Salvationist + Faith & Friends January/February 2023

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Victoria Bike-Lending Program Keeps Families in Motion The Gift of Years:

serve as a hub for all THQ-related resources for the territory—from finance to women’s ministries to international development. Visit Salvationist.ca to check out our sub-sites for volunteer services, modern slavery and human trafficking, and emergency disaster services. Cover photo: Mark Yan

Stick With It

Did you know that Post-it Notes, those ubiquitous, sticky fluorescent pads, had their origins at a church choir practice? Arthur Fry was an employee at 3M, a multinational company specializing in worker safety, health care and consumer goods. Fry had a problem. He loved to sing in the church choir, but he was frustrated that his paper bookmarks were always falling out of his hymnal.

“Everybody else started singing and I’m still trying to find what page we’re on,” Fry lamented. “So, I’m looking over the guy’s shoulder next to me, trying to find the page.”

His frustrations continued until a chance conversation with Spencer Silver, a colleague at 3M. Silver was a chemist who had created a reusable glue that contained tiny microspheres so that it could be reapplied to surfaces without leaving any residue. The only problem was, he didn’t know what to do with it.

Fry had the answer. He began working with Silver to create a prototype of a bookmark, and eventually self-attaching notes and labels. The Post-it Note was born!

It wasn’t until several years later that the product took hold (no pun intended). The team still had to develop the primers, backside coating and machines to make the notes. But with a little ingenuity, they eventually finalized and marketed their

Salvationist

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Brian Peddle

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Commissioner Floyd Tidd Territorial Commander

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Director of Internal Communications, Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary

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Managing Editor of Salvationist and Salvationist.ca

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Features Editor

Abbigail Oliver Staff Writer

new product. Now, you’d be hard-pressed to find an office desk anywhere in the world that doesn’t have a stack of Post-it Notes handy.

In recent issues of Salvationist , we’ve been profiling the successes of the $5 million in innovation grants that have been issued by territorial headquarters to 42 creative projects. For example, you can read about a bike-lending program in Victoria (page 18), a community kitchen in Edmonton (page 6) and a new well ness group as part of the reopening of Labrador West Community Church (page 6). Amazing things are hap pening in ministry units right across the territory.

Speaking of innovation, you won’t want to miss the INSPIRE Conference and Congress 2023 in Toronto from June 26 to July 2 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel and Massey Hall. It’s a oncein-a-generation event for everyone associated with The Salvation Army. General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, will be our special guests. We’re fea turing the Canadian debut of a new musical, Army . We’ve got insightful

keynote speakers, musical guests from across the territory and an extraordinary youth program. For more information, visit Salvationist.ca/Inspire.

When good ideas are shared, they really stick! As Fry reports, “I’ve got notes that I applied to books in 1974 and they still come off and they still can be restuck.”

As The Salvation Army continues to innovate, may our influence and the blessings be as farreaching and long-lasting

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International Conference of Leaders Held in Vancouver

Leaders of The Salvation Army’s 58 territories and commands gathered in Vancouver in September for the International Conference of Leaders (ICL). Although hybrid, with some participants attending virtually, this was the first in-person gathering of leaders since 2017, and the first under the leadership of General Brian Peddle.

The aim of the ICL is for officers to join in solidarity and the prayerful contemplation of a range of practical and theological issues. This gathering looked at how The Salvation Army can best meet its mission in the 21st century,

with a focus on Our Identity, Our People and Our Priorities.

The leaders received a warm welcome to Canada at Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C., where a public Sunday meeting was held. Music was provided by Cariboo Hill Temple Songsters and Band, and General Peddle delivered the message, touching on the conference’s theme: Limitless God.

“God is moving, and transforming, and continues to offer abundant life to all who would receive it from him,” he said. “His incredible bounty is shared with his people. Limitless God—a God with a capacity that never exhausts itself. Everything else is finite.”

As delegates considered Our Identity, two searching yet fundamental questions were deliberated: What advances the mission of The Salvation Army today, and what constrains it?

On the day set aside to consider Our People, the leaders considered the state of Salvation Army cadet training, the importance of middle leadership development, the role of employees in Salvation Army mission and an exploration of the place and meaning of “covenant.”

As the leaders turned their attention to Our Priorities, Commissioner Lee Graves, international secretary for business administration, reminded delegates of the General’s existing strategic priorities and invited delegates to consider

the status of this work.

Commissioner Graves then asked delegates to consider those priorities identified by the ICL program plus the General’s Consultative Council as possible priorities for the future. He also invited prayerful discernment of other matters that the Lord may have placed on the hearts of leaders. These were further distilled into an amalgamated list and shared with all delegates for further discussion.

The final day of the ICL began with a recognition that September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day.

“We acknowledge that our history is fraught with injustice. We realize today that there is still real residual pain and hurt experienced, and so we pray for continued reconciliation, continued healing,” said the General.

Canadian officers, including the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, showed their support for reconciliation by wearing orange T-shirts.

The remainder of the day was packed with a series of high-level presentations and breakout discussions. Subjects included governance, sexuality, theology and the International Social Justice Commission.

Based on reports by IHQ Communications.

Canadian officers and friends show their support for Orange Shirt Day

General Brian Peddle shares a message during a Sunday service at Cariboo Hill Temple at the beginning of the International Conference of Leaders

Photo: Ray Shum

The Salvation Army in Labrador West Reopens Its Doors

Thanks to a $25,000 donation by Tacora Resources, as well as donations by other local companies and financial support from church members, Labrador West had the resources to do the necessary building repairs. The corps can now continue to serve its community and offer programs such as the free community luncheon and L.O.T.S. (Loving Others Through Supports), a group for women who have experienced the loss of a spouse. Beginning this year, a new wellness group funded by a territorial innovation grant will launch for those facing financial and social vulnerabilities.

In 2018, the Labrador West Community Church in Labrador City, N.L., closed due to safety issues in the building. At the time, other local churches and facilities such as the Arts and Culture Centre and Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church provided a place for The Salvation Army to continue Sunday worship, youth programs and their community luncheon program. Home league, Bible studies and mission board meetings operated out of office space at the Labrador West Mall.

In September 2022, Labrador West Community Church officially reopened its doors to the community and the congregation. They celebrated the reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, followed by an in-person Sunday worship service and potluck, attended by Majors Michelle and Scott Rideout, area commanders.

“The reopening has meant that we have been able to resume our services in a more accessible fashion,” explains Captain Lana Anstey, corps officer. “There is now an awareness of our presence. For our congregation, there is a renewed sense of fellowship. The shutdown of the building, followed by COVID restrictions in 2020, have been challenging for people, so this is a time of reconnecting.”

Edmonton Community Kitchen Program Celebrates First Graduating Class

innovation grant, teaches students practical skills such as how to understand food labels, storing food safely, knife skills and smart shopping.

“It is wonderful to see that, as the knowledge grows and the skills develop, so also does the participant’s confidence,” says Lt-Colonel Brian Venables, divisional secretary for public relations, Alberta and Northern Territories Division. “They begin to open up and become more courageous in trying new things while helping each other and themselves.”

At the start of the course, the students had varying levels of skills; some had never boiled water, while others had little knowledge or experience. By the end of the program, not only did they learn new cooking skills and nutritional knowledge, but they also presented a variety of dishes for friends, family and staff at a graduation celebration.

The Salvation Army’s Edmonton Centre of Hope (ECOH) recently celebrated the first graduating class of their community kitchen, a new addiction recovery program that aims to empower participants to thrive through nutrition education. This new initiative, made possible by a territorial

Nutrition education is often overlooked in traditional recovery programming. As substance abuse can cause irregular eating and a poor diet, the community kitchen program is designed to empower participants to create a healthy food lifestyle for themselves and their families.

From left, Mjr Scott Rideout; Lt Jamie Anstey, CO; CSM Wallace Marsh; Cpt Lana Anstey; and Mjr Michelle Rideout participate in the ribboncutting ceremony

The cake cutting at the meal following the Sunday morning service

Five people completed a new 12-week cooking and skills program through a partnership between the centre’s Cornerstone Residence and Edmonton Temple, where the commercial kitchen is located

National Recycling Operations Gives Dividends Back to the Territory

Since its creation in 1995, The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) has been mandated to financially support the territory through dividends. However, territorial profits were inconsistent and, at times, the NRO was unable to meet its obligations, ultimately ceasing payments to divisions.

In early 2020, the NRO was well on its way to being able to pay dividends again, but the pandemic interrupted all progress and stores across Canada were left unable to operate. “Suddenly, we had stores with long leases and no revenue. We had no option but to accumulate debt,” says Lt-Colonel Fred Waters, secretary for business administration.

Emerging out of the pandemic with 98 stores across Canada, 11 distribution and recycling centres, and more than 1,900 employees, NRO has managed to turn around a $4-million deficit and begin to

make profits once again. NRO is able to provide dividends back to the territory, with each division receiving $250,000 of unspecified funds in 2022.

“Often, the more specific the donation, the harder it is to allocate it,” explains Lt-Colonel Waters. “An ‘unspecified’ fund is free of strings attached and gives the division the ability to do things they may not normally be able to do.

“These funds will typically be used in support of community work. The whole idea of NRO even having a profit is that those funds come back to The Salvation Army to support programs, services and community,” Lt-Colonel Waters says.

“Prior to the pandemic, we had taken more than 1,000 of our employees on tours of different ministry units to give the NRO staff insight into what Salvation Army social services look like and to help them understand why they do what

Men’s Transitional Housing Program Opens in Kirkland Lake

In October 2022, The Salvation Army celebrated the grand opening of a new transitional housing program in Kirkland Lake, Ont., called “Hope Haven: A Way Forward.” The project is made possible through an innovative partnership with the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board (DTSSAB), with the financial support of the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The new Hope Haven residence is a six-bedroom duplex staffed and operated by The Salvation Army to support men as they move from homelessness to living in their own apartment. Caseworkers guide residents in learning the life skills necessary to maintain an apartment and move forward positively.

“We come alongside marginalized individuals and give them the tools to live independently,” says Lieutenant Robbie Donaldson, corps officer at Temiskaming Community Church in New Liskeard, Ont. “In the first six weeks, we assist residents with getting the proper identification, opening a bank account, finding a doctor, putting together a resumé or filing their taxes.”

Residents are also assisted with underlying life struggles such as mental and physical health or addiction concerns. Then, clients put together a plan that outlines the steps to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Since opening last May, Hope Haven has already had several client success stories, including one resident who stayed at

they do,” says Ted Troughton, managing director of NRO. “We anticipate starting this again in 2023.”

At this rate, Lt-Colonel Waters believes that next year the dividend will be even greater, offering more support to divisions to use funds wherever the need is greatest. “I hope we can celebrate this latest success of NRO having turned a corner,” he says. “Ted Troughton has provided tremendous leadership and his team has worked very hard.”

the home for four weeks. He is now employed at a local mine and Hope Haven caseworkers are working with him to find his own place to live.

Hope Haven gave Alex, another youth client, a roof over his head after couch surfing from home to home.

“It’s a very nice place. The first time I came in I was so happy to have a place to myself. The Salvation Army will always be there no matter how tough or how deep things get,” Alex says. “They will always be there for you.”

Lieutenant Donaldson says The Salvation Army is committed to being an innovative partner in getting people housed and keeping them housed for life.

“The community has been very supportive of Hope Haven, and we will continue to be a transformative presence in people’s lives here in Kirkland Lake,” he says.

More than 200 shoppers line up to visit the Empress Thrift Store in Winnipeg during its grand reopening event in September 2022

Lt-Col Brenda Critch, divisional secretary for spiritual life development, and Lt-Col Shawn Critch, DC, Ont. Div, attend the ribbon cutting at Hope Haven

Photo: Michael Methot

Island Life

BY LT-COLONEL BRENDA MURRAY AND MARK YAN, PHOTOGRAPHER

Crystal blue waters, sun, sand and relaxation are what most people picture when they think of the Caribbean—a place where many Canadians go to escape winter and enjoy the warm ocean breezes and culture. However, beyond the tourist attractions and resorts, there are people who need support, no different than any other country in the world.

The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory, under the direction of the territorial leaders, Commissioners Devon and Verona Haughton, shares the love of Jesus, meets human needs and is a transforming influence in communities across 16 countries. It is an active, flourishing Army, with more than 130 corps, 45 outposts and various social services, including children’s homes, schools, feeding programs, seniors’ care and thrift stores. In this photo essay, you will see how this “heart to God, hand to man” approach is serving suffering humanity and bringing hope in Jamaica.

As the Caribbean Territory emerges from the global pandemic, like many other territories around the world, the need for support is greater than ever before. We can see the negative ripple effect that COVID-19 continues to have in people’s lives and communities and beyond their borders. The need is great. The need is real. Please support the Partners in Mission Self-Denial Campaign and help others.

Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray is the director of international development.

The Salvation Army supports education, community development and disaster relief in the Caribbean.

The Jamaican national motto, “Out of many, one people,” was embraced in 1962 and speaks to both the diversity and the unity of the people who have settled in this region of the world. The Caribbean Territory reflects this diversity and embraces an international mission of “One Army, one mission, one message,” which aligns well with the national motto of Jamaica, where the territorial headquarters is found.

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It’s in the brief encounters of life that we build community. Major Henry King (left), territorial finance secretary, strikes up a conversation following a service at the Allman Town Corps. Behind the mask is a caring, compassionate individual who is interested in the well-being of others, as captured in this moment in time.

 Captain Roliams Leandre (left), field training officer, responds as Cadet Sonel Philogene shares the story of his calling to become a Salvation Army officer. On his first visit to the Santos Corps, Cadet Philogene felt the Lord telling him that this was to be his church home. He gave his heart to the Lord, enrolled as a senior soldier and the journey to officership commenced.

q These cadets and officers at the training college in Kingston, Jamaica, exude joy. They have left their homes and employment and responded to the call of Jesus to “follow me.” Now they are part of the Reflectors of Holiness Session, and they are excited to be following Jesus.

