Salvationist + Faith & Friends March 2022

Preaching vs. Social Ministry: Are They Mutually Exclusive?

Nursing with Compassion Crossing the Border: First in a Global Pandemic Nations Outreach in Quebec

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

March 2022

Putting Food on the Table How The Salvation Army is tackling food insecurity across Canada

Salvationist.ca

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March 2022 • Volume 17, Number 3

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5 Frontlines 13 What’s Your Story?

Beyond the Thrift Store

by Ken Ramstead

@salvationistmagazine Follow us on Instagram for the latest and best Army photos. Tag your photos #salvationists

20 Spiritual Life Knowing God

by Major Kevin Metcalf

21 International Development For the Love of a Mother

by Kathy Nguyen

24 People & Places

8 FEATURES

COLUMNS

8 Crossing the Border

4 Editorial Back to Print and More …

by Geoff Moulton

5 Onward The Next Chapter

by Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd

22 Grace Notes

A small corps in northern Ontario is reaching out to a First Nations community in Quebec.

by Major Barbara Carey

10 Putting Food on the Table How The Salvation Army is tackling food insecurity across Canada.

by Kristin Ostensen

14 Compassionate Care

Rooted in Place

by Captain Laura Van Schaick

For Salvationist Suja Chandrasekaran, nursing during the pandemic means putting faith in action.

by Kristin Ostensen

23 In the Trenches Bridging the Generation Gap

by Captain Sheldon Bungay

21

16 The Vine and the Branches Learning to abide in Jesus.

by Major Corinne Cameron

18 The Holistic Ministry of Jesus Following the example of Christ, we are called to bring hope and healing to the hurting and marginalized people of our world.

by Donald E. Burke

/salvationistmagazine Like us on Facebook for photos and updates. Interact with our community of 39,000+ followers @Salvationist Follow us on Twitter for the Army’s breaking news. Use hashtag #SalvationArmy for your own updates and photos issuu.com/salvationist Catch up on all the Salvation Army news and features on your tablet, desktop or smartphone

READ AND SHARE IT! Maid’s Amy Read

HER ARMY ROOTS P.24

Réjean‘s Dying Wish

A LIVING WILL P.12

Back on Kelley’s Feet

ARMY HELPS P.10

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

faithandfriends.ca

MARCH 2022

Sole Man

26 Daily Bread Salvationist speaks with Emma Adamo, chair of the Weston Family Foundation, about their long history of financially supporting The Salvation Army.

HOW NFL STAR MCTELVIN AGIM’S YOUTH AT THE SALVATION ARMY SHAPED WHO HE IS. P.16 faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022 • 1

Salvationist March 2022 3

EDITORIAL

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Back to Print and More …

ince the pandemic first hit in 2019 and our territorial publications went digital, people have consistently asked, “When will you start printing the publications again? We miss reading a hard copy.”

Believe me, we’ve missed them, too!

Our goal has been to return to print as soon as it is practical, given that many corps and ministry units have been temporarily closed. From a stewardship standpoint, it hasn’t made sense to print publications and risk having them sit in empty buildings.

Now that we are coming to the end of another wave of COVID-19, the path ahead looks clearer—though the threat of new variants remains a concern. It is hoped that we can get back to in-person worship more permanently, always following public-health guidance. After consulting with territorial leadership, we now have a tentative plan to return to print publishing.

Of course, it’s going to look a bit different. In two years, much has changed.

We have steadily grown our digital offerings, launching the Salvationist podcast, a weekly eNewsletter and Issuu.com/ Salvationist digital publications, as well as expanding the Salvationist.ca website. On the downside, supply chain challenges have driven up the cost of paper and shipping.

For these reasons, starting in May, we are planning to issue bimonthly

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory 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 Pamela Richardson Assistant Editor-in-Chief Kristin Ostensen Managing Editor of Salvationist and Salvationist.ca Giselle Randall Features Editor 4 March 2022 Salvationist

Salvationist and Faith & Friends print magazines (six issues per year) and continue weekly Just for Kids (52 issues per year). As always, these publications will keep you informed, nurture your spirit and serve as useful outreach tools.

Congregational attendance will recover slowly as people feel more comfortable with meeting in-person again.

We understand if orders need to be pared back through our circulation department, but I would encourage you to please distribute as many as possible in order to make this new initiative sustainable.

In “off” months, we will be publishing more digital content than ever, with podcasts, videos and web exclusives scheduled on Salvationist.ca. Sign up for our eNewsletter and follow our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. We want to bring you the latest news right to your desktop, tablet or smartphone so that you don’t miss anything.

I’m also pleased to announce that Pamela Richardson has accepted a new leadership position as assistant editor-in-chief. Pamela will bring her expertise to the day-today management of the editorial team. In addition, Kristin Ostensen is promoted to managing editor of Salvationist and Salvationist.ca and will serve as creative director of the publication and website.

Lisa Suroso Graphic Design Specialist Rivonny Luchas Digital Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769.

Member, The Canadian Christian Communicators Association. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011.

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

This allows me, in turn, to take on the role of director of internal communications, editor-in-chief and literary secretary, to work with a broader team to enhance the communication that comes out of territorial headquarters.

Thank you for your support and prayers as we continue to grow our communications team to serve you better. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please contact us. Our goal is to inform, inspire and involve all Salvationists and friends of the Army in the important mission of Giving Hope Today.

GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Subscriptions

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

Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6217; email: circulation@salvationarmy.ca.

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Inquire by email for rates at salvationist@salvationarmy.ca.

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

Mission

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

ONWARD

The Next Chapter Adapting to a changing landscape.

BY COMMISSIONERS FLOYD AND TRACEY TIDD

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wo years ago this month, COVID-19 turned our world upside down. At the time, we didn’t know whether the pandemic would be like a blizzard, creating chaos and bringing life to a halt for a short period of time, or more like a winter season, with recurring blizzards of outbreaks across the globe. Today, we have come to understand that COVID has, in fact, been like a mini-ice age, dramatically changing the landscape in which we live and serve.

We were amazed at the ability of this movement to react swiftly in the earliest days of the pandemic’s blizzard-like entrance. As the weeks unfolded and a winter season set in, local expressions of The Salvation Army demonstrated agility, pivoting as needed to continue sharing the love of Jesus and meeting

human needs. Together, the territory has been embracing the opportunity to reimagine our movement for ongoing ministry beyond the mini-ice age of COVID. In the changing landscape, there is that which remains unchanged. In his letter to the early church, James reminds us that our God “does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Who we are, those whom we serve and why we serve them, remains firmly foundational.

But what we have discovered over these last two years is that what we do and how we do it must change. We have also proved that we have the ability to do so.

Mobilize 2.0 has provided a framework to guide our steps forward. To achieve the vision we believe God has given to The Salvation Army Canada and

Commissioners Tracey and Floyd Tidd

Bermuda Territory for the next chapter, we have developed a territorial strategy.

We will adapt how we deliver our mission and update our approaches to support the delivery of that mission.

In these days, we cannot deny the grief and loss that so many are experiencing.

As we approach Easter, we are reminded that grief and loss go together with vision and hope because they are the story of the cross and Christ’s Resurrection. There is no greater grief than the cross of Calvary.

There is no greater hope than the empty tomb.

May vision and the hope that does not disappoint continue to inspire us for mission as we position for growth.

FRONTLINES

Kettle Campaign Raises $20.7 Million

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he Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign raised $20.7 million in 2021, exceeding the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s goal of $20 million. This includes more than $2 million in tiptap donations and $315,000 raised by National Recycling Operations in thrift stores across Canada.

These funds will be used by local ministry units to operate community and social service programs throughout the year.

As part of running a successful campaign, The Salvation Army relies on many corporate partners across the country, who allow the Christmas kettles to be placed at their stores. The Army is particularly thankful for the support of Costco, where kettles collected $1.2 million, and Walmart, where kettles brought in $3 million.

“We are grateful for the compassionate giving of Canadians, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to

Volunteers participate in the Army’s first annual Kids at the Kettle event in Calgary on December 17, 2021

impact so many people in our communities,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, secretary for communications. “These funds will help us feed, clothe, shelter and empower marginalized and vulner-

able people in 2022. A big thanks to all our partner organizations, volunteers, employees and officers for their leadership and commitment to the territorial Christmas effort.”

Salvationist March 2022 5

FRONTLINES

Yellowknife Army Assists Remote Communities

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Cdt Jason Brinson loads up food hampers to be delivered to remote communities in the Northwest Territories

or more than 30 years, The Salvation Army in Yellowknife has provided a food hamper program during the Christmas season called Operation North Pole. This program helps bring the holidays to remote communities all over the Northwest Territories, including some accessible only by plane or by a sevenhour drive from Yellowknife.

This year, Operation North Pole served Behchoko, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Lutselk’e, Gameti and Whatì with 245 food hampers. Three of those communities had their hampers flown in.

The hampers included ingredients for a Christmas feast, such as stuffing, turkey, instant potatoes, canned peas and carrots, gravy, cranberry sauce, hot chocolate and chocolate cake mix.

Partnerships with Air Tindi, which flies in the hampers by donating cargo space, and Northbest Distributors, which supplies the food and provides the loca-

tion for hampers to get packed and delivered, are key to the success of Operation North Pole. The food hampers that were driven out to communities were packed up in bulk and distributed by the local community to those who applied for assistance.

It takes months of reaching out to communities to find out who is interested in partnering with The Salvation Army. Community leaders, government agencies and community centres are some of the partners contacted about Operation North Pole. The Army relies on the knowledge of community leaders to get an idea of how many families will be interested in a food hamper.

“Christmas is once a year, but if we have the ability to help other communities beyond Yellowknife throughout the year, we will,” says Cadet Jason Brinson, executive director of the Army’s Northwest Territories Resource Centre.

The Salvation Army partners with Air Tindi to bring hampers to Lutselk’e, Gameti and Whatì

St. Thomas Army Provides Meals for Homeless During COVID-19 Isolation

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hen an outbreak of COVID-19 hit the homeless population in St. Thomas, Ont., in December, The Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services (EDS) and St. Thomas Citadel stepped in to provide warm meals while 17 individuals were in quarantine at a temporary isolation centre and motel.

“The Salvation Army’s EDS responds as rapidly as we possibly can when we’re called for assistance,” says 6 March 2022 Salvationist

Trevor McLellan, EDS co-ordinator, Ontario Division. “We provided breakfast and lunch every day for two weeks.

“Emergencies come in many shapes and sizes,” McLellan continues. “We often think of tornadoes and forest fires, but this is a significant public health emergency where we are able to mobilize and help out.”

Captain Nyree Bond, corps officer, St. Thomas Citadel, is grateful for the corps members who helped to

prepare meals.

“There were five of us preparing the meals for breakfast and lunch. The meals were made at the church and then we delivered them,” says Captain Bond. “Providing hope to the community’s most vulnerable is part of our mission.”

Clothing from the local Salvation Army thrift store was also provided, and once the quarantine ended, new clean clothes were supplied.

FRONTLINES

Photo: Symon Ptashnick

Territory Announces Training College Relocation

The Reflectors of Holiness at the welcome service for new cadets in September 2021

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tarting September 2022, The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training (CFOT) will be relocating from Winnipeg to Toronto. This decision follows more than a year of review and assessment of officer training and received approval from International Headquarters.

Training itself will not be disrupted, but this will be a transition year. The current campus-based cadets of the Reflectors of Holiness Session will remain in Winnipeg to complete their training program. For next year’s session, the Defenders of Justice, training will be conducted at the new CFOT location within the territorial headquarters building.

“This change of location is part of a larger strategy to transform officer training and position the territory to continue developing Spirit-filled, capable officer leaders,” says Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander.

Other initiatives include a refresh of the training model and curriculum. In addition to the continued focus on spiritual formation, the new model will strengthen community engagement and ministry delivery skills.

“We’re excited to offer more flexible training options that will attract people from a variety of backgrounds, with unique professional experience and education,” Commissioner Tidd says, noting that the territory is working to make officer training increasingly field-focused, giving people the hands-on experience and practical tools needed to minister effectively in diverse communities.

As the training college makes its move, Commissioner Tidd offers his thanks to the local Salvation Army ministries in Winnipeg for the important role they have played in the training of cadets. He adds that Booth University College will continue to be a key partner in the education of future Salvation Army officers.

“Our training colleges have been located strategically in different parts of the country at different times in our history to best position us for the work that God has called us to do,” Commissioner Tidd concludes. “We believe that God will continue to inspire for mission and position for growth, to build his Army, and will do ‘immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.’ ”

Free Laundry Service Meets Needs in Moncton, N.B.

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aving clean clothing is a necessity of life that many take for granted. But for those who are experiencing homelessness or low income, paying to wash clothing at a laundromat may not be an option. That’s why The Salvation Army in Moncton, N.B., offers the use of washers and dryers to the community free of charge.

“It is one of the most important programs we offer,” explains Natasha Burkett, director of community and family services (CFS).

“No one thinks about how people experiencing homelessness wash their clothes.”

The initiative began in 2010 when a person approached the Army’s CFS in Moncton asking if they had laundry facilities.

The person explained that they had been living in their car for months. Without a fixed address, they weren’t able to receive income assistance. They had been interviewed for jobs, but showing up in dirty clothes made it difficult to get hired.

“I had never really thought about people needing to wash their clothes,” Burkett explains. “Between feeding programs and clothing vouchers and even the free showers we can refer our folks to, I never thought about the clothes they were wearing.”

This led to the purchase of two sets of washers and dryers.

