Salvationist October 2017

Let’s Get Digital: iPads for Seniors

Prince George Dance Program Has the Right Moves

State of Emergency: B.C. Wildfire Response

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

October 2017

Salvationist.ca

Pathway of Hope

Breaking the cycle of poverty by helping families become self-sufficient

2 October 2017 Salvationist

CONTENTS

Salvationist October 2017 • Volume 12, Number 10

14

This week, we will celebrate Canada Day on July 1. I’m going to be at the Salvation Army congress in St. John’s, N.L. If you’re going to be there, too, come and say hi to me!

If not, I hope you have a fun day with your friends and family.

5 Inbox

30 Salvation Stories A New Direction

by Daniel Bourque

Columns

30

A

L

R

U

S

5 6

5 6

7 8

8 7

Put the syrup on the pancakes.

Y L A MR D A S E P A R LWE E A V K T A E T E VOB QX F

U GN N I G C N I L I A S U D BWA L H N S I A C T C R E N

I I V M X S F Z R C

L X O E N G L I S H

I B A B R P N T V H K G AG I P YW Z K

What do you call a puppy on the beach in the summer? s use sunscreen?

Why do banana

What are the hottest days during summer?

Sun-days

26 People & Places

Cover photo: Timothy Cheng

3 W

3

Just for Kids

25 Cross Culture

Faith Seeking Understanding

by Captain Kristen JacksonDockeray

4

4

A hot dog

RED WHITE CANADA MAPLE BEAVER OTTAWA PROVINCES PARLIAMENT FLAG BILINGUAL ENGLISH FRENCH

Let’s Get Digital

by Kristin Ostensen

24 Herstory

2

Canada Day Word Search

17 Fresh Ideas

With a Grateful Heart

by Commissioner Susan McMillan

1

1

2

Your friend, Kristin

Cann Do

by Ken Ramstead

9 Onward

25

This week, let’s pray for people who may be harmed because of their belief in Jesus, and thank God that we live in a safe place.

16 Calling the Courageous

The Clothes Make the Man

by Geoff Moulton

2

ISSUE

You might wonder why we set aside a day each year to celebrate the founding of Canada. There’s actually a lot of things to celebrate about being Canadian. In this country, we have laws that protect our rights and freedoms, including the freedom to have religious beliefs. That means we are free to follow Jesus and tell others about Him. In some countries, people are not allowed to be Christians.

6 Frontlines

4 Editorial

Here are some animals found in Canada.

Can you fit them into the puzzle?

Hi kids!

So that they don’t peel

Departments

Features 10 Pathway of Hope New initiative helps three families achieve their goals and transform their lives.

by Kristin Ostensen

14 Battling the Blaze Salvation Army provides emergency support as wildfires threaten British Columbia.

by Deb Lowell and Britainny Hari

18 Losing to Win Kim Howlett knew she needed to make some changes before it was too late.

by Diane Stark

20 Checking Our Moral Compass Answering the General’s call for renewal and accountability.

by Lt-Colonel Wanda Vincent

22 Body and Soul

Just for Kids is an exciting weekly activity page published by The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda for children ages five to 12. Packed with Bible stories, games, puzzles, colouring, jokes and more, Just for Kids can be used in a variety of children’s ministries and programs, and in community and family services offices, food banks or anywhere there is an opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with children.

E-mail circulation@can. salvationarmy.org or phone 416-422-6119 to learn how you can receive Just for Kids in your ministry unit.

Read and share it!

Blade Runner 2049

HUMANITY’S END? P.12

Hope From the Rubble

HAITI P.5

Help for the Holidays

ARMY GIVES BACK P.22

Faith&Friends I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

OCTOBER 2017

The Sky’s the Limit

BORN WITHOUT LEGS, JEN BRICKER IS PROOF THAT EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH FAITH AND DETERMINATION.

P.16

A new ministry at Prince George Community Church is leaping into hearts.

by Giselle Randall Salvationist October 2017 3

EDITORIAL

The Clothes Make the Man

W

hen Constable Niran Jeyanesan arrived at a Toronto Walmart on August 9 for a routine shoplifting call, he was surprised by what he encountered. Store personnel had detained an 18-year-old for attempting to steal a dress shirt, tie and socks. Not exactly typical loot for a teen risking a run-in with the law.

Wit h some gent le prodd i ng , Jeyanesan soon discovered the motivations behind the young man’s actions.

The teen explained that he needed the clothing to apply for a position at a restaurant. His father had fallen ill and lost his job, and the boy wanted to work to help his family.

Rather than charging him with theft, the police officer consulted with his investigative team and decided to buy the outfit for the teen.

“He was very remorseful,” Jeyanesan said. “I could see that this was truly a mistake and this person wanted a chance at life…. Everyone has their own battles they’re fighting. It doesn’t excuse them, but behind every action there’s a reason why the person is doing it.”

Less than a week later, Jeyanesan got a phone call with good news: the teen had worn the purchased clothing to the job interview and got the position. What’s more, the story spread and employment

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 October 2017 Salvationist

was soon found for the boy’s father as well.

What the officer did for that teenager, that’s grace—unmerited favour, something we neither deserve nor can earn for ourselves. It’s the kind of lavish love that God showed to us in Christ. When we needed it most, God forgave us and blessed us. We, in turn, are called to look out for the welfare of others.

In this issue of Salvationist, you’ll meet people who were also caught in desperate circumstances. But through The Salvation Army’s new Pathway of Hope program, they are getting the chance to realize their full potential (page 10).

They are taking an active role in turning their situations around, charting a path to success. Most people don’t need a handout, they need a hand up.

This month, you can also read about The Salvation Army’s response to the B.C. wildfires, where hundreds of volunteers were called into action to give practical support and spiritual care to evacuees (page 14). And you’ll find out how a new dance program in Prince George, B.C., is making a positive impact on the community (page 22).

You’ve heard the old adage “the clothes make the man.” For the young man who was given a second chance by the police officer,

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.

it was literally true. The Bible also uses clothing as a metaphor, urging us to put on “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (see Isaiah 61:3). When we see lives transformed in positive ways, we can’t help but celebrate God’s amazing grace.

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Subscriptions

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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

INBOX Battle Weary #ThingsWeNeedtoHear I’m writing in response to Captain Kristen Jackson-Dockeray’s article (“#ThingsWeNeedtoHear,” July 2017). It breaks my heart that these attitudes still permeate the church I body, especially in The Salvation Army. After 13 years of people asking to speak to the captain, and being told that I’m just the “wife,” I am tired of the battle. It is hurtful, demeaning and a continual slap in the face. We have the same education, the same practical training and very different skill sets and giftings to offer—we are a well-balanced team. However, it is extremely difficult to find value in your ministry and maintain your self-worth when you are repeatedly told that someone wants the “real” officer.

Captain Crystal Wilkinson HERSTORY

Twitter hashtag reveals deep cracks in the church when it comes to gender.

Photo: © DNY59/iStock.com

BY LIEUTENANT KRISTEN JACKSON-DOCKERAY

n m id-Apr i l, Sa r a h B e s se y, author of Jesus Feminist, started a Tw it ter conversat ion t hat quickly went viral, under the hashtag #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear.

Here are a few of the hundreds of tweets that poured in: If you preach, I will get up and walk out.—Sarah Bessey OK, you can teach this, but there has to be a male leader in the room when you do. We’ll send someone.

—Sandy Biblic al wom anhood c an be defined by marriage and motherhood.

—Joy Beth Smith If the pastor fell into sin and raped you, it was you who seduced and tempted him.—Sierra White Your clothes can cause boys to sin.—Amber Wingfield These tweets are sexist, abusive, toxic and insulting. But perhaps what is most upsetting is that these experiences weren’t hidden deep at the bottom of church life. They were so close to the surface—all these sharp, thorny words, like a splinter just under the skin. It took only a hashtag to get women’s fingers

typing across a blank page. #ThingsOnlyChristianWomenHear is important. It brings all of these splintered words and wounded lives to the light. It exposes the experience of women in the church and in ministry. It offers solidarity. It says, You’ve been wounded?

Me, too.

While it is deeply disheartening to read these tweets, to see these fragmenting words in black and white, knowing they have wounded so many of us, it also brought me a strange kind of healing to know that I am not alone.

The women who wrote these words have been hurt by the bride of Christ.

Hurt by the church that I love. We, the church—oh boy, have we made mistakes.

We have injured real people with our words and actions, made a negative impact on their lives. This hashtag puts names and faces to these people, and we should have to look them in the eye and understand what we have done.

A nd before we thin k we are immune as Salvationists, here is the first tweet of a new Twitter hashtag: #ThingsOnlySalvationArmyWomen Hear:

In one of my first weeks in ministry, I went to the door to greet a member of the church. “Is the lieutenant here?”

I was asked. “You’re talking to her,” I replied. “Not you, I mean the real lieutenant.” He was referring to my husband.—Kristen Jackson-Dockeray I laughed it off, but I wish you could have seen the excitement on my face as I went to meet this man. New in ministry.

Ready to respond to the call that God had given me. And then, with a few words spoken in the entryway of the church, made to feel as though I did not belong, that I had nothing to offer. That somehow my calling and years of training were not comparable to my husband’s.

Later in April, a new hashtag emerged, sweeping in like a breath of fresh air, bringing hope: #Things ChristianWomenShouldHear. Tears flowed as I read the words, words that I longed to hear—my calling validated, my God-given gifts confirmed.

Here’s the thing—I have heard really awful things said about me and my calling. But, thank God, both men and women in the church have affirmed me; have seen God at work in me. So, Christian women, here is what you should hear: Lead. Preach. Serve. Be confident in your gifts.—Cody McMurrin In a time when women were seen as property, Jesus sought them out and treated them as equals.—Sara Hudson You are never responsible for what a man chooses to do with his eyes/ body/self.—Wendi Nunnery Without you, the church is missing half of its voice, half of its gifting, half of its mission and ministry.

—Scott Lencke In Christ, and because of Christ, both men and women are chosen and invited to participate in the kingdom of God. Nothing more and nothing less.—Kristen Jackson-Dockeray Lieutenant Kristen Jackson-Dockeray is the divisional youth secretary in the British Columbia Division.

Salvationist

July 2017 25

A Clarification Building The article by R. Gordon Moyles a Nation Together (“Building a Nation Together,” July 2017) is an excellent summary of The Salvation Army’s contribution to Canada over the past 150 years.

However, you might be interested in one clarification. According to O my research, it was in 1892 that The Salvation Army began its prison gate ministry where volunteers met friendless and homeless prisoners as they were released. At that time, The Salvation Army was not allowed to work with inmates inside prisons.

That rule changed early in the 20th century and my grandfather, Wallace Bunton, started The Salvation Army’s prison and police court work with men and women who were incarcerated.

This ministry involved visiting prisoners in their cells, providing friendship and counselling, helping their families, who were often without a breadwinner, and sometimes accompanying death row inmates to the gallows. Captain Bunton became the secretary of this department in 1934 and later the territorial director of correctional service. Bunton Lodge, in Toronto, is named in honour of the ministry he began, which continues to have a profound effect on the less fortunate members of Canadian society.

Ron Knight Jeff Robertson, Caroline Franks, and Cpts Graciela and Jeff Arkell represent The Salvation Army with The Whole World Mobilizing flag on Parliament Hill

For most of Canada’s 150 years, The Salvation Army has seen needs and met them, making it a better place.

revivalist and social activist.

But it soon was—as early as July 1882, in fact.

Canada, the 15-year-old nation, was growing into maturity. Already she had added three new provinces (Manitoba in 1870, British Columbia in 1871 and Prince Edward Island in 1873), was building a railroad across the vast prairies and was becoming, both politically and financially, self-sufficient and prosperous.

