Salvationist - October 2013

When Food is the Enemy: Surviving an Eating Disorder

Celebrating Volunteers From Coast to Coast

Hope Harvested: A Family’s Journey With Cancer

Salvationist The Voice of the Army

October 2013

Generally Speaking A candid conversation with General AndrĂŠ Cox

1 I April 2012 I Salvationist

2 I August 2013 I Salvationist

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October 2013 No. 89 www.salvationist.ca E-mail: salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org

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Departments 3 4 Editorial Thanks a Million!

by Geoff Moulton

Features 8 Generally Speaking Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

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29 The Storyteller Weeding Out Sin

by Major Fred Ash

Newly elected General André Cox shares his vision for the future Interview by Kristin Ostensen

11 Body and Soul 5 Around the Territory 30 In the Trenches Thousands of Canadians struggle with eating disorders. Two Back to Our Roots 22 Cross Culture women share their experiences by Kristin Ostensen

by Major Amy Reardon PRODUCT LABELING31 GUIDE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL 14 Making Time for Kindness 24 Celebrate Community Ties That Bind Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

Enrolments and recognition, tributes, gazette, calendar

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Thy Kingdom Come

by Major Kathie Chiu

28 Spiritual Disciplines Why Celebrate?

by Major Randy C. Hicks

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Celebrating the volunteers that keep The Salvation Army ticking

by Melissa Yue Wallace

17 Safety First

Introducing The Salvation Army’s new human resources website

by Ken Ramstead

18 From Saskatchewan to Saxony

Eight months with the Heilsarmee opened my eyes to the Army’s international work by Markus Beveridge

20 Hope Harvested

After finding out my nine-year-old daughter might not live to see her 14th birthday, I desperately turned to Scripture by Steve Pavey

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Photo: © Ingimage.com

Salvationist.ca Gets a Makeover Things are looking great at salvationist.ca! A fresh new design makes it easier to find the news and information you have come to expect— territorial and international updates and feature articles on pressing issues that affect Salvationists.

We’ve also made improvements for mobile devices to offer you a better user experience. Keeping up-to-date has never been easier!

As always, we would love to hear from you, so take advantage of the website’s interactive capabilities. Post a comment about an article that has inspired you. Engage in dialogue with fellow Salvationists and friends of the Army.

Inside Faith & Friends The Mighty Duck Hunters

There’s more to Duck Dynasty’s Robertson clan than meets the eye

The Pastor and the Agnostic They could not have been less alike, yet they made a difference in each other’s lives

No One Should Go Hungry

A Thanksgiving tradition at a restaurant in Kemptville, Ont., fills a need for the Army

First Things First

As a busy mother, Diane Stark remembers what is truly important

Share Your Faith When you finish reading Faith & Friends, FAITH & frıends pull it out and give it to someone who needs to hear about Duck Dynasty Christ’s lifechanging +  power October 2013

faithandfriends.ca

Inspiration for Living

ARMY FACILITY PROVIDES A BEACON OF HOPE IN VICTORIA

There’s more to the Robertson clan than meets the eye

THE PASTOR AND THE AGNOSTIC

TORONTO GRACE Not Your Typical Hospital

Salvationist SalvationistI IOctober August 2013 I 3

EDITORIAL

O

Thanks a Million!

ctober is my favourite month of the year—a time of changing seasons, Thanksgiving turkey and family get-togethers. The Army, too, has entered a new season as we welcome General André Cox to our international family. Within days of his election, our new leader sat down with Salvationist to “talk turkey” on everything from poverty to multiculturalism to his vision for the Army (see page 8).

In humble fashion, the General takes time to praise the Army’s volunteers and others working on the front lines. “In many ways,” he notes, “I think they’re more important—certainly to the communities that they serve—than the General of The Salvation Army because they are the base of the Army…. They are the face of Christ in so many communities.”

Indeed, the Army couldn’t get by without its volunteers, those we often refer to as the “army behind the Army.”

Last year, the total number of volunteer hours in the territory peaked at more than 1.4 million—a staggering number by any standard! In this issue of Salvationist, our features editor, Melissa Yue Wallace, profiles five volunteers who are giving back across the territory by offering everything from chiropractic services to food preparation (see page 14).

Elsewhere in the issue, we are reminded how this Thanksgiving holiday can be difficult for some people.

As you sit down to your family feast, remember that there are those who have a complicated relationship with food.

Our staff writer, Kristin Ostensen, interviewed people who have struggled with eating disorders to help uncover why this remains such a persistent problem in our society (see page 11).

In other news, I’m happy to report that the Canada and Bermuda Territory is once again publishing books under the moniker of Triumph Publishing.

Many will remember the Army’s old Triumph Press in Oakville, Ont., and while times have changed with the advent of digital publishing, we are pleased to continue the fine tradition with new books and e-books available through Supplies and Purchasing.

Earlier this year, we featured Major 4 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Julie Slous’ book Preaching a Disturbing Gospel and this month we present Army historian R.G. Moyles’ Glory! Hallelujah!: The Innovative Evangelism of Early Canadian Salvationists (see review on page 22).

Last year, volunteer hours peaked at more than 1.4 million Last but not least, I would encourage you to visit salvationist.ca to view our new website courtesy of Samson Design Studios. We’ve made the site “responsive,” which means it works better on your mobile phone or tablet. As one commenter put it, the site is “much brighter ... clear print with much more ‘white space’ ... easy access through various drop-down menus ... thank you!”

In fact, we should be thanking you, the reader, because without you there would be no magazine. Keep sending us your stories, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

GEOFF MOULTON Editor-in-Chief

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Brian Peddle Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief Melissa Yue Wallace Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Production Co-ordinator, Copy Editor (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer Timothy Cheng Art Director Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version (TNIV) © 2001, 2005 International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

All rights reserved worldwide. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

Subscriptions

Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6120; e-mail: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

Advertising

Inquire by e-mail for rates at salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org.

News, Events and Submissions

Editorial lead time is seven weeks prior to an issue’s publication date. No responsibility is assumed to publish, preserve or return unsolicited material. Write to salvationist@ can.salvationarmy.org or Salvationist, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. salvationist.ca salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Work Program Teaches Skills, Builds Confidence A BUILDING SERVICE worker program in Carbonear, N.L., is helping to equip men and women to join the workforce in their community. The Salvation Army, in partnership with The College of the North Atlantic, offered the 12-week program from March to June, which included training in areas such as first aid, janitorial and maintenance. As well as practical training, participants shared in self-esteem building activities, fellowship, fun and laughter, and bonded together as a group of individuals who were becoming stronger and more confident.

At the end of the course, 12 people graduated and received certificates in recognition of their accomplishments.

Throughout the course, Major Wendy Boone and Captain Darin Boone, corps officers, provided counselling and support

Graduates of the building service worker program

and any other assistance needed. Corps members provided meals to the students and staff and made efforts to encourage participants through their words and actions.

“This program gave me a reason to get up in the morning,” said Arthur Kelloway in his valedictory speech during the graduation ceremony in June. “No matter what kind of day you were having, to see the major smile at you just made everything better.”

Arthur Kelloway delivers a valedictory speech at the program’s graduation ceremony

Centre of Hope Holds Community Barbecue

Agincourt Opens Computer Lab

SMILES AND LAUGHTER filled the Centre of Hope in London, Ont., as residents and neighbours of the centre were treated to a free community barbecue in July. The fourth annual feast featured a delicious assortment of food, including 1,000 hamburgers, 600 hot dogs, 600 servings of baked beans, 800 cobs of corn, 30 watermelons and 900 ice cream bars, plus fruit and drinks. Local radio station 102.3 BOBFM provided entertainment for the event, which was sponsored by Zaid Joseph of SE Freight.

TORONTO’S AGINCOURT COMMUNITY Church has opened a new computer lab with three laptop computers. The lab falls under Agincourt’s community and family services department.

“Having a computer lab in our church building gives clients who come and use our programs an opportunity to have access to a computer, and gives us an opportunity to connect with clients on a one-on-one level,” says Leigh Rowney, community ministries and development co-ordinator.

“The staff were very courteous and helpful,” says George Blake, the first client to use the new facility after it opened.

“It was convenient for me to use and, most of all, I was made to feel at ease and very welcome at the church.”

Enjoying the barbecue are, from left, Mjr Pat Phinney, DSPRD, Ont. GL Div; Zaid Joseph; Adrian Joseph; Becky Thiessen, CFS office co-ordinator; Nancy Powers, executive director

From left, Leigh Rowney; George Blake; Mjr Wendy Johnstone, CO; Mahboob Rahman, volunteer Salvationist I October 2013 I 5

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Quebec Shelters Hold Art Show

by Residents QUEBEC CITY’S MEN’S Hostel and Charlotte House held their first art show in June, showcasing paintings by residents of the centres. These paintings were created by residents taking part in an art program at the centres, which was launched in May 2012.

Paintings are displayed at an art show put on by the Army’s Men’s Hostel “The primary and Charlotte House in Quebec City purpose of the program is to improve the lives of the participants through activities that help them develop a more positive image of themselves,” says Thomas-Mathieu Fréchette, program co-ordinator.

The art show featured paintings by Claire Gravel, Cynthia Coulombe Bégin and Jean-Philippe Dagenais. The paintings were auctioned off, raising $2,500, which will support the program and allow the shelters to purchase art supplies.

Art program participants are all smiles at the Army’s art show

Photo: David Willberg, Estevan Lifestyles Publication

Estevan’s Food Bank Goes Mobile IN A NEW effort to serve the homeless in the community, Estevan Community Church, Sask., is taking its food bank on the road. Two or three times each week, Lieutenant Brian Bobolo, corps officer, drives the Army’s community response van around town, looking for people who may need assistance.

“Estevan has a large transient community,” says Lieutenant June Bobolo,

Lt Brian Bobolo delivers food to the homeless in Estevan, Sask.

6 I October 2013 I Salvationist

corps officer. “A lot of people come here seeking jobs, but when they arrive it’s very difficult to find a place to live.”

Many end up sleeping in their vehicles, tents and ravines or on the streets.

Since these people do not have access to a fridge or stove, The Salvation Army provides food that can be eaten straight from the package, such as cans of soup with pull-tabs.

The program allows the Army to reach people who may not know how to access the Army’s services. “We want to make sure everyone in the community is taken care of,” says Lieutenant June Bobolo.

The program usually serves 10-20 homeless people each week, and the Army keeps track of the people it serves, ensuring that no one is missed. The van also delivers food to seniors and shutins who otherwise would not be able to access the Army’s food bank.

Moms and Tots Encouraged at Camp NEARLY 60 MOMS and 100 children went to Jackson’s Point Conference Centre in Ontario this summer for a week of fun, worship and socializing. Both the moms and children were engaged in activities from morning until night, which included age-appropriate Bible studies, worship, swimming and recreation.

“We cannot fully estimate the value of these days of retreat,” says Major Wanda Vincent, divisional director of women’s ministries, Ontario Great Lakes Division.

“Families that face the daily struggles of personal and social life get to spend quality time with the camp volunteer staff and with each other, creating a space where unconditional love and the Spirit of God can be embraced.”

The children engaged in a fun-filled vacation Bible school program called Kingdom Rock, which used Bible stories to teach them how to “stand strong” for God in all circumstances. On the final day of the program, many children declared their faith in Jesus.

At the same time, the moms shared in a week of worship, prayer and teaching.

Lieutenant Carolyn Reid, corps officer, Bracebridge Community Church, Ont., spoke to the women on the theme of Eat, Pray, Love, Live from a Christian Perspective. Some of the women made first-time commitments to Christ during the week.

At the end of the camp, several moms signed up for resources and materials to aid them on their spiritual journey when they returned home. The camp’s planning committee has committed to help connect these young families to a local church where they can be nurtured in their faith.