Clients can book a time to come in and use the machines from Monday to Friday. The Salvation Army provides laundry deter-

The Salvation Army in Moncton, N.B., offers the free use of two sets of washers and dryers to clients who need to do laundry

gent, fabric softener and a clean change of clothes to wear while their laundry is in the wash.

“Making the soap available and even providing a loan of a clean change of clothes is a huge piece for those who literally come in to wash the clothes on their back,” says Burkett. “For families, it means not having to choose between washing their clothes and washing their bed sheets.”

Salvationist March 2022 7

Photo: Lt April Keeping

Lt Brandon Keeping (right), CO, Temiskaming CC, and Ed Wabie, a Salvationist and Indigenous resident of Timiskaming First Nation, take a break from delivering food and supplies in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Que.

Crossing the Border A small corps in northern Ontario is reaching out to a First Nations community in Quebec.

BY MAJOR BARBARA CAREY

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emiskaming Shores is a small city about two hours north of North Bay, Ont. Last year, Lieutenants April and Brandon Keeping, corps officers at Temiskaming Community Church, contacted the Quebec Division to express interest in reaching out to a First Nations community just across the border in Quebec. Major Melisa Tardif, divisional commander, was excited to hear about the project and asked me to visit Temiskaming Shores to show support and learn more.

I discovered that Lieutenants April and Brandon are passionate about ministry, even if that ministry takes them across provincial and cultural borders. Once a month, the team packs up baskets of food to distribute to families from Timiskaming First Nation in Quebec. I asked Lieutenant Brandon to tell me more about the project and the impact it is having in the community.

8 March 2022 Salvationist

Tell us a little about your ministry in Temiskaming Shores.

In addition to our small corps family, our community and family services consists of a regional food bank, emergency shelter provisions, utilities and emergency travel assistance, and emotional and spiritual care. We work hand in hand with several social service agencies, police and victim services and local schools. We provide assistance to 10 small municipalities throughout southern Timiskaming District. Along with four staff, we operate a thriving thrift store and regularly utilize it as a free resource for our neighbours in need of clothing, household supplies and winter gear.

Why did you decide to start a ministry to this new community?

Initially, we did not consider reaching out in Quebec due to pandemic

restrictions. For many months, the provincial borders were locked down completely. It wasn’t until just after Christmas 2020 when we started getting phone calls from residents in NotreDame-du-Nord and Timiskaming First Nation asking for assistance with food and resources.

What does this ministry look like?

After consulting with our area commander, we reached out to the Quebec Division to see how we could work together to walk alongside our Indigenous and provincial neighbours. After figuring out some of the logistics, we contacted the Timiskaming First Nation Health and Wellness Centre, which in turn consulted the band council, and they welcomed us with open arms. We made our first delivery to 10 families on September 1, 2021. In December and January, we served 55 families.

Photo: Lt April Keeping

Karen Woods, our longtime volunteer and corps sergeant-major, along with Samantha Carr, our office administrator, diligently take all the registrations and pack all of the supplies for each family. I load it all in our new (to us) emergency disaster services utility trailer and head 30 minutes east over the provincial border into Quebec. I’m met there by Ed Wabie, a Salvationist, Korean War veteran and Indigenous resident of Timiskaming First Nation. We begin deliveries to each of the families who have registered.

After a couple of hours, we stop at Algonquin Variety for a hot coffee, trading stories of Ed’s service in the military and my service in policing.

Samantha Carr, Lt Keeping and Karen Woods

Delivering 23 kilograms of food might seem like an insignificant offering, but it comes with a face-to-face encounter with a real person with a real story.

Interacting at someone’s home brings a different level of connection than perhaps a normal meeting at a store or on a street corner. You gain a perspective on where they are coming from. Now that we have been out six times, relationships have been created.

That’s what this is really all about.

What does this ministry mean to the community?

The response from our neighbours has been overwhelming. A conversation at the door, a smile and a heartfelt “thank you” is paving the way to positive relationships. Every interaction has been one of genuine thankfulness and appreciation. We’ve received positive feedback from the health unit.

Do you have plans for long-term support?

At this point in time, we have no plans to stop doing this. We are always in conversation with the case workers at the health unit and regularly check in with what the needs are and how we can do better.

Have you received help from the local community?

The Salvation Army serves more than just one community. New Liskeard is part of the city of Temiskaming Shores, and that city is part of a larger district.

As the largest community in the region, we are the central hub for schools,

health care, business and shopping. Residents of our region, as well as northern Quebec, are very generous with food and financial donations as well as their time.

What is your financial support for this ministry?

Photo: Mjr Barbara Carey

What does it mean to you to reach out to this population?

Apart from a small grant Karen Woods packs hampers for families from through Agriculture and Timiskaming First Nation Agri-Food Canada, we have not received any extra financial support to fulfil this much-needed actually going and creating relationships ministry. Conversations have occurred; with people. We are not here to fix however, with the pandemic and other anything. We are here to partner and factors, finances are a challenge. lift up. History has revealed a trauma Our biggest challenge right now that will live on for years to come that is a vehicle. We have an old program we cannot change. Our neighbours van that is too small and not capable of need a friend who is there when the towing a trailer on the unplowed, snowgoing gets tough, who supports them in covered roads in the country. As a stopways that build them up into who the gap measure, we have resorted to using Creator made them to be. our personal vehicle, which is equipped At the moment, we are merely with 4x4 and lots of towing capacity. meeting an immediate need. We hope this will open the door to meaningful How can The Salvation Army in Canada and relationships where we can support our Bermuda support this initiative? What is the one neighbours as we walk together into a best thing the Army can do for this community? future where the limitless love of Jesus First, and always, we need prayer. The is felt by all who encounter him. As North is a challenging place to live, and disciples of Jesus, that is all we can really thriving is not a reality for many. Add do—go out, love others, serve others, in the historical and present treatment give generously. And always for the of Indigenous children and families in glory of our Creator God. our country, and this support is the bare minimum.

Major Barbara Carey is the director of community Reconciliation is about stepping out and family services in Montreal and the divisional of our comfort zones to acknowledge family services consultant and divisional integrated our own responsibility, and then mission secretary in the Quebec Division.

Salvationist March 2022 9

Putting Food on the Table How The Salvation Army is tackling food insecurity across Canada.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

I

f it seems like you’re paying more for groceries than you used to, it’s because you are.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation is hitting Canada hard as the price of nearly everything is going up, fast.

According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, grocery bills are up 3.9 percent year over year, while the cost of gasoline has risen 41.7 percent and shelter 4.8 percent.

This rise in the cost of living is contributing to an increase in food insecurity, with one in eight households in Canada now reporting they do not have access to an adequate diet of healthy food due to financial constraints.

This has led to a surge in demand for Salvation Army programs—and the situation may be about to get worse.

Peter Thomas, community and family services consultant in the corps mission resource department, points to research from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax, which suggests there is a “perfect economic storm” on the horizon, as inflation meets high unemployment.

“That storm is a big concern for me,” he says. “As The Salvation Army, we need to prepare for it.”

Watching the Numbers The pandemic has had a marked impact on the need for food support programs across Canada. In March 2021, when Food Banks Canada did its annual Hunger Count, it found that there were more than 1.3 million visits to food banks countrywide in that month alone—an increase of approximately 20 percent compared to 2019.

Numbers are up at The Salvation Army as well. There were 511,000 visits to our food banks between January and 10 March 2022 Salvationist

October 2021, up from 467,000 visits during the same period in 2020. And the Army served more than 136,000 unique individuals between January and October last year, of whom 47,460 were children and 7,500 seniors.

The overall number of individuals served was even higher in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when 159,500 individuals were served between January and October. However, after a decrease in 2021, Thomas expects numbers to go up again this year.

“Many of the people coming to our doors have been supported by government programs over the last two years, and now a lot of those programs have stopped,” he says. “That is going to be an incredible factor moving forward.”

Addressing Food Insecurity Since the pandemic began, the Army has been battling food insecurity on several fronts. As the country headed into lockdown, traditional service delivery models were no longer possible and ministry units had to innovate.

For example, many food banks adopted a “drive-through” approach to food distribution so that clients could do intake assessments over the phone and then pick up their food, without needing to enter a building. Some ministry units provided food delivery for people who could not leave their homes.

“It encouraged me that our ministry units didn’t close; they adapted,” says Thomas.

In line with our vision to be an “innovative partner,” ministry units across the territory benefited from innovation grants, which were distributed by territorial headquarters last August.

Of the 44 proposals that received funding, eight were foodrelated.

Migrant workers in Durham Region, Ont., receive food from The Salvation Army

Support for Migrant Workers Every year, hundreds of migrant workers come to the Durham Region of Ontario to work at farms and help put food on the tables of Canadians. But many of them cannot put food on their own tables.

This has been especially true since the onset of the pandemic.

“At the beginning of COVID, the workers were asked to stay at the farm, so they were unable to go out for groceries,” explains Elizabe Espinosa, direct/outreach service co-ordinator with Durham Region Migrant Worker Solidarity Program (DRMWSP).

The DRMWSP quickly learned that the workers needed water— the water they had access to was not potable, and unscrupulous vendors were selling them bottled water at inflated prices.

So the DRMWSP put out an appeal to the Whitby, Ont., community for water donations, and that was where The Salvation Army came in. Each month since then, the Army has provided food, water and other essential items to the DRMWSP

AGRICULTURE CANADA FUNDING With the support received from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Army has provided:

21,818,862 Food Weight Distributed (lbs.)

$57,165,421.01 Food Weight Distributed ($)

$2,287,394 + Gift Cards Distributed ($)

2,266,652 Meals Provided

$5,938,627.50 Meals Provided ($)

$65,391,443.51 Total Value Outputs ($)

to distribute to the workers. The average monthly pickup serves more than 200 people.

Though COVID restrictions have eased and the workers are able to leave the farm for shopping, food insecurity is still an issue for them.

Partnering with the DRMWSP was an educational experience for Major Donette Percy, corps officer, Whitby Community Church. “I never knew all the details of how much they were provided for while working on the farms,” she says. “We realized, if this is the amount they pay for board and this is the amount they’re sending home—well, what do they have left?”

The migrant workers also face issues around the kinds of food they have access to. “Most of them are located in rural areas, far away from large supermarkets,” notes Espinosa. “So when it comes to cultural-based foods, they are not able to gather what they really eat.”

With workers hailing from countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Barbados, Jamaica and Thailand, the DRMWSP gives the Army a list of cultural items that the workers would usually consume. The Army then sets aside donations as they come in to try to fulfil that list.

“Our partnership with The Salvation Army is the best thing that could have happened to us because no matter how much funding you have, there is never enough,” says Espinosa. “Even in the tough months when we don’t have much, The Salvation Army is like our angel. Without them, we could not give so much support to the workers.”

“These workers are part of our community,” says Major Percy.

“If we can help provide for them and put a smile on their faces, we’re glad to do it.”

Salvationist March 2022 11

Illustrations: bsd studio/stock.Adobe.com; Art Alex/stock.Adobe.com

The Army also received substantial support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through its Local Food Infrastructure Fund. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Army has received $28.2 million in funding, which has been used by ministry units to provide $65 million in value in terms of food-related services (see box). This funding has supported programs such as “pop-up” food hamper events in Calgary, and the preparation and delivery of nutritious meals to clients of the Army’s Lawson Ministries in Hamilton, Ont., which serves people with developmental disabilities. At the end of 2021, Agriculture Canada announced that further funding would be allocated to the Army—up to $2 million.

“The Agriculture Canada funding has been a lifeline—not just for us, but for other organizations, too,” says Thomas.

With these and other programs, including those highlighted here, the Army is committed to tackling food insecurity longterm. But with a “perfect storm” on the horizon, Thomas is inspired by the biblical example of Joseph, who knew a famine was coming to Egypt and prepared storehouses of food.

“Now is the time to get the word out to our community,” he says. “Tough times are coming, and we need your support more than ever so that we can weather the storm.

“And it’s not just money or food, it’s individuals,” he continues. “We need a full army to get behind the shield.”

A Fresh Free Market

Mjr Ed Dean unloads a large donation of carrots and cabbage for The Salvation Army in Maple Creek, Sask.

12 March 2022 Salvationist

Lt Joel Torrens and Keli Westgate of Lekker Land Design work on the Army’s new food forest

Salmon Arm’s Food Forest Every time Lieutenant Joel Torrens was outside working on his corps’ new community food forest last year, he’d always get the same question from people walking by.

“They’d say, ‘Aren’t you worried about people stealing?’ And I’d say, ‘That’s not possible,’ ” he smiles. “They’re supposed to take it. We want them to!”

Unlike a community garden, which is typically done in raised planters, The Salvation Army’s food forest in Salmon Arm, B.C., is an edible landscape designed to mimic a forest. “Everything serves a purpose,” Lieutenant Torrens, corps officer at New Hope Community Church, explains. “If it’s not edible, then it contributes to pollination or pest control. It all works together.”

Working with community partners such as the Shuswap Food Action Society, the food forest was designed by permaculturalist Keli Westgate and is planted on the grounds of the corps’ community and family services building. For Lieutenant Torrens, the community forest is a much better use of the space. “It has become a part of our mission and not just a lawn we have to maintain.”

The food forest will yield a variety of produce, from sunflowers and squash to beans, cucumbers, plums and more.

Best of all, the forest is free and open to anyone at any time.

“People aren’t hungry on a schedule,” notes Lieutenant Torrens. “Food banks have hours of operation, but if someone’s hungry at 8 p.m., they’re going to be able to walk by here and find something to eat.”

In terms of the food insecurity challenges he sees in Salmon Arm, Lieutenant Torrens points out that “not everyone who’s accessing a food bank has the facilities to store or cook food.”