The Salvation Army (so re-named in 1878) though just 17, was, astonishingly, already one of the most popular evangelical movements in the world.

William Booth’s blend of old-fashioned Wesleyanism and military deportment was attracting thousands into its ranks,

even across the ocean. And soon after India, Australia and the United States had been “invaded,” Canada became acquainted with Booth’s drum-beating, hallelujah-shouting Army of salvation. It was an acquaintance that would mature into a lasting friendship.

What made the relationship between The Salvation Army and Canada so agreeable was not solely to the infusion of revivalism but that the Army proved to be an active partner in the nation-building process. As stated often by Booth, it was not enough simply to sit in the barracks, sing happy songs, play soulsaving music and experience revivalism; Salvationists were expected to go into the community, as both evangelists and social workers. At the local community

Photo: Neil Leduke

BY R. GORDON MOYLES

n Monday, July 1, 1867, when Queen Victoria proclaimed the Dominion of Canada, uniting Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a single nation, William Booth, future General of The Salvation Army, most likely paid little attention to the momentous occasion. As the church bells rang in the four capital cities, as brass bands played, bonfires were lit and fireworks lit the sky to celebrate the event, Booth was more concerned with getting his East London Christian Mission established, finding ways to alleviate the poverty and spiritual torpor of London, England’s “submerged 10th.”

The new Canada was not, as far as we know, of much interest to the 50-year-old 14 July 2017 Salvationist

Time for Change?

Force for After reading the interview with Change General André Cox (“Force for Change,” July 2017), I was dismayed.

What saddens me most is the incongruous use of language that outlines our relationship with the LGBTQI community. It’s all very well to make statements like “We need a greater ability to simply listen to people’s experience, to walk in their shoes and understand their realities before we’re swift to condemn” and “We should recognize that LGBTQ people are among the most marginalized, and some General André Cox encourages Salvationists to be mobilized disciples of Christ.

General André Cox leads a march of witness at Poplar Corps in London, England, the oldest surviving corps in the world

From June 30 to July 7, General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries, will visit the Canada and Bermuda Territory, bringing encouragement and challenge to Salvationists in the Newfoundland and Labrador Division and the Quebec Division. Ahead of his visit, Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief, and Kristin Ostensen, associate editor, spoke to the General from his office at International Headquarters (IHQ) about the importance of getting out of our corps halls, and how the Army is responding to difficult issues facing the church today.

8 July 2017 Salvationist

What can Salvationists expect at the Mobilize—Newfoundland and Labrador congress?

It’s an opportunity to gather and to celebrate, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to reflect on what God is calling us to do and be. My message will be that we have to be true to our integrated mission. We are called by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name, but sometimes we split that mission, and when we do that, it’s not really The Salvation Army anymore.

There’s an urgent need for us to be a mobilized Army. When we look at the world today, we are not an Army serving

in a time of peace; we actually have some huge issues to deal with. Poverty has not yet been defeated around the world, so there’s work for us to do; we need to roll up our sleeves. And we need to be an Army that doesn’t count on its own abilities but is renewed by God’s Spirit and power. That’s what this congress is about. If we don’t come with a desire to be in God’s presence, to be renewed and energized and then sent out, then it will be a good time, but the congress won’t achieve much.

Speaking of mobilizing, you recently launched The Whole World Mobilising campaign. Why

of our harsh attitudes are causing harm to individuals.” But to follow up with the rhetorical question, “How do we receive people who don’t fit into our lifestyle choices as Salvationists?” is not only a sign of ignorance, it is also highly offensive to some Salvationists.

As soon as one draws a line in the sand and starts referring to being LGBT as a “lifestyle choice,” you immediately alienate yourself from having a conversation, and make it harder for those who are effectively involved in sharing the gospel with the LGBTQI community. How many more times does it need to be said? Being gay is not a lifestyle choice. It is an orientation that one simply does not choose. Being a Christian, however, is a lifestyle choice, and there are many LGBT people who do make that choice and endeavour to live lives that reflect Christ’s grace and compassion. Some even choose to do this through The Salvation Army.

Colin Daley Not One More Never Again I was part of the Not One More walk. (“Not One More,” September L 2017). That night there was a sense of peace felt by the group. We were families and friends grieving for the loss of these young children, joined together by a community that cared enough to bring us together to show support. I hope we never, ever have to do that walk again. Major Corey Vincent and his church family have opened their doors to all people who may be troubled, bullied, scared, or just need a place where they can go and feel safe, no questions asked. I was moved by this night and left with a feeling of hope. Thank you all so much ... your kindness will never be forgotten.

Erin Paruch The Army supports community and families after three teens commit suicide in Sydney, N.S.

BY MAJOR COREY VINCENT

ast school year, our town of Sydney, N.S., lost three young people to suicide. Vincent Nugent, Justin Newell and Madison Wilson were only 13 years old.

After the third suicide, in June, there was a dark cloud over the community. It was impossible to go anywhere in town without someone mentioning the crisis. Many discussions in the community and the media revolved around bullying. The overall feeling throughout the Cape Breton region was a sense of hopelessness, disbelief and grief, which was being expressed through anger as people were rightfully searching for answers.

In our town, the Salvation Army corps is called Sydney Community Church, and that’s what we strive to be. If our community is hurting and grieving, our corps will show the community that we are hurting and grieving with them, and offer love, hope and support.

I was praying about the situation, wondering what we could do as a church, when the idea of a “walk of hope” came to me, and I asked three passionate and caring individuals from the church to help me plan it. I closed one of our planning committee meetings with the prayer, “Not one more suicide; not one more bullied child; not one more child who feels alone; not one more, please, Lord.” The committee was inspired by the prayer and we decided to call the walk Not One More. It was challenging to make this event a reality in a short period of time, but we had faith that it was God-inspired and would help bring healing to a desperate community.

Despite inclement weather, more than 200 people attended the event, including the three families who had lost their children to suicide. Our walk was lit by glowsticks, which we presented to the families of the deceased teens with a bouquet of flowers. We were escorted through the busiest street in Sydney by the Cape Breton Regional Police Service. Cars pulled over to the side of the road out of respect for the families and the walk. At the conclusion of our walk, I shared a prayer that I had written especially for our community, asking “that there will be ‘not one more,’ in Jesus’ name.”

After the walk, which finished at the corps, we invited everyone to come inside our hall for refreshments. I was moved to tears as I watched Chris Royal, the father of the young woman who had taken her own life less than two weeks before our walk, embrace one of the other families who had lost their son to suicide.

This event was important for us as a church because we are called to stand up for the disadvantaged—including victims of bullying, people struggling with mental illness and grieving families. We have a responsibility to be light in the darkness.

Suicide is a difficult subject, and many people shy away from talking about it. In dark times such as these, people want to help and support each other, but struggle to find the appropriate words or venue to express themselves. This event gave the community an opportunity to show our love and care for 16 September 2017

More than 200 people marched in the Army’s walk of hope

Chris Royal lost his daughter, Madison, to suicide in June. He and his family, with Mjr Corey Vincent, attended the walk of hope

the families of the three teens who saw no other option but to take their own lives.

Members of the corps actively promoted the walk of hope by collecting donations, walking with the people and passing out pamphlets with emergency contact information for people needing help. Those who came to the event left knowing that they belonged to a beautiful, caring and loving community.

It’s important that we learn from the deaths of these three teens. We are currently discussing how we can support our local students as the new school year begins, and we look forward to seeing where God will lead us. We have already decided that Not One More will be an annual event. I pray that God will use Sydney Community Church as a beacon of hope that will show people that there are supports available, people care and life is worth living.

Major Corey Vincent is the corps officer at Sydney Community Church, N.S.

Salvationist

We Need to Do Better Congress and commissioning in Newfoundland and Labrador was wonderful. One thought I have after the weekend, however, is that we should have enrolled adherents on Newfoundland Sunday, too. We talk about being and Labrador inclusive and one of our core values is “celebration.” By excluding adherents from the mass enrolment, we’re saying their identity in the church and The Salvation Army is not worth celebrating. The implicit message is that perhaps they are not as Christlike as soldiers. This is wrong. We need to do better.

Captain Mark Braye Opioid Crisis: Deadly Drugs on Vancouver Streets

Check Your Corps’ Health This Rally Day

Army Supports Sydney, N.S., After Teen Suicides

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

September 2017

Salvationist.ca

Correction: In the July issue, we incorrectly stated that Takakkaw Falls is in Alberta. In fact, it is in British Columbia. We regret the error.

All letters must include your name and address, and a phone number or email address where you can be contacted.

Letters may be edited for space and clarity, and may be published in any medium.

Salvationist October 2017 5

FRONTLINES

ommissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander, and the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), accompanied by a team of officers from the Quebec Division, travelled to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, in July, where they encouraged Salvationists at camp meetings.

Commissioner McMillan opened the meetings with a message from Matthew 11, entitled Come and Rest.

“If you are tired, worn out, frustrated and need a rest, you will not find it by lying on the beach for a few days,” she said. “Jesus wants you to get to know him so that you will experience real and lasting rest—and a life that is fulfilling and full of his grace.”

Commissioner McMillan reminded the audience that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost—and anyone lost can be saved.

The next morning’s meeting drew a congregation from around the U.S.A. Eastern Territory and Canada. A musical prelude from the Eastern Territorial Songsters and the CSB encouraged everyone to prepare their hearts and minds to receive God’s Word.

The meeting was led by Commissioner William A. Bamford, territorial commander, U.S.A. Eastern Territory, and featured a testimony from CSB Bandmaster John Lam. He shared how he experienced the remarkable grace of God in the aftermath of the sudden and devastating loss of his wife, Jane, last year.

“Today, I’m not angry, but grateful for the time I had with her,” Lam said. “She brought healing to others during her time of suffering. My son and I grapple with our new reality. Life, light and love is our healing fountain.”

The CSB followed Lam’s testimony with a solemn rendition of And My Soul Overflow!

In her message, Commissioner McMillan encouraged Salvationists to come to “the mountain,” noting that “going to the mountain of the Lord means for us to be in the presence of the Lord. If you feel weak and ineffective, you can come up to the mountain and find release.”

Later that day, Salvationists took the message of Christ to the streets of Old Orchard Beach with a march of witness and musical performances at the pier.

Camp meetings and activities continued the next day with a fun run to raise money for the Army’s anti-human trafficking ministries. The evening service featured a spectacular and inspiring concert by the CSB, and a thought-provoking devotional from Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund, the CSB’s executive officer and territorial secretary for personnel.

The band played a number of selections from their recent CD, Undaunted, as well as songs recalling their home country, including The Canadian, a march, and a Canadian Folk Song Suite.

In his message, Lt-Colonel Braund reminded the congregation that we have “a living God in whom we can put our

The Canadian Staff Band blesses the congregation with a musical selection

6 October 2017 Salvationist

Photos: Ryan Love

C

Territorial Commander, Staff Band Minister at Old Orchard Beach

Commissioner Susan McMillan brings the Word to Salvationists during the camp meetings

hope and trust. Every day, God is transforming lives. I have the assurance he is a God who loves us.”

Lt-Colonel Braund shared a story about a woman on a plane who saw his Salvation Army uniform and asked, “Does God have a plan for my life?”

“We are surrounded by a world of people who are desperate to hear about our God who could possibly make things beautiful in their lives, too,” he said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Derek Lance, bandmaster of the New York Staff Band, thanked John Lam and the CSB for their rich musical contribution. “They are the friendliest bunch of guys,” Lance said.

FRONTLINES

M

Prime Minister Visits Goderich Corps The prime minister chatted with staff and volunteers, while filling backpacks with supplies such as calculators, rulers, exercise books, highlighters, pens and pencils.