Children enjoy Bible teaching at camp

AROUND THE TERRITORY

Janet Rosenfeld, nurse practitioner at the Caring Place, takes the blood pressure of Sean O’Connor, a regular volunteer at the facility

Caring Place Offers Nurse Practitioner Program THE SALVATION ARMY Caring Place in Maple Ridge, B.C., hosted a grand opening ceremony in June to celebrate its new nurse practitioner program. The program is a partnership with the local Fraser Health Authority.

The nurse practitioner, who sees patients during the afternoons, provides primary health-care services to individuals who access the various programs and services offered by the Caring Place. Nurse practitioners are licensed to diagnose and provide health-care management within their scope of practice, which includes ordering investigations such as lab work, ultrasounds or X-rays; prescribing medication; and consulting or referring patients to other physicians or specialists.

The Caring Place has been working with local registered nurses once a week for the past nine years, and the nurse practitioner program continues its commitment to provide health care to the most vulnerable in the community.

Visit

salvationist.ca

The Salvation Army in Cornwall, Ont., people from Protestant and Catholic celebrated its 125th anniversary with a churches joined The Salvation Army in weekend of community and corps events a march of witness from the church to in June. city hall.

“This celebration was about The “The Salvation Army is supported by Salvation Army’s continuous effort of all the churches in the city, which is why giving hope yesterday, today and into we marched to city hall ‘to seek God for tomorrow,” says Oren Cole, corps leader.

Cornwall,’ ” says Cole.

The activities kicked off with the Together with the mayor, chief of “Biker’s Blessing,” which began with a police and other clergy, the group read prayer followed by a ride through town.

Scripture, prayed and sang Onward The City of Cornwall also marked the Christian Soldiers. occasion with an Army flag-raising cere“I think the line from that song, ‘We mony at city hall, pronouncing “Salvation are not divided, all one body we/One in Army Week.” Cornwall Community hope and doctrine, one in charity,’ was Church held a cake ceremony and a very significant,” says Cole. presentation on the history of the corps in Cornwall since its founding in 1888.

On Saturday evening, the Canadian Staff Band and the Centennial Choir of Cornwall joined together for a Symphony of Praise concert.

“We were honoured to have all three levels of government attend our concert and present us with certificates to commemorate the years of service,” says Cole.

Oren Cole speaks outside Cornwall’s city hall after a march of On Sunday, hundreds of witness through the city

Thrift Stores Raise $73,000 to Send Kids to Camp

THE SALVATION ARMY National Recycling Operations’ annual Send a Kid to Camp fundraiser was a great success again this year, raising more than $73,000—enough to send approximately 334 kids to camp (at a cost of $220 per child for one week). The fourth annual campaign ran from April to May in 120

thrift stores across the country.

Representatives from thrift stores in the Maritimes visited Scotian Glen Camp in July to drop off a cheque for $12,095.75—the total raised by stores in the Maritime Division. Shown in the photo are, from left, Captain Morgan Hillier, divisional youth secretary; Barb Warren, thrift store district manager for Nova Scotia; Jody MacLean, manager of the Dartmouth Wyse Road thrift store in Dartmouth, N.S., which raised the most money of any thrift store in the Maritimes; Alisha Williams, Dartmouth Wyse Road thrift store employee and highest fundraiser in the Maritimes; Rhonda Harrington, divisional secretary for public relations and development.

Salvationist I October 2013 I 7

Photo: Courtesy of Cornwall Seaway News

Photo: Courtesy of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times

Cornwall Marks Anniversary With March of Witness

Generally Speaking

Newly elected General André Cox shares his vision for the Army

J

INTERVIEW BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

ust two weeks after his election as the 20th international leader of The Salvation Army, General André Cox spoke with Salvationist in an exclusive interview in which he outlines his vision for the Army and speaks candidly about pressing social issues.

Tell us about your early years. How did they shape you as a person?

I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and growing up there, I feel that my childhood was very privileged in some ways, particularly when I look at it in the context of what the majority of the population was facing. My parents, as Salvation Army officers, were stationed at a mission out in the bush and a lot of my playmates were African. I think that experience opened my heart and mind to the continent of Africa—to this day, I have a great love for Africa.

I’ve been in the Army all my life, and that has had a profound impact in shaping my life. However, as I grew up—and particularly in my teenage years—I was somewhat of a rebel and wanted to get away from the influence of the Army and my parents.

Tell us about your call to officership.

In my late teens, I decided to go to my mother’s homeland in Switzerland to learn French—and, in a sense, I think part of me was trying to escape God’s call on my life. But it was in Switzerland that I made a conscious decision to acknowledge Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I came to the realization that Jesus had died on the cross for my sins and that I actually needed to make a personal 8 I October 2013 I Salvationist

General André Cox

response—the faith of my parents was not enough.

But I remember when that happened, in the back of my mind, I was saying

to myself, “And I hope that does not mean a call to officership one day.” And to my surprise, just a few weeks after that defining moment, I was going to

We need to work with politicians and policy-makers on policy issues that have a direct impact on this problem.

We should be working more actively in our communities to find longer-term solutions and not just the ones that I call the “feel goods,” where we’ve distributed clothes or money so we’ve done a good thing. We shouldn’t be so satisfied with that.

Commissioners from India present General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox with traditional cultural gifts following the General’s election

the cinema to see James Bond with a friend and had a brief vision of myself standing in the uniform of a Salvation Army officer and preaching the gospel in the context of Africa. I knew from that moment on that God was calling me to be an officer and that I would serve him in Africa at some point.

You and Commissioner Silvia Cox have been officers together since 1979. How do you see yourselves as partners in ministry?

Silvia and I trained together, and she is an officer in her own right, so right from the outset, we have fully shared in our spiritual ministry and in our responsibilities wherever we have been appointed.

That was true as corps officers and in many of our headquarters and administrative appointments. We seek to support each other and will continue to do so.

What is the most important life lesson that you have learned?

That rank and position don’t amount to much. I’ve never felt called to a rank or position. I feel that God called me as André Cox. I am an individual; he created me the way he created me and I need to grow into the person that he knows I can be. I’ve learned that I’m not important—God is important, and I want to know and follow his leading in my own life.

There is evidence of a growing gap between rich and poor. How can we serve the poor more effectively?

First and foremost, I would like to say

that the poor should not be looked at as a subject of pity. The poor are extremely resilient and often have ideas about how they can improve their situation. We should come alongside them and seek to understand what their situation is and try and help them to identify how they can help themselves. They need to have a sense of ownership in finding solutions to their problems.

I also think we should use the influence we have within the political sphere.

Do you think we’ve moved away from the Founder’s orientation toward the poor? Could we be bringing them into the corps more effectively?

I think we have moved away from the Founder’s vision in that, in many places, we’ve become satisfied with the institutionalized approach to social services.

I’ve had it said to me, when having to deal with social institutions that were not sustainable, that some Salvationists were in uproar because we were no longer able to provide a certain institutionalized approach to social services and they were wondering what the point was of them worshipping on a Sunday morning in a corps. I think it highlights that we are in danger in our corps of being very comfortable with ourselves, enjoying our music, our sermons, the routine of our Sunday worship, and missing the point. People feel that William Booth was a great social reformer but

Introducing Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President for Women’s Ministries

Born in Argentina to Swiss officer parents, Commissioner Silvia Cox became aware at a young age of God’s call to become an officer.

Following her marriage to André Cox, they entered the International Training College in London, England, and were commissioned in 1979 before serving in corps appointments in Switzerland. Appointed to Zimbabwe, they served for 10 years in THQ appointments.

While in Harare, then Captain Cox spent a short time as the superintendent of the Braeside Social Home. Returning to the Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory, then Major Cox ministered for eight years in the mission development department where she became Commissioner Silvia Cox increasingly aware of the Army’s desire to reach across the world to resource, support and empower struggling communities. Community projects, including feeding programs, literacy classes, water and sanitation requirements, were often home league based and involved an ongoing partnership of women across the globe. Appointments as territorial president of women’s ministries in Finland and Estonia, Southern Africa and the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland have deepened the commissioner’s belief that women have a vital part to play in the Army.

She and the General have three married daughters and two granddaughters.

Salvationist I October 2013 I 9

Europe, I’ve seen the beauty of different cultures and I’ve come to understand just how much we are all conditioned by the culture that we grow up in, by education systems, by our families. I’m always concerned when people seem to think that their cultural approach is the only right approach because I’ve seen that people do think differently and that there is no “right” approach. The thing that is the most exciting to me is to see how our different cultures, as they’re exposed to the light of the gospel, all begin to move toward the values of the kingdom. Despite our many differences, we are growing in similarity in so many ways. And I think it’s something that should be celebrated.

General André Cox, then Chief of the Staff, speaks in Oslo, Norway, in February 2013

he himself said that our social ministry extends from our own personal experience; it’s because Christ called us that we reach out to those who are in need.

So there is a balance that needs to be found again.

Do you think The Salvation Army is inclusive? Are there areas that we need to work on?

Based on the feedback I’ve received, I think that sometimes people feel they are not listened to, that they have no say in the way the mission is shaped. I think there is still a myth within the Army that we have our military structures and all decisions are top down. I’m not sure that is the reality, but I’m not sure we’ve always done it right. It’s trying to ensure that we hear as many voices as possible and that people feel that they have a stake in The Salvation Army and the mission going forward. That’s the way I’ve always worked with colleagues and something I hope we will continue.

Regarding our relationship with the LGBT community, how do you think we could better welcome them into our corps?

While there are issues that challenge our faith and our understanding of Scripture, I don’t think that we need to be afraid. We need to embrace anyone who seeks God with integrity and not stand in judgment. God has shown us great grace in Jesus Christ and I think that, first and foremost, our reaction should be to show grace.

At the same time, I think we need 10 I October 2013 I Salvationist

to reflect on our theology because we need to feel confident in our understanding of the authority of Scripture for our own lives. But I don’t think that we can simply impose our own understanding on others. There is a real danger that, having been shown grace, we can say we are the religious people of today, and stand in judgment of others. We have to be careful of that.

How is The Salvation Army a multicultural organization?

That’s one of the aspects I love best about the Army. Being brought up by a Swiss mother and an English father, already I have two distinct cultures. Being born in Africa and having lived in southern Africa for 23 years, and having served in

General André Cox salutes following his election

The Salvation Army has hundreds of thousands of volunteers. What role do you think they play within the Army?

The reputation of The Salvation Army is largely due to the unstinting efforts of many people serving in the front lines, whether they be volunteers, officers, soldiers or employees. In many ways, I think they’re more important—certainly to the communities that they serve— than the General of The Salvation Army because they are the base of the Army.

I’m grateful for everyone who serves with passion and commitment because these are the people who are building the kingdom. They are the face of Christ in so many communities. And so I take my hat off to them. They’re the ones who built the Army into what it is today. (continued on page 13)

A Body and

Soul

Thousands of Canadians struggle with eating disorders, but there is hope for recovery. Two women share their experiences with this devastating mental illness

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/szelmek

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN, STAFF WRITER

t the height of her struggle with anorexia, Trish was working out six hours a day, while using gum and tea to suppress her appetite. This dangerous combination brought her weight down from 150 to just 98 pounds in less than a year, but a deep-seated fear kept Trish from recognizing that she had a serious problem.

“I was so scared to gain weight,” she says. “I thought, ‘If I gain this weight back, I’m a failure. I’m not good enough.’

I couldn’t eat—I didn’t want to eat.”

Distorted Image Body dissatisfaction is common among people who struggle with an eating disorder, but food is only part of the problem—personal difficulties such as depression, low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy or a lack of control often play a role, as do interpersonal factors such as troubled relationships and a history of abuse.

Trish’s battle with an eating disorder began as most do—with a diet. Prior to getting a job at a gym in 2009, Trish was a binge eater, consuming multiple packages of doughnuts and chocolate bars every day. The new job gave her a chance to turn that around—she lost weight and became a “poster child” for her gym.