Ready-to-eat produce is one way the corps can serve people who are living vulnerably, for example, in hotel rooms or tents.

While the forest is low maintenance, work will be required to keep it going—for example, pruning, watering and harvesting.

That’s where Lieutenant Torrens hopes the forest won’t be just for growing food, but also bringing people together.

“This is for the community and that means it has to be by the community,” he says. “We need people to get involved and get excited about it and so far they have, so we are confident going forward with this.”

Along with established gardeners, he hopes to draw in groups such as students and seniors who may not be able to maintain a garden on their own anymore.

“We’ve called it the Lighthouse Community Food Forest because we want it to be a beacon of hope,” says Lieutenant Torrens. “It’s a great way for us to live the mission of The Salvation Army in this community.”

The food forest expects to celebrate its first harvest later this year.

Photo: Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer

As corps officer in the rural town of Maple Creek, Sask., Major Ed Dean is in a unique position when it comes to food donations.

“I can make five phone calls and get 2,000 pounds of potatoes,” he smiles. “Our community is very generous.”

The corps regularly receives large food donations from its local partners, which are first distributed through the Army’s food bank. But with literal tons of food being donated, there is always more than enough to go around. As the corps considered what to do with the surplus, they were also looking for new ways to address food insecurity in the area.

“We wanted to reach people who wouldn’t access the food bank or didn’t qualify for the food bank,” says Major Dean.

That rethinking process led Major Dean to come up with the idea of the Free Market. Now running for almost three years, the Free Market is held at the corps three or four times a week.

The first market was held after the Army received a oneton donation of potatoes. “We called it The Great Potato Giveaway,” Major Dean says. “And it was just that: we told the community, come and take what you would like.”

The items featured at the Free Market are different each time, depending on what donations come in. A recent market, for example, included bread, lentils, peanut butter, cereal, carrots, eggs, yogurt and juice.

But no matter what’s on offer, the philosophy remains the same.

“There is no limit on how much you can have at the Free Market,” Major Dean explains, “though we have signs up that say, please take what you will use. And there’s no questions as to who you are.”

While no names are taken, the corps does keep track of numbers: the Free Market serves more than 200 people each week and distributes an average of 4,000 pounds of food each month. The corps also serves 40 families each month through the food bank, provides 60 meals to seniors each Wednesday, and provides school meals twice a week.

In a town of just 2,000 people, that’s a significant service— and it’s done without much outside financial support such as large corporate donations, as is often the case in larger centres.

“Most of the donations that come in are from Hutterite colonies,” Major Dean notes. “Their philosophy is, they would rather see it used than wasted, and we are the benefactors.

So I’m never out of potatoes in my food bank.”

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Beyond the Thrift Store A childhood connection reinforced Chelsea Marsh’s devotion to The Salvation Army.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

I

“

’m grateful for the way The Salvation Army has given me opportunities to do things I’m really passionate about,” says Chelsea Marsh, “and that I believe are at the heart of the kingdom of God. There’s a lot about the Army that resonates with who God made me to be."

Bridging Social Justice and Faith Born in Salmon Arm, B.C., Chelsea was studying social work in 2011 when a friend invited her to a weekend event at The Salvation Army’s War College, a former training program in Vancouver.

“It was called Raw: Ready and Willing,” recalls Chelsea, “and it was an introduction to The Salvation Army and its mission in the Downtown Eastside.”

As a Christian, Chelsea was trying to live out her faith and had been dissatisfied with her studies to date.

The War College’s attempt to bridge social justice and faith was something she felt strongly about. So, in September she joined the War College. As she worked through the discipleship program, she suddenly became aware of her family’s history with the Army, and of how her own life had been unknowingly impacted.

Thrift Store Ministry Chelsea’s grandparents managed the Army thrift store in Kelowna, B.C., for years.

“My parents did not attend a Salvation Army church, so I never made the connection.” she says.

Chelsea would spend hours there watching her grandparents.

“I just thought of it as a thrift store,” she says, “but I loved hanging out there. I saw that it was a ministry for my grandparents.

I saw their caring and compassion for the homeless who came through their doors.”

At the War College, Chelsea was exposed to various Army facilities and programs, such as Deborah’s Gate, a specialized program of care for women who have been trafficked into sexual and/ or labour exploitation, and Vancouver

Harbour Light, which offers a residential addiction treatment program among its many services, and during her discipleship training, she started volunteering and getting more exposure to the Army beyond the thrift store.

Sharing Her Commitment Chelsea graduated from the War College in August 2012 and moved to Surrey, B.C., for eight months, attending a residential program called Mercy Canada. Then in 2013, she moved back to Vancouver and reconnected with the friends she'd made through the War College, and started working for the Army by supporting women in their struggles against addiction, homelessness and human trafficking.

“I wanted to take the soldiership classes. I wanted to learn. I wanted to understand why people become soldiers.”

—Chelsea Marsh In 2014, she became a senior soldier and completed a chaplaincy course at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

At that time, she and her husband were considering officership, and Chelsea saw enrolment as a soldier as a more serious and public commitment that God was placing on her heart.

“I wanted to take the soldiership classes. I wanted to learn. I wanted to understand why people become soldiers,” she explains. “This was a way of saying that I took this seriously and I wanted to share that with others.”

Busy Mother In 2016, Chelsea became the program co-ordinator and chaplain at Boundless Vancouver, a Salvation Army church plant.

Among her other activities, she leads Sunday school and is in charge of her congregation’s Brave Circles, a 10-month mentorship program for girls aged 12-15, producing the training material as well as recruiting and screening the volunteer mentors.

Boundless, like many other corps, has had to pivot with COVID-19.

“I provide spiritual and emotional care to our neighbours who come into our community centre,” Chelsea says.

“I follow up with them on the phone and host a women’s weekly online Zoom support group as well as Bible study and online prayer groups. I facilitate morning devotions and prayers. And I’ve got 50 people that I check up on, to see how they’re doing.”

All this in addition to being the mother of a newborn and three foster children.

Kingdom at Work While Chelsea and her husband are still considering officership in their future, they’ve taken a step back to care for their young family, but that does not mean their love for the Army has been diminished.

“The support we’ve received from territorial headquarters and our divisional leaders has been such a blessing to us,” she says, “and the relationships I’ve made over the last 10 years have kept me here.

“We’re not just another social-service provider; we’re a faith-infused community that loves people without discrimination and wants to make Jesus’ love known. It’s the kingdom of God at work.”

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From left, Chandrasekaran Asirvatham, Anjelina Chandrasekaran, Anugraha Chandrasekaran and Suja Chandrasekaran

Compassionate Care For Salvationist Suja Chandrasekaran, nursing during the pandemic means putting faith in action.

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

W

hether she’s wearing her nurse’s scrubs or her Salvation Army uniform, the heart behind Suja Chandrasekaran’s service is the same.

“Being The Salvation Army, we always try to help others,” she says. “As a nurse, my faith motivates me to care more, to do my job with compassion.”

That has been especially true for the past two years, as the world has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, and nurses such as Suja have been on the front lines.

God’s Work Now an IV nurse at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, Bermuda, Suja’s journey began a world away from the island nation, in southern India. Born into a Salvationist family in a village in the state of Tamil Nadu, Suja says The Salvation Army has played an important role in every aspect of her life.

“I grew up in the Salvation Army church and I did my nursing studies at the Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) in Nagercoil,” she shares. “My uncle was a Salvation Army officer and I married the son of officers, so I have a Salvation Army background from birth until now.”

While only six percent of the population of Tamil Nadu is Christian, in the district of Kanyakumari, where the CBH is located, nearly half the population is Christian and many are Salvationists.

The Army has occupied a unique place in southeast India 14 March 2022 Salvationist

since operations commenced in 1892. The CBH was established the following year and a nursing school was added in 1938, making a massive impact on generations of people in the area and around the world.

“Without the Salvation Army ministry, we would never have had any education because the southern part of India was considered the most low class,” Suja explains. “Thanks to the Army, people like me could get educated, and the CBH is like a root that so many of us have grown from, with branches worldwide.”

Growing up, Suja did not plan on becoming a nurse. “My mom was a teacher, so when I graduated from high school, I wanted to go into teaching,” she explains. “But my dad saw something in me. He said, ‘You have to become a nurse because you have the quality and the compassion to take care of the patients.’ ” Though hesitant at first, Suja followed her father’s suggestion and credits the CBH for teaching her how to care for others—practically and emotionally.

“Studying in a Salvation Army institution motivated me to do God’s work in a different way,” she says.

Strong Support After finishing nursing school in 1990, Suja worked in India and Saudi Arabia before a friend and fellow graduate of the CBH convinced her to make the move to Bermuda. Suja, her husband, Chandrasekaran Asirvatham, and daughter, Anugraha,

immigrated in 2000.

It didn’t take them long to connect with The Salvation Army.

“When I came to Bermuda, I was working with elderly people in continuing care,” Suja shares. “And my first week there, the band came to play for them and go around the ward.

When I heard the music, I was fascinated—Oh, here also they are Salvation Army!”

Suja approached a church member, Lynn Cann, and told her she was a Salvationist, and the rest is history. “She took me to the church and introduced me to everybody,” says Suja, who attends Hamilton’s North Street Citadel with her family.

“The people in Bermuda are caring and loving, especially in The Salvation Army. They are very supportive of us being here.”

Last fall, the corps offered Suja and her fellow nurses at the hospital much-needed practical support when Bermuda faced a surge in COVID-19 cases. For three weeks, when the wave was at its peak, North Street Citadel provided a total of 115 lunch and dinner meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each meal came with a devotional card, written by members of the corps, to encourage the health-care workers during that stressful time.

“It’s a small hospital, so it was overwhelmed and overflowing with COVID patients, as well as the regular patients, and there was a shortage of nurses because so many people were exposed to COVID,” says Suja. “It helped the nurses and health-care workers a lot, knowing that there’s somebody out in the community thinking of them. The Army supported us physically, mentally and emotionally.”

“Thank You, Nurse” It has been two years since COVID-19 came to Bermuda. Suja remembers being called upon to treat the first confirmed case at the hospital.

“I spent 45 minutes in a closed room with him, giving a blood transfusion,” she says. “The next day, his test result came back positive and he died a few months later.”

Suja (left) and her fellow health-care workers receive a meal and an encouraging note from North Street Citadel during a recent wave of COVID-19 in Bermuda

Despite this significant exposure, Suja did not get COVID. “I believe God alone protected me.”

Since then, Suja has treated many more COVID patients.

As an IV nurse, she may be called to any department at the hospital, including the ICU and the COVID ward. Suja says treating patients who are dying of COVID can be emotionally draining, but it is also an opportunity to share God’s love and put her faith into action.

“When you go into a COVID patient’s room, they cannot see your face or anything—only the eyes because we are in PPE [personal protective equipment],” she says. “They are alone in the room because their family cannot come. And at the last minute, they will grab your hands and hold you tight. So I tell them not to worry. Just leave it upon God and he will take care of everything. And they will say, ‘Thank you, nurse; pray for me.’

“The next day, you won’t see them anymore, but in those few seconds, you can make them feel secure and ask God to bring them comfort.”

Foundations Even with long and often gruelling shifts at the hospital—Suja's husband is a radiographer at King Edward—the family is actively involved at the church, and Suja is a member of the corps council. While their older daughter is now practising medicine in Scotland, their younger daughter, Anjelina, participates in many ministries at the church, including band, choir and dance, and was enrolled as a junior soldier by General André Cox at Bermuda’s divisional congress in 2015.

“Sister Suja is a committed Salvationist with a deep sense of humility,” says Captain Dwayne Barnes, corps officer at North Street Citadel. “Whenever Suja is in our presence, she brings a sense of joy and relaxation.”

“That same spirit of joy leads to her willingness to help the church whenever needed,” adds Captain Kendacy Barnes, corps officer at North Street Citadel. “She is always willing to help, and she encourages her family and friends to do the same.”

Suja and Chandrasekaran are used to providing care for others, but the family found themselves on the receiving side in 2018 when their doctor found a lump in Anjelina’s throat.

“She was only 13 years old and the doctor said she probably had cancer,” Suja says. “The whole church family was praying.”

The hospital scheduled Anjelina to go in for a biopsy twice, but both times the procedure was delayed due to unrelated circumstances. Before the biopsy could take place, a blood test revealed that she did not have cancer, but a viral infection. It was a pivotal moment in Suja’s faith journey.

“I believe that was a miracle—of healing and delaying the process so she didn’t have to have the biopsy, which could have left a scar,” says Suja. “I thank God from the bottom of my heart.”

As a nurse on the front lines of the pandemic, Suja knows she is taking a risk every time she arrives for a shift at the hospital—some of her nursing colleagues have died after contracting COVID-19.

“It’s not an easy thing to digest if you think of this situation and you will get worried,” she says. “So we have to put everything upon the Creator—that is the only thing that will take us all the way.

“I think these are my foundations—starting with Sunday school and growing up in my family,” Suja continues. “I am so proud that my parents brought us up in the church, in The Salvation Army, and that my children were as well.”

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Photo: magann/Lightstock.com

The Vine and the Branches Learning to abide in Jesus.

BY MAJOR CORINNE CAMERON

L

ent prepares our hearts for Jesus’ ministry on the cross. Many of us choose to give up items such as coffee or chocolate with the idea that as we crave these treats, we will turn toward Jesus and pray. Over the last few years, in addition to treats, I have felt nudged to give up my preoccupation with productivity, of checking items off my to-do list. Drawing closer to Jesus has meant trusting him with my tasks so that I may spend time with him.

