Salvationist + Faith & Friends March/April 2024

March/April 2024

All Bets Are Off: The True Cost of Sports Gambling

St. John’s Quilting Group

Sews Prayers and Squares

Peterborough Salvationist Leads Scouts With Honour

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

Salvationist.ca

THE PRICE OF Salvation

In the face of unimaginable pain, Jesus refused to abandon God’s will

5 Frontlines

22

FEATURES

8 Good Question!

Salvationist readers share their thoughts on the magazine and website in our latest reader survey.

10 The Final Word

No matter the challenges or circumstances we face, God will have the ultimate victory. by General Lyndon Buckingham

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9

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12 Blanketed in Prayer

Quilting group’s ministry at St. John’s West Corps, N.L., is a labour of love.

by Abbigail Oliver

14 Beyond BRAVE

After hosting an event to empower girls, the next step is building relationships. by Rebekah McNeilly

16 The Resurrection Age

What it means to have an Easter faith.

by Isaiah Allen

20 The Paddling Poet Writer and outdoorsman Deryck Robertson keeps faith at the forefront of his passions.

by Abbigail Oliver

24 The Lord Is My Shepherd

While praying Psalm 23 with an elderly woman in the hospital, I was exactly where I needed to be. by Cadet Chesney Edwards

Salvationist.ca serves as a hub for all THQ-related resources for the territory— from finance to women’s ministries to international development. Visit Salvationist.ca today and check out newly redesigned sites for corps mission, the College for Officer Training and candidates. Cover

Learning by Heart

In January, I had the privilege of travelling to Liberia and Zimbabwe to see the ministry of The Salvation Army in Africa first-hand. Led by Lt-Colonels Brenda and John Murray, director of international development and territorial secretary for communications, the Army team met with our African counterparts to explore how our territories can support one another through development work and fundraising.

Perhaps the most moving part of the experience was meeting the children at the Army-run schools in Liberia. First, we visited the Flehla Brighter Futures Daycare, where we played classic games of Duck, Duck, Goose, Simon Says, and Red Light, Green Light with the children. What amazed me was their model behaviour, and the way in which the older children looked out for the younger ones. As the educators emphasized, they are aiming to raise “morally upright leaders.”

Moving on to the William Booth Junior and Senior High School in Paynesville, I sat down with three teenagers who shared their hopes and dreams. Effie is a future lawyer who loves TikTok and writes a blog. Jwandel is a soccer fan with a plan for public administration. Faithlyn has a passion for music and enjoys cooking. Also in my discussion group was Salvationist and religious studies teacher Nelson Nah, who is himself

Salvationist

is a bimonthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory

Lyndon Buckingham

General

Commissioner Lee Graves

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

Abbigail Oliver

Editor of Just for Kids and Staff Writer

a graduate of the school—he has come full circle.

David Massaquoi, director of education, noted that 100 percent of students had passed the government’s standardized testing three years in a row—a significant achievement. Even more powerful, he praised the school’s values of inclusion and equity. He shared the story of a young Muslim student who was struggling at other local schools until he came to William Booth. Embraced by staff and students alike, the boy graduated at the top of his class.

The Salvation Army school sys tems in countries such as Liberia are transforming communities by giving children a hope and a future.

In this month’s Talking It Over (page 22), ethicist James Read and Howard Dalziel, director of Salvation Army Schools International, discuss the tremendous impact of education. Elsewhere, we profile BRAVE, a pro gram that is educating and empowering girls to keep them safe from exploitation and traf ficking (page 14).

In their Easter articles, General Lyndon Buckingham

Lisa Suroso

Graphic Design Specialist

Rivonny Luchas

Digital Media Specialist

Emily Pedlar

Junior Graphic Designer

Ken Ramstead

Editor of Faith & Friends

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.

(page 10) and Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander (page 9), focus on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross and the hope of Easter morning. And in the wake of Easter, we are anticipating an amazing territorial event as the Canadian Staff Songsters welcome the International Staff Songsters and the four U.S.A. Staff Songster brigades to Toronto for a weekend of concerts and ministry. When it comes to education, I’m so glad to know that The Salvation Army is investing in young lives around the globe. Truly, these students are “learning by heart” what it means to be fulfilled in their vocations and follow in Jesus’ way. May all of us seek that kind of higher education.

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Mission

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. Salvationist informs readers about the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

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Divisional Boundary Mergers Take Effect

Effective January 1, 2024, the Canada and Bermuda Territory is officially comprised of four divisions:

• Atlantic Division (An amalgamation of the former Maritime, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Bermuda divisions.)

• Ontario Division

• Prairies and Northern Territories Division (Initially, it was proposed that the Alberta and Northern Territories Division and Prairie Division would merge to form the Great Plains and Northern Division. After consultation with stakeholders in the respective divisions, it was determined that this name did not accurately reflect the regions and the change to Prairies and Northern Territories Division was proposed and approved by International Headquarters.)

• British Columbia Division

Lt-Colonel Brian Armstrong, divisional commander for the new Prairies and Northern Territories Division, and Lt-Colonel Sandra Stokes, divisional commander for the new Atlantic Division, have committed to orienting their leadership teams to each other, to the new structure, and to answering any questions that may remain as the territory embarks on this change.

Ahead of the mergers taking effect, and under the professional facilitation of Kerri Cryderman, a soldier at Saskatoon Temple, divisional leadership teams gathered in person on both ends of the country, in Red Deer, Alta., and Halifax. Through prayer, singing, dancing and even games, individuals learned about each other on a personal level, as well as their local culture, and, most importantly, discovered their “ties that bind.” Feedback following the sessions was unanimous: participants felt united as a team and, as they continue to align their mission, their ministry will be more focused.

“The journey has begun, but as with all change, it will take time, things will shift and it will not be perfect,” says Lt-Colonel Stokes. “By remaining focused and connected with one another, by keeping the advancement of the mission at the core, the new divisions will flourish and the kingdom of God will grow in our communities. As we continue down this path, may we also experience spiritual transformation, putting our trust in God who makes all things new.”

Learn more about the divisional boundary mergers at salvationist.ca/divisional_boundary_faqs.

Atlantic Div leaders gather for a planning meeting in Halifax

Team-building at the leaders’ gathering in Red Deer, Alta., includes conversations by the campfire

2023 Christmas Kettle Campaign Raises More Than $22 million

As a result of the generosity of donors and supporters, The Salvation Army’s 2023 Christmas kettle campaign was a resounding success. In total, the territory raised $22.8 million, surpassing the territorial fundraising goal and marking a significant increase from the previous year’s campaign.

Of these donations, the Army’s iconic red kettles collected $21.9 million, with $2.8 million coming from almost 300,000 tiptap donations, a cashless option for donors to tap their credit or debit cards to donate. Additionally, National Recycling Operations ( NRO ) made a valuable contribution through its Goodworks@ Work campaign, which raised more than $330,000 for local ministry. In doing so, NRO surpassed its goal by five percent and engaged almost 80,000 donors in the

campaign through Army thrift stores.

All of the funds from The Salvation Army’s Christmas kettle campaign are circulated back into the communities in which they were raised, helping the Army to continue providing essential social services to local residents.

“Throughout 2023, the cost of living in Canada continued to be at an all-time high, and more people required our services than ever before,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications, as he reflects on the work of The Salvation Army in 2023 and the dedicated support of donors and mission partners. “Thanks to the generous contributions of donors, volunteers and supporters, we are giving hope to the millions of people across Canada whom we serve daily.”

Santa Shuffle Supports Local Ministries

Across the country, communities of Salvationists and supporters came together for a display of holiday spirit during The Salvation Army’s 2023 Santa Shuffle in December. The annual 5-kilometre fun run and 1-kilometre Elf Walk, organized in partnership with the Running Room, brought out thousands of runners and families, many dressed in festive outfits, to raise money for the Army’s local ministries.

“The money raised from the Santa Shuffle through registrations and donations stays in those communities,” explains Katie Marshall, special events, initiatives and marketing specialist, and national race director.

In Ottawa, close to 800 runners registered for the Santa Shuffle at Lansdowne Park, where The Salvation Army’s mascot, Shieldy, came out to greet runners, and the emergency disaster services (EDS) team served hot chocolate from the EDS truck.

“The Ottawa shuffle was fun, festive and full of Christmas cheer,” says Stacey Alexander, Ottawa race director and resource and development co-ordinator at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre. “Shufflers were encouraged to dress up in their favourite Christmas outfits, and I assure you, they did not disappoint!”

More than 400 participants gathered at the Eau Claire Market in Calgary for the Santa Shuffle, sponsored by Grimms, Save On Foods and Planet Fitness. “People were excited to be there,” says Jamie Rose, events co-ordinator, Prairies and Northern Territories Division. “The Santa Shuffle supports Red Shield dollars and spreads awareness of our work in the community. This was also the first year we put a toy bin out to collect for our toy drive.”

This year’s Santa Shuffle also included 10 locations exclusively offering virtual options, where racers were encouraged to take part by running on a treadmill, at the gym or by getting out in the neighbourhood with friends.

Nationwide, the Santa Shuffle raised more than $125,000 in pledged donations, as well as more than $100,000 in registration revenue. “There are people who get really excited about it and they register in April,” says Marshall. “We get a lot of Salvationists and people who want to support the Army, but the event also attracts people who are just interested in helping others in their community. That’s the whole point of The Salvation Army, isn’t it?”

The 2023 Salvation Army kettle campaign was a great success, thanks to volunteers, mission partners and donors across Canada and Bermuda

Photo: Kiersten Bulloch

Shieldy greets runners at the Santa Shuffle in Ottawa

The EDS truck at the shuffle in Calgary

Photo: Maria Silva-Dean and Zack Dean

Photo: Kimberly Hoy

In 2023, The Salvation Army surveyed more than 1,500 Canadians to produce the 2023 Canadian Poverty and Socioeconomic Analysis to better understand their attitudes, behaviours and experiences on issues such as the availability of housing and food, general affordability and related health outcomes. As one of the largest non-governmental direct providers of social services in Canada, this data helps The Salvation Army to quantify the demand for ongoing social services so that it can better serve those in need.

The research shows Canadians rank inflation, housing security and food affordability as their top concerns. These findings are in line with the Army’s internal

Poverty Report Reveals Growing Demand for Social Services

data, which reveal an increase in the number of households seeking assistance, as well as individuals seeking clothing, furniture, emergency housing and winter coats.

The report finds that single parent families are facing the highest degree of hardship across the country. While 25 percent of Canadians fear they do not have enough income to cover their basic needs, that number climbs to 40 percent for single parent households, single person households (31 pecent) and caregivers (30 percent). Twenty-one percent of respondents reported skipping or reducing the size of at least one meal because they cannot afford to buy groceries, but that number jumps to 45 percent among single parents. Twenty-two percent of parents also reported eating less so their children or other family members could eat (44 percent among single parents).

“The figures from our research are troubling and show that Canadians are

struggling in every corner of this country, and they are worried about their families’ futures, with nearly 60 percent of Canadians extremely concerned about the rising cost of living and inflation,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications. “The general lack of affordability is having a toll on the emotional, mental and physical well-being of our communities. These are our friends, family and neighbours, and an increasing number of them are turning to The Salvation Army for support.”

As a result, The Salvation Army expects to sustain current levels of service to support Canadians dealing with these ongoing challenges and will continue to leverage this data and internal metrics to help direct resources where they’re needed most.

To view the report, visit salvationarmy.ca/research.

Infographic: Lisa Suroso

Good Question!

Salvationist readers share their thoughts on the magazine and website in our latest reader survey.

How can Salvationist better serve Salvation Army members and mission partners in Canada and Bermuda? Last year, we invited readers to share their thoughts and more than 750 people responded, offering valuable ideas and insights. Thank you to everyone across the territory and beyond who took the time to fill out our survey. All comments were carefully considered by the editorial team and have informed improvements to Salvationist.ca and the print magazine. Look for a redesign coming to the May/June issue of Salvationist

Here are some of the key themes that emerged in last year’s survey:

PERSONAL STORIES AND TESTIMONIES

• “More real life stories, especially new conversions.”

• “Sharing officer, leader and employee callings—why they chose The Salvation Army to live out their calling and make a difference in the world.”

CORPS AND MINISTRY UNIT PROFILES

• “I would love to see more articles on different ministries/outreaches offered by corps across Canada and Bermuda. The Army is so widespread, so I feel like reading more about corps across Canada would bring a sense of unity and familiarity among all the different ministry units.”

• “I like to hear about the innovative things other ministry units are doing, and the stories that come out of them.”

WHAT ISSUES OR TOPICS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN SALVATIONIST/ SALVATIONIST.CA?

The most common answers fell into five general categories:

SOCIAL ISSUES, DEBATE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

• “Discussions about current news issues.”

• “Real hot topics. Where does the Army stand?

How do we handle these issues as a local church?”

THEOLOGY, SPIRITUAL LIFE AND SALVATION ARMY DISTINCTIVES

• “I would like to see more biblical topics in Salvationist.”

• “More on spiritual practices.”

• “I would like to see a greater emphasis on how our theology grounds the work we do and the people we are, both inside The Salvation Army and in our personal lives.”

• “How our doctrines are relevant for today.”

YOUTH

• “I’d like to see articles featuring voices from the millennial and gen Z demographics.”

• “A separate column for youth—e.g., what they are doing to fulfil their mission, programs for the youth. We need more youth in the mission.”

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE THE DESIGN OF SALVATIONIST MAGAZINE?

While most readers had a favourable view of the current design, there were some suggestions for improvement:

• “More colour. It currently is mostly white with a rectangular or square image.”

• “Less stock photos and more photos taken by Salvationists.”

• “Each article should look and feel a little differently than the last, since it’s a piece of art and telling its own story.”

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE YOUR EXPERIENCE OF SALVATIONIST.CA?

Many respondents noted that they found the website user-friendly, but a substantial number said that the search engine was not giving the most relevant or recent results.

Taking that feedback into account, we have since upgraded Salvationist.ca so that the search function now allows readers to sort results by type (all, articles, resources, media), filter by subsite (e.g., corps mission, women’s ministries, Ethics Centre), and sort by newest/relevancy.

The Weight of Gethsemane

In the face of unimaginable pain, Jesus refused to abandon God’s will.

BY COMMISSIONER LEE GRAVES

“Heprayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44 NLT).

That night in Gethsemane, Jesus knew the Crucifixion was coming. It was almost unbearable weight, yet Jesus persevered. The olive press was a familiar tool in Capernaum, where Jesus carried out most of his public ministry. It was a city surrounded by olive groves. At public presses, olives were placed in a large basin carved out of highly desirable black basalt stone mined from local quarries, where a wheel was rolled over the olives again and again, cracking them open. Then a great stone weight, known as a gethsemane, was lowered onto the prepared olives, pressing them down and forcing the rich flow of the precious oil, which was captured in a container below.

This image has stood the test of time as a metaphor to describe the lonely, intentional journey of Jesus as he approached his final night of prayer in preparation for his imminent arrest and Crucifixion, fulfilling the predicted purpose for which he was given by the Father as the ultimate gift. His life in trade for my sins. He would die in my stead, in my place, bearing my sin.