Trudeau ended his visit by thanking Salvation Army staff and the many dedicated volunteers for their work.

“If we’re going to succeed as a country, everyone has to have that chance, and your generosity, with your time, with your efforts, with your involvement, is truly the best of this community and of our country and I thank you very, very much,” he said.

The prime minister meets Lts David and Laura Hickman, COs, and their children

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau packs backpacks at Suncoast Citadel

Photos: Office of the Prime Minister

ore than 500 people filled the parking lot of Suncoast Citadel in Goderich, Ont., in August, waiting to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The prime minister’s visit to the corps was in support of the Huron County Backpacks for Kids program.

“We will assist about 300 students,” says Lieutenant David Hickman, corps officer. “Children from low-income families often have fear about going to school and fitting in. Our program ensures they start school no different than anyone else.”

“Canadians are there for each other at times of difficulty.

That’s who we are, that’s what we do,” Prime Minister Trudeau said. “It’s certainly something that’s at the core of The Salvation Army.”

An Effective Partners in Mission Campaign

T

Photo: Joel Johnson

he Canada and Bermuda Territory’s annual Partners in Mission campaign had another successful year in 2017. Thanks to the dedication and fundraising efforts of Salvationists across the territory, the campaign raised $2,002,751, nearly reaching the $2.25-million goal.

The money raised will be sent to International Headquarters, which will distribute it to territories in need. These funds ensure that the Army flag keeps flying in all 128 countries where it is active.

“We are thankful to Salvationists across our territory for their generosity,” says Major Brenda Murray, director of world missions. “With their support, The Salvation Army is able to spread Christ’s love around the world.”

A welcome parade greets the Partners in Mission team from the Canada and Bermuda Tty as they visit Siyambalangamuwa Corps in Sri Lanka

Salvationist October 2017 7

FRONTLINES

Salvation Army Responds to Catastrophic Hurricane Harvey

W

hen hurricane Harvey hit the east coast of Texas in August, The Salvation Army mobilized its emergency disaster services, providing food, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care to those impacted by the storm, as well as first responders. The category 4 storm is the most damaging weather system to hit the mainland United States in more than 13 years.

After preparing carefully for the hurricane before it hit Texas, the Army immediately deployed more than 40 mobile kitchens to affected areas. Each of The Salvation Army’s mobile kitchens can serve an average of 1,500 meals per day.

Disaster leadership teams were positioned strategically to provide assistance in San Antonio, Galveston/Texas City, Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas. The Salvation Army in Corpus Christi concentrated its early efforts on feeding first responders at the safety shelter set up

by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Salvation Army locations in Houston and the surrounding areas provided shelter, food and clothing

The Salvation Army begins its response to hurricane Harvey in Corpus Christi, Texas

Give the gift of farming and help communities in developing countries become food secure.

8 October 2017 Salvationist

in response to dramatic flooding in the city. A team of five officers from Canada and Bermuda was deployed to Texas to assist with relief efforts.

SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope

ONWARD

Photo: © lamppost/stock.Adobe.com

With a Grateful Heart

Remembering the first Thanksgiving in North America.

BY COMMISSIONER SUSAN McMILLAN

A

s I started making plans for Thanksgiving this year, a thought entered my head: Whose idea was it, anyway? When and why did we start having Thanksgiving here in Canada?

In our house, we always celebrated Thanksgiving twice—in October and November. (If we didn’t celebrate American Thanksgiving, my mom— thinking of her family in the United States—felt like something was missing.)

Americans always ask why Thanksgiving is so early in Canada, and I usually say something about our harvest being earlier and winter coming in November.

This year, I decided to actually do some research!

It turns out that the first European Thanksgiving in North America was held on Baffin Island in Labrador. Martin Frobisher, an English explorer, set sail from Plymouth and arrived in 1578, after a perilous journey. He and his crew celebrated a Thanksgiving service led by his ship’s chaplain, 42 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.

Of course, it didn’t become an official holiday in Canada until 1957, when the second Monday of October was established as Thanksgiving Day. By then it had come to be associated with harvest and gratitude for many things: family, friends, food and shelter.

As a Christian celebrating Thanksgiving, though, I acknowledge that everything I have and enjoy comes from God. Apart from him, I am nothing and have

nothing. I owe it all to him. Therefore, on this day each year, I thank him—the one who gave me life in all its fullness.

Allow me to emphasize some key words in the following verses. Paul told the Ephesian church to “sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

Similar advice was given to the Colossians: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15-16). He also taught them to “Devote [themselves] to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).

To the Philippian church, Paul gave instructions not to “ … be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

So, even before we receive God’s responses to our prayers, we should thank him. Even though we don’t know the outcome, we can be grateful, because we know that God is always in control and he wants nothing but the best for us, his children. It may not always appear that way. We may pray with all our hearts for something, but God says no.

We may hope for a future that is different from our present, and perhaps

God will change our circumstances.

But sometimes, what he really wants to change is us, so we can better face those circumstances. When he strips away all that is unholy and unhelpful, we know that we are ready to inherit his kingdom—and that is worth everything.

The letter to the Hebrews suggests that one day God is going to shake us up; all that is temporal will fall away, and what is eternal will remain. Those who believe in his name and have trusted in his saving grace, he will admit into his heavenly kingdom for all eternity.

Now that’s something for which to be thankful!

“Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!” (Hebrews 12:28-29 The Message) This Thanksgiving I want to express to God my deepest gratitude for saving me and making me his own.

Commissioner Susan McMillan is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Follow her at facebook.com/ susanmcmillantc and twitter.com/ salvationarmytc.

Salvationist October 2017 9

Pathway of Hope New initiative helps three families achieve their goals and transform their lives.

Photos: Timothy Cheng

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

Amanda Carto and her son, Rohamall, receive support from Mjr Tina Mitchell and Kyron Newbury at Toronto’s Cedarbrae CC, through the Pathway of Hope initiative

W

hen a family in crisis comes to The Salvation Army, they are welcomed w it h open arms. Food, shelter, clothing, spiritual care—whatever their needs, the Army will provide, to the best of our ability.

But what happens long term—when a family is ready to take the next step, to break the cycle of poverty and chart a new path forward?

With Pathway of Hope (POH), the Canada and Bermuda Territory is providing that link to a new life.

Developed by the U.S.A. Central Territory, POH offers families one-onone case management, helping them set and achieve goals. It is an integrated mission approach, combining practical and spiritual care, social services and corps resources, to maximize the impact 10 October 2017 Salvationist

on each family.

“It’s walking alongside a family,” explains Claire Dunmore, social services consultant. “It’s not about a handout; it’s a hand up. It’s supporting a family with their goals, with the things that they struggle with; it’s having conversations and building relationships that will be transformative for each individual family.”

That client-centred approach is central to the success of POH. “We’re not imposing our goals on them,” emphasizes Julie Whalen, community and family services worker, The Salvation Army Markham Ministries, Ont., which participated in the pilot project. “It’s supporting their strengths, ideas and aspirations.”

“For a lot of these families, we’re the first people that have ever believed

in them,” says Kyron Newbury, family services worker at Toronto’s Cedarbrae Community Church. “They know we’re on their side.”

The territory officially launches the POH initiative this month, after a successful year-long pilot project at six ministry units in the Greater Toronto Area. During the pilot period, 22 families were enrolled in POH and five families graduated, having achieved their goals.

By building on the Army’s existing programs and resources, Dunmore believes POH will help the Army take its ministries to the next level. “The Salvation Army has always been ahead of the game, a leader in the field,” she says. “POH is a way that we can be even more impactful.”

The territory’s goal is to have POH in all nine divisions by 2020.

“We Learned That We Were Strong”

S

herry Glenn and her family were among the earliest participants in Pathway of Hope at Toronto’s Scarborough Citadel. A family of five, they first came to the Army after a tragic accident left them in a vulnerable position.

“My husband, Idris, was hit by a recycling truck and nobody would help us,” Glenn shares. “I had two babies and a 10-year-old at the time, and I was working, but I had to stop my job and take care of my husband.” With help from the Army, they emerged from the crisis, and Glenn began volunteering regularly at the corps.

When the Glenns enrolled in POH last year, a new set of challenges had cropped up and were threatening to overwhelm them.

“Sherry and her family were hopeful and resilient, but they were stuck,” says Donald Halsey, Glenn’s case manager at Scarborough Citadel. “That’s why they were a good fit for POH.” Their primary goal with POH was to find new housing.

“We were having lots of trouble with our landlords,” Glenn explains. “They were not fixing things like the heaters, the water, the lights, so we didn’t even have the necessities of life.”

The situation was so dire, Glenn developed liver failure due to the home’s water supply, which was contaminated by salmonella and E. coli.

While the Glenns had wanted to leave for some time, ongoing issues stemming from identity theft made it impossible. “We tried over and over to save money, but it would get stolen, or our bank accounts would get cleaned out,” Glenn shares.

Sherry Glenn (right) and her family are graduates of Pathway of Hope, thanks to help from Donald Halsey, Melanie LeBlanc and Allison Moore

The Salvation Army supported the family through the eviction process and their stay at a shelter, and provided leads as the Glenns looked for a new home.

“No one would rent to us because of the last place—the landlords gave us a bad reference,” she says.

Thankfully, while at the shelter, they received a settlement from Idris’ accident and were able to pay a whole year’s rent up front—the only way they could secure a new home and achieve their goal.

The Glenns’ second goal focused on their son, who was ill and doing poorly in school. After much testing, he was diagnosed with Chiari malformation and sensory processing disorder, but the testing process took a toll on the family.

“His school called children’s services because he was missing a lot of school while he was getting tested,” Glenn says.

“The Salvation Army helped us—they told them that we have lots of support and our children are well taken care of.”

With a diagnosis identifying their

son’s learning difficulties, the Glenns were able to put him in a new school that could meet his special needs. “At the previous school, they told us that he just couldn’t learn, but within a year of being in the new school, he’s already getting B+s,” Glenn shares. “He can read and write, and they say he’s very smart.”

Along with helping them complete their goals and graduate from POH, Glenn is grateful to the team at Scarborough Citadel for giving her family new confidence about the future.

“We learned that we were strong and we could get through all this,” she says.

“We didn’t think we could; we wanted to give up. But they showed us that we could.”

Glenn also credits POH for encouraging them spiritually. “It’s definitely increased our belief in God,” she says.

“At first we thought there can’t be one, putting us through all that. But through POH, they showed us that there is mercy, and there’s hope.”

Salvationist October 2017 11

“I Wouldn’t Have Survived”

I

t doesn’t matter where Amanda Carto goes—people stop her to compliment her on her nails.

“Grocery stores, restaurants, banks,” she laughs, “my nails are spotted and I’m giving out my business cards. I’m not really putting out any advertising— people are asking me for my number!”

A year ago, having her own nail design business would have seemed like an impossible dream for Carto.

But with help from The Salvation Army and Pathway of Hope, Carto has made incredible strides toward stability and independence.

Carto moved to Canada from Guyana in 2009, but when she separated from her husband last year, she was left with nothing and no one to support her. Despite the difficulties she faced, she knew it was the right decision for her and her son, Rohamall.

“My environment became very unhealthy and I didn’t want that life for my son,” she says. “I had to make that change so my son could have a normal childhood.”

Carto initially came to Toronto’s Cedarbrae Community Church for food bank assistance, and met Kyron Newbury, who recommended POH to her.

“Kyron told me about the program, and I decided to do it because I didn’t want to fall back into the same situation that I was in,” she explains. “I wanted to make progress and do what’s best for Rohamall, and I just needed support.”

Carto’s first goal was to obtain new identification—her permanent resident card, passport and her son’s passport, which she no longer had as a result of her separation—and begin her application for Canadian citizenship.

