pioneer is a mindset or a spirit more than a defined thing.
Do pioneering expressions eventually become corps of their own?
That would very much depend on the setting. Some are planting what could be seen as a worshipping expression of the Army. It might look different, but in time you could describe it as a corps. Others might never be considered a corps, because they’re more of a concept or a presence in a community. It really depends on the nature of
where God takes each expression. This is a big question that I’ll probably be looking into over the next year or so, as my appointment as territorial pioneer officer becomes full-time.
With pioneering expressions being so different from each other, what unites them?
Within a brand-new setting, an expression is pioneering by the fact that it’s in a new space with a new group of people. For existing corps trying creative initiatives, it’s about not being satisfied with the status quo, doing things differently to how we’ve always done them, wondering and asking questions like: ‘What would happen if we did paddleboarding church?’
It’s a very broad definition, but anything trying to reinvent The Salvation Army is kind of pioneering.
The Army has always been pioneering. Has it always been the same?
Our attitude towards pioneering has definitely changed over the past decade or so. We’re in a new season and I think people feel more released to try something new. Majors Andrea and Andrew Vertigan – who were previously territorial pioneer enablers – did a good job bringing pioneering to the forefront, and I think we now embrace difference better than perhaps we did for a long time. I’ve been privileged to speak to all the divisional leaders, and they’ve all been really supportive of people trying something different or looking for new opportunities.
How important is pioneering for the Army’s future?
We need to be pushing down barriers, reaching new people. The world is
always changing. Unless we’re ready to keep up, to evolve with it and to seek the new, we’ll be left behind. For many, pioneering comes out of that real crisis moment when they’re forced to think about how they could reach different people. And people don’t always realise that’s a pioneering thing!
What does it mean when we say ‘some are pioneers, but all are called to pioneering’?
What I’ve been seeing is that, even when people don’t think they’re pioneers, they’re realising they’ve been used by God to do something new. Some people are called to the very edges , but since the Covid-19 pandemic I’ve seen lots more people embrace the pioneering spirit.
What would you say to someone considering some form of pioneering?
If you feel dissatisfied with the status quo, give it a go! Gather people around you. Trust in God. Be brave and bold. We have training tools you can pick up – such as Pioneer Bitesize on salvationist.org.uk – and there are lots of people who would be willing to have a conversation with you. Be aware of what the Spirit is saying to you in those conversations. Calling is not always about full-time spiritual leadership but, if the Spirit is calling you into a new thing, if you just can’t settle until you’ve said yes to God, that’s a calling! If it’s a calling that needs exploring, we’ll help you unravel it.
• Have you considered how you could be pioneering? Visit salvationist.org.uk/ pioneering-and-fresh-expressions or email pioneeringevents@salvationarmy. org.uk for resources, advice and more.
A C C OUNTABILITY
“ We need to be pushing down barriers, reaching new people ”
This article demonstrates The Salvation Army’s key value of boldness.
For more, visit salvationist. org.uk/ our-values or scan the QR code.
This article demonstrates The Salvation Army’s key value of compassion. For more, visit salvationist.org.uk/values or scan the QR code.
BOLDNESS COMPASSION P NOISSA TCEPSER YTIRGETNI
Still pioneering
Fresh expression leaders offer a glimpse into the journeys of established pioneering projects
Ryan Wileman
Westfield Fresh Expression
How it started
The project commenced in 2015 following four years of preparation. To cut a long story short, it became apparent that it would be difficult to sustain our initial ideas for the length of time needed to achieve their aims. However, through research, it also became apparent that the Westfield estate in southeast Sheffield was exactly the sort of area that The Salvation Army should be working in. It was therefore agreed that we would look at an organic missional project taking the idea of Missio Dei: to go into the community, see what God was doing and join in.
Pioneering in any context is about trying new ideas, doing things differently, or working in a place where you’ve never worked before. For us it was primarily the latter. Much of what we do could be found in an established setting, but we’re doing it in a place where the Army has never worked before.
How it’s going
A lot of what we do is about partnering others. We believe the most effective transformation takes place alongside local experts; people who know the community
far better than we do. It’s far more sustainable to work with people who’ll be here for the long haul. We also take the approach of guest rather than host. We don’t have our own building and most of what we do takes place in other people’s spaces.