Jesus prays, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42 NLT). Or stated another way, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42 NLT).

Metaphorically, the crushed, broken olives, stacked to receive the weight of that enormous stone, represented Jesus. The stone, the gethsemane, the weight brought to bear, represents my sin. Jesus, the Son of the living God; Jesus, God himself, both man and divine, two natures indivisible—determined, through contemplation of almost unbearable weight, in those moments, in that prayer time, to pay sin’s price for me.

Almost unbearable weight. Pressed by that gethsemane to the point of sweating drops of blood. Is this another metaphor used to simply articulate the stress and seriousness of the occasion or is it physically possible to sweat drops of blood? In his book, The Case for Christ, author Lee Strobel interviewed research scientist Alexander Metherell, who shared this important insight: “There is a known medical condition called hematidrosis. While not very common, it is associated with a high degree of psychological stress. Medical evidence proves that under the right conditions severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweat glands. As a result, there can be a small amount of bleeding into these glands and the sweat comes out tinged with traces of blood.”

Jesus, knowing what lay ahead in the next few days, absorbed that stress for you and me. He bore the full weight of our sin and, while contemplating his immediate

future, asked the Father if he could be freed of this weight. But even in that query, his resolve remained. Father, if removing the weight, the stress, the necessary awaiting torture, will mean your will won’t be accomplished, then do not release me from this burden. Thy will must be done!

In that Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus resigned his will to that of his Father’s. An almost unbearable weight, yet he did not waver from the fate set before him. He wilfully took my place, bore my sin and my shame. This is why I must never forget Gethsemane, never forget his love for me.

And yet his contemplation of almost unbearable weight brings me face to face with a need to contemplate my own response to him who paid the price fully. Do I love him in return? Do I accept his act of selflessness in taking my place? Am I willing to give him my all, accepting whatever the future may hold for me even if he should require more of me?

This Easter, may we be found frequently, intentionally, quietly pondering the familiar garden scene, and thoughtfully thanking Jesus again for not abandoning his Father’s will. Commissioner Lee Graves is the territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

The Final Word

No matter the challenges or circumstances we face, God will have the ultimate victory.

BY GENERAL LYNDON BUCKINGHAM

Several of the main characters in the Crucifixion and Resurrection story of Jesus did not agree about much of anything, but they did agree about this: the story of Jesus was over.

Pontius Pilate believed he was the final word on all things that happened in his region. It was a troubled part of the Roman world but, despite the challenging situation, Pilate was accustomed to having unquestioned authority. If he decided an innocent man needed to die to keep the peace, so be it. He handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the oft-practised theatre of killing on a cross was performed on his orders. Later, after hearing of Jesus’ death, Pilate issued his final instructions to the religious leaders. “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65). There was essentially a triple lock on Jesus’ tomb: a large stone was rolled in front, an official seal served as a powerful warning and armed guards watched to ensure that no one interfered. Pilate was certain that he was the final authority on the story of Jesus.

Mary, mother of Jesus, understood the anguish of seeing a loved one suffer. She watched as opposition to Jesus grew, and she would have worried day after day that something terrible would happen. Eventually, the powerful enemies of Jesus moved against him. Following his arrest, rumours probably circulated about the beatings, the torture and the humiliation he was enduring. She would have felt so helpless, so broken to know that her son was experiencing such pain. Mary would have given her own life to save his, but that was not possible. The best his mother could do was to stand close by until the bitter end, not wanting him to face those final painful moments alone. She was there, near the cross, as Jesus took his last breath (see John 19:25). Filled with despair, Mary was certain that his excruciating death was the final chapter of the story of Jesus.

Peter knew his ministry was over and, in truth, he knew it deserved to be. After all, he had denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times. Right when Jesus needed him the most, he had failed miserably. After the cock

crowed, and Peter remembered Jesus’ words—that before the cock crows, Peter would disown Jesus three times— he bowed his head in defeat and wept bitterly (see Matthew 26:75). Peter had never known utter despair like this. Despite promising his friend and rabbi that even if others denied him, he never would, it had taken only a persistent servant girl to make him unravel and fall apart. In denying Jesus, Peter had lost the ministry that had become his life and joy over the past three years. With his friend’s public death on the cross, combined with his own repeated denial of being one of his disciples, Peter believed his part in the story of Jesus was now over.

On that first Easter morning, when everyone assumed that the whole story of Jesus had already been written, the heavenly Father wrote the most powerful chapter yet.

But the story of Jesus was not over. They each forgot one very important thing: God always has the final word.

On that first Easter morning, when everyone assumed that the whole story of Jesus had already been written, the heavenly Father wrote the most powerful chapter yet. The large stone was rolled away, the seal was broken and the guards were overcome with fear (see Matthew 28:2-4). This all demonstrated that no people or power on earth can prevent God from having the final word. Jesus was risen, alive again, and because of that powerful truth, everything had changed. Pilate and the circumstances he dictated did not have final authority over God’s Son or his followers. Mary was able to see her son’s death not as the end, but as part of the continuing story of God’s compel-

ling grace for humankind. And in the days that followed, Peter discovered that his post-denial ministry would be even greater than he dared hope or imagine (see John 21:15-19).

Perhaps you are facing challenging situations in your life right now. Be assured of this: God will have the final word, and no enemy or circumstance can stand against the word of our Almighty God.

Perhaps someone you love is suffering deeply, and you feel inadequate to relieve their pain or heal their hurt. Remember, God will have the final word, and that word will be filled with grace, and hope, and ultimate victory.

Perhaps, like Peter, you no longer feel worthy to be used by God. Possibly at one time you abandoned him and are convinced he has now abandoned you. Be certain of this: God will have the final word, and it will be a powerful word of restoration and renewal. And who knows? Perhaps, like Peter, you will discover your most impactful ministry is yet to come.

My prayer for you, and for the whole of The Salvation Army, is that this Easter will proclaim anew that the story of Jesus is not over, and that God always has the final, victorious word. It will be a triumphant word that reminds us that God is greater than any foe that stands against him. It will be a powerful word of grace and hope for the brokenhearted and hurting. And it will be a restorative word, reminding us that no sin is greater than his redeeming grace.

God will have the final word, and it will be a word of victory!

Happy Easter, and God bless you.

General Lyndon Buckingham is the international leader of The Salvation Army.

Blanketed in Prayer

Quilting group’s ministry at St. John’s West Corps, N.L., is a labour of love.

BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER

“OnWednesdays when I come in the door, I leave the world behind,” says Salvationist Joni Burry, who leads the Prayers and Squares quilting ministry at St. John’s West Corps, N.L. The small but mighty group meets each week to answer prayer requests with needle and thread, creating prayer quilts that offer comfort and peace during hardship.

According to Lieutenant Brian DeBoer, corps officer, the ministry punches above its weight. It offers a creative ministry opportunity to women in the corps, as well as others from the community, and engages the congregation in prayer activity. “Corps ministry is about mission impact,” he says. “Our Prayers and Squares group, under Joni’s

leadership, has provided compassion to the sick and hurting.”

The women who participate in the group find fellowship, connection and purpose in working together to create beautiful displays of love and care for others—and some even learn how to sew along the way.

Prayers and Squares

In 2019, Burry visited a friend at The Salvation Army’s Northwest Corps in Houston, in the U.S.A. Southern Territory, where there was an established Prayers and Squares group. Prayers and Squares is an interfaith organization with chapters worldwide, powered by women with a passion for sewing and praying for others.

Inspired by their impact, and after helping to make a few quilts during her time in Houston, Burry brought the idea back to St. John’s West and was met by instant enthusiasm among other women at the corps. “I left my clothes in Houston and brought back quilting material!” says Burry.

The group started with only eight members and has since grown to 13 regular quilters, some with a lifetime of sewing experience while others are novices. They all work together to create prayer quilts, and each one is a collective effort between the prayer group and the people of the congregation.

“We put our quilts together with croquet cotton ties. As we make the quilt, we place it in the foyer of the church, and everybody who walks in the door will tie a knot and say a prayer for the person receiving it,” explains Burry. “When they get the quilt, they can feel the knots and know that each one is a prayer that was said for them.”

Prayers and Squares meets every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until late in the afternoon, sometimes until the early evening. Since the group began, they have distributed approximately 35 quilts to people at the corps, family and friends facing health battles, and even one member of the government in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Each quilt takes up to four weeks to complete, and everyone plays a role in making it. “We’ve got someone picking out the colours, another person cutting out fabric, someone starting to sew them together. Then we’ll do the binding and the ties. It’s never a one-person thing,” says Burry. “It’s always a group effort, so that everybody knows that they had a hand in building a prayer for someone.”

Warmth, Comfort, Peace

Most of the prayer requests made to the group come in by word of mouth. When someone in the group hears that a congregant or family member is not

Ethel Canning (left) received a prayer quilt from Joni Burry (right). She was a loyal supporter and contributor to the Prayers and Squares group until her passing in 2020. “The quilt brought her warmth, comfort and a sense of peace as she wrapped herself in it on a daily basis,” says Mjr Maxine Boyde, Ethel’s daughter

well, they ask if that person would like to receive a prayer quilt. “People say it brought them comfort, knowing that they were being prayed for,” says Burry.

Testimonials flood in from grateful recipients who have been given these quilts at a time of great need. One recipient was a resident at Daffodil Place, an inpatient cancer facility in St. John’s. She wanted something bright and colourful to put on her bed and cheer up the room while she received treatment. “What a breath of sunshine,” she said to Burry, who delivered the quilt to her.

In April 2023, Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd, then territorial leaders, attended St. John’s West Corps for its 45th anniversary. At the time, Commissioner Floyd had been diagnosed with cancer and was preparing to take a medical leave of absence from his appointment in the fall. The Prayers and Squares group came together to create a quilt—a particularly large one, according to Burry—and presented it to him.

“He said to us, ‘You have no idea what it means to be covered in prayer like this,’ ” Burry recalls. “You can feel it. It’s tangible.”

Another recipient, Lewis Hayley, was presented with his prayer quilt during a Sunday morning service at the corps. It gave him comfort as he faced a battle with blood cancer. “It was a time when I was feeling so sick and weak, and the support of others was a real strength to me and my family,” says Hayley. “This has been so powerful for my healing journey.”

Binding Together

Many of the members of Prayers and Squares are retired, but find fellowship and connection when the group meets at the corps. “It brings tears to my eyes knowing that we are providing something for them. It makes them feel valuable,” says Burry. “I help provide a place for them to go, but it’s God’s hand that works in this group.”

“When they get the quilt, they can feel the knots and know that each one is a prayer that was said for them.”

—Joni Burry

Others see the profound impact these quilts have on their loved ones. “My granddaughter went through a very traumatic experience a couple of years ago,” says one member of the corps. “She received one of these quilts and it meant so much to her. She told me whenever she was down in her spirits, she would wrap the quilt around her and think of all the love and prayers that went into it. The quilt certainly helped get her through her roughest days.”

For some, Prayers and Squares is the highlight of their week. For others, it is a form of therapy. When one participant’s husband passed away, she faced a difficult season. Still, she would attend meetings where she found a sense of purpose in meaningful work, and support from those around her.

“She was not an experienced sewer, but she had started making her very first quilt before her husband got sick. She finished it after he passed away. It was

therapeutic for her,” says Burry.

According to quilter Joyce Miller, the fellowship is just as important as the sewing. “It is so rewarding to see new pieces come together, and to know that someone in need will have a reminder of the prayers of God’s people,” she says. “My husband says I should be banned from the fabric shops for shopping too much!”

Sylvia Tulk says she has been blessed to deliver some of the quilts made by the group. “To see the faces of recipients light up makes the Wednesday get-together so worthwhile,” she says. “It brings much comfort at a time when people really need to be wrapped in prayer.”

A Labour of Love

Many of the quilters leave their own troubles at the door and find a sense of comfort in the work they do. For the Prayers and Squares group, quilting has become a unique form of outreach and a way for each of them to make an impact at a time people need it most. “It’s a labour of love,” says Burry.

“We know that there is power in prayer, and this quilting ministry is based on prayer,” says Lieutenant Natalia DeBoer, corps officer, who has witnessed God’s creativity and love at work through the people involved in Prayers and Squares. “There have been so many lives that have been touched by this ministry.”

Dozens of prayer quilts are displayed on pews in the sanctuary of St. John’s West Corps

Prayers and Squares presents Comr Floyd Tidd with a prayer quilt in April 2023

“God can take what we consider to be small and make a huge impact,” says Mjr Darlene Anderson, with the BRAVE team at Moncton Citadel CC, N.B.

Beyond BRAVE

After hosting an event to empower girls, the next step is building relationships.

BY REBEKAH McNEILLY

It has been four years since The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda officially partnered with BRAVE Global Canada to reach out to vulnerable, at-risk girls with a message of empowerment, to help prevent exploitation and trafficking.

We have seen thousands of girls attend BRAVE events and forge new connections with volunteers and peers. They have come to listen to different keynote speakers share on topics such as education, confidence, race, relationships and more. They have enjoyed candle and soapmaking workshops, learned self-defence skills and shopped the afternoon away at pop-up thrift stores set up in local ministry units.

These events are designed to inspire girls and communicate a message of dignity, worth and purpose. Guest speakers who have also faced and overcome adversity demonstrate that whatever their circumstances, there is hope.

But BRAVE goes beyond these one-day events to build ongoing relationships with those who attend. The territorial women’s ministries team spent some time in the last year engaging with leaders and volunteers to find out how, and we were blown away by what we heard. Here are four stories that show the impact BRAVE is having:

Getting Started in Kamloops, B.C.

In 2020, Lisl Barnes, administration and events co-ordinator at Kamloops Community Church, B.C., and her team were one of the first ministry units to host

a BRAVE event. “Our biggest challenge was as a result of COVID. We had to limit the number of girls attending, as well as volunteers,” she recalls. “The girls who attended in the first year came from our local community as well as the surrounding area. Many of the girls who came the next year had attended in 2020, but each year we manage to reach a wider group.”

Since then, they have hosted BRAVE events each year, and started BRAVE Circles, small group mentoring sessions. BRAVE Circles are where the initial connections made at an event go deeper, and where girls can become more integrated and connected with the local church— regardless of their existing faith background.

“We have a consistent group of girls who regularly attend our events, monthly BRAVE Circles, regional youth gatherings and even go to camp as often as they can,” says Barnes. “These girls have made real connections with each other as well as our leaders, and we are blessed to be walking through life with them.”

Building a Team in Moncton, N.B.

The same year, Major Darlene Anderson and her team at Moncton Citadel Community Church, N.B., overcame similar COVID-related issues. “In my experience of startup, COVID was a huge barrier,” she says. “However, we were determined to do something to encourage and empower these young girls, who we knew were more lonely, isolated and at-risk than ever.”

COVID gave them an opportunity to grow closer and stronger as a team. “Our new team met virtually and planned two different options for our first BRAVE endeavour: gathering at the church for the event, or curbside if COVID prevailed. It’s always helpful to have a plan A and plan B,” she explains. “COVID held its grip, so we decided to do plan B, a curbside visit approach. Five teams of two prepared to ‘meet and greet’ the girls.”