“I wanted to make progress and do what’s best for Rohamall, and I just needed support,” says Amanda Carto, explaining why she joined Pathway of Hope

12 October 2017 Salvationist

Her second goal was to get speech therapy for her son who, at four years old, was not yet able to talk. “I didn’t know where to start, what programs were available,” Carto shares.

Newbury helped Carto find a pediatrician and navigate the process of getting Rohamall into a special program at school.

“One of the hiccups we had working with the school was that they use a lot of jargon,” Newbury notes. “A member of our POH team used to be a school teacher, so we were able to translate the jargon for Amanda.”

The therapy has been transformative for Rohamall. “To go from being almost non-verbal to asking questions and trying to make sentences on his own, it’s just … wow!” says Carto.

As she continues with POH, achieving financial stability is another goal for Carto. Starting her own business was originally part of that, but Carto has decided to donate the money she earns to an orphanage back in Guyana. “I asked myself, ‘How can I make a difference in the world?’ ” she explains, adding that she has also volunteered her services at a nearby women’s shelter and at Cedarbrae, where she now attends.

Carto grew up in a Muslim home, but started going to church after she was married. She attended her first service at Cedarbrae in May after talking about the church with Major Tina Mitchell, corps officer.

“She invited me to come and have a conversation with her about it, and I was moved that day,” Carto shares. “I thought, Why not try it out? Because without The Salvation Army, I wouldn’t have survived.”

After a warm welcome from the congregation, she says, “My heart felt light; I felt like I was in the right place.”

“When Amanda first came to POH, she was always downcast, she had difficulty making eye contact,” remembers Newbury. “And now, every time she comes into my office, it’s smiles, and she’s talking to everybody.”

“It’s amazing what God has done,” Carto says. “With POH, I wanted to make a change and God gave me the inner strength to do it.”

“ … But I Will Trust You”

“God has used Julie and Terry (back) to help us during this part of our lives,” says Cheryl Alvares, with husband, Jason, and daughters Hannah and Abigail

B

efore we immigrated to Canada, we heard it was a land of opportunities,” says Cheryl Alvares, a Pathway of Hope participant. “My husband, Jason, is a mechanical engineer, and they told us he would get a good job, so we had high expectations.

“We left everything, thinking we’d start a great life. The reality, when we came, was a shock.”

Originally from India, Cheryl and Jason moved to Canada in 2004, settling in Markham, Ont. Despite their education—similar to Jason, Cheryl has a master’s degree in science—they struggled to find work and support their five children.

“But the biggest struggle I had was loneliness,” Cheryl notes. “We don’t have any family here.”

“And we didn’t have anyone to guide us,” Jason adds.

After Jason broke his foot in an iceskating accident in 2015 and couldn’t work, Cheryl—who was working parttime from home while looking after the children—went to a food bank for assistance and was encouraged to connect with The Salvation Army. She got involved with cooking classes at the Army’s Markham Ministries and developed a relationship with Julie Whalen, who invited them to join POH last year.

“Jason had just lost his job and his dad, so he was going through a grieving process,” says Cheryl. “We wanted to come and talk to someone, to be encouraged by people of God.” For Cheryl, her primary goal with

POH was to get help with her anxiety.

“Julie encouraged me to talk to counsellors and it helped me a lot, to take every thought captive,” she says. “Now I do have moments, but I am much better than before.”

Jason needed to go back to school to earn a diploma in CNC and MasterCAM technology, so that he could find a new job. He completed the course and is now employed as a handyman for a condominium—a position Whalen found for him through a church connection.

“With POH, they do all the work; we’re just there to support them and help them in the right direction,” says Whalen.

Having completed their goals, the Alvares family graduated from POH. But as Whalen notes, one of the strengths of POH is that the relationship with the family doesn’t end there. “If life throws them a curve ball, they can come back to us at any time and say, ‘I want to set this goal. Can you support me in this?’ ” The ongoing support is of great value to both Jason and Cheryl. “Julie and Terry have been a source of encouragement in our severe down times,” says Jason, referring to Terry Harney, community and family services co-ordinator at Markham Ministries.

“At times, I’ve said, ‘Lord, I cannot take it anymore,’ ” Cheryl shares, “ ‘but I will trust you.’ And God is faithful.

He has used Julie and Terry to help us during this part of our lives; he’s used The Salvation Army.”

When Cheryl and Jason felt like there was no one in their corner, finding support at the Army has made the difference between hope and despair.

“POH is a good program because, in this society, people often don’t have people who will talk to them, listen to them,” says Cheryl. “Sometimes you just need a listening ear. A small encouragement can take you through a whole week.

“For us, knowing that people are there for us, praying for us—that’s huge.”

Salvationist October 2017 13

Battling the Blaze Salvation Army provides emergency support as wildfires threaten British Columbia.

BY DEB LOWELL AND BRITAINNY HARI

T

Immediate Response After the state of emergency was declared, crews began focusing on two of the largest fires between Ashcroft, Cache Creek and 100 Mile House, which were threatening the entire central region of the province.

John McEwan, divisional disaster management and emergency services director, under the direction of the divisional emergency disaster services (EDS) policy group, activated the Army’s emergency operations centre in Abbotsford to co-ordinate the response efforts. With additional crews from Alberta on stand-by orders, EDS teams from British Columbia provided immediate support to first responders, while serving up to 1,000 evacuees a day.

On July 12, Patricia Mamic, public relations and government relations for Vancouver Island, was appointed to the Provincial Emergency Co-ordinator Centre (PECC) in Victoria to assist with emergency response efforts at the provincial level. Working closely with the government, the Army provided financial, logistical, operational, tactical and 14 October 2017 Salvationist

Photo: Lieutenant Darryl Burry

his summer, British Columbia faced its worst fire season on record, as flames swept across the province, affecting thousands of people. A state of emergency was declared on July 7, with more than 900 fires raging across the province, and within 24 hours, 138 new wildfires and more than 4,400 hectares were ablaze.

In the wake of the disaster, The Salvation Army quickly mobilized its emergency disaster services, bringing comfort and practical support to firefighters, first responders and residents who were impacted by the fires.

From left, Jen Wolfe and Jade Ganje are ready to serve food in Williams Lake

physical support and direction to all affected areas of the province, as per their request.

“There are not too many times that you encounter a crisis of this proportion,” says McEwan, whose last response of this magnitude was in 2003 when The Salvation Army responded to rampant bush fires in Kelowna, “but the collateral damage of this situation is unprecedented in B.C. history.”

Army of Volunteers As the number and immensity of fires continued to grow around various parts of British Columbia, local Salvationists

and an army of volunteers were on the front lines, offering hope and practical support to first responders and evacuees at reception centres, as well as providing urgently needed food services, shelter at group lodging facilities, and vital information and counselling services.

By the morning of July 15, more than 224 fires were burning out of control, forcing the entire city of Williams Lake—which has more than 11,000 residents—to evacuate. Soon after that evacuation order was issued, another 36,000 people had to leave their homes and make their way to evacuation centres across the province, as the fires became

Photo: Gaeil Farrar/Williams Lake Tribune

From left, Lt-Col Brian Venables, Joel Torrens and Lt-Col Anne Venables, DDWM, B.C. Div, provide support for people impacted by the wildfires in Williams Lake

Along with meeting the physical needs of evacuees, Salvation Army teams provided emotional and spiritual care.

For the thousands of people who were displaced, stressed and left with little certainty, the opportunity to talk to someone made a profound difference.

“I was privileged to listen to their stories and if they needed something, I’d try to provide that for them, whether it was some practical item they needed or just a listening ear,” says Captain Mark Dunstan, corps officer, Cascade Community Church in Abbotsford, who co-ordinated the Army’s emotional and spiritual care team.

Photo: Gaeil Farrar/Williams Lake Tribune

more erratic. While firefighting efforts continued, Salvation Army personnel were on the scene at more than nine designated arrival locations to welcome, feed and shelter evacuees and help meet the needs of those impacted.

“While it is our privilege and our duty to help those in need, we, too, had to be ready to evacuate with our own families,” reflects Lieutenant Darryl Burry, corps officer, Kelowna Community Church, which housed a reception centre during the crisis. “Despite the challenges, we considered it an honour to serve and provide hope in the midst of very difficult circumstances.”

Coming Home As the summer went on, the Army continued to offer thousands of individuals support as more evacuation orders were issued and some were lifted, allowing people to re-enter their communities.

W hen thousands of residents returned, Salvation Army representatives were there to welcome them back with the essentials they needed as they prepared for the unknown, some having lost everything. Emotional and spiritual care specialists were deployed to help evacuees deal with the trauma, and the Army provided feeding assistance to those who were in need in areas such as Williams Lake, Kamloops and many other locations.

As of mid-August, The Salvation Army had provided more than 256,000 meals and beverages to fire evacuees, volunteers and first responders.

“We are honoured to help serve in a time of need,” says Major Robin Borrows, corps officer, Nelson Community Church. “It is always our great privilege to provide support to our neighbours and help restore hope when all seems lost.”

As the weeks turn into months, thousands of British Columbians will be rebuilding their lives and their communities, and The Salvation Army will be there to support them.

“It’s about good neighbours helping good people,” concludes Lt-Colonel Brian Venables, divisional commander, British Columbia Division. “No matter the circumstance, we are proud to be a part of this as we serve the wonderful people of British Columbia.”

Salvation Army volunteers Lolita Dunham (left), from Terrace, B.C., and Val Sheriff, from Nelson, B.C., man the Salvation Army food truck parked outside the resiliency centre in Williams Lake

Lt Darryl Burry (right) speaks to Dave Dickson, emergency support services director, in Williams Lake

Salvationist October 2017 15

CALLING THE COURAGEOUS

Cann Do Soldiers Lionel and Lynne Cann have gone above and beyond the call of duty at Bermuda’s North Street Citadel.

I

’ve held every position someone can hold without being an officer,” smiles Lionel Cann of Bermuda. “Cub scout and boy scout leader, Sunday school teacher, community care ministries, band and songsters, corps treasurer, corps administrator. I was even the emergency services co-ordinator for the Bermuda Division. And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Lynne, Lionel’s wife, has her own stellar record of service.

“Now retired, I was the secretary and co-ordinator of community care ministries at North Street Citadel. In that capacity, I was responsible Lynne and Lionel Cann at North Street Citadel in Hamilton, Bermuda for organizing volunteers to administer community visitation and care within the hospital as well as general community support. I held that post for 25 years but I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not donned the uniform of a soldier. God put me where I needed to be.”

Fulfilling a Need Lionel discovered The Salvation Army through his involvement with the boy scouts when he was a teen, and he became a soldier a year later.

“I heard the call; it was as simple as that,” he says. “I can’t explain why, exactly. I just know that this call had come and I responded to it.”

Through Lionel’s soldiership, God brought out a part of him he didn’t know existed. “The Salvation Army met my social and spiritual needs at the time, and being a soldier gave me the strength to become the person I feel that God needed me to be.”

As a soldier, Lionel was afforded opportunities that existed nowhere else.

“I was able to join the band, and travel 16 October 2017 Salvationist

“I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not donned the uniform of a soldier.”

and train as a soldier. The opportunities within the Army were—and are—phenomenal, and fulfil my needs even today.”

“Lionel goes far beyond the call of duty—ministry at its best,” says Major Frank Pittman, divisional commander in Bermuda.

“Who I Am” Like her husband, Lynne also discovered The Salvation Army at a young age, and whereas Lionel came to the Army via the scouts, with Lynne, it was the Salvation Army girl guides.

“There was something missing in my

life,” she says, “and I did not feel I knew the Lord in the way that I wanted to. But I knew I couldn’t do it on my own.”

