Halo Project: Measuring Our Community Impact
Battling HIV-AIDS in Papua New Guinea
Daughter Finds Freedom From “Cutting”
THE VOICE OF THE ARMY
May 2017
Salvationist.ca
In Sickness and in Health How our marriage endured the ups and downs of a mood disorder
The Salvation Army Springdale Corps
May 31 – June 4, 2017 Schedule of Events Wednesday, May 31
5 p.m.—Picnic at Wards Harbour (East end of town)
Thursday, June 1
7 p.m.—Public Meeting
Friday, June 2
7 p.m.—Youth Rally
Saturday, June 3
4:30 p.m.—March of Witness 6 p.m.—Anniversary Banquet
Sunday, June 4
10:30 a.m.—Holiness Meeting 6 p.m.—Salvation Meeting With Majors Lorne and Barbara Pritchett Corps Officers, Conception Bay South Corps, N.L.
Reflecting Back, Looking Forward, Marching On!
THE
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WHOLE WORLD MOBILISING Download from the
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In 2017, The Salvation Army kicks off a year-long campaign to encourage Salvationists to connect with each other, celebrate the work being done around the world to share the gospel and equip them with tools and tips along the way. The Whole World Mobilising app and website will provide real-time updates on mobilisation activities, practical coaching, community and global prayer. Visit the website today and download the app for inspirational tools to daily put your faith into action. MOBILISING.SALVATIONARMY.ORG
2 May 2017 Salvationist
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CONTENTS
Salvationist May 2017 • Volume 12, Number 5
20
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5 Frontlines 14 Fresh Ideas
@salvationistmagazine Follow us on Instagram for the latest and best Army photos. Tag your photos #salvationists
The Peacemakers by Pamela DeRaaf Salhani
15 Perspectives Money and Mission by Lt-Colonel Fred Waters
/salvationistmagazine Like us on Facebook for photos and updates. Interact with our community of 32,000 fans
16 Calling the Courageous Committed to the Cause by Ken Ramstead
24 Cross Culture
Features
26 People & Places
8 Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
30 Salvation Stories
How our marriage endured the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. by Majors Owen and Sandra Budden
An Atheist’s Prayer by Lieutenant Brad Webster
Columns 4 Editorial Out of the Darkness by Geoff Moulton
23 Herstory The Red Dress by Lieutenant Kristen Jackson-Dockeray
29 Troublesome Texts God Revealed Through Lazarus by General Bramwell H. Tillsley (Rtd)
12 In Harm’s Way My daughter and I healed our self-inflicted scars together. by Major Shirley King
17 The Call to Follow The strategic priority of Christ-centred, OTHERS-focused discipleship. by Kevin Slous
18 Faith Doing Good Halo Project measures Salvation Army impact on communities. by Colonel Glen Shepherd
@Salvationist Follow us on Twitter for the Army’s breaking news. Use hashtag #SalvationArmy for your own updates and photos Cover photo: Carson Samson
Read and share it! Making a Difference
FAIR TRADE P.8
Who’s the Boss?
MOMS KNOW BEST P.22
A Woman Fights Back
BEATING CANCER P.28
Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G
faithandfriends.ca
MAY 2017
Kicking
the Habit
20 In Good Health Canadian Salvationists embark on a two-year medical mission to Papua New Guinea. by Kristin Ostensen
ADDICTION ALMOST COST MICHAEL WINTER HIS LIFE. NOW HE HELPS OTHERS IN THEIR OWN BATTLES P.16
Salvationist May 2017 3
EDITORIAL
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Out of the Darkness
huck Barris, creator of the Gong Show, the Dating Game and other hit game shows, died in March. Famous for his TV antics, later in life Barris became known for an elaborate conspiracy theory in which he claimed to be a secret assassin for the CIA. The CIA denied the claim, and those who knew him speculated that Barris suffered from manic episodes. In this month’s cover story, Major Owen Budden tells of a similar experience when he confessed to his family that he was secretly planning to infiltrate and bring down the global heroin trade. It sounds incredible, but it was a warning sign that something was terribly wrong. Mental disorders affect nearly one in five people. The church is finally beginning to acknowledge the seriousness and complexity of the problem. At the Territorial Leaders’ Summit last September, Majors Owen and Sandra Budden shared their difficult journey as part of a session on mental health. Years prior, Owen was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Manic episodes and depression overwhelmed him as he struggled to find the right balance of medication and support. Fortunately, his wife, Sandra, was there. And so was God, present even in his “dark night of the soul.” In the past, some Christians have dismissed mental health problems as a
Salvationist
is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory André Cox General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel Jim Champ Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Copy Editor and Production Co-ordinator (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 May 2017 Salvationist
spiritual issue. While we lean on God for support, the causes of mental illness are extremely complex and can’t just be “prayed away.” Responding to a recent Salvationist article on mental health, Major Ray Harris writes, “A woman who goes into a deep depression following the birth of a child, or a first responder who is traumatized by his work, or a Salvation Army officer who requires medical help for mental health issues, is not lacking trust in a faithful God. The experience of mental health concerns is an expression of our humanity, not lack of it. One psalmist recalls the moment when ‘darkness was her only companion’ (Psalm 88:18). As an expression of the gospel we in the church are called to accompany our friends in their darkness. They are exhibiting more courage than we may ever know.” Elsewhere in this issue of Salvationist, you’ll read about the courage of Major Shirley King’s daughter, who suffered self-harm in the form of cutting. They, too, began a journey of healing together (page 12). You’ll meet Canadian Salvationists April Barthau and Marco Herrera Lopizic as they offer much-needed medical treatment to hundreds in Papua New Guinea (page 20). And you’ll discover how The Salvation Army’s
Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist 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, New International Version (NIV) © 2011. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.
influence in a community can now be measured through an initiative called the Halo Project (page 18). Chuck Barris’ experience became the subject of a movie, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. But for others who struggle with mental illness, their lives are no Hollywood story. Their reality feels dark, frightening and hopeless. The church can play a role in ending the stigma, reaching out and supporting people, even in their darkest moments. GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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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 facebook.com/salvationistmagazine twitter.com/salvationist youtube.com/salvationistmagazine instagram.com/salvationistmagazine
FRONTLINES
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Bermuda Salvationists Unite in Holiness
he Salvation Army marked 120 years of ministry in Bermuda with a weekend of events in February, as the Bermuda Division’s four corps came together to celebrate their common heritage and commit themselves to a common mission. On Friday, the division’s YWCA (Younger Women Connecting Again) group gathered for an evening of fellowship, under the theme of gardening. Jenita Dyer led the women in the practical art of gardening, while Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, shared a devotional. A Saturday evening meeting was
dedicated to music and gospel arts. The North Street Citadel Band, under the leadership of Jamel Bean, bandmaster, anchored the meeting, which included a singing company performance and a liturgical dance by Patreese Simmons, whose interpretation of Victory Belongs to God and For Every Mountain was a highlight of the evening. Speaking on 1 Corinthians 13, Commissioner McMillan encouraged Salvationists to let love permeate every gift and ability they offer. When love is evident in our mission, we know that our mission is from God, the commissioner said.
Salvationists lead worship at the Sunday holiness meeting
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Commissioner Susan McMillan presents the “Mobilising” flag to soldier Terry Battersbee
The division held a united holiness meeting on Sunday morning, where Major Frank Pittman, divisional commander, introduced the international Army’s The Whole World Mobilising campaign and the “Mobilising” flag. Along with music by the Bermuda Divisional Band, the meeting featured a light-hearted, poignant drama by the division’s youth and a solo by Lt-Colonel Genevera Vincent, divisional director of women’s ministries, Newfoundland and Labrador Division. Commissioner McMillan spoke on the theme of Mobilizing for War, encouraging those present to leave the barracks and take the field and support one another.
Heritage Week at Booth University College
he Salvation Army’s Booth University College in Winnipeg observed its 35th anniversary in February by holding a Heritage Week that celebrated the university college’s vision, history, accomplishments and aspirations for the future. The week began with an anniversary cake and coffee time with a special blessing from Lt-Colonel (Dr.) Susan van Duinen, dean of Booth’s School for Continuing Studies, and a historical display that featured materials from Booth’s early days as Catherine Booth Bible College. On Wednesday, students and staff gathered in Hetherington Chapel to hear from Dianna Bussey, an alumna of Booth’s social work program who is now director of the Army’s correctional and justice services in Winnipeg, and a
consultant on human trafficking. Current Booth student Caitlyn Gillingham spoke at a student-led community gathering on Friday, reflecting on cross-cultural understanding, language barriers and other things she learned during a recent trip to Israel with The
Salvation Army. Afterward, students were invited to join Dr. Marjory Kerr, president of Booth, for a light lunch and casual conversation. This event was the first in a series of Q&A opportunities with Kerr to be held with the student body throughout the year.
Dr. Marjory Kerr leads a Q&A session with students during Heritage Week
Salvationist May 2017 5
FRONTLINES
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Salvationists Join Nisga’a New Year Events
ommissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, led a delegation of Salvation Army officers to northern British Columbia in February, for a weekend of cultural and corps events. The delegation joined local corps leaders, Damian and Erica Azak, and Salvationists in Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., in participating in the annual Hobiiyee celebrations, which mark the beginning of the Nisga’a new year. The Salvation Army was mentioned in a song at the event and the delegation participated in a dance with the Gitwinksihlkw team, with Damian Azak carrying the Army flag. Salvationists gathered for a Sunday morning meeting during which Commissioner McMillan dedicated a new flag and instruments for the corps. After the service, corps members enjoyed an anniversary cake recognizing 90 years of Salvation Army ministry in Gitwinksihlkw. Along with the territorial commander, the delegation included Colonel Deborah Graves, territorial secretary for women’s ministries; Major Shari Russell, territorial Indigenous ministries consultant; Lt-Colonels Brian and Anne Venables, divisional leaders, British Columbia Division; Lt-Colonel Jim Champ, secretary for communications; Lieutenant Kristen Jackson-
Dockeray, divisional youth secretary, British Columbia Division; Captain David Macpherson, area commander,
British Columbia Division; and Captain Lisa Macpherson, corps officer, Nanaimo Community Church, B.C.
Lt-Col Brian Venables and Commissioner Susan McMillan, with Anthony Moore, band leader, dedicate new instruments at the Gitwinksihlkw Corps, while Damian Azak holds the flag
Damian Azak waves the Army flag at Hobiiyee events in Gitwinksihlkw
Political Leaders Meet With Quebec Army
L Col Glen Shepherd, DSBA, Que. Div; Mjr Grant Effer, DC, Que. Div; JeanFrançois Lisée; Marie-Hélène Piaud, development co-ordinator; and Harold LeBel
6 May 2017 Salvationist
eaders from The Salvation Army’s Quebec Division visited the province’s National Assembly in Quebec City in February for a series of fruitful conversations with political leaders. The Army delegation met with Harold LeBel, member for Rimouski, Que., to discuss how The Salvation Army can do more to help people in Rimouski, as well as plans for the visit of General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries, in July. The group also had the opportunity to meet and speak with Jean-François Lisée, leader of the official opposition and member for Rosemont, Que., and Agnès Maltais, member for Taschereau, Que.