During morning chapel, deep harmonies echoed throughout the room as the cadets sang a chorus: “Thanks, thanks, I give you thanks, for all you’ve done. I am so blessed, my soul is at rest, O Lord, I give you thanks.”

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General William Booth, co-Founder of The Salvation Army, strongly believed and modelled that people should be treated with dignity and respect. He said that people living rough needed soup, to look after their immediate needs; soap, to help rid the dirt of the day; and salvation, to hear the saving message of the gospel.

More than 150 years later, The Salvation Army in Kingston, Jamaica, is carrying on his mission. At the William Chamberlain Centre, Claudette Heslop prepares a meal for people living on the street. As we gathered in this feeding centre, the delicious smell surrounded us, and the people were warm and friendly. It is an inviting atmosphere.

 Children come to the Nest Children’s Home for a variety of reasons, but the main need is a safe place to live. This residence provides food, shelter and a caring environment for more than 40 children, aged five to 18. The home provides the foundation that these children need to successfully leap into the future. Here, they are wearing Every Child Matters T-shirts, a gift from Canada.

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Jermaine, a carpenter, is employed at the William Chamberlain Centre in Kingston, Jamaica, where he makes and fixes items that have come into the thrift store so they can be sold. Jermaine loves what he does and appreciates that The Salvation Army has hired him for this role. “This centre meets people at their point of need and lifts them to a higher standard,” says Major Selburn Laing, the centre’s administrator.

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Lt-Colonel

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”My favourite thing about attending this school is being with my friends, and my favourite subject is social studies because I like to learn about society,” says Nicola, a student at The Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Kingston, Jamaica, which accommodates up to 110 residential students. The school provides standard curriculum but also teaches necessary life skills, including mobility, keyboard and computer skills, and Braille.

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Cave Valley Basic School in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has been preparing young children for elementary school for more than 60 years. Early childhood education, including learning the alphabet, how to write and how to interact with each other in a positive environment, gives children a solid educational foundation and teaches them to reach for the stars. Play is an important part of every child’s life, bringing many life lessons along the way. The Salvation Army Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program provides children around the world with school fees, uniforms, textbooks and recreational materials.

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Coming from various backgrounds and situations, the children at the Nest are nurtured in a loving, caring, Christcentred home. Attending school in the neighbourhood and participating in programs at the local Salvation Army corps, they learn values of kindness, compassion, respect, love and many more.

When visiting the home, the children sang a song for us that went like this: “I am a promise. I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital P. I am a great big bundle of potentiality. And I am learning to hear God’s voice and I am trying to make the right choices. I’m a promise to be anything God wants me to be.”

Brenda Murray (right), shares a moment with Major Kenel Jean, emergency disaster services co-ordinator and property secretary at territorial headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica. In speaking with Major Jean, it was quickly evident that he loves coming alongside people in times of crisis and co-ordinating a response that meets people at their point of need.

All For a Good Cause

Ministry units across the territory hold fundraisers for Partners in Mission.

BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER

Each year, The Salvation Army supports the Partners in Mission Self-Denial Campaign. Ministry units across Canada and Bermuda participate by holding fundraisers in their local communities to support The Salvation Army internationally.

In 2022, corps and social services in every division put their own unique spin on the annual fundraising campaign—some with plants and others with pies. Here are a few examples of their creativity and charity:

A Little Love and Care

With their corps focusing on creation care, Surrey Community Church, B.C., developed a fundraiser to match their commitment to God’s earth.

Using withered and unsellable plants discarded by local grocery stores, Majors Diane and Glynden Cross, corps officers, transformed them into a fundraising initiative in support of Partners in Mission, raising more than $2,600.

“We have these beautiful glass doors and when we put the plants in front of them, they started to thrive again. I thought, What a great representation of how, with a little love and care, we can bring things back to life,” says Major Diane.

Majors Cross and volunteer, Noor Alsamria, offered the plants to members of the congregation for a donation. Then, they opened up the fundraiser to the community in Surrey.

“Inside the church, people understand Partners in Mission, but when we moved it out into the community, the people were so giving. It became an educational tool to show where the money we raise goes,” says Major Diane.

With a plant nursery now set up at the corps, Majors Cross plan to propagate and continue the fundraiser.

“Without this, the plants were destined for the landfill or the compost,” says Major Glynden. “Like the biblical component of creation care, God wants us to nurture these plants, restore and transform them. Let’s reuse them and bring some cheer to someone’s life.”

Commu-knit-y Campaign

One Sunday morning, Lieutenant Lynn Torrens, corps officer at New Hope Community Church in Salmon Arm, B.C., asked her congregation if they had any creative fundraising ideas for Partners in Mission. One church member, Allison Patrick, who runs a community knitting group called CommuKNITy Cares, presented the idea of a knit-a-thon.

From February to March, seven members of CommuKNITy Cares, along with 18 other knitters from British Columbia and Alberta, were sponsored by peers to knit or crochet 20-centimetre squares. The money raised from these pledges went toward Partners in Mission, and at the end of the two months, the squares were knitted together to create blankets for the Safe Society Women’s Shelter.

“It was an initiative that allowed us to bless the international work of the Army and minister to a local organization as well,” says Lieutenant Torrens.

More than 100 people sponsored the knitters and by the end of the fundraiser, they had created 687 squares, enough for 28 blankets.

“At the end, we had a big event celebrating what was accomplished. We hung some of the squares from the ceiling,” says Lieutenant Torrens. “God used this fundraiser and brought people in that were excited about supporting the international work of The Salvation Army through a skill set they already had.”

The knit-a-thon raised more than $8,500, far exceeding the corps’ initial goal of $4,000. “We’re quite a small congregation, so it was really encouraging and awe-inspiring to see how God took our little offering and used it to do something far beyond what we could imagine,” says Lieutenant Torrens.

“The knit-a-thon proved to be more than a fundraiser,” explains Patrick. “It was about connecting community, educating others about the work The Salvation Army does, both locally and internationally, and introducing Christ to those that may not know him.”

Mjr Diane Cross and Noor Alsamria turn their passion and love for gardening into a community fundraiser

From left, Norma, Maxine, Carol, Linda, Kathy, Allison and Dianne, knitters from the knit-a-thon, gather completed blankets to donate to the women’s shelter

Pied for PIM

Last June, Majors Jamie and Shelly Rands, corps officers in Brandon, Man., set a fundraising goal of $2,400 for Partners in Mission. They reached this goal quickly through two church fundraisers but felt they could do more. Charlette Fontaine, program director, challenged the congregation to raise at least $500 more to surpass their goal by hosting a “pie in the face” draw. Names were drawn to select two people to pie the corps officers in the face.

“Boy, did they go for it,” says Major Shelly. “We all had a really good laugh, too. It was cold and sticky but a whole lot of fun. Would we do it again? Absolutely!”

Majors Rands and the congregation in Brandon raised more than $3,300, beating their initial goal by 41 percent.

Heart for Missions

With their Partners in Mission initiative, Sharon Dury and Janine Oblak, who attend Etobicoke Temple in Toronto, did more than just raise money for The Salvation Army’s international work. They stayed outside overnight to experience how many people in other countries live on a nightly basis in the winter.

“By staying out in the cold with only a sleeping bag, cardboard and a bit of pocket money, I learned how many people around the world live their lives,” says Dury. “It made me realize that we must give. By giving everything, we will help people all over the world have access to meals and places where they feel accepted.”

Through this initiative, Dury and Oblak raised $3,600 for Partners in Mission.

“God taught me that I can live with less material items,” Oblak says. “This experience was life-changing in the best way. I have a greater heart for international missions.”—Kathy Nguyen, from Global Link, Fall 2022

Bianca Fontaine gives Mjr Shelly Rands a pie in the face

Sharon Dury and Janine Oblak sleep outside in winter 2022

Catherine Booth

No Child Left Behind

Investing in the future at The Salvation Army’s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Jamaica.

BY KATHY NGUYEN

As the resource/media co-ordinator for Canada and Bermuda’s international development department, my favourite part of the year has always been the annual Self-Denial (also known as Partners in Mission) trip.

Being able to travel and hear stories of hope and transformation in communities beyond our borders has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and after almost two long years of travel bans due to COVID-19, I was excited to finally get back out there and witness the life-saving ministry taking place across Jamaica.

One of the highlights of my trip was the opportunity to visit The Salvation Army’s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Kingston, Jamaica.

Around the world, The Salvation Army has been instrumental in providing high-quality education to children and youth. From schools catering to children with albinism and physical disabilities in Africa, to schools teaching students who are blind and visually impaired in the Caribbean, The Salvation Army ensures no child is left behind.

Established in 1927, this is the only school in the entire country that provides an education and a home to youth who are blind and visually impaired.

When we first arrived, we were greeted by a crowded room filled with teachers, students and their families, who came to show their appreciation. With more than 120 students, this school is a true testa ment to hope and resilience. It was clear that everyone—from students to parents to teachers—is proud of and grateful for the work of The Salvation Army.

Accepted and Included Sashana Wauchope, an English and litera ture teacher at the school, is one of them. She is also blind and began attending the school when she was five years old.

“It was a joyous experience,” she says. “This school taught me how to feel included.”

Wauchope was inspired to teach at the school because she wanted to give back to her community.

“I wanted students to feel the same way I felt while attending school,” she says. “I want them to feel loved, accepted and included. When I see students passing their exams and finding work, I can say I did my part.”

When we invest in the inclusion and education of all students, nations are empowered with leaders who are kind, empathetic and compassionate. Wauchope’s full-circle testimony is evidence of that, and her story isn’t the only one.

The guidance counsellor, information technology teacher and more are also former students.

Education and Care

We were then introduced to Nicola, the head girl of the school. The first thing I noticed was Nicola’s bright smile—her joyful and shining disposition was contagious and illuminated an entire room.

Like Wauchope, she is also blind and doesn’t let visual impairment keep her from a bright future.

“In the future, I’d like to be an entrepreneur,” she says. “My dream is to have my own business. I hope it’s a family business so I can take care of my family.”

“My dream is to have my own business,” says Nicola, head girl at The Salvation Army’s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Kingston, Jamaica

preparing her for the future, she smiled and said, “By giving me the education and care I need.”

After meeting both her and Wauchope, I know that the students there are being prepped and primed for a promising future.

Passion and Love

The last stop on our tour was the principal’s office, where we met Iyeke Erharuyi, the leader of the school.

Managing the only school for the blind in the entire country is not an easy task, but Erharuyi is driven by his passion and love for the community.

“The impact of educating a child who is blind is significant to our community,” he says. “If this school didn’t exist, the country would be in trouble. Many of our faculty used to attend the school, and each of them contributes to the development of our society. We cannot underestimate the power our students have on our future.”

While speaking to Erharuyi, his gratitude and passion were clear.

“Our mission is to cater to the needs of every single student,” he says. “We’ve been here since 1927, and it takes the grace of God for us to be doing this for so many years.”

I’m reminded of Erharuyi’s parting words, words I can still hear today when I think of The Salvation Army’s school for the blind: “We thank God,” he said. “And we thank The Salvation Army.”

Kathy Nguyen is the resource/media co-ordinator in the international development department.

Sashana Wauchope, an English and literature teacher at the school, also attended as a student

Photos: Mark Yan

Holy Disruption

Are you open to the call of God?

BY COMMISSIONER FLOYD TIDD

We’re stepping into a new year, hoping that purchasing a planning calendar won’t be as futile an exercise as it has been for the last two years. The global pandemic wreaked havoc on all our plans—the ones already in process and any attempt to make new ones. Some have described COVID-19 as the greatest disruptor ever seen by this generation. We’ve witnessed the impact of this disruption on so many areas of our lives, on our families, friends and the communities of our world.

Disruption usually carries a negative connotation. No one wants to sit next to the disruptive child on an airplane. Who wants to hear that television coverage will be disrupted just before the Super Bowl kickoff? In recent years, however, disruption has taken on a new connotation. In his book, The Innovator’s Dilemma, Clayton Christensen introduces the concept of “disruptive innovation.” He describes how a small company with limited resources can enter the business market and displace large, successful companies that had previously been the dominant provider of products or services.

The word disruption then has a positive connotation, at least in the eyes of the emerging company. Disruption of this nature is more than change or transformation. Innovative disruption is the unexpected that establishes a new and often uncertain path, leading to an eventual outcome that is even more than could have been anticipated.

Christmas could well be described as this type of disruption. Jesus entered our world, breaking into the routines and normal patterns of life, offering a path that leads to more than could ever have been dreamed. For Mary and Joseph, life’s path was dramatically altered from the very moment of the angel’s

announcement. With all their wedding plans yet to be finalized, Mary and Joseph prepared to welcome the Messiah into the world. The outcome would be more than they could have ever asked for or imagined, as the lyrics outline: “Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.”

Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus stepped into the routines, established patterns and expectations of people with a disrupting message. It was a message of grace, hope and invitation to embrace dynamic faith. His is a message that leads to abundant life. Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of” (John 10:10 The Message).

Peter was one such individual who encountered Jesus and had more than his fishing plans disrupted. The call to follow Jesus was a disruption to his normal routine and business. It was an invitation to make Jesus’ business, his business.

Jesus’ business was people experiencing the love of God and his kingdom. From that moment, life would never be the same for Peter. Following Jesus, walking and working with him and seeing lives forever changed, was more than he could have ever asked for or imagined.

Jesus’ call disrupted what may have been on Peter’s agenda for that day, perhaps even the plans he had for the years ahead. It was a calling that Os Guinness describes in his book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life, as “not only a matter of being and doing what we are, but also of becoming what we are not yet, but are called by God to be.” He goes on to remind us that “God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.”