A lot of what we do is linked to health and wellbeing. We run a food bank, facilitate a drop-in with Citizens Advice, the council and employment advisers, host a weekly health walk with GPs and a fortnightly pop-up market with the charity Food Works. We also run a monthly Messy Church, in partnership with our local Anglican church, as an after-school club, and seasonal Messy Churches in the community centre.
My wife, Kathryn, works for a primary school. Her role offers amazing ministry opportunities with staff, students and parents. This has opened doors for getting to know people, and her role is as vital to our life in the community as mine is working for the Army.
On a wider level, I’m involved in coordinating the Sheffield Poverty Truth Commission, which empowers people to tell their stories and work with people of influence to find solutions. This is an incredible project, and I can’t wait to see the outcomes!
We’re constantly reviewing what we do. Some things we’ve done since day one, others have a natural shelf life. Our steering group meets three times a year to help us reflect on how things are going.
For now, I think God wants us to focus on loving and serving his community, and he’ll take care of the rest. I also keep reminding myself that we’re just a small part of the much bigger picture of this estate. We aren’t the saviours of this estate; God is. And he’s almost certainly using other people to fulfil his plan too.
There are still many unresolved questions related to what God is doing in Westfield. But I believe that if we’re faithful and keep listening to what he’s saying, then we’ll live our way to the answer.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CIRENCESTER The red carpet was rolled out for the Gap Sunday school prizegiving. Everyone walked the carpet and there were some fabulous outfits on display. Gap Leader Corinne Walters led the meeting and corps officer Major Bryan Lang presented the awards. Music was provided by the band and worship group, assisted by two members of the junior worship group on guitar and percussion. The awards were interspersed with congregational singing and readings about the amazing things God says about every person. – MG
FUNDRAISING
AYLESBURY Corps Treasurer Michael Power raised more than £1,500 for childhood cancer charity Little Princess Trust by shaving his hair off, having grown it since November 2020. The funds will help supply wigs for children who have lost their hair. – MP
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
LEIGH-ON-SEA As part of World Book Day, children’s author Laura Diebelius attended the corps preschool and parent-andtoddler group to read her latest books, I’m Going to Have a Brother and I’m Going to Have a Sister. Everyone enjoyed listening to the stories and meeting Laura. – RD/CD
COMMUNITY
LEIGH-ON-SEA The council invited corps officer Major Rob Davis and Territorial Community Engagement Lead Debbie Charles to present to student social workers what the Army is doing within the community. The students also asked Rob and Debbie what they are seeing in the community regarding need. Soon, it is hoped that the students will visit the corps to see the community work taking place. – RD/CD
COMMUNITY
WESTON-SUPER-MARE Weston-super-Mare Lions kindly donated £2,000 towards corps community work. President Grant Parris is pictured handing over a cheque to Corps Treasurer Jeanne Walker and Julie Watson, leader of the food parcels team. – DL
EVENT
STRAWBERRY FIELD The centre scooped prizes at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2024 for Café/Bistro of the Year and – for the second year running – Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. Mission director Major Kathleen Versfeld said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who made these wonderful achievements possible, including our staff team, volunteers, supporters and visitors.’ – AR
COMMUNITY
CHELTENHAM The corps unveiled a publicly accessible defibrillator mounted outside the hall, ensuring that congregants and passers-by have immediate access to this critical piece of emergency equipment. – AR
ECUMENICAL
HMP NEW HALL Chaplain Major Catherine Dodd organised and led a World Day of Prayer service at the prison. More than 30 people attended, as prisoners and staff joined together for the first event of its kind to be held at the establishment. Roman Catholic and Anglican chaplains supported, reflecting the ecumenical work that happens every day within the chaplaincy team. – CD
What is a pioneer?
Major Ian Haylett invites us to see the world differently
PROVOCATIVE writer Peter Rollins once described receiving Christ into his life by saying: ‘It’s not that I had a new thing in my life. Say I had 20 things before and then I had Jesus, which made it 21. I still had 20 things in my life, but I saw them all differently.’ As followers of Jesus, we see the world differently. We see the world as it is, but then catch God’s vision for what it could be, and we become agents of the transformation of human hearts, minds and spirits.
