Salvationist July 2019 by The Salvation Army

North Korean Defectors Welcomed in Toronto

Ministry Continues for Chance Cove Retirees

What Does the Public Think of the Army?

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

July 2019

Salvationist.ca

A Soldier in Two Armies

Sheldon Fox II serves at North Street Citadel and in the Royal Bermuda Regiment

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CONTENTS

Salvationist July 2019 • Volume 14, Number 7

Territory Unveils New Core Values

Borrowing Trouble: Are Payday Loans Ethical?

“I Am Not a Proverbs 31 Woman”

The Bible Is Clear … Or Is It?

Fleeing Colombia’s Violence for a New Life in Canada

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

February 2019

January 2019

Salvationist.ca

Catch Up Online

15 Viewpoint The Hardship Gospel by Darryn Oldford

Living on Purpose by Aidan Turley

Columns 4 Editorial Grand Designs by Geoff Moulton

25 Grace Notes Rising From the Ashes by Captain Laura Van Schaick

Northridge Scout Group offers fun, friendship and service

Getting to know our new partner territory

Adventures in Ministry by Lt-Colonel Lynn Armstrong

30 Salvation Stories

Salvationist.ca

How The Salvation Army makes spirits bright

11 Perspectives

26 People & Places

General Brian Peddle’s Christmas Message

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

Ready for Adventure

Mission in Mozambique

5 Frontlines

Magnetic North by Ken Ramstead

Army’s Tornado Response in Ottawa-Gatineau

December 2018

Ringing in the Christmas Season

Departments

17 Not Called?

Cellmate to Candidate: One Salvationist’s Journey

@theREADY Reimagines Youth Discipleship

THE VOICE OF THE ARMY

Salvationist.ca

Features 8 From Music Camp to Boot Camp Sheldon Fox II shares his journey from Salvation Army junior soldier to colour sergeant in the Royal Bermuda Regiment. by Pamela Richardson

12 Brand Health As The Salvation Army works to promote our reputation in Canada, it’s important to understand how we’re viewed by the public. by John McAlister

16 Trendsetters Let’s bring evangelism back in style. by Major Stephen Court

18 Dreaming of Freedom After life under a totalitarian regime, defectors from North Korea find faith, hope and community with The Salvation Army. by Giselle Randall

Did you know that you can find free back issues of Salvationist and Faith & Friends magazines at the issuu.com/salvationist website? Catch up on all the Salvation Army news and features on your tablet or desktop. Also available on the Territorial Archives section of Salvationist.ca is a searchable record of every War Cry dating back to 1884. Visit salvationist.ca/ archives-and-museum. On the cover: Sheldon Fox II; photo by Two & Quarter Photography Ltd.

Read and share it! The Sound of Music

SAVED BY THE BAND P.16

Refresh Your Patio

GREAT OUTDOORS P.23

Dreams Into Realities

ARMY HELPS P.19

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

faithandfriends.ca

SUMMER 2019

20 Lost and Found The son who returned. by Donald E. Burke

22 Home Mission The calling continues for retired officers in Chance Cove, N.L. by Kristin Ostensen

Spider-Man:

Far From Home

WILL OUR FAVOURITE WEB SLINGER COME TO THE RESCUE? P.12

Salvationist July 2019 3

EDITORIAL

Grand Designs

hen most people pick up a magazine, they don’t think about all the choices that go into the production. They might be struck by a particular photo or captured by a headline, but the nitty gritty of editing and design happens behind the scenes. Some articles will go through five or six different iterations before they hit the newsstand—swapping out a graphic here, placing a comma there, rewriting a title until it finally “clicks.” And then there’s the challenge of coming up with new material, chasing down photos, securing permissions … a lot goes into Salvationist magazine each month. That’s why I’m so thankful for the dedicated work of the editorial team here at territorial headquarters. Speaking of which, it’s the end of an era this month as we say farewell to Timothy Cheng, our senior graphic designer of 24 years. Timothy’s last day in the office is June 30, though his imprint will remain on this publication throughout the summer. Timothy’s expertise has made Salvationist a standout publication, and we are grateful for his service to the Canada and Bermuda Territory. He also faithfully designed our children’s publication, Just for Kids, provided skilled photography for Salvation Army events and created art for departments at headquarters. His efforts have garnered many

Salvationist

is a monthly publication of The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Brian Peddle General Commissioner Susan McMillan Territorial Commander Lt-Colonel John P. Murray Secretary for Communications Geoff Moulton Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary Giselle Randall Features Editor (416-467-3185) Pamela Richardson News Editor, Copy Editor and Production Co-ordinator (416-422-6112) Kristin Ostensen Associate Editor and Staff Writer 4 July 2019 Salvationist

accolades from the Canadian Church Press, including two design awards and a first place in general excellence this year. Talk about going out on a high note! Read Timothy’s profile on page 27. Stepping into Timothy’s position is our longtime designer Brandon Laird, who also works on Faith & Friends and Foi & Vie, our outreach magazines, as well as our Salvationist.ca website. Our goal going forward is to maintain the high quality of Salvationist magazine even as we expand our digital offerings with more online exclusives, social media posts and video. In an ever-shifting communications field, we aim to stay one step ahead of the pack. Your commitment to the print magazine means we can continue to offer the best news and features from Salvation Army ministries around the territory and beyond. This month, read about the dramatic escape of North Korean defectors who are finding new faith and support at Toronto’s Korean Community Church (page 18). Meet Sheldon Fox II, a Bermudian soldier who has dedicated his life to service at North Street Citadel and the Royal Bermuda Regiment (page 8). National director of marketing and communications John McAlister unpacks public attitudes toward The Salvation Army and

Timothy Cheng Senior Graphic Designer Brandon Laird Design and Media Specialist Ada Leung Circulation Co-ordinator Ken Ramstead Contributor Agreement No. 40064794, ISSN 1718-5769. Member, The Canadian Church Press. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) © 2011. All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory and can be reprinted only with written permission.

how they shape giving (page 12). And we welcome Salvationist Darryn Oldford who begins a new Viewpoint column as he outlines the dangers of the prosperity gospel (page 15). It’s no mistake that we were born to create since we are made in the image of our Creator God. He has grand designs for our futures, and we, in turn, get to work out the details. As the pieces of life’s puzzle come together, we rejoice that God is still in the design business. GEOFF MOULTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Subscriptions

Annual: Canada $30 (includes GST/ HST); U.S. $36; foreign $41. Available from: The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto ON M4H 1P4. Phone: 416-422-6119; fax: 416-422-6217; email: circulation@can.salvationarmy.org.

Advertising

Inquire by email for rates at salvationist@can.salvationarmy.org.

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

Mission

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

FRONTLINES

Booth’s 2019 graduating class with, front, from left, Colonel Edward Hill, chief secretary; Dr. Marjory Kerr; Commissioner Susan McMillan; Brig.-Gen. Linda Colwell, chair, Booth University College’s Board of Trustees; and Dr. Michael Boyce, vice-president academic and dean

Booth Graduates Challenged to Make a Difference at Convocation

riends, family, staff and professors came together in Winnipeg on the last Sunday of April to honour Booth University College’s most recent graduates. In all, 126 students graduated, with 61 of them in attendance at the convocation ceremony to receive their certificate or degree.

Patricia Braun, valedictorian, addresses her fellow graduates at the convocation ceremony

“This is one of my favourite weekends of the year,” declared Commissioner Susan McMillan, territorial commander and chancellor of Booth University College, “to be able to come here and see all of our graduands receive their degrees and certificates. You sit here as a group of powerhouses ready to go out and make a difference in the world.” “Today, you will formally transition from student to graduate with the opportunity to reflect on the commitments that have brought you to today,” said Dr. Marjory Kerr, president of Booth University College. “Some time in the next week or two, I encourage you to take time to consider those commitments that will continue to guide, inform and sustain you through all of the opportunities that will come next for you. We are excited to watch and see what that will look like and the impact that you will have, and we know that you will continue to contribute to shaping the world as we know it.” After the students received their degrees, Commissioner McMillan pre-

sented the Chancellor’s Medal to bachelor of arts graduate Dylan Brauner. Bachelor of arts graduate Lieutenant Adriane Cartmell, corps officer at Hillcrest Community Church in London, Ont., was awarded the General’s Medal. “Booth University College has given us an amazing foundation,” valedictorian and bachelor of social work graduate Patricia Braun told her fellow students. “We have been given scholarly professors who have challenged us academically and influenced us by their examples. As a result of this solid foundation, we now have the opportunity to grow into something great. “I challenge all of us to be courageous as we move forward, to always get back up each time we fall down,” Braun continued. “The best of life happens when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zone, so lean into what we have learned. And I challenge all of us to continue to grow, to continue to learn, and to step into our careers with the understanding that we don’t know everything yet, but we are a determined group who will persevere to reach our God-given potential.” Salvationist July 2019 5