FRONTLINES
Salvation Army Responds After N.L. Wind Storm
Mjr Bruce Shirran, AC, N.L. Div, is ready to serve displaced people at a warming centre
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“Our emergency disaster services (EDS) leadership noticed that after many hours of nonstop, back-to-back calls for firefighters of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, these first responders had not had an opportunity to eat or stay hydrated,” says Matthew Reid, co-ordinator—Avalon Region, emergency disaster services, Newfoundland and Labrador Division. “Our emergency response unit was mobilized to various locations where we provided snacks and beverages.”
Grand Opening for Toronto Thrift Store
he Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) opened its newest thrift store in Toronto in January. Situated in Thorncliffe Park, one of Canada’s most multicultural and fastest-growing communities, the new location boasts 12,000 square feet of retail space and a “welcome mural” completed by students of nearby Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute and Leaside High School in different languages to greet guests from diverse backgrounds. The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and giveaways. In attendance were Rob Oliphant, member of Parliament, Jon Burnside, city councillor, and Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander. The new thrift store is already creating a buzz among the community, which has Toronto’s largest percentage of children and newcomers to the country. Two hours before the official opening, people were lined up at the doors, and more than 450 customers were served throughout the day. “We want to provide a space for families and neighbours to thrive,” says Michele Walker, NRO national retail operations manager. “Donations made and funds raised will stay in this community to provide support to vital Salvation Army programs and services.”
Photo: Kristin Ostensen
W
hen the St. John’s area of Newfoundland and Labrador was struck in March by the strongest wind storm to hit in 40 years, The Salvation Army sprang into action, providing assistance in St. John’s, Mount Pearl, Paradise and Conception Bay South, N.L. Winds of up to 160 kilometres per hour caused many power lines to become disengaged, prompting a flood of calls to 911 for assistance.
By evening, 70,000 people were without electricity and it became apparent that the wind had caused enough damage that restoration would not be immediate. The City of St. John’s asked the Army to provide beverages and snack food for the warming centre that would be opened the following morning at City Hall. The city later requested that the Army provide meals for a shelter to be opened that evening. “This request prompted EDS to put together a larger team,” notes Reid. This team included volunteers and staff from divisional headquarters, working side by side with the Canadian Red Cross. The Town of Conception Bay South activated their emergency agreement with the local Army corps, turning the corps building into a warming centre for the community. The corps provided soup and sandwiches, while EDS provided the corps with cots so that it could offer lodging services. “Many gallons of coffee and tea were served, hundreds of snacks were provided, and some positive conversations took place between the victims of the wind storm and our volunteers and staff,” says Reid.
Rob Oliphant presents Commissioner Susan McMillan and Kevin McElcheran, interim managing director, National Recycling Operations— East Central, with a certificate of appreciation at the opening of a new thrift store in Toronto
Salvationist May 2017 7
Photos: Carson Samson
“God has sustained us through the difficult times and our marriage and family are strong because we have journeyed this road together,” says Mjr Sandra Budden
8 May 2017 Salvationist
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
How our marriage endured the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.
O
wen: In the summer of 1982, I formulated a grandiose scheme to infiltrate and destroy the global heroin trade. When I shared these plans with others, family members were baffled and deeply concerned. They took me to a doctor, who referred me to a psychiatrist. Diagnosed with possible bipolar disorder or drug-induced psychosis, I spent three weeks in a psychiatric ward getting stabilized with medication. Days before my hospitalization, I invited Jesus into my life. After being released, I returned to university and joined an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group on campus, and grew in my faith. Soon, I convinced myself that since I no longer took street drugs, I no longer needed medication. I experienced what I believed to be healing. Over the next several years, I had mild episodes of depression and hypomania, but no mood swings that went off the charts. Then another life-changing experience took place. I met Sandra, fell in love, and my life became a journey of joy pressed upon more joy. Sandra: We met at a Bible study in St. Anthony, N.L. Owen was godly, adventurous and extroverted. His love for God and the spark of life in his eyes attracted me to him right away. After getting married, we attended Bible college in Australia and then started a family. We moved back to Canada, with a focus on new beginnings—God beginnings—as we waited for God to give us direction. Owen: In 1993, we were accepted to the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, N.L., and in 1995, we were given our first
BY MAJORS OWEN AND SANDRA BUDDEN appointment in Markham, Ont. But a few years later, depression hit me in a way it never had before. For Better or For Worse Sandra: We were standing at the door of the church, shaking hands with people as they left the service, when a woman asked Owen, “How are you?” He replied, “I’m fine.” She responded, “Your eyes tell a different story.” One evening, we had invited a couple from the corps over for tea, but just before they arrived, Owen said he couldn’t handle being around people that night. I told them he wasn’t feeling well. When they went home, I found Owen curled up on the bed. During the months of his depression, there were many days he couldn’t get out of bed at all. Our daughters were young at the time, and didn’t really understand what was going on. All they knew was that Daddy—usually so energetic and full of fun—was tired and couldn’t play with them today. One day, Owen was feeling so low that he said to me, “Why don’t you take the girls and leave me? I am no good for you or them.” It broke my heart. Owen: Sandra’s response was to remind me of our wedding vows, “For better, for worse, in sickness and in health,” and to assure me that we were in this together. She encouraged me to see our family doctor. The only explanation I could give for how I was feeling was, “I am not me.” I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and after trying a few different medications, settled on one that helped me feel most like myself. In 2000, we were appointed to the officer training college in Papua New
Guinea. Life and ministry had a sense of excitement and fulfilment. Under my doctor’s supervision, I came off the medication. Hope and a Future We returned to Canada in 2004, and took up an appointment in Halifax. Two years later, an even deeper depression struck. A variety of anti-depressants seemed to produce no results. Sandra: When depression hit Owen in 2006, it came hard and fast. I remember times when I would go to my bedroom after the girls had gone to school and fall on my knees before God and wail. Owen: Our daughters were 11, 15 and 16, and this time we shared the diagnosis with them. They were understanding and supportive, even though my illness brought a tremendous amount of stress to our family relationships. Sandra: The depression lasted about nine months. During this period my dad became very ill, and I was torn between caring for my husband and wanting to go and spend time with my dad. There were days when I felt frightened, lonely and afraid, overwhelmed by the weight of family and ministry. I wondered if I could carry on in ministry without Owen. God was my source of strength, my rock and my refuge. Very clearly, he reminded me of my life verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Owen: I was referred to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with a form of bipolar Salvationist May 2017 9
friends and where Owen was receiving excellent medical and spiritual care. Owen: Feeling well again, our next appointment in Woodstock, Ont., went by without any episodes of hypomania or depression.
Sandra’s response was to remind me of our wedding vows, “For better, for worse, in sickness and in health,” and to assure me that we were in this together. Dark Night of the Soul In 2012, we began a new appointment at Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg. For six years, I had taken my medication faithfully, but one of the dangers of bipolar disorder is thinking you no longer need medication when you feel well. In November, I started weaning myself off the meds, without telling anyone. By March, I could feel the dark clouds gathering again, and confided in Sandra. “During my depression, I would often go for a walk by this creek, just to be outside,” says Mjr Owen Budden
disorder and prescribed a combination of medication that finally worked. After many dark days, the sun began to shine again. But when I trace through my journal entries for the next few months, I can see a hypomanic episode developing—the writing becomes more erratic and more focused on doing. Normally my journal entries are reflective and inward-focused. Sandra: Just when I thought our lives would return to normal, they seemed to spiral downward. I wondered how much more I could handle. The hypomanic episode was unpredictable. I was confused and taken off guard with Owen’s unpredictable behaviour. He was extra10 May 2017 Salvationist
energetic, more talkative, slept less, spent more money and was overflowing with ideas for projects and the future. Owen: The Salvation Army gave me a six-month leave of absence to precipitate healing and recovery, and arranged for me to spend time with a spiritual director, psychiatrist and counsellor, all of whom contributed in significant ways to a deeper self-understanding. Sandra: I was also given some time to rest and consider my ministry options. I was assured of my calling and allowed to remain in my ministry appointment as a corps officer. I’m grateful that we could stay in the city where our children had
Sandra: I was shocked and angry with Owen for keeping the fact that he’d stopped taking his medication a secret. I felt betrayed. He seemed to fall into a deep depression within hours of our conversation. I was exhausted just thinking about it. Owen: We sought out a health practitioner, who prescribed the same medication I had been on, at the same dosage, but it didn’t help. Instead, I plummeted into a state of uncontrollable anxiety and fear like I had never experienced before. I was unable to go to the office. I was unable to go to worship services. I was unable to get out of bed in the morning—I feared getting up and longed for bed time again. I became paralyzed in every area of life. Even unloading the
dishwasher became a major chore. My greatest fear was the thought that I would be like this forever. Sandra: This depression was the worst yet. Owen was anxious, sad and fearful. He lost a lot of weight and I was concerned about his physical health. When I looked in his eyes, the spark was gone. It was so hard to see him this way. I desperately wanted him to be well. After my initial anger and frustration, I moved into a caregiver role again. But this time, we shared the diagnosis with our family and close friends, as well as leadership at the church, and I was overwhelmed by their support. People provided meals, sent cards and encouraged us with prayer. When I was too broken to pray, I would receive an e-mail or a phone call from someone, telling me they had prayed for me that day. As much as I wanted to be there for Owen, I learned that I also needed to take care of myself—to take time away, to be with friends, to share my struggles. This was a difficult lesson, but I knew that if I was unwell, I wouldn’t be able to care for him. One of my journal entries from that spring reads, I pray for strength for both of us to endure this journey. Already, God has given me strength I did not know I possessed. I believe he will carry us through this storm. A verse of Scripture that I read a few days ago has encouraged me and given me hope: “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. What am I doing in the meantime, Lord? Hoping, that’s what I’m doing— hoping” (Psalm 39:7 NIV and The Message). Owen: During my times of depression, I was drawn to the Psalms, but I wasn’t able to concentrate on them for long. My journal reflects my spiritual angst of seeking God, but failing. I knew God was still with me, but he seemed so distant and disconnected from my situation. Mostly, I felt adrift in a fog bank, with nothing but uncertainty. During these times, I often reflected on my salvation experience and other spiritual experiences throughout my journey. They assured me of the truth of God’s love, in spite of my feelings. Sandra: I remember reading Psalm 88 and finding encouragement from what has been called the “dark night of the soul” psalm. I found myself wondering how long the dark night would last, but
The love and support of family helped carry Mjrs Owen and Sandra Budden through difficult times. Front, from left, daughters Talitha, Rebekah Keats with her daughter, Jersey, and Heather; and Mjr Owen Budden. Back, from left, Mjr Sandra Budden, her mother, Rita Hynes, and sister, Sheila Pike
knew it would pass because God’s Word promised that he would never leave nor forsake me. He would be my rock, my fortress, my refuge; an ever-present help in times of trouble. He would be faithful. The words of a chorus I sang to my children became real for me: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness, O Lord, great is thy faithfulness” (see Lamentations 3:22-23). Owen: In September, I was referred to a psychiatrist, who confirmed my previous diagnosis, and the slow journey to recovery began again. I began to feel more “normal” by November, and have been on the same dosage of medication for three years now, and I’m doing well. Looking back, I can see how God’s hand arranged for me to be in certain places when each episode came. Through prayer, medical care, the support of The Salvation Army and the love of family and friends, I continue my journey through life with daily medication that controls the area of my brain connected with mood.