But soon working out became an obsession. The affirmation she gained from people who complimented her on her new appearance drove her to lose more weight, while conflicts with her mother and brother gave her reason to avoid being home.

“I had no financial stability whatsoever in my life,” she recalls. “I would come home from work to notices that we were going to lose the house or that our hydro was going to get cut off.

“My mom was depressed and my brother was abusive toward us,” she continues. “I just couldn’t handle it—I felt like the only safe place for me to be was the gym.”

As her eating disorder progressed, Trish began to feel depressed and isolated. “I lost a lot of my friends during that time because I was too scared to go anywhere—I was afraid of what food was going to be there,” she says.

Out of Control For Jaylene, bullying was a key factor in the beginning of her struggle with an eating disorder.

Salvationist I October 2013 I 11

“When I was in middle school, boys teased me about being flat-chested and having ‘thunder thighs,’ ” she remembers. “And although it was never spoken, my perception was that my sister was ‘the pretty one.’ I took all of these things to heart and thought, ‘If only I could be thinner.’ ” Learning about calories from one of her friends, Jaylene became obsessed with controlling her weight. “We would confer daily about what we ate and how much exercise we needed to do to burn it all off,” she says.

Jaylene’s already low self-esteem was compounded by strain at home. “My parents ended their marriage when I was 12 and I don’t think I ever recovered, even though I seemed to be doing well outwardly,” she says. “I felt a deep sadness about my home situation and was really sensitive to conflict and criticism.

I felt inadequate, ashamed and afraid.”

She had a boyfriend for a while, but when that relationship ended, Jaylene was devastated and took her eating disorder to a whole new level.

“I was so crushed I stopped eating for a week, and then I was hooked,” she says.

“I controlled my eating more than ever and exercised for every calorie I took in.

“Meanwhile, I was winning awards, getting excellent grades, starring in school musicals and working part time,” she continues, “avoiding my home and the deep issues that I had no tools to deal with by controlling this very simple yet important part of my life: what I ate. I lost a ton of weight, and finally started

to feel like I was OK which, to me, meant ‘not entirely repulsive.’ ” Looking in the Mirror The treatment of eating disorders is often difficult because many people who suffer from them do not believe that their behaviour is abnormal.

“Prior to my final year of high school, I browsed through a medical book to see if I might have an eating disorder,” says Jaylene. “Because I didn’t fall under the precise definition of an anorexic or a bulimic, I assumed I was just very health conscious.

“I lost a ton of weight, and finally started to feel like I was OK which, to me, meant ‘not entirely repulsive’ ” “But when my gallbladder gave out because I had lost too much weight too quickly, I ended up in surgery,” she continues. “While in recovery, a doctor showed me an article with a more modern take on eating disorders. I related to every symptom and was able to admit that I had one.”

For Trish, the realization came in October 2009. “People started telling me that I needed help,” she says, “and I recognized that something was really

Types of Chronic Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa: characterized by extreme weight loss due to a self-imposed and severe restriction of foods and fluids. People with anorexia diet to extremes and will usually exercise excessively in an effort to lose weight.

Bulimia nervosa: characterized by regular periods of uncontrolled binge eating followed by some form of purging (e.g. self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting, fasting, excessive exercising) in an attempt to prevent weight gain. Dieting is usually followed by an episode of bingeing and purging.

Binge eating: characterized by periodic episodes of uncontrolled eating or bingeing.

Binge eaters, as with people struggling with anorexia and bulimia, use food to cope with low self-esteem, stress, emotional conflict and powerlessness. Compulsive eaters are not necessarily “overweight”; they can be any shape or size.

Warning signs of an eating disorder: preoccupation with food, weight, counting calories and the opinions of others; low self-esteem; social withdrawal; claims of feeling fat when weight is normal or low; denial that there is a problem; wanting to be perfect; intolerance of others; and inability to concentrate.

Sources: Saskatchewan Ministry of Health (www.health.gov.sk.ca) and Canadian Mental Health Association (www.cmha.ca) 12 I October 2013 I Salvationist

different with me.”

Still, when she entered treatment in December, she didn’t understand just how ill she was.

“I remember sitting in treatment and thinking, ‘I’m really not that bad. It’s not like I need a feeding tube,’ ” she says.

At first, being able to eat again was a relief, but Trish struggled to return to a normal diet.

“The first time I ate a brownie, I felt disgusting,” she remembers. “I felt fat and I had to learn that fat isn’t a feeling.”

But being in a group setting helped Trish see that she was not alone in her struggle. “I realized other people knew what I was going through,” she says. “I thought I was the only one.”

Spiritual Journey About four months into her treatment, Trish found herself wanting to go back to church—as a child, she attended The Salvation Army’s Collingwood Community Church, Ont. She started going to Barrie Corps, Ont., where her grandmother had been a soldier before she passed away.

On her second Sunday there, she connected with Major Mark Cummings, then corps officer, and told him about her struggles.

“He was the reason why I went back,” Trish says. “He gave me his phone number and said, ‘If you need me, call me any time.’

“That Wednesday, I called him and said, ‘I really don’t want to eat my snack right now,’ and he said, ‘Let’s talk and let’s pray,’ ” she continues.

Trish cried on the phone with him as she ate her snack. “He was like my living Jesus.”

As she built a strong relationship with Major Cummings, she became more involved with the corps, taking an Alpha course and volunteering with their vacation Bible school.

“The Salvation Army was my everything,” she says. “I found God, I found a home and I found motivation.”

And when Major Cummings was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery in the summer of 2010, his courage inspired her. “I thought, if he can do this, I can do this,” she says.

Trish became a soldier in June 2011 and met her now husband, Shawn, the following October. Major Cummings conducted their marriage classes and was going to marry them, but after a long battle with cancer, he passed away in

June 2013, the day before their wedding.

“We were heartbroken,” Trish says.

“He was one of the most important people in my life.”

With the stress of the situation, she found herself reverting to old patterns— either overeating or undereating—an example of the ongoing struggle she faces.

“I still have body issues,” she says.

“Sometimes I feel fat. But then I think, what would God say? What would Major Mark say?

“And whenever I go off track, I know God is there, waiting for me and calling me back to him,” she adds. “I know he’s watching over me.”

Permission to Heal When Jaylene was coming to terms with her eating disorder in the early 1990s, there were few resources available and little understanding in the medical community.

“I was told to eat and scolded by my family doctor, but no direction was given other than to wait for a spot in group therapy, and the wait list was at least six months,” she notes.

Jaylene did some one-on-one counselling, but she says that being able to admit that she had an eating disorder (continued from page 10) For a number of years, the Army has been fighting human trafficking worldwide. Have you witnessed this tragedy firsthand? How will the Army make this a priority going forward?

In every territory in which we’ve served, we’ve seen the evidence of this evil. It goes on all around the globe, in developed and developing countries.

But I’m particularly heartened when I see that there are some really good local responses. Here in the United Kingdom, we’ve been working with the government on a significant project in this area, and I hear of examples all around the globe.

However, I’m not sure that we make the international connections that we could within the Army to deal with this issue.

I’m hoping that, as we go forward, we’ll be able to raise the profile of these good programs and try to encourage, where possible, the international connections.

We shouldn’t operate within a vacuum.

What issues will you focus on as General?

was the key to her recovery.

“It gave me permission to acknowledge other areas of pain in my life,” she says. “Having an eating disorder was a way to direct the deep pain I felt, while not hurting anyone else. When you feel like you don’t have a voice, the one person you can hurt is yourself.

And when you don’t think you’re worth much anyway, you don’t care if you cause yourself damage.”

But years later, that pain is gone and Jaylene has experienced a full recovery.

“I believe God healed me of the addiction of an eating disorder,” she says.

“While the self-esteem aspect took years to heal and is an issue on occasion, I no

longer have food or exercise obsessions.”

Today, Jaylene is a successful singer and songwriter based in Winnipeg, and she has drawn on her experiences with an eating disorder to write music that promotes a healthy body image.

“I was reflecting upon our societal obsession with weight and beauty and I imagined what life would be like if being beautiful were removed from the equation—if we accepted our beauty as created beings and focused instead on the gifts God’s given to us,” she says.

“My prayer is that my music encourages women to see beyond their outward appearance and grow strong in their divine worth.”

How can friends and family help a person who is struggling with an eating disorder?

Telling an anorexic or bulimic to eat may be misguided. There are heart and mind issues involved—it’s not just about food. Instructing them about how the body works and how to fuel it helps greatly; the obsessive behaviour can then be channelled into healthier choices. Unless their life is in danger, give them choices and let them have a say in their lives. Be willing to hear about their pain, even if it’s hard to hear or involves you in some way. Be willing to adopt a healthier lifestyle as well to be an example. Pray for and encourage them. Give them a lot of love and remind them that they are precious works of creation. Finally, give them the space to heal at their own pace; it may take a lot of time for them to feel safe enough emotionally to really dig deep and get to the heart of things. —Jaylene

One of the things that I’ll be looking at is our administrative structures to see how appropriate those are. Our administration only exists to support the front-line ministry; I want to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.

I’d like to see how we can encourage and develop programs for the teaching, discipling and mentoring of our young people. I don’t consider our young people to be the Army of tomorrow; they’re already the Army of today, and they need to be reaching their generation effectively, so how can we equip and support them?

We are particularly concerned about the teaching and preaching of the Army. We need to rediscover our confidence in the authority of Scripture as the divine revelation given to us

by God. We want to be a people that are rooted and grounded in the Word of God. Leadership development is another key issue. I am concerned about how we prepare people for present and future leadership and how we can do that better.

What do you think are the strengths of the Army?

I think one of the great strengths we have is our internationalism. We’re now in 126 countries; we’ve got excellent networks that get down to grassroots level. I’d like to see a greater celebration of the different cultures that make up the Army. Another strength that I particularly cherish is our connection through the international prayer meeting every Thursday. The fact that we pray together is important.

Where do you see opportunities for change and growth?

I’d like to see a greater realization of the responsibility that our corps have in the communities in which they are situated—that our corps are not just places where we come to retreat and be comfortable, but they are places where we are resourced and nourished spiritually so that we can reach out in better ways to the communities surrounding us. I see our corps more in the front line of not only saving souls and growing saints, but also serving suffering humanity.

Salvationist I October 2013 I 13

Making Time for

Kindness

Celebrating the volunteers that keep The Salvation Army ticking

T

BY MELISSA YUE WALLACE, FEATURES EDITOR

he backbone of many Salvation Army programs and ministries, thousands of volunteers across the Canada and Bermuda Territory give of their time and abilities over Thanksgiving and beyond to address needs in their communities. Through their support, the Army is able to help more than one million people each year. What motivates volunteers to serve? What types of tasks do they do? We asked five volunteers across Canada to find out.

Melissa Fulton—Finding Joy in Food Service It’s lunchtime at Belkin House, a 24/7 facility that hosts a variety of residential programs and housing for up to 224 men, women and children in Vancouver. Approximately 100 patrons are eagerly waiting for their food while six volunteers dish up burgers and fries, fruit salad and other appetizing items they helped to prepare hours in advance.

Melissa Fulton is one of those volunteers. She has served meals at Belkin House for almost three years. After moving to the city from Calgary and noticing a high population of homeless people, Fulton decided to be part of the solution.

Her grandmother recommended volunteering for The Salvation Army because she admired their work, so Fulton, a financial analyst at Telus, went to Belkin House, located only 10 minutes from her home.

“At the time, I thought I would do some kind of bookkeeping for them,” she says.

But when the volunteer co-ordinator told Fulton that they most needed help in the kitchen, she rolled up her sleeves. “I love it because it’s so different from my regular work, I’m not stuck in a room and it’s a nice change for me.”