FRONTLINES

Grande Prairie Celebrates 100 Years

he Salvation Army in Grande Prairie, Alta., marked a major milestone in April, as the corps celebrated its 100th anniversary with a weekend of events. Led by Captains Peter and Grace Kim, corps officers, the events were supported by Major Margaret McLeod, divisional commander, Alberta and Northern Territories Division, along with former officers and soldiers, including special guests Majors David and Lynn Grice, pastoral care officers—western region. The weekend kicked off with a youth event on Friday evening, followed by a celebration lunch at the church’s community kitchen the next day. Events on Saturday also included a tea at the church and a community banquet with various dignitaries in attendance. At the dinner, Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given pointed to The Salvation Army as a modern reflection of the Good Samaritan who served his neighbour and, in so doing, served his community. The Sunday morning meeting was packed, as worshippers gathered to praise God and witness the dedication of a new flag and grand piano. In his message, Major David Grice encouraged the congregation, saying, “It is not us. It is God’s work. It is time to move forward and remember God’s faithfulness.” The Salvation Army’s work in Grande Prairie began with Captain Evelyn Gain and Lieutenant Martha Nielson, who arrived in April 1919 as soldiers who returned from the “Great War” were making their way west in search of a future. One hundred years later, the Army continues to be a vibrant part of the community. “The weekend was a great time to reflect on the past, as

Mjr Margaret McLeod dedicates a new flag for Grande Prairie CC

well as a clear call to keep advancing the mission and ministry of the Army into our second century in Grande Prairie,” says Major Al Hoeft, divisional secretary for public relations, Alberta and Northern Territories Division. “I am excited to see where God takes us as we continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and share the love of Jesus Christ with all, both practically and spiritually,” concludes Captain Peter Kim.

Winnipeg Centre Receives $1.38 Million in Funding

major renovation project at the Centre of Hope in Winnipeg has received a significant boost, thanks to a financial contribution from the federal government. Robert-Falcon Ouellette, member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, and MaryAnn Mihychuk, member of Parliament for Kildonan-St. Paul, announced the government’s commitment of more than $1.38 million at a press conference in April. The funding comes through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, an initiative of the National Housing Strategy. “Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to be investing in this project,” says Ouellette. “The Centre of Hope is more than just a safe and affordable place to spend the night; it is a key to a better life for the vulnerable individuals who come here when they have nowhere else to go.” The renovation project was initiated 6 July 2019 Salvationist

in September 2015. The funding will allow the Army to complete Phase 2 of the project, which began in September 2018. The second phase involves interior finishes, roofing, vestibule and kitchen upgrades in the centre’s main building. With these renovations, the Centre of Hope aims to achieve energy savings of 30.2 percent and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“This project is about developing a space where men and women will be safe and feel respected,” says Major Shawn Critch, divisional commander, Prairie Division. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to the government for coming alongside The Salvation Army in creating a Centre of Hope that will serve Winnipeg’s most vulnerable citizens for years to come.”

MaryAnn Mihychuk and Robert-Falcon Ouellette look on as Mjr Shawn Critch addresses the media at the announcement of funding for the Centre of Hope

FRONTLINES

Transformissional Leadership Weekend

he Ontario Central-East Division held its first Transformissional Leadership Development Weekend in April. Taking place in Richmond Hill, Ont., the weekend attracted almost 200 delegates from across the division, including officers, volunteers, lay leaders and employees of The Salvation Army. The weekend began with a keynote address from Dr. Steve Brown, president of Arrow Leadership, who encouraged delegates to shift their mindset from doing to developing. Pointing to the example of how Jesus equipped his people for service (see Ephesians 4:11-13), Brown said that a developer needs to love, pray, be an example, have perspective, encourage and teach so that others can follow and lead future generations. The weekend continued Saturday with 16 break- Delegates at the Ont. CE Div’s first Transformissional Leadership Development Weekend out sessions, the topics of which included Intimacy with God, Extreme Makeover: Ministry Program Edition, their ministry units. Those gathered prayed over candidates Jeff Self-Motivated Leaders, Managing Risk in an Uncertain World, Robertson and Miya Bradburn, who have taken responsibility and much more. On Saturday evening, delegates played a game for Fenelon Falls Corps. Sarah Wilson of Ottawa’s Bethany of Promises, Promises! which gave them an chance to learn Hope Centre spoke about how the centre has integrated young how to work together. families through their programs and introduced them to Messy On Sunday, Lt-Colonel Sandra Rice, divisional commander, Church, and Lt-Colonel Marsha-Jean Bowles shared how her Ontario Central-East Division, provided some delegates with corps, Toronto’s Etobicoke Temple, is doing acts of service an opportunity to share what they are doing or experiencing in and showing God’s love.

New Community Mobile Outreach Program in Northumberland

he Salvation Army in Northumberland, Ont., officially launched a community mobile outreach program in April. In partnership with local agencies and volunteers, this program will serve residents of Northumberland County who require social services, especially in the evenings.

Cutting the ribbon on the new community response vehicle are, from left, Edward Nkyi; John Henderson, mayor of Cobourg, Ont.; Suzannne Seguin, deputy mayor of Cobourg; and Cpts Carolyn and Michael Simpson, COs, Cobourg CC

“The goal of this program is to extend our community and family services programs to all residents of Northumberland County,” says Edward Nkyi, community and family services director. As most local social services and community centres close between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., many employed individuals are not able to access the services. “Our community response vehicle (CRV) will visit towns between 4 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.,” says Nkyi, “so those who require social services will have access to our programs in the evening hours.” At first sight, the CRV may look like a regular feeding truck, but it is much more than that. As an extension of the Army’s community and family services, the services offered by the CRV will include: •• Food and hydration services •• Homelessness assistance •• Health bank assistance (e.g., assistance with prescription drugs, dental care and optical needs) •• Seasonal clothing assistance •• Emergency transportation services •• Emergency disaster services “This isn’t just a Salvation Army program,” Nkyi concludes. “It is a partnership with the community. Through the generosity of our neighbours, we will reach those who need our services most.” Salvationist July 2019 7

8 July 2019 Salvationist

Photos: Two & Quarter Photography Ltd.

“Servant leadership is important to me,” says CSgt Sheldon Fox II of the Royal Bermuda Regiment. He is also a senior soldier at North Street Citadel

From Music Camp to Boot Camp

Sheldon Fox II shares his journey from Salvation Army junior soldier to colour sergeant in the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

veryone loves a parade, so it’s not surprising that when the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band marches along Front Street in Hamilton, Bermuda, there’s always a crowd. And if some of the spectators happen to attend one of The Salvation Army’s four corps on the island, they might think one of the musicians looks very familiar. Happy Camper CSgt Sheldon Fox II, bandmaster designate of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), who currently plays cornet with the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band & Corps of Drums, was born into a Salvation Army family and raised at Hamilton Citadel, which is now known as North Street Citadel. “I remember making an active decision to serve Christ for myself shortly before I became a junior soldier,” Fox shares. “I joined the musical forces when I was young—the singing company and young people’s band—but I went to music camp long before I should have, like when I was six,” he says. “I was always one of the younger campers in the instrumental program.” Fox credits the mentorship and teaching he received at Bermuda Music Camp (BMC), the Bermuda Division’s music camp, and at the corps for helping to shape him into the person he is today. “I’ve had many musical influences growing up in Bermuda,” he says, including Kevin Hayward, former bandmaster of the Canadian Staff Band; David Knight, songster leader at St. George’s Corps; Warren Jones, bandmaster of the Bermuda Divisional Band and at Cedar Hill Corps; and Calvin Ming, former bandmaster at North Street Citadel and

BY PAMELA RICHARDSON now the divisional director of public relations and development in Bermuda. “Sheldon was one of those kids that when you looked at him, you knew God had given him a gift,” Ming says. “He had rhythm and a good sense of how the music was to sound.” By the time Fox was in his early teens, he often asked Ming about the rudiments of conducting and musical analysis. “He loved to hear stories from the older guys about Salvation Army banding and music,” Ming smiles, “but I always tried to leave him with the thought that God expects us to use what we have been given for his glory.”