At first, her mother refused to allow her to join The Salvation Army as they belonged to another denomination, though she could participate in their church-related activities.

When Lynne turned 18, her mother relented. “I was her only daughter and she wanted me to be mature enough to make such an important decision on my own,” she says.

Wearing the uniform was just a natural part of her joining The Salvation Army. “It’s only by the grace of God that I am where I am today. I know where I’ve come from and I know who I am.”

“Lionel and Lynne are great examples of soldiership because they truly have servant hearts,” says Major Dena Hepditch, their corps officer at North Street Citadel. “They love people, and it shows in their lifestyle.”

For more than 15 years, the Canns were active in the division’s street ministry, which distributes food to those in need.

“The Canns are passionate about their faith and service,” says Major Pittman, “and have a deep compassion for the homeless.”

This past summer, Lionel transitioned to volunteer work at the corps.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” he says.

“The Canns are positive and encouraging people, and radiate Jesus to those they come in contact with,” Major Hepditch says. “They are more than willing to do whatever is requested or required of them to reach out in his name. Our Army would be blessed to have more soldiers like them.”

Photo: Alisa M. Cann

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

FRESH IDEAS

Let’s Get Digital New program at Powell River Corps teaches seniors to be tech-savvy.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

Powell River Christian School student Hillary English teaches Eva Bella how to use an iPad

D

igital devices are a staple of modern life—today, over three-quarters of Canadians have a smartphone, while more than 50 percent use a tablet. These technologies are essential tools, connecting us as never before. But while access to the devices is increasing, one group of Canadians is often left out of the digital loop: seniors.

A new program at the Salvation Army corps in Powell River, B.C., is aiming to change that.

With more than 27 percent of its residents aged 65 and over, Powell River ranks 10th in the country for communities with the oldest populations, and the local corps reflects that trend.

“We have a senior church and we wanted to create a program that would engage and serve them,” says Captain BJ Loder, corps officer.

Focusing on improving seniors’ access to technology was an obvious direction, leading Captain Loder to propose a program that would teach seniors how to use iPads. The corps applied to the British Columbia Division’s strategic initiative

fund and was able to purchase 10 tablets.

When the program launched in September 2015, the response was immediately enthusiastic. “I created a sign-up sheet with 10 places on it and 20 people signed up,” says Captain Loder.

“Everybody was excited about it.”

June Westgate, 81, has participated since the program began, but admits she was “very reluctant” to sign up. “I don’t have a cellphone and I’ve never had anything to do with computers,” she says.

Eva Bella, 81, had similar misgivings about learning to use an iPad. “I was scared to death of it before we started the program,” she shares. “I was always afraid I’d push a button and something would go wrong.”

Getting access to the technology is one thing; learning how to use it is another. According to a recent Pew Research survey of seniors in the United States, almost half say that when they get a new electronic device, they need someone else to set it up or show them how to use it.

Enter Captain Loder and his team of volunteers. Catering to each participant’s

skill level, they walk them through various apps—email, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps, games and more— answering questions as they go.

“At the beginning, I found the iPad very confusing,” says Westgate. “But as soon as I got an email address, my grandchildren, who live out of town, sent me emails with pictures and videos of my great-grandchildren. It was so exciting.

“My great-grandson is learning to ride a bike and I can watch him doing it,” she adds. “It’s like you’re there!”

Following her success with the program, Westgate now owns her own iPad, a Christmas gift from her family.

As with Westgate, Eva and Andy Bella, 87, were thrilled to be able to communicate and share photos with their daughter and granddaughter, who live in Denmark and Australia. And for Andy, a world traveller himself, the iPad has provided a portal to his past. “I liked learning to use Google Earth because I was a merchant seaman at one time and I can visit everywhere the ship used to call in.”

Along with apps that connect them with the wider world, many participants have appreciated the benefits of using programs that engage their minds in new ways.

“One of my favourite things is games and puzzles because you have to keep thinking ahead,” says Westgate. “It keeps your mind going.”

While the program is aimed at seniors, it reaches across the generations, forming friendships that might otherwise not come to be.

After the first year of the program, Captain Loder recruited a group of children from the Powell River Christian School to help teach the seniors how to use the iPads. “The kids look forward to it every week, and the seniors are excited to work with them,” he says.

“The kids would do it slow for you, and then have you do it,” says Westgate.

“They wouldn’t just rush through it; they really helped you.”

“Everybody gets along,” says Andy.

“We’re like one big happy family.”

As the program enters its third year, Captain Loder sees opportunities for growth—for example, holding classes at the corps’ recently reopened thrift store. “The excitement and laughter we experience week to week is breathing new life into our corps and community,” he concludes.

Salvationist October 2017 17

Losing to Win

Kim Howlett knew she needed to make some changes before it was too late.

BY DIANE STARK to marriage. “We used to joke that I’d have to sit on my dad’s lap in his wheelchair so he could walk me down the aisle,” Howlett says.

But her father passed away in 2007, the year before she and Rod got married.

“He’d been put on a respirator more than 20 times and every time, the doctors said he wouldn’t pull through, but he did. At one point, he was paralyzed from the neck down, and doctors said he’d never walk again, but he did. He was so determined to live.”

W hen Howlet t ’s fat her caug ht pneumonia, she feared he’d be too weak to recover. “We trusted God to take him when he was ready, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Journey to Health After her father’s passing, Howlett’s own health continued to decline. “When the doctor diagnosed me with diabetes, my sugar level was so high that the meter Rod and Kim Howlett, in a photo taken last December. “Everything is different. We have a life now,” couldn’t even read it,” she says. “I had so she says many stomach problems that it was hard for me to even leave the house.”

And that’s how Howlett ended up in ’m afraid you’re going to need surgery,” doctors told Kim the surgeon’s office. “I had a lot of damage to my kidneys and Howlett in 2014. She had been suffering with stomach my liver because my sugar levels were so high, and the doctors pain and digestive issues for years, and this exploratory wanted to do surgery to find out what was causing all of the surgery would hopefully reveal the reason why. stomach pain,” she says. “It just seemed like common sense But Howlett knew what part of the problem was. For most that losing weight would help me avoid complications and of her life, she had struggled with her weight. At her heaviest, recover from the surgery more quickly.”

Howlett weighed nearly 400 pounds. She needed 3,800 units of Howlett went on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. She insulin each day to control her diabetes, was in constant pain gave up her beloved diet soft drinks and drank only water and and was unable to work because of her many health problems. milk. She kept a journal of everything she ate and cut out all “I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Howlett says. junk food. “It was really hard at first, but I was afraid of what would happen if I didn’t lose the weight,” she says. “When it God’s Time got really difficult, I thought about my dad. I am so much like Howlett was born and raised in Conception Bay South, N.L. She him, and I get my determination from him. I was determined attended a Salvation Army church and loved it, and accepted to lose the weight so I wouldn’t pass away early like he did.”

Christ when she was “just a wee little girl.”

Howlett underwent the surgery. Doctors found that her Throughout her childhood, Howlett’s father was in and stomach and colon were blocked with cancerous polyps. “My out of the hospital with his own medical issues. “He was so doctor was able to remove the polyps and repair the damage sick, but he never felt sorry for himself,” she remembers. “He to my stomach,” she says. “But the surgery just reinforced that never said, ‘Why me, Lord?’ ” I needed to make changes in my life.”

In 2006, Howlett attended a friend’s wedding. There she saw Howlett continued to diet and also began exercising. “A Rod, a man she’d worked with years before. “I was taking care friend of mine won a trial membership to a gym and I went of my dad at that time, and I had no interest in a boyfriend,” with her,” Howlett says. “When the free trial ran out, my Howlett says. “But Rod didn’t give up.” friend’s husband offered to pay for half of the membership so As the couple’s relationship grew more serious, talk turned we could keep going.”

I

18 October 2017 Salvationist

Howlett’s best friend, Karen, was a huge source of encouragement. “Both she and Rod really helped me to keep my selfesteem high,” Howlett says.

Other people helped her, too. As the weight came off, she needed new clothes, but she was concerned about the expense. “Someone donated a whole bunch of clothes to me anonymously,” she says. “It was so wonderful of them to help me in that way.”

Howlett also received divine help in her weight loss journey.

“I prayed every day and asked God to help me,” she says. “I knew I couldn’t do it without him. He carried the burden for me.”

Howlett found a sticker with her favourite verse on it and she put it up where she could see it every day. “It’s Matthew 19:26: ‘With God all things are possible.’ It really inspired me.”

Over the next year, she lost 130 pounds. Rod began eating more healthily, too, and the couple have lost a combined total of 450 pounds so far. “We are literally half the couple we used to be,” she says with a smile.

Howlett’s self-esteem has improved as well. “I try on clothes that used to fit me and they hang on me like a blanket now,” she says. “It reminds me of how far I’ve come.”

Because of Howlett’s weight loss, she has been able to reduce her daily insulin dose from 3,800 units dow n t o 75 - 8 0 units. “I used to need five shots a day, and now, I only need two each day,” Howlett says.

In August 2016, Howlett was healthy enough to return to work. “I got a job as a home health-care worker, and it feels good to be able to help people again,” she says.

But best of all, her marriage relationship has improved.

“Everything is different,” Howlett concludes. “We have a life now. We have so much more energy and are able to do more things together. We’ve always been close, but this journey has brought us even closer together.”

Howlett in 2013.

“I needed to make changes in my life,” she says

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Checking Our Moral Compass Answering the General’s call for renewal and accountability.

I

s getting caught the same thing as being held accountable? A childhood memory rises within me. I was 10 years old. One evening a few friends and I snuck into Mrs. Hiscock’s backyard, climbed her large apple tree and picked apples, without anyone knowing—so we thought. As we revelled in our mischief, Mrs. Hiscock was peering through her window. Instead of coming outside and shouting at us, she called our parents. My mother was waiting when I got home. After letting me squirm, she asked, “Were you with some friends stealing apples tonight?” If I remember correctly, I was not only banished to my room, I also had to return the apples and apologize to Mrs. Hiscock. I was held accountable.

General André Cox has started an accountability movement within The 20 October 2017 Salvationist

BY LT-COLONEL WANDA VINCENT Salvation Army. “We should want to be accountable for our actions and attitudes as we participate in God’s mission to transform the world,” he explains in Journey of Renewal. This was definitely not how I felt as a 10-year-old! Today I agree with him—not because I’m afraid of getting caught, but because it’s a way we honour God. “In a world of shifting values, we must be people of spiritual vitality and integrity,” he writes.

The Salvation Army’s accountability movement is a call to renewal—a time to seriously consider our spiritual and missional obligations. We need a plan that measures how individuals and teams review actions and achieve goals that consistently reflect transparency and righteousness in every area of life and ministry, focusing on four key areas: governance, impact measurement, finance

and child protection.

To help accomplish this, the book Journey of Renewal outlines a mission accountability framework (MAF).

Questions are explored under six headings: people, passion and spirit, purpose, plan, progress, and procedures and systems (see sidebar). Although our global context requires varied responses, our common mission provides continuity of purpose. The framework is peoplefocused with four contextual factors: people are safe, people are well (healthy), people are growing and people are serving.

Throughout my years as an officer, I have often had to hold myself and others accountable. Never was that more necessary than as a divisional youth secretary, particularly during summer camp.

I invested a lot of time training camp

staff so we could deliver a program that provided social and spiritual enrichment, while ensuring the safety of the campers.

We put measures in place to alert us to any gaps that could jeopardize the security or well-being of a child. Throughout the summer I did daily check-ins, held direct report meetings and was keenly aware of anything that compromised the mission. The staff and I regularly reviewed expectations and addressed any lapses in judgment. One summer we created a camp-life matrix with the participation of campers and staff. Having a list of expected behaviours was a way to hold us accountable for our actions.