Following two years of COVID-related disruptions, have our efforts focused on finding new balance and equilibrium at just the time that we, like Peter, could use a little “holy disruption” in our lives? Before we settle too soon, are we watching for the moments, the circumstances and the people that God is using to break into our lives once again with a disrupting message, a calling? Let’s be open to listen. Let’s be ready to respond, discovering a life that is more than we could ask for or imagine and better than we could have dreamed

Commissioner Floyd Tidd is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Becoming Brave

Salvation Army will hold third annual event for girls in spring 2023.

BY REBEKAH MCNEILLY

BRAVE 2023 is coming! You won’t want to miss this exciting event for girls, ages 12 to 18, happening in communities across the territory from March to May. This is the third year that The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda has partnered with BRAVE Global to bring this “catalytic movement for girls” to our territory, and we are confident it will be the best one yet.

What is a catalytic movement? A catalyst is an agent that provokes change or action. BRAVE Global is a movement to inspire and empower all girls, but especially those who are vulnerable, and encourage them to be their own advocate. BRAVE also acts as a way to connect girls to the community. That’s where we—The Salvation Army—come in.

The Salvation Army has a long history of serving those who face difficult circumstances. We are a movement for justice and change, with communityfocused churches. Our partnership with BRAVE epitomizes that love for people and the desire to see growth and hope, while rooted in our local context. Like The Salvation Army in its earliest days, we believe that placing girls and women at the centre of our mission is one of the greatest strategies for change, in policy and in practice, at every level.

BRAVE is a movement that starts with meeting girls where they are, regardless of socio-economic circumstance, educational attainment, life experience or goals and ambitions. The Salvation Army will host BRAVE 2023 events all over the country, with the goal of communicating strength and agency to all young women who attend.

The events will include videos of a keynote presentation, a panel of speakers and a special downtown Toronto segment, and local organizers will have access to top-notch resources and ideas for activities. Ministry units often go above and beyond with the décor, workshops and food accompanying the speakers. Last year, some of the workshops included a self-defence guest instructor and a popup thrift store.

But it’s important to remember that it’s not the programs, décor or even

the quality of the speakers that makes the greatest difference in the lives of all attendees. The most essential element of BRAVE is the relationships that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event.

BRAVE events are an opportunity to begin the journey of creating trust and common ground with girls from all walks of life. BRAVE circles and the use of the Army’s Grow curriculum for girls, developed by the women’s ministries department, are arguably the most important part of this journey. Contemporary research has shown that mentorship, community and connections have a profoundly protective effect against trafficking, offending and violence.

Here’s what some of the leaders who attended BRAVE had to say:

“One girl that has always been a troubled child started to see her worth. She improved her grades, wanted to participate in school activities and asked for help after school. Her whole attitude changed. She truly turned her bad attitude into something good. The speakers really touched her heart. She realizes that she can do anything she puts her mind to.”

“I thought it was just amazing. The message is so positive and uplifting. When I saw how happy the girls were, it gave me chills. I felt very empowered. Thank you so much. We would love to participate again next year.”

The girls themselves described the event as “amazing” and “hopeful” and especially looked forward to shopping at the pop-up thrift store and learning from the speakers.

We are so hopeful for the impact that the BRAVE 2023 event will have. We hope you are, too! For more information, follow Salvationist Women on Instagram or Facebook, or email rebekah.mcneilly@ salvationarmy.ca.

Rebekah McNeilly is the social media and resource co-ordinator for women’s ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Last year’s BRAVE events included an ice cream truck, pop-up thrift store and fun activities

Driving Innovation

BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER

bike-lending

In 2021, the Canada and Bermuda Territory introduced innovation grants, a call to action for ministry units across the territory to think creatively about their service to their communities.

In the first year, $2 million was allocated to the grants, funding 42 new projects. The following year, $3 million was distributed to 64 different initiatives that introduced original, exciting programs and offerings to the communities in which The Salvation Army serves. Now, as we enter 2023, another round of grants will open to proposals, with a commitment of $4 million in funding.

“These grants are a great opportunity for ministry units to respond to dreams and ideas that may have only been conceptual had they not had the funds to do it,” says Major Doug Binner of the mission department, territorial headquarters, who chaired the innovation grant committee in 2022. He now passes leadership over to Lt-Colonel Tiffany Marshall, assistant secretary for mission.

“A key to the innovation grant program is to learn from innovators across the territory and identify new ways to advance our mission in all expressions of The Salvation Army, in our corps, community and social services. This is an area we hope to build upon this year,” says Lt-Colonel Marshall.

The innovation grants were initiated to give the territory opportunity and resources to be more creative in ministry. New and innovative projects continue to emerge across Canada and Bermuda, such as feeding programs, seniors’ groups, connection centres, community gardens, cooking classes and art collectives.

“This most recent round of proposals had all kinds of very creative and interesting ideas,” says Major Binner. “Many of them were rooted in the theme of connection—connection with community, with specific groups of people and with The Salvation Army.”

One initiative that offers connection to people in Victoria is the new bike-lending program at Victoria Citadel, which received an innovation grant in 2021 and launched “Wheels for Family Wellness” in 2022.

Wellness on Wheels

After conducting a community survey to determine what families in Victoria needed most, the Next Steps Resource Centre at Victoria Citadel determined that one of the top needs was free or affordable activities for families.

“Parents want their children to do fun things and be active, but many can’t afford it,” says Major Catherine Burrows, corps officer. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do that is costfriendly?’ and we prayed about it.”

When the territorial call for innovation grants came in 2021, Victoria Citadel proposed a new program that would benefit families looking for new and affordable experiences, connect them with The Salvation Army and contribute to overall health and wellness. Wheels for Family Wellness allows families, and anyone else wanting an adventure, to borrow bicycles and other equipment such as helmets, safety kits and locks from the resource centre for up to two weeks, with an option to extend the loan if the bike is not spoken for.

“Riding a bike is considered such a normal experience for children, but if you’re disadvantaged or low income, you may not have the same opportunity,” says Michelle O’Connor, resource centre co-ordinator. “When we began researching what bike programs existed in Victoria, we found bike rentals where you use your credit card, put down a deposit and pay for use, but there was nothing in the city for free.”

After submitting their proposal in July 2021, the resource centre at Victoria Citadel received approval from the innovation grant committee for more than $56,000 to launch Wheels for Family Wellness, with an official grand opening in June 2022.

“We purchased 25 bikes from a local vendor to keep the funds within our own community,” says O’Connor. “The grand opening was a success and we loaned out every bike, but we also noticed a few gaps in what we offered. We needed more bikes for children and women, because most people who came through were single moms with young kids. So, we purchased six more bikes.”

Wheels for Family Wellness is an initiative that will help improve mental and physical health, create bonding opportunities for families and connect people with other resources available to them through The Salvation Army in Victoria.

Innovation grant projects offer creative expressions of ministry, such as a bike-lending program in Victoria.

The National Advisory Board (NAB) visits Victoria Citadel and tests out their

program. From left, Ana Tomas, NAB member; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Paul Koreen, NAB chair; and Ricardo Stanford, NAB member

Photo: Lt-Col John Murray

For Any Need

Wheels for Family Wellness is open to anyone in the community, no matter the need.

“One family has a daughter who is in the process of transitioning between a child-size bike and the next size up. She’s not quite ready or comfortable on the larger bike, so her parents did not want to purchase a new one yet,” explains O’Connor. “They borrowed a bike from us to help her get used to it. She’s been practising for a few weeks now.”

Another family from Ukraine who visits Victoria Citadel for assistance lives nearly two hours away, a journey that includes a 40-minute walk to the bus stop. The parents borrow bikes and a tag-along trailer for their toddler, so they can ride their bikes together to the bus stop.

Sonia, a resident of Vancouver who borrowed bikes and equipment for her family of four, thanks The Salvation Army for providing her family not only with experiences, but with memories.

“We realized how much we absolutely love bike riding as a family and exploring new trails, or even the downtown roads,” says Sonia. “It is a very different experience from driving in a car or walking. This is an incredibly kind and generous program to borrow bikes from their bike-lending library, like a library book. We created memories that will last a lifetime, all thanks to The Salvation Army.”

The bike-lending program offers a total of 31 bikes with sizes available for everyone from young children to adults

Sonia and her husband, Kam, explore the city with son, Armaan, nine, and daughter, Asha, six

The Gift of Years

BY MAJOR SHIRLEY KING

(PSALM 92:12-14)

It’s weird being the same age as old people. Just a few short months ago, I celebrated a significant birthday—65. How quickly the years flew by. While others might think I require a little more time and help—and although my body feels the effects of 65 years of wear and tear—I don’t feel that old. In my heart and mind, I’m only 33! There is still so much that needs to be done, and I still want to make a difference wherever the Lord leads me.

Scripture records many remarkable individuals who demonstrated purpose, influence and impact in the later stages

of their lives. Abram was 75 when God asked him to leave his country and set out for a new land and promised to bless the whole world through him. Moses was 80 when he led the people of Israel out of Egypt and on a journey to the Promised Land. The prophet, Anna, a widow who spent her days fasting and praying at the temple, was 84 when she recognized Jesus and spoke about him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Growing older does not have to mean giving up or stepping aside. In Aging: The Fulfilment of Life, authors Henri Nouwen and Walter J. Gaffney write, “Aging is

not a reason for despair, but a basis of hope, not a slow decaying but a gradual maturing, not a fate to be undergone but a chance to be embraced.” As people live longer and healthier lives than previous generations, seniors are a rapidly growing segment of the population. Do we see the opportunities for ministry by, with and for older adults?

The Age Wave Statistics Canada reports that seniors over the age of 85 are the fastest growing age group in the country. The 85-andolder population could reach more than

Are we making the most of the wisdom, knowledge and experience of older people?

“

The righteous will ... still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green”

2.7 million by 2050, as the last cohort of baby boomers turns 85. In July 2022, 7.3 million Canadians were 65 and older, and this number is projected to grow to 9.5 million—almost one quarter of the population—by 2030. In addition to demographic projections, Stats Canada has identified that:

• Older Canadians are top volunteers.

• About three quarters of seniors in Canada are grandparents.

• Older Canadians are providing care or help to their loved ones.

We can’t ignore the story these statistics tell. They can be the spark to chart a course for strategic ministry opportunities. In Catch the Age Wave: A Handbook for Effective Ministry with Senior Adults, first published in 1999, authors Win and Charles Arn asked: “Who can deny that the ‘age wave’ just starting to break on our national shores provides a flood tide opportunity for the church?”

The question begs to be answered, not only by local, provincial and national governments and systems, but also by the church: How are we responding to the wave they anticipated, which will continue to impact our world for decades to come? How are we meeting the opportunities and challenges facing our aging world? How do we capitalize on the value of mission and discipleship by, with and for older people?

Considering the Canadian landscape, we need to hear again these words from Scripture: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). This information is like a gold mine for the local church and challenges me to ask: What are the opportunities for intergenerational ministry, for ministry to caregivers, for recruitment of volunteers?

A Time of Being

In An Age of Opportunity: Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults, author Richard Gentzler Jr. describes three stages of aging. The first stage, from birth to about 30, is a time of acquiring, defined by learning, growing and being equipped for adulthood. The second stage, from 30 to about 60 years, is a time of doing, characterized by working and pursuing career goals, marrying and raising families. The third stage, from 60 to 90 years or death, is a time of being, of engaging with the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and experience.

As I age, I understand a little more of what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13. Allow me to paraphrase. When we were young, we played our games, went to school and exercised faith (as much as we understood that to be), experiencing each epic event without realizing that we were being shaped by our social networks and influences. As we grow older and continue to mature, we look at life through the experiences we have had, whether consciously or subconsciously.

As we journey through life, our experiences contribute to and create an intricate design that reflects all we have learned. At every stage of our lives, there is meaning and purpose, a time for continued discovery and engagement.

What a beautiful, rich gift the Lord is giving the church as a generation of people reach a stage in their lives when they have accumulated experience, stories, wisdom and maturity. Like the psalmist, we can proclaim: “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation” (Psalm 71:17-18).

A Gracious Gift Aging is a natural part of life that can be deeply rewarding. To grow old is a blessing that not everyone receives. A long life is a gracious gift from God.

A theology of healthy aging recognizes that aging is a spiritual journey. It gives us an opportunity to deepen our relationship with the God who has promised to love, guide, bless and sustain us. At every stage of our lives, we continue to live under the shadow of the Ancient of Days, the One who always was and forever will be.

I am mindful of the harsh realization that growing older often comes with complex physical and cognitive ailments. We must also be aware that our spiritual lives can still be challenged on many fronts in our older years. Sometimes the events of our lives rise to overwhelm us and rob us of our joy. In realizing this, we must remember that not every believer grows stronger in aging, so we pray with the psalmist, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” (Psalm 71:9).

As we grow older, we have a sacred responsibility to make the most of our gift of years to help make the world a

better place. We can determine within ourselves, and with the grace that comes from the God of all the ages, to live as best we can to “grow ripe with life and love,” as Parker Palmer writes in On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old.

Vantage Point

One of the birthday cards I received for my 65th birthday held a sentiment that caused me to reflect on aging. It said, “They call this age a milestone. Actually, it’s a vantage point; a peak from which you can look back on how far you’ve already come and chart your course for the future.”

I’m not sure I would have thought of growing older as a vantage point, but it definitely is—a place from which I can look back and recognize where God’s hand has gently, insistently and consistently guided me through the years of my life, in the people I have met, the places I have lived, the ministry opportunities I have had and the travels I’ve been privileged to experience.

So, I am embracing the final words of the card: “There’s so much more exploring to do and fun to be had. But for now, take a deep breath and savour where you are in the adventure.”

Major Shirley King is the adult ministries secretary in the Ontario Division.

This is the first in a series of three articles on aging. Look for the next one in our March/April issue.