Fulton enjoys the positive attitude displayed by staff, volunteers and residents.

“We have volunteers with developmental disabilities who may not be able to find employment, so they treat the meal service as their full-time job—many have been doing it for 10 years,” she says. “I’m motivated to work with them because they are always in such a good mood, put a smile on my face and take their tasks seriously.”

Volunteering among those who are homeless has also given Fulton a different perspective on them.

“Everyone has their own story and you don’t know the circumstances that happened to them,” she says. “But you can create a positive environment for these individuals, show them that you care and it can motivate them to do better for themselves.”

14 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Melissa Fulton (far right) with fellow Belkin House volunteers Rosa, Albert and Richard

Dr. Rod Overton—Fixing Joint Pain The Centre of Hope in London, Ont., offers a food bank, spiritual care ministry, addiction services, housing support and Christmas programs. And since 2011, the centre has provided free chiropractic care to those who can’t afford it, thanks to a team of 12 chiropractors who offer their skills every Friday.

“We see about 60-80 people each week and it all takes place in the chapel,” says Dr. Rod Overton. “So it’s a hustling, bustling and interesting place to be working.”

Growing out of a desire to give back to the community, the team of chiropractors and other volunteers aims to improve the mobility and overall health of those who need it.

“A lot of these people don’t have as much access to many aspects of health care and a healthy diet,” he says. “While chiropractic care is inexpensive for some people, there is a certain portion of society that would never enter our clinics and would not receive any care.

“These are the people we wanted to target and deliver care to.”

Since opening the clinic, Dr. Overton says some patients have been able to return to work after being treated for ailments and some will volunteer to help keep the clinic running.

“My ultimate goal is to see other clinics open up in Salvation Army missions across the country.”

and take them to appointments,” says Larry. “We ended up taking them to the hospital at 11 p.m. for a delivery and they were so thankful afterward and wanted to cook us lunch.

“We’ve had all kinds of experiences that have been really great and we just hope the people we’re helping are happy here and that life works out for them.”

Larry and Doreen Slashinsky—Welcoming Newcomers When new immigrants and refugees arrive at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre in Winnipeg, they often meet volunteers Larry and Doreen Slashinsky at the English café, a place where they can safely practise their listening and speaking skills.

The Slashinskys are former teachers who have been volunteering at the centre for two years. In addition to the English café, Doreen greets visitors at the front desk and helps unload and package goods for the centre’s food bank—which serves 60-80 families twice a month—while Larry assists with the drop-in service for youth aged 13-18.

“The centre has sports and activities for teens and young adults to keep them off the streets,” says Larry. “We’ve taught them employment and job search skills and they appreciate our advice.”

The Slashinskys began volunteering at the centre because it was located close by and they had always enjoyed meeting newcomers to Canada. For example, they once met a Bhutanese woman who lived in refugee camps in Nepal. She and her husband were in their early 20s and expecting their first child. Unaware of what was available or how to book appointments, they could have easily felt helpless in Canada.

“We were the contact persons to get them to the hospital

Lucy Martin—Cheering Up Seniors Three days a week, 81-year-old Lucy Martin of Goderich, Ont., helps someone through The Salvation Army. The rest of the time, she is busy gathering items that can benefit others, such as eyeglasses for the developing world, pop-can tabs for wheelchairs and grocery store receipts.

“I get 75 packs of 1,000 receipts, take them to Zehrs [the local grocery store] and in a week or two, our church receives a cheque that we use to support missionary families,” says Martin, who attends Suncoast Citadel in Goderich. “I have lots of people who save the receipts for me.”

For 25 years, Martin helped out at the Army’s thrift store and has been visiting seniors at the Maitland Manor nursing home through the Army’s community care ministries for 39 years, 12 of which have been spent with residents in palliative care.

“I mostly just sit and talk to them,” she says. “With me, there’s always something to talk about! I enjoy doing it and I hope when I leave them that they’ve had a little chuckle and are happy.”

Martin is used to caring for others. She looked after her parents, husband and some of her brothers before they passed away. “It can be difficult to help in palliative care, but families really appreciate it,” she says.

Martin also hosts the kettles at Christmas, completing 48 hours last year, volunteers at a food bank every Tuesday and visits shut-ins. One woman she went to see had been having difficulties with her hearing aid, so Martin arranged to have it repaired.

“The woman said to me, ‘You’re an angel!’ ” says Martin.

“Volunteering is very rewarding and gives you a good feeling inside. As long as the Lord looks after me and gives me my health, I’ll help others.

“Jesus first, yourself last and others in-between. I give God all the credit.”

New immigrants who arrive at the Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre are often greeted with the friendly smiles of Doreen and Larry Slashinsky

Lucy Martin visits Edith, a resident at Maitland Manor

Dr. Rod Overton speaks with a patient

Salvationist I October 2013 I 15

Ron Goyer—Packing Food with Care Halifax resident and retired banker Ron Goyer wasn’t new to volunteering. He had spent years donating his time to service clubs and being a mentor through Big Brother. But when his father—who lived in the Salvation Army seniors’ home in Saskatoon—passed away, Goyer decided to volunteer at the Centre of Hope in Halifax as a means of saying “thanks” to the Army for the quality care his father received.

For the past three years, Goyer has spent his Thursdays sorting goods and packing food in preparation for an average of 40 clients who visit the centre’s food bank on Mondays and Fridays.

“It’s rewarding to volunteer because you meet a lot of people and it makes you appreciate the things you have in life,” says Goyer. “People of all ages come to the centre for different programs and I’m glad to contribute in some way to help them.

“My hope is that they can, one day, get themselves back on their feet and will no longer require our services. Some have done that and return to volunteer because they appreciate what the centre has done for them.”

Valuing Volunteers

An interview with Brian Lee, regional kettle campaign co-ordinator, Burnaby, B.C.

Why do people choose to volunteer with The Salvation Army?

They believe in what we do and value the need to provide dignity and give hope to others. We offer diverse opportunities in our ministries, social services, emergency disaster services and thrift stores—and the community recognizes this.

Who typically volunteers in your division?

We have a lot of volunteers from corporate partners, but we’re also seeing more retirees. On the other end, we have a lot of high school and post-secondary students. As part of their curriculum, they learn about social responsibility and are taught that they, too, can make a difference in their community.

How many volunteer hours do they provide each year?

We’ve had in excess of 400,000 hours. Translated into dollar figures at a $10 minimum wage, that would be $4 million.

Have you noticed any trends in volunteering over the years?

Ron Goyer has volunteered at the Centre of Hope in Halifax for three years

Fast Facts

• 47 percent of Canadians aged 15 and over volunteered their time in 2010.

• Fundraising and organizing events are the most common volunteer activities.

• Saskatchewan has the highest volunteer rate at 58 percent, followed by Prince Edward Island (56 percent), Alberta (55 percent) and Nova Scotia (54 percent).

• 93 percent of people say they volunteer “to make a contribution to the community.”

• Lack of time was listed as the biggest barrier to volunteering.

• 45 percent of non-volunteers had not become involved because no one had asked them to.

Source: “Volunteering in Canada,” Mireille Vézina and Susan Crompton, Statistics Canada 16 I October 2013 I Salvationist

People really embrace the notion of “give where you live.” We have a lot of long-serving volunteers and there are waiting lists for some of our ministries—especially for the annual Christmas meal. They really enjoy that experience.

I’ve also noticed that the younger generation is technologically driven and wants to know about opportunities through social media in real time. Many prefer a spontaneous approach. They may not be able to commit to something long-term, but they may be able to spare a few hours if requested that day. We try our best to customize the volunteer experience so the groups or individuals have a good sense of what the Army is about.

What do volunteers mean to your division?

Volunteers are our greatest asset and truly are “the army behind the Army.” Given the nature and complexity of the operations, the volunteers fulfil roles alongside the officers and staff. The volunteers really get a sense of appreciation and value for what we do and the diverse programs and services we provide. They’re really amazed by what they’ve accomplished. When there’s a need identified, we will lay it out and there’s not a lot of down time. They hit the ground running. At the end of it, there’s this huge sense of accomplishment and pride that they’ve contributed.

Safety First

Introducing The Salvation Army’s new human resources website

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/pagadesign

BY KEN RAMSTEAD, EDITOR, FAITH & FRIENDS AND FOI & VIE

D

id you know there is a right way and a wrong way to set up a ladder?” asks Beverly Cooey, the territorial health and safety and workers’ compensation manager for The Salvation Army. “The right way could prevent a broken ankle. The wrong way could cost more than $45,000 in accident claims.”

This is just one of the reasons why the Army has created the Occupational Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation Service Centre (OHSWCSC) for the territory, available at www. salvationarmyhstraining.ca.

“A couple of years ago,” Cooey explains, “The Salvation Army had to deal with costly penalties related to health and safety.” A review was requested by the territory’s Governing Council, and the principal recommendation was the creation of online services to provide specialized support to ministry units, officers, managers and employees.

The centre, which will be available in English and French, will provide two main supports: 1. Prevention Online courses offered 24/7 will focus on the following areas: •• Hidden Hazards. Most of us don’t think of danger in our churches but an improperly attended fuse box could be an electrical hazard.

•• Emergency Preparedness. Recent events such as the Alberta floods and the Lac-Mégantic, Que., disaster highlight the need for courses to explain what to do and how to evacuate in the wake of calamity.

•• Manager and Supervisor Training. This eight-module course will be done online, in real time without the need for travel. Topics include legislation and due diligence.

•• Customer Service. Special courses will ensure staff are trained to communicate with people with disabilities in service centres and ministry units.

•• Workplace Violence. Across the territory, many Army centres are located in or near high-crime areas. This initiative will ensure that employees are effectively trained to deal with unexpected, possibly life-threatening, situations, and stay safe.

While not every Salvation Army worker will need to take every course, they will have to be tested and certified for those areas appropriate to their duties.

2. Workplace Response The other part of the equation lies with access to information: •• Workplace Compensation. If a workplace accident occurs at any Army facility, a team of specialists will be available online to handle claims and queries, and offer counselling.

•• Boundary Confusion. Every province has different laws regarding claims and compensation. The centre will provide information and resources appropriate for the province or territory.

Total Access “We’ve calculated that every present and future worker will receive the equivalent of up to $4,000 worth of education,” says Cooey, “but it is being made available free of charge to ministry units, officers and employees.

“It is anticipated that these efforts will save hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in claims and damages,” she goes on to say. “More important, these courses will prevent injury or even death, and those costs are incalculable—to the Army, its members and their families. You can’t put a price on that.

“What I am particularly proud of,” she continues, “is that the e-training is available online at all times. That’s important because the overnight person sitting by himself in a ministry unit way up north has the same access to courses and information as someone in a large metropolitan area.”

Safety For All While all this may make prudent business sense, there is an important ethical and moral undertone to the creation of the service centre.

“One of the things I emphasize across the territory,” says Cooey, “is that our Founders, William and Catherine Booth, were very supportive of health and safety. From the match factory they created to protect the safety of workers to championing legislation to ensure fair wages, the Army was committed to what is now known as occupational health and safety. But what we are really about is our other core values of respect, compassion and integrity. With the creation of the OHSWCSC, we’re not only meeting our legislative requirements as a Canadian employer, we’re meeting them as a Christian organization.

“This is not some obscure set of rules and regulations that will never be looked at,” she concludes. “It’s for the youth worker setting up the nativity display, trying to sort out the wiring. It’s for the social-services night porter fussing with the fuse box at three in the morning. It’s for the corps officer perched on a ladder trying to get rid of leaves clogging the storm drain. It’s for every one of the Army’s 11,000-person workforce across Canada and Bermuda.”