Journeying Together Sandra: We’ve been married for 29 years. During that time, Owen has had three major episodes of depression and one episode of hypomania, and there have been lots of wonderful, adventurous and happy times in between. That means we’ve had three years of married life that have been profoundly affected by his diagnosis, and 26 years that most of us would call “normal” family life. God has sustained us through the difficult times and our marriage and family are strong because we have journeyed this road together. Owen: Over the past 35 years, I have spent a lot of time exploring who I am— from Newfoundland and Labrador, a teacher, a husband, a father, an officer in The Salvation Army, a pilgrim on a journey. My identity is also bound up with my diagnosis—bipolar disorder is a significant part of who I am. My name is Owen. I’m a child of God, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Majors Owen and Sandra Budden are the corps officers at Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg. Salvationist May 2017 11
In Harm’s Way
My daughter and I healed our self-inflicted scars together. BY MAJOR SHIRLEY KING
I
used to think I led a picture-perfect life. I had a loving husband, and two beautiful and talented daughters. As a Salvation Army officer, one opportunity after another came to me for personal development as well as engagement in the community. Life was good. But one day, I received a phone call from the guidance counsellor at my daughters’ high school, who requested my presence. I innocently replied that I could drop by after work. “No, you need to come now,” she replied. Her sense of urgency made me realize something was terribly wrong. I immediately drove to the school. There, I was met by the counsellor, who escorted me to her office. As I walked down the hall, I glanced to my right and saw my daughter sitting in a room with two of her friends. Perhaps my daughter had been caught skipping class, was disrespectful to a teacher or was struggling with her studies. But then I caught a glimpse of her face. In that moment, I saw fear, despair and darkness. Still, I had no idea what I was going to hear. That was when my family’s life shattered. What Now? “Your daughter is a cutter,” the guidance counsellor told me. The words reverberated in my head. “A what?” I stammered. I had no idea what she was talking about. Surely there must be some mistake, I thought as I struggled to understand what the term meant. She must have the wrong student. But as she proceeded to tell me more, I felt myself sinking lower into the chair, and into a state of guilt, regret, despair, failure and anger. Guilt that I had seemingly placed caring for others above the welfare of my own child. Regret for being away 12 May 2017 Salvationist
“My daughter is a gifted artist whose work graces my office,” says Mjr Shirley King. “It speaks of forgiveness, acceptance and new life”
from the family because of my job and pursuit of education. Despair that my beautiful child bore the marks of selfinflicted wounds on her body—and I hadn’t noticed. Failure as a mother to see tell-tale signs of a teenager in trouble. And anger! I was angry at myself, angry with my daughter and angry at God.
I had no idea the pain she was experiencing was so deep and destructive. Our beautiful daughter was struggling, and we had no idea how to help her. She was spiralling—and I wanted this to stop. How could God ever allow this to happen? I thought. How did I miss this? And what now?
Photo: Timothy Cheng
Forgiveness For months following this revelation, I struggled to understand, support and guard my daughter. As her mother, I wanted to take away the pain she was experiencing. I wanted to understand why she was doing this to herself. Little by little, our daughter told us what had happened. Months before the cutting occurred, we were transferred from western to eastern Canada. She was desperately homesick and lonely. For a long time, I was riddled with guilt and regret: I should have been more aware; I should have checked for scars; I should have been more focused on our daughter’s needs and her journey. At the beginning, I never saw the physical damage done as a result of self-harm. But the time came when my daughter showed me her scars. When I saw the marks, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. I remember laying my hand on top of her arm and gently smoothing the skin, praying that God would erase the words she had carved into her arm. More importantly, I prayed for him to heal her physically, emotionally and spiritually. We struggled to find help in our community. We weren’t sure where to go or who to look to for guidance. There was a sense that this subject was taboo and dark and, to be honest, not a lot of people understood our struggle or the nature of self-harm. We reached out to a few select people. One person was our family doctor, Dr. John Li. Also a Salvationist, Dr. John has a quiet, gentle presence. He spoke the truth, provided encouragement and was non-judgmental. He listened to our daughter, prayed with her and comforted us. Then the strangest thing happened. Even as time healed many of the scars on her arm, God’s grace began healing the wounds in both our hearts. I became hopeful that this dark journey would one day see resolution. And it was then that I forgave myself. Erasing the Pain Our daughter has moved to a place where she uses her understanding of loneliness, despair and isolation to help others who are struggling. She came to realize that she was seeking attention for the sadness she was feeling, having lost the relationships she had developed as a child. Cutting became her coping mechanism; it was easier to feel the pain
has the ability to create works of art from her feelings. Today, I have a painting in my office that is very special. My daughter painted it for me. It’s taken from the New Testament story in John 4 and is a picture of Jesus sitting with the woman at the well. The colours are soothing and the scene speaks of forgiveness, acceptance and new life. Each day I look at it and remember that this nameless woman at the well had wounds and scars in her heart and in her mind. Jesus erased her pain, gave her new life and opened the eyes of others to see his mercy. He continues to do that for others. I’m glad he has done that for me and my daughter. Major Shirley King is consultant for women’s ministry resources at territorial headquarters in Toronto. Mjr Shirley King: “My daughter and I are telling this story with the hope that people going through similar circumstances won’t feel alone or afraid to reach out for help”
Our beautiful daughter was struggling, and we had no idea how to help her. physically than to deal with the root of the emotions. After several years, she was able to find peace within herself and realize that she was worth so much to so many. Her parents’ love gave her the courage to overcome what she felt was the darkest night of her soul and the worst battle of her life. Now, she can look at the physical damage she did to herself and feel not sadness, but strength. “The many scars all over my body are a reminder of how strong I am, to have conquered this urge to injure myself,” she says. “It was a scary period in my life. I was never sure if there was going to be a time when I cut too deep. As an adult, I continue to deal with anxiety triggers. I cope by finding self-soothing methods and distractions. There are days when I need to focus intently, not to refrain from hurting myself but to stop myself from feeling overwhelmed and anxious.” Our daughter is a gifted artist who
Self-Harm Self-harm is the act of deliberately harming one’s body (e.g. cutting or burning). It’s typically not intended as a suicide attempt, but, rather, as an unhealthy way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger and frustration.
How Can I Help? • Seek help or support from a medical professional and/or a counsellor. • Instead of focusing on the injury and the behaviour, focus on your concern for the person’s well-being. • Don’t demand that the person immediately stops self-injuring. New healthy behaviours take time to develop. Focus on supporting new ones and celebrate small steps forward. • Don’t blame yourself. Avoid casting guilt, shame or judgment. These can get in the way of open and trusting relationships.
What to Watch For • Unexplained frequent injuries such as cuts and burns. • Unexplained scars. • Low self-esteem. • Struggle to handle emotions. • Problems with relationships. Visit cmha.ca/mental_health/youthand-self-injury for more information. Salvationist May 2017 13
FRESH IDEAS
The Peacemakers New conflict-resolution process empowers employees in the Ontario Great Lakes Division. BY PAMELA DeRAAF SALHANI
14 May 2017 Salvationist
conversations and strong emotions. The division decided to offer Circle training to our employees, in order to empower leaders to manage conflict locally, thereby decreasing the demand for employee-relations interventions while promoting relationships and healing. In 2016, we provided training for 60 leaders and will offer advanced Circle training at the annual human resources conference this month. Since introducing peacemaking circles to our division, we have had several opportunities to conduct them as a form of healing and reintegration after workplace investigations. Prior to each Circle, participants were given an opportunity to meet individually with the facilitator to gain a better understanding of the process and to share a bit of their story. The next day the participants met and began by developing shared values for the group. This allowed the participants to begin a shared dialogue together that included their “truths” about the conflict and how it affected them. Each partici-
pant had ample opportunity for reflection while listening to how the conflict affected others in the Circle. Giving feedback after the process, participants told us they emerged with a deeper understanding of each individual in the Circle, a greater sense of belonging and a feeling that their “truth” was valued. Because of this success, the Circle process has been extended to team meetings so that employees continue to be heard. The leaders we have trained are also grateful to have an effective process for managing conflict. “The Circle training has brought changes to my attitude and has allowed me to ponder a different way of living,” notes William Ratelband, community and family services co-ordinator, Brantford, Ont. “This is a tool for bringing authentic community to us and to others.” Pamela DeRaaf Salhani is the divisional director of employee relations in the Ontario Great Lakes Division.
Photo: © highwaystarz/stock.Adobe.com
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onflict is an inevitable part of any workplace. With more than 10,000 officers and employees, The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda is no exception. What matters most is how that conflict is resolved. In January 2011, the Ontario Great Lakes Division’s employee relations department created a tracking system to identify complaints involving conflict among employees. Shockingly, each year the complaints increased and ranged from harassment to abuse allegations. We realized that there was a great need to resolve conflicts pro-actively. As The Salvation Army, we wanted to hold ourselves to a higher standard in terms of how we manage people. Ministry leaders have a key role to play in promoting respectful working relationships by creating an environment of trust, care and respect. As a division we recognized that we needed to equip our leaders to be confident in matters of healing relationships after conflict, whether in the workplace or a congregation. After taking part in Circle training, I was inspired to bring this process of conflict resolution to the division. Peacemaking circles are a safe space to hold conversations that allow for multiple diverse perspectives. The Circle process evolved from an Indigenous worldview of interconnectedness and positive potential. At the opening of the Circle, the quality of the space is determined collectively by those participating through mutually agreed-to values such as respect, confidentiality and honesty. Its format involves sitting in a circle and using a talking piece, which is passed around to each person. This slows down the conversation so that reflection and deep listening can occur, setting the stage for stories and insights arising from real lived experiences. Because of this format, the Circle can contain difficult
Peacemaking circles ensure every participant has an opportunity to share their perspective
PERSPECTIVES
Money and Mission Why are our tithes and offerings so important?