For Further Reading

• Aging and Spirituality: Spiritual Dimensions of Aging Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, by David O. Moberg

• Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults over 50, by Amy Hanson

• Elders Rising: The Promise and Peril of Aging, by Roland D. Martinson

• From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, by Arthur C. Brooks

• On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, by Parker J. Palmer

• Squint: Re-visioning the Second Half of Life, by Margit Novack

Illustration: Ekaterina Skorik/iStock via Getty Images Plus/Lisa Suroso

Shine On!

In the dark days of winter, let’s light the world with God’s love.

January has often been labelled the most difficult month of year (I’ve said this myself). In this month, we find ourselves in the throes of winter and spring seems far away. The sun hides as bad weather makes frequent appearances. Colds and flu seem to be everywhere. Plus, the colours, lights, decorations and special feelings of Christmas are all but gone. Some would describe these feelings as the postChristmas blues, the long and dreary days of winter or sun deprivation.

So, what do we do when the Christmas decorations are put away and we’re left with the extra bills from Christmas shopping, a few extra pounds from the Christmas baking and a touch of winter gloom?

These feelings of weariness and gloom may even translate into our spiritual walk. Perhaps we still have a passion for Jesus, but it’s in hibernation for reasons we might find hard to articulate. When the holiday excitement of the miraculous birth story, the visit of the angels and the Wise Men has worn off, and the transcendent music has all been put away for another year, we are left with the ordinary stories of Jesus to sustain us.

I think our most important challenge is to hang on to Jesus. I admit, it’s not easy to live in the awe and wonder of the King of Kings when it is cold, stormy and dreary (literally and figuratively). The problem, of course, is us. Jesus is just as

wonderful and miraculous as he was at Christmas. The abundant grace of Jesus is as boundless in the middle of January as it is on December 25. The light of Jesus doesn’t go out when the lights of the season are put away. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

In ancient biblical times, it was the Jewish tradition to light up the city during festivals. Isaiah spoke of a Messiah who would be a light for all nations (see Isaiah 49:6). As the pillar of light led the Israelites through the desert at night (see Exodus 13:21), so Jesus leads us through the darkness of this world.

Light cannot be anything other than what it is. It dispels darkness; it enables us to see what we are doing. God is light and because we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, so are we. We are to be God’s light ambassadors on this earth, shining for him. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

BY LT-COLONEL ROXANNE JENNINGS Photo:

If Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone (see John 1:9), what does it mean for us to be his lights? It’s obvious that our light is not selfgenerated but rather a reflection of the light of Jesus. As we walk in his light, his goodness will illumine us and his truth shine through us. Our every situation and circumstance are opportunities to live an active faith, sharing the truth of who God is. The light we spill

out diminishes the darkness, giving a glimpse of what God wants to do, can do and would love to do in our lives.

As you think about Jesus, who came to be the light of the world, I encourage you to think about what kind of light you need:

• As the creator of light, may God be given space to create light in your life (see Genesis 1:3).

• When you’re fearful, may his light make you brave (see Psalm 27:1).

• If you are needing direction, may his light show you the way (see Psalm 119:105).

• May the light of Jesus chase away the darkness of loneliness, despair, hopelessness, confusion, hurt or anger (see John 8:12).

• May we be a witness to the light of Jesus by the way we live (see Matthew 5:16).

May we passionately pursue a relationship with Jesus, one that renews our hope, joy and trust in him, as we experience a deeper and abiding awareness of his presence in our life.

Shine on Christmas lights! Even when we’re unplugged for the season, may we hold the brightness of Jesus in our hearts and light the world with his love.

Lt-Colonel Roxanne Jennings is the secretary for personnel in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

The Posture of Leadership

BY MAJOR LESLIE WISEMAN

understanding that we do not have all the answers (or skills), nor should we. We need others. Humility prevents us from using our authority to indulge our preferences. It enables us to be in the background, in support of others. Humility offers the ability to own our mistakes. A humble leader does not think of themselves more highly than they ought to.

If you do a little research, you will discover that upwards of 60,000 leadership books are available on Amazon, with more than 1,000 published each year. The leadership market is saturated with information for learning and development. And yet it has also been said that for every 10 leadership books, there is one good leader.

From this I surmise that not all opinions and practices are helpful and, more importantly, that learning about leadership is much easier than leading. There are many definitions and styles of leadership. It is an art rather than a science.

I’ll be honest—I am one of the leadership market consumers. My bookshelves are lined with bestselling books from secular and spiritual, corporate and church leaders. The study of leadership fascinates me as I ponder different expressions and interpretations of the art.

With a limitless amount of information, resources and training available to us, discerning what is useful and applicable can be daunting. Yet, as leaders (officers, employees, soldiers, adherents, etc.) serving within all expressions of The Salvation Army, it is critical. To evaluate a book or resource, I use a three-step filter:

1. Does what I’m learning contradict the life and leadership modelled by Jesus?

2. Does it align with both organizational and personal values?

3. Will it equip me to advance the mission to which I’m called?

I’m not a leadership expert. On the contrary, I am a learner who leads and coaches other learners who lead. For me, study, reflection and observation have served as a distillation process. I have come to believe that while setting a direction, moving toward a goal, empowering and collaborating are important underpinning qualities, the essence of leadership is a posture. Turning our attention here may help us re-evaluate our own leadership styles and reconsider our recruitment approach.

As Salvationists, we understand that there is no shortage of positions. This is normal and necessary for organization and governance. If we’re not careful, we can fall into the trap of believing that leadership is reserved for certain positions. That way of thinking will devalue our own leadership and may hinder the incredible opportunity we have to be influential, right where we are, with the people around us and the resources we have.

An effective leader exercises a posture of humility, learning and service. Humility includes the self-awareness to know our strengths and our growth areas. It is

A posture of learning involves curiosity. An influential leader asks good questions and is open to different opinions and perspectives. Learning requires reflection. To quote American philosopher John Dewey: “We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” Reflection is an important practice for every leader, as we ask questions such as, “How did I handle that situation? What did I learn? What would I do differently next time? How did others experience me? Do I owe anyone an apology? What am I proud of?”

A posture of learning requires attentive listening. It’s a good practice to try listening more and talking less, creating space for others to feel heard and understood. This applies to anyone, beginning with those closest to us. Think of a time when you felt heard and understood. What was that experience like? We can show we value people by listening well.

In sync with humility and learning is the posture of service. Leadership is never about the leader; it is about helping others become better. Service is making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. A servant leader acknowledges the work of others, appreciates their contribution, accommodates their needs and provides autonomy.

The posture of leadership highlights the importance of character. Character always trumps competency. Competencies and skills can be learned, but character is who you are. As Christ-followers, our character is formed and nourished through abiding in him, the true vine. Staying close to Jesus in this way will result in fruitful and flourishing leadership, influencing others toward transformational growth.

Major Leslie Wiseman is the corps mission secretary for the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

An effective leader prioritizes humility, learning and service.

Photo: ibravery/stock.Adobe.com

As we continue our series on the foundations of a healthy corps, Major Leslie Wiseman explores leadership.

Full Salvation

Holy living is becoming more and more like Jesus.

BY KEVIN SLOUS

To be holy is to be set apart. In the July/August issue of Salvationist, Lt-Colonel Andrew Morgan, who took up a new appointment as the officer commanding of the Italy and Greece Command on September 1, reminded us that “Because of my response to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in me, guides me and has control of my life as I give him control. He sets me apart as different … my everyday life should show I am different.” Holy living is more than what we stay away from; it encompasses all of how we choose to engage life. Holy living reflects God’s character and how he engages the world he loves.

Throughout Scripture, we see that God’s holiness is our source of life, but also that it can be a dangerous reality to those continuing to live according to our fallen nature, corrupted by sin. However, when we turn to God in repentance and faith, his holiness also brings new life and transformation to what was once dead apart from him.

At the risk of over-simplification, holy living is the lived experience of disciples who are being made more and more like Jesus. It is marked by what early Salvationists termed “full salvation.” It’s

our “blood and fire” theology—salvation and sanctification—expressed in daily life: a living demonstration that “Now, I belong to Jesus. I am his.”

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Holy living testifies that my identity is found and determined primarily in and by Christ. Having been set free through the blood of Jesus, I find salvation from the power of sin. I no longer need to fall prey to the schemes of the devil. I can stand and live victorious in Christ. I have turned toward God, put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and have been brought to new life, in and through him.

William and Catherine Booth were influenced by the American evangelist Charles Finney and used his revival teachings often in the early years of The Salvation Army: “Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one’s own will to God in deep humility.”

Renewal and revival can be experienced today as we give ourselves wholly to Jesus, surrendering all we have and are to him and his purposes in our lives.

Lord, my will I here present thee Gladly, now no longer mine; Let no evil thing prevent me Blending it with thine.

Lord, my life I lay before thee; Hear this hour the sacred vow; All thine own I now restore thee, Thine forever now.

Glory, glory, hallelujah! I have given my all to God; And I now have full salvation Through the precious blood. (Charles W.L. Christien, SASB 602)

Being purified and recreated in Christ’s image through the fire of the Holy Spirit, we can experience sanctification, being set apart for God’s purposes in and through our lives. This is a daily commitment: a resolve to live enlivened and empowered by God’s Spirit, allowing him to shape us more and more in his image, reflecting who he is to the world we live in. This requires abiding, as Jesus impresses on his disciples: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Holy living demonstrates the reality that we are set apart. We are his. And we are becoming more like Jesus as we seek to live continued, obedient faith.

Holy living is not about attaining a level of moral superiority, and certainly not about exhibiting a “holier-than-thou” attitude. It is a humble, lived recognition that all we are, and all we are becoming in Christ, is through him. As Paul reminds his readers: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

Our holiness is only “good enough” through and because of God’s holiness, imparted to us through Jesus. His holiness becomes ours. As new creations, we are called and enabled to live that reality.

Slous is the territorial secretary for spiritual life development.

Kevin

Photo: thanasus/iStock via Getty Images Plus

As we continue the second half of our spiritual life series, in which we are examining what it means to have a “CHRIST-centred, OTHERS-focused” faith, we turn to the transformation of holy living (H) in discipleship.

God’s Beloved

BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK

I’ve always been driven and goal oriented, so after being introduced to the Enneagram, a system of personality typing, it came as little surprise to discover that I am a Type Three, also known as “The Achiever.” The Enneagram Institute describes Threes— ahem, me—as “self-assured, attractive and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, [Threes] can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement.” Note: goal oriented.

Which makes New Year’s an interesting time for me.

Every January, as the calendar switches from one year to another, I— along with the rest of the world—face an onslaught of advertisements, blog posts and Instagram reels convincing me to do something that comes naturally: set goals! What could be better than external encouragement to discipline myself toward advancement and achievement, right?

But although setting goals can be positive and healthy when done well, far too often it can also lead to a false sense of control in a chaotic world. Goals can become an unrealistic plumb line of worth, dignity and love when they become the primary way in which we measure success and value.

Take, for example, the common goal of losing weight and increasing physical fitness. While this is something worth striving toward, what happens if, shortly after setting such a goal, you experience a health crisis? Or perhaps you’ve set a goal to finish an academic program, another worthy objective, only to lose your job, or have your children pivot back to online learning, or any number of realities that could jeopardize your studies?

There will always be circumstances outside of our control that may affect our ability to stick with a goal, no matter how well intentioned or planned out it is. And if, when we fail at attaining our goal, our

sense of worth deteriorates—well, that’s a slippery slope to be on.

Because here’s the truth: there is no resolution that, if kept, will make us more worthy of love and respect. And there is no resolution that, if kept, will make life any less uncertain or allow us to hold

a single miracle, had not called a single disciple, had not preached a single sermon—and yet, the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke truth: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

The original word for “pleased” used in this verse has no tense—perhaps a challenging concept for those of us who understand reality in either the past, present or future.

For a term like “pleased” to be without tense means, rather poignantly, that God’s pleasure with Jesus has no beginning or end, no starting line or expiration date—it merely is.

And this is the same with us. God is pleased with us, too, from the moment we are formed in the womb, just like my love for my own children is not dependent upon, well, anything really. I loved them the first moment I held them in my arms, and I still love them even when they are defiant or grumpy or whether they attain their goals or not.

If I love my children that way, how much greater does God, the good parent, love us, his creation—his children! His love is not dependent upon good behaviour or acts of service or goals met. God just loves us because we are, and that’s enough.

firm to that which is beyond our control.

God loves us 100 percent before we do even one percent. We are God’s beloved, regardless of the success of our New Year’s resolutions.

God modelled this beautifully at Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus met with John the Baptist along the shores of the Jordan River, he had not yet started his earthly ministry. He had not performed

So, this new year, as we box up Christmas decorations and pull out our stretchy pants and, yes, perhaps even set some New Year’s resolutions, let’s remember that we do not need to perform to achieve God’s favour. Our ability to improve our skill set or shrink our waistline has no bearing on our inherent dignity and worth as one made in the image of God.

Laura Van Schaick is the corps officer at Barrhaven Church in Ottawa and the divisional secretary for women’s ministries in the Ontario Division.

Captain

Photo:

HOPE: Stories of Survival

HOPE: Stories of Survival is the first full-length film produced by The Salvation Army U.S.A. Eastern Territory and winner of a New York Emmy Award for best documentary (cultural). Released in September 2022, HOPE: Stories of Survival is an anti-human trafficking documentary featuring the stories of three American survivors of human trafficking, who were sold from as young as eight years old. It explores their day-to-day experiences after trauma recovery and their journeys of courage, empowerment, trust and hope.

“Human trafficking is a pervasive injustice that impacts millions of people worldwide,” says Arielle Curry, the territorial anti-trafficking co-ordinator for the U.S.A. Eastern Territory. “This unique and powerful documentary sheds light on the strength and resiliency found inside survivors of human trafficking rather than solely focusing on the trauma. Rachel, Tammy and T offer hope to all viewers through their vulnerable and brave look inside their journeys.”