Salvationist I October 2013 I 17

From Saskatchewan to Saxony

Eight months with the Heilsarmee opened my eyes to the Army’s international work

M

y name is Markus and I’m a 19-year-old soldier of The Salvation Army. I was raised on a ranch outside of Maple Creek, a small town in Saskatchewan. In Grade 12, I decided that after graduation I would set aside some time to volunteer overseas. Thanks to my corps officers, Captains Edward and Charlotte Dean, and divisional commander, Major Wayne Bungay, my application landed on the desk of Germany’s chief secretary, Lt-Colonel Marsha-Jean Bowles. I received word that the German Heilsarmee would accept me as a volunteer and that Captains Gert and Rosi Scharf were willing to take me into their corps in the city of Dresden located in Saxony, Germany.

So in September 2012, I traded the howling of the coyotes on the ranch for the noisy bustle of the Strassenbahn (streetcar) in Dresden and was immediately incorporated into the corps’ “family” of volunteers. It was a time of spiritual growth and an opportunity to better understand this Movement of which I am a member.

One of my prayers for this trip was to get a feel for the internationality of the Army. I was thrilled that just two

The Salvation Army in Dresden 18 I October 2013 I Salvationist

BY MARKUS BEVERIDGE

Markus Beveridge serves coffee to the homeless in Germany

weeks after arriving in Germany, I had the unique opportunity to attend the European Congress of The Salvation Army in Prague, Czech Republic. Having experienced The Salvation Army only in a small town, I now found myself sitting among 1,300 Salvationists from all over the continent. This really opened my eyes to the extent of the Army’s work.

Throughout the following months I took part in multiple ministries, one of which was going out with the mobile canteen to serve the homeless. On a cold winter night they were especially grateful for a hot meal. The verse, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘Open wide your hand to your brother, to the

Markus Beveridge (centre) with staff and volunteers with the mobile canteen

needy and to the poor, in your land’ ” (Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV), took on real meaning for me. In addition, thanks to generous donors, we were able to have a Christmas party for more than 200 indigent guests. It included a wonderful dinner and Christmas Eve service on a steamboat for people who would have otherwise spent the time alone and with a meagre meal. Celebrating and reminding people of the real reason for Christmas was a blessing.

In January, the Heilsarmee Dresden took responsibility for caring for elderly evacuees after an undetonated Second World War bomb was found in the middle of the city. This experience showed me that the Heilsarmee is ready and willing to help whenever and wherever it is needed. I also had the privilege to take part in the Patchwork Family Camp for single mothers and fathers struggling with the challenges of raising their children. This camp offered great opportunities to share the message of God’s love and forgiveness with everyone. It gave us, the leaders, the chance to show people that they are accepted and that we are willing to listen to their concerns. Each of these ministries demonstrated to me how the officers, work-

ers and many volunteers live their faith by serving others. The motto “Glauben, Leben, Handeln” (Believe, Live, Act) was apparent in their daily work, interactions and behaviour toward others.

Looking back over the eight months, one of my favourite parts of volunteering in Germany was to sit and talk with guests who came to our daily café in Dresden. Here, the importance of humbling oneself and meeting people at their level became strikingly evident.

An elderly man with a greying beard and friendly demeanour told me how he had turned to drinking after losing his wife. He subsequently lost his job and his home. I had opportunities to hear about the lives and struggles of many and then tell them of our Saviour’s love and grace.

My time in an unfamiliar corps was both a challenging and rewarding experience that I would highly recommend to others. Maybe an exchange program between corps could make this more readily accessible to Salvationists.

Coming from small-town Saskatchewan to urbanized Germany was a substantial cultural leap for me. Although the areas of ministry were different, the mission of the Army remained the same.

“My time in an unfamiliar corps was both a challenging and rewarding experience,” says Markus Beveridge

Whether it was Maple Creek’s Captain Edward helping someone at the local thrift store or Dresden’s Captain Gert handing out a steaming bowl of soup, it was done with unconditional love and acceptance. I believe that this is what it means to be united as one Army in 126 countries worldwide. Everybody brings in their unique talents and God-given abilities to spread the good news about Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name. This is The Salvation Army.

Marjory Watson, Soloist, United Kingdom Ian Sadler, Organist The Festival Chorus with Canadian Staff Band, John Lam, Bandmaster

Saturday, December 14th, 2013 - 7:30p.m.

Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto

Tickets from $15 to $25 available at roythomson.com or call RTH Box Office 416-872-4255 Presented by Ontario Central East Division

CwTSA Print.indd 1

1:57:21 PMI 19 Salvationist 8/1/2013 I October 2013

Hope Harvested

After finding out my nine-year-old daughter might not live to see her 14th birthday, I desperately turned to Scripture

BY STEVE PAVEY

N

ow to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us …” (Ephesians 3:20). Those words were directed at everyone in the conference room—but not me. God wouldn’t change laws of nature for my daughter. These thoughts churned in my mind as Commissioner William Francis preached this verse with conviction five years ago at the Ontario Central-East Division’s Thanksgiving “Harvest of Hope” Congress.

One week prior, I received a phone call with a death sentence for our nineyear-old daughter, Kayla. “She most likely has less than five years to live,” the doctor coldly explained. “Even if she survives this round of cancer, malignant melanoma moves fast, is almost impossible to track and can come back any time in her life—there’s no ‘five years 20 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Kayla Pavey shows her resilient spirit following a cancer operation in October 2008

and you’re free.’ ” “It’s hopeless,” I thought.

I realize we live in a broken world.

God doesn’t deliver everyone from illness and sometimes it painfully takes time for hope to be harvested through and after death. What would Kayla’s outcome be?

Following Kayla’s diagnosis, Major David Pearo, our corps officer at Richmond Hill Community Church, Ont., told us, “Doctors had their say, but God hasn’t spoken yet.” He was right, because God eventually spoke.

First, our prayers were answered when Kayla received her diagnosis with a calm and hopeful reaction. Then things kept turning out differently from what the doctors forecasted—our daughter did not experience any pain from her surgeries; she wasn’t bothered by her chemotherapy, which she did while completing schoolwork; and looking at her resilient spirit, it was “business as usual.”

Then God spoke through his Word. I journeyed through the Bible and focused on Psalm 91. I wondered if God was showing me through Kayla’s hopeful spirit, easy recovery and this timely Scripture that “ ‘Because they love me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honour them’ ” (Psalm 91:14-15).

Telling no one, I prayed, asking God to show me Psalm 91 somewhere in the next few days as a sign that I wasn’t just experiencing wishful thinking.

The next day, while attending a music teachers’ conference, a public school band teacher began a workshop with his Grade 7/8 band playing A Mighty Fortress, reflected in Psalm 91:2. Two days later during our worship service, Major Beth Pearo, our corps officer, gave

Kayla and her oncologist share a happy moment at the end of chemotherapy treatments in February 2009

out slips of paper to the congregation with Scripture verses of hope. One of these was Psalm 91:14-15.

Later that night, members of our church met with me and my wife, Valerie, in our church offices to pray for Kayla. Our friend, Mary, started her prayer by reciting, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). As we left the office, we noticed Psalm 91:14-15 was quoted on our receptionist’s desk plaque.

Still, days turned into weeks and the hospital was silent. I prayed again, “Show me Psalm 91 somewhere.” The next day, God spoke again.

While travelling with the Canadian Staff Band, one of my fellow band members told us about a new band CD and, in particular, the last track, Psalm 91.

During the Christmas holidays, we awaited an appointment where we would learn whether Kayla’s cancer had spread too far or had been contained. I was stopped at a traffic light, wondering if I was making too much of these scriptural appearances. Just then, the Christian radio station revealed their “Good News Verse of the Day”—Psalm 91:14-15.

One week later, Kayla was declared cancer-free and her doctor said she wanted to “see Kayla live to be 90.”

Six months later at Jackson’s Point Camp, however, Kayla showed us a mark on her skin. I assured her that she was fine, but it bothered me. That night, I tossed and turned in my bunk, wondering just what the warranty period for Kayla’s cure was. Chiselled in my brain were the words of that first doctor that the cancer could come back any time in her life. I worried, “Are we always going to be looking over our shoulder on this?”

I humbly prayed, “God, I know you don’t generally reveal the future to people, but is Kayla going to be free from cancer? Will she live to be 90? If you can’t tell me, I understand and still trust you.” It sounds bold, I know. Once again, I felt awkward about it and didn’t tell anyone about the prayer.

Many people in our world do absurd things in the name of God or religion and deliver false hope. Yet the God I worship doesn’t save us through his Son, Jesus, and then say, “See you at the end.” He encourages us to ask in faith and so I did. I secretly prayed, “God, I know I haven’t done this for six months, but if you show me Psalm 91 somewhere, I will know that Kayla is truly cancer-free.”

While nothing unusual happened at camp, when our family got home we attended our corps on Sunday. That morning, a few days after my prayer, Major Beth Pearo preached on Psalm 91, examining verse by verse, using a slideshow that projected the entire text of the Psalm. To me, it was an overwhelming “Yes!” from God. A few months later, we met with Kayla’s oncologist for a medical checkup. She had previously told us that Kayla needed PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans every six months to examine her body at the cellular level.

Kayla lay there, strapped down in an uncomfortable position for two hours, moving in and out of this noisy machine and alone as technicians peered from another room. The process stole a large part of her school day and served as a continual reminder of the “what ifs.”

However, I didn’t want to balk at medical innovations or professionals. The night

before we were to receive results of this scan, I lay in bed thinking, “If God told me that Kayla won’t have cancer again, why are we doing PET scans?” I decided to be very clear in my prayers. I asked, “Is Kayla ever going to get cancer again?

If not, why are we doing PET scans?”

Twelve hours later, Kayla’s oncologist revealed that the scans were negative. I wasn’t surprised. However, she continued, “Now, I know we said we would do PET scans every six months, but we’ve decided just to do ultrasounds from now on. So, no more PET scans.”

I was shocked and asked, “Would you do a PET scan every five years or so, as a precaution?” “No,” she said. “In fact, I don’t think this is ev….” She paused, as though biting back her words, but continued. “I don’t think this is ever going to come back again.” Both of my questions to God were immediately answered.

Fast-forward three years and Kayla’s same doctor announced to us that their medical community has discovered that melanoma in kids is not the same as in adults. Kayla no longer needed to come for appointments and her oncologist discharged her with well wishes. Although these words were satisfying to hear, God, the Great Physician, unveiled this very conclusion to me three years earlier. He had already removed our worry, and life continued as normal.

At first, I didn’t believe the doctors would ever pronounce Kayla cured, but more importantly, as I sat at the “Harvest of Hope,” I didn’t imagine that God himself would reveal this to me, and by his authority I would believe. Now, hope has been harvested and God did exceedingly more than I asked or imagined.

Kayla and her parents, Valerie and Steve Pavey, celebrate her Grade 8 graduation this past June Salvationist I October 2013 I 21

CROSS CULTURE

Glory! Hallelujah!

New Army book sheds light on the evangelistic efforts of early Canadian Salvationists

T

he Salvation Army was, without argument, the most aggressive religious agency in the world of its time,” writes R.G. Moyles in his new book, Glory! Hallelujah! Highlighting the perhaps unknown but innovative—and seemingly bizarre—evangelistic efforts of early Canadian Salvationists, Moyles transports readers back in time to the centre of the action. Through detailed descriptions and the inclusion of historical writings, he shows the passion and effectiveness with which they endeavoured to “save souls.”

Moyles, a Salvationist and a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, has written 30 books, 10 of them on The Salvation Army, including The Blood and Fire in Canada and Come Join Our Army.

Glory! Hallelujah! is divided into 10 chapters, each chronicling an evangelism method used by early Salvationists, including open-air meetings, musical specials, hallelujah weddings, travelling bicycle brigades and the “Salvation Navy,” which took the gospel to remote communities and outports along the coasts of the Great Lakes and Newfoundland and Labrador.