This was a significant group effort. Her teams reported that they were thrilled and inspired to make even a small difference in the lives of these girls. Looking ahead, Major Anderson says, “God can take what we consider to be small and make a huge impact. He did exactly that as we made family connections and laid the groundwork for future ‘in house’ events. The families greatly appreciated our creative and meaningful visits.”

Fostering Relationships and Mentoring in Toronto

One inspiring example of relationshipbuilding comes from Toronto’s North York Temple, where Mikhaila Tao leads Woven, a program for girls in Grades 7 to 12. Tao made connections with girls through community and family services, inviting them to a BRAVE event.

The beginning of the program, which is supported by an innovation grant, was marked by prayer and trial and error. “As soon as I felt like I was hitting a wall (and there have been many walls!), the Lord

Photo: Courtesy of Natasha Burkett

has provided some sort of conversation, a connection or a resource that encourages me and directs me to the next right step to take,” she says.

For Tao, putting together a small team of dedicated women to walk alongside the girls as program mentors was crucial for their success. Tao emphasizes how important consistently showing up for these girls was.

“We were very intentional in building positive relationships with the girls who would come to Woven, walking alongside them, showing up for them and making Woven a safe space where they knew they could come and be seen, heard, encouraged and have fun,” she says. Tao points to the Holy Spirit’s guidance as well as those intentional relationships as the most important pieces of Woven’s success.

Tao and her team have faithfully walked with the girls in her group over the past few years, meeting every week. Consistency is key in the lives of these young women—as it is for most of us.

“I feel very blessed, because youth workers oftentimes don’t get to see the fruit of their hard work and seed-sowing, but I really have witnessed an enormous amount of fruit through Woven,” she says. “I’ve seen many girls walk through our doors who were defensive, carrying heavy weights on their shoulders and closed off to others, who are now blooming, supported in community and who know they are deeply cared for by their program mentors and by God.”

She shared the following anecdote about one of their girls: “Last summer we had one girl who was hired as a camp counsellor for our summer camp, and five others who volunteered their time all summer to help at our kids’ camp. All of these girls grew so much in their confidence and abilities as leaders over the summer. Through discussions at Woven, girls are being introduced to Jesus and his love for them.”

Tao shared that the girls have been told repeatedly through Woven that their lives are incredibly valuable, and that there is hope and endless possibilities for their future. The group also emphasizes that God is with them always.

A number of these girls have made a commitment to Christ as a result of Woven. They have formed deep friendships, learned about the risks of human trafficking and developed a more robust confidence in themselves. Tao says, “God is so faithful to move and work

when we step out, and being on the front lines to witness it is an honour and a privilege.”

Making an Impact in Abbotsford, B.C.

Even for the ministry units still working to grow their events and reach marginalized girls, there is a profound sense of purpose to this work.

“Our hope for the future of BRAVE Abbotsford is to reach teen girls who feel unseen, unworthy or unlovable and show them that they are incredibly worthy and capable of doing wonderful things in their futures,” says Laura Wieler, community ministries worker at Abbotsford’s Cascade Community Church, B.C. “We hope that each young woman who gathers with us would know that they are supported by people who care for them and want to see them flourish. This is our hope for the future of Abbotsford youth.”

Investing in Hope

This is the hope we all share for girls attending BRAVE events and followup gatherings such as BRAVE Circles. If you are feeling tired or uncertain of the impact your work is having, consider the above testimonies.

A final story comes from a young mom of four girls, who heard about BRAVE from a poster at the shelter she was staying at as she left an abusive relationship. She attended a BRAVE event with her two teenage daughters and two younger daughters in tow. At the breakfast served at the beginning of the day, she sat with a local leader and shared her story, and how desperate she’d been for help. In the weeks and months after that event, she continued attending that church and her girls joined the youth group. She shared how needed the support of that church was for her and her girls at that time.

BRAVE events continue to make an impact and inspire girls and families across Canada and Bermuda. They are important efforts, ones we must continue to invest in and celebrate.

To learn more about BRAVE, visit salvationist.ca/women-s-ministries/ events/brave-2024.

Rebekah McNeilly is the media and resource specialist for women’s ministries in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

1. From left, Lisl Barnes and Jillian Penney at a BRAVE event in Kamloops, B.C.; 2. BRAVE events are designed to inspire girls and communicate a message of dignity, worth and purpose; 3. BRAVE Circles are where the initial connections made at an event go deeper; 4. Mentors build relationships with the girls who attend Woven in Toronto

Photos: Sarah Moores-Bent Photos: Courtesy of Mikhaila Tao

The Resurrection Age

What it means to have an Easter faith.

BY ISAIAH ALLEN

We all know that Easter is not about chocolate, bunnies or other commercial trappings. The focus for Christians is on Jesus Christ. But do we appreciate how the Easter season accentuates the Trinity?

Jesus’ Resurrection, Ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon his followers are premises of the New Testament. Even when the events themselves are not narrated directly, they are essential to each book’s message. In other words, the meaning and relevance of the entire New Testament are predicated upon Easter and Pentecost.

In 2024, the Easter season begins on Sunday, March 31, Resurrection of the Lord, and continues through Sunday, May 19, Day of Pentecost. Appropriately, the church observes Ascension of the Lord during the Easter season, 10 days before Pentecost. Thus, the Easter season encompasses three major events from the New Testament narratives—Jesus’ Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. Let’s consider the background of the early Christians’ Easter faith.

Resurrection in First-Century

Mesopotamia, Greece and elsewhere, and discerns that none of Israel’s neighbours believed in bodily resurrection. Not all Jews believed either (see Acts 23:8). Yet, an influential group of devout Jews known as Pharisees did. Wright explains how resurrection faith emerged steadily among Jews until it became a vivid hope in the first century.

The reasoning went something like this: after centuries of corruption, invasion and occupation by foreign nations, ancient Israelites had lost their unity, selfdetermination, land and hope. Prophets, such as Amos and Jeremiah, explained that their sin and rebellion against God led to these consequences. Empires, such as Assyria and Babylon, in devastating and displacing Israel and Judah, did the Lord’s bidding. Israelites in general (see 2 Kings 17) and Jews in particular (see 2 Kings 23:31-25:21) were humiliated and exiled.

Many righteous persons died violently, including prophets who tried to steer people aright. Innocent victims saw no justice. How could a just God not avenge their blood? How could righteousness be rewarded with violence? If death and exile are the end, then God’s purposes are thwarted, and life is hopeless.

But, with God, the answer is Yes!

Thus, Jewish hope in resurrection arose from their belief in the just character, unfailing love and limitless power of God and in the prophetic promise that God would forgive and restore a repentant nation. Those righteous dead would live again to see a world of peace where God had wiped away every tear and expelled every evildoer (see Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 7:917; 21:1-8). The nation would finally fulfil its God-given destiny to exemplify justice and peace. A decimated people would be fully healed, reconciled and energized.

Pharisaic Jews of Jesus’ day believed that widespread repentance and global renewal of the Israelite diaspora would lead to divine forgiveness and gathering of the exiles. All at once, God would intervene in history, restore Israel and reign in peace and justice (hence, kingdom of God, for example, in Mark 1:15).

God had called Israel to be distinct, to bless the nations, to exemplify God’s righteous character, to be holy as God is holy. As God’s servant, they were to shed light upon the nations (see Isaiah 42:1-13), but they lost their freedom to fulfil God’s call to be a beacon of justice and peace (see Isaiah 42:14-25). They were as hopeless as a valley of dry bones (see Ezekiel 37:1-14). Only a radical reconstitution could enable them to become

Jews saw John the Baptist’s movement as a precursor to the resurrection (see Mark 1:4-5). Martha grieved her righteous brother’s death because the resurrection seemed far away (see John 11:17-27). Scribes reacted when Jesus pronounced forgiveness because, to them, the paralytic’s condition signified that God had not forgiven nor had adequate repentance been achieved (see Mark 2:1-12). Pharisees reacted when Jesus’ disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath (see Luke 6:1-5), because how could Israel expect God’s forgiveness and resurrection if Jews were casual about God’s dictates and presumptuous about

the resurrection of one—representative of the nation, of humanity and of each individual person—would precede the resurrection of all was shocking. The New Testament presents the Resurrection of Jesus as a staggering, yet palpable, reality. The authors use Scripture, reason, tradi tion and experience to explain how God’s will could unfold in this surprising way. The church has spent centuries exploring the meaning of it all.

The early church needed no proof of the Resurrection. It was an unavoid able reality that affected everything. Paul and the other apostles used the resources of their ancestral faith (e.g., the Old Testament and Jewish modes of exegesis) to explain the significance of Jesus’ Resurrection and its implications for their lives. Every Easter season, the church returns to this matter because we continue to live in a Resurrection age.

Jesus’ Ascension

be contained by the limitations of earth. The incarnate Son of God was no longer bound by the constraints of time and space as he had been prior to his Resurrection.

In Christian doctrine, the Exaltation of Christ is the metaphorical upward movement of Jesus after “he descended to the dead,” as declared in the Apostles’ Creed. Christ’s exaltation includes his Resurrection, Ascension and Session—the doctrine that the exalted Lord Jesus Christ sits (or stands, see Acts 7:55-56) “at the right hand of the majesty on high” (Hebrews NRSVUE).

Timothy Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, describes the Ascension of Christ this way: “Jesus did not just ascend from here to there.… he ascended from here to everywhere.” Whenever the New Testament mentions Jesus’ current location, it assumes the Ascension, even when it does not narrate it. Jesus is at the right hand of the omnipresent God.

The Season After Pentecost

The final day of the Easter season is Pentecost, and how fitting! Jesus suggested that his Ascension was necessary for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see John 16:7-11). Many

churches refer to the final season of the Christian calendar as “ordinary time,” but we must realize that “ordinary time,” for Christians, is extraordinary because of the outpouring and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Some churches refer to this “ordinary time” as the Season After Pentecost. I prefer that label, because it is a much-needed reminder that the Holy Spirit, poured out by our exalted Lord Jesus Christ, constitutes our new life in him and actuates the realities of God’s reign in the world (e.g., healing, exorcizing evil spirits, proclaiming the gospel, conviction, righteousness). The Season After Pentecost could label the entire church age were it not that God’s people sometimes forget their inheritance (see Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Easter season and the Season After Pentecost exemplify the trinitarian nature of the Christian faith. Never is the Father or the Spirit without the Son, nor the Son or the Father without the Spirit, and so on. I pray that we would, with the whole church, encounter the risen Lord during the season of Easter, recognize the exalted Lord during Ascension and be filled with the life-giving Spirit of God throughout the Season After Pentecost.

This is the final article in our series on the seasons that shape the Christian year.

Dr. Isaiah Allen is assistant professor of religion at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

Just as Jesus walked the earth in his resurrected body for 40 days, the first 40 days of Easter focus on his appearances before the Ascension. The Ascension is, in a sense, an extension of Jesus’ Resurrection because his resurrected body could not

Illustration: Emily Pedlar

Don’t Bet On It

The social impact of sports betting.

BY MAJOR RAY HARRIS

Do you remember playing street hockey as a kid? Sometimes, to brag about our abilities, we challenged our opponents: “I bet we’ll get to five goals first!” It was a fun way to frame the contest in the streets.

No longer! Sports betting has taken on a life of its own in Canada. It’s estimated that close to 10 minutes per hour was given over to gambling ads or conversation during last year’s Stanley Cup broadcasts. Canada’s professional sports have been taken over by the gambling industry. Words like “epidemic” and “tsunami” have been used to characterize this new reality. How did we get here, and what impact is this having on our nation?

At What Cost?

When the ban was lifted on single-game sports betting in 2021, it didn’t take long before major leagues such as the NHL and NBA signed formal agreements to become “official sports betting partners.” And it didn’t take long before icons such

If there is a cost to the person gambling, there is also a huge cost to the integrity of the sport itself.

as Wayne Gretzky began to promote gambling, promising that “With every day a new legend is born.” On-air broadcasters now give attention to gambling information at key moments in the game.

Current star athletes throw their weight into the conversation, aimed mainly at young men. Dr. Darragh McGee, a sociologist in the United Kingdom who studies the changing relationship between digital technology, gambling and sports, expresses the result of such celebrity promotion: “Gambling is not just acceptable, but desirable.” Watching sports events now is like being in a casino. Unlike the fun of “betting” in street hockey, however, sports gambling comes with a price.

There is an important cost to the sports gambler himself (and most sports gambling is done by young men). It has been known to lead to runaway debt, with its impact on mental health. This has led to stress in families, even suicide. A recent Public Health England study estimated that more than 400 suicides a year have been linked to problem gambling, and sports gambling is one of the important contributors. The mental health of this generation is being impacted by the marketing of sport celebrities.

Photo: Hirurg/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Another cost of sports gambling is that the game is no longer enjoyed for its own sake. Instead of focusing on skillful goaltending, precision passing or courageous blocking of shots, the game is watched to see what happens to the bet that has been placed. The joy of the game is secondary to the joy of winning a bet. It’s as if the purpose of the game is to gamble. In the words of Canadian Olympian Bruce Kidd, gambling has “poisoned the meaning of the sport.”

Trust and Integrity

If there is a cost to the person gambling, there is also a huge cost to the integrity of the sport itself. The danger of insider influencing is ever-present. Athletes in different leagues have already been suspended because of known gambling on the sport they play. Gambling is not limited to the outcome of the game; bets can also be placed on particular moments and achievements in a game. Can we be sure that the game we are watching hasn’t been compromised by one of the coaches managing line changes, or one of the defencemen easing up on a check, or one of the forwards taking a harmless shot? When we speak of integrity we speak of purity, consistency, honesty. I

can’t help but wonder what teammates think when they know that one of their players encourages sports betting. Will they ever wonder if that failure to back check had anything to do with a possible wager? I can’t help but think that one of the casualties of sports betting will be trust on the team.

Coaches talk about playing the game with integrity. They look for players to take responsibility at both ends of the ice, to play for the full 60 minutes. Integrity is a concept grounded in Christian faith. The biblical conviction is that “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). In his commentary, Deuteronomy, Patrick Miller draws out the implications of this when he argues that God is “faithful, consistent, not divided within mind, heart, or self in any way…. In purpose and being God is one.” Jesus played the game with integrity. His actions embodied his teaching; he could be tough on his own disciples; he played hard for the whole 60 minutes. And Jesus was the consummate team player: he looked not to his own interests, but the interests of others (see Philippians 2:4). Even the critics of Jesus had to acknowledge that he showed “deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality”

(Matthew 22:16 NRSVUE). The God we know through the Bible’s story is a God of faithfulness and integrity. This God can be trusted to play the game with integrity.

For the Sake of the Game

Many of us have kids or grandkids who are working hard to train for a particular sport. But what are they working toward? Is your daughter working hard on her slap shot just to contribute to a sport that is compromised by its gambling addiction? Is your grandson working hard on his goaltending to eventually play the game for the gambling industry? There is integrity to any game in sport. Hockey has its integrity, its rules that shape the game, its officiating that creates a level playing field, its coaching that moulds individuals as well as skills.