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ver y we ek, corps officers and their leadership teams work diligently to create a meaningful and worshipful experience for the Salvationists, friends and explorers of faith who gather on Sunday. But planning a good meeting is about more than making sure the music is singable and in line with the sermon topic. It’s about mobilizing people for mission. The Salvation Army has always been, in its purest form, about reaching out to those in the community to “save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.” Is there any way a corps can ignore this call to mobilize and be true to our DNA? And for a corps to be missional, it must have the resources to act. What place does the offering have as we mobilize? As a child, I remember the corps treasurer coming to the pulpit to call for our cartridges, looking for ammunition for the war effort. Today, we announce it as a time to give our tithes and offerings, which it is. But it is also a call to the saints to provide the means by which we can act. This is the lifeblood of the mission. Without resources, the mission can only be a dream. Some say that the Lord will provide. I suggest he already has, and it is in our pockets—to hold on to or offer with open hands. So how do we approach this important part of the service? Could the offertory be a time to outline our strategy, explain our objectives and provide an
update on how the mission is moving forward? Could we acknowledge that, unless everyone takes part, the existence of the corps and the fulfilment of our purpose is in jeopardy? Could we cast vision, and offer prayer that focuses on the mission, rather than the givers? It is critical to understand how money fuels mission. Knowing where to place resources isn’t always easy, especially when there may not be agreement among stakeholders. The offering is a time to build alignment within the body of believers, and to gain the buy-in that we need to plan and act strategically. It is an opportunity for the leadership to appeal for those resources that are in our pockets. In A Spirituality of Fundraising, Henri Nouwen writes, “Every time we approach people for money, we must be sure that we are inviting them into this vision of fruitfulness and into a vision that is fruitful.” As a corps officer, I tried an experiment one year. I asked our corps to stop
all fundraising. No more selling pencils and candy, no more pedd ling candles and cookies. Instead, with the support of the leadership team, we opted to ask our people to tithe in support of the mission. We promised every group the funds they needed, if people would give generously. We were able to fund all our programs and, frankly, I think people were glad not to have to find the loonies and toonies. Talking to our people about money should be less about money and more about mission. The Salvation Army needs all of our people to be prepared to support the mission, to be mission stations where the community is transformed because Salvationists are mobilized. The other thing I have learned in leadership is that generous people are satisfied people. Their open hands bring them joy and fulfilment in a way that can’t be described, only experienced. “Each of you should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NCV). Lt-Colonel Fred Waters is the secretary for business administration in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Salvationist May 2017 15
Photo: © Pogonici/iStock.com
BY LT-COLONEL FRED WATERS
CALLING THE COURAGEOUS
Committed to the Cause Ryan Seguin didn’t want to always be on the outside looking in. BY KEN RAMSTEAD
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f I’m being frank, I don’t think everyone is cut out to be a soldier,” says Ryan Seguin. “No one should sign up just to join the band, or because it’s ‘expected.’ We need to have frank discussions when we can, and help people make a decision that honours God.”
Perfect Harmony Born in Toronto, Seguin grew up in Kitchener, Ont. When he was 10, his Catholic parents switched to a Protestant denomination, which emphasized salvation through faith and the grace of Christ. “I remember being enamoured with the fun and excitement our new church offered,” Seguin says, “especially in a contemporary worship setting.” After graduating from high school, Seguin enrolled at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in religious education, followed by a bachelor of history from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., and a master’s degree in Christian studies from Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. “It was an exciting time for me,” Seguin recalls. “I was inspired by my academic success and by my professors, and I saw a doctorate in my future.” Until then, though, he needed to earn a living. “After all that education, I was broke!” he laughs. He applied for a Salvation Army posting, and within two weeks and two interviews, he’d landed a job as an interim children and youth co-ordinator at Guelph Corps, Ont., working alongside Majors Chris and Claudette Pilgrim, corps officers. The Sunday before he officially started work, Seguin attended a worship service at the corps. “I was impressed,” he says. “Having come from a Catholic background, the one thing I’d missed in my Protestant experiences was that liturgical feel. 16 May 2017 Salvationist
sermons clocked in at around 17 minutes. I think I’ve got mine down to about 20 minutes now.” Having versed himself in Army life, Seguin knew how important soldiership was to the congregation. “I’d felt a bit like an outsider at the beginning and I was OK with that,” he says. “But I was the youth worker now and coming on to two and a half years, and I was thinking, Is this my home now? Is this my community? And if it is, what next?”
Ryan Seguin
The Army offered that in abundance. Between that and the band and the welcoming people, the Army offered a perfect harmony of the liturgical and the contemporary. It felt more like home than I thought it would.”
“I agreed with the theology, so what was holding me back?” What Next? “Becoming an adherent was a nobrainer,” Seguin says. “I was perfectly at home with the Army’s theology and, within months, I preached my first sermon there. “I had a lot to learn,” he smiles. “My first sermon was 45 minutes long, chock full of terminology. The congregation was very gracious—and patient! I found out afterward that Major Chris Pilgrim’s
Taking the Stage “I felt I was part of the community,” Seguin continues. “And I agreed with the theology, so what was holding me back from becoming a soldier?” So Seguin started taking soldiership classes with part of his youth group. “People were excited when they heard that but I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up; I told people I was there in order to field any questions the kids had.” There was no pressure on Seguin, even as the course came to an end. “Don’t sign it now—talk to who you need to talk to, make sure you want to sign this,” counselled Major Chris. “I respected that confidence he had in me and the sensitivity to the significance of the commitment,” says Seguin. In the end, he signed the Soldier’s Covenant the night before a Sunday service last May. “I took the stage with all the other people who were becoming soldiers. The kids were pleased and so were the parents,” Seguin says. “There were even some tears, and that was meaningful for me. “You’re signing the Soldier’s Covenant to be engaged in the mission,” believes Seguin. “It’s a huge task, not for everyone. It’s not a privileged status above everyone else. It’s about humility—soldiership should be one of the most humbling processes of your life.”
The strategic priority of Christ-centred, OTHERS-focused discipleship. BY KEVIN SLOUS
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ome, follow me.” I responded to this call as a young boy, kneeling beside an old green couch, as my brother shared the gospel with me. This was the beginning of my journey of discipleship—a lifelong journey of faith. We have too often equated this journey with involvement in a program. As the champion for the strategic priority of discipleship in our territory, I recognize that discipleship goes far beyond Christian education. Discipleship is about being formed in the image of Christ, about our story being shaped by God’s story. As followers of Jesus, our primary mandate is to make disciples. This commission encompasses all other priorities and programs. Pastor and author Bill Hull writes, “Discipleship isn’t just one of the things the church does; it is what the church does.” With this in mind, our territory’s children and youth ministries department has developed a tool to help leaders across the territory keep disciple-making at the heart of everything we do. The reCalibrate Equalizer provides a way to review, evaluate and identify next steps in developing Christ-centred, OTHERSfocused disciples. Salvationist faith is marked by the following characteristics: Outward focus. Disciples should strive to have an effective personal
witness, expressed through sacrificial, compassionate mission, as they remain actively engaged in their world. While the faith of a disciple is intensely personal, it is not meant to be isolated or private. Tenacity. Healthy spiritual habits and involvement in healthy spiritual community help develop long-term perseverance of faith. Holy living. The Salvation Army proclaims full salvation. This inward change should be seen through outward expression. Disciples pursue a knowledge, understanding and vibrant experience of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and sanctification by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Engagement in ministry. From the Army’s earliest days, William and Catherine Booth recognized that Christian education alone was not adequate for a soldier’s training. Just as critical to being “fed” is being equipped and entrusted with real ministry and service. Responsibility. Followers of Jesus recognize that they are responsible to God for all that he has given them, and who he is making them. This affects all areas of life, including stewardship, discernment, decision-making, relation to authority, and being responsive to God’s calling on one’s life. A healthy knowledge, understanding
Kevin Slous is the territorial director of discipleship in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.
You can read more about the seven strategic priorities at salvationist.ca/ strategic-priorities. Salvationist May 2017 17
Photo: © pixelfit/iStock.com
The Call to Follow
and expression of Salvationism. Beliefs shape values, which in turn shape behaviours. As a covenant people, Salvationists should not shy away from identifying with the purposes for which God raised up the Army, nor the particular practices and expressions of faith that have taken shape in our tradition. God has often used these to give unique witness to the world. Disciples are bound and motivated by their love for God and by God’s love through them for others. It is important that we continually remember and live out the truth that our faith development is not solely for our own benefit. General Paul Rader (Rtd) stated: “Discipleship has at its heart the cross—the standard of self-giving love, obedience unto death, and the subordination of all self-interests to the needs of others.” This is the essence of soldiership within The Salvation Army. And so, as an integral part of our understanding of discipleship, our territory is mobilizing the Calling the Courageous soldiership campaign. We seek to see a growing Army, in spiritual development (UPWARD), mission engagement (OUTWARD), and the number of fully engaged, active Salvationists who choose to enter the covenant of soldiership (ONWARD). The Soldier’s Covenant identifies specific practices of growing disciples within a Salvationist context. At the turn of the 21st century, The Salvation Army’s International Spiritual Life Commission stated, “We call Salvationists worldwide to recognize that the swearing-in of soldiers is a public witness to Christ’s command to make disciples and that soldiership demands ongoing radical obedience.” A Salvation Army soldier lives a life marked by a Christ-centred, OTHERSfocused faith, in sacred covenant—to God, and with others, as an international people, mobilized together for God’s purposes in our world. It is a courageous call. Are we still ready to answer with our lives?