“I’m part of the military, but I’m here to serve my troops.” Even as his interest in music continued to grow, so did Fox’s understanding of what following Christ meant. “I was able to demonstrate my faith when I became a senior soldier in 2004,” he remarks. Following graduation from high school, Fox received a bachelor of music education from Southeastern University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Lakeland, Florida, and met Taja, the love of his life. “We’ve been married since 2012. I guess you could say I married my college sweetheart,” he smiles, explain-

ing that Taja moved from the United States to Bermuda with him following their marriage. Soldier First When Fox enlisted in the reserve-style RBR in 2013, it came as no surprise to Ming. “His father played with the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band,” Ming explains, “and when they were on the march, you would see little Sheldon marching on the sidewalk with the band.” Fox’s military career began with basic training that included marching and weapons handling. With the majority of the regiment’s training being done in two-week segments, often overseas, he has been deployed to Jamaica twice for intensive training. “I am a soldier first,” Fox says, “but I knew there was a high probability that I would end up in the band.” And with his rich musical background and natural talent, that’s exactly what happened. “For the first three and a half years of my service, I was the regimental bugler for parades, funerals and national events,” he says, “including the annual Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph in Hamilton.” When the opportunity to apply for full-time service as the RBR bandmaster presented itself, Fox took the necessary steps to become a corporal. It required a lot of weekends and drill nights to accomplish, but it was worth it. “I started full-time service in 2016 and began training to become the bandmaster.” From September 2017 to May 2018, Fox was deployed to the prestigious Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to participate in their Senior Musicians Course. For 30 weeks he worked alongside members of the Salvationist July 2019 9

A soldier in two armies: Fox is a member of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band & Corps of Drums, North Street Citadel Band and Bermuda Divisional Band. U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps to earn military credentials as they studied music history, composition, audio engineering and conducting, and underwent advanced score study, ear training and rehearsal techniques. “I’m now in my final year of training to become the bandmaster,” Fox says, an appointment that is on track to begin in the fall. Bold Faith Now holding the military rank of colour sergeant, how does Fox balance his faith in Christ with his role as a professional soldier? “Servant leadership is important to me,” he explains. “Yes, I’m part of the military, but I’m here to serve my troops.” When they need someone to talk to, Fox is there to listen and perhaps give 10 July 2019 Salvationist

a word of wisdom to make a difference in their life. “It’s a small community,” he says, “so you can’t hide what you believe in. People know who you are, so you have to be bold in your faith. It has to be lived out.” Those are not empty words to this soldier who serves in two armies. Fox is an active member at North Street Citadel, where he plays cornet in the band and keyboard for the worship team, and is the corps pianist whenever he is not deployed overseas. “While I was in university, I was part of Florida Brass, a Salvation Army youth band,” he says, “and wherever I have been stationed with the RBR, I have been heavily involved with the local corps or divisional work.” He plays soprano cornet in the Bermuda

Divisional Band, is a member of the band’s executive and has served on various committees at the divisional level. And Love at Home, published by the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s Maple Leaf Brass in 2017, is a march Fox wrote for the Bermuda Divisional Band featuring a well-known song from General Albert Orsborn: “Greater things! Give us faith, O Lord, we pray, faith for greater things!” “The reason why I’m still in the church is because of people that would come alongside me and say, ‘This is what you need to be at,’ ” Fox concludes. “It is so important that people in leadership positions have a passion for the youth. That’s the only way that we can move forward.”

Adventures in Ministry Camp is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship. BY LT-COLONEL LYNN ARMSTRONG

he first Salvation Army camp I attended as a child was Camp Sunrise, nestled among the trees in Gibsons, B.C., on the Sunshine Coast. Just getting there on a ferry was an adventure for a nine-year-old! It was a week filled with fun and new experiences—making friends, swimming, campfires, songs, kind leaders and learning more about Jesus. Over the years, I’ve attended many more Army camps, sometimes as a camper, sometimes as staff, but I have always come away changed. For young and old alike, camping ministry can play a significant part in spiritual formation. Since the first Salvation Army camp for children was held in Oakville, Ont., in August 1902, The Salvation Army has run camping programs from coast to coast in Canada, and in Bermuda. In 2018, there were 8,928 campers, 2,513 leaders, and 1,008 decisions made for Christ.

Today, our camping ministry includes a vast array of programs for a wide range of ages—from adventure, sports and holiday camps to a focus on music and gospel arts; from moms and tots to seniors; from men’s and women’s ministries to family camps. We also offer hospitality for spiritual retreats and conferences. Camping ministry is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship. Discipleship is one of our territorial strategic priorities, and camping ministry intentionally provides opportunities for children, youth and young adults to grow in their faith, engage in service and ministry and develop leadership skills. Most of the children who attend our camps come through the doors of our Salvation Army corps and community and family services. It is imperative that we establish a strong network of care that fosters relationships with the children and their home context. One

of the ways this happens is when youth workers accompany children to camp, and our corps follow up with them and their families on the return home. Our ministry to children and youth is rooted in strong theological truths. Children are welcome participants and even examples in the kingdom of God. Their importance is seen throughout Jesus’ own ministry as he called them to himself and reminded the grownups standing around that “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-3). Not only are children to be evangelized and taught by the faith community about the good news and love of God (see Deuteronomy 6), but they themselves are used by God to advance his mission. Young Samuel ministered before the Lord and delivered the message of the Lord to a priest (see 1 Samuel 3). A young slave girl shared the good news of hope with her master, a captain of the army of Syria. It led him on a path of healing and to an eventual proclamation of faith: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15). After a long day of teaching the crowds, it was a young boy who partnered in mission with Jesus, offering his lunch of five loaves and two fish, which Jesus blessed and miraculously multiplied to feed a hungry crowd (see Matthew 14:13-21). In The Salvation Army, we recognize our sacred responsibility to children. Their nurture, provision and protection are fundamental, given that children are among the most vulnerable in society. They lack both power and resources and many are touched by poverty, neglect, abuse and injustice. Camping ministry is a place where children learn about and experience the love of God, and discover more about themselves and others. This investment in young lives fosters self-esteem, fellowship and friendship. It is also a place where our youth receive training in ministry and mission. It is a place for friendships to grow and families to bond; a space for reflection, rest and renewal. Come and experience all that Salvation Army camping ministries has to offer you and your family this summer. Lt-Colonel Lynn Armstrong is the secretary for program in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Salvationist July 2019 11

Photo: © PeopleImages/iStock.com

PERSPECTIVES

Brand Health

As The Salvation Army works to promote our reputation in Canada, it’s important to understand how we’re viewed by the public.

he Salvation Army is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. In Canada, our Red Shield logo is prominently displayed across the country on thousands of buildings, vehicles, Christmas kettles and clothing. But while our branding is highly visible, we shouldn’t assume that most Canadians view us positively or even know what we do in their community. As we seek to engage more effectively with our external stakeholders—such as church seekers, clients in need, thrift store customers, charitable donors, cor12 July 2019 Salvationist

Illustration: © Ja_inter/iStock.com

BY JOHN McALISTER

porate partners and government funders—it’s essential that we understand how our organization is perceived by the public. In the fall, The Salvation Army conducted national polling in order to prepare an updated brand health report. The findings of this report will guide us as we seek to promote, protect and evolve our reputation in Canada. The polling methodology was developed in partnership with Maru/Matchbox (led by Andrew Grenville from the National Advisory Board) and Edelman, our public relations agency. The research object-

ives sought to: 1. D etermine Canadian awareness, familiarity, favourability, advocacy and trust of the Army. 2. Quantify the top drivers of trust for the Army to prioritize in our external communications. 3. Assess perceptions of our reputation, including how various messaging impacts opinions. 4. Compare findings among key stakeholders and those belonging to different demographic subgroups to better identify advocates, neutrals and detractors.

Key Insights As we reviewed the data from the reputation research, we gained the following five key insights. 1. O ur programs and services are important to Canadians, but many don’t know all the ways in which we help. When we asked people to identity the social causes most important to them, “hunger and poverty” was the second highest priority. Given the focus that many of our ministries place on alleviating poverty, and the emphasis we’ve given it in our recent advertising campaigns, this data is encouraging. However, it’s important to note that Canadians care about other significant issues as well (see the Social Causes chart on this page). The diversity and scope of the Army’s work means that there is the potential for us to reach new people if we broaden our messaging. When asked about their awareness of our social and community services, people highlighted our homelessness and housing supports, hunger relief and Christmas relief. However, our other services were less familiar, such as emergency and disaster services, addiction recovery, life-skills classes, camping programs, and long-term and palliative care. 2. T he Salvation Army has a strong reputation, but there is opportunity to increase favourability. In an effort to gauge people’s attitudes about the Army, we sought unprompted brand perceptions. Their associations were largely positive—helpful, caring, Building Trust Thankfully, those who trust the Army are guided by our reputation and history, as well as our role in helping people and communities. These are some of the unaided comments received: • “They do a tremendous amount of good for all who need it with very little resources.” • “I’ve never read, heard or seen anything that would suggest The Salvation Army is anything but trustworthy and ethical.” • “Because they give hope and support to vulnerable people.”