The gambling industry encourages us to “bet responsibly.” Let’s take it further and take responsibility to seek the integrity of the game at every level. And enjoy watching and playing the game for its own sake, and for the sake of our kids.

Major Ray Harris is a retired Salvation Army officer who lives in Winnipeg.

When Deryck Robertson began his first summer in Scouts at 11 years old, he had no camping experience apart from The Salvation Army’s junior music camp. He was invited to Camp Madawaska on the border of Algonquin Park, Ont., where his Scouts group was set to paddle canoes from the lodge to a nearby island to build lean-tos and sleep overnight.

“It poured rain and the lake was angry,” explains Robertson. “My sleeping bag fell into the water, and it wasn’t waterproof. We tried to build shelters in the rain, and it was a miserable night. But during it all, I thought, This is so awesome.”

Since then, Robertson has had many similar experiences that inspired his passion for the outdoors. “It’s in those moments that I think to myself, I can do this because I didn’t give up,” says Robertson. “For a lot of young people, there is a moment when you realize there is adversity, but you got through it. Once I got a taste for that, I knew it was for me.”

Now, Robertson leads the Scout group at Peterborough Temple, Ont., where he watches young people experience that same sense of wonder as they discover nature and God’s creation.

Paying It Forward

Robertson grew up in Toronto where he attended Danforth Citadel, now Agincourt Temple Community Church. In his youth, he participated in junior band, singing company, scouting and eventually senior band and songsters.

“My parents put me into scouting, and that’s where my passion for the outdoors started,” explains Robertson, who ended up taking over the Cub pack at Agincourt before moving to Peterborough for school. “After my first year attending

The Paddling Poet

Writer and outdoorsman Deryck Robertson keeps faith at the forefront of his passions.

BY ABBIGAIL OLIVER

Peterborough Temple, the young people’s sergeant-major asked me if I’d be willing to run Scouts here. Thirty years later, I’m still doing it.”

Robertson began his post-secondary journey at Fleming College in Peterborough where he studied forestry. Later, he studied biology and environmental science at Peterborough’s Trent University, in addition to earning a teaching degree.

“I’ve had people ask me, ‘Doesn’t learning about and exploring science lead you away from God?’ ” he says. “But it doesn’t. As I learn about all these connections in nature, it becomes clearer in my mind that this is not chance. The intricacies of nature are too infinitesimally small to just be random.”

Now, Robertson works as a Grade 7 teacher and aims to be a leader and mentor to young people. “I look back on people such as Bill Chinnery, my junior bandmaster, and Cliff Cummings, who led beginner band, who were mentors to me and other young people at my corps. They watched us grow up and take our places in the world, and I imagine that is pretty cool to see,” says Robertson. “I always look for ways to pay that forward. People invested in me as a young person, and now I invest in the lives of kids through scouting, corps cadets and teaching. I think that’s important.”

Scout’s Honour

According to Robertson, scouting in The Salvation Army dates back to the early 20th century. At the time, the Boy Scouts were already an active organization throughout the world, but coFounder William Booth wanted the Army to have its own scouting organization as a form of ministry and outreach. Today, international Scout groups are run by various Salvation Army territories, with Canadian groups operating under Scouts Canada.

For Robertson, scouting is about fostering leadership qualities, teamwork and a love of the outdoors in children. He also sees it as a bridge between the church

and the community. In his own group, he has had the opportunity to work with kids from various backgrounds, including children from Nigerian and Syrian families new to Canada, introducing them to scouting and The Salvation Army.

“One of our leaders was part of a team that helped resettle families from Syria, and all six kids came out to Scouts,” Robertson shares. “They couldn’t speak any English, but they were welcomed as part of our group. It was great to communicate with them and see their growth over the years, to welcome them into a group where they could come every week and have social time, learn some skills and go camping.”

Scouting has also been a means of connection beyond Canadian borders, as many Salvation Army scouting groups are still thriving in Europe. Robertson recounts international scouting experiences, including camping with corps in England and hosting Scouts from Sweden in Canada. These connections, he believes, create links to Army groups worldwide and provide an opportunity that many kids may not have had if they were not involved in Scouts. “I tell the children at Scouts and those that I teach, you will have opportunities in your life to do things that you would not have if you didn’t have these skills,” he says.

More Than Words

When he isn’t exploring the outdoors or teaching others, Robertson writes poetry often inspired by his connection with nature. “God gives us passions, and being outside is mine. When you’re outside, there’s a lot of time just to sit there with nature, and be inspired and at peace,” he says. Robertson has published several works including a book of poetry entitled All We Remember, which was published in 2021.

As a Christian writer, Robertson says that his writing process has spiritual input. He enjoys narrative, creating a storyline and evoking emotion and feeling through words.

“We don’t have all the answers, but

Photos: Courtesy of Deryck Robertson

we know we can get answers from God,” he says. “My favourite line in any Army song is from O Boundless Salvation, and goes back to William Booth: ‘My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong.’ Those are human emotions we all have, and I don’t steer away from writing about those emotions.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Robertson founded Paddler Press, a platform that publishes anthologies of poems and connects poets from across the world, including countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, the United States and Canada.

According to Robertson, the first book published by Paddler Press was supposed to be a one-off anthology of poetry inspired by Tom Thomson, a Canadian painter who, like Robertson, was inspired by the natural world.

“I was amazed at the submissions,” says Robertson. “I had poems submitted from all over the world, and I had people say, ‘Who is this Tom Thomson guy?’ And they started learning about Canadian history through it. So I thought, This is great. Let’s just keep it going.”

Since then, Paddler Press has published many volumes of poetry, such as Changes, Grace Notes, History, Roots & Wings and more. In December, it celebrated the publication of its 10th volume, a collection of poetry for children called Outside/Inside: New Poems for Children.

Part of Mission

Within The Salvation Army, Robertson uses his passions and artistry to share the love of Jesus, and has been a member of the Canadian Staff Songsters, alongside his wife, Heather, since its inception in 2016.

“Being part of the staff songsters has been a real blessing, and I get to do it with my wife,” he says proudly. “I really believe in our ministry. We’ve received letters and notes from people who have mentioned how much they appreciated the ministry and fellowship. We’re interacting with people and spending time with people. That’s a huge part of our mission.”

For Robertson, both scouting and singing in the Army is a way to reach out to the community and invite them in. “We have people that aren’t associated with church, and these are the perfect opportunities to invite them to a concert or to Scout Sunday,” he says. “We hope it’s something they will experience and think, Maybe we’ll come back.”

(Far left) Deryck Robertson with his wife, Heather, at their local Scout camp in the spring of 2023

The Robertsons at Christmas With The Salvation Army at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall in December 2023, where they sang with the Canadian Staff Songsters

(Above) The 15th Peterborough Temple Salvation Army Scout Group plants trees at a corps member’s farm

Robertson stands at the Mowat Cemetery in Ontario’s Algonquin Park, the original resting place of Canadian painter Tom Thomson

Education for All

What is schooling for?

BY JAMES READ AND HOWARD DALZIEL

Christians need a newspaper in one hand and a Bible in the other— according to theologian Karl Barth. In our Talking It Over series, James Read invites thoughtful Salvationists from around the world to reflect on moral and ethical issues. Here, he speaks with Howard Dalziel about education.

Howard, “parental rights” legislation has been grabbing headlines here in Canada. While the new laws and regulations pertain to a variety of issues, such as the rights of parents to be informed of their children’s behaviour and achievements in school, what is getting most attention is the right of parents to consent before the school changes the gender identification of their children.

I don’t know that I could settle my thinking about this important question without addressing more general questions about what schooling is for and (to put it crudely) whose child it is when the child is at school.

You work with Salvation Army schools around the world. Surely you will have thought about some of these big questions.

—Jim

The Salvation Army has a long history of engagement with education and currently works with more than

500,000 children from age three to 18, in more than 5,000 schools, supported by 20,000 teachers. Alongside this we have many education programs that support children to make the most of their education. This may be in the form of a homework club, an after-school youth group or psychosocial support to enable children who have become disengaged from the formal education system to access school. In some instances, we offer further education and vocational training opportunities to youth older than 18. All these Salvation Army schools should be actively engaged with a local corps and have a designated Salvation Army chaplain.

—Howard

Wow—500,000 students and 20,000 teachers! That’s more than twice the size of the entire Toronto school system! The Army used to have grade schools in Canada, but it was never on that scale. I still can’t get my head around the magnitude of the Army’s present commitment to schools.

It’s not that I was completely ignorant of their existence. I got a call one day a few years ago inviting me to present at a small conference on international human rights at Glendon College in Toronto. The organizer

of the conference was a professor there and, I discovered, a graduate of Salvation Army schools in Haiti.

Not every graduate will be like that, of course, but, knowing the little bit I do about where Haiti sits on the United Nations (UN) social development scale, I rejoice for him and can see a reason for the Army to operate schools there.

—Jim

Haiti is an apt example to explain why the Army still has schools. The UN says that access to formal education is a fundamental human right, and one of the UN ’s Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure inclusive and equitable high-quality education for all. But low-income countries such as Haiti struggle to provide what they have signed on to, which means that these noble aspirations could be empty words.

The Salvation Army’s priority is to ensure that children in rural, remote or urban complex communities who might not otherwise be able to access a high-quality education system are able to do so. Adequately funded public schools might eventually make private Salvation Army schools unnecessary, as happened in Canada, but, in too many places, that is not a present possibility.

Our aim for the foreseeable future needs to be about removing barriers

Photo: Courtesy of Len Millar High School

Students gather outside Len Millar High School in Liberia

to education for the most vulnerable, and then to ensure that the education received is of a high-enough quality to enable children to either move confidently to the next stage of education, or feel empowered enough to look for employment with the necessary skills, social understanding and mental strength required.

—Howard

I sense that a shortage of money is not always the only barrier. Sometimes fear and deeply engrained cultural norms seem to work against some kids, making them extra vulnerable. I recall visiting the Army’s Matumaini Primary School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2019, a residential school for children who live with physical disabilities. My memory is still vivid of one of the students, a 12-year-old girl who stood on her two prosthetic legs to address our group. Her eyes sparkled with energy and intelligence as she told us that she wanted to be a physician when she grew up. I was sure that she would pass the national exams at the end of the year and qualify to go on in a public secondary school. I think it may have been you who told me, however, that in all of Dar es Salaam, a city of four million, there are only two high schools that would even consider admitting children with disabilities like hers.

—Jim

If only we in the international Salvation Army could provide another option. When you talk about high-quality education, it’s not just about the books, desks, pens, paper, classrooms and teachers. You have to attend to such things as water and sanitation, too. Proper washing facilities are requisite for everyone’s health. And for girls to continue in school it is vital that there are sufficient toilet facilities. I single out girls here because there are many places where simply being a girl is itself a barrier to formal education. If, however, girls can be welcomed and can remain in school, the evidence is that this leads to a dramatic reduction in child marriage and is a powerful tool against human trafficking and exploitation in the home.

Within a Salvation Army school, one of our strategic goals is that every child or youth is given equal opportunity to fully participate in all learning activities. Salvation Army schools are to be free

from discrimination in all respects, regardless of any person’s background, including their gender, race, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, special needs status or other characteristics.

—Howard

Thanks for sharing the Army’s strategic goals document (salvationarmy.org/ ihq/schools). I see that another of the goals is to be a resource for the communities in which the Army schools are situated and to contribute positively to the life of families.

This brings me back to the matter of the relationship between schools and parents—the hot topic in Canada. What’s the system of Salvation Army schools doing on that score?

—Jim

We would hope to build closer relationships with parents. This is particularly important when parents are otherwise disengaged from education. Sometimes we find parents are even disengaged from bringing up a family as a family.

Again Haiti, regrettably, is a particularly good example. Family life and education have suffered because of countrywide turmoil and economic pressures, security concerns and people working away from home. So, we have a program in Haiti where schools, parents and corps officers are working together, to look at some basic principles of parenting within a Christian framework. For example, looking at how to be consistent with discipline and how to make it more effective in the long term, based on understanding rather than fear.

Elsewhere, Salvation Army schools organize parenting classes that include budgeting for a household.

—Howard

Creative. But budgeting skills assume there’s enough money, and I assume that’s a problem in many of the places where the Army has schools.

—Jim

We also look at various incomegeneration options. In low-margin economies, economic empowerment is crucial for a child’s education— having enough money for school fees, uniforms, textbooks or shoes. Even in fee-free schools, sometimes the expense

of getting the supplies can be a barrier. We find that small economic empowerment programs are generally the key to lifting families out of poverty. So, the Army—not necessarily the school itself—helps organize self-help groups. About 10-15 women meet to save money and use the collective savings for business enterprises, and then put a portion of the earnings back into the collective fund. The self-help group becomes a resource that enables the women to borrow money when they otherwise have no options for borrowing.

Women are the target of our economic empowerment programs since it is often women who are responsible for finding the resources to send children to school. There are now many thousands of selfhelp groups across the Salvation Army world in India. And they do focus on education—on the literacy of parents as well as children.

—Howard

I’d like to know more about the economic empowerment programs; however, at the moment I need to stay focused on an approach to schooling. Clearly, what you have described is a more comprehensive relationship between the schools and parents than we would contemplate in Canada, but it seems to me equally clear that the aim is to integrate parents into the schooling of their children, not alienate them.

—Jim

Our approach to schooling is not just to focus on the classroom curriculum, and it’s not just ensuring the family has money. Having a focal point in a corps or a church is equally crucial. The relationship between the corps, the school and the parents is another place where The Salvation Army adds value. As we know, navigating life can be quite complicated. The corps can be a point for organization and personal trust, where you get a positive model.

—Howard

Dr. James Read, OF, was the executive director of The Salvation Army’s Ethics Centre for many years and served as chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council. Now retired, he attends Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg. Howard Dalziel is the director of Salvation Army Schools International.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

While praying Psalm 23 with an elderly woman in the hospital, I was exactly where I needed to be.

BY CADET CHESNEY EDWARDS

Last September, as I was arriving at Toronto’s Etobicoke Temple for field-based training, the corps officers, Majors Dana and Robert Reid, told me there was an elderly woman in the hospital who needed pastoral care. Although she had never attended church, she had graciously supported The Salvation Army for many years, and her family knew she would want us to visit and pray with her. As I was a new cadet, Major Robert asked me to join him.

I have always loved and cared for people. When my husband, Joshua, and I spent a year serving in the ministry placement program in Wingham, Ont., I felt God calling me into pastoral care ministry. When church members were struggling, I visited them in their home, hospital or nursing home to pray with them and their families and read Scripture to them. So, I was glad for this opportunity.

When we got to the hospital, the receptionist said that the woman was alert but unable to speak. We found her room, and I stood at the side of her bed. I took her hand as Major Robert spoke in her ear quietly, explaining why we were there, where we came from and

that we felt led to pray for her. She gently squeezed my hand. As he began to pray, she squeezed a little harder and opened her eyes slightly.