Faith Doing Good
Halo Project measures Salvation Army impact on communities. BY COLONEL GLEN SHEPHERD
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ecently I drove past Concordia University in downtown Montreal on my way to a meeting. As I passed the Hall Building, I noticed it was ringed by police as they searched the building—a search, it turned out, prompted by a call that had threatened a terrorist attack on the university. My mind went back to 1969 when student radicals rioted and set fire to the university computer centre. The 1960s was a tumultuous decade as so many values and standards were challenged. The church did not escape the fire of criticism during that period. Pierre Berton, a respected journalist and writer, published a book entitled The Comfortable Pew. He was commissioned by the Anglican Church to write the book, which turned out to be a withering critique of the church. Part of a wave of criticism during the turbulent 1960s when I was in university, it blasted the faults of the church: •• boring preaching •• cultural irrelevance •• remote institutionalism •• out-of-touch leadership 18 May 2017 Salvationist
•• inward-looking remoteness from the community. In the intervening period, the church has changed. The Salvation Army corps I attend today in many ways does not resemble what it was in my university days. It has evolved, as has the church in its quest to become more missional and more directly involved in the community. And yet, the criticism of the church as insular and self-centred persists. One evening I was talking to Howard Bridger, the territorial stewardship resources consultant. He was in Montreal working on a corps stewardship program and he asked if I had ever heard of the Halo Project. He described it briefly and my curiosity was piqued. The Halo Project began when a
group of academics at the University of Pennsylvania asked, “What is the economic impact of a church in its community?” They looked for the answer by studying 12 churches in the Philadelphia area, asking what it would cost a community to replace the services a church provides to that community—its “halo” effect. The Philadelphia study concluded that the 12 congregations contributed $51,850,178 to their communities. A group of academics in Toronto brought the concept of the Halo Project to Canada with a study of 80 congregations in the Toronto area. That study also gave positive results. Churches are connected to their communities and offer services of great value. A church with 150 members and a budget of $150,000$200,000 typically has an economic
Halo Project: The Bottom Line Corps
Halo Effect
Per Capita (# of worshippers)
Montreal Citadel
$1,040,047.52
$7,704.06
Cedarbrae Community Church
$1,707,742.98
$21,346.79
Kelowna Community Church
$5,619,467.02
$96,887.37
impact of over $1 million on that community. In other words, it would cost the neighbourhood over $1 million to replace the services the church offers. As the Toronto Halo report indicated, “local faith congregations are also economic engines contributing to the common good of all.” This study highlights the value of integrated mission—responding to the total needs of the community around us. The Salvation Army has engaged the consultants to do three pilot projects: Toronto’s Cedarbrae Community Church, Kelowna Community Church, B.C., and Montreal Citadel. In each case, the value of the corps and its services to the community was in excess of $1 million, with a range between $1.04 million and $5.6 million. There is a measurable case for faith doing good. The study process explores a variety of broad questions including provision of open space, direct spending in the community, education programs, the ability to draw people into the area, individual impacts, community development, and social capital and care. It looks at every dimension of corps activity through a series of lenses: •• What is the activity and what does it offer? •• How many people from outside the worshipping community does it touch? •• How does it operate? How is it staffed? •• What are the costs of hired staff? •• What is the measurable value of volunteer hours given by corps members? •• How much of the corps building does it use? When hundreds of people come through our doors, when our corps is present in community life, and when the values of the gospel are lived out and the invitation to know Jesus is incarnated in daily activity, we can have a remarkable impact on our neighbours. The Halo study helps us put a concrete value on the community’s use of our buildings, the impact of our musical groups, how we assist children, the reach of our fellowship programs and the way in which people facing difficult situations are helped, and greater problems or disasters are prevented. It does so with hard numbers, which show our value to the community is extensive and redemptive.
Beyond that, it gives us analytical tools that are crucial to the health of our corps: •• When people say we are remote from the community, we can answer to the contrary with concrete evidence developed by external consultants; •• As we measure the economic value of our reach into the community, it is easier to speak to potential donors and funders about how their support of the corps will benefit the entire community, not just the people who attend on Sunday morning; •• As we work to develop a more integrated mission profile for our corps, its gives us a hard metric frame-
work to assess and measure what we do. By extension, it makes it possible for us to track how we are progressing. Just as we measure the changes in membership and attendance, we can now measure the changes in the value of the impact we are having on the community around us. When Charles Wesley wrote in one of his hymns “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify,” he was thinking in spiritual terms. But mission and economic and societal value do intersect. And Wesley expresses that in the third verse of his hymn where we pray: “Your servant, Lord prepare a strict account to give.” The Halo Project helps us do that. Colonel Glen Shepherd is the divisional secretary for business administration in the Quebec Division.
What people are saying about the Halo Project: We have been trying to reach out to our community. When we measured what we are doing through the Halo Project, we realized we make a significant impact for good on those around us with the programs and services we offer.
—Colonel Eleanor Shepherd, corps officer, Montreal Citadel
These findings clearly challenge the assumption that communities of faith are merely self-serving clubs. They remind us that local congregations do not exist in isolation from the communities in which they find themselves. —Dr. Michael Wood Daly, Halo Project Research Lead
Salvationist May 2017 19
In Good Health
Canadian Salvationists embark on a two-year medical mission to Papua New Guinea.
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BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN
Medical Ministry Barthau and her husband, Dr. Marco Herrera Lopizic, have been ministering in Port Moresby since September 2016, where they oversee the Army’s health services. On a two-year medical mission, they manage the Koki Clinic, Ela Beach Clinic and several rural health outposts within a few hours of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital city. Of the country’s 7.6 million people, about 400,000 live in the capital area. A natural resource boom has brought new wealth to the city, but poverty is still widespread and almost half of the residents live in makeshift slum villages known as settlements. “In the settlements, people struggle to have basic human rights such as water, food, clothing and health care,” Barthau notes. Koki Clinic, the Army’s main medical site, is located near several settlements. 20 May 2017 Salvationist
Photo: April Barthau
n World AIDS Day in December, The Salvation Army’s Ela Beach House of Hope in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, held a memorial service, which was attended by more than 150 people. The tragic reality of the country’s HIV crisis was represented by both those present and those absent—of the participants, nearly 100 were children who are living with HIV or have lost their parents due to AIDS. Emotional testimonies were shared, and at the end of the service, those attending lit candles for their lost loved ones. “It was really hard to watch,” shares April Barthau, a nurse and Canadian Salvationist serving in Papua New Guinea. “These were kids who were six, seven, even younger, and they were crying because their parents are gone. And it was heartbreaking for me because if there was more awareness and treatment, we could end the epidemic. We could prevent this from happening.”
At a World AIDS Day service, participants light candles in memory of family who have passed away
These areas are densely populated, with as many as 30 people living in one home. “This poses a great risk with respect to spreading tuberculosis and other communicable diseases,” Barthau explains. Herrera and Barthau see outpatients at Koki Clinic, which provides the services of both a walk-in clinic and an urgent-care centre. “Each day, we collect 30 clinical files, up from 10 when we first got here,” Barthau says. “But when you collect a file, it could be for a whole family, so you can end up seeing 80 patients a day.” For Barthau and Herrera, this translates into more than 1,100 patients a month. Fighting the HIV Epidemic While the medical issues they see at Koki
Clinic range from colds and flus to cancer, a significant number of patients are dealing with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV-AIDS. This reflects the funding the clinic receives from the United States Agency for International Development through the FHI360 program. “This funding allows us to focus on treating HIV and STIs in our key populations, which are at-risk persons, transgender persons and sex workers,” explains Barthau. In Port Moresby, 1.57 percent of the population has HIV-AIDS. As Herrera and Barthau have observed, several factors contribute to the epidemic, including societal norms around marriage and sexual relationships that lead to a higher
lowing up with patients,” says Barthau. The clinic also has a laboratory on site and a lab technician who is one of three people in the country qualified to do HIV viral load testing. “However, having a multidisciplinary team is not sufficient, especially with the challenge of self-stigmatization,” Barthau continues, “so our ART nurse also does a monthly support group for people living with HIV.” Support groups and peer educators play a vital role in ensuring that patients continue their treatment. “They talk about how they should keep taking their medicine because that’s the biggest problem—people default and that’s when they get sick,” says Barthau. “People die of infections; they don’t die of HIV.” By March, Herrera and Barthau had registered 220 HIV patients who now have caring counsellors and case managers who try to ensure they receive the best support and treatment possible. Safe House Elsewhere in Port Moresby, the Army’s satellite clinic at Ela Beach brings STI and HIV treatment directly to a population that desperately needs it. “Ela Beach is a hot spot where many transactions for sex take place,” Herrera says.
Photos: Colonel Kelvin Alley
number of sexual partners. “Marriage in Papua New Guinea is still polygamous, so one husband could have as many as seven wives,” Herrera says. “And it is normal for people to live together, in the family home, without being married,” Barthau adds. “They need to have children first—until they have kids, they’re not actually married.” Attitudes toward prostitution also contribute to the spread of STIs. “We have multiple women coming to our clinic who are sex workers—even though prostitution is not allowed in the city—but they are ‘seasonal’ prostitutes,” Herrera explains. “For example, if they need to buy clothes, they engage in prostitution for a few days to get the money and then they stop. But they are not seeing the risk of their behaviours.” A 2010 study found that 17 percent of sex workers in Port Moresby were HIVpositive. At Koki’s HIV clinic, Barthau and Herrera see between five and 10 patients a day. “Our HIV clinic is quite comprehensive with an anti-retroviral treatment (ART) nurse who prescribes HIV medications, counsellors who do the HIV testing and case managers who ensure that our retention rate stays high by fol-
Patients wait for medical treatment at a Salvation Army health outpost in Boregaina
On the second floor of the clinic is the House of Hope, which provides programs for vulnerable women and children— food and education for AIDS orphans and children living with HIV, and a refuge for women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV), including human trafficking. “Gender-based violence is a huge problem in Papua New Guinea,” Barthau says. “It’s currently an accepted norm, though we hope that one day it will not be.” A recent UNICEF study reports that two-thirds of women in the country have suffered domestic abuse. Even more troubling, a 2016 Doctors Without Borders study found that one in 10 adult GBV survivors had experienced repeated sexual violence, and this increased to two in five for children. Of child survivors of sexual violence, one in six were younger than five years. Along with providing food and shelter, the House of Hope offers support groups, literacy classes and skills training to help the women recover from the violence, escape their abusers and become financially independent. “When they are ready to go back to their homes, the House of Hope will do repatriation,” says Barthau. “They work
Nurse April Barthau, right, takes Lt-Col Dina Ismael, chief secretary, Papua New Guinea Tty, and Comrs Tracey and Floyd Tidd, national leaders of The Salvation Army in Australia, on a tour of the Ela Beach Clinic in Port Moresby
Salvationist May 2017 21
Challenging Terrain Last fall, the Army’s medical ministry in Papua New Guinea received a significant boost, thanks to the Canada and Bermuda Territory. With the donation of a new truck, Herrera and Barthau have been able to expand the Army’s health services into rural areas near Port Moresby. Being able to provide care in the villages is particularly important in Papua New Guinea, as approximately 80 percent of the population lives outside cities. Herrera makes a monthly visit to one of three Salvation Army health outposts, rotating between Boregaina, Kokorogoro and Papa. The purpose of his visits is twofold—to provide health care to patients and to train health workers, who typically have anywhere from six weeks to two years of formal training. Herrera teaches the workers in the morning and sees 10 to 20 patients in the afternoon—complicated cases that the health workers are not able to treat. With a population of around 10,000 people, Boregaina is a two-hour drive from Port Moresby. As the village does not have a continuous supply of electricity or running water, The Salvation Army provides a generator and an emergency supply of water to keep the clinic running year round. Though the clinic has six health workers, Herrera’s initial visit in February was the first time a doctor had come to the clinic. “There are no doctors in the rural villages, generally,” Herrera says. “So the health workers do everything that they can, even delivering babies.” An hour past Boregaina, Kokorogoro is a remote village high in the mountains, accessible by rough dirt roads. The country’s mountainous terrain makes it difficult for many people in rural areas to obtain health care. “Transportation is a huge issue, especially in the rainy season when dirt roads turn to mud,” says Herrera. “It is often a challenge to get complicated cases from these rural areas to the city.” While health workers do the best 22 May 2017 Salvationist
Photo: April Barthau
with the community and the family to make sure that they’ll go back to a safe environment.” Herrera and Barthau play a key role in providing medical care to these women and connecting them with Salvation Army programs to help them end the cycle of abuse.
