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 7625

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

WALKING is good for you. According to the walking charity Living Streets, a 20-minute journey on foot each day can reduce your risk of developing depression, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is one of the reasons why Living Streets has organised National Walking Month, which starts on Monday (1 May).

As we report in this week’s War Cry, the charity is promoting 20 creative tips to help those of us who can to step out and enjoy a walk during the coming month.

Perhaps we’ll be motivated to take a stroll to our local cinema where we can see a film in which walking is central to the plot line. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, previewed in this issue, stars Jim Broadbent in the title role. In the film, to the bafflement of his wife, Harold decides to walk from Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland.

While Harold’s pilgrimage is a fictional journey, in real life, footballer George Moncur has moved around the UK to play at 10 clubs. He is currently playing at League Two Leyton Orient, and, as he and his team-mates celebrate promotion, he talks to us about how his faith and football go together.

‘The biggest difference since I became a Christian is that I am so happy all of the time,’ he says, ‘even if I have a bad game. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that I have realised that God is much more important than playing football. God is my everything. He has given me my family. So I smile and laugh and I enjoy life as much as I can.’

As we all journey through life, it’s encouraging to know that we can walk with God and have him share all the various experiences we have – the good and bad. And that, if we do, our lives will be taken up to a whole new level.