Directed by Joseph Pritchard, director of internal communications for the U.S.A. Eastern Territory, HOPE: Stories of Survival raises awareness of the pervasiveness of the human labour industry, of which sex trafficking accounts for 81 percent. The film also spreads awareness of The Salvation Army’s anti-human trafficking programs.

“In Rachel, Tammy and T, we found three courageous,

The Dog Who Wanted to Play

BY MAJOR FRED ASH

generous and inspiring women willing to share their stories and show us how they took back control of their lives,” says Pritchard. “I want people who see this film to join The Salvation Army in raising awareness about the horrific realities of human trafficking and lend support to its victims. But, most of all, I want to share the message of hope that these women discovered during their recovery process and let victims and survivors know that they are not alone.”

HOPE: Stories of Survival is available for purchase on Amazon as a DVD or digital download.

Whosoever

BY REND COLLECTIVE

The Dog Who Wanted to Play is an award-winning children’s book by Salvationist author and retired officer Major Fred Ash. It is a parable inspired by the poem The Hound of Heaven, written in 1890 by English poet Francis Thompson, in which Thompson pictures God as a great hound pursuing him relentlessly. Major Ash thought, What if God were a playful puppy chasing after a child whom he wanted to save?

While The Dog Who Wanted to Play can be read as an ordinary story about a boy and a dog, it can also be read as a parable about people who run away from God. Tommy, the main character, runs away from Dog because he is afraid of Dog. Many people run from God for the same reason. But Dog still follows Tommy everywhere. When Tommy is at the lowest point in the story, alone and lost in the darkness, Dog shows up. It is then that Tommy learns to trust Dog, and they become friends. It is often at the lowest point in our lives that we learn to truly trust God.

The Dog Who Wanted to Play won best children’s fiction book of 2022 from the Word Awards for Canadian Christian writers.

Major Ash has a long association with The Salvation Army’s editorial department, including being appointed editor of youth publications for Canada and Bermuda in 1978, editing for The War Cry, and becoming the first editor of Faith & Friends. Over the years he has written hundreds of articles for Army publications.

The Dog Who Wanted to Play is available to purchase from Amazon and Chapters Indigo.

Rend Collective’s newest studio album, Whosoever, uses modern worship to remind their audience that the gospel is for everyone. According to the band, Whosoever is based on the claim made in John 3:16, “God so loved the world,” which says that God’s love is allencompassing.

“This album is about the wide, generous embrace of God that is offered to us with no asterisks or fine print,” says Rend Collective on their Instagram. “It’s been an amazing experience to hear how these songs have had a deep impact on people. We’ve been hearing a lot about how the song Hallelujah Anyway has been helping to lift a song in praise even in the darkest times.”

With similar hooks and stirring rhythms as popular tracks My Lighthouse and Counting Every Blessing, the new 10-track album features comforting lyrics rooted in Scripture that invite every person to encounter God in their own way.

Photos: Johnny Shyr

MONTREAL—Five senior soldiers and one adherent are enrolled at Light of Hope Family Church and presented with a journal and Bible. From left, Sandra Herrera, Mariela Espinosa, Deisy Munoz, Wendy Elizabeth Velasquez and Ismael Tolentino, senior soldiers; and Alonso Toscano, adherent. Back, Cpt Aida Munoz-Perez, CO and community ministries officer.

HAMILTON, BERMUDA—Sheldon Fox II is commissioned as the Bermuda divisional bandmaster by Mjr Rob Kerr, DC, Bermuda Div, at an all-island corps worship service at North Street Citadel.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—Three junior soldiers are enrolled at Mount Pearl Corps. Front, from left, Kathryn Hawkins, Aaliyah Cowan and Emilee Russell, junior soldiers. Back, from left, Mjr Lisa Hillier, CO; Sara Hawkins and Joy Loveless, leaders of Ready to Serve; and Mjr Morgan Hillier, CO.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Annette Hedges celebrates retirement after 11 years of faithful service as the corps sergeant-major at St. John’s Citadel. From left, Mjr Darryl Simms, CO; CSM Annette Hedges; and Mjr Cathy Simms, CO.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Two senior soldiers are enrolled at St. John’s Citadel. From left, Mjr Darryl Simms, CO; Riley Stairs; Jonathan Winsor; and Mjr Cathy Simms, CO. Back, ACSM John Pike, holding the flag.

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Do you know the difference between the CCM and the CSM? What about the YPSM and JSS? And what exactly is a TPWM? See below for a list of some common acronyms that appear in the pages of Salvationist.

BM/SL—bandmaster/songster leader

CC—community church

CCM/CCMS—community care ministries/community care ministries secretary

CFOT—College for Officer Training

CO—corps officer

CS—chief secretary

CSM/YPSM—corps sergeantmajor/young people’s sergeantmajor

EDS—emergency disaster services

IHQ/THQ/DHQ—International Headquarters/territorial headquarters/divisional headquarters

Guidelines for Tributes

JPCC—Jackson’s Point Conference Centre

JSS—junior soldier sergeant

NRO—National Recycling Operations

RS—recruiting sergeant

TC/DC/AC—territorial commander/ divisional commander/area commander

TPWM/TSWM/DDWM/DSWM— territorial president of women’s ministries/territorial secretary for women’s ministries/divisional director of women’s ministries/ divisional secretary for women’s ministries

Tty/Cmd/Rgn/Div—Territory/ Command/Region/Division

Salvationist will print tributes (maximum 200 words), at no cost, as space permits. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Tributes should be received within three months of the promotion to glory and include: community where the person resided, corps involvement, Christian ministry, conversion to Christ, survivors. Send the tribute and a high-resolution digital photo or high-resolution scan of an original photo (TIFF, EPS or JPG; 300 ppi) by email to salvationist@salvationarmy.ca.

TRIBUTES

TORONTO—Catherine Heasman-Fairbank was born in Brantford, Ont., in 1931. After moving to Toronto, her family worshipped at Danforth Corps where Cath was involved in many activities for young people, such as singing company and corps cadets. She later became a songster and leader of Sunday school. Cath married Bill Heasman in 1951. She loved her Army family and spent many hours phoning, sending cards and visiting shut-ins and the bereaved. Cath was the league of mercy secretary for 10 years, and worked in pastoral care at Scarborough Grace Hospital, giving comfort to many. In 2016, Cath married Gordon Fairbank whom she had known since their teenage years. They enjoyed the years they had together. Cath was a role model of gentleness, gracefulness and godliness. Cath leaves behind her children, Will, Elaine and Dave; three grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; brother, Ken; sister-in-law, Lois; brother-in-law, Gord; and stepchildren Geoffrey and Cathy with their families.

TORONTO—Clifford Edward Cummings was born at The Salvation Army Grace Hospital in Halifax in 1929 to Salvation Army officers, Florence and Ambrose Cummings. In 1944, his family moved to Toronto where Cliff graduated from East York Collegiate. Cliff spent 28 years teaching in the Scarborough Board of Education system. He was involved in the Scarborough Men Teachers Curling League and, after retiring, began reading for the blind at the Canadian Blind Mission where he volunteered for 15 years. Cliff served as a songster, junior band leader, deputy bandmaster and, for close to 80 years, a band member at Danforth Citadel/Agincourt Temple Community Church. He was also a member of Heritage Brass. He was actively involved in the Salvation Army Danforth hockey league in his late teens and 20s. Predeceased by his son, Mark (Lynn), Cliff is fondly remembered by his wife, Shirley; children Timothy, Deborah and Jonathan (Michele); brother, Donald (Doreen); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

VICTORIA—David James Perry was a Salvation Army officer in Canada for 30 years, an employee of McCall Bros., and a visitation pastor for Victoria Citadel. He took great pleasure in visiting the shut-in members of the congregation and others to make sure they weren’t forgotten. David was a member of the Rotary Club for 40 years and received the Paul Harris Fellowship. Loving husband of June, David leaves his son, David Jr. (Shirley); daughters HeatherLynn (Gilles) Rivard and Brenda (Wade) Parrish; stepdaughter, Tracey Leigh (Dan) Bartie; daughter-in-law, Lynn; brothers Cliff (Mary-Anne) and Lorne (Bonnie); sister, Ilene Keam; former wife, Eleanor; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Dave was predeceased by his son, Len Perry; daughter, Colleen Landry; brothers Samuel, Donald, Wesley, William, Robert and Gilbert; and sister, Gertude.

OTTAWA—Mjr Herbert Sharp Jr. was a true follower of Jesus and lived his life serving others. He was commissioned in 1977 and for 49 years, he shared in many areas of ministry with his wife, Kathie. Together, they pastored at churches in Quebec and across Ontario. In retirement, Herbert was the emotional and spiritual care specialist for emergency disaster services in Canada. He was promoted to glory at the Ottawa Civic Hospital after a fight with cancer, with family and his wife by his side. Those he loved knew him as a special man, a great friend, a loving husband and a servant of God. He was well respected by all and left a wonderful Christian legacy. His children, Kathleen (Jordan), Tim, Laura (Mario), Kimberly (Jeremy) and Johnathan, grieve the loss of their father and mentor. Herbert leaves behind brothers Ivan (Pam) and Harold (Kerri-Leigh); sister, Dorothy; and six grandchildren.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—At Mount Pearl Corps, Mjrs Lisa and Morgan Hillier, COs, enrol Julie Dawe, Megan Dawe and Lydia Nixon as junior soldiers. Back, Aubrey Vincent, holding the flag.

HAMPDEN, N.L.—Guy Regular was born on Sops Island, N.L., and as a young child moved with his parents to Hampden. He was promoted to glory at the age of 77. As a young man, he gave his heart to the Lord, and for the rest of his life he played an active role in the Hampden Corps. He served for many years as corps sergeant-major and loved to preach the Word of God wherever he was needed. Guy was predeceased by his parents Gilbert and Dora Regular; in-laws James and Stella Warren; brothers Calvin and Baxter; and nephew, Aubrey Randell. Married to Edna, who passed just three months after him, Guy leaves to mourn his daughter, Lisa (Wayne); son, Brian (Tanya); six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four brothers; two sisters; seven sisters-in-law; and five brothers-in-law.

HAMPDEN, N.L.—Edna Regular (nee Warren) was born in Hampden and promoted to glory at the age of 76. Edna was a quiet person who loved the Lord and served him faithfully. She played the piano accordion and served as the corps treasurer at Hampden Corps. Edna was predeceased by her husband, Guy; parents James and Stella Warren; and in-laws Gilbert and Dora Regular. She leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories her children, Lisa (Wayne) and Brian (Tanya); six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters; six sisters-in-law; and eight brothers-in-law.

SEAL COVE, FORTUNE BAY, N.L.—Joan Loveless (nee Johnson) was born in 1955 and grew up in Jobs Cove, Conception Bay North, N.L. After her marriage to her husband, Charlie, she moved to Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, where Joan taught elementary school classes. At the Seal Cove Corps, Joan was involved in many youth ministries, including being a Brownie leader, Sunday school teacher and young people’s treasurer. Even after she retired from these duties, she led children’s time in the Sunday services. Joan leaves behind her loving sons Wayne and Kevin Loveless; sisters Eileen and Phillis Johnson; brothers Doug (Ann Marie) and Roger Johnson; nieces Katherine, Nicole and Samantha; along with many friends, former colleagues, students and former clergy of the Seal Cove Corps.

BURLINGTON, ONT.—Major Joyce Creighton was born in St. Catharines, Ont., in 1930. After attending the College for Officer Training in Toronto, she served in Prescott, Ont., and Montreal. In 1955, she married Arthur Creighton and they had a lovely life together until his promotion to glory in 2018. They ministered together in Pembroke and Sudbury, Ont., Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver, and were appointed several times to Winnipeg and Toronto. They served twice in Germany, ministering to Canadian NATO forces through the Red Shield Services, and served abroad in Japan and Suriname. In retirement, they ministered in Flin Flon, Man., and then settled in Burlington. Joyce enjoyed ministering in hospitals and nursing homes. Joyce is deeply missed by her son, Bram (Katie), and grandsons Sasha and Reece.

FREDERICTON—Marlene Gail Russell was born in Downsview, Ont., in 1963. She loved her Lord and became a faithful soldier of The Salvation Army in 1987. Marlene was kind, compassionate and had a vibrant witness for Jesus. She was a band member in The Salvation Army for 37 years, played the tambourine with skill and continued to play with the band after she became blind. She was an active member of the women’s ministries at Fredericton Community Church, a faithful prayer warrior, and taught Sunday school and corps cadets with her son, Cody. Marlene will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In addition to Bill, her loving husband of 31 years, Marlene is survived by her sons Cadet Justin (Kaitlin) and Cody Russell; parents Frank and Bernice Foote; sister, Glenda Crawford (Don); niece, Heather Bown (Aaron); nephew, Philip Power (Alexa); and extended family and in-laws.

CLARENVILLE, N.L.—Peter Marsh was kind, gentle, humble and patient. Prayer and faith were essential parts of his life. He was very involved at the Clarenville Corps as a band member, prayer co-ordinator and leader of youth and men’s ministries. Peter enjoyed 32 years of marriage with his wife, Palma. Together they raised three children, Thomas, David and Kayla. Peter always made time for his children, to teach them about God, music, sports and coin-collecting. In the same way, he also fostered meaningful relationships with each of his grandkids. He leaves behind a large circle of cherished family and friends who will miss him dearly. His final days were spent enjoying the simple things in life: sitting with his family, listening to the birds, enjoying a pour-over coffee and Palma’s baking. The many hours together, listening to music, singing and sharing in conversations, will be remembered forever. Loved and missed always, well done good and faithful servant.