Dr. Marco Herrera Lopizic treats a young patient at the Koki Clinic
they can with limited resources, Papua New Guinea’s under-five mortality rate remains high—about 57 per 1,000 live births, compared to just five in Canada. “About 60 percent of people don’t have access to any antenatal care, nor do they deliver in a health-care centre,” says Barthau. Mortality rates are improving in the cities, with better access to vaccines and doctors, “but out in the rural areas, kids die from things like pneumonia and diarrhea.” There are fewer than 400 doctors in the entire country, and most do not practise in rural areas. “I have treated older patients who have never seen a doctor in their life and that shocked me,” says Herrera. “In Canada, we have easy access to care. But here, I have patients who come from 10 hours away. They have walked for hours, taken a dinghy down a river and taken buses to get to Koki Clinic because they know a doctor is here. When I hear that, I realize what we are doing here is really important.” Warm Embrace While The Salvation Army’s health services face many challenges, Barthau and Herrera are encouraged by the positive results they are seeing. “The best part is seeing the patients get better,” says Barthau. “Now that we’ve been here for several months, we’re starting to see some repeat patients so we’re journeying with them.” One of these patients is a GBV sur-
vivor who visits the clinic frequently with her child. “When we first arrived, her baby was two months old and had really bad pneumonia, so we treated her and got the mom into the House of Hope,” says Barthau. “Since then, she’s doing better but when something happens, she will come back for counselling.” Because of the relationship that has been built, the mom will visit the clinic, even when she does not have medical issues. “When her baby’s first teeth came in, she came to the clinic just to show us,” Barthau smiles. “It’s nice to see those milestones. She’s in a hard situation but we’re glad that she feels safe to come and see us and talk through those issues.” Beyond their clinical work, Barthau and Herrera attend the Koki Corps where both have joined the band and Herrera has taken on the role of bandmaster. Channelling their experience with banding at Toronto’s North York Temple, the couple has started a school of music, with dozens attending within the first few weeks. “They’re so happy to learn,” says Herrera. “I’ve never seen so much concentration from kids. They come for an hour and still want it to be longer.” Grateful for how they have been warmly embraced by their patients, staff and fellow Salvationists, Herrera and Barthau are eager to keep building relationships and learning from the people in the months ahead. “Our experiences here have moved our hearts to love Papua New Guinea more every day,” concludes Barthau.
HERSTORY
The Red Dress We were promised a national inquiry into the missing and murdered Indigenous women. What’s taking so long? BY LIEUTENANT KRISTEN JACKSON-DOCKERAY
Photo: © Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images
T
he red dress floats in eerie silence, the empty garment bright against the barren background of dead, leafless trees. Adelaide, my four-year-old daughter, stares at the image on my phone, and asks questions. Questions I don’t know how to answer. Mommy, why is that red dress there? The answer is both simple and complex. The picture is on my phone because the REDress Project, on display at the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, shocked me, and I wanted to remember it. That’s the simple answer I gave my daughter. The more complex—and disturbing—answer is that these empty dresses represent the 1,200 missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. Exhibitions of the project, by Métis artist Jaime Black, have been held around the country. The red dress against a silent backdrop is a reminder of the silence of these women. Their humanity and their voices have been stolen. The silence is also a reminder of the long silence that has accompanied these crimes. Having a voice is critical. It’s not all that is required for human rights, but it is crucial. Silence is the ocean of the unsaid, the unspeakable, the repressed, the erased and the unheard. This silence has been decades long. Violence has claimed the lives of thousands of Indigenous women, and we don’t talk about it. Silence is what has allowed these crimes to go unpunished, in many cases; it has allowed people to suffer without recourse. For me, the presence of that red dress evokes the absence of these women to their families. In February, I had the privilege of attending and participating in Hobiiyee, which marks the beginning of the Nisga’a First Nation’s new year, in Gitwinksihlkw, B.C. Hobiiyee is a celebration of the harvest moon and the return of the oolichan fish. I was honoured to be given a beautiful red cape with a lizard on the back. Bright red, because red symbolizes life
A red dress hangs from a tree at the University of Toronto, part of the REDress Project
or light for the Nisga’a people. Women wear this colour because of their ability to give life. Today, red dresses hang empty, the life and light of these women gone, their voices silenced forever. But words still have power. We can still tell their stories. The establishment of a national public inquiry “into the causes of, and remedies for, the disproportionate victimization of Aboriginal women and girls” was a key call to action in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The report was published in 2015, but as of yet, the inquiry has hardly begun. Less than 10 percent of the families of those who are known to be missing or murdered are on the documented list to be interviewed. The national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls needs to start taking testimony from victims’ families. Now. The stories need to be told, and heard. Of course, they won’t bring these women back, but they can bring about inclusion and recognition, and begin the re-humanization of the victims.
These stories can speak what has previously been unspoken. These stories can make what has been tolerated in Canada, intolerable. These stories will make the names and faces of the missing and murdered women unavoidable. People have died because these stories have been swept under the rug and silenced. But something can change. Something has to change. The task of calling things and people by their true names, of telling the truth to the best of our abilities, of knowing how we got here, of listening to those who have been silenced, of seeing how these stories fit together and break apart, of using any privilege we may have to undo privilege or expand its scope—this task belongs to each one of us. So today, I tell Adelaide a story of how 1,200 women are no longer in these beautiful dresses. I show her pictures of the women. And in one small way, the silence is broken, and the story continues. Lieutenant Kristen Jackson-Dockeray is the divisional youth secretary in the British Columbia Division. Salvationist May 2017 23
CROSS CULTURE
Now I’m a Believer
Lee Strobel is one of Christianity’s bestknown apologists, but he wasn’t always a believer. Once an avowed atheist, Strobel began to question his unbelief after his wife became a Christian. He channelled his background in journalism into an investigation of Christianity, which became the book The Case for Christ. Now Strobel’s bestselling work has been turned into a feature film of the same name, which is currently in theatres. Kristin Ostensen, Salvationist associate editor, spoke to Strobel about the film and why defending the faith is more important now than ever. Before we talk about the film, I understand you have a Salvation Army connection. Yes, The Salvation Army played a role in my As a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, Lee Strobel (Mike Vogel) uses his journalistic skills to coming to faith. When I was an atheist and investigate the claims of Christianity a reporter with the Chicago Tribune, I got an assignment to do a 30-part series on the poor in Chicago. Flix movie—I played myself in God’s Not Dead 2—so I knew So I went up to the Salvation Army emergency shelter on the them and trusted them. I said, “As long as Brian Bird (who is northwest side of Chicago and spent a couple of weeks there a friend of mine) writes the script, I’ll do it.” researching the story. I was impressed by the volunteers, how they were serving people that nobody cares about. When I left, How closely does the film follow your life and the the woman running the centre said, “I know you told me you book? are an atheist, but what do you think of Jesus?” If somebody When you have to take years of someone’s life and compress had asked me that on the street, I would have shut him down, them into a movie of 90 minutes, you have to compromise at but because of the credibility that she and her volunteers had, some places. But I’d say it’s 80 to 85 percent accurate. Brian I took an interest and asked her questions. We had a wonderBird wanted to keep the story true to what happened. Some ful spiritual conversation and I consider it a link in the chain scenes feel as though they were tape recorded from our lives, of my coming to faith. So I appreciate The Salvation Army and others are based on true things but some liberty was taken. because of that experience—I appreciate what you all do. In 1974, The Salvation Army gave me an award for the articles Do you think the film will appeal to non-Christian that I wrote. It was kind of them to think of me that way. Even viewers or, as an explicitly Christian film, is it more though I was an atheist, they were warm. “preaching to the choir”? I think it will appeal to non-Christians but I don’t think a lot Your journey from atheism to Christianity is of them are going to walk in off the street into a movie called chronicled in The Case for Christ, which was The Case for Christ. I think what’s going to happen is the same originally published in 1998. How did the film come thing that happened with my book: Christians will watch the about, 20 years later? movie and say, “I need to invite my brother who’s a skeptic, my I just finished an updated and expanded version of the book. I neighbour who’s confused spiritually, my colleagues at work, wanted to include new archeological evidence and new manuor my fellow students.” As Greg Laurie, a great evangelist script evidence. And out of the blue I got two phone calls from and pastor in the United States, said after watching the film, two movie studios—one of which was Pure Flix—asking if there’s no cringe-factor in it. You can feel confident inviting they could make a film out of my book. I had been in a Pure someone who’s not a Christian. And that was our goal—to 24 May 2017 Salvationist
Photos: Courtesy of Pure Flix
The Case for Christ brings Lee Strobel’s conversion story to the big screen.
CROSS CULTURE
CHESTER • DANFORTH • AGINCOURT
110th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Sunday, May 14, 2017 With Lt-Colonels Jamie and Ann Braund Featuring Reunion Band and Songsters
10 a.m.—Musical Prelude Strobel begins exploring faith after his wife, Leslie (Erika Christensen), becomes a Christian
make it something that Christians could share with people who were at different places in their spiritual journey. And I think Pure Flix accomplished that.
Photo: Outreach Inc.
There have been a number of great apologists in the 20th century, including C.S. Lewis and Josh McDowell. How do you see yourself as part of this tradition and, in a post-modern society, how are apologetics relevant today, whether in film or book form? Apologetics are more relevant than ever. Evangelism in the 21st century is apologetics, because of the rise of the new atheists, who have written a lot of books, and done films and television and so forth, and have a foothold in the media. Christians are not reading these books by atheists, but their neighbours, colleagues and friends are. And then they are coming to them and saying, “What about this thing that Richard Dawkins says? What about this claim that Sam Harris makes?” And Christians don’t know how to respond because the church hasn’t trained them. So they’re going to their pastors and saying, “We need help. You need to train us on how to respond to these kinds of questions.” Interest in apologetics is bubbling up from the pew, from the average Christian, and churches are now more intentional about doing training and providing materials that help people. There is a lot more material out there to help Christians than there was when I wrote The Case for Christ. I think we are in a golden age of Christian apologetics—the scholarship is sharper than ever and Christians are winning debates like never before. I see a proliferation of ministries, books on apologetics are flourishing—there is a lot of good stuff happening.