While Lent is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, we encounter intentional times of preparation throughout Scripture. One of my favourites is Jesus’ preparation of the disciples in the Upper Room (see John 13-17). Within this discourse, there is a unique call to abide. This call is an invitation to rest in the presence of Jesus, to deepen my relationship with Jesus and to trust that my ministry will flow out of this relationship, rather than my to-do list.

In the Upper Room, Jesus prepares 16 March 2022 Salvationist

the disciples to be left without his daily, physical presence. He is equipping them for his Passion, Resurrection and their future ministry. Jesus knows life will be difficult and he promises they will be sustained in their journey of faith.

Jesus’ call to abide provides a way for the disciples to remain faithful, not in their own strength but in their connection to Jesus.

The word abide (menō in Greek) occurs 40 times in the Gospel of John—11 times in chapter 15 alone. As the Gospel progresses, menō deepens to reveal the primary way Jesus describes discipleship.

The book begins with Jesus physically staying (abiding) with the disciples (see 1:38-39), progresses to Jesus’ words abiding with his disciples (8:31), grows to abiding in relationships—Jesus and his Father (14:10), and the promise of the Spirit abiding in the disciples (14:17).

The image of abide deepens in John 15 to portray a relationship of mutual indwelling, of complete connectivity and

dependence upon Jesus as the true vine.

The disciples, as branches, are connected to Jesus, the vine, and tended by God as the vine grower. A deep characteristic of discipleship is a dependent relationship that infuses disciples with inner resources as they are nourished through the life-giving sap of the vine. Living into the call to abide invites us, as disciples, to have Jesus infuse and inform every aspect of our lives.

Jesus’ call to abide is significant for his disciples as they are being prepared for Jesus’ ministry on the cross, and becomes significant for the early Christian community, which was ostracized because of its relationship with Jesus. It is also significant for Christians in ministry today, especially with the temptation to prove our self-worth and appear competent.

Jesus’ call to abide draws us away from relying upon external success to seeing ourselves as the place where Christ dwells, which in turn deepens our ability to respond to Christ in others.

Photo: Forgiven Photography/Lightstock.com

An Abiding Life As Jesus explains that he is the true vine, he teaches us what it means to live as a disciple. First, our call to abide involves an openness to being pruned: “Every branch that bears fruit [God] prunes to make it bear more fruit” (15:2*). Being open to pruning is to surrender our lives so that we may be filled with the life-giving sap of the branch. Second, as disciples we live with an openness to God’s Word (see 15:3). Throughout the Gospel, a disciple’s faith is expressed both in relation to Jesus as the Word and in listening to the words of Jesus. It means hearing Jesus’ words (see 8:27, 43), keeping them (8:51-52) and remembering them (15:20).

The image of abiding invites us into a third aspect of discipleship, abandoning self-sufficiency to live in dependence on God: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5).

Jesus draws on the fact that a branch has no life unless it is attached to the vine. Our call to abide requires that we remember to draw our energy from Jesus and find our sense of worth stemming from our relationship with him.

This relationship leads into the fourth aspect of an abiding life, obedience.

“Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers” (15:6). We are invited to live in obedience to God’s law, not as a rule book, but out of a covenantal relationship with God. The Psalter opens with these words: “Happy are those [whose] … delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Therefore, the posture of an abiding life is one that receives instruction, lives by the infilling presence of the Spirit and embraces a covenantal life.

Fruit of Abiding Jesus promises that by abiding our lives will be fruitful. However, we must remember that our call as disciples is to abide.

This will help protect us from the strong temptation to chase after “shiny fruit” to the neglect of our relationship with Jesus. The promised fruit is not a vague generality as Jesus provides the fruit that will grow in the life of an abiding disciple.

The first fruit is prayer. Jesus promises

“ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). God invites us to abide in prayer, to step aside from ministry demands and embrace a space where God meets and affirms us. A second fruit is living a life that glorifies God (see 15:8).

Jesus flourishes as the vine because his Father tends the vine; disciples flourish by abiding in this vine. Our fruitfulness does not bring us attention, rather, it reflects the glory of God in us.

As we continue to abide in Jesus, a third fruit develops: love. Jesus promises that: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love” (15:9).

This fruit is shaped by the love of Jesus and is lived out in community. Abiding in love then brings about a fourth fruit of steadfastness, the ability to keep the commandments of God (see 15:10). By faith-

fully setting aside time to connect with God, his words take hold in our hearts, bring comfort and help us discern his activity in the world.

All of these fruits culminate in the fifth fruit of joy: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (15:11). Jesus knows life will be hard for his disciples; he knows the deep grief they will experience with his Crucifixion. Jesus knows that living beyond the Resurrection in a society that is hostile to him will provide many situations that could rob their joy.

In these verses, Jesus is not offering a situational happiness, rather, he promises a deep wellspring out of which the disciples will experience joy.

Bearing Fruit in Community As disciples we are called to abide. As we heed this call and live in an intentional

abiding relationship with Jesus, our lives will bear fruit. Yet this fruit is not to be hoarded, but shared. The fruit of our abiding will naturally leave our morning quiet times and extend into community.

Not only are we connected to Jesus the vine, tended by God the vine grower, so, too, are we interconnected with the other branches of the vine.

Our society is fractured and disconnected. This has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jesus’ call to abide comes in a unique time of social anxiety and stress, on one hand, and extreme individualism on the other. That is why the true fruit of abiding will be lived out in the context of community, and the church has a unique role to play in this.

In Abide and Go: Missional Theosis in the Gospel of John, biblical studies scholar and author Michael Gorman emphasizes how spirituality that flows from mutual indwelling with Jesus is not only related to mission, it is inseparable. He envisions discipleship as a mobile vine that is oriented in Christ’s abiding love, all the while moving out to share that love with the world, infused and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Yet the problems of the world seem so immense, the demands of ministry so great, that if we are not careful, our mobile vine will become disconnected from the true vine. If we are not careful, we could lose ourselves and our identity in Christ in reaction to these demands, and lose our responses of love. To live in a community of love as the church, and live out this love in community, we will always be called to abide. By abiding in Christ, ministry will not morph into an unhealthy must, but remain an outflow of love, infused by an abiding relationship with the true vine.

As we progress through these next weeks of Lent, let us hear the call to abide, give up our striving and embrace a lifegiving relationship of abiding. *All Scripture references in this article are from the New Revised Standard Version.

Major Corinne Cameron is the assistant training principal at the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg.

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The Holistic Ministry of Jesus Following the example of Christ, we are called to bring hope and healing to the hurting and marginalized people of our world.

BY DONALD E. BURKE

Illustration: rudall30/stock.Adobe.com

T

hree aspects of Jesus’ ministry are identified in Matthew 4:23: teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of heaven, and healing the sick. The first article of this three-part series considered his teaching ministry, while the second explored his proclamation of the good news. In this third and final article, we examine his healing of illnesses, diseases and infirmities. In fact, Matthew devotes more words to the description of this aspect of Jesus’ ministry than he does either his teaching or proclamation of the kingdom of heaven. The list of afflictions that Jesus heals is extensive: diseases, sickness, pains, demon possession, epilepsy and paralysis. By describing Jesus’ activity in this way, Matthew gives the healing ministry of Jesus a prominent place in his overall account of his mission.

18 March 2022 Salvationist

For Matthew, the healing ministry of Jesus flows naturally from his proclamation of the arrival of the kingdom of heaven. The healings are clear evidence of the presence of the kingdom. We see this later in Matthew at the time when the imprisoned John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus to ask whether Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah (see Matthew 11:26). Rather than giving a direct affirmative answer to the question, Jesus responds with a description of those events that are taking place. Prominence in the list of signs is given to the healings that are occurring. Apparently, Jesus assumed that John would recognize the significance of these events: truly Jesus is the Messiah and indeed the kingdom of heaven has come near!

In the broad scope of the ministry of Jesus, the healings represent Jesus’ concern for the physical and psycho-

logical well-being of the people whom he encountered. That is, Jesus’ ministry encompasses not only the intellectual and character formation of people (teaching) and the spiritual, social and economic health of his audience (proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of heaven), but also their physical and psychological well-being. In other words, the threefold description of Jesus’ ministry expresses the holistic or integrated nature of his ministry. The good news of the arrival of the kingdom of heaven reaches into every recess of the human experience.

There is no crevice in human life beyond the reach of the kingdom of heaven and the ministry of Jesus.

A Balanced Ministry For Matthew, this description of Jesus’ ministry represents more than a simple account of the activity of the earthly

Jesus. His reason for including it is not simple historical curiosity or accuracy.

Rather, this description of the integrated ministry of Jesus provides the template for the ministry of Matthew’s own Christian community. The importance of this threefold ministry of Jesus is that it provides the model for those who follow him. This point is made later in Matthew when he uses this same description again to summarize the ministry of Jesus (see Matthew 9:35) and then follows it with Jesus’ commissioning of his disciples to carry out this holistic mission on his behalf (see Matthew 10). Further, when Matthew wrote his Gospel account, he was instructing his own Christian community about the life of Jesus and about their own mission.

Since we receive Matthew’s testimony about Jesus as sacred Scripture, we recognize that Matthew also addresses the church today. This summary of Jesus’ ministry is definitive for the church. As the community that stands in succession

fully is to narrow the mission of Jesus in the world. One of the classic debates within Christianity has been the missional tension between “preaching the gospel” and “social ministry.” Too often we view these as contrary emphases, as though we can’t do one while we’re trying to do the other. They may even be viewed as mutually exclusive, so we must choose between them.

Yet such a differentiation between these two expressions of the mission of Jesus is false, even demonic, for it tears apart what Jesus demonstrated should be integrated. The life blood of Christian social ministry is the gospel; the natural expression of having received the good news is active concern for those who are marginalized. What God has joined together, let none of us put asunder!

In his own words written in 1889, William Booth articulated this realization that the salvation brought by Jesus was not an either/or: either salvation understood as eternal life with God

that believeth shall be saved,’ it meant not only saved from the miseries of the future world, but from the miseries of this also. That it came with the promise of salvation here and now; from hell and sin and vice and crime and idleness and extravagance, and consequently very largely from poverty and disease, and the majority of kindred woes.” Take notice of Booth’s almost Freudian slip when he refers to “two gospels,” but quickly corrects himself to say that there is only one gospel that encompasses the wholeness of human life.

Healthy and Faithful It seems to me inevitable that various branches of the church and individual Christians will have aptitudes and emphases that might privilege one or two of the three components of Jesus’ mission over the others. But even with this recognition, no church or individual— not even an Army—can simply ignore those aspects of the church’s mission

Matthew gives the healing ministry of Jesus a prominent place in his overall account of his mission. to that of Matthew, and in succession to Jesus himself, we must embrace the balanced ministry of Jesus that focuses on teaching, the proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of heaven, and healing the physical, psychological and social maladies that afflict our world.

The church, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, cannot ignore any of these three components of Jesus’ ministry. To do so impairs our overall mission and distorts our discipleship. Jesus’ invitation to Peter, Andrew, James and John to “Follow me” (see Matthew 4:18-22) involved more than simply trekking behind Jesus on the roadways of Galilee.

The summons to these first disciples, and to those who would join them, was to follow Jesus’ example, to embrace his mission. It was a call to shape our lives and our ministry after the pattern modelled for us by Jesus himself. For Matthew, following Jesus without embracing his threefold ministry is fraudulent.

A Missional Tension The temptation that confronts us force-

or salvation understood in more temporal terms as flourishing in this world.

Instead, salvation is a both/and: both salvation understood as eternal life with God and salvation understood as flourishing in this world. Reflecting upon his previous 44 years of revivalist ministry, Booth wrote, “… as I came to look more closely into things, and gathered more experience of the ways of God to man, I discovered that the miseries from which I sought to save man in the next world were substantially the same as those from which I everywhere found him suffering in this, and that they proceeded from the same cause—that is, from his alienation from, and his rebellion against, God, and then from his own disordered dispositions and appetites.” Booth went on to say, “… with this discovery there also came another, which has been growing and growing in clearness and intensity from that hour to this; which was that I had two gospels of deliverance to preach—one for each world, or rather, one gospel which applied alike to both. I saw that when the Bible said, ‘He

that are uncomfortable or less easily fulfilled. The healthy, faithful church will live out the holistic mission of Jesus; the healthy, faithful Christian will do likewise.

The great encouragement we receive is that we do not take up this ministry on our own. It is not our ministry as though we solely are responsible for it. This is the ministry that Jesus lived out during his life on earth; this is the ministry that he mandated his disciples to fulfil (see Matthew 10); and this is the ministry that Jesus commissioned all who would follow him to serve (see Matthew 28:16-20).

But perhaps the greatest encouragement we can receive is found in the final words of Jesus in Matthew: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NRSV). Jesus is with us not just for our comfort, but even more importantly for our empowerment to carry out the ministry he has given us.

Dr. Donald E. Burke is a professor of biblical studies at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

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SPIRITUAL LIFE

Knowing God Are you making time to read the Bible?

BY MAJOR KEVIN METCALF Becoming and making “CHRIST-centred, OTHERS-focused” disciples requires gaining an understanding of what lies beneath the description. Using the words CHRIST and OTHERS as acronyms can help us identify the essentials of holistic and healthy discipleship. We begin with C for canon, the collection of biblical books that we regard as sacred Scripture. What does it mean to recognize the Word of God as the standard by which we live in and live out Christian faith? Major Kevin Metcalf helps us see the importance of the Bible in living a Christ-centred story.

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God; and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.—Salvation Army Doctrine 1

Photo: Pearl/Lightstock.com

H

ave you read your Bible today? If not, you should. The Christian believer seeking to be in a genuine, healthy, maturing relationship with the living God—seeking to live a productive and effective life of mission and ministry—will, without any exception, require the rich nourishment found in the Bible.