Each week we celebrated our successes, learned from our mistakes and planned

Accountability is about more than just finances. It is about building authentic relationships, deepening our spiritual lives and tracking our progress. strategies for improvements. It was a continual process and no one was exempt.

Accountability is not new. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, what did God do? He went looking for them. They were trying to hide, which was pointless, because the Creator knew every hiding spot. He called to them: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) and when he found them, he said, “Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” (Genesis 3:11). (This sounds all too familiar.) God confronted Adam and Eve with their behaviour and held them accountable. At first they played the blame game, but in the end they confessed and owned their choices.

We know the rest of the story. Their choices had consequences. They were

banned from the garden. Their relationship with God was broken, and now all of us are broken. We have fallen short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23). The good news? God’s grace provides for our brokenness through the love of Jesus. It was never God’s intention for us to live however we wanted, though. He gave us freedom to live abundantly according to his design and his ways, not ours.

In my current appointment, accountability is essential. The women’s ministries department oversees a microfinance program in many villages. Women save together, and are able to borrow money to invest in income-generating activities. Strict rules are in place to protect the women and the money. Four to five group managers monitor how money is collected and disbursed. The money box has three padlocks, with three key holders. Only this trio can unlock the box. Accurate records are kept of every deposit and withdrawal. Co-ordinators and community workers do regular check-ins. Even though the system isn’t perfect and flaws are being addressed, everyone knows that freedom includes responsibility. In developing countries, investing in livelihoods is extremely important, but a program like this can only continue with stringent accountability measures.

As General Cox indicates, accountability is about more than just finances.

It is about building authentic relationships, deepening our spiritual lives and tracking our progress. This applies to all Salvationists, but is intensified for those in leadership. One measure currently underway in the Kenya West Territory is a review of processing candidates for the officer training college. A task force is analyzing each phase of identifying, cultivating and preparing soldiers who desire to become officers. Several groups of stakeholders are involved— corps officers, local officers, divisional youth leaders, a professional medical and education team, and divisional leaders.

Each team is asked to scrutinize parts of the procedure to ensure potential leaders are suitable and ready to become spiritual leaders. Cultural realities have an impact, so careful probing is necessary. The intent is to build a company of leaders who, from the beginning, are characterized by honesty, trustworthiness and integrity.

The accountability movement is meant to help us plan and track our spiritual progress. It’s based on Scripture:

Mission Accountability Framework Journey of Renewal is available for free at salvationarmy. org/ihq/ accountability.

Consider reflecting on the following questions from the mission accountability framework with your corps or ministry unit.

People: Who is making the journey and how are the relationships? To what extent are our relationships holy and characterized by love, trust, hope, integrity, justice, humility and forgiveness?

Passion and Spirit: Where do we get energy for the journey? What helps us listen to the Holy Spirit?

Purpose: What is the reason for our journey? Is there a purpose statement for this journey and does it describe what it will look like when we arrive?

Plan: What is the plan and how will we measure our journey? What outcomes are we expecting?

Progress: How do we track progress and learn from experience? What measurement tools are we using?

Procedures and Systems: Are all our dealings (finance, property, personnel, client services, decisionmaking) conducted in line with kingdom values?

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12).

The journey is progressive: “Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). We must continue to seek spiritual renewal and have ways to measure it. Accountability is a willingness to acknowledge our need of God’s help and co-operate with God’s grace—and not just so we won’t get caught.

Lt-Colonel Wanda Vincent is the territorial secretary for women’s ministries in the Kenya West Territory.

Salvationist October 2017 21

A new ministry at Prince George Community Church is leaping into hearts.

BY GISELLE RANDALL

Kessa Wilkinson celebrates with Hannah Law, Victoria Law and Pamela van Dijk after their thirdplace win at the Prince George Dance Festival

I

n the weeks leading up to her first dance competition, Siphesihle “Sihle” van Dijk was nervous. She has cerebral palsy and wears braces on her legs. She worried what the judges would think.

“For her to get involved in most dance programs—I don’t think they’d easily accommodate her,” says Sihle’s mother, Shoshanna van Dijk, who attends Prince George Community Church, B.C., with her four children. They all participate in a new ministry called S.O.UL. Dance, led

by Captain Crystal Wilkinson, corps offi22 October 2017 Salvationist

cer, her daughter, Kessa Wilkinson, and congregation member Robyn McMullen.

“The Salvation Army has been amazing. She feels like part of the group, she’s accepted. And they find such beautiful ways of giving her choreography that really makes her shine, but at the same time, fits exactly what she’s capable of doing.”

After her solo, a lyrical number set to a song from Esther by VeggieTales, the judges called Sihle over. “One said her eyes radiated light—that she really connected with the audience. Another

Spark of Hope In 2012, Kessa was practising turns for a Royal Academy of Dance ballet exam when she slipped and fell, severely injuring her hip. Doctors told her she could no longer dance en pointe, ending her dream of being a dance teacher. She was devastated. “My whole world crumbled,” she says. “That’s what I thought God was calling me to do, what I’d been working toward for years. I was heartbroken.”

For about a year, Kessa retreated from her family and friends and struggled with her faith. But learning guitar and playing on the corps’ worship team began to restore her trust in God. And the next summer, while working at the Army’s Camp Mountainview in Houston, B.C., she was able to lead a dance elective. “It brought a spark back into my life, and gave me hope,” she says.

When she came home from camp, her mother had an idea. “A few of the younger girls in the corps were interested in dancing, so she suggested I teach them, and for us to dance in the service, as an expression of worship,” Kessa recalls.

They began by dancing at Christmas and Easter, then more often, and others started joining in—friends of the dancers and the grandchildren of corps members.

Soon, they had eight dancers at two different levels. Kessa taught one group, and McMullen, who also has a background in dance, taught the other. After two years of practising, Kessa thought the older girls were ready to enter a routine in the 2016 Prince George Dance Festival, and they raised money to purchase costumes.

“What a unique opportunity to witness in the community,” says Captain Wilkinson. “After the performance, word of mouth spread like wildfire. People began contacting the church to find out more about the ‘no cost,’ ‘wholesome music/costumes’ dance program. The owner of a dance studio in town, who we later discovered is a Christian, asked if she could refer low-income families to us.”

Closer to God In September 2016, they launched S.O.UL. Dance, offering a free recreational program and a low-cost com-

Photo: Captain Crystal Wilkinson

Body and Soul

commended her beautiful arm movements and her passion,” says van Dijk.

“To have such positive feedback, so many people who were supporting her—it was huge for her self-esteem.”

Photo: Clarke Action Photography

church to watch their children “perform.”

“We’ve seen families come to the Lord, dancers enrolled as junior soldiers and vibrant youth study groups as a result of this ministry,” says Captain Wilkinson.

Sihle van Dijk competes at the Quesnel Festival of the Performing Arts

petitive program. “S.O.UL. stands for Seeking Out U Lord. Our mandate is from Psalm 149:3, to praise the Lord with dancing,” says Captain Wilkinson.

“It’s an opportunity for children who may not be able to afford the cost of dance at a dance school, an outreach to our community and a way of building relationships with the dancers and their families.”

The response was overwhelming: 43 children—36 girls and seven boys—registered for the recreational classes, and 17 for the competitive program.

On Tuesday afternoons, volunteers lead five recreational classes: JAM (Jesus and Me) for young children; SHINE (Seeking Him IN Everything) for beginners; JIG (Jesus is Good) for boys who like hip hop; AIM (Angels in Motion) for those with intermediate skills; and BOLD (Being Our Lord’s Dancers), with more advanced choreography.

Throughout the year, the groups share their dances during Sunday morning services. Victoria Law, one of the first dancers Kessa taught, is now in the BOLD class and training to be an instructor. She says dancing in worship has brought her closer to God. “When I listen to the music, I connect with the words—especially the song Blessed are the Merciful, by Beautiful Eulogy,” she says. “It talks about how God gives mercy to people who don’t deserve it, because he loves them. It means God will never stop loving me, no matter what.”

This message is also reaching the families of the dancers as they come to

Testify After participating in recreational classes for two years, students are invited to join the competitive program, paying only the cost of entry fees for local dance festivals. Weekly rehearsals begin with a technique class and a conditioning class to build up endurance. “But we don’t want it to be just about dancing,” says Kessa. “There’s also a spiritual component.” Competitive dancers are required to attend a Bible study or discipleship program such as Ready to Serve or corps cadets.

And while some dance schools draw from pop culture, using music and moves that can be explicit or inappropriate, S.O.UL. Dance is different.

“The beauty of this dance program is that every song they use has such powerful lyrics,” says van Dijk. Some of the songs they’ve used include All I Need Is You, by Lecrae, Dry Bones, by Gungor, and Gold, by Britt Nicole. “The kids know them inside and out by the time they’ve learned their dances—I hear them si n g i n g a rou nd the house. This is truth they’re going through their days with.”

Last year, they entered a hip-hop nu m b e r i n t he 14-and-under girls’ categor y at t he Prince George Dance Festival. “The girls they were competing against were dancing to Nicki Minaj, in a quite risqué way,” recalls Kessa. “My girls got up there, a nd t hey d id a traditional, B-Boyst yle routine to Testify, by The Much Luvv Fam, which talks about how to share your love for Christ. They got third place. It just shows t hat you don’t need to be like

that to be good.”

Van Dijk agrees. “As a parent, sitting in the audience, you watch all these dance groups that are so secular, and then our groups come out with these amazing, life-giving lyrics, and the most beautiful choreography. It was like night and day. It was so God-inspired.”

Positive Impact Starting S.O.UL. Dance helped rebuild Kessa’s confidence and her faith. And although she won’t be part of the program this year—she moved to Kamloops, B.C., to study theatre at university this fall—she choreographed the 2018 festival season before leaving and plans to check in with the dancers via Skype.

It’s a program that’s making an impact on the church and the community. “We have seen growth in our young people physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively and, most importantly, spiritually,” says Captain Wilkinson.

“The dancers are excited to share their faith with others, and their selfvalue has blossomed immensely through the positive message of the music, the encouragement of their teachers, the fellowship of their teammates and lots of prayer.”

Salvationist October 2017 23

HERSTORY

Faith Seeking Understanding God isn’t afraid of our questions.

Photo: © pathdoc/stock.Adobe.com

BY CAPTAIN KRISTEN JACKSON-DOCKERAY

I

f you’ve had or known someone with a toddler, you know the question stage, when you can’t utter a single sentence without them wanting to know more. Why do I have to wear socks with my shoes? Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why can’t I have hot chocolate with every meal? If you’ve lived through this, you know how exhausting it is. The questions are time-consuming and never-ending—as soon as you’ve answered one, another follows closely on its heels.

But as a follower of Jesus, I have learned the importance of questions. I have discovered the riches of the biblical text by asking who, what, where, when, why and how. I have come to appreciate that living in the questions is part of what it means to be human.

Jesus was the master of all questionaskers. In the Gospel accounts of his life, he is recorded as asking 307 questions.

In the Book of Luke, his first words were a question (see Luke 2:49). Jesus asks 24 October 2017 Salvationist

questions that others are too afraid, or too unaware, to ask.

I haven’t always been fond of questions. For most of my life, I’ve preferred answers. Answers are concrete and final, and that can be comforting.

In these last few years I have learned to love questions. I used to think that questioning—the Bible, my faith, God— was forbidden; that it hinted at my lack of belief. I thought it meant I wasn’t a good disciple, or that I didn’t trust God. More recently I’ve learned that questions are less about unbelief and more about faith in the One who holds the answers. I’ve discovered that questioning God pushes my imagination to consider the limitless possibilities of who he is, and how he longs to be at work in the world. I know now that questioning leads to more questions and fewer answers, and yet God is there in the midst of the struggle.