Informed by the receptionist earlier that she could only hear out of her right ear, I moved to the other side of the bed so I could read Scripture to her. Speaking softly into her ear, I told her I was going to read Psalm 23. Her eyes were still slightly open and Major Robert now had his hand in hers. As I began to read the Scripture, her eyes widened, and Major Robert told me that she was squeezing his hand. I knew she recognized the Psalm I was reading. I felt as though she was reading it with me, although she couldn’t physically speak.

As I looked up from the page, I noticed a tear rolling down her cheek. I continued to read the psalm slowly and clearly. The Holy Spirit was in that room. I forgot everything I needed to do that day, and knew I was exactly where I needed to be.

Psalm 23 reads, “The Lord is my shepherd.” A shepherd protects and cares for their sheep. The word pastor comes from this image—pastors or Salvation Army officers care for God’s people. This role is one of the five gifts given by Christ to

the church in Ephesians 4. When pastors or Salvation Army officers provide spiritual or pastoral care to people in need, such as those struggling with physical or mental illness, they do it with the ability that God gives them. God uses his human shepherds to provide this care for his people so that they can know him and learn his truths.

Pastoral care is also important for those who don’t know Jesus. God can use his people to help others know that they can lean on him when they are struggling. This can bring a sense of peace in their lives when they know they are being prayed for and that there is someone there who cares for and loves them and won’t judge them for what they are going through. Pastoral care is showing and sharing the love of Jesus to his people and to the community, no matter what, even if they don’t know Jesus.

A few days after we visited the woman in the hospital, I was informed that she went home to be with the Lord. God bless her and her family. I am so thankful I was able to speak the Lord’s words into her life in her final days.

Cadet Chesney Edwards attends the College for Officer Training in Toronto.

Photo: Cdt Joshua Edwards

As a participant in the ministry placement program, Cdt Chesney Edwards (right) met with Janet Hubbard regularly to pray and read Scripture, in her home or at a local coffee shop, offering pastoral care as she faced a medical diagnosis

Home at Last

After years of searching, Jeni Lipsett found her place in The Salvation Army.

BY KEN RAMSTEAD

“There’sa common thread running through every member of The Salvation Army,” says Jeni Lipsett. “To serve the poor, to love the lost and to see God. I’ve searched for a place like that all of my life, and the Army is where my heart is.”

A Desire to Serve

Born in the United States and raised by a single mother, Jeni didn’t come from a faith background.

“But I was always raised to be free to choose to believe whatever I wanted,” she says, “whatever I felt was right.”

In high school, Jeni met some friends who were Christians, and after she graduated, she started to pursue God in earnest, “seeking, asking questions. I was even journaling and writing letters to God.”

Then a good friend of Jeni’s invited her to an Easter Sunday service in the spring of 1998. The pastor gave the congregation a sermon about salvation.

“I can’t remember his exact words,” she says now. “He used the allegory of being a lost child in the woods searching for his parents and wanting to be safe at home. That perfectly described how I felt, lost and looking for home.”

When the pastor asked for those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour to raise their hand, Jeni willingly did so.

Surrounded by her good friends, she started attending church every week.

“It was a wonderful time in my life.”

From there, Jeni joined an interdenominational training organization that supported short-term missions around the world targeted toward young people.

She served on mission and outreach trips to Indigenous peoples on the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia’s Far East and the North Slope of Alaska.

“It was a really cool experience,” Jeni says, “and an important part of my life.”

From there, she went to school in Scotland and then returned to Alaska for a couple of years.

“I was aware that God was calling me to full-time ministry, but I didn’t really know what that meant or what that looked like for me. I just knew that I had a strong desire to serve God in that way.”

What God Wants

Jeni was trying to figure out her next step when she attended a conference in Vancouver hosted by The Salvation Army’s 614 Corps (now Boundless Vancouver) and the War College, a discipleship training program that was in operation at that time.

While she was vaguely aware that the Army was a church, her knowledge of the organization was basically limited to thrift stores and kettles.

“Major Stephen Court and Danielle Strickland, and Majors Elaine and Ian Gillingham, were the hosts of this conference and they told us all about The Salvation Army,” says Jeni. “I felt really drawn to the Army’s brand of discipleship. This is what God wants me to do, I thought.

“And so I did.”

The Right Fit

Jeni flourished at the War College, which she started attending in 2004.

“That was a huge faith step for me,” she says. “While it was very transformational, figuring out who I was in Christ, for me, it was more about learning what The Salvation Army was and is and could be.

“I also saw where God had been calling me to—for example, that God had given me a heart for people living on the street, and I really connected with that idea of living, ministering where you are, being incarnational.

“I knew that God was aligning my heart to these things through The Salvation Army.

“Until then, I just never felt like I fit and now I knew this was where God was calling me, telling me that I was home at last.”

“Where We’re Needed”

For Jeni, becoming a soldier signalled her lifelong commitment to the Army as her church family.

“The night I became a soldier in 2006 was the night that my husband, Regan, proposed to me,” she smiles. “We started our Army journey at the same time.”

After getting married in 2007, Jeni was a stay-at-home mom to their four children while Regan pursued employment in the film industry, and they became active in ministry at their corps, Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. Now that her children are older, however, she has taken a position as the administrative assistant there.

Jeni feels that while officership is in their future, for the moment, they are quite happy being at Cariboo Hill Temple.

“This is where we’re needed.”

“I just knew that I had a strong desire to serve God,” says Jeni Lipsett

No One Can Do It All

Working together is always better.

BY CAPTAIN BHREAGH ROWE

Iam not a gifted pulpit preacher, but

I am a gifted officer. Let me explain.

In our first year of officership, my husband, Daniel, and I started following the normal routine that married officers seem to follow: preaching on alternating Sundays. But then Maverick came into the world fast and furious and ready to shake things up.

I remember one of the first times I tried to preach after he was born. Because I did not fall gracefully into motherhood (it was more like I hit every branch on the way down), I had forgotten to bring diapers and extra clothes with us to church. So, naturally, Maverick had a diaper blow-out. My mother, God bless her, wrapped him in a random shirt she found in my office, and held him, laughing, as I finished preaching.

I remember thinking, Nope, I can’t do this.

Every time I preached after that, I either heard Maverick crying, saw him crawling at the back of the church, or even just thought of him and got distracted. I found it extremely hard and, the fact that preaching was not really my thing, did not help the matter.

Now, let me say this before I continue: my husband is the best dad I know. He cares for his boys as much as I do and always supports me no matter how crazy my ideas are. I never once felt pressure from him to “do it all.” But I did feel pressure—both culturally and personally—to compartmentalize “mom” and “officer” and never let the two mix.

“Preaching may not be your gifting, Bhreagh, but do it anyway.”

It was difficult. How could I do the work that was expected of me but also accept myself for who I am and how God created me?

To save you a lot of stories about tears, anger and frustration, I will jump right to the point: the Rowe family does not do it all or expect any member of our family to have the capacity to do everything. In our marriage, we have done the work of figuring out who we are as image bearers, what giftings we have and how working

together can make us more effective for the kingdom.

In the last nine years, I have only preached from a pulpit five or six times. Do I have the capability? Sure. Is teaching from a pulpit my gifting? I don’t think so. Am I in a marriage and working relationship with an extremely gifted teacher and preacher? Yes. Do I have to do something that is not my gifting just because I can, because it will look good or in the name of equality? No.

I know Daniel and I are in a bit of a unique situation, in which we can work together in and out of the home and share a healthy dependence on each other’s giftings. However, this same principle can and should be applied to every aspect of our Christian lives: working together is always better.

The Apostle Paul gives the church in Ephesus instructions about how we are all called by Christ to work in different roles: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. When we work together, he says, we will attain “to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). He ends with: “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every sup-

porting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16).

Maybe you’re like me and wish you fit into the “better” category. Maybe you struggle with the false narrative that certain roles are higher or more valued than others. Maybe you feel unseen because your roles or responsibilities often are behind the scenes.

Whatever your “baby with a diaper blow-out” is, remember this: you were not created to do it all and have every spiritual gifting. In your marriage, lean on your spouse and their giftings. With your kids, do the work of helping them discover their own spiritual giftings. Humbly investigate your own. Then, lean into them and watch how God fits it all together to equip the church, build each other up and make an impact for the kingdom.

How grateful I am to serve such a smart and caring God, who made me unique, part of a team and removed the pressure to do it all.

Captain Bhreagh Rowe is the community ministries officer, St. Albert Church and Community Centre, Alta.

Cpts Daniel and Bhreagh Rowe work together in ministry in St. Albert, Alta.

IN THE NEWS

U.K. Army Musical Highlights Importance of Community

Belongings, a new musical out of the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, is a heartwarming story set in a Salvation Army thrift shop, and tells the interconnected stories of staff, volunteers and customers sheltering together during a storm. Written by Paul Sharman and Steph Lamplough, assistant directors of the territory’s music and creative arts team, Belongings celebrates the sense of community found in the Army, where people from all walks of life are welcomed and belong.

“The story was inspired by everyday people. I wanted to write something that was driven by strong characters whose stories were authentic so that the audience would see their own loved ones reflected in the people on the stage,” explains Lamplough. “I also wanted to celebrate what The Salvation Army does so well today—community, being among people and being God’s hand to people. ‘Love God, love others’—that’s what this musical is about.”

NEW & NOTABLE

Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss

BY LEANNE FRIESEN

Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss is a book by pastor Leanne Friesen that explores the complexities of grief and mourning. Drawing from her personal experience of losing her sister to cancer, Friesen challenges the remark that “time heals all wounds.” According to Friesen, it is impossible to will away grief.

As the executive minister of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec, Friesen has studied and preached about bereavement, and thought she knew what it meant to grieve until she experienced it first-hand.

“Grief is everywhere. It is the universal heartbreak that shocks every one of us. I wrote this book with the hope that it would help anyone facing loss to know their grief is valid,” writes Friesen on her website, leannefriesen.com. “This book is a message to grievers to assure them that all the ways their grief needs room matters. It is also meant to help all of us learn how to give ‘grieving room’ to others, who need space in their lives to mourn.”

Grieving Room highlights the importance of providing space for all aspects of the grieving process, including changing faith, regret, rage and other emotions that accompany loss. Friesen rejects the notion of ever “getting over it,” and offers guidance on what to say and what not to say to those who are grieving. The book also includes reflection questions, practices and prayers that provide practical support to individuals and groups as they navigate this process.

Whether readers are grieving or hoping to better reach those who are, Grieving Room encourages compassion and understanding, so that individuals and communities can create a safe space to “let loss linger.”

Grieving Room is available to purchase on Amazon or direct from the publisher at broadleafbooks.com.

Unveiled Skies: Conquering Emotional Battles

BY JOSEPH ROJAS

In Unveiled Skies: Conquering Emotional Battles , Joseph Rojas, lead singer of the Dove Award-winning Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, offers a down-to-earth personal testimony and guide for those facing emotional turmoil. Rojas recounts his own story, including troubles with addiction, crime, depression and thoughts of suicide followed by an encounter with Jesus at his lowest point. Despite the darkness, Rojas’ story serves as an example of the transformative power of faith. Now, he acts as a mentor to others.

“Each chapter serves as a stepping stone, from confronting the depths of loneliness to the liberating act of forgiveness, to the ultimate discovery of one’s worth as intricately crafted by God,” writes Seventh Day Slumber on their Instagram account. “Finding out who you really are might be the coolest part of this whole journey. It’s about digging up the gold that’s been in you from the start, and then sharing it with the world.”

Unveiled Skies will appeal to youth, Christian rock music fans and anyone who is or has ever felt weighed down by loneliness, depression or pain. With his candid story and hopeful message, Rojas empowers and uplifts those facing their own darkness and reminds readers of their worth and identity in Christ.

Unveiled Skies is available to purchase on Amazon or Apple Books.

The musical, featuring brand new music, had its public première at the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory’s Together 23 conference in 2023, and is set for a United Kingdom tour.

The cast of Belongings features actors from across the United Kingdom and Ireland Tty

Photo: Andrew King Photography

marks its 50th anniversary with a celebratory weekend of events, including a band concert and awards presentation with band and songster members with more than 30 years of official commissioned service receiving certificates of appreciation. From left, Cpt Ian Robinson, CO; Mary Ann Austin; Scott Pollett; Paul Nelson; Don Ritson; Jim Moulton; Ed Burrows; Paul Deacon Sr.; Donna Bagshaw; Cam Marsland; Mandy Marsland; and Cpt Kam Robinson, CO. Additional award recipients include Margaret Neitzke, Mike Williams, Bob Olford, Shirley Watkinson and Donna Lee Samson.

Dennis Miner retires after 14 years of active service at Rainbow Country Church. In total, Miner has served as a local officer, Sunday school teacher, Friday night ministry coordinator, family services and court worker for more than 50 years. Anna Crisp is commissioned as the new CSM. From left, Mjr Debbie Allen, CO; Austin Patry; Florence Servant; Carol King; Anna Crisp; and Dennis Miner.

Wildfires are a sad reality all across Canada, this year you can help out your neighbours by joining your local EDS team to assist in these responses! When disaster strikes, we’re there. Join us in spreading hope and help!

WINNIPEG—Heritage Park Temple

PARRY SOUND, ONT.—CSM

KINGSTON, ONT.—Four senior soldiers and five adherents are enrolled and three people recommit themselves as senior soldiers at Kingston Citadel during a visit from divisional leaders. Front, from left, Jean Millard, Dan Donnelly and Shirley Donnelly, senior soldiers; Rena Hennigar, adherent; and Joan Daines, senior soldier. Second row, from left, Lt-Cols Brenda and Shawn Critch, divisional secretary for spiritual life development and DC, Ont. Div; Goran Bibic, Emmanuele Fuldauer and Deborah Brown, adherents; Colleen Kirkland, senior soldier; and Cpt Nichole Maxwell, CO. Back, from left, Mjrs Catherine and Wil Brown-Ratcliffe, membership class leaders; Robert Brown and Linda Brown, senior soldiers; Mjr Patrick Lublink, holding the flag; John Bracci, adherent; and Cpt Chris Maxwell, CO.