honest—and included a focus on the poor and homeless. Many referenced us as Christian and religious, which could be a positive or negative attribute, depending on their perspective. On the clearly negative side, some viewed us as homophobic. When provided with sets of opposing attribute pairs (e.g., inclusive vs. exclusive), Canadians felt the Army is compassionate, impactful, efficient and trustworthy (see chart on page 14). When asked to identify us as a social service or church, 67 percent selected social service, which likely speaks to the greater visibility of these programs in their communities. Interestingly, 74 percent see us as inspiring rather than boring. Overall, Canadians know, like and trust The Salvation Army with 99 percent having an aided awareness of our organization, but we dug deeper to explore their perceptions more fully. We found that in the area of advocacy, the majority of people speak positively about us, with only seven percent identifying as detractors. However, more than 35 percent are neutral, which means we have significant work to do to strengthen these relationships. In regards to trust, 73 percent have a positive opinion of us, with 17 percent undecided. When it comes to favourability, 72 percent view us positively, but 12 percent possess a negative judgment, with 16 percent remaining neutral. While the Army benefits from strong supporters, it’s clear that this is an area that requires significant attention. 3. Millennials and the LGBTQ community are our loudest detractors—and they are also least likely to donate. When compared to other demographic groups, such as Gen-Xers (ages 35-54) and boomers (55+), trust in the Army is low among millennials (18-34) and the LGBTQ community. Among those who distrust us, our religious affiliation and perceived lack of support toward the LGBTQ community present barriers. Although the number of detractors is low, they are more likely to be vocal and active with their opinions than our advocates. It’s important to note that while the Army is committed to serving every person without discrimination, there exists a misperception that we do not welcome all people. As an organization that exists to share the love of Jesus Christ and meet human needs, we need to do a better job

Social Causes While hunger and poverty are a priority, there are other social causes Canadians care about. Disease/Illness 46% Hunger/Poverty 38% Environment/Nature/Conservation 28% Disaster Relief 24% Homelessness 23% Animal Rights 20% Human Rights 17%

of ensuring vulnerable people will feel safe and comfortable if they turn to us for help, regardless of their race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or religion. When it comes to our kettle campaign, millennials also cited their support for other causes and financial limitations as additional barriers to their engagement (see chart on page 14). 4. M essaging on the Army’s impact, inclusiveness and hunger relief drive favourability. Our research demonstrated that Canadians are most receptive to messages that communicate the Army’s impact in their community. For example, statements that highlighted how the Army served 3.2 million free meals in shelters and feeding programs last year, assisted 1.2 million people with food, clothing or practical support, and provided 7,300 shelter, addictions, detox and mental health beds each night for vulnerable men, women and families gave 73 percent of respondents a more favourable opinion. However, when told that the Army operates more 300 churches across Canada focused on worship, Christian education and offering practical assistance, only 35 percent felt this improved favourability. Compared to Gen-Xers and boomers, millennials are more receptive to these proof points and feel positively about most of them, with the exception of the mention of Army churches. For all audiences, talking about hunger relief and addressing community-specific needs has the broadest-reaching positive impact, particularly when these messages are mixed together optimally. Salvationist July 2019 13

5. Key drivers of trust for the Army include inclusivity and transparency. The brand research highlighted showed that focusing on diversity and inclusion, addressing societal needs, and acting ethically and transparently are the strongest drivers of trust for the Army. The attributes most strongly associated with our organization include our local impact, initiatives responding to poverty and homelessness, faith-based affiliation (more so than “church”), trustworthiness and non-discriminating help. The report outlines that the Army can deepen trust by strengthening associations with transparency and inclusivity. With the LGBTQ community in par-

ticular, the Army can prioritize opportunities to build trust by strengthening awareness of inclusivity, commitment to LGBTQ services, and innovation. Actionable Insights At the conclusion of the brand research, we worked with Edelman to turn these insights into actionable opportunities. We identified the following: 1. Poverty remains an important cause to Canadians and should remain a connecting and consistent theme of the Army’s communications efforts. However, we can reach new audiences and potential donors by expanding our marketing and communications

Christmas kettle barriers for millennials. I donate to causes other than

28% The Salvation Army

27% I never carry change 20% I cannot afford to donate to charity I am unable to donate with a

16% debit/credit card

28% None of the above

campaigns to include lesser-known programs and services (e.g., long-term and palliative care, disaster relief) and highlighting the impact these have on Canadian communities. 2. I n an effort to neutralize brand detractors and reshape perceptions, the Army should prioritize building and repairing relationships with key advocacy groups and influencers in the LGBTQ community. To substantively shift the narrative, we should consider creative communications solutions that dispel misperceptions, and clearly demonstrate that the organization is committed to helping vulnerable Canadians from all communities, with love and without discrimination. 3. A s donors continue to age, millennials will be an increasingly important audience. Considering their values, we must focus on educating millennials and key stakeholders about any actions and commitments related to diversity and inclusion, such as promoting “safe spaces,” commitments to organization-wide diversity and inclusion programs, or services that support marginalized communities. The Army must continue to reduce barriers to donating, find creative ways to motivate millennials and use technology more effectively. John McAlister is the national director of marketing and communications.

Canadians see The Salvation Army as compassionate, impactful, efficient and trustworthy. 90%

86%

84%

79%

77%

74%

67%

65%

60%

59%

58%

Compassionate

Impactful

Efficient

Trustworthy

Inclusive

Inspiring

Social Service

Transparent

Local

Christian

Innovative

Cold

Irrelevant

Ineffective

Misleading

Exclusive

Boring

Church

Private

Global

Faith-based

Stagnant

14%

16%

21%

23%

26%

33%

35%

40%

41%

42%

10%

Attitudinal Polarities

% ratings for The Salvation Army on each set of opposing attribute pairs

14 July 2019 Salvationist

VIEWPOINT

The Hardship Gospel God didn’t promise that life would be easy—he promised he would be with us.

ome of t he most well-meaning—but harmful—theolo g y t h at h a s taken root in modern Christianity is the prosperity gospel, the idea that, through faith, God will provide everything you could ever want in every aspect of your life. Although I do believe, as the song by General John Gowans says, “Ours is not a distant God, remote, unfeeling,” I also believe that describing health, finances, love and other positive things as blessings from God makes those of us who are struggling feel like God doesn’t care. When you or a family member is experiencing depression, struggling with addiction or dying of cancer, hearing others talk about “opening yourself to God’s blessing” is disheartening. When you only have $5 in your chequing account and don’t know how you’re going to afford rent this month, it’s demoralizing. And when you put yourself out there to date, trusting in God to bring the right person into your life after years spent alone, it can be crushing. Some churches take the idea of God blessing us to the extreme, preaching that the only reason someone doesn’t have these things in their life is because they lack faith. In response, I would like to point out that the entire Book of Job stands against this view. And only one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles was not brutally martyred. If those closest to God suffered this greatly, why do we feel entitled to easy lives? Although many of us are burdened

with the problems of everyday existence, what really causes an issue in our spiritual life is comparing our “blessings” with others. “Older brother sin” is a term that comes from the parable of the Prodigal Son. While the younger brother insulted their father, demanded his inheritance and ran off to enjoy a hedonistic existence for a time, the older brother remained and steadfastly worked for his family. When the Prodigal Son returned, hat in hand, asking for forgiveness, their father lavished upon him a fine robe, a ring, sandals and a feast in his honour. The older brother complained that he had not even received a goat to share with his friends, despite years of staying by his father’s side. Many of us can relate to the older brother. We read our Bibles, pray, go to church, tithe, volunteer, give to charity, choose our words carefully and gener-

ally do our best to live according to a higher standard. And yet, we see those around us receiving the blessings we want in our own lives. We see others thrive while we struggle, even those who are uncharitable, mean and live in opposition to God. We’re promised rewards in heaven, but here and now, when we are dealing with disease, poverty, loneliness and sadness, that provides cold comfort. If I had an easy answer for why God allows some of us to suffer while others flourish, I would tell you. But God has told us how to proceed with our lives despite our troubles. In Scripture, we read, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). God never promised us health, fame, fortune or love from others if we followed him. In fact, he warned us that following him means living a life of self-sacrifice. But he also promised to be with us. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God loves you like a Father. Although he may never give you everything you ask for, his love for you remains the same. All that is left is to trust and obey. Darryn Oldford is a senior soldier in Toronto. Salvationist July 2019 15

Photo: © BrianAJackson/iStock.com

BY DARRYN OLDFORD

Let’s bring evangelism back in style. BY MAJOR STEPHEN COURT

vangelism is going out of style, says a 2019 Barna report called Reviving Evangelism. More than half of survey respondents said they’d had two or fewer conversations about faith with a non-Christian in the past year. Without evangelizing, we wouldn’t be here—“we” being those who have accepted Jesus’ invitation into our lives. Remember when he said, “Come, follow me”? Evangelism should be life-giving, so what’s stopping us? I can think of two reasons. Maybe you tried to evangelize and it went poorly. You didn’t feel comfortable nudging the direction of conversation with your friend, or imposing on a stranger; you weren’t confident about your command of relevant Bible verses and apologetics; you found your gospel advances rejected. They didn’t transform into new creations in Christ Jesus, and it didn’t feel life-giving for you. Or maybe you felt poorly and didn’t evangelize. You know the stereotype of an evangelist (think slippery, slick, cheesy), and you certainly didn’t want 16 July 2019 Salvationist

