Inspiring the next generation

DURING the annual Self-Denial Appeal, Salvationists in territories around the world, whether rich or poor, share in self-sacrifice to build a better world for our brothers and sisters in countries that need it most. It is an important reminder to count our blessings, not to take what we have for granted and to look for ways in which we can share with others.

This year’s appeal supports The Salvation Army’s work with young people around the world. Growing up in today’s world can be tough. It can be even harder for young people who endure discrimination, live in a country devastated by conflict or disaster, or face uncertainty. The Lord asks us to acknowledge these hardships. The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:9: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’

WHEN IS THE APPEAL?

The 2023 Self-Denial Appeal runs from 5 February to 5 March, with an offering taken up in corps on Sunday 5 March.

For young people this may feel like a challenge in itself. But through the Self-Denial Appeal we can give young people faith and confidence to believe in themselves. We can offer new opportunities, a safe place and guidance to create hope and a future. Together we can help more young people like Josfridah, Dmitry and Joyce, who share their stories with us in this year’s Appeal.

Josfridah is 17 years-old and from Kenya. She lives with the physical challenges of spina bifida, which causes her pain and affects the way she walks. When we visited her at The Salvation Army’s Joytown School, she told us how the support and special facilities help her embrace life and learning.

The school is a national institution for students with physical challenges and Josfridah immediately felt welcome. At her previous school, Josfridah had been constantly bullied due to her spina bifida. She was a top student but her self-esteem hit rock bottom and she was diagnosed with depression.

SELF-DENIAL AND HELPING-HAND EXPLAINED

International Projects Office Team Leader Benjamin Gilbert outlines the differences and links between the two appeals

When did Self-Denial start?

The Self-Denial Appeal started in 1886 when General William Booth called Salvationists to give sacrificially and to deny themselves so that they could offer God’s love to a hurting world. The Salvation Army is now active in more than 130 countries and the Self-Denial Appeal still operates in every territory. Whether living in wealth or poverty, Salvationists from all walks of life generously support the Army’s mission to share the gospel and improve the lives of millions of people through the love of Jesus.

What are the funds used for?

While the Helping-Hand Appeal funds are used internationally for community-based projects, the funds from the Self-Denial Appeal are channelled into the operational costs of The Salvation Army across the world. This includes everything from paying the electricity bill for a THQ in a country such as Ghana to paying for training courses for officers in Pakistan. Every territory, command and region contributes financially to the total appeal fund but, depending on the size and financial position of each one, some will receive back more funding than they put in. In this way The Salvation Army is able to operate in more than 130 countries with some territories – such as the UKI Territory, which is able to raise significant funding on its own – helping to support territories that are not in such a fortunate position.

How are the two appeals linked?

In many territories, the Army uses a church-based model when implementing its community programmes. A clean water or food security project will often closely involve a corps officer and corps volunteers. For example, a corps building might be used to conduct trainings or facilitate the distribution of seeds in a project. This ensures that relationships between a corps and its wider community can be built and sustained after the project has ended.

The Self-Denial Appeal helps to keep the physical infrastructure of the Army going and the Helping-Hand Appeal enables corps to engage in community needs far beyond what their own resources would allow. Both appeals are mutually dependant on each other – so please give generously to both!

Read the full article online at salvationist.org.uk/appealsexplained

Your Offering

Bring your sacrificial offering to your corps altar service on Sunday 5 March, or hand it in at your corps any time during or after the appeal. Why not ask your corps officers for a box and save up for your gift as you go?

Donate using this QR code or by visiting salvationist.org.uk/ selfdenial – and give your corps name when prompted.

At Joytown, the facilities and teaching have transformed her experience. She feels able to reach out and talk to the teachers, nurses and chaplain. Her fellow students understand each other. ‘Here people motivate each other. There are other people worse than me… They are happy, I can be happy. I can be me,’ she says.

Thousands of miles from Kenya, The Salvation Army has helped another young person find faith in their future. The Ukraine conflict destroyed everything 14-year-old Dmitry had known, leaving him and his grandfather with nothing, and no one but each other. Together they escaped via Odessa to Moldova, where they found sanctuary at Ialoveni, which is run by The Salvation Army.

Dmitry now has some stability in his life and attends school. It is a far cry from the family life he knew, but he has the Salvation Army family to support and embrace him. Dmitry says: ‘I can talk about the Lord and faith, and I pray for those I love, and it’s helping me right now.’

In Pakistan, 15-year-old Joyce lives in a community with strong links to The Salvation Army. Her mother is a social secretary and an Army officer, and she has two younger sisters. Joyce and her sisters attend a Christian school, with some Muslim teachers and pupils, and

Joyce is interested in learning about other faiths. Here the boys and girls enjoy the same opportunities. But outside this close community, Joyce’s ambitions are shadowed by a cloud of discrimination. Joyce fears that discrimination in wider society may affect her dream to become a doctor. She tells us: ‘My hope for the future is that there will be less discrimination and more progress for the next generation.’

Sacrificial giving today can build a stronger tomorrow for thousands more young people. When they have skills to make their way in a challenging world, they can grow in confidence and achieve so much. The Army can give them the resources and encouragement they need, and also share the love of Jesus and show how faith and community can enrich their lives. At the same time, the Army is inspiring the next generation of Salvationists.