Is knowing God important to you?

If so, the Bible will be important to you.

We aren’t equipped to go out and discover God. No, our only hope is that God reveals himself to us. And God has revealed himself to us in two ways: in Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, and in the Bible, the written Word of God. If we want to know who God is—and what he wants from us—some Bible reading will be necessary.

The Salvation Army thinks the Bible is important. Doctrine 1 is not Doctrine 1 by accident. Our founders knew that it was the foundation for all other doctrines. Everything we believe—everything that makes us The Salvation Army: our theology, our ecclesiology, our mission 20 March 2022 Salvationist

and our ministry—must inevitably be a response to the commands of God expressed in the Bible.

We used to sing a song by Colonel Edward Joy: “I believe in the Word of God, I believe in the Word of God; Every promise is true, I believe it, do you? I believe in the Word of God” (SASB 806).

We must be people of the Word. As theologian and author John Stott said, “Christianity is, in its very essence, a religion of the Word of God.” So, we need to take Doctrine 1 seriously. We know what the doctrine says. But many of us will have to admit that we haven’t always searched the Scriptures and fed on the Word of God as we ought to have done.

There are many barriers to our proper handling of the Word of God. The “tyranny of the urgent” can get in the way. We are busy people. We have an obligation to work to provide food for our families.

We get busy driving the kids to hockey or dance classes. We are committed to various activities at the corps. But our busyness is not a legitimate excuse for ignoring the Word of God. Nothing in our lives—not even family—should be considered more important than our pursuit of God. It is a brilliant conspiracy of Satan to keep us so busy—even busy in ministry activities—that we have no real quality time with God. It is a conspiracy that secretly lulls us into thinking that we’re

busy doing important stuff for God’s kingdom and has us justifying our busy lifestyle with the thought that we’re giving the Lord all that we’re able to give him. It is a conspiracy that keeps us shallow when we would be much better off deliberately spending time digging deeply into the Word of God. We might have some awkward moments on the Judgment Day when we’ll have to face Jesus and say, “Well, Lord, you know how busy I was!” Some days it may feel like we have no time for God. But for our own spiritual survival, we know that this is an insufficient response to the grace of God. We know that we must make time for God in our lives.

Of course, reading the Bible must be accompanied by prayer if we are to make any significant spiritual progress. Someone might read the Bible and find only history, poetry and stories (and myths, if they don’t believe in miracles). But if we are spending time with God in prayer—hearing his voice speaking to our hearts, seeking for help on our journey into his holiness—then our Bible reading will show us a God who delights in coming to the rescue of lost, broken people. Just exactly the God we need in our lives.

Have you read your Bible today?

Major Kevin Metcalf is the corps officer at Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

For the Love of a Mother Hope for mother and child health in rural Kenya.

BY KATHY NGUYEN To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.

Or the climbing, falling colours of a rainbow.—Maya Angelou

Salvationist March 2022 21

Photo: Joel Johnson

B

ecoming a mother clothes have protected can be one of life’s my baby from getting greatest joys, yet sick.” it can also be a challenThrough this projging journey. Bringing ect, she has also learned life into this world and about the importance of nurturing the next genprenatal and postpareration is a lifelong task tum care, including the that takes an endless danger signs in pregnansupply of support, concies, how to use certain stant learning, resources supplements and vitaand tools. mins safely, and comBut what happens mon health concerns for when you’re living in babies. a remote village with Gladys is now able limited access to health A new mother receives health care, supplies and education at the integrated mother to advocate for safe and care or health facilities? and child health project in the Kenya West Tty healthy pregnancies in What happens when you her own community don’t have the means to afford newborn child health project, The Salvation Army and can spread awareness to other new or toddler essentials? What happens is achieving this goal by implementmothers. when you lack the educational resources ing health, agriculture and livelihood With more than 5,000 community to know how to raise a healthy, growing development activities across western members across Kenya participating in baby?

Kenya, which includes the communities this project, the impact will be multiplied, With almost 99 percent of maternal of Kolanya, Cheptais and Sirisia. as each member will be able to champion deaths occurring in developing countries, In partnership with HPIC, we’re safe health practices to their friends, famthis is the reality for countless families livworking to deliver multiple shipments ily and community members. ing in the Global South. That’s why The of mother and child health kits, which Along with health tools and resources, Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda include over-the-counter medicine and this project also incorporates conserfocuses on maternal and child health as prenatal vitamins, blankets, clothing and vation agriculture training to improve a key priority in our international work. shampoos, along with medical equipment nutritional health in households and Today, sub-Saharan African countries for health clinics, including stethoscopes, seeks to build water boreholes across suffer from some of the highest rates of scales and thermometers. western Kenya. maternal and child mortality in the world.

And with sustainability being the “This project is built on partnership; Along with our colleagues in the Kenya backbone of every project we implewe know we are stronger together,” says West Territory and Health Partners ment, The Salvation Army also faciliLt-Colonel Brenda Murray, director of International of Canada (HPIC), we’re tates community health workers’ training international development. “We are aiming to improve family health across and learning workshops, which provide grateful for HPIC and our colleagues in several rural communities in Kenya. mothers with the opportunity to learn Kenya for their support in bringing health “One of the major goals for this projabout baby-care concerns ranging from and hope to those who need it most.” ect is to empower communities and help how to bathe a baby to best practices for They say it takes a village to raise them become self-reliant,” says Major breastfeeding. a child. For many around the world, it Hudson Mouhaliar, project officer in Gladys is a mother of four, who curalso takes an Army. If you’d like to supthe Kenya West Territory. “This begins rently participates in our maternal and port this life-saving project, please visit by helping women become healthy and child health program activities. salvationarmy.ca/giftsofhope and give economically empowered, and by giving “When I gave birth to my fourth baby, to “Family Health” today. them the tools to educate their children I was gifted baby blankets, medicine, for a brighter future.” clothes, socks, shampoo and mosquito Kathy Nguyen is the resource/media co-ordinator Through the integrated mother and nets,” she says. “The mosquito net and in the international development department.

GRACE NOTES

Rooted in Place Learning to bear fruit where we are planted.

Photo: baona/iStock via Getty Images Plus

BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK

I

t’s March again, and we’ve been living in the midst of a pandemic now for two full years. It was on March 11, 2020, that the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. In the weeks that followed, the world was plunged into unprecedented lockdown conditions as international borders were closed except for essential travel, corporations shifted to working from home, and schools and worship gatherings moved online.

Two years later, with the continuing effects of the Delta and Omicron variants, it can feel like not much has changed.

As I write this on a January morning in Ontario, my children are once again attending class virtually, restaurants are closed to in-person dining, all my meetings are online for the foreseeable future, and there isn’t much we are allowed to do outside our home, aside from going for a walk or to the grocery store.

There’s no denying that COVID-19 has displaced our regular patterns and rhythms. Our eating and shopping habits have shifted, our homes have become much more central to our lives, and travel has become extremely limited.

Personally, this is the longest I have stayed in one location, without travelling for work, vacation or to visit family, in my adult life. Writing for Conservatio.org, 22 March 2022 Salvationist

Michael Di Fuccia muses, “It is ironic that a virus so socially and economically destabilizing has left us more geographically stable than ever before.”

While we may all be feeling a bit weary and fed up with the continuation of these pandemic norms, I wonder if this stability of home and place has, perhaps inadvertently, fostered the spiritual expansion of our souls.

Stability comes from the Latin word stabilis, which means to be still, stand firm or be rooted. Benedictine monks and sisters take a vow of stability when they first join the monastic order, committing themselves to staying in one monastic house with the same people for the rest of their lives. The vow of stability affirms sameness, a willingness to look for God in the constancy of a single place in the rhythm of life, rather than seeking God in ever-changing places and varied routines.

Stability may seem countercultural in a world that encourages us to drop one thing and move on to the next.

Don’t like your job? Get a different one!

Acquaintance irritating you on Facebook?

Unfriend them! Don’t like the preaching at church? Find a new place to worship!

We abandon people and places at the slightest sign of discomfort, moving on to the next new thing, often to the detriment of our souls.

In his book Beyond the Walls: Monastic Wisdom for Everyday Life, Paul Wilkes calls stability the “sense of where you are.” He believes that in our disjointed lives and fragmented society, where perseverance and persistence count for little, we desperately need to embrace stability. “What was needed, Benedict taught, was maddeningly simple. It was a commitment to trust in God’s goodness—that he was indeed there, in that very place; and that holiness, happiness and human fulfilment were to be found, not tomorrow or over the hill, but here—today.”

Yes, even now, when we are two years into a global pandemic and still rooted geographically to our homes, we must commit to trusting in God’s goodness, affirming that where we are is where God is for us.

But stability doesn’t necessarily mean that everything stays the same. In many ways, embracing stability means growing where you’re planted, even if you’re not overly pleased with the location.

As COVID-19 restrictions have brought the reality of an ascetic life a lot closer to home for many, perhaps the Benedictine call to stability can encourage us to sit gently with our current experience and allow our souls to rest rather than seeking to fill our days with endless movement. We can continue to revel in the simpler things in life—like growing a potted plant, culturing sourdough or sitting on a park bench listening to birds.

We can practise stability through showing contentment and gratitude in our careers, our parenting, our marriages and our homes, as we affirm on a deep level that this is the field where God has planted us and called us to bear fruit.

Allowing ourselves to be still, to stay in one place, even for a few moments, offers us a chance to rest, to breathe and to experience communion with God in the simplicity of our daily lives.

Captain Laura Van Schaick is the divisional secretary for women’s ministries in the Ontario Division.

IN THE TRENCHES

Bridging the Generation Gap We need people of all ages in God’s kingdom work.

BY CAPTAIN SHELDON BUNGAY

Photo: georgemuresan/stock.Adobe.com

I

once believed that The Salvation Army was stuck in a rut, with a perpetual cycle of behaviour upholding the status quo, leading to rapid decline. I felt that my own efforts to innovate were being stymied by the more “traditionalist” voices within our ranks, and I was convinced that the only way we could move forward was if a certain generation of leaders moved out of their positions and let a younger generation fill the void.

Thankfully, I no longer subscribe to such thought.

In fact, I now believe that the ability to lead, effect change and move denominational efforts forward has less to do with age and more to do with an individual’s maturity, lived experiences, learning (both formal education and otherwise) and innate or developed skills.

I am quickly approaching a milestone moment in my own ministry; in just a few months, I will complete 15 years of active service as a Salvation Army officer. In that time, there have been many challenges to overcome, experiences that made a significant impact on our family and people who have helped shape my ministry. Of course, there have also been countless blessings, moments of great joy and valuable lessons learned along the way.

One such lesson—and one that I am becoming more convinced of with each passing year—is that no single generation is most important in the life of a congregation or within an organization.

While each age demographic will exhibit its own preferences, ideas and definitions of ministry, people of all ages are equally important and valuable to congregational life and God’s kingdom work.

Too much time has been wasted on the infamous “us vs. them” or “old vs. young” debates in many congregations.

Likewise, any mindset that suggests “my opinion is the only right opinion” does nothing to build up the kingdom and only adds fuel to the fire for those who are critical of the church. We must do better. We must find opportunities for multigenerational co-operation.

I love it when I see retired band members stepping into leadership and helper roles in beginner and junior brass band programs. There is something truly heartwarming in watching them pour not only their musical knowledge but also their own personal life skills and affection into those precious children.

As many of our programs and services have moved online, we have seen countless examples of teens and young adults stepping into important audio and visual roles in our congregations, often teaching others how to operate cameras, soundboards and various online platforms. And how many children and grandchildren have had to teach older members of their own families how to connect with their church’s online worship services and activities?

I can’t even begin to describe how much joy it brings me to see senior citizens raising their hands in praise during the latest worship song, or when a teen finds something profoundly meaningful when we sing the old words, “I am praying, blessed Saviour, to be more and more like thee.”

The reality is that it is equally possible to find someone young who is spiritually

mature, and someone older who lacks spiritual depth. Therefore, we would be wise to strip away the barriers of age in our church services and denominational activities, and encourage each other to find value in whatever brings someone closer to Jesus, even if it doesn’t align with our own preferences.

For those of you who still consider yourself part of the younger generation in your corps or ministry unit, make space in your lives for those who have blazed the trail before you. I have no doubt you will hear something valuable. And for those who may have a little more silver in their hair (or no hair at all), don’t neglect the voices of leadership emerging from a younger demographic—they have much to teach, and you are never too old to learn.

Maybe it’s my own spiritual growth and ongoing development that have led me to offer these words. Or maybe it’s simply because I’m on the cusp of 15 years of completed service, and this “young captain” is about to become an “old major.”

Captain Sheldon Bungay is the corps officer at St. John’s Temple, N.L. Salvationist March 2022 23

PEOPLE & PLACES

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—These are exciting days at St. John’s West Corps as two junior soldiers are enrolled. From left, CSM Sylvia Tulk; Mjrs Reid Colbourne and Phyllis Blundell-Colbourne, COs; Caris Daugherty and Vardo Clarke, junior soldiers; acting JSS Jennifer George; and Celestine Clarke, colour sergeant.

TRIBUTES BAY ROBERTS, N.L.—Laura A. Rowsell (nee Spencer) was born in 1931 and promoted to glory at the age of 90. Laura was a lifelong Salvationist who served as a Sunday school teacher, songster, home league member and league of mercy (community care ministries) member. She loved The Salvation Army and faithfully attended the commissioning of the new cadets, keeping a record of their summer assignments and appointments as new lieutenants.