10:30 a.m.—Celebration in Worship 12:30 p.m.—Reunion Lunch
Come and Celebrate With Us Contact agincourt110@gmail.com to indicate your attendance (for catering purposes) and/or interest in participating in the Reunion Band and Songsters
Everyone Welcome
Thanks, Mom!
Lee Strobel has written several books on Christian apologetics
Salvationist May 2017 25
PEOPLE & PLACES
CHATHAM, ONT.—Five senior soldiers are enrolled at Chatham-Kent Ministries. From left, Cpt Andrew Watkinson, CO; Jim McIntyre, Katlyn Bonner, Elizabeth Shaw, Sara Underwood, Leonard Shaw, senior soldiers; Cpt Stephanie Watkinson, assistant CO; and Mjr Glenda Davis, AC, Ont. GL Div.
LISTOWEL, ONT.—Faith Dalley and Emma McEachern take a stand for Christ as they are enrolled as junior soldiers at Listowel Corps.
YORKTON, SASK.—Kathy Harbuz is enrolled as a senior soldier at Yorkton Corps. Supporting her are Cpts Glen and Rosanne Fraser, COs, and Ron Sutherland, holding the flag.
GANDER, N.L.—Mallory Coish, Michelle Hunt, P.J. Reid, Madeline Hicks, Michael Boyde and Zachary Brown are enrolled as junior soldiers at Gander Corps. Celebrating with them are, from left, Cpts Sheldon and Ashley Bungay, COs; YPSM Tina Stryde; and JSS Meghan Collins.
THOMPSON, MAN.—Two local officers are commissioned at Thompson Corps. From left, Roy Bladen, corps leader; newly commissioned CSM Baxter Critch; YPSM Cavelle Smith; newly commissioned CCMS Cheryl Harnum; and Rose Bladen, corps leader.
MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—Rosalyn Collins is commissioned as the home league secretary at Mount Pearl Corps during a recent visit of Lt-Cols Eddie and Genevera Vincent, DC and DDWM, N.L. Div. From left, Lt-Cols Vincent; Rosalyn Collins; CSM Clyde Vincent; Mjrs Pauline and Joshua Randell, COs.
TO R O N TO — N i co l e McQueen receives a certificate as she graduates from the Pathway of Hope program at Agincourt CC, a territorial pilot project introduced in 2016. Pathway of Hope addresses the root causes that hold people in poverty and helps them move forward with their lives. Participants are given personal support in establishing goals and the means to achieve them. Making the presentation are Leigh Rowney, then community ministries co-ordinator at Agincourt CC, and Mjr Wendy Johnstone, CO.
BELLEVILLE, ONT.—Belleville Citadel acknowledges it newest adherents and those added to the friends register. From left, Mjr Catherine Brown-Ratcliffe, CO; Dee Gainham; CSM Gerri Leavitt; Debbie Scott; Donna Hawley; Mjr Wil Brown-Ratcliffe, CO; Dona Hanna; Brenda Storms; Mary Ellen Scott; Shane Ethridge; and Judy Faber.
26 May 2017 Salvationist
PEOPLE & PLACES
TORONTO—Scarborough Citadel celebrates as two senior soldiers, two adherents and two junior soldiers are enrolled. Front, from left, Michelle Huang, Shane Boudreau, adherents; Jaden Stephens, Neggerri Stephens, junior soldiers. Middle, from left, Mjr Donna Millar, CO; then CSM Lisa Baker; Colleen Smallwood, Lian Lin, senior soldiers; Mjr Ron Millar, CO. Back, from left, CT Paul Thornhill and Tammy Smallwood, children’s ministry co-ordinator.
CALGARY—One junior soldier and two senior soldiers have joined the ranks at Glenmore Temple. Proudly displaying their certificates are, from left, Claire Clarke, junior soldier; Byron and Darlene Hardy, senior soldiers. Supporting them are Mjrs Guy and Donna Simms, COs, and Cecil Dean, holding the flag.
OTTAWA—The Salvation Army was well represented during Ottawa’s Winterlude Festival in February as volunteers John Gama, Ryan Goodfellow Hayes and Cameran Randall joined Lt Juan Chirinos, CO, Église communautaire de l’Outaouais, Gatineau, Que., and Army mascot “Shieldy” for the Accora Village Kiwanis Bed Race.
FENELON FALLS, ONT.—One senior soldier and two adherents are enrolled and one adherent renews her commitment at Fenelon Falls Corps. From left, Mjr Roy Randell, CO; Norma Strong; CSM Randy Switzer; Cynthia McLennan; Pat Castonguay; Guy Castonguay; and Mjr Charlene Randell, CO.
TORONTO—Paul Goodyear, financial secretary for the Canada and Bermuda Tty, receives a certificate from Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, marking his 30th anniversary as a Salvation Army employee. In addition to giving oversight to all financial matters of the territory, Goodyear serves as a member of The Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada, the primary legal entity that The Salvation Army operates through in Canada. Sharing in the presentation are Colonel Lee Graves, chief secretary, and Lt-Col Fred Waters, secretary for business administration.
GAMBO, N.L.—Proudly displaying their enrolment certificates are Kelsey Pritchett, Amy Parsons, Ashley Peckford and Amy Peckford, the newest junior soldiers at Gambo Corps. Supporting them are, from left, Cpts David and Melanie Rideout, COs; YPSM Barbara Hayter; and Keith Peckford, father of Ashley and Amy. Salvationist May 2017 27
PEOPLE & PLACES
TRIBUTES DEER LAKE, N.L.—Carl A. Cooper was born into a Salvationist family in Deer Lake in 1926 and promoted to glory in his 90th year. A lifelong Salvationist, he was one of the longest-serving soldiers at Deer Lake Corps where he was the welcome sergeant, young people’s sergeant-major and corps sergeantmajor. Carl was a prayer warrior with a deep-rooted faith in God that allowed him to endure his illness with courage. He spoke often of his gratitude to God for his saving grace and for blessing him in so many ways, especially with a wonderful family. Carl always had a concern for others and would ask about them often. He had a significant influence on his corps family and gave strength and encouragement to many over the years. Left with fond and loving memories are Mary, his soulmate and wife of 67 years; sons Wayne (Sheila) and Keith (Veronica); four grandsons; one granddaughter; four great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; four sisters; two sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; nephews and nieces; relatives, friends and all whose lives he touched. TORONTO—Elizabeth (Betty) Young was born in Comber, Northern Ireland, in 1938. Betty was raised by her father’s cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, and loved by her adopted siblings, Charlie, Jeanie and Agnes. Betty joined The Salvation Army in her teen years and was an active member all her life. She immigrated to Canada on her honeymoon in January 1961. She and then husband, Roy Young, attended a number of corps and finally settled at Toronto’s Etobicoke Temple. Betty worked for 16 years as a Salvation Army chaplain at the Toronto West Court and only retired due to illness at the age of 73. She was highly esteemed and greatly loved by all who knew her. Betty’s positive attitude raised the spirits of everyone with whom she came into contact. She is remembered and deeply missed by sons Glen (Debbie), Paul (Sally); daughter, Sandi (Mike); grandchildren Cooper, Darcy, Skyler, Brady, Jessica, Matthew, Kate; her Etobicoke Temple corps family; and lifelong friend, Lily Stewart. PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Neil Louis Cox was born in Peterborough in 1939 to Louis Cox and Muriel Anderson (Smith), and was promoted to glory following a short but courageous battle with cancer. Neil was a lifelong member of Peterborough Temple, where he met his beloved Marion (Ward), to whom he was married for 54 years. Neil was a committed Salvationist who played bass and trombone in the band, and served as band sergeant. He loved working in the youth sections and gave years of leadership to the singing company and cub scouts. Neil was an avid sports fan, playing baseball and coaching hockey, but his passion was golf. An employee of General Electric for almost 38 years, he retired in 1999 and was able to spend more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren. Neil’s personality was larger than life. He loved to laugh and always brought a smile to the face of anyone he encountered. Neil will be missed by his wife, Marion; daughters Janet and Linda (Mike); son, David (Amanda); mother, Muriel Smith; brother, Calvin Smith; grandchildren Jason (Lindsay), Bradley, Katelin (Ryan), Christina, Nicole and David William; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn; many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.
ADVERTISE
in Salvationist and online at salvationist.ca For rates contact salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org or visit salvationist.ca today! 28 May 2017 Salvationist
GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Frances Downton (nee Sheppard) was born in Grand Falls in 1926 and promoted to glory at the age of 90. Frances became very active in her corps, Park Street Citadel (formerly Windsor Citadel), at a young age and became a soldier. She was a member of the band, songsters, league of mercy/community care ministries and home league, and served as the home league treasurer, Girl Guide captain and in many other areas of the corps. Frances worked for many years as a teacher in the Salvation Army school system, touching many lives along the way, before becoming the town librarian in Windsor. A godly mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, she was predeceased by her loving husband, Roland, and infant daughter, Linda. Frances will ever be remembered by her daughter, Verna (Junior) Hynes; sons Bruce (Irene), Clyde (Edith); grandchildren and great-grandchildren. BRIDGEWATER, N.S.—Born in Windsor, N.S., in 1931, Major Joan Elizabeth Vaughan was the daughter of Frank Edwin and Alice Odessa (Bentley) Vaughan. In her youth, Joan was the goalie of the championship-winning Windsor Academy girls’ hockey team. She joined the Army as a teenager after she was invited to a Band of Love meeting and attended music camp. Commissioned in 1953, Joan served as corps officer, territorial auditor, finance secretary for the then Metro Toronto Division and administrator of the Army’s nursing home in New Westminster, B.C. In 1978, Joan represented Canada in London, England, at an international congress. Retiring in Bridgewater, Joan loved spending time with her family and friends, and they loved her dearly. Predeceased by her parents; sister, Marjorie (George) Newcomb; brothers Owen and Raymond Vaughan; niece, Valerie Newcomb; and nephew, Raymond Vaughan, Joan is survived by her sister, Marion (Bruce) Carroll; nieces and nephews Alice Burroughsford, David Vaughan, Stephen Vaughan, Alan Vaughan, Anne Hanlon, Brian Vaughan, Debra Carroll, Janet Carroll, Nancy Carroll, Elizabeth Hutchinson, Heather Carroll, Jeffrey Carroll, Andrea Carroll, Karen LeBlanc, Valerie Lavalle, Terry Vaughan and Sandra Vaughan; several grandnieces and grandnephews. VICTORIA—Aux-Captain Ivy Lewis (nee Fleming) was born in Fort William, Ont., in 1927, to George and Violet Fleming. The family moved to North Vancouver where Ivy met and married Eddie Lewis. They had four children and settled in Port Alberni, B.C. A committed Christian from an early age, Ivy became a Salvationist at the Port Alberni Corps in 1966. As a young widow, in 1967 Ivy moved back to North Vancouver where she gave herself to league of mercy service (community care ministries), bringing Christ’s love and comfort to the elderly and shut-ins. In 1971, she was commissioned as an auxiliary-captain and after one year as corps officer in Fernie, B.C., she was appointed to the Homestead in Vancouver where she assisted women recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. In retirement, Ivy attended the corps in Prince George, B.C., where she lived until entering into care at the Army’s Sunset Lodge in Victoria in 2009. Predeceased by her parents, husband, two sisters and two brothers, Ivy is lovingly remembered by her children Trevor, Ivor (Jakki), Mary-Anne (Frank Jamin) and Thomas (Mary Clare); nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. HAMILTON, ONT.—Jean (Cobbett) Cousins was born in 1925 to George and Adelaide Cobbett, in Windsor, Ont. She was the youngest of three girls in the family, and a brother, Raymond, who was promoted to glory in his teens. In 1946, Jean married Doug Cousins and moved to Hamilton, where they raised four children. Through the years, Jean served her Lord faithfully at Hamilton Temple, now Meadowlands Corps. Her gentle strength was evident in her ministry with young people, study of the Bible and love for seniors. Jean was predeceased by her husband, Doug; son, Randall; and sisters Grace (Harris) and Doris (Martin). She is survived by her children Nancy, Craig and Marlene, and her extended family.