GAZETTE

INTERNATIONAL

Appointments: Jan 1—Mjrs Beatrice/Celestin Ayabagabo, TSWM/CS, Congo (Brazzaville) Tty, with rank of lt-col; Lt-Cols Blaise/Evelyne Kombo, RC/RPWM, Mali Region; Lt-Cols Jane/Paul Waters, TSWM/CS, Norway, Iceland and the Færoes Tty, with rank of col; Mjrs MacDonald Chandi/ Diana MacDonald, territorial leader for leader development/TC, Pakistan Tty, with rank of col; Feb 1—Cols Deslea/Phil Maxwell, CPWM/OC, Hong Kong and Macau Cmd

TERRITORIAL

Appointments: Lt-Col Ann Braund, divisional secretary for spiritual life development, B.C. Div; Mjr Michele Blake, CO, Dawson Creek, B.C. Div; Mjr Ed Dean, EDS specialist, Saskatchewan, Prairie Div (additional responsibility); Mjr Jeffrey Johnston, assistant property secretary, THQ; Cpt Zoltán Benedek (from Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Tty), assistant AC, Toronto, Ont. Div; Cpt Annabella Benedekné (from Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Tty), executive officer, chief secretary’s office, THQ; Lt Whitney Reid, EDS administration officer (pro tem), Maritime Div

Post-retirement ministry: Mjrs Anthony/Patricia Kennedy, COs, Oshawa Temple, Ont. Div

Long service: 30 years—Mjr Lillian Randell Retirement: Jan 1—Mjr Norman Garcia

Promoted to glory: Mjr Phyllis Percy, Oct 5; Mjr Herbert Sharp Jr., Oct 17; Mjr Betty Wilson, Oct 19; Mjr Karen Feltham, Oct 25; Mjr Eleanor Johnson, Oct 29; Cpt Maurice Collins, Nov 3; Mjr Clifford Faulkner, Nov 4; Mjr James Cooper, Nov 14

CALENDAR

Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd: Jan 10-13 divisional retreat, B.C. Div; Jan 17-19 Canadian Council of Churches Leaders Retreat (virtual; Commissioner Floyd Tidd only); Jan 22-23 CFOT, Winnipeg; Jan 23-24 divisional retreat, Prairie Div; Jan 30-Feb 2 divisional retreat, Maritime Div; Feb 2-3 National Advisory Board, Toronto; Feb 4-8 Mission Delivery Leaders Forum, Toronto; Feb 14-17 divisional retreat, Bermuda Div

Colonel Evie Diaz: Jan 10-12 divisional retreat, Alta. & N.T. Div; Jan 16-19 divisional retreat, Que. Div; Jan 27-28 Booth University College board of trustees meetings, Winnipeg; Jan 31-Feb 3 divisional retreat, Ont. Div; Feb 4-8 Mission Delivery Leaders Forum, Toronto

Canadian Staff Band: Feb 24-27 135th Caribbean Tty Anniversary Congress, Jamaica

Canadian Staff Songsters: Feb 4-5 Etobicoke Temple, Toronto

I Am”

As area commanders and public relations officers for The Salvation Army’s Maritime Division, Major Kelly Rideout and her husband, Major Paul Rideout, were touring the ministry units hardest hit by hurricane Fiona last year.

“Sometimes it’s a challenge to know what impact you’re having, what difference you’re making,” Major Kelly says. “Sometimes, Paul and I felt as if we were mere bystanders.”

However, when the couple visited one of the places that had been hit badly and she mentioned how she felt, the Salvation Army officer appointed there replied, “But that’s exactly what we need. We need you here to boost our morale and keep us encouraged, to keep us going.”

“That was proof,” says Major Kelly, “if I needed any, that what we were doing was necessary.”

Back-Seat Salvation

Major Kelly wasn’t born into the Army. Her mother was a Salvationist but when she married someone of another denomination, she started attending his church. That continued for a decade until they moved to a new community, when they reached out to the church and received no response.

“My mom really missed The Salvation Army and wanted to go back,” recalls Major Kelly, “and my dad had no problem with her wish.”

Just prior to that, Major Kelly’s aunt, who was a Salvationist, had started bringing her and her brother to the Army Sunday school.

“We’d pile into the back of our aunt’s station wagon with our cousins,” Major Kelly smiles now. “We loved it, so when

our parents asked us if we’d like to join The Salvation Army, we wanted to very much!”

The Path to Soldiership

Eventually, Major Kelly’s mother was reinstated as a soldier, and her father became one as well. The family became heavily involved in the life of their congregation. “Every night was busy,” Major Kelly remembers.

She became a junior soldier but soon aspired to more.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

“There was something happening that I was unaware of,” she says. “Looking back, I can see the influences in my life leading me to become an officer: good, solid, strong cadets and officers.

“My corps was close enough to St. John’s, N.L., that cadets would visit us on Sundays from the College for Officer Training. Getting to know them made a big impression on me.”

Her music teacher, retired officer Lt-Colonel Mary Lydall, was an important influence, too, as was her Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Dawe, who led her to Christ.

“Everyone, and more things than I can

think of, led me to soldiership.”

As a young person, Major Kelly was always encouraged to consider officership.

“Did I think I was a fit for officership? Absolutely not,” she says. “But I was 17 and it was only a couple of years before I realized that this was right. It was at this point in my life that I was discovering my own personal relationship and faith in Christ. And the confirmation of officership came from the fact that there was so much peace in it, that this was the path.”

Lining Up

Front-line officers for 28 years, this is the Rideouts’ first non-front-line position.

“It’s been a challenge for us and a lot of learning,” Major Kelly says. “But one of the reasons that we’ve embraced being in this position is because we’ve had leadership encourage us that we could do it, that we had something to bring. In and of ourselves—and I say our because Paul and I are both in this together, both area commanders—there’s affirmation that comes from that.

“And while we know that everything we do is not perfect,” she continues, “we give it what we have, as we have in any appointment. We’re action people; we find it difficult to just be, we have to be doing. It’s in our DNA as Salvationists.”

Major Kelly believes that God called her in the way she needed to be called, and she firmly believes and values the mission that she has been called to.

“That’s who we are as officers,” she says. “The Salvation Army is about believing. It lines up with my own personal belief system and my own convictions and my own theology. It lines up with where I am in my own life. Here I am.”

“Here

Everything in Major Kelly Rideout’s being has lined her up with The Salvation Army.

“I was discovering my own personal relationship and faith in Christ.” —Major Kelly Rideout

Good Work

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? According to a recent study, nearly 80 percent of people abandon their resolutions by February. No matter how good our intentions may be, we don’t always live up to our promises. Thankfully, God does.

The Bible tells us that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

What is that “good work”? We know that God is at work in our lives when we see the fruit of the Spirit. That’s love, joy and peace. Patience, kindness and goodness. Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Learning to be more like Jesus—now there’s a resolution worth keeping.

To start the new year with Jesus, visit our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4.

2023 I faithandfriends.ca

Photo: simona /stock.Adobe.com

Of Snakes and Survivor

Freelance writer and sports buff Jayne Thurber-Smith looked forward to interviewing Survivor Season 42 winner Maryanne Oketch, but she also had a special reason for wanting to chat with her fellow Canadian.

“I was hoping she would help me with my fear of snakes,” Jayne sheepishly admits.

The interview went well. “Maryanne was very sweet and giggly and she was a lot of fun over the phone,” Jayne reports. “But my fear of snakes was very minor league to her; she’s way too tough for me to emulate. When Maryanne commented that the only thing that really bothered her was when they burned a log with maggots in it, I almost got sick just picturing it. I now know for certain I am not Survivor material!”

Jayne’s article is on page 16.

Elsewhere in this month’s Faith & Friends, you’ll discover why a little red Bible was the key to a lifetime of salvation for one young man, you’ll see how The Salvation Army is making a difference on the island of Jamaica and you’ll read about a hurricane that brought two people together in Hawaii.

Congratulations to Jan Keats, whose “Mary’s Memories,” originally published in the November 2021 Faith & Friends , recently won The Word Guild’s award in the Profile/Human Interest & Short Feature category. The Word Guild comprises writers, editors, speakers, publishers, booksellers, librarians and other Christian individuals who are united in their passion for the written word.

Ken Ramstead

Mission Statement

To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.

Faith & Friends is published bimonthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4

International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England

Brian Peddle, GENERAL

Commissioner Floyd Tidd

TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS

Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY

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Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Kristin Ostensen

MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA

Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST

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DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

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Giselle Randall, Abbigail Oliver

STAFF WRITERS

Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version

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Love Among the Ruins

1992’s Hurricane Iniki is a reminder to two Salvation Army pastors that love conquers all.

by Jayne Thurber-Smith

Finding Love in the Midst of Tragedy Majors Debbie and Phil Lum today. “There’s a silver lining to everything,” says Major Phil

In September 2022, a year after the 20th anniversary of 9/11 was commemorated, Hawaiians marked the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki, the most destructive hurricane to strike the island in recorded history. The southside of Kauai, Hawaii’s northernmost island, became their ground zero.

The Category 4 storm was supposed to pass south of Kauai but turned north. Though the majority of residents were unprepared for Iniki to make landfall when and where it did, The Salvation Army was ready to serve when the storm hit.

Jurassic Park to the Rescue Captain Phil Lum, who now carries the rank of major, was in charge of The Salvation Army’s unit in the town of Koloa. He had staffed the community centre shelter, and they all watched as Iniki raged.

“It was a harrowing experience,” Phil remembers. “You could hear the wind slowly coming. You could hear tree branches breaking, and a huge utility pole snapped in half. There was an older house across the street—we saw first the roof go, then the walls, then the furniture, until the only thing left was a concrete pad

and a refrigerator. It was very scary.”

The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster relief efforts began immediately. Welcome contributions were made by director Steven Spielberg and his crew, who had been wrapping up filming the original Jurassic Park movie in the area.

“The outpouring of everyone’s generosity made it a blessed time in the midst a terrible time,” Phil says.

“The Jurassic Park people still had a lot of their equipment on the island and had huge generators for their set lighting. They donated the use of those temporarily while everyone was in need of electricity. Some parts of the island were without power for six months. Those generators were amazingly quiet because they had to be used on a movie set. They were so kind, they even allowed The Salvation Army to use their private plane when none of the commercial flights were flying.”

Getting to Know Each Other

When commercial flights did resume, college student Debbie Navarro flew in from the University of Hawaii to help her parents, who

were also Salvation Army pastors in Kauai at the time, reach out to those in need.

“There were little tents set up where long lines of people stood to make sure they were able to get water, ice, rice and canned foods that were provided,” Debbie remembers. “It was so neat to see the community unite.”

During the relief efforts, as Debbie and Phil helped others put their lives back together, their lives also merged together as they were continually working up close and personal.

“We had met in passing previously, but really got to know each other during the hurricane’s aftermath,” Debbie says. “Then I went back to school. That was the beginning of our long-distance relationship. It was before cellphones, so we got to connect through lots of letter writing. Spending all night talking on the phone made for expensive bills!”

“When we had been working together, we saw first-hand that we both had a strong desire to help and serve with The Salvation Army,” Phil recalls. “To find someone to share that passion to serve the Lord with was a godsend.”

“You could hear the wind slowly coming. You could hear tree branches breaking, and a huge utility pole snapped in half.” MAJOR PHIL LUM

Eye of the Storm Hurricane Iniki at peak intensity just south of Kauai on September 11, 1992

Debbie had three more years of college to work through, then two years at The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training.

“So we used those five years to get to know each other better,” Phil says. After Debbie was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army officer, the couple were married. “We had kept saying if it’s the Lord’s will, it will happen, and it will be in His timing. It was and it continues to be.”

Heaven-Made Match

Phil says the hurricane blew them together.

“There’s a silver lining to everything,” he says. “We were blessed to find love in the midst of tragedy.”

Their bond is made secure by the firm foundation that they have, in that they both love the Lord and trust His Word. Phil’s favourite Bible verse is Jeremiah 31:3.

“The Lord says, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness,’ ” he recites. “Experiencing God’s love is beyond anything I could imagine.”

Now married 25 years, Major Phil and Major Debbie are living their happily ever after as divisional com-

manders of The Salvation Army’s Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.

Since Phil has been with the Army more years than Debbie, does he pull rank at any time with his seniority, or are all their managerial decisions made fifty-fifty?

“I would say Debbie’s vote weighs in at 75 percent,” Phil teases. Then he adds, “No, truly we live our life and ministry as a team of equal partners. Our gifts and personalities complement each other, and I love that The Salvation Army allows us to work within our gifting.”

“We find joy in all the things we do and have done. It’s a great journey,” Debbie agrees. “We have two adult children who are a blessing to us and our ministry as well.”

“We almost gave our first-born the middle name of Iniki for the hurricane that brought us together, but decided not to make him live with that,” Phil laughs. “But Iniki will always be our reminder that love does conquer all.”

Photo: Courtesy of National Weather Service

“Is This the Night?”

by Ken Ramstead

Kent Hepditch sat glued to his seat at a Salvation Army evening church service in Deer Lake, N.L. All around him, people were walking to the altar to become Christians or recommit their lives to the Lord. The young man wanted to go up to the front of the church, too, but he seemed glued to his seat . Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Seed of Faith

Growing up, religion was never a part of Kent’s family.

While his mother had been a member of the Army during her teens, she left her faith behind when the 15-year-old moved from a little outport town for St. John’s, N.L. There, she met her husband and they married. He, too, had stopped attending church regularly in his teens.

Kent Hepditch had a decision to make— one that would change his life forever.

All Together

Majors Dena and Kent Hepditch surrounded by their family. From left, their son, Ryan and his wife, Emily; daughter Laura; daughter Sara and her husband, Josh

“They never brought me, my younger sister or older brother to church,” Kent recalls. “It just wasn’t a part of their lives.”

By the time Kent was in his teens, his mother had become a weekend alcoholic.

“When we were kids, we would go from St. John’s to my grandparents’ place,” he says. “While we were babysat, my grandparents and my parents would hit the clubs and the bars. That was their routine.”