Laura cared deeply for others and dearly loved her family. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Hilda (Hickman) Spencer; sister, Bertha; and brother, Tom. Remembering Laura with profound love, gratitude and pride in a life well lived are her husband of 70 years, Tom; brother, Roland (Daisy); son, David (Joan); daughters Grace and Sharon (Dane); grandchildren Jennifer (Jordan) and Jonathan (Seritha); great-grandchildren Penelope and Isaac; other relatives and friends.

NEWMARKET, ONT.—Lt-Colonel Gail Kathleen Moulton was born in Toronto in 1941 to Edward and Catherine (Kathleen) Pearson as the oldest of two children. Introduced to The Salvation Army by attending youth group with a friend, Gail met Bob Moulton when he travelled to Toronto with the Winnipeg Citadel Band to attend a music festival. They were married in 1962 and entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto in 1965 as cadets in the Witnesses to the Faith Session. Commissioned in 1967, they served together in North Sydney, N.S., Essex, Ont., St. John’s, N.L., Ottawa, London, Ont., Toronto, Corner Brook, N.L., Australia, and Kingston and Hamilton, Ont. Following retirement in 2004, Gail ministered as a chaplain in a nursing home. She loved to quilt, knit and crochet, and was an excellent cook.

Gail proudly graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in theological studies from Catherine Booth College (now Booth University College) at the age of 60. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 71, she remained pleasant and peaceful to the end. Remembering Gail for her patience and kindness are her husband of 59 years, Bob; daughters Cathy, Cheryl, Carol-anne and Caryn, and their spouses; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

24 March 2022 Salvationist

GAZETTE TERRITORIAL Appointment: Mjr Rick Zelinsky, territorial public affairs director, THQ Promoted to major: Cpt Mary Millar

CALENDAR Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd: Feb 28-Mar 2 Mission Delivery Leaders Forum (virtual); Mar 13-14 CFOT Colonel Evie Diaz: Feb 28-Mar 2 Mission Delivery Leaders Forum (virtual); Mar 15 Pathway of Hope Spiritual Care Seminar (virtual)

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 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 JPCC—Jackson’s Point Conference leader Centre CC—community church JSS—junior soldier sergeant CCM/CCMS—community care NRO—National Recycling ministries/community care Operations ministries secretary RS—recruiting sergeant CFOT—College for Officer Training TC/DC/AC—territorial commander/ CO—corps officer divisional commander/area commander CS—chief secretary TPWM/TSWM/DDWM/DSWM— CSM/YPSM—corps sergeantterritorial president of women’s major/young people’s sergeantministries/territorial secretary for major women’s ministries/divisional EDS—emergency disaster services director of women’s ministries/ divisional secretary for women’s IHQ/THQ/DHQ—International ministries Headquarters/territorial headquarters/divisional Tty/Cmd/Rgn/Div—Territory/ headquarters Command/Region/Division

Guidelines for Tributes

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. A high-resolution digital photo or high-resolution scan of an original photo (TIFF, EPS or JPG; 300 ppi) should be emailed to salvationist@salvationarmy.ca; a clear, original photograph mailed to 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4 will be returned.

PEOPLE & PLACES

SIMCOE, ONT.—Representatives from United Steelworkers Local 8782—Nanticoke, Ont., and Stelco present a cheque for $25,000, as well as more than 303 kilograms of food and toys, in support of the Army’s Christmas effort at Simcoe CFS. From left, Donna Wingrove, USW Local 8782; Ashley Watts, Simcoe CFS; Samantha Fitzgerald, Stelco Salary; Deb Pryor, administrative assistant, Simcoe CC; Lindsay Anderson, Stelco Salary; Katie Honcharsky, Simcoe CFS; Jamie Knowles, Randy Graham and Rob Bussey, USW Local 8782; Connie Stubbs, Stelco Salary; Tony Harrington, USW Local 8782; Victoria Muraca, Stelco Salary; and John Phibbs, USW Local 8782.

Students Lend a Hand in Bermuda HAMILTON, BERMUDA—As ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic continue to cause economic hardship for many families in Bermuda, the students and staff at Port Royal Primary School in Southampton, Bermuda, stepped up to help those in need by contributing to the Christmas assistance program at North Street Citadel.

“Throughout the school year we promote the traits of empathy and kindness,” says Marita Martinez, school counsellor, “and this was a great way to encourage students to give back and care for others.”

Over a period of two weeks, more than 70 toys and gift cards were collected, an “amazing feat,” says Martinez, for a school with less than 100 students. The items were presented to Cpt Kendacy Barnes (second from right), CO, North Street Citadel, by Martinez and head students Sanziniah Raynor and Skyler Crockwell during a special school assembly.

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Salvationist March 2022 25

Daily Bread Giving hope today with the support of the Weston Family Foundation.

F

rom a bakery in Toronto to Canada’s largest supermarket chain to a global business empire, the Westons are one of Canada’s most prominent—and charitable—families.

Salvationist spoke with Emma Adamo, chair of the Weston Family Foundation, about their long history of giving to The Salvation Army.

security program. We are thrilled that this has helped raise a further $5.465 million through the generosity of many Canadians.

If you were talking to someone else about giving to The Salvation Army, what would you tell them? What do you wish everyone knew about this organization?

The Salvation Army supports everyone in need, regardless of their circumstances, faith or background. They are embedded in the community My grandparents, Reta so they are available to People line up in snowy winter weather to receive food from a and Garfield Weston, were immediately respond to Salvation Army emergency disaster services vehicle in Winnipeg raised with Christian values emergencies as well as provide that closely aligned with essential day-to-day care. At those of The Salvation Army. They uncles, who have been consistently the heart of their ethos is the belief admired the dedication of all those and actively involved with our family that “each person is infinitely valuable who served with the organization foundation since the 1960s. and equally worthy,” and this shines and greatly respected the practical through in the indispensable work and compassionate assistance they What do you hope to accomplish through your that they do. The world would be a provided to the most vulnerable in giving? darker place without The Salvation society.

We hope to give a highly effective, Army.

The Salvation Army has remained experienced and compassionate group close to our family ever since. It of people the means to do what they continues to be one of Canada’s most do best: care for the most vulnerable effective and efficient organizations. and marginalized in our society.

Our funds go further with them than with almost anyone else. We Is there a particular gift or project you are most admire that The Salvation Army proud of? helps everyone, regardless of their There have been many wonderful circumstances or faith. And, of projects we’ve been pleased and course, we value that this assistance privileged to support over the past is given with kindness and hope. It’s decades. Our most recent initiative— a joy and a privilege to be able to Community Hope in COVID-19—is a support The Salvation Army. current example.

During the devastating COVID Who has had the greatest influence on your life pandemic, the number of Canadians in terms of generosity? needing assistance skyrocketed, with My grandmother, who grew up on those already experiencing hardship a small farm in Magnetawan, Ont., pushed further to the margins. would tell her children, “To whom Our gift of $2.75 million provided much is given, much is required.” This immediate support for community wasn’t just about financial giving, kitchen upgrades, Camps at Home for but a broader philosophy of service vulnerable children, and food banks and a lesson in treating everyone, across Canada. no matter what their situation, with We also announced a matching consideration and empathy. These gift challenge to encourage others to A community feeding program in Regina values continue with my aunts and support The Salvation Army’s food Why do you continue to support the mission of The Salvation Army? Why do you enjoy giving to this organization?

26 March 2022 Salvationist

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Deeks Insurance is a tradename of D.L. Deeks Insurance Services Inc., a licensed insurance intermediary and operates as Deeks Insurance Services in British Columbia. Home and auto policies primarily underwritten by Unifund Assurance Company (“Unifund”). Car insurance coverage not available in BC, MB or SK. Home and car insurance coverage not available in QB, NWT, NU, or YK. Other insurance products are underwritten by various insurance providers. Deeks Insurance and Unifund share common ownership. Eligibility requirements, limitations, exclusions or additional costs may apply, and/or may vary by province. Deeks Insurance and logo is a trademark of D.L Deeks Insurance Services Inc.

For address changes or subscription information contact (416) 422-6119 or circulation@salvationarmy.ca. Allow 4-6 weeks for changes. PM 40064794

Maid’s Amy Read

HER ARMY ROOTS P.24

Réjean‘s Dying Wish

A LIVING WILL P.12

Back on Kelley’s Feet

ARMY HELPS P.10

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

faithandfriends.ca

MARCH 2022

Sole Man

HOW NFL STAR MCTELVIN AGIM’S YOUTH AT THE SALVATION ARMY SHAPED WHO HE IS. P.16 faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022 • 1

Photo: Andrey Popov/stock.Adobe.com

A Full Life “I’m so busy.”

“There’s never enough time in the day.”

“My schedule is just too full!”

Do you ever find yourself saying things like this? Work, school and other commitments fill our calendars. Our to-do lists are long and always growing.

Our lives are full, but are they fulfilling? Jesus promises us a better way. He once told His followers, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Full of peace that passes understanding. Full of hope that does not disappoint. Full of love that is everlasting.

A life full of God.

To learn more about how Jesus can give you new life, visit our website at www.faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H 1P4

2 • MARCH 2022

I faithandfriends.ca

March 2022

VOLUME 25 NUMBER 3

22

BAD TO THE BONE 5

Looking for Trouble A new series unpacks the Bible’s bad boys and girls, starting with the Old Testament’s Lot.

LAUGHING MATTERS 8

Mr. Flynn and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day You may have had one, but God says, “I’m with you. Choose joy.”

COMMON GROUND 10 Back on Their Feet

The Salvation Army has made the world a better place for Kelley and her nephew, Jordan.

FEATURES Maid’s Amy Read

HER ARMY ROOTS P.24

Réjean‘s Dying Wish

A LIVING WILL P.12

Back on Kelley’s Feet

ARMY HELPS P.10

Faith&Friends

12

I N S P I R AT I O N F O R L I V I N G

faithandfriends.ca

MARCH 2022

Sole Man

16 HOW NFL STAR MCTELVIN AGIM’S YOUTH AT THE SALVATION ARMY SHAPED WHO HE IS. P.16 faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022 • 1

COVER STORY 22

A Living Will

Now, while he can, Réjean wants his life to be an example for others.

Touchdown Pass

How NFL star McTelvin Agim’s youth at The Salvation Army shaped who he is.

Becoming Unbreakable

New movie reminds us to focus on gratitude every day.

24

FAITH BUILDERS 24 Maid for This

Squamish, B.C., actor’s role in Netflix miniseries a natural fit.

LITE STUFF 28 Eating Healthy With Erin

Word Search, Sudoku, Quick Quiz.

NIFTY THRIFTY 31 Grounds for Improvement!

Use the power of coffee to turn something old into something new. faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022

•3

Faith&Friends

FROM THE EDITOR

We Can Be Heroes

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.

Y

ou don’t have to rush into a burning building to save a baby or rescue someone from the path of an onrushing train to be a hero. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as being in the stands during a hockey game.

This is what happened to Nadia Popovici, a 22-year-old Seattle Kraken fan, late last year.

She was seated behind the Vancouver bench watching the game against the Canucks when she noticed an irregularly shaped mole on the back of assistant equipment manager Brian Hamilton’s neck.

Nadia, who is going to medical school next year, says the mole caught her eye.

“It can’t hurt to say something,” she told CBC News Network.

Nadia held up the note she’d written on her cellphone to the plexiglass behind the Canucks bench, alerting Brian that the mole could possibly be cancerous.

Brian initially brushed off the note, but then had a team doctor check it out. It was indeed discovered to be a cancerous mole that could have had lethal consequences if left untreated.

“She saved my life,” a grateful Brian said later.

Nadia could have noted the mole and dismissed it. Instead, she acted—with life-changing results.

We can all be heroes by refusing to turn away, whether from inequity, intolerance, injustice or any other “in.” All it takes is you refusing to stand aside. The world will be a better place for it.

Ken Ramstead FEBRUARY 2022 2022 I faithandfriends.ca I faithandfriends.ca 4 • MARCH

Faith & Friends is published monthly by: The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4 International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England William and Catherine Booth FOUNDERS

Brian Peddle, GENERAL Commissioner Floyd Tidd TERRITORIAL COMMANDER

Lt-Colonel John P. Murray SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS Geoff Moulton, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Pamela Richardson ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kristin Ostensen MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Lisa Suroso GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST

Rivonny Luchas DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Ada Leung CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR

Giselle Randall STAFF WRITER Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version Contact Us P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217 Websites faithandfriends.ca, salvationist.ca, salvationarmy.ca Email faithandfriends@salvationarmy.ca Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6119 circulation@salvationarmy.ca All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794 ISSN 1702-0131

Faith&Friends

BAD TO THE BONE?

Looking for Trouble A new series unpacks the Bible’s bad boys and girls.

by Jeanette Levellie

Illustration: Kevin Carden/stock.Adobe.com

G

od has guts. He could’ve given us a 1,189-chapter Handbook for Living, full of stories about noble heroes to serve as examples.

Instead, He gave us the Bible, overflowing with accounts of murderers, adulterers, betrayers and thieves.

Some of these “bad boys and girls” realized they were headed for trouble and did a U-turn before it was too late. Others wallowed in their sin and paid the price. And God, never one to waste, used every story to help us understand Him better (Really, Lord?

You didn’t condemn an adulteress?) or show us what to avoid (Be careful who you tell your secrets to.).

This new series will examine some of these biblical bad boys and girls.

A few we might recognize, such as Delilah, whose badness was blatant.

Others may surprise us, such as Zechariah, who sinned in secret. But every one of these stories will spark hope for our own messes.