TROUBLESOME TEXTS
GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Lt-Col Evelyn Posadas, TLWM, The Philippines Tty; Jun 1—Mjr Marianne Meyner, CS, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Tty, with rank of lt-col; Lt-Cols Alister/Nilanthi Philip, OC/CPWM, Bangladesh Cmd; Jul 1—Comrs Lalzamlova/Nemkhanching, TC/TPWM, India Eastern Tty; Cols Alistair/Marieke Venter, IS for South Asia/ZSWM—South Asia, IHQ, with rank of comr, Jul 5 and Jul 6 respectively; Lt-Cols Yousaf Ghulam/ Rebecca Yousaf, TC/TPWM, Sri Lanka Tty, with rank of col; Mjrs Daniel Raj/Rajam Daniel, CS/TSWM, India Northern Tty, with rank of lt-col; Lt-Cols Edgar/Sara Chagas, CS/TSWM, South America East Tty; Lt-Cols David/Maria Alarcón, CS/TSWM, Mexico Tty; Mjrs Esteban/Ileana Calvo, CS/TSWM, Latin America North Tty, with rank of lt-col; Cols Bradford/ Heidi Bailey, TC/TPWM, U.S.A. Central Tty, with rank of comr, Jul 2 and Jul 1 respectively; Lt-Cols Ralph/Susan Bukiewicz, CS/TSWM, U.S.A. Southern Tty, with rank of col Promoted to commissioner: Cols Wilfred Varughese/Prema Wilfred, Jul 3 and Jul 4 respectively TERRITORIAL Appointments: Mjrs Mervyn/Rosena Halvorsen, associate chaplains, Winnipeg Booth Centre, Prairie Div; Mjr Judy Regamey, executive director, Grace Manor, Edmonton, Alta. & N.T. Div (additional responsibility) Promoted to glory: Mrs. Aux-Cpt May Adnum, from London, Ont., Feb 17; Col Clyde Moore, from Hamilton, Ont., Feb 19; Mjr Ronald Mailman, from Kelowna, B.C., Mar 4; Col Kenneth Tutton, from St. John’s, N.L., Mar 4
CALENDAR Commissioner Susan McMillan: May 4-5 NAB, Toronto; May 11-12 Holiness Institute for Officers, JPCC; May 14-17 Territorial Executive Conference/ Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC; May 18-25 General’s Consultative Council, Mexico City; May 27 Canadian Staff Band 48th anniversary festival, Etobicoke Temple, Toronto; May 28 memorial service, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves: May 4-5 NAB, Toronto; May 8-9 divisional review, Que. Div; May 14-17 Territorial Executive Conference/ Territorial Leaders’ Conference, JPCC; May 27 Canadian Staff Band 48th anniversary festival, Etobicoke Temple, Toronto; May 28 memorial service, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto Canadian Staff Band: May 6-7 Suncoast Citadel, Goderich, Ont.; May 27 Canadian Staff Band 48th anniversary festival, Etobicoke Temple, Toronto Canadian Staff Songsters: May 6-7 Oshawa Temple, Ont.; May 27 Canadian Staff Band 48th anniversary festival, Etobicoke Temple, Toronto
Forward to Victory! Philippians 3:13-14
The Salvation Army Bay Roberts Corps 130th Anniversary June 9-11, 2017
With Lt-Colonels Jamie and Ann Braund
God Revealed Through Lazarus BY GENERAL BRAMWELL H. TILLSLEY (RTD) “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”—John 11:4
T
hese words were uttered by Jesus in connection with the raising of Lazarus. He was endeavouring to comfort Mary and Martha by revealing the fact that the sickness of their brother would not ultimately terminate in death. Similar words were employed to describe the blind man in John 9:3: “ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in him.’ ” In both cases we should keep in mind that the suffering was the occasion, and not the appointed preparation for the miracle. God did not cause these things to happen simply to reveal his own glory. Our present interest is in the latter part of the verse, “that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” The most obvious and perhaps the most natural explanation is that the miracle would enable people to see the glory of God in action. This is backed up by the content of John 11:40: “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ ” However, for those who have taken a closer look at John’s Gospel, it becomes equally apparent that “glory” has an even deeper significance. In John 7:39 we read: “Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified” (speaking of the cross and Resurrection). After the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, John records: “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him” (John 12:16). Later, when the Greeks came seeking Jesus, it is recorded: “Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’ ” (John 12:23). This is immediately followed by Jesus’ words concerning the kernel of wheat falling into the ground and dying, again speaking of his own death (see John 12:24). Thus throughout John’s Gospel, the glorification of Jesus is always linked with the cross. Jesus knew that to come to Bethany and raise Lazarus from the dead would be a step which would end in his own death. The Bible indicates that this is exactly what resulted from the miracle: “So from that day on they plotted to take his life” (John 11:53). John 12:27-28, often referred to as the “Johannine Gethsemane,” perhaps best expresses the deeper meaning of our text: “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
Secretary for Personnel and Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development
Supported by Major Brandi and Captain Dwayne LeDrew Corps Officers
For schedule of events or to send congratulatory letters, please e-mail dwayne_ledrew@can.salvationarmy.org
Excerpt from It Is Written by General Bramwell H. Tillsley, available at store.salvationarmy.ca, 416-422-6100, orderdesk@can.salvationarmy.org. For the e-book, visit amazon.ca. Salvationist May 2017 29
SALVATION STORIES
An Atheist’s Prayer I didn’t believe in God. So why was I so angry with him?
don’t take my grandmother from me. Late that night, she passed away. Once again, I found myself angry. How could I believe in a powerful God who could have taken us out of that situation, but chose not to? How could I believe in a God who let the one person in my life who had my back, no matter what, die? All I had left was anger. And the anger began to consume me and fracture my family. For the next two years, there was never a very happy day.
Lts Brad and Wavie Webster and their daughters, Samantha and Emily
D
addy, who is God?” As I helped my nine-yearold daughter get ready for school, her question took me by surprise—it seemed to come out of nowhere. In our house, belief in God wasn’t open for discussion. I was an atheist, with no use for faith. I sent Samantha off to school without an answer, but I was troubled. Over the past two years, grief and anger had been tearing me—and my family—apart. We were in pieces. What could bring us back together? Always There I was born in Corner Brook, N.L., and we moved to Toronto when I was very young. Although I was christened as a baby, that was the extent of my experience with church. At school, I discovered a love for science and how it explained the world. I soon realized I didn’t believe in God. When I was 11, my parents separated, and my mother and I moved in with my grandparents. I was angry and the anger came out in unhealthy ways. But no matter what trouble I got in, my grandmother was always there. She was the only one I could talk to—she became my best friend, my rock. 30 May 2017 Salvationist
In 1997, I met Wavie, who was also from Newfoundland and Labrador, and we started dating. She grew up attending The Salvation Army, but had walked away from church. After we got married, Wavie occasionally brought up God. I didn’t want to hear it and would shut the conversation down quickly. I even started reading the Bible to collect ammunition to use against people who wanted to talk to us about religion. Our first daughter, Samantha, was born in 2001, and Emily followed in 2004. We had them dedicated at a Salvation Army corps to appease family—I still had no interest in God. My career was going well and life was good. A Fractured Family But then a crisis came. My grandmother was admitted to the hospital with a lifethreatening illness, and my world was shaken. Eventually, we had to make the difficult decision to take her off life support. She was moved to a private room and we gathered to say goodbye. As I slumped against a wall outside the hospital room, I did something I’d never done before. I prayed desperately to a God I didn’t believe in. I vividly remember the words—God, if you exist, please
Who is God? And then came the morning when Samantha asked, “Who is God?” Later that day, I called the nearest Salvation Army corps, Kitchener Community Church, Ont., and asked, “How do I come to church?” “You just come,” was the answer. Two weeks later—I gave myself time to change my mind—we walked through the doors of the corps as a family. The corps officer, Major Dale Pilgrim, asked if I wanted to sit in on a Bible study class. The topic that morning was “Who do we say is God?” and the sermon focused on the Trinity. We began attending the corps every week, and got involved. Wavie told me that she had felt called back to God for some time, but didn’t discuss it with me because I was dead set against it. Not long later, we met with Major Pilgrim and gave our lives to the Lord as a family. Today, we are the corps officers in Leamington, Ont. When I look back on my life now, I can see that God was always there. He was there when my parents separated. He was there the day I picked up the Bible to gain ammunition against believers. He was there the day my grandmother passed away. I thought I didn’t believe in God, but being angry with him was a confession of his existence, an acknowledgment of a relationship with him. Although I didn’t know it at the time, he was guiding me to him. And my daughter pointed the way.
Photo: Janice Webster
BY LIEUTENANT BRAD WEBSTER
NOT JUST HIGHER EDUCATION. A HIGHER CALLING. EDUCATION FOR A BETTER WORLD
boothuc.ca
MOBILIZE – NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
2017 DIVISIONAL CONGRESS & COMMISSIONING GLACIER ARENA • MOUNT PEARL
JUNE
30 2 TO
JULY
WITH
General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox International Leaders of The Salvation Army
SUPPORTED BY
Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries
Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander, Canada and Bermuda
Featuring the Canadian Staff Band
Visit Salvationist.ca/MobilizeNL for congress details, schedule and information on discounted hotel rates For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@can.salvationarmy.org. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794