What is The Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.

What is the War Cry?

The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.

War Cry

Issue No 7622

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major

Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow

Production Editor: Ivan Radford

Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku

Staff Writer: Emily Bright

Staff Writer: Claire Brine

Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk

Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston

Graphic Designer: Mark Knight

Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk

The Salvation Army

United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London

SE1 6BN

Tel: 0845 634 0101

Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org

Founder: William Booth

General: Brian Peddle

Territorial Commander:

Commissioner Anthony Cotterill

Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn

FOR many people, Easter is a time to hope for the start of springlike weather and to put on a little weight by eating chocolate eggs, all while enjoying the first bank holiday weekend since the new year.

What can seem rather irrelevant are the events of almost 2,000 years ago when a man was executed on a cross in a part of the world many miles away from the United Kingdom. What can be hard to believe are the claims by the man’s followers that, having been literally dead and buried, he rose to life again.

The impact that the events Christians remember this weekend have on the rest of society is not immediately obvious. But, because Christians do believe that Jesus died and rose again so that people can have a relationship with a loving God, communities across the country and the world benefit from their work every day.

To give a few examples, many youth clubs, older people’s lunch clubs, food parcels and school uniform banks are provided by Christians who are inspired in their efforts by their belief in a still-alive Jesus who gave up everything for others in an extraordinary act of love. In this week’s War Cry, we report on another example: the cafés that The Salvation Army runs to help victims of domestic abuse. We also hear from one woman who found acceptance and comfort from one of these cafés and who tells us how that support helped her to get her life back on track.

The only reason The Salvation Army exists is because its members – today and throughout its history – have believed in the relevance and truth of the events Christians celebrate at this time of year.

The reality of what happened to Jesus so long ago and so far away does still impact us all today, through the lives of his followers. Reflecting on the positive difference that faith could make to our own individual lives could be the highlight of our Easter this year.