Life-Changing Verse I spent years running from God’s grace while I “did my own thing” as a bad girl. Then I found a Bible

verse that changed my life: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). That reassurance led me to surrender my life to God. I won’t lie and tell you I haven’t done anything bad since that decision. But I will tell you that God’s grace is bigger than any badness.

Since that day, I’ve diligently studied God’s Word and taught it in many settings, including Sunday school classes, kids’ neighbourhood Bible clubs and worship services.

Last year, I was ordained as a minister, and now I preach several times a month. I’ve co-pastored seven congregations and authored six Christian books plus hundreds of articles that focus on God’s grace and humour.

Because everyone can relate to bad boys and girls—whether our worst sin is saying a bad word or stealing a million dollars—this series will encourage us to receive God’s forgiveness, forgive ourselves and help us stay faithful to the Lord.

Turn the page for the first article in the series.

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Faith&Friends

BAD TO THE BONE?

The Best of a Bad Lot As Abram’s nephew illustrated, even good people can make bad mistakes.

by Jeanette Levellie

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hen Abram (later called Abraham) was called by God to leave his homeland and start His chosen nation of Hebrews, or Israelites, he not only packed up his family, servants, possessions and livestock. He also took his nephew, Lot, and his entire household.

As the two groups travelled throughout Israel and Egypt, they grew wealthy. The land they’d chosen to settle in could no longer support their huge flocks and herds. And, worse, their servants quarrelled over wells.

Abram proposed a solution. “Let’s not have any quarrelling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left” (Genesis 13:8-9).

Viewing the lush valleys to the east watered by the Jordan River, Lot selfishly chose to settle there, near the city of Sodom. The Bible tells us that the people who lived in Sodom “were

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wicked and sinning greatly against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). According to the Apostle Peter, their disregard of God’s standards tormented Lot day and night (see 2 Peter 2:8). Yet he chose to remain in that raunchy neighbourhood. He even raised his two daughters there.

Don’t Look Back But the day came when the people of Sodom and its neighbouring town, Gomorrah, became so wicked that God sent an angel to destroy them.

The angel warned Lot to take his family and not walk but run away from his old neighbourhood and not look back.

Soon fire and brimstone—burning sulfur with poisonous fumes—fell from heaven. Every person in both cities died a painful, horrible death.

Lot and his two daughters fled from God’s wrath pouring out on those evil ones, looking forward to their new destination. But Lot’s wife disobeyed the Lord’s command. When she looked behind her, she instantly turned to a statue of salt. Lot and his

Illustration: Woodcut by Gustave Doré (1832-1883), courtesy of The Doré Bible Gallery

The angel warned Lot to take his family and not walk but run away from his old neighbourhood and not look back.

daughters fled from the horror and started their new life in a neighbouring region.

We Can’t Fix Our Own Messes Although the Apostle Peter tells us that Lot was a righteous man (see 2 Peter 2:8), he made some bad decisions.

Moving to a city filled with wickedness had terrible results, not only for him but also for his family.

His story shows how people who are trying to live for God can still make foolish choices. We go in the direction that looks best, that seems ideal, the “greener grass” on the other side of the fence. And when our environment turns evil, we feel stuck. The truth is, on our own, we can’t fix the mistakes we’ve made in the past. But

when we ask for God’s help, He will always give us a way out.

It’s probably an accurate guess that Lot couldn’t imagine how God would rescue his family when He sent the angel to warn them of Sodom’s destruction. But he still obeyed the Lord and became a perfect example of God’s faithfulness to His children.

What About Lot? Read Genesis 12-14, 19 • Who: The nephew of Abram • When: Around 2,000 BC • Where: The land of Canaan (now Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon)

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Faith&Friends

LAUGHING MATTERS

Mr. Flynn and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day You may have had one, but God says, “I’m with you.

Choose joy.”

by Phil Callaway

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Photo: Dallas Callaway

t the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, a loose shoelace, a lack of handrails, a marble wall and a stroke of misfortune conspired to give one ill-fated individual, who shall remain nameless—until the next paragraph—an Inspector Clouseau moment.

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Shattering Conclusion After hiding from embarrassment for several days, Mr. Flynn recalled the events of that fateful afternoon to reporters.

His misadventure began with the realization that he had ascended the wrong staircase, so he swung gracefully around but trod upon his untied shoelace.

“I was trying to grab hold of something,” he said, “but I couldn’t stop myself.”

Hurtling toward the vases displayed on

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a windowsill, he thought, I will only shatter the first one. But it was not to be.

“Although I knew the vase would break, I didn’t imagine it would be loose and crash into the other two,” he said. “I’m sure I only hit the first one, which then hit the other, like a set of dominoes.”

The “dominoes,” which had been intact since the 17th century, were valued at $200,000.

“I can say with my hand on my heart,” said Mr. Flynn, with his hand on his heart, “that it was not deliberate. It was just one of those unbelievably unlucky things that can sometimes happen. I collided with a vase, which shattered into thousands of razor-sharp shards, and I was unhurt. I think it must have been a miracle.”

The vases had been displayed on the windowsill for 60 years before Mr. Flynn’s unfortunate visit. Tumbling down the museum staircase, he brought a shattering conclusion to the earthly pilgrimage of three Qing dynasty vases.

Choose Velcro I’ll tell you a little more about the fall of Mr. Flynn in a minute. But, first, I imagine you’ve had a bad day or two yourself. A friend sometimes says, “Just because today is a bad day doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be the worst day of your life.” What an encouragement. What a friend.

I prefer the advice of something my

wife hung on the fridge: “Sometimes bad days remind us that we have good ones to look forward to.”

None of us are immune to circumstances, phone calls, tragedies. That’s why we might want to set our GPS to Psalm 118 (New Living Translation).

In it, the writer mentions his distress.

Fearful, he’s surrounded by hostile nations; enemies want to take his life.

I’ve had bad days, but none like that.

So how can he say in the midst of it, “This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it” (verse 24)?

Smacked around by trouble and pain, he chose to focus on God’s goodness and mercy. “In my distress I prayed to the Lord,” he wrote, “and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? (verses 5-6). Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever” (verse 29).

Your calendar and your circumstances may label this a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. God says, “I’m with you. Have no fear.

Choose gratitude. Choose joy.”

As for Mr. Flynn, it took experts six months to reassemble the vases and they are now back on display— in a special case. Reportedly, he was banned from the museum for some time following his fall.

So, listen to your mothers, you children. Do up your laces. Or choose Velcro.

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Faith&Friends

COMMON GROUND

Photo: Courtesy of Kelley Sherin

Selfie Smiles Jordan Sherin, left, and his aunt, Kelley Sherin, were helped by The Salvation Army when they needed it most

Back on Their Feet The Salvation Army has made the world a better place for Kelley and her nephew, Jordan.

by Megan Atkins-Baker

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Saanich, B.C., woman who cares for her autistic teen nephew says she was greatly helped by The Salvation Army’s Victoria Citadel church during a breaking point in her life.

Homeless and Penniless With no children of her own, Kelley Sherin took in 16-year-old Jordan to provide him with the care he deserves—but wasn’t receiving.

Jordan had moved around a lot within his extended family prior to moving in with Kelley. Being the

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only adult in her family who was single and able, she felt it was time to advocate for him by providing a consistent and loving home base.

However, Kelley had issues of her own before Jordan moved in. She had trouble finding appropriate housing and experienced homelessness for two weeks before finding a basement suite through sharing her story in an online ad.

Moving costs and paying her initial rent rendered her penniless once they’d moved in, so she was forced to search for a food bank,

After going from an independent career woman to a single parent in survival mode, Kelley was humbled by how quickly life’s circumstances can change.

which ultimately led her to Victoria Citadel.

Changing Circumstances “I found The Salvation Army downtown and was then promptly directed to the citadel, which also happens to be just a few blocks from where I live,” she says.

She was welcomed with open arms by Michelle O’Connor, community ministries director, and the on-site pastor.

“Michelle encouraged me to be open about how I was really doing—from physical and mental to emotional and spiritual,” Kelley says.

She was then assisted with food and one-on-one practical support through joining the Next Steps Program offered by the organization.

Kelley and Jordan attended a movie night a few weeks later, where

families came together to enjoy games, treats and door prizes, and Jordan is now a part of the youth group.

“He said that he lives for youth group—and that was only after going one time!” Kelley says.

With the support from Victoria Citadel, she feels immense relief knowing she has others to lean on when times are difficult. After going from an independent career woman with no one else to support but herself to a single parent in survival mode within a short time period, Kelley was humbled by how quickly life’s circumstances can change.

Community support from Victoria Citadel has helped her get back on her feet, she says, and allowed her to provide the best care possible to her nephew.

Reprinted from Saanich News/Black Press Media, November 14, 2021.

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

A Living

Will

RÉJEAN CONQUERED HIS ADDICTIONS WITH THE HELP OF THE SALVATION ARMY. NOW, WHILE HE CAN, HE WANTS TO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS.

by Larisa Chis

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“

am a former junkie,” states Réjean. “I wasn’t able to support my family and went through a divorce, all because I did drugs. I’m sure had I continued on the path I’d been on, I would have died. But The Salvation Army saved my life.”

Open Doors Réjean’s first contact with The Salvation Army came about 13 years ago, when he discovered The Salvation Army’s Booth Centre in Montreal, which offers temporary housing and the support of intervention workers for men 18 and over who are experiencing housing difficulties and struggling with addiction or mental illness.

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It was when Réjean was active at the Booth Centre and helping out at The Salvation Army’s Camp Lac L’Achigan that he got to know Major Rock Marcoux.

“The pastors, such as Major Rock, and the staff at the Booth Centre, took the time to listen and take care of me so I could get better,” Réjean says. “It was there that I welcomed God into my life.”

With the support of Major Rock and the staff, he entered the Booth Centre’s addiction treatment program and started the process of recovery. As he healed spiritually, physically and emotionally, doors opened to another part of his life that he thought were forever closed.

Together in Friendship Réjean (left) with Major Rock Marcoux. “I’m not going to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs”

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

He’s Coming to Town One of Réjean’s favourite holidays is Christmas and he used to love to dress up as Santa for Salvation Army functions before his hospitalization

“Thirteen years went by without my children having any contact with me,” Réjean says. “I reconnected with them in 2012. They gave me a second chance and we got to know each other. I am part of their lives and they are part of mine now.”

Volunteering While at the Booth Centre, Réjean was told about The Salvation Army’s Nouveaux Départs (New Starts) Community Church in Sherbrooke, Que. There, he volunteered with community and family services, assisted in renovating the church, took care of the volunteers, worked at the food bank and, most of all, offered help to anyone who asked for it.

“I volunteered three times a week,” Réjean continues. “When I decided to get involved, I did it with 14 • MARCH 2022

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my heart. No one forced me. Growing up, I was taught the importance of helping others. That was the most beautiful lesson my parents ever taught me, that helping others is priceless.

“I love volunteering,” he says.

“Giving to people as much as I can. I do it with heart. Seeing people come to the food bank reminds me of where I was in another life. Without The Salvation Army, I would have been homeless and probably would have lost my life on the street.

“When people come to the Army for help, they know we care. We’re here to help them. Sometimes people come to the food bank and, often, the next time we see them, it’s in the church on Sunday.

“Helping others is priceless, it’s rewarding, and I know that the people I help are happy.”

Goals But just as Réjean started a new life, he received some difficult news.

Doctors diagnosed him with cancer, which necessitated surgery on one of his lungs in 2020. Unfortunately, after further tests late last year, doctors found more cancer, which

“Helping others is priceless, it’s rewarding, and I know that the people I help are happy.”

RÉJEAN

wasn’t operable.

The diagnosis might well have paralyzed someone with less spirit, but Réjean refused to be cowed.

“We all have a way of grieving,” he says, “I’m not going to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs.

“All I asked God was to get me through Christmas and New Year’s,” he continues. “They are my favourite holidays. Then, for the darker days, Major Rock purchased tickets to a Christmas show at Place Des Arts and he told me to put them on the fridge and think about that when I had difficult moments.”

Réjean opened his heart to God when he arrived at the Booth Centre. He also knows his feelings of love and respect for his Salvationist friends are reciprocated.

“I know that the people at Nouveaux Départs are praying for me

on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings,” he says.

Réjean has decided not to have any extended treatment and is now in a hospice.

“I don’t want to be in hospital for six months,” he shares. “I don’t want to put my children through that. I don’t want them to worry. I spend weekends with them. I asked my son if I could talk to my 12-year-old grandson about my health. I told him that I would soon pass away, and he understands.

“What little time I have left, I want it to be beautiful and useful.”

Which is why he decided to share his testimony, to be an example for others.

“If I can help one person ask for help and pull them out from their own darkness, my goal will have been achieved.”

(left) Larisa Chis is the communications officer at The Salvation Army’s divisional headquarters in Montreal. faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Sole Man McTelvin Agim, a second-year defensive lineman for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, auctioned a customdesigned boot he wore in a recent game. The money raised went to The Salvation Army in Texarkana, Texas

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GROWING UP IN TEXAS, NFL STAR McTELVIN AGIM FOUND A PLACE OF BELONGING AT THE SALVATION ARMY.

by Ben Swanson

faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022

Photos: Courtesy of the Denver Broncos

Touchdown Pass

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Turkey Time McTelvin holds two turkeys as he helps distribute Thanksgiving meals to families in need in 2021

McTELVIN AGIM HAS BECOME a successful player with the National Football League’s Denver Broncos, but his team commitments don’t get in the way of his support of The Salvation Army.

“When I was a kid, we had a rough time, a rough patch growing up,” McTelvin says. “We didn’t have anywhere to go.”