The Spirit gives this work to the Church, which takes this global task and makes it localised, incarnating it into our streets, our parks, our schools and our places of work. We engage with those we meet, we hear the cry of the community, we roll up our sleeves to get stuck in and then take those sacred moments when we can talk about Jesus. This is the Church. This is pioneering, the work of a pioneer.
All movements follow a pattern: an inspired beginning gives way to becoming established, settled and content. This can last years, generations, even centuries and, uninterrupted, it will breed complacency and decline will follow. Some of these movements do not survive, but those that do are stirred
into a serious reality check – a corporate dark night of the soul. It is not only a time of introspective searching, but also outward-looking, to see the landscape as it is now and to see it differently. Without looking externally, movements in decline will try to recapture something of their past – an impossible task – but taking stock of new realities, seeing things differently, will allow new ideas and approaches to be adopted, making that movement fit for its present age.
The people who see things differently in these movements are the pioneers. Something stirs in them that provokes questions, a holy discontent that pushes them out of places of comfort to take them into spaces that are new, challenging and, perhaps, a little dark. They cross their Lake of Gennesaret, impelled to go to the other side.
I’ve met many pioneers over the years and realised that they come in all sorts of guises. Wacky, dull, old, young, some with pierced noses, others immaculately uniformed, male, female, musical, tone-deaf, officers, adherents, friends, a myriad of ethnic backgrounds… They are all there, drawn from the many strands of society!
So what defines them as a pioneer?
Isaiah confessed: ‘I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty’ (6:5). Yes, Isaiah! You get it! You are not perfect, but you have seen the Lord Almighty and now you see everything differently. You are no longer overwhelmed by fear, nor bound by your circumstances, but you have offered yourself to be sent into the world to bring light, hope and love. You are a pioneer and you didn’t know it!
We, as Salvationists, are not here to bring life to our organisation. We are here to bring life to our world, perhaps beginning in the small part of the world where we find ourselves. The pioneering spirit exists within us all and needs to be fanned into flames to encourage us to leave our comfortable places, to inhabit the places where have our being, to walk the world in white and to bring the good news of Christ – that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
See the world differently. Be a pioneer.
MAJOR IAN HAYLETT Thirsk
Faversham All are welcome
God said ‘go’
Although we both felt called to full-time ministry in our mid-teens, pioneering wasn’t something we considered. We spent a lot of time exploring ourselves and our calling further. We knew God was directing us to this place. We prayerwalked Faversham to better understand what God was saying and shared it with our DHQ. Only then were we guided to full-time pioneering. We knew we had to be obedient to God saying: ‘This is where I need you to be right now.’
We’ve been pioneer leaders here since late 2018. Our simple mission is to love everyone, serve our community and share the message of Jesus and the momentum of the gospel with the town and beyond.
Rooted in home
We recently acquired our own community space and are actively creating new ways for people to connect with God, church and each other. From the outset, we’ve listened to God and the community. Our language and approach to mission may seem different at times, but everything is a response to what God’s called us to do here for his Kingdom.
The Army hasn’t had a physical presence here since the late 1990s. We knew God was saying: ‘Now’s the time to put down roots and build on the old foundations’ (see Isaiah 61:4). We really felt in our hearts that God was saying to move on to this new stage of ministry, we needed a base.
We’ve broken down some preconceptions of what a church should look like and reimagined the space with a theology of home: a sofa area with a TV, a dining room area with a table and a little kitchen. People said it feels like home and we felt that God was affirming this as a place of rest, safety and security where people can learn and grow.
Developing disciples
In the early years of being here, we listened and prayed and we did podcasts, which produced lots of fruit
for God’s Kingdom. We’re passionate that social media can be The Salvation Army’s modern street corner.
Now we’ve found and made our church home, it’s time for us to do the growing and the nurturing. We’re intentional in our Bible study and have been running a different type of discipleship programme using The Chosen
We are living in a broken world, journeying with people and learning from them. On the wall alongside our table, which can be seen through our front windows, we have a donated tapestry that says: ‘We all have a seat at his table.’
We did a pastoral stock check at the beginning of the year, catching up with people where they are and asking what they want to do, how we should take their discipleship forward and what we can do for them. We asked what drew them to our church and ministry and their replies affirm our desire to be out in the community and to serve others without discrimination. One person said they loved that, no matter who comes to the table, there is no judgement, only love.
Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. We’ve had a few people challenge us recently about adding prayer-walks back into our programme. We’re going to be having monthly Sunday Strolls, an outdoor walking church service. There are lots of surrounding villages to explore and discern what God is saying.
Finding
God’s
rhythm in mission
Listening is key to fruitful ministry. Prayerwalking enabled us to be visible, to see things we never would have seen, hear things we never would have heard and to be slow and rhythmic, not rushing ahead with our own agenda but following God’s mission.
God is guiding us to show people new ways into church and to knowing Jesus.
Fast Facts
DIVISION: South East
PIONEER LEADERS: Bethany and Jonathan Munn
FIND US ONLINE: facebook.com/ mofav.salvationarmy
Standing strong
THE SLATE CONFERENCE CENTRE
THE 2025 Encounter Prayer Gathering focused on the theme of Stand!, writes Territorial Prayer Coordinator Major Gary Lacey (THQ) Delegates gathered at the University of Warwick to consider how the spiritual culture in The Salvation Army can keep growing and changing. They reflected on being effective in standing strong as they join Jesus in his mission to save the world from the ravages of sin.
Worship was led brilliantly by worship team Sound of Wales, whose fresh approach became a portal to the throne room of God throughout the event. The main speakers included myself and Lyndall Bywater (UKI Boiler Room). There were heartfelt and God-driven talks around changing the atmosphere and spiritual culture, choosing ground and making a stand together. Major Wendy Ferguson-Smith (Selby) brought a powerful word.
Exciting seminars were experienced throughout the weekend. Lieut-Colonel Jonathan Roberts (Wales DHQ) led an amazing prayer labyrinth experience. Major Jill Miller (UKI Boiler Room) invited people to explore opportunities to become a prayer coordinator. Head of Integrated Mission Rach Boyes (Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Department) led delegates in exploring the prophetic, Majors Alan and Carol Young (South West DHQ) led an informative session on standing in ministry.
Throughout the event there were opportunities to pray with each other and pray for many different topics. Many lives were touched by the power of God during the event and many people were challenged and changed by the encounters with God that people experienced.
Prayer meditation
I had written a meditation for a prayer time at Maidenhead the week before the Encounter Prayer Gathering. During the week I kept thinking that it was not finished with and, as I was preparing to go to Encounter, I felt strongly I should take it with me. I had no idea why, as I had not been asked to contribute, but as I sat through the gathering’s morning session, I realised that everything being said was in my meditation. I approached Lyndall and Gary and they asked me to present it on Sunday morning:
Lord
What if I just stand here?
Just stand here and say nothing, Do nothing?
What thoughts will fill our heads?
Our hearts?
Perhaps a clever quip or something sarcastic, something frustrating or something slick
Or,
Will it be thoughts of you and the things you did?
Will it be thoughts of ourselves and the things we have done?
Will it be thoughts of others and the things they have done?
Something I have judged when you are the only judge
Something I need to forgive in me or in others
Perhaps something that for years, it has bothered
Perhaps something that has blocked your plan for me
Your plan to give me life and to have it to the full
A plan that I cannot see – and yet –it waits for me.
Lord
What if I just stand here?
Just stand here and say nothing, Do nothing?
What thoughts will fill our heads?
Our Hearts?
Will it be thoughts of the planet and what we are doing to it?
Will it be thoughts of this world, your world and where it is headed?
Will it be concerns about who is in charge, who is going to be in charge? Or have the patients already taken over the asylum?
Lord, you’ve got this, yes?
This was all part of the plan, yes?
Of course you have, and we trust you Lord, for you are our hope and our salvation our ever-present help in times of trouble.
Lord,
What if I just stand here?
Just stand here and say nothing, Do nothing?
What thoughts will fill our heads?
Our hearts
I wonder, if I stand here long enough, if your Spirit will infill us instead. Your thoughts will be our thoughts, your plans our plans,
Your love, our love; envelop us Lord like a warm blanket
Fill us Lord like a warm broth on a winter’s day
Let us sit with you by a warm fire on a cold winter’s evening as a Collie dog does, resting but still alert for his master’s voice.
Lord,
What if I just stand here?
Just stand here and say nothing, Do nothing?