REVIEW BY PAMELA RICHARDSON, NEWS EDITOR An especially interesting chapter focuses on the success of woman preachers, in particular Captain Abigail Thompson, who arrived in Kingston, Ont., from the United States in 1883.

While a gifted preacher and evangelist who regularly over-filled large auditoriums with people clamouring to hear the gospel, “Captain Abby” shared an unexpected friendship with none other than Sir John A. Macdonald, prime minister of Canada.

Moyles also tells the story of General William Booth’s visit to North America in 1898, at the height of the Klondike gold rush. Met by his daughter, Eva, commander of the Army in Canada, he immediately caught her vision for an Army expedition to save the souls of miners as they sought their fortunes.

Moyles recounts how Eva, supported by a team of eight volunteer Salvationists, including two nurses, struck out for Dawson City in the Yukon Territory to “repair the broken dreams of disappointed men.”

Moyles’ anecdotes show the influence of early Salvationists on all levels of society, from the humblest miner to the prime minister of Canada. Glory!

Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible

by Matthew West A letter from a fan who overcame her anger and forgave the drunk driver who killed her daughter inspired Christian musician Matthew West to write his 2012 song, Forgiveness.

And that song in turn paved the way for his new book, Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible, which brings together 50 real-life stories of forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death and more. Each story ties into the promises of God’s faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God’s ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation.

West told the Christian Post that he believes these stories will resonate with people, “and hopefully they can say, ‘Hey, I’m not alone. I’m not the only one that struggles with this topic of forgiveness but I know that God’s going to take my hand. He’s going to lead me the rest of the way.’ ” 22 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Hallelujah! takes readers across Canada, from the shores of the Atlantic to the interior of British Columbia, and beyond to the battlefields of the First World War—a must-read for Army history buffs and newcomers to the Army alike.

Watch for an excerpt from Glory!

Hallelujah! in the November issue of Salvationist showcasing the Army’s presence on the front lines of the First World War.

Jesus on Every Page

by David Murray The son trudges uphill, bearing wood for his own sacrifice; his father has decided to give him up to death.

What biblical event does this bring to mind? Is it Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 or Christ’s passion in the Gospels? The similarities between these two stories are not a coincidence.

In Jesus on Every Page, biblical scholar Dr. David Murray invites readers to discover Jesus throughout the Old Testament, showing how Christ is present in every story and every book—from creation to the law, psalms, prophets and proverbs. Murray describes his own Road to Emmaus experience—how the Scriptures were opened to him, revealing Jesus from beginning to end—and then offers 10 simple ways for readers to seek and find Christ in the Old Testament.

CROSS CULTURE

Film set to be released around Easter 2014 The bestselling book, Heaven is for Real, is coming soon to a theatre near you. Now in production, the film will tell the story of Colton Burpo, who says that a near-death experience brought him up to heaven where he met Jesus. Colton, who was three years old at the time, told his story to his father, Pastor Todd Burpo, who wrote the book. Randall Wallace, writer of Academy Award-winning film Braveheart, is directing the film, which stars Greg Kinnear as Todd, Kelly Reilly as Sonja, Todd’s wife, and Connor Corum as Colton. Bestselling author and pastor T.D. Jakes has signed on as a producer. The film will be released around Easter 2014.

ON THE WEB Salvo Tweets

www.twitter.com – @SalvoTweets, @SA_Probs, @DarkestEngland The Salvation Army has a number of Twitter accounts to keep Salvationists up to date on what’s happening in the Army world (you can find us @Salvationist). But if you’re looking for a lighthearted approach to life in the Army, there are a number of “unofficial” Twitter accounts to make you smile. @SA_Probs and @SalvoTweets often share “Salvation Army problems”—not problems in any real sense, but minor annoyances that might be part of being a Salvationist. For example, “I love going to restaurants in my uniform …

I’m not a flight attendant. #SAProbs” “There’s always that one person that bangs a timbrel during prayer time … It’s usually me. #SAProbs” Or you can follow the Founder himself, who tweets from @DarkestEngland. Asking in his Twitter bio “Why should the devil have all the best tweets?” “General William Booth” offers amusing commentary on current events in the Army world and even pokes fun at himself on occasion. For example, he tweets, “My spiritual gifts are evangelism, leadership and facial hair. #boundless”

Britain Says No to Porn Government announces plan to block pornographic sites on the Internet The British government has unveiled plans to crack down on pornography on the Internet. By the end of next year, all 19 million homes in the United Kingdom that are connected to New “family-friendly” filters will block the Internet “will be pornographic websites in the United contacted by service Kingdom providers and told they must say whether family-friendly filters that block all porn sites should be switched on or off,” reports the Daily Mail. And as of the end of this year, any customers setting up a new Internet account or switching providers will have the filters automatically switched on and must opt to disable them to access “adult content.”

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our society, protecting innocence, protecting childhood itself—that is what is at stake,” said Prime Minister David Cameron when the plan was announced. “And I will do whatever it takes to keep our children safe.”

Photo: Ingimage.com

Heaven is for Real Gets Film Adaptation

God-Inspired Fashion Former Victoria’s Secret model launches clothing line Kylie Bisutti made headlines earlier this year when she released her autobiography, I’m No Angel, which chronicles how she gave up her career as a Victoria’s Secret model to become a Christian role model.

But she hasn’t left the fashion industry behind for good. In July, Bisutti launched God Inspired Fashion, a clothing line for men, women and children which includes jeans, shirts, hats, scarves and bags.

Every item features a positive slogan or Scripture verse.

In keeping with her Christian values, Bisutti wants the clothing to be modest while still being trendy. “We really want it to be fashionable and up to date. It’s why we have a lot of neon stuff right now—that’s what’s really in right now,” she told The Daily Beast. To that end, God Inspired Fashion’s online shop (www.godinspiredfashion.com) is full of things like skinny jeans, sequined denim vests and peasant skirts.

Bisutti hopes the clothing will help its wearers share their faith with others. As the label’s website says, “Help put God’s Word back in schools. Start a revival!”

Salvationist I October 2013 I 23

Photo: God Inspired Fashion

IN THE NEWS

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

ENROLMENTS AND RECOGNITION

MONCTON, N.B.—Colin Shugarue, Liam Spencer, Angel Umutomi, Brandon Romero, Vincent Noseworthy and Joshua Leaman are the newest junior soldiers at Moncton Citadel CC. Supporting the young people are, from left, Cpt Leigh Ryan, CO; JSS Charlene Shugarue; Dr. John Li, colour sergeant; Mjr Vida Ryan, CO.

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L.—Four senior soldiers are enrolled at Conception Bay South Corps.

From left, Mjrs Lorne and Barbara Pritchett, COs; Vangie Wiseman; Pat Tiller; Melissa Dawe; Judy Ivany; CSM Nic Dobson, holding the flag.

OTTAWA—Ten junior soldiers proudly display their certificates as they are enrolled at Ottawa Citadel.

From left, Mjrs Daniel and Renée Dearing, COs; Noah Otabor; Trevor Smith; Brent Ferguson, holding the flag; Joseph Makela; James Harvey; Katie Harvey; Angelina Destrat; Alyssa McDormand; Faith Dicaire; Christhel Alcide; Michael van Gulik; Jo-Anne Droogh; JSS Esther McTier.

CALGARY—Dawson Bond, Braeden Shaw and Julian Brooks are enrolled as junior soldiers at Berkshire Citadel CC. With them are Lts Nyree and David Bond, COs.

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C.—Doug Fynn is commissioned as the new corps sergeant-major at New Westminster Citadel by Cadet Sharon Tidd, corps leader. With them is Ashley Gray, holding the flag.

PENTICTON, B.C.—Ninety-three-year-old CCM member Joe Knypstra escorts two guests to their table at a strawberry social hosted by the CCM group at Penticton CC. In addition to enjoying dessert, the residents of local retirement and nursing homes appreciated a program of music and entertainment.

FENELON FALLS, ONT.—The corps family in Fenelon Falls expands with the enrolment of nine adherents and two senior soldiers. From left, Maureen Giunta, Fern Bellwood, Heather Provost, Richard Provost, Sherry Semple, adherents; CSM Randy Switzer, holding the flag; Ruth McGhee, Pat Castonguay, Ann Fildey, Guy Castonguay, adherents; Donna Gilmour, Daniel Gilmour, senior soldiers; Cpts Carolyn and Michael Simpson, COs.

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CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

CRANBROOK, B.C.—Kootenay Valley CC appreciates the 200 volunteers who help carry out the Army’s work in their community. From assisting in the thrift store to manning the Christmas kettles to providing support with tax returns, the volunteers are an important part of ministry in Cranbrook. To honour the volunteers, an appreciation supper was hosted by the Army and attended by 66 volunteers.

STONEY CREEK, ONT.—“It was a proud day for the Rideout family when we enrolled our two children as senior soldiers,” says Mjr Paul Rideout, CO, Winterberry Heights Church. From left, CSM Len Burleigh, holding the flag; Mjr Kelly Rideout, CO; Kelsie Rideout; Nathan Rideout; Mjr Paul Rideout.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—A new cornet is dedicated at Mount Pearl Corps in memory of retired CSM Ray Martin. BM Glenn Dyke, holding the new instrument, is joined by Mjr Doreen Lacey, CO; Bruce Cluett, holding the flag; ACSM Betty Martin and members of the Martin family.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C.—Michael Clark is dedicated back to the Lord by his mother, Jenna.

Mjr Betty Wilson, Michael’s greatg r a n d m o t h e r, conducted the ceremony. Joining in the happy occasion are grandparents Mike and Tammy Clark and extended family members.

GAZETTE

TERRITORIAL Births Lts Cory/Kelly Fifield, daughter, Sophie Emma, Jul 23; Lts Justin/Colleen Gleadall, daughter, Laila Olive May, Jul 24 Appointments Cpt Clay Davis, manager, correctional and justice services, Ottawa, Ont. CE Div; Cpt Norm Gardner, chaplain, Old City Hall, correctional and justice services, Toronto, Ont. CE Div; Mjr Robert Speakman, chaplain, Metro North Court, correctional and justice services, Toronto, Ont. CE Div; Mjr Deborah Steward, community ministries officer, Erin Mills, Mississauga, Ont. CE Div (designation change); Lt Lynda Wakelin, director of spiritual care, Centre of Hope, London, Ont. GL Div (additional responsibility); Mjr Gail Winsor, leadership development

November 29, 2013 Yonge-Dundas Square

4:30 p.m. – Vendors open for pre-concert treats and activities 6:00 p.m. – CTV Toy Mountain Kick-off live on CTV News Toronto with Weather Anchor, Tom Brown, & Christmas Concert and Community Carol Sing-a-long

officer, leadership development department, Qtr Pg.indd 1 THQ (designationCITS change) Retirements Mjr Ruth Humby, last appointment: assistant director, Regional Accounting Centre, St. John’s, N.L. (THQ finance department); Lt-Cols Wayne/Myra Pritchett, last appointments: DC/ DDWM, N.L. Div; Mjrs Marvin/Vera Youden, last appointment, Pilley’s Island – circuit with Long Island, N.L. Div Promoted to glory Mjr Frederick Butler-Caughie, from Toronto, Aug 3

CALENDAR

Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Oct 3-4 National Advisory Board, Winnipeg; Oct 11-13 Prairie divisional congress, Moose Jaw, Sask.; Oct 14-16 North American Commissioners

Conference, Hoblitzelle Camp and Conference 7/29/2013Pan 4:50:23 PM Centre, Midlothian, Texas; Oct 16-20 American Zonal Conference, Hoblitzelle Camp and Conference Centre, Midlothian, Texas; Oct 24-25 Presidents Day and Denominational Leaders’ Gathering (EFC), Ottawa Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley Oct 3-4 National Advisory Board, Winnipeg; Oct 4-5 board of trustees, Booth UC, Winnipeg; Oct 6 Meighen Retirement Residence, Ont. CE Div; Oct 14-16 North American Commissioners Conference, Hoblitzelle Camp and Conference Centre, Midlothian, Texas; Oct 16-20 Pan American Zonal Conference, Hoblitzelle Camp and Conference Centre, Midlothian, Texas; Oct 27 CFOT, Winnipeg; Oct 28-30 review, Ont. CE Div Canadian Staff Band Oct 5-6 North Toronto CC Salvationist I October 2013 I 25

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

Accepted for Training Lorenda Dale Lower Island Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador Division I am excited to fulfil the call God placed on my life many years ago. When I was in my early 20s, I ran away from that call to pursue things of the world that I thought would bring happiness. After leaving an abusive relationship, I hit a low point and wanted to end my life. It was then that I walked into a church and God met me there. He lifted me up, took the load I carried and surrounded me with his love and grace. I met David and together we started attending the Lower Island Cove Corps, where we felt God calling us to ministry with The Salvation Army. I am so excited to be in the Heralds of Grace Session because it was God’s grace that lifted me out of the mess I was in and I want to share it with our lost world.