Pray that God will share his love for the people you may be soon evangelizing. to be counted among that number. So you avoided divine appointments—Godarranged moments when it seemed like the gospel would be welcomed. You ignored invitations at the corps to participate in evangelistic events such as door-to-door prayer forays or open-air meetings. There are likely other dynamics at play, too. Some readers may remember hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky’s phrase, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” If you never evangelize, it’s highly

Major Stephen Court is the evangelism consultant in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Photo: © FatCamera/iStock.com

Trendsetters

unlikely you’ll ever play a direct role in someone being born again. If you never take a shot, you’ll never get a goal. There are things you can do to address the two “maybes” above. If you lack confidence in your understanding of the Bible and apologetics, there are many resources available to get a handle on basic concepts in evangelism. Territorial headquarters offers a learning cohort called GO FOR SOULS (visit saministryhelps.ca/learning/cohortoptions/go-for-souls). If you are uncomfortable initiating a discussion with a friend or stranger, try asking questions. Find out their perspective on the big-ticket questions (e.g., “Does God exist?” “What is God like?” “Who is Jesus?” “What about suffering and evil?”). At some point, the conversation will likely turn back to you and, having listened to their beliefs and doubts, you can share some of yours. You can pray that God will share his love for the people you may soon be evangelizing with you, so that you love them like he does. Ask God to give you insight into their hurts and doubts, or an encouraging word. Ask God to show you anything in your life that might hinder your presentation of the gospel (think “sin in your life” to confess). Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to arrange an opportunity to evangelize. Go with a partner—that’s a biblical precedent. There is courage in numbers, but also, one can be praying while the other is talking. As all of this is saturated in prayer, you may feel more like you are co-labouring with God than just doing something on your own because it seems like the right thing to do. And there is nothing more affirming than partnering with God. Is it life-giving? It is to you, and sometimes even to the person with whom you speak. The number from the Barna report was 56 percent, meaning that 44 percent of respondents did evangelize at least twice in the past year. And if you and a few of your friends—and maybe even some other readers of Salvationist—join that group and start evangelizing, we could climb into majority status, and you know what that means. We already know it is re-creational. But we can make it trendy again!

NOT CALLED?

Magnetic North Janice and Jason Brinson felt called to officership, but something was drawing them to Yellowknife. BY KEN RAMSTEAD

Janice and Jason Brinson

ll of us are called to full-time ministry,” declares Jason Brinson, “whether you are a Salvation Army officer, an electrician or a chef. But each of us has a unique ministry and vocation.” Yellowknife? Born and raised in The Salvation Army, the Brinsons became senior soldiers when they were 14. The two met at a Salvation Army youth camp and soon became inseparable. Married in 2001, the Brinsons had carved out a life for themselves and their son. Jason was a paramedic and Janice an administrative assistant for both The Salvation Army and a local trucking company. “We had senior leadership positions within the corps—we were running a Bible study, I was participating in ser-

vices—but we soon started feeling as if something was missing in our lives, though we couldn’t put a finger on it,” says Jason. While Jason felt a nudge to full-time ministry, Janice had reservations. “I felt God was telling me we had to wait,” she says. Then, about a year and a half ago, their divisional commander contacted them about a potential ministry opportunity. “He mentioned ‘the north,’ ” smiles Janice. “We didn’t know where that meant at the time. We assumed some place in Ontario.” About a month later, the couple were again contacted by their divisional commander, who asked them: “How do you feel about Yellowknife?” “After we picked our jaws up off the ground, we prayed about it and realized

that this was where God wanted us to go,” says Jason. A Blessed Move Though they were understandably nervous about packing up their lives, the move to the Northwest Territories went extremely well. “God took care of everything,” says Janice. “We were naturally hesitant about uprooting our son, and the one thing we prayed for was that upon arriving here, God would give him one really good friend. Our first day in Yellowknife, God gave him three!” As for the Brinsons, they’ve thrived in their new post as corps leaders. They are responsible for all aspects of the corps, which consists of about 40 people. They also form the spiritual and religious care department for the NWT Resource Centre and Bailey House. “That said, we often find ourselves helping in other ways,” says Jason. “At times, we will assist with roles that are normally covered by other staff, such as picking up supplies from donors, helping with community and family services, serving soup in the shelter, packing food hampers and assisting with food drives. “We are blessed,” he says. “We realize God put us here to get used to the idea of full-time ministry. And we have!” Future in Sight The Brinsons have recently made the decision to start the application process that will lead to the College for Officer Training in Winnipeg. “If the processes of The Salvation Army line up and we are meant to be among their ranks as officers, then that’s going to happen,” says Jason. And if not? “If God says to wait, we’ll be comfortable with that,” says Janice, “because his plan is perfect. And then we will re-evaluate and figure out what God has in store for us in his bigger plan.” “We would love to stay here in Yellowknife, but that’s God’s decision and we’re trusting him with the future,” Jason continues. “If God wants us to stay here, he’s going to leave us here, and if God wants us to go, we’ll be off somewhere else.” “But whether we stay or go,” concludes Janice, “we are firmly convinced God is guiding our steps.” Salvationist July 2019 17

Dreaming of Freedom After life under a totalitarian regime, defectors from North Korea find faith, hope and community with The Salvation Army.

18 July 2019 Salvationist

Photo: Timothy Cheng

hen a neighbour invited Kyong Min Cho and his family to come to The Salvation Army’s Korean Community Church in Toronto, he gave permission for his three daughters to attend, but he declined. After fleeing North Korea, where the totalitarian regime demands not only allegiance but devotion, he was wary about religion. But last summer, while on a camping trip, an unfathomable tragedy changed the course of their lives. Their threeyear-old daughter was killed in an accident. Kyong Min felt responsible for what had happened and was devastated with grief. Captains Choong-sil Park and Hyesuk Kang, the corps officers at Korean Community Church, met them at the hospital. “What could we say?” says Captain Park. “We just cried all together, and prayed for him and his family.” In the days that followed, Captains Park and Kang and others in the congregation came alongside the family in prayer and support, arranging and raising funds for a funeral. Toronto’s North York Temple opened space in a summer camp program for the two older girls, and paid for them to attend. At the funeral, “I preached from Matthew 19, where Jesus says, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,’ ” says Captain Park. “He found hope in that verse.” “I never knew God,” says Kyong Min. “At first, I blamed him—if you actually exist, why did this happen? I couldn’t understand it. But I got to know God through this church community. The Salvation Army held me up and taught me. Now God fills my soul with comfort.” Today, the whole family attends the corps, along with several other North Korean defectors hoping to rebuild their lives. But they are all under threat of deportation.

BY GISELLE RANDALL

Cpts Hye-suk Kang (left) and Choong-sil Park (right), COs, Toronto’s Korean CC, with Kyong Min Cho, his wife, Enn Ju Park, and daughters Ji Enn and Anna

Crimes Against Humanity Life in North Korea was “hell on earth,” says Kyong Min. “We didn’t know the meaning of the word freedom.” According to international human rights organizations, North Korea is one of the most repressive states in the world. The government restricts all civil and political liberties, including freedom of thought, expression, association and movement. It also maintains control over the population through fear, using arbitrary detention, torture and public executions. It’s estimated that more than 200,000 North Koreans are held in political prison camps, subjected to forced labour and starvation as a means of extermination. In 2014, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded that North Korea had committed crimes against humanity, through policies established at the highest level. Since 1948, the country

has been ruled by the Kim dynasty, with a cult of personality surrounding the leaders, propagated by the state media. “We were brainwashed,” says Kyong Min. “We thought they were gods.” At 15, he was able to hear news from South Korea. At first, he didn’t believe it, but as time passed, he could no longer ignore the facts. He started dreaming about the outside world. “From my house, I could see China right in front of me,” says Kyong Min. “There was just a river between us.” At night, the difference between the two countries was stark—on the Chinese side, bright lights and a busy highway; on the North Korean side, nothing but darkness. For those who are caught escaping, the consequences are severe—torture, a life sentence of hard labour in prison, even execution. But deep inside, he knew he had to leave. “When I was 25, I bet my