Mike Rosevear (Maidenhead)
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CIRENCESTER The red carpet was rolled out for the Gap Sunday school prizegiving. Everyone walked the carpet and there were some fabulous outfits on display. Gap Leader Corinne Walters led the meeting and corps officer Major Bryan Lang presented the awards. Music was provided by the band and worship group, assisted by two members of the junior worship group on guitar and percussion. The awards were interspersed with congregational singing and readings about the amazing things God says about every person. – MG
FUNDRAISING
AYLESBURY Corps Treasurer Michael Power raised more than £1,500 for childhood cancer charity Little Princess Trust by shaving his hair off, having grown it since November 2020. The funds will help supply wigs for children who have lost their hair. – MP
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
LEIGH-ON-SEA As part of World Book Day, children’s author Laura Diebelius attended the corps preschool and parent-andtoddler group to read her latest books, I’m Going to Have a Brother and I’m Going to Have a Sister. Everyone enjoyed listening to the stories and meeting Laura. – RD/CD
COMMUNITY
LEIGH-ON-SEA The council invited corps officer Major Rob Davis and Territorial Community Engagement Lead Debbie Charles to present to student social workers what the Army is doing within the community. The students also asked Rob and Debbie what they are seeing in the community regarding need. Soon, it is hoped that the students will visit the corps to see the community work taking place. – RD/CD
COMMUNITY
WESTON-SUPER-MARE Weston-super-Mare Lions kindly donated £2,000 towards corps community work. President Grant Parris is pictured handing over a cheque to Corps Treasurer Jeanne Walker and Julie Watson, leader of the food parcels team. – DL
EVENT
STRAWBERRY FIELD The centre scooped prizes at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2024 for Café/Bistro of the Year and – for the second year running – Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. Mission director Major Kathleen Versfeld said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who made these wonderful achievements possible, including our staff team, volunteers, supporters and visitors.’ – AR
COMMUNITY
CHELTENHAM The corps unveiled a publicly accessible defibrillator mounted outside the hall, ensuring that congregants and passers-by have immediate access to this critical piece of emergency equipment. – AR
ECUMENICAL
HMP NEW HALL Chaplain Major Catherine Dodd organised and led a World Day of Prayer service at the prison. More than 30 people attended, as prisoners and staff joined together for the first event of its kind to be held at the establishment. Roman Catholic and Anglican chaplains supported, reflecting the ecumenical work that happens every day within the chaplaincy team. – CD
ANNIVERSARY
COMMUNITY
DEWDOWN HOUSE Carpentry students from Weston College’s Engineering and Construction Academy crafted a four-seater garden bench for residents of the care home. The handover day presented opportunities for intergenerational connection, as residents and students enjoyed refreshments and fellowship together. ‘Having extra seating means more residents can enjoy our patio space and take part in activities like the gardening club,’ explained activities leader Clare Timbrell. ‘For some residents, getting outside is a challenge, so having a beautiful garden space to enjoy is incredibly important.’ – AR
EVENT
SCUNTHORPE Yorkshire Fellowship Band travelled from around Yorkshire to participate in a well-received concert at the corps. A varied programme of music included trombone, flugelhorn and vocal solos. Friends of the corps who come to midweek activities attended, as well as Salvationists from around the division. – EH
EVENT
NOTTINGHAM WILLIAM BOOTH MEMORIAL CENTRE The centre was one of 37 venues across the city that participated in the Light Night event. Candlelit tours of the William Booth Birthplace Museum were fully booked, as visitors viewed exhibits connected to the Booth family and the Army’s early years. Next door in the community centre, local artist Anna Roebuck led a crafts workshop, giving instructions on making an ocean-themed light lantern. Visitors were also able to listen to Nottingham Primary Academy choir and Nottingham William Booth Memorial Halls Band. Pictured is Community Mission Manager Ian along with his grandson Reuben and their lantern. – IY
HOMELESSNESS
DUBLIN RTÉ highlighted the work of Houben House Family Hub, which provides accommodation to families experiencing homelessness. Upfront with Katie Hannon featured three residents’ stories and an interview with service manager Anthony Byrne. The episode highlighted the rising number of families who end up living at accommodation hubs for longer periods than expected because of a lack of available housing. Anthony said: ‘The staff are delivering workshops, activities, classes, employment education, everything we can to support the families get through it in the longer stays.’ – AR
Salvationist wants to hear from you! Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk to tell us about your events, outreach, fundraising, mission and more. Good quality pictures may be included.