David Dale Lower Island Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador Division From an early age I felt God preparing me for ministry but circumstances always seemed to get in the way. I never felt fulfilled as I worked in different jobs, knowing God had other plans for me, but I couldn’t see how he would bring them about. God has given me opportunities to share my faith with others, but I always had the burning desire to be in full-time ministry. God has blessed me greatly and I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to bring the message of a loving Saviour to the world through the ministries of The Salvation Army.

Keith Barrett Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador Division I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at a young age. Growing up in a small town in Newfoundland, there were many things that could have taken me away from God, but I found it rewarding to participate in corps activities. I am grateful to God that my love of banding kept me involved with the church through my teenage years. At the age of 14, I became a member of the candidates’ fellowship, recognizing that God had called me to ministry in The Salvation Army. In spite of this, I did things my own way for the next 23 years until I yielded to his will. With God in control, I have found the peace that comes with following his plan for my life.

Charlene Barrett Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador Division I grew up in The Salvation Army and have been involved in church activities and leadership opportunities all my life. I am grateful for this as I did not get involved in other activities that could have led me away from God. I first felt him calling me to full-time service at the age of 14 while attending a summer music camp. My calling was not loud and profound, but it has been growing for some time and encouraged by others in the church who have seen God’s work in my life. I am certain of God’s call and pray that people will see his love through me.

26 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Michelle Cale Westsong Community Church, Victoria, British Columbia Division Born into a Christian family, I was raised at Victoria Citadel. From my early teens, God’s call was clear but my response was to fight. I put up a wall, the foundation being my stubborn pride. These past three years have seen my wall come crashing down, as God spoke to my heart and said, “What is it that you need that I cannot provide if you do my will? I love you.” I wondered whether God had been preparing me for more, and if I was comfortable using the gifts he had given to me, for other purposes. My desire to obey, trust and live out my calling is stronger than my desire to have control. I can confidently step out without fear, knowing that God provides strength for the journey.

Ian Rabourn Kelowna Community Church, British Columbia Division I came to know Christ in my last semester of Grade 12 when I was invited to a small youth group of seven teenagers. The Holy Spirit revealed Christ to me through their love for one another. In November 2010, a friend introduced me to The Salvation Army where I saw the words of Isaiah 58—to reach the hungry, poor and unclothed—in action.

I realized this is where I belong. Surrounded by the encouragement and prayers of our corps officers, Majors Ron and Toni Cartmell, and retired officers Majors Donald and Elsie Goodridge, my wife and I feel the call of God to be officers. Leaving behind our home and our two college-aged daughters is a huge stretch, yet we believe there is great blessing on the other side of our step of obedience.

Donna Rabourn Kelowna Community Church, British Columbia Division Raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins when I was nine. As a teenager, I attended youth groups at various churches and at age 19, made a Pentecostal church my home. It was there that I met my husband, Ian, and for the next 20 years we worshipped together in a number of different churches until the Lord led us to The Salvation Army in 2010. Through prayer and counsel, we believe we are to become Salvation Army officers. My journey with God has had many ups and downs, but I am thankful that he remains faithful. His love, mercy and grace never end.

Stephanie Sawchuk Weetamah, Winnipeg, Prairie Division I grew up attending The Salvation Army, but at the age of 16 I started to stray from the church as my school friends became more of a priority than God. Over the course of 10 years, I had some personal and family struggles and couldn’t understand where God was in all of this. The anger inside of me hit the breaking point and I asked God to show me that he is real. During the devotional time at women’s group that week, the verse was Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I felt the presence of God like I never had before and sensed him saying, “I’m here. I’ve been waiting for you.”

In that moment, my anger, hurt and sadness were washed away in my tears, and I made a commitment to serve God for the rest of my days.

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

TRIBUTES CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L.—Retired corps sergeantmajor Harold Perrin, the oldest soldier of Conception Bay South Corps, was promoted to glory at the age of 84. A lifelong Salvationist, he was enrolled as a senior soldier in 1956. Harold was involved in many avenues of service in the corps and was commissioned as the CSM in 1966. In this position, he gave insightful and valued service to the congregation and corps officers. He and his wife, Stella, welcomed many brigading cadets into their home from the training college in St. John’s, N.L. Harold loved his Lord and was faithful to him and The Salvation Army. In recent years, ill health prevented Harold from attending Sunday services as often as he would have liked, but he was always ready to witness to God’s saving grace and keeping power.

Left with fond memories are sons Major Wilson (Winnie), Rene (Donna), Robert (Wanda); six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers William (Wanda), John (Geraldine); many other family members and friends, especially those at the corps.

PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Born in Scotland in 1921 to officer parents, Albert George Hodder was promoted to glory at the age of 91. He was a cadet in the first session to train in London, England, following the First World War, and was appointed as a corps officer in the United Kingdom. Albert served on the training college staff in Paris, as a corps officer in France, was a member of the candidates’ board and participated in prison ministry.

Together with his wife, Susanne, he was appointed to Montreal’s Rosemont Corps in 1968 and helped start the Army’s work in Quebec.

Following their time as Salvation Army officers, they served as pastors in Mennonite and Baptist churches. Albert is survived by his children Blanche, Anne, Ruth, Grace, Cathy and Philippe, and nine grandchildren.

SURREY, B.C.—Major William Alexander Merritt was born in Winnipeg in 1929. Bill enjoyed sports and Salvation Army banding. He met Miriam at Winnipeg Citadel in 1948 and they were married three years later. They moved to Toronto where he worked at McLean-Hunter, Fiberglass and SRT, and received a diploma in business administration from the University of Toronto. Bill and Miriam entered training college in 1962 in the Heroes of Faith Session and subsequently were corps officers in Moose Jaw, Sask., at Burlington Citadel, Ont., Halifax Citadel and Calgary’s Glenmore Temple. They served in public relations appointments in Victoria, Regina, Calgary and Vancouver, raising funds for the Army’s work. A certified fundraising executive, in retirement Bill raised money for non-profit organizations through his company, William Merritt and Associates. Bill’s love for Christ was the driving force in his life as seen in his exceptional work ethic, interest in people and selfless attitude toward family and friends. He is missed by his life’s partner, Miriam; daughters Nancy (David) Michel, Judith (Ken) Touzeau, Catherine (Ian) Rawlins; grandchildren Christopher (Charlotte), Gregory (Jessy), Jonathan (Sarah), Diana (Ryan), Mark (Jillian), Michael (Brittany), Julia, John, Robert, Madeline; great-grandchildren Jack, Nathan, Benjamin, Oliver.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Aubrey Wilbert Pike was born in 1924 in South Dildo, N.L., as the first of 12 children. Aubrey learned devotion to God and family at a young age, and throughout his life he loved and gave tirelessly to his family. His greatest joy was meeting and marrying Frances, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage.

Together they raised a large family who tried to emulate the love they had seen at home. Aubrey was dedicated to the Scouting movement and was instrumental in establishing the first Scout troop in Clarenville, N.L. He taught corps cadets and trained countless people through Bible studies in The Salvation Army, both during and after the time he and Frances served as officers, and in his more than 40 years with the Gideons. Aubrey loved salmon fishing, hunting, gardening and his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, but most of all, he loved God, Frances and his family.

SUSSEX, N.B.—George Edward “Ed” Oulton was born in Chartersville, N.B., in 1935. He began his military career at a young age and served for more than 25 years. In 1956, he married Harriet Mahar, the love of his life. They started their family while posted to Comox, B.C., before moving to France. Returning to Canada in 1964, they attended the Army corps in Moose Jaw, Sask., where Ed gave his heart to the Lord. A military posting took the family to Greenwood, N.S., where Ed retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1978 for medical reasons. Devoted to God, his family and church, Ed was commissioned in several local officer positions and served as a bandsman for more than 36 years. Remembered for his love of children, nature and music, Ed enjoyed camping, fishing and the outdoors, and instilled these qualities in his children. A handyman at heart, he willingly helped others and, in spite of ill health, remained active in the corps, relying on his faith for strength.

Ed is missed by his wife of 57 years, Harriet; four sons; four daughters; three brothers; four sisters; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

The Salvation Army Channel-Port aux Basques Corps 120th Anniversary Celebrations November 9-10, 2013 Former soldiers, officers and friends are invited to send greetings to Major Marilyn Furey at marilyn_furey@can.salvationarmy.org or The Salvation Army, PO Box 620 E, Grand Bay E NL A0N 1K0

WORDS OF LIFE

SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE! • Take time with the Father daily as you meditate upon his Word.

• A sk Jesus to interpret his Word and speak to your heart.

• Open yourself to the Spirit as he brings inspiration.

Continuing the theme “Hope”, this Advent edition of Words of Life looks specifically at Christ in us—our “hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). We see in Jeremiah, Hosea and others how God has always wanted his people to embrace hope, yet the Israelites hardened their hearts. In the New Testament, Paul’s writings to the Ephesians and Thessalonians speak of great hope, while the letter to the Hebrews reveals Jesus as our Great High Priest.

More psalms, proverbs, songs and hymns bring encouragement to our hearts. Guest writers Colonels Ricardo and Sonia Bouzigues lead us beautifully into Christmas. May Christ—the Hope of Glory— continue to dwell within each of us. $6.99 plus shipping and handling The Salvation Army Supplies and Purchasing • 416-422-6100 orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org • SalvationArmy.ca/Store

Salvationist I October 2013 I 27

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Why Celebrate?

The kingdom of God is like a party

BY MAJOR RANDY C. HICKS

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/tacojim

G

rowing up in a small Canadian town in a Salvation Army subculture, I didn’t realize that whenever someone in our circle threw a party, potluck or had a “time,” we were actually practising one of the ancient spiritual disciplines.

Everyone contributed something to the menu or program and, together, the tables or concert schedules would be filled as joy and laughter filled the air. It was celebration time!

In The Spir it of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard writes of celebration as “one of the most important disciplines of engagement, yet most overlooked and misunderstood. It is the completion of worship, for it dwells on the greatness of God as shown in his goodness to us.”

When we came together in the church hall, community centre or even in Grandma’s kitchen, we were blessed and we knew it. We were rich and we knew it.

We were part of God’s great family and we knew it. We had cause to celebrate and we did it.

In his book by the same title, Tony Campolo says that the kingdom of God is a party.

But far too many people have never heard about this and have no idea that they are missing out. For them, it often seems like our world is only filled with bad news, pain, destruction, evil and its consequences. Crisis follows crisis and all seems hopeless. What’s the use?

Why bother? If only there were some “good news.”

28 I October 2013 I Salvationist

Even more shocking is that some so-called Christians have been known to adopt this attitude as well. Who can smile? Who can laugh? Who would dare celebrate?

Willard says that “a healthy faith before God cannot be built and maintained, without heartfelt celebration of his greatness and goodness to us in the midst of our suffering and terror.”