GAZETTE INTERNATIONAL

Appointments: Mjr Brian Saunders, executive secretary to the General, IHQ, with rank of lt-col; Mjr Wendy Mouland, private secretary to the Chief of the Staff, IHQ; Mar 1—Mjrs Juliet Nkechinyere/Nkwachukwu C. Ezeonyilimba, TSWM/CS, Nigeria Tty, with rank of lt-col; Lt-Cols Beatrice/Harun Chepsiri, TSWM/CS, Kenya West Tty; Apr 1—Comrs Janine/Robert Donaldson, territorial leaders, Zimbabwe and Botswana Tty (pro tem)

TERRITORIAL

Birth: Lts April Barthau/Marco Herrera Lopizic, son, Caleb Immanuel LopizicBarthau, Dec 2

Appointments: Cpt Joshua Downer, DYS, B.C. Div (designation change); Cpt Joyce Downer, divisional candidates secretary, B.C. Div (designation change); Mjr Sheldon Feener, territorial social mission secretary, THQ; Mjr Michael Hoeft, AC for corps, Prairies and Northern Territories Div; Mjr Jeffrey Johnston, assistant divisional secretary, Prairies and Northern Territories Div; Mjr David Pearo, pastoral services officer, THQ; Cpt Ian Scott, public relations officer, Winnipeg and vicinity, Prairies and Northern Territories Div; Mjr Cathyann Simms, AC, Bermuda, Atlantic Div; Mjr Michael Simpson, community ministries officer, Markham Ministries, Agincourt CC, Toronto; Mjr Melisa Tardif Marcoux, AC, Quebec, Atlantic Div; Lt-Col Wanda Vincent, advocate for gender equity, THQ (additional responsibility)

Retirement: Jan 1—Mjr Hannu Lindholm

Promoted to glory: Mjr Bernice Patey, Nov 4; Mjr Elsie Van Schaick, Nov 7; Mjr Phyllis Hiscock, Nov 10; Mjr June Wilder, Nov 24; Mjr Ruth Weldon, Nov 25; Mjr John (Jack) Richardson, Dec 2; Comr Lenora Feener, Dec 8; Mjr Phillip Birt, Dec 10; Lt-Col Wilfred Hammond, Dec 16; Cpt Julie Wiseman, Dec 20; Cpt Elizabeth (Betty) Fleck, Dec 25; Mjr Nancy Wood, Dec 29; Cpt Isabella (Peggy) Will, Jan 1

CALENDAR

Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves: Mar 10-11 CFOT; Mar 24 Korean Corps, Toronto; Apr 6 A Choral Convocation, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto; Apr 13-14 grand opening, Barrhaven Church, Ottawa; Apr 27-28 board meetings (Commissioner Lee Graves only) and convocation, Booth University College

Colonels John and Lani Chamness: Mar 10-17 leader’s orientation, IHQ; Mar 23-24 grand opening, Hope CC, Ajax, Ont.; Mar 29-31 London Citadel, Ont.; Apr 6 A Choral Convocation, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto; Apr 27-28 board meetings (Colonel John Chamness only) and convocation, Booth University College

Canadian Staff Band: Mar 2-3 Scarborough Citadel, Toronto; Apr 6 A Choral Convocation, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto Canadian Staff Songsters: Mar 2-3 Brantford, Ont.; Apr 5-7 visit of the International, U.S.A. Eastern, U.S.A. Central, U.S.A. Western and U.S.A. Southern Staff Songster brigades, Toronto

TRIBUTES

CAMBRIDGE, ONT.—Major Phyllis (Moyles) Hiscock was born in 1935 in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L. Following high school and university, Phyllis taught in Corner Brook, N.L., where she met her husband, Edwin Hiscock. In 1955, Phyllis entered training college as part of the Sword Bearers Session. Following commissioning in 1956, she was appointed to Deer Lake, N.L., as a teacher and corps assistant. Soon after, she married Edwin and together they served in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia. Phyllis led many to the Lord and faithfully fulfilled her responsibilities in each appointment. Phyllis leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Major Edwin Hiscock; daughter, Mary Lynn (Ben) Noseworthy; granddaughter, Crystal Lynn; brother-in-law, Lt-Colonel David (Margaret) Hiscock; sister-in-law, Mable Froude; and nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and brothers Wallace, Roger and Ivan Moyles.

LONDON, ONT.—Major Warrick Pilgrim was born in 1944 in St. Anthony, N.L., and attended St. Anthony Corps. In 1963, he entered the College for Officer Training as part of the Proclaimers of the Faith Session. Commissioned in 1965, Warrick was appointed to Change Islands Corps, N.L. In 1966, Warrick married Lucy Day, whom he met at training college, and they had four children, David, Dean, Daren and Deana. Warrick served as a corps officer in various communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario, as divisional officer for public relations in Newfoundland and Labrador, and later served in the supplies and purchasing department at territorial headquarters. He also held 11 postretirement appointments in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Warrick was a man of great faith and a dedicated servant of Christ with a passion for ministry and people. He cherished his family and loved his wife and ministry partner, Lucy. Warrick was also a beloved father, brother, uncle and friend to many. He loved being Poppy to his nine grandchildren.

HIGH RIVER, ALTA.—Major Elsie Van Schaick (nee Birchall) was born in Calgary in 1931. She entered the College for Officer Training out of Calgary Citadel in 1951 as part of the Intercessors Session and was commissioned a year later. She received appointments in Kamloops, B.C., Fort Frances, Ont., and Hanna, Ont., before her marriage to Raymond Van Schaick in 1954. Together, Elsie and Ray held appointments across Canada in men’s social services until their final appointment in Fort Frances, which concluded with their retirement in 1996. In retirement, Elsie and Ray lived in Medicine Hat, Alta., and then High River, Alta. Elsie is survived by her five children, Wesley (Helen), Richard (Michele), Howard, Kevin and Lynn (Rob); sister, Grace; many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sister, Hilda, and her loving husband, Ray.

OTTAWA—At Barrhaven Church, two local officers are commissioned for duty: Rob Gaus as CSM and Matthew Timmermans as colour sergeant. From left, Cpts Laura and Stefan Van Schaick, COs; Rob Gaus; and Matthew Timmermans.

GODERICH, ONT.—Four junior soldiers are enrolled at Suncoast Citadel. From left, Cpt Donna Ludlow, CO; Syrianna Taggart, junior soldier; CSM Greg Allen, holding the flag; Claira Capeling, Elaina Ludlow and Carol MacEachern, junior soldiers; and Cpt Joe Ludlow, CO.

Revolution Quebec

Why I have a passion for youth ministry.

Sarah-Ève Moreau attends l’Église Communautaire Nouveaux

Départs in Montreal and is the youth ministries co-ordinator for the province of Quebec. She shares how God spoke to her during a dark time and is helping her become a better leader.

Tell us a little about yourself

I grew up in a little town in Quebec, but we moved frequently. My parents were so involved in church when I was young that sometimes we even slept there! My brothers and I were exposed to a life of service early on, and it still follows me today. Sometimes my husband, kid and I sleep at church now!

How did you come to faith in Christ?

I grew up in a Christian home, but my

faith became really mine when I was 14, after the first summer I worked at the Army’s Camp Lac l’Achigan in Quebec. When I came back home, I was depressed. I didn’t have a lot of Christian friends, so I was feeling very lonely. I could spend a whole day in my room by myself. It was a dark time.

One night, I prayed to God and said, If you exist, prove it to me. In a whisper, God showed up. He told me: Even if you were alone on earth, I would still go to the cross for only you, because I love you.

present. God has done miracles in my life that nobody could do or fathom. Even if God seems absent in my life, he is not absent. It’s like the sun: we don’t always see or feel the heat of the sun, but it is still there.

Where are you experiencing God at work in your life these days?

Right now, God is training me to be a good leader. I’m not a natural leader. I’m more of an introverted person who can experience social anxiety, but God is the best teacher. He is teaching me a lot about leadership through the Book of Nehemiah.

What inspires you about The Salvation Army?

At that moment, I felt something different in my heart. My joy came back, and

I was not afraid to stand for God at school or at church. This sentence

when life doesn’t go as planned

that he is sovereign.

God is not against me. I remember what God did

What inspires me about The Salvation Army is that we feed the needy, we are friends to the sinner, we visit people in prison and we give dignity to the one who has lost everything. In these aspects, we show Jesus and we love Jesus.

What is your role with The Salvation Army?

First, it’s to be a Jesus lover! If this role is not fulfilled, my other roles are not worth mentioning. After that, I’m the youth co-ordinator for the province of Quebec. I’m the person who gives resources for kids and youth ministries to the Salvation Army churches in Montreal. I love to do ministry with kids and youth, because they are thirsty to know the truth. I love to see them grow. Some of the kids who were my campers now have their own babies!

What’s the most inspiring place you’ve visited?

I love to travel. One of my dreams when I was growing up was to be a missionary. I participated in Revolution Hawaii, a discipleship program with The Salvation Army in the United States, and saw the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I stayed in Lahaina, on the island of Maui, for a month, and it was the best time of my stay in Hawaii. The people were so kind. I still wear a sunrise shell necklace that a stranger gave me, eight years later.

Studied Religion at Booth UC

Graduated with a BA in 2020

Meet Kailey.

Pursued Further Studies in Education

TODAY: Certified Teacher in Ontario

Meet other successful graduates. Start here and plan your path forward with Booth UC.

Whatever your goals or desired career path, Booth UC offers flexible solutions to help you gain the education you need. Our small class sizes and hands-on approach to learning creates a welcoming environment where you will thrive.

Faith & Friends

The CHOSEN

IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, CREATOR DALLAS JENKINS SHARES HOW ONE SHOW ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS HAS MADE A WORLDWIDE IMPACT. P.17

Another Long Weekend?

With Easter on its way, many of us are looking forward to a long weekend—a break from work, a chance to relax.

Our calendars label the holiday “Good Friday”—but why? What could be good about a Friday that commemorates a death, especially the death of Jesus, the Son of God?

In a word, love.

It was love that compelled God to send His Son into the world (see John 3:16). Love that led Jesus to give up His life for our sake (see Romans 5:8). Love that frees us from our sins and gives us new life (see Romans 6:4).

This is no ordinary long weekend. It’s a time to celebrate God’s incredible gift of salvation. A truly good Friday.

To learn more about Easter, visit a Salvation Army church near you, go to our website at faithandfriends.ca or contact us at: The Salvation Army Editorial Department, 2 Overlea Blvd., Toronto ON M4H

Photo:

13

FEATURES

COVER

SOMEONE CARES

5 Why I Give

Behind every donation to The Salvation Army is a reason why.

BAD TO THE BONE?

8 The Thief On the Cross

What’s fair about Jesus promising eternal life to this criminal? Everything!

25 & COUNTING

10 Lost and Found

Diane Stark thought her stories were lost forever. But Someone had His reasons for borrowing them.

13 Whisper of the Heart

Emmanuele Fuldauer had always felt God at work but it took a detour for her to hear His voice.

17 The Chosen

How one show about the life of Jesus has made a worldwide impact.

22 The Face Behind the Shield

LAUGHING MATTERS

26 Death-Defying Deed

Let’s celebrate the truth of the most outrageous claim in history.

LITE STUFF

28 Eating Healthy With Erin Sudoku, Quick Quiz, Word Search.

NIFTY THRIFTY

31 Stick a Pin in It! This spring, add some flair to your outerwear.

Portrait in New Life

Salvation Army t hrift store manager Vernon Miike’s commitment to recycling extends to every part of his life—even his passion for painting. When asked about his portrait of General William Booth that graces the front page of his profile (page 22), Vernon explains, “The canvases I use are repurposed from the paintings our thrift store does not sell and are destined for recycling. Classic artists in the old days often repainted over previous works, primarily for cost-saving purposes. I certainly do not compare myself to the old masters … I simply do not like throwing canvasses into the trash. Why not give them a new life? ”

Why not, indeed? Giving objects a new life is exactly what The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) is all about. Last year, more than 36 million kilograms (almost 80 million pounds) of used items were diverted from local landfills. In this way, NRO employees such as Vernon care for our communities and the planet we all share.

Speaking of new life, in this issue of Faith & Friends, we unpack the Easter holiday. In the last of her Bad To The Bone? series, Jeanette Levellie examines the crucifixion story of the thief on the cross, and how we should react to Jesus’ uncritical acceptance of that man’s last, dying request. In a more humorous vein, Phil Callaway celebrates the truth of the most outrageous claim in history—that Jesus died and rose from the dead—by comparing it to some far-fetched accident insurance claims, such as, “A house hit my car.” And our cover story looks at The Chosen, now commencing its fourth critically acclaimed season, and how The Salvation Army has played a key role in the series.

Happy Easter to all!

Ken Ramstead

Mission Statement

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

Faith & Friends is

published bimonthly by:

The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4

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

Lyndon Buckingham GENERAL

Commissioner Lee Graves

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

Ken Ramstead, EDITOR

Kristin Ostensen MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA

Lisa Suroso

GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST

Emily Pedlar

JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Rivonny Luchas

DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Giselle Randall, Abbigail Oliver

STAFF WRITERS

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

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P. (416) 467-3188, F. (416) 422-6217

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ISSN 1702-0131

Why I Give

Behind every donation to The Salvation Army is a reason why, as these three stories illustrate.

by Juan Romero

In every community across Canada and Bermuda, there are individuals whose generosity toward The Salvation Army positively impacts the lives of people going through hardship. The reasons why they donate may be different, but it usually stems from an impactful experience that led them to choose The Salvation Army.

Here are just three examples of donors, among countless others from coast to coast, who continue to help The Salvation Army give hope:

A Monthly Thank-You

Elda Egan donates to The Salvation Army because she is thankful for the support they gave to her son.

Luke, who was struggling with severe mental illness, started going to the Salvation Army food bank in Prince George, B.C. According to Elda, this not only helped Luke ensure his food security but it also provided him with a safe space that he enjoyed.

“He felt very supported by The Salvation Army, and they knew him

Photo: © Grizzard

“Salvation Army members were around within 20 minutes after the news announcement. I had no idea how they got there so quickly.”

GEORGE STEVENS

by name,” Elda shares. “I started to support The Salvation Army because it was my way of giving back to the group that was helping my son.”

In October 2022, Luke passed away, but Elda has continued to provide a monthly donation to the food bank as a thank-you for their help and acceptance.

Tea and Sympathy

For other donors, the inspiration behind their support has come from a single event that marked them.

On November 29, 1963, a tragedy occurred that changed the life of George Stevens. On this day, Trans-Canada Air Lines (now Air Canada) Flight 831 from Montreal to Toronto crashed shortly after take-off. All 118 people on board were killed, including George’s brother, who was returning from a business trip.

After hearing on the news that the flight had gone missing, George rushed to the airport in Toronto to find his sister-in-law. When he

arrived, there was chaos. George and his sister-in-law were led into a private room along with 45 other people who were anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.

When George entered the room, he noticed that members of The Salvation Army were already there, trying to comfort people.

“What amazed me was that Salvation Army members were going around offering tea, coffee and words of sympathy,” George says. “This was all within 20 minutes after the news announcement of the missing plane. I had no idea how they got there so quickly. It made a terrific impact on me.”

What he witnessed that day inspired George to make annual donations to The Salvation Army. George trusts the Army to allocate the funds where they are most needed.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Sometimes, the reasons for donating can be generational as well.

Lorna Court is a committed

donor to The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light in Vancouver. When she was young, she remembers that her mother donated to the Army, as they helped her mother’s cousin, Pat, when he battled alcohol addiction.

Lorna believes Harbour Light was responsible for turning Pat’s life around. Shortly after her mother passed away, Lorna decided she would continue donating to Harbour Light, just as her mother did.

Lorna makes three-year monetary donation commitments to help Harbour Light with specific improvement projects, she has supplied the education centre at Harbour Light with hundreds of books, and she has a bequest listed for the Army in her will.

“It’s an honour to be a part of the work The Salvation Army does,” Lorna states. “It just makes me so proud to be able to help with the wonderful work they do.”