I need to challenge the assumptions I

hold about the world, about God, about feminism, about being a pastor, about being a mom. I am trying to value the questions in every aspect of my life, and in the life of the church.

I am learning to ditch simple answers and false pretenses in search of a more critical approach—to the gospel and the world. It is time-consuming and sometimes it is exhausting. But it’s always worth it as I fall more in love with God and his active and living Word. Each and every time I am not disappointed, but fascinated.

I encourage you to approach the world like a toddler. Ask why. Don’t settle for easy answers—keep asking.

Keep seeking. Keep thinking critically.

It’s not easy, but it is a life-giving project.

Learn to love the questions.

Captain Kristen Jackson-Dockeray is the divisional youth secretary in the British Columbia Division.

This is her last column in this series, and we are grateful for her contribution.

CROSS CULTURE

NEW FROM SALVATION ARMY AUTHORS Struck Down but Not Destroyed

A history of The Salvation Army during the Third Reich and subsequent years

BY WILLI KOTHE More than 70 years after the last shots were fired, the period of time leading up to and including the Second World War continues to fascinate and provide insights for the world today. In Struck Down but Not Destroyed, the author looks at this period through a Salvation Army lens. When the National Socialist ideology took hold of Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, The Salvation Army had to find ways of surviving and serving people in Jesus’ name while being restricted and severely affected by the horrors of the war. Nearly every public demonstration of Salvationism was forbidden but, wherever possible, meetings were still held and, despite oppression—including the questioning of Salvationist leaders by the Gestapo—social work continued. Drawing on many individual testimonies, this book describes the difficult path the Army had to tread during the Third Reich and the immediate post-war years.

IN REVIEW Wonder HILLSONG UNITED A highly anticipated follow-up to 2015’s Empires, this album offers a hopeful message for times of despair and disaster. The music itself is upbeat, while many of the lyrics point to all that is good and wonderful about the world God made. So Will I (100 Billion X) reminds listeners, in Psalm-like fashion, that the beauty of the natural world is a reason to praise God: “And as you speak a hundred billion galaxies are born/In the vapour of your breath the planets form/If the stars were made to worship so will I/I can see your heart in everything you’ve made/ Every burning star a signal fire of grace/If creation sings your praises so will I.” That sense of wonder becomes motivation for action as, on Shadow Step, they pray, “Move me like you do the mountains/Move me like you do the wind/And I’ll chase your voice through the dark.” As a bonus to the album, Hillsong United has released a moving acoustic version of So Will I (100 Billion X)—watch at https://youtu.be/p2IPg-qS-_w.

Doctrine for Today

A clear and concise examination of The Salvation Army’s eleven Articles of Faith When The Salvation Army took its name in 1878, its 11 Articles of Faith were written and verified. These doctrines express the personal faith of Salvationists and are meant to inspire holy living. Doctrine for Today provides an informative and accessible interpretation of these doctrines in a way that relates directly to the world in which we live.

The book is based on articles previously published in The Officer magazine by members of the International Doctrine Council, including Dr. James Read, executive director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre in Winnipeg; Commissioner William Francis, former territorial commander, Canada and Bermuda Territory; and Lt-Colonel Wendy Swan, a Canadian officer serving as command president of women’s ministries in the Hong Kong and Macau Command. It will be a helpful guide for both soldiers and those seeking to better understand Salvationism.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 18-25, 2018 Theme: “Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power” (Exodus 15:6) weekofprayer.ca Access the online resources. Participate in an ecumenical service. Share fellowship in Christ.

Salvationist October 2017 25

PEOPLE & PLACES

WINNIPEG—Alysa Silvey is enrolled as a senior soldier at Living Hope CC. Sharing the moment with her are, from left, Fred Blackburn, colour sergeant; then Cdt Sabrina Silvey, Alysa’s proud mother and preparation class leader; and Cpt James Rands, CO. GATINEAU, QUE.—Église Communautaire de l’Outaouais is excited to welcome five senior soldiers, four junior soldiers and two adherents. Back, from left, Lt Indira Albert, then CO; Angela Buitrago, Jaime Duarte and John Gama, senior soldiers; Hercule Genard, holding the flag; Shirley Cordoba and Omaida Eguis de Cordoba, senior soldiers; Eduardo Mendoza and Deyanira Barrera, adherents; and Lt Juan Chirinos, then CO. Front, from left, Sara Duarte, Juan S. Duarte, Santiago Gama and Jhon Gama, junior soldiers.

PENTICTON, B.C.—Residents and staff from various care facilities enjoyed a CCM strawberry festival at Penticton CC celebrating Canada’s 150 birthday and National Aboriginal Day. Participants were greeted

by Fran Ronson, a CCM member and princess from the Tsimpean Nation, Eagle Clan.

TORONTO—More than 60 donors and guests attended the 10th annual Circle of Hope luncheon hosted by Ont. CE Div’s public relations and development department at Parkview Manor as an expression of thanks for their support of The Salvation Army. This year’s speakers were Jake Aikenhead, director of The Salvation Army’s Gateway shelter in downtown Toronto, and Angela Hutchison of Ont. CE Div’s Toronto Housing and Homeless Supports team.

TORONTO—Three senior soldiers proudly display their Soldier’s Covenants as they are enrolled at Lakeshore CC. From left, Mjr Chris Rideout, AC, Ont. CE Div; Beverly Charles; Jeff Leach; Eileen Dover; Colin Sealy, colour sergeant; Mjr Tina Rideout, DSWM, Ont. CE Div; and Lt Samuel Tim, CO. 26 October 2017 Salvationist

MISSISSAUGA, ONT.— Doug Morton is welcomed as an adherent at Erin Mills Corps by Cpt Jaclyn Wynne, CO.

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Front, from left, Taylor Sweeney, Jaxon Fifield and Nathan Penney of Grand Falls Citadel raised $832 for Partners in Mission by making and selling prayer rocks. With them is Lana Anstey, coordinator for the corps’ Partners in Mission effort.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Accepted for Training Messengers of Compassion Session (2017-2019) College for Officer Training, Winnipeg Kassie Van Every Mountain Citadel, Hamilton, Ontario Great Lakes Division I am thankful for mentors, friends and corps officers who have invested in me. God has used many of them to help me discover my heart for ministry and to challenge me to be obedient to my King, even if his leading is not what I expected.

TORONTO—An adherent and five senior soldiers have joined the ranks at Yorkminster Citadel. Front, from left, David Correa, adherent; Brendan Colley, Emily Chinnery, Kate Percy-Robb, Sahana Gangapatnam and Tam Nguyen, senior soldiers. Back, from left, Rodolfo Ramaon, instructor; Mjr Pauline Gruer-Caulfield, CO; Cpt Fabio Correa, associate CO, Spanish ministries; and CSM Rick Allington.

Perry Sheppard Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador Division When I was nine years old I had a desire to become a minister. It wasn’t until 1997, when I was attending the corps in Brighton, N.L., that I felt God calling me again. Officership is not about having a job, but about having compassion for others and doing what we are called to do for the honour and glory of God. Lesley Sheppard Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador Division As a young person I was involved in church youth programs where I encountered pastors who prayed for me and encouraged me to consider ministry. I moved away from God, but following my marriage to Perry, I rededicated my life to Christ, and God’s goodness and blessing have been far beyond what I could have imagined.

TORONTO—One senior soldier and two adherents are enrolled and a senior soldier renews her covenant at Scarborough Citadel during a visit of cadets from the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg. Front, from left, Mjrs Ron and Donna Millar, then COs; Stephanie Tutton, senior soldier; Cheryl Tutton, who renewed her senior soldiership; Ray Mayo, senior soldier; and Janice Murray, adherent. Back, from left, Cdt Adriane Cartmell; Bruce Walter, holding the flag; and then Cdt Shelley Oseil.

Drew Young Cobourg Community Church, Ontario CentralEast Division I began attending Cobourg Community Church when my family decided to support my sister’s call to officership by worshipping at the Army.

Coming from a different church background, I had become discontented with church, but my passion for Christ was reignited. I became a senior soldier and attended my first commissioning and ordination service in Toronto. It was there that I felt God calling me into full-time ministry as a Salvation Army officer.

Andrew Cherry Oshawa Temple, Ontario Central-East Division Officership means dedicating myself to a life of service to God and humanity, wherever he places me. It is a vocation of teaching and proclaiming the gospel, and of sharing the love of Christ with others.

OTTAWA—The Canadian Staff Songsters visited Parliament Hill during a weekend of musical ministry in Ottawa. The brigade presented a concert in the Rotunda, which included a rendition of the national anthem and several pieces highlighting the gospel message. Proudly displaying their Canadian patriotism are, from left, Ron Hustins, Heather Robertson, Mjr David Ivany, Judy Way, Deryck Robertson, Ian Cooper, Kent Russell, Melanie Pond, Steven Cooper and Lt-Col Wendy Waters.

Joshua Cain Vernon, British Columbia Division I first felt God’s call during my time at Corps 614 in Toronto’s Regent Park. Returning to Vernon, I was challenged by retired officer Major George Perkin to explore officership. His affirmation of my call was instrumental, and I am looking forward to giving myself fully to God’s work.

Salvationist October 2017 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.—Celebrating the enrolment of three senior soldiers at Williams Lake Corps are, from left, Mjr Millie French, then CO; CSM Dina Kennedy; Samuel Colp; Suzan Colp; Clarence Colp; and Mjr Stephen French, then CO.

GITANMAAX (HAZELTON), B.C.—Back, from left, Alyssa Russell, Lauralynn Russell, Rhianna Tait, Melody Jones and Vina Jones are enrolled as junior soldiers at Hazelton Corps, which is part of the Upper Skeena Circuit with Gitsegukla and Sik-e-dakh. Supporting them are “Super Granny” Miriam Danes, a senior soldier, spiritual mentor and great-grandmother to all five children; and Alex Stoney, children and youth ministry co-ordinator.

GAZETTE GITSEGUKLA, B.C.—Gitsegukla Corps, which is part of the Upper Skeena Circuit with Hazelton and Sik-e-dakh, celebrates as four young people are enrolled as junior soldiers. From left, Ted Russell, holding the flag; Alvina Russell; Julia Russell; Brandy Russell; Kristina Russell; Cpt Robert Sessford, CO; Alex Stoney, children and youth ministry co-ordinator; and Cpt Johanna Sessford, CO.

WOODSTOCK, ONT.—Two adherents and one senior soldier are enrolled at Woodstock Corps. From left, Mjr Gayle Sears, then CO; CSM Janis Coon; Jeff Waterland, adherent; Robbie Donaldson, holding the flag; Jenifer Waterland, adherent; Barbara Waterland, senior soldier; and Mjr Stephen Sears, then CO.