2005 by Ann and Beryl with six members, they continue to run a varied programme enjoyed by up to 22 members. – DM
DONCASTER
JAMIE Tasker was enrolled as a soldier and Angela Dutton (not pictured) was welcomed as an adherent by corps officers Majors Jim and Sharon Duff. As part of the ceremony Jamie introduced and sang a song he had written. Also pictured are Sue Haywood, who led Jamie’s soldiership classes, and Ben Wileman holding the flag. – JD
PARKHEAD
EZRA, Orla, Jayden and Kaleb were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officer Captain Amy-Jo Battersby during the 139th corps anniversary celebrations. They were guided through their lessons by Evangeline Kingsley-Grace. Such was their enthusiasm that they led a glory march around the hall with their flag and members of the congregation. We thank God for these four precious children. – AD
BELFAST NORTH
WELLING
Petrut was welcomed as an adherent by corps officer Captain Katy Shubotham. Naomi began attending after becoming a regular at coffee morning, lunch club and the community pantry. Naomi now attends prayers and our Sunday service and has just finished a cooking workshop at the corps. The corps were delighted to officially welcome Naomi and her two children. – KS
and
LOLA
Poppy were enrolled as junior soldiers by corps officers Majors Ian and Sally McBride on Covenant Sunday. We pray for them as they step up and stand out for Jesus as everyone present was challenged to do. – LK
NAOMI
FRAN Davis was enrolled as a soldier on Covenant Sunday by corps officer Captain Tracy Collis. – TC MORECAMBE
GILL Baxter and Elizabeth Askew were enrolled as soldiers on Covenant Sunday by corps officer Captain Tracy Collis. – TC CARNFORTH
International appointments
The following appointments and promotions, decided upon by the General, have been announced by the Chief of the Staff Effective 1 July
COMMISSIONER DANIEL RAJU DASARI, officer of the India Central Territory, as Territorial Commander of the India Central Territory
COLONELS JOHN WILLIAM AND RATNA SUNDARI POLIMETLA , officers of the India Central Territory, as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries of the India Western Territory, with the rank of commissioner; Colonel John Polimetla on 3 July and Colonel Ratna Polimetla on 4 July
LIEUT-COLONELS PRAKASH CHANDRA AND RANI PHULA
PRADHAN, officers of the India Northern Territory, as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries of the India South Western Territory, with the rank of colonel
LIEUT-COLONELS GURNAM MASIH AND RAZIA GURNAM, officers of the India Northern Territory, as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries of the India Central Territory
LIEUT-COLONELS JACOB JOHN JOSEPH AND SONIA JACOB, officers of the India South Western Territory, as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries of the India South Western Territory
COLONELS LALHMINGLIANA HMAR AND LALHLIMPUII CHAWNGTHU, officers of the India Eastern Territory, as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries of the India South Eastern Territory, with the rank of commissioner; Colonel Lalhlimpuii Chawngthu on 5 July and Colonel Lalhmingliana Hmar on 6 July
COLONELS LALBULLIANA TLAU AND LALNUNHLUI KHAWLHRING, officers of the India Eastern Territory, as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries of the India Eastern Territory
LIEUT-COLONELS STALIN MASILAMANI AND Y S KEZIAL STALIN, officers of the India South Eastern Territory, as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries of the India Eastern Territory
COLONELS VANLALFELA CHAWNGHLUT AND ROPARI KHUPCHAWNG , officers of the India Eastern Territory, will be promoted to the rank of commissioner; Colonel Vanlalfela Chawnghlut on 1 July and Colonel Ropari Khupchawng on 2 July
LIEUT-COLONELS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND MERCY MANJULA MUDDA , officers of the India Central Territory, as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries of the India Northern Territory
LIEUT-COLONELS ANDREWS AND SUNITA CHRISTIAN, officers of the India Western Territory, as National Executive Officer and National Secretary for Women’s Development, India National Office, with the rank of colonel
Wedding anniversaries
Diamond (60 years)