(left) Juan Romero is the staff writer/news media relations specialist at The Salvation Army’s territorial headquarters in Toronto.

Two Volunteers, Two Stories Elda Egan (above, left) is thankful for the way The Salvation Army helped her son. Lorna Court (above, right) donates to the Army because they played a role in helping her cousin battle addiction

The Thief On the Cross

What’s fair about Jesus promising eternal life to this criminal? Everything!

by Jeanette Levellie

Most people don’t preach a sermon to their fellow criminals while they are being executed. But one bad boy did. God tucked his story within the account of Jesus’ Crucifixion in Luke 23.

The two men who hung on crosses on either side of Jesus were criminals. One joined the crowd in mocking Jesus, saying, “You’re supposed to be the Anointed One, right? Well—do it! Rescue Yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39 The Voice).

But the second thief told the first one to shut up and asked him why he had no respect for God. “We’re getting what we deserve since we’ve committed crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong at all!” (Luke 23:41 The Voice).

In bold contrast to his fellow thief and those on the ground spewing insults at Jesus, this bad boy admitted his sin—the first step in salvation. And then he proclaimed his faith in Jesus, declaring Him innocent of wrongdoing. That’s the same as saying that Jesus is truly and

properly God. For whom else but God has never done wrong? So that criminal showed his faith in Jesus— the second step to salvation.

Finally, in what may have been his last breath, the thief turned to the Lord and gasped, “Jesus, when You come into Your kingdom, please remember me” (Luke 23:42 The Voice).

Can Jesus Do That?

How did Jesus respond?

By saying, “How dare you try to weasel your way into heaven as you hang there, receiving your just punishment”? Or, “I forgive you, but you’ll never manipulate Me into saving you by taking advantage of My kindness”?

No. Jesus promised a bad boy who repented, declared his faith in Jesus and asked Jesus for a favour, a place with Him in paradise.

No Fair!

This story kind of messes with my sense of fairness.

How does Jesus’ willingness to forgive a thief make us feel?

JEANETTE LEVELLIE

Jesus granted salvation to a criminal that even the corrupt Roman government thought deserving of execution.

That thief had never followed Jesus a speck in his life. Yet as he’s dying, he turns from his sin and rasps out a simple statement of faith. And Jesus grants his request.

How is this fair?

What about those of us who have followed Jesus since we were children? How does Jesus’ willingness to forgive a thief make us feel?

Different Past. Same Future. It should make us rejoice.

Because we were all in the same bad way before we surrendered our lives to Jesus and became Christians. We may have sinned in different ways. But we all sinned. We all needed cleansing by Jesus’ sinless blood. And all of us who have made Jesus our Lord will enjoy the same future—forever with Jesus. Jesus

paid the same price for my husband, Kevin—whose worst sin is losing his temper while fixing our porch railing—as He paid for that very bad man hanging next to Him as He died.

So, if Jesus’ magnanimity bothers me, it’s my problem. I need to get over it and welcome any kind of sinner, whether he said one tiny cuss word or stole jewels from the Queen, into the family of God.

And instead of getting miffed at Jesus’ mercy, when I get to heaven, I’m going to thank that (former) thief for showing me how big the heart of God is.

All About the Thief

Read Luke 23:39-43

• Who: a sinner crucified with Jesus

• When: 33 AD

• Where: Jerusalem

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

25 & COUNTING

To mark the 25th anniversary of Faith & Friends, we asked past editors, current writers and our readers to tell us what articles have impacted them or changed how they think about life and faith.

For this, the last instalment in the series, our article was suggested by current Faith & Friends editor Ken Ramstead:

I have always been a fan of longtime contributor Diane Stark’s writing. Over the years, I have watched and read as her family grew in years and in faith.

While I have enjoyed all of her articles, “Lost and Found” (January 2010) still ranks as my favourite. To see how Diane’s writings, misplaced on a memory stick, changed a young woman’s life for the better and saved her from a life of addiction and maybe even death, made me not a little envious.

You see, I think every editor hopes that his or her words will make a difference to someone, a Christian editor all the more so. We toil for the most part in seclusion and very rarely is there any outward recognition that our efforts have made a difference. Diane‘s article was a vindication, an encouragement and, yes, a goad to me to work all the harder at what I do on the magazine, to work as if someone‘s very life was at stake because maybe, somewhere, someday, it will be.

Lost and Found

I thought my stories were lost forever. But Someone had His reasons for borrowing them.

by Diane Stark

“Eric, we have a problem,” I told my sleeping husband as I notso-gently poked him in the back.

He sat up quickly and looked around. “What’s wrong?” he said with a panicked is-the-house-on-fire look.

“I can’t find my thumb drive.”

He rubbed his eyes. “Your what?”

“My thumb drive. That little electronic memory stick I use to hold my stories after I write them.”

“Oh, that thing.” He rolled over and pulled the blanket up over his head. “That was just your backup. You still have them on your computer hard drive. We’ll look for it in the morning.”

I yanked the blanket back down. “No, Honey,” I said through gritted teeth, “I deleted them from the computer when I got the stick. If I don’t find it, I’ve lost every story and article I’ve ever written!”

Eric, to his credit, jumped out of bed and hugged me. “We’ll find it. When was the last time you saw it?”

“This afternoon. I took it to the print shop to make copies of a story. I had it when I left there.”

“Where else did you go?”

“The post office, the pharmacy….” “Did you have it when you got home?”

I shrugged helplessly.

Lost Hope

For the next two hours, Eric and I ransacked our house. I dumped out the contents of my purse and the diaper bag, hoping I’d tossed it in without realizing it. As I sorted through spare change and crayons, I muttered a prayer that I’d find the missing drive. I searched through the clothes I’d worn that day and felt the pockets, then I located my infant son’s clothes and searched his pockets as well.

Eric went outside to look in the car. When he returned, my hopes rose but he shook his head.

“I dug around under the seats,” he reported. “I found a pair of dirty socks, a gum wrapper and a couple of fries, but no stick. I’m sorry.”

I sighed. “I guess it wouldn’t be very good parenting to wake the kids up and ask them if they’ve seen it.”

“No,” he replied, straight-faced, “but first thing tomorrow, we’re going to call the places you went and see if someone turned it in.”

We went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about my lost thumb drive—and all of those missing stories. Again, I prayed that God would help me find it.

In the morning, I called the print shop, the post office and the pharmacy, but no one had seen a little pink memory stick. I was heartbroken.

For the next month, I prayed that somehow it would turn up. My children prayed often for “Mommy’s really important pink thing.” But as the weeks went by, I lost hope. My stories appeared to be gone.

No Accident

Then one day, a manila envelope came in the mail. It was addressed to me but had no return address. I opened it and instantly felt tears in my eyes.

Inside was my thumb drive and a single piece of lined paper. It was a note from a 20-year-old named Lisa.

“You don’t know me,” she

explained, “but I found this thumb drive in the parking lot at the pharmacy about a month ago.” She’d planned to sell it to get money for drugs—“my motives weren’t good then”—but her curiosity got the best of her. She popped the memory stick into a computer and began to read my stories.

She read about how much God loves her and how it’s never, ever too late to turn back to Him. The story that really touched her was one I’d written about a rough patch in my own life. “It made me realize I needed to change,” she went on.

After reading it, she called her parents and asked them if she could come home. She attended church that Sunday for the first time in many years and even sought help for her addiction.

“I know now that God loves me, despite the mistakes I’ve made,” she concluded. “Thank you for helping me see that. I know this whole thing was an accident, but I truly can’t thank you enough.”

But I knew it was no accident. The Lord had engineered the whole thing. This girl would probably never have read the magazines my stories appear in, so God had to take a different approach.

I bowed my head and thanked Him for answering my prayers and, even more importantly, for using my stories to help someone else. And I was reminded yet again that, with God, all things are possible.

Whisper of the Heart

EMMANUELE FULDAUER HAD ALWAYS FELT GOD AT WORK BUT IT TOOK A DETOUR TO A SALVATION ARMY CHURCH FOR HER TO HEAR HIS VOICE.

by Ken Ramstead

It’s fitting that Emmanuele Fuldauer’s first name means “God is with us” in Hebrew. Though never a churchgoing woman, Emmanuele had always felt God at work. Now, thanks to The Salvation Army, He is working through her life.

Detour to Home Depot

Emmanuele’s first encounter with the

Army was on the way to a lumberyard in 2005.

The newly minted registered nurse was renovating her house in Kingston, Ont., with the help of her friend, Kennie. One Sunday, they were on their way to pick up some supplies when Kennie suggested they take in a local Salvation Army church service at Kingston Citadel.

Photos: Courtesy of Emmanuele Fuldauer

“I could feel the whispers of the Holy Spirit at work.”

EMMANUELE FULDAUER

“This was his family’s church when I met him,” Emmanuele says.

She had never been in a church before other than for weddings and funerals, and they were dressed in jeans and denim shirts and wearing work boots, but she said yes.

“Kennie’s parents weren’t in attendance that day but he introduced me to some friends and the pastors,” Emmanuele recalls. “I honestly don’t remember much now but it must have ignited a small spark within me.”

Missing Inspiration

Emmanuele grew up in Vancouver and really didn’t know anything about The Salvation Army before that first encounter.

“I vaguely knew they had something to do with homeless people,” she says, “but to me, the Army was the thrift store. I just never knew that there was a church attached to it.”

Religion was never really discussed in Emmanuele’s family, so it had been left to her to process her own spiritual journey to God on her own.

“Although I was never introduced to any formal religious understanding of God,” she says, “I’ve always felt the ‘whisper’ of the Holy Spirit in me, but never understood—or felt I could trust—what I was feeling.

“As a result, the church service I

attended with Kennie that day didn’t inspire any deeper feeling in me, sadly.”

A Landing Place

Over that year, Kennie and Emmanuele became more than friends, and they started a life together; they married and welcomed a child, Jackson.

In the meantime, Emmanuele started working weekend shifts as a nurse at the hospital in Perth, Ont.

“But we never talked about church,” she says. “It was something Kennie would do on the occasional Sunday if he visited his mother with Jackson.”

Things started to change in 2016. Kennie’s mother passed away and Kennie and Jackson, now eight years old, started attending church, first at a nearby one and then at “Grandma’s church” at Jackson’s request. (Emmanuele was still working weekend shifts and could not join her family.)

Jackson became a junior soldier— an official member of The Salvation Army—and was soon followed by his dad, who became a senior soldier.

Not too long after Emmanuele secured a full-time position that gave her weekends off, COVID hit.

“I was a nurse working in a rural hospital on a busy medical surgical floor during the COVID

pandemic,” she relates. “We were often short-staffed, our duties changed constantly, and we were faced with constant change and challenges. It was almost constantly overwhelming.”

Last year, Emmanuele suffered a total mental breakdown.

“I was a complete mess for months and barely left the safety of my home,” she says, “and if I did, I always had someone with me.”

She was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

staff room door, asking God to be with me and to keep all of us safe,” she recalls. “I started putting my faith in God.

“And I am truly thankful that at that point in my life, thanks to what my son had put into motion, I found a safe place where I could land.”

Feeling the Pull

When things eventually opened up again—“summer, new growth, new beginnings”—Emmanuele started attending church with her husband

Album

“In hindsight, I now realize I probably had multiple sclerosis for more than 10 years,” she continues. “That, and the constant stress during COVID, wore me down.”

It was during this moment of total vulnerability that Emmanuele completely surrendered to the whispers from the Holy Spirit.

“Every shift before starting my rounds, I would stand alone at the

and son at Kingston Citadel.

“I could feel the whispers of the Holy Spirit at work.

“And I liked it,” she smiles. “Everyone was so open, especially our pastors, Captains Chris and Nichole Maxwell, and the entire congregation seemed to be seeking the grace of God. It was just so wonderful.”

Intrigued and encouraged, Emmanuele decided to take an

Family

Emmanuele with her husband, Kennie (below), and her son, Jackson (right)

eight-week course offered by retired pastors Majors Catherine and Wil Brown-Ratcliffe.

“We had pitched the course as a ‘no strings attached’ opportunity to learn about The Salvation Army, its history and impact on society,” explains Major Wil. “Of course, the main thrust of the course was to learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and how our faith informs our daily living.”

“Emmanuele was fairly new to faith, and that certainly added a unique dynamic to the group setting,” continues Major Catherine. “She wasn’t afraid to ask probing questions or to say where she was in her understanding of how God is working. Sometimes people are afraid of asking questions because it might be seen as a lack of faith or questioning God. But the truth is, of course, that often we don’t grow unless we are willing to ‘talk it through.’ ”

“They did a great job,” smiles Emmanuele. “And I just felt the pull.”

Finding God

Late last year, Emmanuele became

a Salvation Army adherent, recognizing the Army as her home church. It has been a positive step in her personal journey and brings encouragement and pastoral guidance as her journey of faith unfolds.

And why The Salvation Army?

“The transparency, the complete and utter transparency of everything,” she replies. “Where the donations go, where the kettle money goes and all the work that they do. Everybody is focused on helping each other and helping those less fortunate. It’s the values of everybody there. It’s not feeling like it’s going to church just because it ’ s Sunday. It’s a genuine, real feeling.”

Emmanuele has considered becoming a soldier with Kennie and Jackson, or maybe even a pastor, but for the moment, she is content where she is right now in her faith journey.

“I haven’t returned to work because I don’t know how or in what capacity I will be able to,” she says, “but I trust that God will lead me and be with me. And I hope I can help other people find God in their own journey.”

Army Proud Emmanuele and Kennie are flanked by their church pastors, Captains Chris and Nichole Maxwell (left), and their retired pastors, Majors Catherine and Wil Brown-Ratcliffe (right)

The

CHOSEN

HOW ONE SHOW ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS HAS MADE A WORLDWIDE IMPACT.

Photo: Courtesy of The Chosen

It’s the phenomenon that’s sweeping the globe. For the past three seasons, The Chosen, a groundbreaking drama based on the life of Jesus, has garnered praise from critics and fans alike for its historical and biblical accuracy, playful spirit, stirring drama, genuine humour and disruptive impact. What started out as a crowd-funded project has now garnered more than 700 million episode views and more than 12 million social media followers.

The brainchild of film and television director, writer and producer Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen has just dropped its fourth of a projected seven seasons.

For this exclusive interview, Faith & Friends spoke to Dallas Jenkins on location at the Salvation Army camp in Texas where The Chosen is filmed:

What was the genesis of The Chosen?

In 2017, I’d had an opportunity to do a big Hollywood movie, but that bombed and, licking my wounds, I was doing a short film for my church’s Christmas Eve service about the birth of Christ from the perspective of the shepherds. I returned to a script that my co-writer and I had written a couple of years earlier and filmed it on my friend’s farm in Illinois, 20 minutes from my house.

While I was making it, I was binge-watching some television shows with my wife, and I remember

thinking, There have been movies and mini-series about the life of Christ, but there has never been a multi-season show where you can really dig into the stories, dig into the cultural and historical context, dig into the humanity of it so that we’re following these people from episode to episode, season to season. And I thought that would really be an amazing opportunity to bring these stories to life. But no one was lining up to do a Jesus show and certainly not to work with someone like me, coming off of a failure.