As the children got older, Kent’s mother would drink at home.

“Friday and Saturday nights, she would sit at the kitchen table with her bottle and her country music cassettes until she got drunk,” he says. “It made for an unhappy home. She’d be drinking, playing her music loud, and there would be yelling and fighting.”

Sometimes her drinking would start on Thursday night and end on Monday night, which would impact the children’s sleep schedule and preparations for school.

“It was discouraging and frustrating,” Kent says. “We felt embarrassed that our mother was an alcoholic.”

But a seed of faith was planted by his mother one Sunday. He had been

RSVP

“I invited God to come into my life, and He changed it,” says Major Kent

given a little red Gideons Bible, and she told him through an alcoholic haze, “Kent, you really should read your New Testament.”

And he did. Kent read it faithfully for six years.

What prompted her to do that?

“She understood salvation,” Kent reflects now. “She hadn’t brought faith into her family, but she wanted me to have a right life.”

Recluse

Exacerbating his family woes was Kent’s shyness. It was not an issue at first, but by the time he entered high school, it had become serious.

“I started avoiding the cafeteria, so lunchtime for me meant standing at my locker feeling embarrassed, or I would take my lunch and eat it inside a washroom stall, which was humiliating.”

When Kent started at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1984, he avoided friends altogether and ate his lunch on a bench several buildings away. By his second year, his shyness was so debilitating, he quit school.

“I became a recluse for a year, basically shut up in my room,” he says. “I wouldn’t eat meals with my parents. I couldn’t go three houses down the street to the mailbox. I was afraid I would meet somebody that I knew and would have to speak to them.”

Kent tried to see a psychiatrist but didn’t feel he was improving and gave up. Worse, he started depending on alcohol to enable him to talk to people, something he swore he’d never do.

Decision Time

Through all this, Kent continued reading his red Bible, and six years of God’s Word had its effect on him. When Kent was 20, he started

going to The Salvation Army’s Conception Bay South church with his parents, who had started attending.

“I’d finally had enough of my life, which had been so miserable,” he says. “I needed God, and I thought this might be a good first step.” Church soon became a part of Kent’s life, and he heard the gospel message, but he refused to commit.

Why?

Even though his father had become a Christian, Kent resented him because he wasn’t a perfect Christian.

“Of course, I know now that none of us are,” he smiles. “But I had so much bitterness against my father, I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me come to the Lord.”

Instead, he took the bus to Deer Lake, where his good friend, Derek Fudge, was the corps sergeant-major, the top lay person in the Army church.

“He’d been a friend of the family for years, a happy person who liked to have fun, and I looked up to him as a Christian. I didn’t want to get saved where my father was, but I figured if I went to Deer Lake where Derek was, it might happen.”

Proof Positive

“I think Kent’s story is an important story to share because God can take us as we are,” says Major Dena. “He is proof of that”

Kent attended the Sunday evening evangelistic service.

“I wanted to go up to the altar,” Kent continues. “Not that we have to go forward to become Christians, but that’s how I wanted it to happen. I knew I wasn’t right with God, but I couldn’t move.”

A Life Changed

All of a sudden, Kent felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice asked him, “Is this the night?”

Startled, Kent looked up. It was his friend, Derek.

Then Derek asked him again, “So, is it tonight? People are getting saved. What about you? Is this the night for you?”

Kent looked at him and replied, “Yes, I think it is.”

Derek helped him to his feet.

“I’ve always said it wasn’t when I got to the altar that I felt the Lord coming into my life,” states Kent. “It was the moment Derek helped me to my feet.”

As Kent started to walk to the front of the church, he felt a great weight come off him.

“I felt forgiven,” Kent says, “and when I knelt and prayed, I knew

God forgave me and welcomed me home.”

No Longer Empty

Kent returned to school to take a two-year college course in community recreation leadership, his shyness fell away, and he was accepted to The Salvation Army College for Officer Training in 1991.

Major Kent and his wife, Major Dena Hepditch, are the pastors at The Salvation Army’s Church and Community Ministries in Red Deer, Alta.

“I invited God to come into my life, and He changed it,” Kent says. “Now, not only do I speak to people but I speak to people on a regular basis every Sunday.”

“I think his story is an important story to share because God can take us as we are,” says Major Dena, “but He doesn’t want us to stay in our situations as we are, stuck forever. God can transform us, He can work in our lives and, in spite of our personalities, our difficulties and our situations, He can use us for His glory. Kent is proof of that.”

“Without Jesus Christ, I would be empty,” Major Kent says.

“I became a recluse for a year, basically shut up in my room.”

MAJOR KENT HEPDITCH

Service in Sudbury

Once a globe-trotting pilot, Bob Ungar has touched down, dedicating years of volunteer time to helping The Salvation Army.

by Melissa Yue Wallace

Before Robert “Bob” Ungar met his wife, Loretta, he was working as a bush pilot and flew helicopters, coasting through life.

“Monday I’d be catching grizzly bears with a biologist, Tuesday counting moose or caribou, Wednesday looking for gold or coal and by the weekend I was trying to tame a forest fire. I found that lifestyle more interesting,” Bob says.

On occasion, he’d stay at a Salvation Army shelter, a safe,

reliable place to rest and receive a warm welcome.

“I had quite a wanderlust and didn’t want to settle anywhere,” says Bob. “I probably put my head down at one of the Army beds at least three times in my life.

“I was always treated very well, with respect and without judgment.”

Bob met Loretta in Grande Prairie, Alta., and the two lived in the city for approximately eight years and raised three children. During that time, Bob volunteered

Happy Couple Bob and his wife, Loretta, moved to Sudbury in 1988

with the Army, ringing the kettle bells at Christmastime.

“It wasn’t just about ringing the bells,” says Bob. “It was about what The Salvation Army did to assist other people, without grandstanding on their part.

“They just silently and quietly helped … I’m a believer in that.”

Supportive City

In 1988, Bob and his family moved to Sudbury, Ont. Bob started three chem-dry businesses in carpet upholstery cleaning, water damage and flood restoration, and continued to volunteer. Bob and Loretta’s three children are now grown and working in health care and communications.

Now retired, Bob not only rings kettle bells for The Salvation Army in Sudbury but also volunteers with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), the Sudbury Food Bank, Knights of Columbus and the building committee at his church.

Growing up, Bob’s parents showed him the importance of volunteer

work. His mother helped out with the Girl Guides for 35 years and was on several church boards and social committees. His father assisted with school board and church committees.

“It’s always good to give,” says Bob. “There are people who need assistance in life for various reasons, and as long as there are others in need, The Salvation Army will have a job to do.”

In 2021, The Salvation Army in Sudbury raised $211,465 through the kettle campaign. “All of our kettle money goes toward our family services, such as our food bank which serves more than 300 households a month, sending at-risk kids to summer camp, or our hamper program that served almost 900 households in 2022,” says Valerie McInall, administrative assistant. “We are grateful for all the support we receive from the city, from volunteers who give their time and from people who donate money and toys.

“It’s beautiful how supportive the city can be.”

(left)

Melissa Yue Wallace is a journalism graduate and freelance writer who is passionate about helping people in need and encouraging the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children.

In theatres now, I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a biographical musical drama based on the life of Whitney Houston (Naomi Ackie, Star Wars: Episode IV— The Rise of Skywalker). Whitney’s mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), encouraged her to join the junior gospel choir at the Baptist church the family attended in Newark, New Jersey. She performed her first solo when she was just 11 years old. As a teenager, Whitney sang in nightclubs with her mom and even sang background vocals for Chaka Khan. She became a fashion model, gracing the cover of magazines, and she began acting in commercials.

In 1983, music producer Clive

The Greatest Love of All

AS SUPERSTAR WHITNEY HOUSTON FOUND OUT, IT’S EASY TO STRAY FROM GOD’S PLAN FOR US. by

Diane Stark

Davis (Stanley Tucci, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy) signed her to a worldwide record deal. Her first album was released on Valentine’s Day 1985. It sold 22 million copies worldwide, and Whitney became an international superstar.

In 1989, she met singer Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders, Moonlight), and the couple married in 1992. Whitney’s success expanded into movies, including The Bodyguard, and she seemed to have it all.

But in the late ’90s, rumours of drug use and physical and emotional abuse in her marriage began to circulate. Bobby was arrested for battery after one of their arguments got out of hand. The couple was caught with drugs on multiple occasions. Whitney went to rehab, but the

DIANE STARK

drugs—and Bobby—had a hold on her, and she seemed trapped in her tumultuous lifestyle.

In 2005, the couple starred in a reality show that Bobby hoped would improve his image with the public. It did the opposite, only highlighting their troubled relationship. A year later, Whitney filed for divorce. Her roller-coaster marriage was over, but the revolving door in and out of rehab continued.

In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Whitney told her, “I wasn't happy with the marriage. ... I was losing me.” With time running out, would she be able to find herself again?

Straying Off the Path

From the outside, Whitney Houston lived a life many people would envy. She had talent, beauty, fame and wealth. She had everything this world tells us is important. But behind her Grammy Awards and platinum albums, she experienced heartbreak and struggle, some of which was due to her own bad choices.

But nearly all of us have made mistakes that caused us—and others—pain.

Staying on the right path in life isn’t easy, even if we’re rich and famous. Maybe especially if we’re rich and famous. Even when we start well—

attending church and building a relationship with God as Whitney did as a child—it’s easy to stray from God’s plan for us. Inevitably, this gets us into trouble.

Looking for Love

The movie about Whitney Houston’s life is called I Wanna Dance with Somebody, but her hit song by the same name has an added qualifier. The full song title is I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).

How many of us wander through this life searching for someone to love us? No matter how successful we become in our chosen field, without love, we often feel empty inside.

We make many of our worst choices when we’re chasing love or acceptance. It’s easy to compromise our values if we think it will earn us someone else’s approval. To make someone like us, we might try drugs, behave promiscuously or even stop practising our faith. It's easy to make unhealthy decisions in the pursuit of love.

But God wants to fill that emptiness inside us, and we don’t have to earn His love. It’s a gift He offers us, and all we have to do is accept it. It’s the best choice we can make.

God’s love for us—given freely and unconditionally—is truly the greatest love of all.

Photo: Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

How many of us wander through this life searching for someone to love us?

Photo s : Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved Defiant and Determined “My solid rock is my faith,” says Maryanne Oketch

Soul Survivor

CANADIAN SURVIVOR WINNER MARYANNE OKETCH HAD AN IMPORTANT WEAPON IN HER ARSENAL: FAITH.

by Jayne Thurber-Smith

MARYANNE OKETCH

laughed when she first read her fanappointed nickname after becoming winner of Survivor season 42.

“I saw ‘Millionaire-y Anne’ on Twitter, and I thought, It’s so massively wordy that it’s hilarious,” she comments.

In contrast, her Survivor profile at the outset of the competition revealed a serious, mature determination beyond her 24 years.

“I never go down without a fight,” she wrote. “When all hope is lost, I will be searching for idols (pocketsized talismans that prevent the user from being voted out), talking to people, and convincing them that me staying is best for everyone. I am going on Survivor to win and

I will do everything in my power to do so.”

And that’s just what she did.

Eloquent Defender

As many reality shows continue to cast a wider net to be more racially and internationally inclusive, the previous season of Survivor had two Canadians competing and Maryanne’s season had three.

“And even though we are from the same country, we’re all completely different people,” comments Maryanne, whose hometown is Ajax, Ont., a suburb of Toronto. “We all have different stories, and that shows how big and diverse Canada is. Some of us are immigrants, some of us have immigrant parents, some

of us have been living here the whole time. Erika Casupanan won season 41, and as a Canadian, I love that. Toronto representing!”

Maryanne had been a dedicated viewer of Survivor, so it was a dream come true to actually be on the show, win or lose. She was awestruck upon meeting host Jeff Probst. She was “a fan who came into her own, made great moves toward the end and defended her game so eloquently,” a fellow fan commented on YouTube.

Disgusting!

All Survivor watchers know that although the show’s surround-

ings are picturesque, life there is no beach. The sun is not always shining and the weather is not always balmy.

“I’m someone who hates being wet and cold,” she cried during her testimonial in episode 10. “When you can’t remember how it feels to be warm, your morale continually goes down. Having the rain just pouring down on us and not being able to start a fire, and all my clothes were drenched in the freezing cold, was one of the hardest days of my life.”

Despite the hardships, Maryanne never considered quitting.

“I constantly remembered that what makes the good things good are the lows that come with them,”

Working Together

Jonathan Young and Maryanne Oketch prepare a meal. She credits her social interaction game and her mental game on the island as her strengths throughout the show

she says. “When it’s raining and all you want is to be dry, you just keep playing the game and then you can appreciate when you get a little warm again with your least-soggy clothes on. You need to have resilience because nothing quite happens as planned. Are you going to keep going or crumble to pressure?”

When asked how she tolerated all the creepy crawlies she shared the island with, she laughs again. “Your standards can drop so

quickly!” she insists. “Toward the end, I just said, ‘Huh,’ when a spider crawled right across my face. The only thing that really bothered me was when we burned a log with maggots in it. Disgusting!”

Likeable Contender

It wasn’t only the prize money that made the lows worthwhile. Maryanne has also appreciated connecting with many supporters on social media who can identify with her.

MARYANNE OKETCH

Canadian Idol

Survivor host Jeff Probst presents an immunity idol to Maryanne

Only One Can Win

“I have a very eclectic personality,” she comments. “Growing up, it was hard to find someone like me on the TV screen. But in my audition tape, I showed the producers that I could be my weird self and still perform on the show. Once I was on Survivor, I found many

Storming the Beach Survivor contestants including Maryanne perform a task.

“I never go down without a fight,” she says

people reaching out saying they really liked me!”

Maryanne credits her social interaction game and her mental game on the island as her strengths throughout the show, but she also had a spiritual weapon.