In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster says that “of all people, we should be the most free, alive and interesting. Celebration adds a note of gaiety, festivity and hilarity to our lives.”

In Christ, we can celebrate and we must. As Foster

“Of all people, we should be the most free, alive and interesting” writes, “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ....

Celebration gives strength to life.... Celebration is the path to joy.... Celebration helps us to relax.... Celebration can be an effective antidote for the periodic sense of sadness that can constrict and oppress the heart.... Celebration gives us perspective.... In celebration, the high and mighty

regain their balance and the weak and lowly receive new stature.... Thus freed of an inflated view of our own importance we are also freed of a judgmental spirit....

Finally, an interesting characteristic of celebration is that it tends toward more celebration. Joy begets joy.

Laughter begets laughter. It is one of those few things in life that, by giving, we multiply.”

The world needs to know that God in Christ has blessed us beyond measure in spite of our circumstances and he invites all to come to his salvation party.

What better time to have such a party than at Thanksgiving? Some may say, “But Thanksgiving is not a biblical or religious holiday.” I would disagree, but even if it isn’t, can’t we make it one? Can’t we use this occasion to let the world know just how much God has blessed us as a people in his glorious kingdom? Can’t we fill the local food banks or community centres with food and invite local artists and the whole town to a big party at the fire hall or recreation centre? Can’t we go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in?

(Wait a minute. Why does this sound familiar?)

Foster says, “We are not limited to established festivals; we can develop our own.” Did you hear that?

Whose birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion, new job, new home, new baby or achievement have we missed?

Who in our immediate circle or person “outside the group” could use a little celebrating in their lives?

It’s time to do some of that “multiplying.” It’s time to “Par-Tay.” In the words of Kool and the Gang, it’s time to “celebrate good times!”

Major Randy C. Hicks is the corps officer at North York Temple in the Ontario Central-East Division.

THE STORYTELLER

Weeding Out Sin How to cope with evil in a fallen world

BY MAJOR FRED ASH

Photo: © iStockphoto.com/NicolasMcComber

The kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a large company who hired good employees for his international corporation. But during a scheduled shutdown for maintenance, some devious managers hired dishonest workers and then left the firm. When work resumed, production and profits went down.

The company’s managers came to the owner and said, “Sir, didn’t you hire honest employees? Where did these lazy, dishonest ones come from?”

“An enemy did this,” he replied.

The managers asked him, “Do you want us to go and fire them?”

“No,” he answered, “because while you are firing the dishonest employees you may let go the good workers with them. Let both work together until the final audit. At that time I will tell the auditors, ‘First, list the dishonest employees and dismiss them; then reward the good workers with a generous bonus.’ ”

W

hen Jesus told this parable he couched it in pictures of wheat and weeds (see The Parable of the Weeds below).

Parables are not meant to be taken literally. They are stories containing metaphors, similes and allegory that teach us spiritual lessons. The reality behind the story is far deeper than the story itself.

This particular parable addresses—among other things— the question of the origin of evil: “Where did the weeds come from?” or “Where did the dishonest employees come from?”

When we look around the world and see evil dictators, mass murderers, thieves, drug pushers and countless workers of evil we ask, “Where did they come from?”

Jesus’ answer is, “An enemy did this.” He then elaborates that “the enemy who sows them is the devil.” God did not

The Parable of the Weeds

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn’ ” (Matthew 13:24-30).

create evil people; they are influenced by Satan.

Another issue in this parable is the nature of evil. The wheat and the weeds were so similar in appearance that there was a danger of the workers accidentally pulling up the wheat if they tried to pull up the weeds. Likewise, we cannot easily identify who is a Christian and who is not, who is saved and who is not. This is a matter of the heart, not the face, and only God knows the heart. The workers were not given the responsibility of removing the weeds; they never had the necessary discernment skills to make the final judgment. In history we find atrocities that were carried out in the name of God by people who considered themselves righteous and others evil and who wanted to eradicate the evildoers.

The final reckoning is a third theme of this short parable.

Before the final judgment, both wheat and weeds continue to grow. In other words, the good will become better and the evil will become worse so that the gap will widen between the righteous and the unrighteous. In the end, judgment will come from heaven. Evildoers will be cast into an eternal existence that can only be described metaphorically as fire—a world of regret, remorse and tears. The righteous, on the other hand, will be brought into eternal happiness in the presence of God. The parable does not tell us everything about the kingdom of God. It is in other stories of Jesus that we learn about the transforming power of Christ to change bad seed into good.

Major Fred Ash is a retired Salvation Army officer, freelance writer and editor living in Barrie, Ont. Salvationist I October 2013 I 29

IN THE TRENCHES

Back to Our Roots Are we still the church of the poor?

BY MAJOR AMY REARDON

Photo: © depositphotos.com/nata-art

A

n older Salvationist once told me that when she joined a nondenominational Bible study for seniors, she was embarrassed to tell the other members that she attended a Salvation Army corps. I was quite surprised. What on earth could be shameful about that? I have always found that people commend me for being involved with the Army. True, they usually have no idea what it really means, but they find it respectable—laudable, even. “You do such good work,” they tell me.

I pressed the woman to find out why she felt as she did. “Oh well, you know,” she said. “It isn’t very sophisticated to be with the Army now, is it?” I was bemused, but listened on. I learned that her friends remembered when soldiers were people from “the streets” and the Army was a church where society’s undesirables were not only welcomed, but made to be integral members. If you were part of the Army, you must have come from undesirable stock.

For my generation, however, Salvationists are seen as good citizens who reach out to the needy. Salvationists aren’t necessarily themselves the needy or even the formerly needy—as the public sees it—and this is largely true. We are the adequately educated, gainfully employed, capable and good-hearted people who offer a hand up. It is no longer assumed we are the poor and dejected. It’s assumed we help the poor and dejected.

In many Army congregations, there is actually a mix of people from all walks of life. There are well-off people and poor people, educated people and high school drop-outs, ethnic minorities and the local ethnic majority. But most of the people who are in leadership (lay leaders and otherwise) and who are part of the “in crowd” are like me: raised in the Army, never having lived in poverty, educated and employed.

There is something positive about this. It means that the great experiment 30 I October 2013 I Salvationist

by our Founders, General William and Catherine Booth, worked. In the nascent days of the Army, they scraped the hardest cases from the streets and turned them into lovers of Christ and, as a result, responsible citizens. This reform meant the children of those converts were a bit better off. And the following generation was better off than that. It isn’t my family’s story, but many of my friends can trace their roots back to the moment when one of their ancestors was gloriously saved from a life of debauchery. What wonderful success! Instead of

a continuous cycle of ruinous living, the Army effected an upward trajectory in many families.

But where does this leave us now?

Are we still the church where the man in rags is equal to the woman in cashmere?

Are those who sleep in cars welcomed as much as those who drive up in them?

Many of our centres of worship have left the ugly parts of town and moved to the tree-lined streets. I can’t help but wonder if the people who live in their cars feel comfortable making their way to suburbia to worship with us. Had our Founders opened fire amid England’s country estates, where no street urchin would ever wander, what would our story have been?

Maybe this is the natural evolution of things. Maybe we’ve cleaned up, grown up and become a church for healthy persons in a pleasant environment. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs Jesus—from the alcoholic on skid row to the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

There is nothing unchristian about nestling in beautiful places, opening church doors and finding that mostly beautiful people walk through.

But I think we should bear in mind that if that is where we settle, it means a complete change of identity for our Movement. When our Founders started what became The Salvation Army, they did it so there would be a home for the outcast. While it is a testimony to the Booths’ vision that the descendants of their converts are now teachers, lawyers and Salvation Army officers, it is an abandonment of their vision if we teachers, lawyers and Salvation Army officers prefer to worship only with our own kind. If we open our social services doors to all people but make our worship centre doors inaccessible to the poor, who are we? We may be something very good and noble and kind. But are we The Salvation Army?

Can the accomplished people of this world put an arm around those whose lives are in ruin and call them equals?

Can they break bread together, even live life together? Can they offer help of all kinds to each other? Can they, in short, be family? If any entity was designed for such kinship, it was The Salvation Army.

Are we still The Salvation Army?

Major Amy Reardon serves at U.S.A. National Headquarters as editor of the Young Salvationist magazine and assistant national editor-in-chief.

TIES THAT BIND

Thy Kingdom Come

Hosting exchange students gives us a taste of God’s great, multicultural family

BY MAJOR KATHIE CHIU

T

hirteen-year-old Keito (pronounced Kay-toh) sat there looking at seven-year-old Sydney with a confused smile as she chattered away at him. “Sydney, do you realize Keito didn’t understand anything you just said to him?” I asked my granddaughter. “Really?” she replied with raised eyebrows. “Really,” I nodded. “He doesn’t speak English very well and is just learning. Keito is from Japan. You have to speak slowly so he can hear your words.”

She looked at Keito and smiled and then began to speak, “Do-o you-u wa-nt to-o go-o to-o the par-k?” “Yes!” Keito replied with a nod, and off they went.

Keito is one of several international students we have hosted in our home over the years. Our first international student came to us during the 1995-96 school year through Trinity Western University’s ESL program. Gen was a 19-year-old pastor’s son from Osaka, Japan, and was here to learn English.

What a great time we had with him for five months. He would receive packages from his mom and share all kinds of food and treats with us from Japan.

He taught us to say simple phrases in Japanese and he, in turn, learned how a Canadian family lived. We have kept in touch with him over the years, first by exchanging letters and then through photos on Facebook.

Other students have come into our home from China, Hong Kong, Korea and Macau. Each one brought a different culture, language and personality to our family mix. Some had trouble adjusting, while others fit in easily and learned quickly. Even though our family is multicultural, we still learned much more through the students than if we had visited all of their countries.

One of the things our family learned is to share. Not the kind of sharing small children learn at school with toys and playground equipment. We learned to share our personal space, we learned to share of ourselves and we learned to share our hearts. Quite simply, we

From left, Mjr Kathie Chiu with her granddaughter, Naomi; son, Evan; Keito; son, Nathan; husband, Mjr Ed Chiu

learned hospitality.

Our family also learned patience and empathy. It takes time to get to know someone with a major language and culture barrier in place. The student from abroad cannot always communicate how they are really feeling so we have to watch their body language and facial expressions. Many times we had conversations with our children about how they would feel if they were in a similar situation. These situations taught us all to be more creative about how we communicated, using hand gestures and signals. Now we’re happy to have Google to translate for us so quickly.

Perhaps the most important thing our family learned is how to understand and compare the differences in cultures. It has led to a greater understanding and tolerance for people from other countries. It’s also led to our ability to be creative in how we live out our calling in Christ and share the good news of the gospel with each of them.

Pretty soon Keito will return to his family in Japan. He is here for only one month on a cultural exchange and we’ve had a great time camping as a family. He comes from a family with two children and is learning what it’s

like to share space with a very large and active family—already four-yearold Bronwyn has been dragging him all over The Salvation Army’s Camp Sunrise in Gibsons, B.C.! We’ve sent pictures to his mother, who I’m sure was anxious about sending her teenaged son all the way to Canada. We can already see that his understanding of English is improving. We can also see a relationship growing between him and our youngest son, who is of the same age.

They’re learning a rhythm that can’t be taught in a classroom.

I’m thankful to God for the opportunity he’s provided for our family to learn these intercultural life lessons. It’s kind of like the kingdom of heaven and reminds me of these song lyrics, “They shall come from the East, they shall come from the West, and sit down in the kingdom of God. To be met by their Father and welcomed and blessed….”

Being able to welcome and bless someone from another country has helped us create a little bit of the kingdom right in our own home. Can there be anything more wonderful than that?

Major Kathie Chiu is the executive director of Victoria’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre.

Salvationist I October 2013 I 31

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