Photo: Courtesy of The Chosen

In Camera

Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) ready for a close up

Our short film ended up going viral and launching a crowd-fund for the first season. The rest is history. And so now I’m talking to you with four seasons already completed. It’s phenomenal!

Have you felt closer to God after embarking on The Chosen? Has your faith deepened or broadened?

When you’re tasked with portraying Jesus to the world, you better know Him as well as you can, and so I’ve

gotten to know Jesus more than ever over the past few years. And one of the things that has really impacted me is that I’ve noticed how intimate of a God Jesus is. Two thousand years ago, whether He was calling someone or healing someone or rebuking someone, Jesus knew what was in their hearts. He knew what their need was. And He knew that only He could fill it. And that’s the same today. And knowing that intimacy of Jesus, I think, is vital—

“I’ve gotten to know Jesus more than ever over the past few years.”

DALLAS JENKINS

Photo: Courtesy of The Chosen

knowing that He knows your heart and wants to have a personal relationship with you, that He’s not just a god of the masses. It’s something that has impacted me and is also imbued in the show.

Did Jonathan Roumie feel awkward portraying Jesus?

Jonathan and I had a very important moment in Season 1. He had done a good job of surrendering himself to the process. But there was a scene in episode six where he’s preaching to dozens of people in the street.

“I don’t feel worthy saying these words,” he told me. He was emotional about it. I pulled him aside and said, “None of us are worthy to do this. That’s the point. Lean into that. Embrace that. Surrender. Let’s recognize that we’re not worthy, so

that we are filled totally by what God wants us to do. Let’s acknowledge that—and get out of the way.” That became a seminal moment.

You’ve done a lot of filming at a Salvation Army campground in Texas. Were you aware of The Salvation Army before this? And how has your perception of the organization changed?

Well, I would hope that there isn’t anyone alive who hasn’t heard of The Salvation Army! I’ve been a fan of the amazing work they do my whole life. The Army has been extraordinary over the last couple of years.

I believe that we’re doing similar work. With The Chosen, we’re trying to heal the world in whatever way that we can. We’re trying to do what God wants us to do, to reveal His Son to the world however

“What’s My Motivation?”

Dallas Jenkins and Jonathan discuss a scene in a Season 3 synagogue

Photo: Courtesy of The Chosen

we can. The Salvation Army does it through generosity, they do it through helping those in need. I’m doing it through a television show that’s about Jesus. But we’re hand in hand in this. And it’s been a beautiful experience to partner with the Army.

Have you received any feedback from viewers who have come to faith through the series?

We’ve lost count! It’s clearly in the hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who have said they

Speaking of Stories …

… here are just a few of the many thousands of heartfelt testimonials that the creators of The Chosen have received:

• “The Chosen opened my eyes to the hurts I caused others and brought me back to my faith with hope and love.”—Michelle

• “There was that scene where Jesus placed His hand on Mary and redeemed her. That moment marked a profound shift in my life, and I knew I wanted to follow Jesus.”—Lee

were far from God, had no relationship with God, had previously had one but had lost it in some way, maybe because of their own misunderstanding of who God was, who now have turned to Christ because of the show.

We know how important it is to say that we are not a replacement for Scripture. The Chosen, as a TV show, is not the end game. But we are hearing over and over and over again from people whose lives are being changed by it. And that never gets old!

• “I was lost for 40 years, but Jesus found this old lady. He filled me with His love, and now I know He’ll be with me always.”—Martina

• “The Chosen has given me a platform to share Jesus with others, something I’ve always wanted to do but struggled with.”—Todd

• “To my surprise, I was instantly hooked. My friends now joke that I could be a marketer for the show, given my newfound passion for

Did You Know?

Dallas Jenkins’ father is Jerry B. Jenkins, the Christian novelist best known for the Left Behind series, one of the highest-selling book series of all time, with more than 60 million copies sold.

Photo: Tyndale House Publishers

Photo: Courtesy of The Chosen

The Face Behind the Shield

VERNON MIIKE’S CAREER AS A THRIFT STORE MANAGER INFORMED HIS PORTRAIT OF SALVATION ARMY CO-FOUNDER GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH.

by Ken Ramstead

Any visitor to The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) headquarters in Oakville, Ont., can’t help but spot the spectacular painting of the organization’s co-Founder, General William Booth, in the office of Ted Troughton, the managing director.

The painting is the work of Vernon Miike, manager of The Salvation Army’s thrift store in Oakville. One might say that it is a fusion of decades of passion and purpose.

From Retail to Thrift

“I’ve been in retail practically my whole life,” says Vernon. “As a matter of fact, while I was going to art school, my first part-time job was as a salesman at Simpsons.”

When Vernon graduated, he was offered a position as a supervisor, which led to a retail management career at stores such as Winners and Old Navy, overseeing anywhere from 25 to 100 employees.

In 2005, he took a sabbatical to look after his parents, who were in declining health, but when he returned to the job market, Vernon was contacted by The Salvation Army. He started in July 2016.

“It feels as if my first day was just yesterday!” he smiles. “I’ve loved working here the entire time, and I hope to continue on here beyond retirement because it’s become a big part of me. I can’t see myself not being here.”

One-On-One

While Vernon had been out of the job market for a while, he figured working at a Salvation Army thrift store would be similar to his previous jobs.

“But it was different, different from anything I’d ever done before,” Vernon says.

Though the scale was the same— instead of 10 managers who had reported to him in times gone by, he has 10 staff members who do now— the interaction is more direct.

“I’m more one-on-one with my direct reports, even the part-timers, than I ever have been before.”

Vernon also puts in more time on the cash, helping with the donations and with the clientele. “The days really fly by!”

“We’re Here for a Reason”

Being up close and personal with his direct reports and the clients is not the only thing that sets what he does now apart for Vernon.

“Working at other places, you’re working for shareholders. It’s all about making money, making profit,” Vernon says. “Here, our ‘shareholders’ are all the organizations we support: the food banks, the churches, our Send a Kid to Camp campaign, the list goes on and on. How can you not feel good being part of all that?”

And while he is still in the business of being profitable, “we’re a community store,” he goes on to say. “We don’t hesitate when situations

“General William Booth had a belief and he had his faith, and he wasn’t doing it for the profit.“ VERNON MIIKE

come up that require our help. We often have people coming in with vouchers, and a lot of our traffic is walk-in traffic: referrals from Army churches or correctional officers.”

Though thrift stores have drawn a trendier clientele who appreciate the variety and quality, at their heart is a mission and a mandate.

“That clientele may be growing, but we’re here because people need us to be here, now more than ever,” Vernon says. “We still have to keep in mind that we’re here for a reason. And I hope we’re here for a long time, because for many people, we’ve become a part of their lives.”

Anatomy of a Portrait

Though retail runs in Vernon’s blood, his heartbeat is that of an artist. As a teenager, he learned to love abstract and classical fine art while in school. And throughout his career as a store manager, he regularly pursued his passion. He painted for his own enjoyment and would give many of his works away as gifts to admiring friends and relatives.

As for General Booth, Vernon first saw a sculpture of him when he came in for his job interview.

“I’ve always liked interesting faces,” he says, “and I was taken by his. I remember thinking I’d like to do a painting of him one day. And as time went on, I felt compelled to paint him.”

The hiring of Ted gave Vernon the inspiration to go ahead with the portrait.

“I thought it would be a neat little gift,” he says. “Like a lot of the pieces I do, it might have taken me a couple of days, just picking away at it.”

Vernon researched General Booth online and consulted period photographs.

“I was captivated by him,” Vernon says. “He was a man who dedicated his life to helping others, and he just seemed so emotional.”

Ted takes up the story.

“One day,” Ted relates, “Vernon brought me this beautiful painting. It really impacted me as I had never had something like that given to me in my career before. I took it home and showed my wife and kids, and they were equally impressed at Vernon’s generosity and how well it was painted.”

Unbeknownst to Ted, his wife had the painting framed, and it now

A Frame Up

hangs in his office as an ever-present memory of the mission of The Salvation Army that William and his wife, Catherine, created.

“With online meetings, this is the perfect backdrop for my camera,” Ted smiles. “One Salvation Army pastor commented on the fact that William Booth was always looking over my shoulder now at the good works of NRO!”

Helping Others

Besides being proud of the work itself, this portrait is close to Vernon’s heart for other reasons.

“He’s the face behind our organization,” he states. “Prior to me working here, I’d seen the Army shield, but I

never knew there was a man behind that shield.”

Since then, Vernon has become an expert on the early history of The Salvation Army.

“When General Booth started the church,” he states, “it wasn’t popular with certain people. But he had a belief and he had his faith, and he wasn’t doing it for the profit.

“I’m hoping that there’s a little bit of the General in all of us who work here,” Vernon concludes. “This is one of the reasons why I painted this portrait.”

Vernon is hard at work now on a portrait of Salvation Army co-Founder Catherine Booth, William’s wife.

Vernon Miike (left) and Ted Troughton hold the portrait of Salvation Army co-Founder General William Booth. “I was captivated by him,” Vernon says. “He was a man who dedicated his life to helping others”

Death-Defying Deed

Let’s celebrate the truth of the most outrageous claim in history.

by Phil Callaway

Have you ever made a claim that wasn’t true? Here are some accident insurance claims that seem to me a little far-fetched:

• “A house hit my car.”

• “I had been driving for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.”

• “The car in front hit the pedestrian but he got up so I hit him again.”

• “I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my motherin-law and headed over the embankment.”

• “In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.”

• “I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident.”

• “The pedestrian had no idea which way to run, so I ran over him.”

• “Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don’t have.”

• “The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.”

• “When I saw I could not avoid a collision, I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car.”

• “The pedestrian ran for the pavement, but I got him.”

“He Is Not Here”

“He is Risen”

Amazing claims those, but last year a man approached me who claimed to be Jesus. I asked if he had been raised from the dead. He said, “Yes.” I said, “Can you bring me some friends to verify this?” He blinked and wandered away.

Surely the most outrageous claim ever is the claim of Easter. That Jesus, the Son of God, died, was buried and was raised to life.

If it is false, Christianity is a lie. If it is true, we dare not laugh it off or ignore it.

The letters of Paul in the New Testament were written just 15 to 20 years after Jesus’ death. So how could Paul get away with his own eye-witness account and claims that the risen Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at once— most of whom were still alive?

Only Jesus had followers who went to their graves because they insisted He had been resurrected.

Why would Jesus’ disciples do this—unless they had seen Him risen?

At my father’s graveside, the thought hit me, What would it take to convince people that my father had risen from the dead? It’s impossible.

If you don’t believe me, I have a suggestion. Try faking a resurrection in your town. Let me know how it goes.

My wife and I marvelled as we stood at the empty tomb in Jerusalem. It says, “He is not here. He is risen.”

I am sometimes criticized for laughing too much, but the truth of the Resurrection makes it impossible for me to stop for very long. We’re forgiven. The truly important issues were dealt with by Jesus on that cross. He defeated death and promised us eternal life.

So let’s celebrate the truth of the most outrageous claim in history.

Phil and Ramona Callaway in Jerusalem at the rock cut tomb adjacent to a rocky knoll known as Skull Hill. The tomb was unearthed in 1867 and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year

(left) Phil Callaway’s Laugh Again radio program airs 700 times a week in Canada. Visit him at laughagain.org.

Recipe photos: Erin Stanley

Eating Healthy With Erin

MEDITERRANEAN INSPIRED QUINOA SALAD

TIME 10 min MAKES 4 servings SERVE WITH grilled chicken, fish or tofu

Salad Recipe

500 ml (2 cups) cooked quinoa

250 ml (1 cup) romaine lettuce, chopped

250 ml (1 cup) cucumber, diced

250 ml (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved

125 ml (½ cup) jarred artichoke hearts, quartered and drained

60 ml (¼ cup) kalamata or black olives, diced

60 ml (¼ cup) feta cheese, crumbled or shredded

60 ml (¼ cup) red onion, diced

1. Combine salad ingredients.

2. Whisk together dressing ingredients.

Dressing Recipe

80 ml (1/3 cup) olive oil

30 ml (2 tbsp) balsamic vinegar

30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice

5 ml (1 tsp) honey

5 ml (1 tsp) dried dill

2 ml (½ tsp) dried basil

2 ml (½ tsp) dried oregano salt and pepper to taste

3. Mix together and serve immediately or allow to chill for one hour in the fridge if preferred cold.

CARROT MUFFINS

TIME 35 min MAKES 12 servings SERVE WITH coffee or tea

375 ml (1½ cups) flour

125 ml (½ cup) granulated sugar

175 ml (¾ cup) brown sugar

2 ml (½ tsp) cinnamon

1 ml (¼ tsp) ground ginger

1 ml (¼ tsp) baking soda

5 ml (1 tsp) baking powder

2 ml (½ tsp) salt

125 ml (½ cup) olive oil

2 large eggs

7.5 ml (1½ tsp) vanilla extract

500 ml (2 cups) freshly grated carrots

1. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and line muffin tin with grease or cooking spray.

2. Whisk dry ingredients in medium bowl.

3. In separate bowl, combine wet ingredients.

4. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.

5. Fill muffin tin to two-thirds full and bake for 22 minutes.

6. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to cooling rack.

1.

wrote A Brief History of Time in 1988?

2. What country is the island of Crete a part of?

3. What number does Roman numeral LXIII stand for?

Word Search Corner Gas

BRENT CHEF

CROCHET

CURLING

DAVIS

DOG RIVER

EMMA FITZY GOLF

HANK HOCKEY HOTEL

JOSH

KAREN

KNITTING LACEY

MAYOR OSCAR

ROUGHRIDERS

SASKATCHEWAN

SERGEANT SOCCER

SOFTBALL

Photo: Courtesy of Prairie Pants Productions Inc.

I’ve had this jacket for a few years now and I thought it would be a cool plan to add some character and fun touches to it. This idea is easy and not permanent, but it will do the trick and serve as a conversation starter.

Stick a Pin in It!

This spring, add some flair to your outerwear.

I thrifted a few unique pins from my local Salvation Army thrift store that added interesting touches to my jacket. The pins were $2.99 each, a steal in my opinion!

Some of the pins brought back special memories or times. The

ace pins remind me of an X-Men character, Gambit, one of my favourites growing up. The bicycle pin is a nice addition as I’d just bought my first bike as an adult and cycling has been one of my preferred activities. And my fruit of choice is an apple, hence the apple.

Place the pins in eye-catching places, anywhere, anyhow and use as many as you like.

I hope you try this tip. Happy thrifting and have a great spring.

(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.

Give Hope to Canadians Worried About the Future

Canadians are struggling as the cost of living puts pressure on families and communities across the country. New research from The Salvation Army shows that one in four people nationwide are extremely concerned about having enough income to cover their basic needs.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest non-governmental direct providers of social services in Canada. With your support, neighbours in need can have reliable access to food and safe shelter.

Visit SalvationArmy.ca or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to donate.