“I prayed a lot with fellow contes-

The Survivor Season 42 cast: Standing: Lydia Meredith, Rocksroy Bailey, Marya Sherron, Jonathan Young, Mike Turner, Drea Wheeler, Romeo Escobar, Lindsay Dolashewich, Hai Giang and Chanelle Howell; kneeling: Zach Wurtenberger, Tori Meehan, Daniel Strunk, Maryanne Oketch, Jackson Fox, Jenny Kim, Omar Zaheer and Swati Goel

tant Tory Meehan,” she says. “My solid rock is my faith. The thing is, people sometimes question whether being cutthroat goes against our beliefs. But we were just playing the game. The true way I express my faith is how I treat people. Whether they feel they are above or below me, I would never demean anyone. Regardless, I treat everyone the same.”

After returning home to Toronto, Maryanne completed her master’s in seminary studies at Tyndale University. Prior to that, she had earned a degree in biochemistry at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

God’s in Control

“I was raised in a godly household and made the decision personally to become a Christian at the age of 10,” she says. “I had always felt called to ministry, so I went to seminary to see how my faith could impact my life. Right now, I’m working at my church and I assisted with vacation Bible camps over the summer. But I am also interested in public health and would like to make use of my biochemistry degree in the future.”

When asked what her first purchase as a millionaire was, Maryanne replied she gifted her parents a trip for their 30th anniversary late last year.

Her favourite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ”

“I feel that’s a very good verse for me,” she says, “because whatever happens—good or bad—God has control. Knowing that gets you through all the lows.”

Survival of the Fittest

Originally airing May 31, 2000, Survivor is one of the longest-running reality series on TV. The show places a group of contestants in an isolated location, where they must provide their own food, fire and shelter. They compete in challenges that test their physical and mental abilities for rewards, and immunity from eviction. They are progressively eliminated from the game as they are voted out by their fellow contestants until only one remains and earns the grand prize of $1,000,000.

(left) Jayne Thurber-Smith is a wife, mother of four and freelance writer from Nova Scotia who presently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She enjoys tennis, horseback riding and reading.

Photo s : Mark Yan

Compassion and Commitment in Jamaica

ACROSS THE ISLAND, THE SALVATION ARMY —LED BY POWERFUL WOMEN—MEETS PEOPLE AT THEIR POINT OF NEED.

by Kathy Nguyen

After two long years of not travelling due to COVID-19 restrictions, I was excited to go on the international development department’s annual Partners in Mission resource trip this past year to collect photos, videos and stories on the work being done in The Salvation Army’s Caribbean Territory. As media resource co-ordinator, I was part of the team that travelled to Jamaica, where the

Army has been meeting people at their point of need for more than 120 years.

Before arriving in the country, I remember watching sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah, Jamaican native and Olympic winner (considered the fastest woman alive) at the 2021 Olympics when she received the Order of Distinction, an award given to Jamaican citizens who render outstanding service to the nation.

Sing-along

Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of international development for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, sings a worship song with children and youth living at the Nest Children’s Home

“I have been inspired and motivated by powerful women around the world,” she said. “Powerful women from my island home in Jamaica.”

Once we started visiting various ministries across the country, I was reminded of those words.

Around the world and in Jamaica, The Salvation Army is a strong advocate for equity and women in leadership, uplifting and amplifying the voices of women on every level—spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Here are three examples:

Spiritual Care

At the Pulpit “There’s a respect and love for The Salvation Army in this community,” says Major Pauline King

ated in the community. This can be attributed to many things, but one of them is the respect they have for the women who nurture and lead there.

One morning, Major Pauline walked into the church and realized it had been broken into. While she was on the way to the police station, an individual from a local gang discovered what happened and took matters into his own hands.

“Everything that was lost, from the bathroom tissue to the funds, were recovered,” she says.

“They know us. No matter what walk of life you come from, there’s a respect and love for The Salvation Army in this community,” she says. “With God’s help, we can continue to do another 135 years.”

Soup’s On! “I find so much joy in my job,” says Claudette Heslop

Our first visit was to The Salvation Army’s Allman Town Corps, where Major Pauline King is the pastor.

“The biggest joy in this ministry is to see people come to know Jesus,” she says. “Many of our church live in the inner cities where there is dire poverty. We thank God that we’re able to be here.”

While the crime rates are high in Kingston, The Salvation Army is widely accepted and appreci-

Physical Care

Next, we went to The Salvation Army’s feeding centre, supervised by Claudette Heslop, that assists around 50 to 200 individuals a day.

Growing up in The Salvation Army herself, Claudette is passionate about the church’s mission to reach people in need.

“Once people receive their food, I sit down with them and find out how we can help them,” she told us. “When lunch is finished, we go out of our way to get them what they need, whether it’s a clean change of clothes, a bath or soap.”

Her hope is to grow the centre and expand its outreach.

“We need each other,” she says. “Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, which is why I reach out with love and why I find so much joy in my job.”

Emotional Care

At The Salvation Army’s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the only boarding school of its kind in the entire nation, Ruthlyn Bryan, the supervisor at the girls’ dormitories, ensures that everyone feels supported and cared for.

Also known as a “house parent,” she ensures the students are supported socially and emotionally.

From preparing their breakfasts to reading to them before bed, she is the parent or guardian a child deserves.

“Some of the parents don’t often have the chance to visit,” she says. “As a house parent, I’m here to fill that gap.”

And while watching the interactions between Ruthlyn and the students, it was evident that there is a mutual love and bond between them.

“There was one student who graduated and didn’t want to leave,” she recalls. “The bus was ready to take her, but she kept coming back to the dorm. She said, ‘Miss, you don’t know what you’ve done for me. If I had the choice, I wouldn’t leave.’ That’s when I knew I was making an impact.”

Powerful Women

On our trip, we asked many people across Jamaica what their favourite Scripture verse was. And most of the people we spoke to would say the same thing: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 New King James Version). It was clear that Christ is working across the Caribbean—and that the women who carry the Army shield are instrumental in carrying out His message with genuine compassion and commitment.

Individuals, students and communities across Jamaica can walk confidently and courageously into the future because of the powerful women who care. I am privileged to have met just some of them.

If you’d like to learn more about the Army’s ministry in Jamaica, visit salvationist.ca/PIM.

Behind the Camera Ruthlyn Bryan being interview by the Partners in Mission crew

Acknowledging Diversity

Recognizing that many integral biblical characters were men and women of colour is something to celebrate.

by Juanae Crockwell

It’s often said that Christianity is a “white man’s religion,” a reference to the way the Bible has been misused as a means of control and deception against people of colour.

It is no secret that white men have used the Bible for their personal gain or that colonizers wielded it like a weapon in warfare to steal land, people and resources. This part

of Christian history has often led to questions surrounding the authenticity of the faith, and if it is indeed a faith fit for people of colour.

When you actually stop and look at the Bible in its historical context, you will find that the origins of the Christian faith are far from white, although they may have been whitewashed over time.

Photo: Tinnakorn/stock.Adobe.com

But the fact remains that the history chronicled in the Bible, the history of Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths, is indeed the history of men and women of colour. The history of Black people.

As the world turns its attention to Black History Month in February, it’s fitting to prompt a reflection on the “Blackness” of the Bible and the contribution it makes to Black history.

Intertwined History

Let me be clear that the premise of this reflection is the belief that the Bible is a historically accurate book. With that being said, if you believe the Bible to be historically accurate, you will see that it broadly chronicles the origins of humanity.

Bible characters have been typically portrayed in popular culture as white and European, but I think we can all admit that this is not accurate. The history of African people is intertwined through the pages of the Old Testament and the New Testament, right from Genesis.

You probably won’t find the words “Black” or “African” in original translations of the Bible. Instead, you will read terms such as “Ethiopian,” “Cushite” and “Egyptian”—all of which are tribal terms that trace their ancestry back to the continent of Africa.

Representation matters, even— or perhaps especially—in religion

and it is important to acknowledge the presence of people of colour in Christian history: people like Zipporah, Moses’ wife, and Makeda, the queen of Sheba; Ham, the son of Noah, and his grandson, Nimrod, the first ruler recorded in the Scriptures; Hagar, Abraham’s mistress and the mother of his son, Ishmael.

And you can’t forget the two Simons. Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples who converted to Judaism by circumcision, and Simon of Cyrene, who infamously carried Jesus’ cross.

These are just a few figures in the Bible whose race and ethnicity are clearly defined as African. Others are more obscured as the Bible does not often go into detail on skin colour. But based on the geographical locations of key cities in the text, one could very easily assume that most of the Bible’s key figures are people of colour.

It is frequently said that the colour of our skin is immaterial to God, as He looks at the condition of our heart instead. While this may be true for a perfect being such as the Creator, imperfect humans are still deeply impacted by skin colour. Human nature is drawn to what is familiar. We resonate with and gravitate to what we identify as our own. Perhaps this is why the images of biblical figures have often been painted as white Europeans by white Europeans.

Foundation of Faith

This reflection is not meant to be divisive. But recognizing that many integral biblical characters were men and women of colour is an important acknowledgment to make. An acknowledgment that still causes discomfort and reluctance because it challenges the world view that Christianity has often maintained.

Uncovering, acknowledging and accepting the Black presence in the Bible can assist the religious community with addressing racism within the church and creating spaces to discuss issues of racial justice and equality.

It can also provide Black millennial believers a sense of belonging, something we truly look for in religious spaces because we struggle to find it elsewhere.

As we take time to intentionally reflect on the history of people of colour this month, let us be sure to include, emphasize and celebrate the roles of people of colour in the Bible and the foundation of the Christian faith.

The history of the Bible is indeed the history of Black people, and that is something all Christians can celebrate.

Reprinted from The Royal Gazette, February 7, 2022

“Representation matters, even—or perhaps especially—in religion and it is important to acknowledge the presence of people of colour in Christian history.” JUANAE CROCKWELL

(left) Juanae Crockwell is the religious correspondent for The Royal Gazette in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Eating Healthy With Erin

EASY ROSÉ PENNE WITH PRAWNS

TIME 35 min MAKES 2 servings SERVE WITH garden salad

Prawns

12 large frozen prawns with shell on 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice

Pinch of salt

1 garlic clove, diced Penne

180 g (6 oz.) penne 330 ml (11/3 cups) marinara sauce

60 ml (¼ cup) heavy cream 60 ml (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese

15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh parsley

LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

1. Soak frozen prawns in water for 10 minutes and then drain.

2. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil, lemon juice and a pinch of salt, and let sit for 5 minutes.

3. Heat a skillet over medium and add remaining oil and garlic.

4. Cook prawns over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until pink.

5. Boil water and add penne.

6. Heat marinara sauce over medium.

7. Add 45 ml (3 tbsp) Parmesan cheese, and whisk in cream while bringing to a boil. Continue whisking for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.

8. Drain pasta and toss in rosé sauce.

9. Garnish with remaining Parmesan and parsley, and top with prawns.

TIME 25 min MAKES 1 doz SERVE WITH tea or coffee

60 ml (¼ cup) butter 150 ml (2/3 cup) granulated sugar 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract

1 egg 30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh lemon juice

375 ml (1½ cups) allpurpose flour zest of 2 lemons, approximately 2025 ml (4-5 tsp)

2.5 ml (½ tsp) baking soda

15 ml (1 tbsp) granulated sugar or sprinkles of choice

1. In large bowl using an electric mixer, cream butter, sugar and vanilla extract. Add egg and lemon juice and continue to beat until fluffy.

2. In another large bowl, mix flour, lemon zest and baking soda.

3. Stir in wet mixture to dry and mix well.

4. Grease baking pan or line with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F). Spoon 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the dough and use the back of a fork to flatten cookies to about 5 mm (¼ in.) thick. Top with sugar or sprinkles of choice.

5. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges brown slightly and cookie is slightly firm to the touch. Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool.

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

Step 1 Gather your materials. Compare your embroidery hoop to your choice of fabric to ensure you have enough material. Iron your fabric.

Hoop Dream

Jazz up your walls or windows using repurposed fabric and an embroidery hoop.

This DIY allows you to customize your walls or windows for special days such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day. It’s easy, fun and low cost. What’s more, you can easily score most of your supplies at your local Salvation Army thrift store. Perfect!

Supplies Needed: Fabric (e.g., scrap fabric, a thrifted blouse or even a scarf), embroidery hoop, scissors, iron, paintbrush or sponge brush, Mod Podge or white glue, ribbon or string. Optional: paint, Sharpies or decorative tape to add colour to the hoop; jewelry or buttons to add flair.

Step 2 Loosen the outer hoop to remove the inner hoop. Place the inner hoop underneath the fabric.

Step 3 Adjust the placement before adding the outer hoop. Add the outer hoop then start to tighten it. For this step, you can pull the fabric to remove any wrinkles and looseness.

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Step 6 Next you can add a hanger for your art—this can be ribbon, string, jute, etc.

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Step 4 After tightening the outer hoop, trim the fabric using scissors. Make sure you’re happy with the placement before cutting. Once the fabric is trimmed, there’s no going back.

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Step 7 Now that you’ve completed the DIY, you can add some pizzazz. Or not. For two hoops, I left them as is. But on one, I used funky washi tape that worked well with the fabric. On the other hoops, I glued a heart to the top.

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Step 5 Remove as much extra fabric as possible. Once you finish trimming the excess fabric, you can use a brush to add a coat of Mod Podge. This helps minimize any fraying of the fabric.

Other ideas for your DIY are to either paint or use a Sharpie to colour the hoop. Stitch on the fabric or use fabric glue to add either fabric or felt on top. Get out some second-hand jewelry or buttons for either the hoop or the fabric. The possibilities are endless!

(left) Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design) is an author, upcycler, community builder and workshop facilitator based in North Vancouver. She shares her enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling by facilitating “Crafternoons” throughout Vancouver. She is also a creative expert for The Salvation Army’s thrift stores. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.