BURLINGTON, ONT.—These are exciting days at Burlington CC as two senior soldiers are enrolled, one adherent is welcomed and two local officers are commissioned. From left, Cpt Judi Wickens, CO; Joyce Utman, newly commissioned corps treasurer; Gillian and Richard Street, senior soldiers; Drew Arnold, adherent; James West, newly commissioned young people’s bandmaster; CSM Dan Thompson; and Cpt Ron Wickens, CO. 28 October 2017 Salvationist

INTERNATIONAL Appointments: Nov 1—Cols Edwin/Sumita Masih, TC/TPWM, India Western Tty; Lt-Cols Gabriel/Indumati Christian, TC/TPWM, India South Eastern Tty, with rank of col; Lt-Cols Davidson Varghese/Mariamma Davidson, CS/TSWM, India South Eastern Tty; Lt-Cols John Kumar/Mani Kumari Dasari, CS/TSWM, India Eastern Tty; Cols Willis/Barbara Howell, TC/TPWM, U.S.A. Southern Tty, with rank of comr; Lt-Col Suzanne Fincham, CS, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Tty, with rank of col; Mjr Heather Rodwell, TSWM, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Tty, with rank of col Promoted to commissioner: Cols Tito/Martha Paredes, Cols Ivor/Carol Telfer TERRITORIAL Birth: Lt Ryan MacDonald/Mrs. Theiah MacDonald, daughter, Ellianna Darlene, Aug 10 Appointments: Mjrs Jeong-Gil Kang/Ki-Sook Nam, returning to Korea Tty; Cpts Choong-Sil Park/Hye-Suk Kang, Korean CC, Toronto; Mjr Gail Winsor, adult ministries consultant and project co-ordinator, THQ corps ministries department Retirements: Mjr Glenys Butt, Mjrs Barry/Christine Gray Promoted to glory: Mjr Reuben Janes, from Fredericton, Jul 27; Brg Sybil Mutton, from Toronto, Jul 28; Mjr Ruby Gullage, from St. John’s, N.L., Aug 3

CALENDAR Commissioner Susan McMillan: Oct 7-10 retirement of Cols Ricardo/ Sonia Bouzigues, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Oct 15, 19-20 5th Year Institute—Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session, JPCC; Oct 21-22 officership information weekend, CFOT; Oct 23 social services conference, Mississauga, Ont.; Oct 25-27 CPC dinner, EFC President’s Day and denominational leaders gathering, Montreal Colonels Lee and Deborah Graves: Oct 1 Guelph Corps, Ont.; Oct 1-2 Thunder Bay, Ont.*; Oct 19-20 5th Year Institute—Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session, JPCC*; Oct 21-22 officership information weekend, CFOT*; Oct 23-24 social services conference, Mississauga, Ont.**; Oct 25 social services conference, Mississauga, Ont.; Oct 29-30 CFOT (*Colonel Lee Graves only; **Colonel Deborah Graves only) Canadian Staff Band: Oct 1 East Toronto Citadel Canadian Staff Songsters: Sep 30–Oct 1 Meadowlands Corps, Hamilton, Ont.; Oct 25 social services conference, Mississauga, Ont.

PEOPLE & PLACES

TRIBUTES ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Major Harold Glendon “Ralph” Fudge was born to Fred and Hazel Fudge in Brighton, N.L., in 1959. In 1979, he married Gloria Newbury, the love of his life. Five short years later, with two small children in tow, they left for St. John’s to begin a new chapter in their lives and entered the training college to prepare for ministry. Ralph was an individual who deeply loved people, as evidenced by his outgoing personality and ready smile. He loved God’s handiwork that can be seen in the great outdoors, where Ralph thoroughly enjoyed spending time admiring the beauty of creation and all that was a part of it. Ralph loved to hunt, fish and ride his boat, and anything else that involved being active outdoors. He is missed but not forgotten by his family, colleagues in ministry, parishioners and friends. They will cherish the memories built together on earth and they await that “glad reunion morning.”

CLARKE’S BEACH, N.L.—Major Edgerton Peltier was born in Novar, Ont., in 1938. He was taught about God at his grandmother’s knee and preached his first sermon at age 15.

Edgerton entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto as a member of the Undaunted Session (1968-1970). He served faithfully for 29 years, most of which were in men’s social, until ill health forced him to retire in 1998. Edgerton loved God supremely and his greatest desire was to help others reach their full potential. His motto was: “In life we cannot always do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Edgerton will be missed by all who knew him. Remembered as a great man of God, he is survived by his wife, Pansy; devoted daughter, Sharon; sister, Brenda; brothers Lanny, Brian and Rene.

EDMONTON—Cornelis “Kees” Stam was born in Amsterdam in 1934. After compulsory military service and the difficult wartime years of enemy occupation, during which many Salvation Army activities were forbidden, he immigrated to Canada where he met and married Captain Olive Chambers at Calgary Citadel in 1956. After 10 years in Calgary, his employment with Alberta Government Telephones took him to Edmonton. Cornelis was a stalwart soldier of Edmonton Temple for more than 50 years, during which time he served as a company guard, league of mercy (community care ministries) worker, acting songster leader and corps treasurer, a position he held for almost 20 years. In 2012, he was honoured for 70 years of service to God through Army banding at Amsterdam Congress Hall, Calgary Citadel and Edmonton Temple. Predeceased by his wife and daughter, Catherine, Cornelis’ legacy is celebrated by his son, David; daughter-in-law, Sharon; grandchildren David, Bethany, Joel and Jolene.

WINNIPEG—Leah Naomi Taylor (nee Robson) was born in Winnipeg in 1919. She was peacefully promoted to glory at the age of 97, at home with her family around her. Leah was devoted to her Lord, her family and The Salvation Army. The celebration of her life was held at The Salvation Army Living Hope Community Church in Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her loving husband, George, and sons-in-law Melvin Spratt and Lloyd Moore. Leah is survived by her children Carol-Joy (Bill), Ruth (Ken), Mary, Edna (John), Chuck (Cheryl) and Captain Gordon (Karen); 17 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

PETERBOROUGH, ONT.—Dorothy Olive Downer (nee Burfield) was a lifetime member of The Salvation Army, at Peterborough Temple and Byersville South. Dorothy was a member of the home league, served for many years through the league of mercy (community care ministries) and was employed at the Army’s thrift store for 17 years. She was promoted to glory in her 100th year surrounded by her family at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Sarah Burfield; siblings Jean, Jack, Ruby, Arnold and Bruce; beloved husband, Asa Downer; son Eric Downer; and grandson David. She is lovingly remembered by her children Eleanor Thompson (John) and Ronald “Joe” Downer (Theresa); daughter-in-law Linda Downer; grandchildren Wendy (Rodger), Deborah (Jim), Bryan (Lorraine), Lori, Ron (Karen) and Paul; great-grandchildren Jessica, Josh, Tyler, Deserea, Andrew, Kaylyn, Lauryn, Tommy and Sophie.

PENTICTON, B.C.—Promoted to glory at the age of 86, Allen James Ryan was born and raised in Prince Albert, Sask., as the first son of Edgar and Mary Ryan. At 20, he joined the Canadian Army and served as a paratrooper in Korea with NATO forces, where he developed a respect for The Salvation Army as they helped the troops. Returning to Canada, he worked for the Canadian National Railway and then as a correctional officer at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert. Allen married the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Gooch, and together they joined the Army, entered the training college in Toronto and served in a number of appointments, including in Red Deer, Alta., and at the Miracle Valley Treatment Centre near Mission, B.C. Allen’s career took him to the M2-W2 Association in New Westminster, B.C., the provincial jail in Prince Albert as community liaison officer, and the Army in Winnipeg as an addictions counsellor and court worker. Helping people in crisis and travelling were passions of Allen and Peggy, which they pursued with Christian zeal and joy. Missing him are Peggy, his wife of 65 years; sister, Margaret (Peggy) Crozier; brother, Lance Ryan; and many close friends.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Promoted to glory at the age of 82, Edward “Harry” White began his spiritual pilgrimage as a junior soldier at Duckworth Street Corps in St. John’s and later joined the Adelaide Street Corps Band. Following his marriage to Dorothy Cake in the mid-1950s, Harry moved to Toronto where he was a band member at Lippincott Street Corps and then Etobicoke Temple before becoming the bandmaster at York Temple. He moved to Ottawa, opened a family business and played in the Ottawa Citadel Band. Harry served for six years as the Army’s representative in a Toronto detention centre where he was appreciated by staff and inmates alike. Harry returned to Newfoundland and Labrador to enjoy retirement and attended St. John’s Citadel (formerly Adelaide Street Corps), where he was a band member, penitent form sergeant and corps council member. Harry also ministered at the local penitentiary and in pastoral care at Grace Hospital.

When illness limited his attendance at the corps, he enjoyed listening to Army music, reading Army literature and watching (online) Salvationists around the world as they worshipped. Harry is survived by the love of his life, Dorothy; sister, Joan; brothers Winston and Fredrick.

Salvationist October 2017 29

SALVATION STORIES

A New Direction After 30 years as a pastor, I almost gave up on the church.

Then I met The Salvation Army.

Daniel Bourque, who attends Le Phare in Montreal, shares his testimony at Montreal Citadel

I

grew up in an Acadian community in New Brunswick, the youngest of eight children in a French Roman Catholic family. My father worked at the paper mill and my mother was a dressmaker. She often made clothes for the poorest families in our neighbourhood—in the winter, it was mittens—and asked me to deliver them.

“Danny, qu’est-ce que t’as fait avec tes bottes? What have you done with your boots?” she exclaimed when I came home from school one day. “There was a poor boy who looked cold, so I gave them to him,” I answered. I was brought up to believe in God, attend church and have compassion.

But as I got older, I fell into the trap of drug addiction. By the time I was 15 I was drinking and doing drugs on a daily basis. What started out as a quest for fun almost destroyed me. I became severely depressed, believing suicide was my only way out. I often walked along the railway tracks at night so no one could see me crying in despair. It was there that I began reciting the prayers my mother had taught me.

Then one day I heard that my sister 30 October 2017 Salvationist

had become a born-again Christian. She was involved with drugs and criminal activity, so I was curious to see what this religious experience was all about when she came home for Christmas. It didn’t take long before she started talking about Jesus. There was no more talk of drugs or settling accounts. Her new passion for life was palpable.

After a few nights of this, I asked, “What do I have to do to go to heaven?”

She said to ask Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my life. In the wee hours of a December morning in 1977, I threw myself on my knees and cried out to God. The atmosphere around me felt thick. I could feel God take me by the hand. He saved me, called me and set me free.

I went on to graduate from Bible college, got married and started a family.

For the next 30 years, I served as a pastor, church planter and evangelist. In the francophone community, it’s challenging work. During the Quiet Revolution in Quebec, a period of intense social change in the 1960s, people left the church en masse. Since then, many have considered this province an unreached people group. Québécois are skeptical of

religion. Traditional evangelism doesn’t have much impact here; you need to build relationships.

About 10 years ago, I became very sick. A viral infection damaged my heart and it began to fail. I was dying. After a long battle with the illness, I made a full recovery. My cardiologist was speechless.

During my convalescence, I didn’t attend church or even read the Bible.

Although I never stopped believing in God, I was fed up with church politics and immature believers. But I started to see things from a whole new perspective.

What I thought was a new lease on life was actually God taking me in a new direction, to do what I was created for.

One Sunday night I decided to go to The Salvation Army Booth Centre in Montreal, where my daughter worked.

I didn’t know much about The Salvation Army, but I was struck by all the programs they offered. I heard testimonies from men struggling with addiction and proclaiming how God was so present in their lives, regardless of their failings.

And I was touched by the officers, who demonstrated such love and compassion.

They treated everyone with dignity and respect.

A thought hit me like a bolt from heaven: “This is where I belong—with those who, in weakness, confess their need of God, without pretention.”

The pieces started to come together.

I became a soldier and started working at the Booth Centre in customer service.

The Army enabled me to further my education, and I obtained a certificate in pastoral and spiritual care from Booth University College in Winnipeg.

Today, I serve as a chaplain at the Booth Centre. I am thankful to God for The Salvation Army, who believed in this old and broken man. For too long my eyes were on the sensational and not on the true need—which is to love the unloving, remember the forgotten and see the immense worth that every sinner has in God’s eyes. I have rediscovered my purpose. I have found myself.

Photo: Kristin Ostensen

BY DANIEL BOURQUE

HIGHER EDUCATION FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE. EDUCATION FOR A BETTER WORLD

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