Or almost nowhere. He says it was The Salvation Army who helped his family, so he understands the pressures and struggles many families face in similar situations across the United States and Canada— especially at Christmas.

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Giving It the Boot The 24-year-old, six-foot-two, 308-pound second-year defensive lineman says he remembers as a six- or seven-year-old child the Christmases when he only got socks, or when he and his family had to sleep in their car or seek refuge at the Army shelter in Texarkana, Texas.

“The Salvation Army gave us sanctuary,” McTelvin recalls. “They gave us a place to lay our heads. I wouldn’t be here without them. I can’t ever repay them for that time; for how important that was for us, but to be able to do something and

“The Salvation Army gave us sanctuary.

I wouldn’t be here without them.”

MCTELVIN AGIM

give back something to them is something I try to do every time.”

As part of the annual NFL My Cause My Cleats campaign, McTelvin put up for auction one of the custom-designed boots he wore at a recent Broncos game. He had the Army shield printed on them and autographed them. The proceeds of the sale of the single boot went to The Salvation Army in Texarkana.

Valuable Opportunity Captain Juan Gomez, the pastor of the Texarkana Corps, says it means a lot to The Salvation Army for McTelvin to give back to a community that helped him and his family through a difficult time.

Captain Juan goes on to say that he could identify with how important such a response was, having been helped by the Army when he was a child, too, as his family was once chosen from an Angel Tree.

“I have gone from one side of the feeding line to the other,” he says.

Angel Trees are a popular Christmas tradition where trees are decorated with angels bearing the name of a person or family on them, and people are invited to choose one or more and buy gifts or hampers for that person or family.

“It really is an opportunity for these children and for these families as a whole to be seen as valuable,” Captain Juan says.

Photos: Courtesy of the Denver Broncos

Shoe-In McTelvin’s one-of-a-kind boot

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Faith&Friends

COVER STORY

Worry-Free Home McTelvin states that, by being part of the Angel Tree initiative himself, he represented his family and countless others like his who needed help.

As a six-year-old, McTelvin says he was old enough to feel embarrassed at being homeless and having to live in an Army shelter: “If somebody asked you where you live, you didn’t want to say. I knew that much.”

For about a year, McTelvin and his family stayed there. In a trying situation, a youngster was able to make the best of it.

He says that the Salvation Army staff tried to make the communal living space homey and would take him and the other children on trips to the park or the basketball court.

During that time, McTelvin formed friendships with other children. Though some schoolmates couldn’t relate to what he was going through, his friends at the shelter could.

“They understand you,” he says.

“They understand they’re in the same boat as you. The counsellors working at The Salvation Army were trying to make sure that we didn’t have to worry about that either.”

Finding Hope McTelvin’s surroundings may have changed with the Broncos having drafted him last year, but he knows he hasn’t changed.

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“I don’t think you ever forget where you come from,” he says. “You don’t ever forget the struggles, the trials, any of that. It’s still fresh on your mind, but you try to help as much as possible.”

Captain Juan says, just as McTelvin has, the Army continues to provide opportunities where people can find hope.

“Every day, we have men, women and children who are coming through our doors, and we don’t know who they are, and we don’t

Photo: Courtesy of the Denver Broncos

Taking a Knee for the Army McTelvin warms up in his custom-designed football boots

know who they’re going to be,” Captain Juan says. “We don’t know what successes they’re going to have in life or what struggles they’re going to have in life, and the truth of the

matter is none of that weighs on our decision to help them.”

“The thing I want to do is just give back,” McTelvin says.

Reprinted from Others, January 2022.

(left) Ben Swanson is the managing editor at DenverBroncos.com. faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022

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Faith&Friends

FEATURE

Becoming Unbreakable NEW MOVIE REMINDS US TO FOCUS ON GRATITUDE EVERY DAY.

by Diane Stark

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n theatres this month, The Unbreakable Boy is a faith-based film that shares the true story of Scott (Zachary Levi, American Underdog) and Teresa LeRette (Meghann Fahy, One Life to Live), whose son, Austin (Jacob Laval, The Plot Against America), was born with a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. Based on Scott’s book of the same name, the film chronicles the family’s struggles and triumphs through Austin’s medical setbacks and educational challenges.

The Unbreakable Boy is Austin’s story, but just as much, it’s Scott’s.

Life just hasn’t turned out the way he thought it would. Not only does he have a son with serious medical issues but he also struggles with addiction to alcohol. These circumstances are the one-two punch of failure and regret in Scott’s life.

“This is not what I thought it was going to be like,” he says. “I feel like I’m failing every day, and the harder I try, the worse I do.”

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Scott can’t stop his son’s bones from breaking. He can’t prevent the bullies from teasing Austin about his funny hats and his over-thetop enthusiasm for life. Every part of his life is a fight, from staying sober to persuading the school to allow Austin to learn in a regular classroom.

When Austin tries to befriend the boy who bullies him, his family wonders why. All they see is a mean bully, but Austin sees the sadness in the boy’s eyes and wants to help him.

Scott can’t believe it. He has always viewed Austin as broken because of his medical issues, but he is starting to realize his son’s indestructible optimism has made him strong, virtually unbreakable.

What does this mindset shift mean for Scott and his own internal battles? Will he ever be able to forgive himself for past failures and experience joy in the present moment, despite life’s challenges?

“ For Austin,

every day can be the best day ever. You just have to be able to see it.” SCOTT L RETTE

Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate Films

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Promises Kept Scott knows that it would be normal—even expected—for someone with Austin’s problems to feel unhappy much of the time. But Austin has a gift for finding the bright side in every situation.

“I wish I could enjoy anything as much as my son enjoys everything,” Scott says. “For Austin, every day can be the best day ever. You just have to be able to see it.”

But that’s not easy. In this world, our problems can feel overwhelming and blind us to the good things that are still in front of us. Health issues, family problems, financial concerns—the list of potential worries can seem endless. God knew that we would face struggles in this life, but the Bible still instructs us to rejoice and be glad each day (see Psalm 118:24).

How can we rejoice when everything is going wrong in our lives?

Because joy isn’t about our circumstances. True joy comes from the Lord and the hope He offers us. No matter how many challenges we face in our lives, we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (see Romans 8:37).

In other words, Jesus’ death and Resurrection was a victory over sin.

He offers this victory to us as a gift, and when we accept it, it becomes our victory, too. It erases our past failures and gives us the promise of eternal life.

The best way to feel more joyful each day is to focus on gratitude.

Giving thanks in all circumstances isn’t easy, but it reminds us of God’s unbreakable promises to us, in this life and the next. faithandfriends.ca I MARCH 2022

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Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

Maid for This Squamish, B.C., actor’s role in Netflix miniseries a natural fit.

by Melissa Yue Wallace

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Photos: Courtesy of Amy Reid

raised for its heartbreaking and realistic portrayal of a single mother struggling to escape a cycle of abuse and poverty, Maid was one of Netflix’s most-watched miniseries in 2021.

The series, based on Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir, evokes empathy for Alex, who dreams of a better life for her two-year-old daughter, only to face setbacks along the way.

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As Alex begins to navigate her new reality, she meets Jody, a no-nonsense social service worker played

by Amy Reid. The Squamish, B.C., actor admits the role wasn’t much of a stretch.

“I almost laughed when I saw the description,” she says. “I thought, There couldn’t have been a part more written for me.”

“A Million Interactions” Amy worked as an outreach worker and caseworker at The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light in the Downtown Eastside from 2011 to 2014.

“A friend was working at The Salvation Army and thought I’d be a good fit for a position. I met with them and it felt like putting on an old leather jacket you’re comfortable in, you know, without ever knowing that was the role you were going to be in life. It felt like exactly where I needed to be.”

Amy’s tasks included helping people access services, treatment, detox, housing or whatever else they needed. She also

assisted people through the food line in the mornings and helped to run the drop-in centre.

“What I loved about working at the Army was the sense of community among the people I worked with and for,” she says. “Amid the struggle was a lot of humour and humanity, and when you see how the people in the Downtown Eastside support each other and when you hear their stories, you can understand why they are so proud.”

She remembers a man who arrived without identification. He had lived in Canada since childhood but had been born in India. To get a Canadian ID, he had to provide a birth certificate, which had been difficult to obtain. Without an ID, he couldn’t

Maid The Netflix series is based on Stephanie Lang’s memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive

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Faith&Friends

FAITH BUILDERS

get a job, housing or social assistance, and had been relying on the Army to survive.

“He and I worked together for weeks, sleuthing out a way to prove his identity in Canada,” says Amy. The man mentioned he had undergone brain surgery in Ontario years ago. Amy was able to track down his surgeon and, after matching his scar and medical records, they were able to obtain a new citizenship card for him. The man was then able to find work and a place to live.

“When we can find a tangible way to help someone with a roadblock, it feels pretty incredible,” she says.

“Having said that, lives do not change on a dime. It’s not the action of one person or organization that changes

lives, but a million, small, positive interactions that slowly evokes change.”

A Helping Hand An opportunity opened up for Amy to work closer to home as a manager at Helping Hands, an organization that provides food, shelter and services to individuals in need. From 2014 to 2020, she created programs to address Squamish’s housing crisis and was part of a team that spearheaded a massive project called Under One Roof to put housing, services and medical support in one building. She resigned from her position when she got the part in Maid, but the fruits of her labour continue to be seen in the hundreds of people who are fed and housed each month.

Like many social service workers, Amy sometimes found herself bringing home from work the difficult stories she was involved with and had to learn to practise self-care.

“I realized in order to keep myself well, I had to step away a bit and do different kinds of work. Acting keeps me well.”

Both Sides of the Desk The opening sequence of Amy’s scene in Maid with Alex, played by Every Brilliant Thing Amy’s one-woman show debuts this month

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“ What I loved about working at the Army was the sense of community among the people I worked with and for.” AMY REID Margaret Qualley, was filmed twice.

Margaret had felt unsure about her performance and wanted to give it her best.

“I remember turning to her and saying, ‘Look, I’ve sat across the desk from hundreds of people in your position. They’re scared, they’re humiliated, angry that they even have to ask for help and frustrated that services aren’t being provided to them. And every one of them has the look in their eye that you have right now. You’ve got it.’

“It was surreal to read the story of Maid and understand how it felt to sit on both sides of the desk,” Amy says.

Pursuing Passions Amy’s love for acting is something she has pursued from an early age.

“Whether it was in community

theatre or parts in small films or TV shows, it’s always been my passion,” she says.

This month, Amy will be performing in a one-woman show titled Every Brilliant Thing, about a woman who grows up with a mother who battled depression. She makes lists of all the beautiful things in her life that are worth living for as she simultaneously battles her own mental-health challenges.

“Since Maid came out, what’s been really cool is that I’ve learned how many people in my community are cheering me on,” she says. “I’ll run into people at the supermarket and they’ll recognize me from the local theatre production, my volunteer work or something else, and they’re all excited for me.

“I feel grateful.”

(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.

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Eating Healthy With Erin EASY BOLOGNESE TIME 1 hr MAKES 4 servings

SERVE WITH garlic bread

1 celery stalk 1 medium onion 1 large carrot 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil 500 g (1 lb) ground beef 750 ml (3 cup) marinara sauce 10 ml (2 tsp) dried oregano 5 ml (1 tsp) dried parsley 250 ml (1 cup) whole milk or cream 45 ml (3 tbsp) Parmesan cheese

1. Dice celery, onion and carrot and cook over medium-high heat until soft, about 12 to 15 minutes.

2. In separate pan with olive oil, brown ground beef until most of the pink is gone, and drain fat. Set aside.

3. Add marinara sauce to pan of vegetables. Add beef, oregano and parsley. Cook together over low heat, breaking up beef with wooden spoon. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Stir in milk or cream and continue to cook over low heat for 5 minutes 5. Serve with your favourite pasta and top with Parmesan cheese.

HEALTHY STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE TIME 2 min MAKES 2 servings

SERVE WITH oatmeal or pancakes

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

250 ml (1 cup) frozen strawberries 1 peeled frozen banana 250 ml (1 cup) milk of choice 5 ml (1 tsp) maple syrup

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1. Put all ingredients in blender and blend at high speed until smooth.

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Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

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© www.kevinfrank.net

HEAVEN’S LOVE THRIFT SHOP by Kevin Frank

Answers on next page.

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QUICK QUIZ 1. What year was the Norman Conquest?

2. What is a turophile a connoisseur of?

3. What is the world’s most populated country?

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CADILLAC CHEVROLET CHRYSLER CITROËN DACIA DAEWOO DATSUN DODGE FERRARI FIAT FORD GAZ

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Faith&Friends

NIFTY THRIFTY

Grounds for Improvement!

Use the power of coffee to turn something old into something new.

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pcycling clothes in your closet is a way to give them new life. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to turn an old piece of clothing into a “new” piece by dyeing it with coffee. I’ll be using a pair of thrifted white painter pants that I found at my local Salvation Army thrift store.

Supplies Needed: instant coffee grounds, large container, wooden spoon, hot water.

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Step 1 Boil some water in a large pot.

Step 2 When the water is boiled, pour it into the container. Make sure the container is safe for hot water.

Step 3 Add three small packages of instant coffee. Stir until the coffee is completely dissolved in the water.

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Step 4 Completely immerse the clothing item in the coffee. Let soak for 15-20 minutes, then rinse until water is clear.

Step 5 After rinsing, add clothing items to dryer.

When completely dry, your clothes should have a tan-like colour!

(left) Osareme David Dom-okoebu is a content creator and a creative expert for The Salvation Army. He creates content on Instagram (@__reme_) centred mainly on thrifted menswear. He also shares how to be stylish without breaking the bank. Find a thrift store near you at thriftstore.ca.

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