The Journey’s Not Over One estimate suggests that about 1,000 North Koreans risk their lives to escape each year. Most come through China and Thailand before reaching South Korea. Sou Young Kim was only 20 when she fled. “We had no food, no freedom, no hope,” she says. “They didn’t trust our loyalty—they were always watching and chasing my grandparents and parents.” All North Koreans are assigned a loyalty status, based on the political and economic background of their family for three generations. Testimonies from refugees say this system is used to determine if an individual is given opportunities, or even receives enough food. But after making it to South Korea, her journey wasn’t over. Although they speak the same language and share a common culture, North Koreans often face discrimination. “They called me Kim Jong-il behind my back,” says Sou Young. She was treated like an outsider and felt she would never belong. Jee Young Kim, another defector, agrees. “Even though it’s the same nation, it wasn’t the freedom I was expecting,” she says. “I couldn’t bear the loneliness. I missed my family.” Often, people never even know if their relative was able to escape. Jee Young was able to get in touch with her family, but it came at great cost. The government discovered where she was, and her father and her husband’s brother were sent to prison. Her mother urged her to leave. “I feel more comfort in Canada than South Korea,” says Jee Young. Dreamers Jee Young and her husband came to Canada in 2010. Their two children were born here. But like the other North Koreans at the corps—and many others in Canada—their immigration status is in question. When they arrived, they were advised to withhold the short time they spent in South Korea from their refugee application. They recently received a letter from the federal immigration agency advising that their status had been revoked. Since they are eligible for citizenship in South Korea, which is considered a safe country, they don’t meet Canada’s

refugee requirements. “We are Mr. and Mrs. Nothing right now,” says Jee Young. Every month, they need to check in with the Canada Border Services Agency. Their last hope is to be able to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. If returned to South Korea, they could be abducted and sent back to North Korea, or their families may face further reprisal. “If I go back, I’m worried about what will happen to my family,” says Jee Young. “My kids are citizens here. We are asking for mercy.” There used to be about 2,000 North Koreans in Toronto. About 100 families are left. One lawyer working with defectors calls them “dreamers,” borrowing the nickname from the young illegal immigrants brought into the United States as children. “We were born in the wrong country,” says Kyong Min. “Now we have freedom—real freedom. I hope people can put themselves in our shoes, to think about this from a human perspective, instead of the rules.” One Body in Christ Although there are many Salvation Army corps in South Korea, very few—if any—have North Korean members. After what they’ve been through, living under a regime in which the government was like God, “it’s difficult for them to have faith,” says Captain Park. “It’s special for them to become members of the church community in Canada.” Korean Community Church has embraced the 11 adults and eight children from North Korea who now attend. Although their experiences and mindset are different, “we treat them simply as brothers and sisters of the Lord, and live in faith as a family,” says Captain Park. “We are one nation, and one body in Christ.” “They treat us equally. I feel accepted,” says Jee Young. “The Salvation Army tries to understand our situation.” Captain Park, supported by a North Korean pastor, Dae-gyeom Kim, offers practical help when he can, writing reference letters, providing food. When one of their members was detained at an immigration holding centre, they visited and raised funds to guarantee his release. Most of all, they encourage them to trust God. “Most of the North Korean families have been in a state of instability

Photos: Giselle Randall

life on the journey and decided to cross the river,” says Kyong Min. He bribed the border guards and swam across, using an inner tube from a truck tire.

Sou Young Kim became a senior soldier last October

“We are asking for mercy,” says Jee Young Kim, who defected from North Korea and hopes to remain in Canada

for a long time,” says Captain Park. “We help them to have faith in God’s plans and hope for their lives.” Growing in Faith Since losing his daughter, Kyong Min has come to the early morning prayer meeting at the church every day. “And he doesn’t just pray for himself or his family—he prays for the other North Korean families and the church. He is growing as a Christian and it is touching others,” says Captain Park. “I am saved,” says Kyong Min. “The church trained me to have a strong belief. Every time I’m weak, when I feel myself falling, they hold me up again. There’s something big, something hard to explain, that fills me with comfort, now that I know God. It’s like my life is being rewritten.” Salvationist July 2019 19

Lost and Found The son who returned.

20 July 2019 Salvationist

when famine strikes the land, he is left with no other option than to work feeding pigs—a despicable prospect for a Jew, for whom pigs are unclean. In fact, he’s so hungry he wishes he could eat their food. It couldn’t get much worse. The wandering son has hit rock bottom. Finally, he comes to his senses, realizing that even his father’s servants are treated better. They have food, respectable employment and a measure of human dignity far beyond what he has feeding these pigs.

Humbled by his experience, the prodigal ponders a return to his father’s house—not as a son, but simply as a servant. He recognizes that he is unworthy of being called his father’s son. He even rehearses the speech he will give his father, hoping he will take pity and give him a bed in the servants’ quarters and let him eat the servants’ food. So it is that the younger son finally makes the journey home. It must have been humiliating. He who had left with his share of the family’s inheritance was

ne of the most well-known and enduring stories that Jesus told is the parable of the Prodigal Son (see Luke 15:11-32). Although it’s named for the lost son whose return causes great rejoicing, looking at the parable from the perspective of each of the main characters can reveal something about who God is. In this and the next two articles, I will focus on each of these characters—the younger son, the father and the older son. Luke 15 opens with an observation that tax collectors and sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach, making the Pharisees and teachers of religious law mutter, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). In their view, this was not the way a holy man should act. Jesus responds by telling three parables. The first describes a shepherd who searches relentlessly for one lost sheep, rejoicing when it is brought home safely (see Luke 15:3-7). The second is about a woman who loses a silver coin, and searches until she finds it. Once again, great rejoicing ensues (see Luke 15:8-10). These two parables—and their emphasis on the rejoicing that takes place when someone or something lost is found—set the stage for the third, and longest, story. In this parable, it is the younger son of a family who is lost, and whose return causes great rejoicing. Jesus tells us very little about the prodigal. We don’t know his age; we don’t know what prompted him to break free from home; we hear nothing about his mother or the family dynamic. All we know is that this younger son wants to take his inheritance and run. The picture becomes clearer as the story proceeds. Having received his share of the family wealth, the son departs to a faraway, exotic land. There he squanders his resources on riotous living. While he is flush with money, he seems to have many friends. But when the money runs out, his friends disappear and he is left penniless, homeless and hungry. In fact,

BY DONALD E. BURKE

coming back with nothing. The one who had commanded servants would now become a servant. That, surely, would have brought scorn and contempt his way. Yet the story of the Prodigal Son contains hope, because he accepts responsibility for his state of affairs, acknowledging the part he played in his downfall. There was no denial, no passing the blame to someone else. He simply confessed his foolishness and sin. This is not easy to do. It’s not even easy to use the word “sin” anymore. We have pathologies, predispositions, addictions and genetic inheritances—but we don’t often hear the language of sin. That may be a good thing at some level. But the flip side of the absence of sin in our vocabulary is that it deprives us of the opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness. Without acknowledging our sin, we are left with our brokenness— bankrupt and eating pig fodder. The prodigal recognized and acknowledged his sin. I imagine that the prospect of meeting his father, broke and hungry, caused him considerable anxiety. What if the father were to turn him away, to reject his plea to be treated as a servant? What if he were now the one to be cut off, rather than the one who had left his family behind? What if his sin had been so great that his father would have nothing to do with him? The only way for the prodigal to move forward was to take a chance. To risk rejection. Perhaps the son knew his

father and trusted his future to him. While acknowledging that he was no longer worthy to be considered his father’s son, perhaps his father might find a way to treat him as a servant. Was this the only chance the son had for a future that didn’t involve being homeless and hungry? But it was also possible that the father might say, “I told you so,” or “You made your bed, now lie in it.” Was it possible to go home and receive a welcome? The son’s recognition of his sin was one

part of an equation, but how would the other half of the equation—the father’s response—shape the outcome? The answer to this question will depend on the father’s response to his son’s return. That’s what we’ll explore in the next article. Dr. Donald E. Burke is a professor of biblical studies at Booth University College in Winnipeg.

This is the first in a series of three articles.

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Home Mission

The calling continues for retired officers in Chance Cove, N.L.