ANDY AND CAROL PEDDLE, Leeds West Hunslet, on 3 April Golden (50 years)
MAJORS ELIZABETH AND KENNETH ROSE on 2 April
Promoted to Glory
DAVID ARMITAGE, Shaw
BAND RESERVIST/SONGSTER RESERVIST/HERALD
ERIC McCREADY, Parkhead
ELSIE FINNITY, Derby Central, on 3 March
MAJOR EILEEN MOFFAT from Manley Court Nursing Home, London, on 3 March
CAPTAIN JOYCE STOTT from Bramwell Care Home , Nottingham, on 4 March
MAJOR MARGARET SUTTON from Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, on 9 March
Bereaved
PAUL FINNITY, Derby Central, of his mother Elsie Finnity
ENGAGEMENTS
General Lyndon Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham Tue 1 Apr – Sun 6 Apr Pakistan Territory
Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Shelley Hill Fri 28 Mar – Mon 7 Apr India National Office, India Northern Territory and India Central Territory
Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main Fri 4 Apr William Booth College (Territorial Advisory Council) Sun 6 Apr Swindon Gorse Hill (United worship, Swindon Gorse Hill, Swindon Citadel and Booth House Lifehouse)
Chief Secretary Colonel Peter Forrest and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest Wed 2 Apr High Leigh Conference Centre (Pre-retirement Conference)
NOTICES
Salvationist audio edition
From April, the charity Galloways will no longer be able to distribute the audio version of Salvationist for people with visual impairment on CD. We have explored other ways to provide this on CD but were unable to find an option that was viable. We apologise but also express our gratitude to Galloways, which has provided the CD for a number of years. The audio version of Salvationist will be available as a podcast through Salvationist Radio at salvationist.org.uk/audiomagazine. If you have any questions or concerns, email chris.stringer@salvationarmy.org.uk
Easter resources
The theme of Courageous Love for Easter 2025 is a call to love boldly as Jesus did. Explore a range of personal and corporate worship materials to help you love courageously, including a spoken word video, Holy Week resources and sermon material at salvationist.org.uk/resources/easter
Poetry Corner
Salvationist is bringing back Poetry Corner for Easter! If you have an Easter-inspired poem you would like to share, email it to salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk for consideration by 7 April.
International care for creation Bible study
Major Heather Poxon (THQ) has established a monthly Bible study for Army colleagues worldwide to consider caring for creation. The next session, themed Our Shared Need, is led by Captain Nilanthi Siyamakrisnan (Sri Lanka Territory). It will take place on 1 April at 8am. For more information, email environment@salvationarmy.org.uk
SOUNDS
Sunday Worship
Join Salvationists across the territory in worship, with music, prayer and a Bible message from a guest speaker. This week Major Catherine Wyles (Paisley Citadel) speaks on Mother’s Day. Can’t join us at 11am on Sundays? Catch up with the weekly podcast of highlights. Each week’s broadcast is repeated in full on Sundays at 6pm, Mondays at 12am and Thursdays at 9am.
• Listen online at salvationist.org.uk/radio
ADVERTS
BEDFORD CONGRESS HALL, COMMERCIAL ROAD, MK40 1NY HENDON BAND
Saturday 5 April, 6.30pm
Tickets: £5 donation, available on the door
SOUTHSEA, PO5 2SN BAND SUNDAY: 6 APRIL
Major Richard Gaudion
11am Morning worship
4pm Praise concert with Portsmouth Citadel Songsters
READING CENTRAL CORPS
ANSTEY ROAD / CASTLE STREET ROUNDABOUT RG1 7JR
THE INTERNATIONAL STAFF SONGSTERS
Saturday 12 April
4–5pm Choral workshop 7pm Festival of Music
Sunday 13 April 10.30am Morning worship 12.30pm Festival of Praise
Tickets
£6 Choral workshop and Festival of Music
£10 Festival of Music
For more information, email jan.scott@salvationarmy.org.uk
All adverts carried in Salvationist are subject to house style and carried at the editor’s discretion.
For more details email advertising@salvationarmy.org.uk.
Faith, Hope & Love
Staines Corps invites you to join us for Easter 2025 with our International Leaders General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
Thursday 17 April - Easter Music at 8pm (Staines Band & Songsters)
Good Friday Worship at 9.30am & 3pm (Easter Witness at Ashford and Staines at 11am)