Photo: Brian Dyer

BY KRISTIN OSTENSEN

The retired officers at Chance Cove Corps. From left, Lt-Cols Audrey and Raymond Rowe, Mjrs Mary and Jacob Smith, Cols Lynette and Lindsay Rowe and Mjr Lulu Brace

hen Colonel Lindsay Rowe looked ahead to retirement, he had only one destination

in mind. “I was born and raised in Chance Cove, N.L., but it’s not only my physical roots,” he says. “My spiritual roots are also here. Though I have spent so much time out of the country and away from Newfoundland, I’ve always said that while my feet left here many years ago, my heart never did.” Colonel Lindsay is not the only one who feels that way. In a town of just 250 people, eight are retired officers. Together, they represent more than 300 years of active service in The Salvation Army. In their case, however, retired hardly means inactive, as their ministry continues in the corps and the community. 22 July 2019 Salvationist

Homecoming Chance Cove is a picturesque Newfoundland fishing village, a charming collection of houses built along two C-shaped harbours. The Salvation Army has been at work in the town since 1901, and the corps is now a circuit ministry with Arnold’s Cove, with Major Beverley DartStokes and Captain Anthony Stokes as corps officers. Along with Colonel Lindsay, the town is home to his wife, Colonel Lynette Rowe, Lt-Colonels Audrey and Raymond Rowe, Major Lulu Brace and Majors Jacob and Mary Smith. Major Leah Snook is also a resident, but is unable to participate at the corps because of ill health. Her husband, Major Donald Snook, was promoted to glory earlier this year. Colonels Lindsay and Lynette are the newest additions to the group, having retired and built a new house in Chance

Cove last year. “The spot on which our retirement home sits was the original site of the home I was raised in, which my great-grandfather built 108 years before we took it down,” he says. Retirement was also a homecoming for Lt-Colonel Raymond, Major Jacob and Major Lulu, who grew up in Chance Cove and now live on their family’s property. The officers have many family members in the area—the Rowes themselves are cousins—contributing to their sense of connectedness. “It’s the type of community where you know just about everybody, even if they’re not Salvation Army,” says Major Mary, “and the people in the community are always very helpful.” Gifted Leaders That spirit of helpfulness is abundant among the retirees, who are active in ministry at the corps. This assistance is

much appreciated by the corps officers as they face the challenge of looking after two corps. “The officers are quite busy and that has opened the door for us, as retired officers, to step in,” says Colonel Lindsay. Lt-Colonel Raymond heads up the corps Bible study and men’s fellowship, while Lt-Colonel Audrey participates in women’s ministries and leads Bible studies at St. John’s Temple, N.L. Both are involved with corps council and the retired officers’ fellowship in St. John’s. “For me, there’s still that sense of calling,” says Lt-Colonel Audrey. “And I think we’re all responsible to use our spiritual gifts. You may not be the leader, but you can offer your spiritual gifts and make an impact where you can on the lives of other people in your church setting or your community.” Lt-Colonel Raymond agrees. “My officership is a lifelong calling—the only difference now is I don’t get paid,” he laughs. As with the lt-colonels, Major Mary is a member of the corps council and she also leads the prayer shawl ministry. “I started it seven years ago, and since then our shawls have gone across Canada— one even went to Scotland,” she says. “We get an excellent response to the ministry. For example, I met a lady at the community centre recently who had cancer and was going for chemo, so the next time we met, I had a prayer shawl ready for her. She was thrilled and so surprised that a group of ladies would think enough about her to present something to her.” Still settling in at Chance Cove, Colonels Lindsay and Lynette have been most active beyond the corps, specialling around the Newfoundland and Labrador Division. The Rowes spent more than 17 years in international service— most recently as territorial leaders in Tanzania—and are often called upon to share their experiences during the annual Partners in Mission campaign. “It helps raise money because we are able to say, ‘This is where your money actually goes,’ and we can point out the projects that benefit from the campaign,” says Colonel Lindsay. “It brings Partners in Mission to life.” Major Lulu has been the corps statistician for 25 years strong now, and until last year was also corps treasurer—a position she held for 24 years. She also attends Sunday meetings, Bible study and home league, and has her own ministry distributing Salvationist in nearby communities. When new issues are avail-

Gander

Chance Cove St. John’s

Chance Cove is located 125 kilometres west of St. John’s

able, Major Lulu faithfully drives to Fair Haven and Arnold’s Cove and brings the magazine to people in their homes. “The people love it,” she notes. “They’re waiting for me to come.” “They’re amazing, all of them,” says Major Dart-Stokes of the retired officers. “They’ll step up and do anything they can possibly do for us. They are our prayer warriors and they’re always there with encouragement.” Ongoing Support Beyond helping out at the corps, the officers are also a major support to one another. “We’re a close-knit group,” says Colonel Lindsay. “We know each other well and we take care of each other.” “Not everybody is on the same plane health-wise—some have health concerns—but we support them,” says Lt-Colonel Audrey. “We’re there, encouraging one another.” The Smiths are particularly grateful for how the group has rallied around them during Major Jacob’s health challenges. “About three years ago, my husband’s blood sugar went down to 1.9, and he was almost in a coma,” shares Major Mary. “As soon as they found out, Ray and Audrey, and our corps officer, Captain Anthony, who was in another community at the time, came here to see him before the ambulance took him to the hospital. “I’m just glad that they’re there,” she continues. “If they can’t get to visit, they always make phone calls to see if there’s

anything they can do.” Major Jacob adds that the people in the corps are also very supportive. “When I had a stroke almost three years ago, they took my licence, and now when I go to the doctor, I’ve got to get a driver,” he says. “The corps folk volunteer to drive me.” On a Journey For Salvation Army officers, who have signed a lifelong covenant, settling into retirement can be a challenge. “For the first year, I still wanted to get up and go to work every morning,” Lt-Colonel Raymond admits with a smile. “I found it very difficult,” says Major Mary. “I had to retire due to sickness so I didn’t accept it at first. At one point, I was doing my devotions and I said, ‘Lord, I just can’t take any more.’ That’s when I heard a bird singing. When it stopped, I heard a voice say, ‘Lo, I am with you always.’ To me that was God telling me he was in control. I’m where God wants me to be.” The days of full-time ministry are now behind them. But for these retired officers, the spiritual journey never ends. “For our retirement Sunday, I wrote a song called God Isn’t Through With Us Yet,” says Colonel Lynette. “And whether it’s the home league or men’s fellowship or our speaking engagements, we have a sense of continued mission and ministry in our retirement. “It’s wonderful to realize that we’re not just sitting and doing very little, but we’re always in preparation for something.” Salvationist July 2019 23

GRACE NOTES

Rising From the Ashes Even in the tragic loss of Notre Dame Cathedral, we can find a glimmer of hope.

Cpt Laura Van Schaick tours Notre Dame in 2011

t was the Monday afternoon of Holy Week, and people around the world sat glued to their TVs, computers and smartphones, watching a church burn. As I write this, the day after Notre Dame caught fire, it is still too soon to know all that was saved and all that was lost. Reports say the wood roof that collapsed will never be the same; France doesn’t have large enough trees to procure the necessary beams. There are mixed reports on the state of the grand organ. It is still too soon to know if any of the rose windows are unscathed. It’s heartbreaking. When I first heard that Notre Dame was burning, I was devastated. In some ways, it hit me harder than when I’ve heard of mass shootings or plane crashes. I wondered what was wrong with me. Had I become desensitized to human loss, or were my priorities sorely out of line? But as I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I recognized that I was not alone.

The response to this event was greater than it was to most other disasters in the past several years. Why did the destruction of Notre Dame affect us so strongly? Perhaps it is because Notre Dame is famous. We cling to celebrity, even in the form of architecture, and grieve when that which is famous is taken from us. Perhaps it is because Notre Dame is personal. Paris is a popular tourist destination, and many have visited the location themselves. I was fortunate enough to tour it in 2011, and even attended an organ concert during my visit. Memories flooded back as I watched the raw footage on my screen. Even if you haven’t been there in person, many can recall reading Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame or watching the Disney adaptation, perhaps while curled up on a parent’s lap. When there is a personal connection, the loss is felt more poignantly. Perhaps it is because Notre Dame is a symbol of our humanity. Built some 800 years ago, it has withstood the test of

time, surviving not only through centuries of peace, but of revolution and war. Watching it fall feels like a blow to our story, our history. If Notre Dame can fall in a matter of hours, what does this mean for humanity in general? Regardless of why the fire in Notre Dame captivated us, there is no denying that it united us all, even if just for a moment. Is it possible that the church could unite us again? On the night that Jesus was arrested, John writes that Jesus prayed for unity among Christians: “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21). It is a prayer that has yet to be answered. There is more divisiveness in the church and in the world than there ever has been before. Contrasting views on sexual orientation, gender roles, medical assistance in dying, politics and countless more issues divide and create conflict, whether real or perceived. Theological differences cause rifts between denominations. Worship styles cause rifts between generations. And yet, when the dust settled and a golden cross emerged, preserved among the ashes on Notre Dame’s altar, the Christian community as a whole breathed a sigh of relief. Looking forward to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we were united as we looked to the cross and remembered that Jesus took our sins upon himself, putting them to death so that we might have life, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Notre Dame united us for a moment, but Jesus’ atonement can unite us for eternity—and that’s even better. Captain Laura Van Schaick is the women’s ministries program and resource officer. Salvationist July 2019 25

Photo: Cpt Stefan Van Schaick

BY CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK

PEOPLE & PLACES

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L.—These are exciting days at Conception Bay South Corps as 14 people publicly declare their commitment to God by being enrolled as senior soldiers. ABOVE: From left, ACSM Claudette Hillier; Brenda Brown; Mjr Lorne Pritchett, then CO; Georgie Prior; Warren Butler; Bessie Compton; Krystina Corbett; Shirley Morgan; Karen Snook; Holly Snook; Margaret Ivany; Joan Carter; RS Nic Dobson; and Woodrow Carter. ABOVE RIGHT: From left, Kimmie Coleman, Daniel Kean and Amy Batten. PARRY SOUND, ONT.—Rainbow Country Church celebrates as junior soldiers, senior soldiers and adherents are enrolled. From left, Lts Cathy and Scott Allen, then COs; Savannah Appleyard; Charles McKinnon (back); Austin Patry; Devin Jarick; Shelley Phillis; Samantha Leggett; CSM Dennis Miner, holding the flag; Doug Greer; Leah Wood; Harvey Clare; Sharon Clare; and Charlie Jones.

HAMILTON, ONT.—Supported by her family and colleagues, Col Marguerite Ward (third from left) receives the YWCA Hamilton’s Women of Distinction—Lifetime Achievement Award during a gala event at the Hamilton Convention Centre. In her acceptance speech, Col Ward acknowledged The Salvation Army for the marvellous opportunities afforded her to serve, including her years of ministry in Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and her work with women’s issues, HIV-AIDS, and the challenges of violence and discrimination.

THOMPSON, MAN.—Hunter Critch is enrolled as a junior soldier at Thompson Corps. Supporting him are, from left, CSM Baxter Critch; Rose and Roy Bladen, corps leaders; RS Dorenda Colbourne; YPSM Cavelle Smith; and Ray Compton Sr., colour sergeant. 26 July 2019 Salvationist

OSHAWA, ONT.—Three members of the Oshawa Temple Band receive their senior musician bonds. From left, Mjr Ron Cartmell, then CO; Drew Burt; Joshua Corrigan; Jake Moore; Charlie Ball, holding the flag; BM Andrew Burditt; and Mjr Toni Cartmell, then CO.

THOMPSON, MAN.—Proudly displaying their Soldier’s Covenants as they are enrolled as senior soldiers at Thompson Corps are, from left, Eugene Layden, Dora Layden and Twila Hynes. Supporting them are, from left, Ray Compton Sr., colour sergeant; Roy Bladen, corps leader; RS Dorenda Colbourne; Rose Bladen, corps leader; YPSM Cavelle Smith; and CSM Baxter Critch.

PEOPLE & PLACES

ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—These are exciting days at St. John’s Citadel as eight senior soldiers are enrolled. Front, from left, Annie Rose Denny, Noah Denny, Rod Pike, Roy Church, Bram Thorne, Shamus Downey, Emily Andrews and Ethan Snow. Back, from left, Mjr Cathy Simms, CO; ACSM John Pike; Mjr Darryl Simms, CO; and CSM Annette Hedges.

Salvationist Designer Retires Timothy Cheng, senior graphic designer, retired at the end of June, following more than 30 years as a faithful employee of The Salvation Army. For the past 24 years, Timothy has served in the editorial department, most recently as the designer of Salvationist and Just for Kids, and staff photographer. Born and raised in Hong Kong as one of seven children, Timothy was introduced to the Army by a classmate. “She invited many of us to go with her to the Tai Hang Tung Corps in Hong Kong. That’s where I accepted Christ as my Saviour.” He was enrolled as a senior soldier in 1973. Following high school, Timothy spent two years working in the trade department at The Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Command, where he met his future wife, Scarlett. “She was working as a secretary at DHQ,” he says, “but she wasn’t a Salvationist at that time.” Once they started dating, Scarlett began attending the corps with Timothy, accepted Christ and was enrolled as a senior soldier. The couple married and they welcomed a daughter, Hazel. Timothy’s career path took him to an advertising agency in Hong Kong, where he worked for 15 years gaining knowledge about graphics, printing, advertising and photography. In 1990, Timothy and his family immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto and attending Agincourt Temple, which is now known as Agincourt Community Church. “We thought Canada would offer a better life for us and for our child,” Timothy says. Shortly after arriving in Canada, Timothy began working as the manager of the Army’s bookstore located at the territorial headquarters (THQ) building in downtown Toronto, a job he held for four years. When THQ transitioned to its current location in the East York area of Toronto, Timothy made a move to the editorial department, where he has served for the past 24 years. “We thank Timothy for everything he has done to help spread the news of God’s love and stories of lives that have been changed with the help of the Army,” says Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief. In retirement, Timothy and Scarlett look forward to spending more time with their daughter, Hazel, son-in-law, Andrew, and grandsons Castle, Atlas and Summit.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.— Gavin Hull is enrolled as a senior soldier at Mount Pearl Corps. Sharing the moment with him are Mjrs Joshua and Pauline Randell, then COs, and CSM Clyde Vincent, holding the flag.

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Three senior soldiers are enrolled during 81st anniversary celebrations at Park Street Citadel. From left, Mjrs Larry and Judy Goudie, COs; Perry Boone; Ann Boone; John Piercey; and Mjrs Brian and Valerie Wheeler, ACs, N.L. Div.

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L.—Park Street Citadel enrols three junior soldiers as part of its 81st anniversary festivities. From left, Josh Rideout, youth director; Jason Young, holding the flag; Dilana Slade; Micoya Brown; Alyssa Tilley; Mjr Judy Goudie, CO; Mjr Valerie Wheeler, AC, N.L. Div; Mjr Larry Goudie, CO; and Mjr Brian Wheeler, AC, N.L. Div. Salvationist July 2019 27

PEOPLE & PLACES

OFFICER RETIREMENTS Majors Maurice and Marilyn Blackler give thanks to God for his faithfulness during their 28 years of active service as Salvation Army officers. Together with their two children, Maurice and Marilyn entered the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, N.L., in 1989 as members of the Servants of Jesus Session. They feel privileged to have been God’s servants in various corps appointments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and at the divisional level when Maurice served as area commander for four years and Marilyn as the divisional secretary for women’s ministries for two years. Following retirement on July 1, they look forward to spending more time with their children and reconnecting with siblings. “The greatest reward was seeing souls saved and nurtured in their faith journey,” they say. “It has been an honour to serve and join in the fight.” Major Caroline Braddock (nee Walter) was raised in a Christian home where she came to know Jesus as her personal Saviour as a young girl. Caroline entered the College for Officer Training in Toronto in 1978 in the Proclaimers of Salvation Session, along with her husband, Ray, and two children, and was commissioned in 1980. The Braddocks served in corps appointments for 15 years, in Midland, Owen Sound and Oakville, Ont., and in administrative roles at the Ottawa Booth Centre, territorial headquarters and divisional headquarters. During these years, Caroline and Ray added three children to their family. They developed a rich and rewarding ministry in the communities where they were stationed with fulfilling and unexpected opportunities to share the gospel of God’s love. For the last 16 years, Caroline has been blessed to serve as a chaplain at the Meighen Health Centre in Toronto, from where she retires July 1. When Majors David and Edith Dean said yes to God’s call on their lives, little did they know the adventures God had planned for them. They entered the College for Officer Training in St. John’s, N.L., in September 1973 as members of the Soldiers of the Cross Session. Following their commissioning in June 1975 and marriage in August that year, they served in five appointments in Newfoundland and Labrador before being appointed to the mainland. “As we look back, it does not seem like 44 years,” they say, “but God has been good and has blessed us in many ways.” David has been encouraged by the words of Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV). Isaiah 41:10 has been a source of strength for Edith: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God” (KJV). Retiring July 1, David and Edith look forward to spending time with family and are anxious to see what God has in store for future days. 28 July 2019 Salvationist

Majors Peter and Karen Eason left Calgary’s Berkshire Citadel with their daughter, Stephanie, and entered the Proclaimers of the Gospel Session at the College for Officer Training in Toronto. Commissioned in 1986, they were appointed to Meadow Lake, Sask., where the next four years provided some of life’s greatest highs and lows. The birth of a second daughter, Amber, and a son, Jared, during this time brought great joy. Appointed next to Maple Creek, Sask., for five eventful and fulfilling years, they welcomed daughters Erin and Angelina. The Easons were then appointed to Whitehorse, Yukon, for four years, where God’s continued shaping and moulding of their lives included starting a camping program at Braeburn Lake. A three-year appointment to Winnipeg’s Weetamah Corps was followed by five years at McCarthy Park Corps in Regina. Highlights included the amalgamation of both corps and the establishment of an inner-city ministry. An unexpected, but wonderful, final appointment began in 2007, when they returned to Meadow Lake. “During these past 12 years, God’s work and purposes have unfolded in glorious ways,” they say. After 33 rewarding years of service, Peter and Karen are grateful to retire July 1 in Meadow Lake. Majors Don and Elizabeth Grad were commissioned in 1984 as part of the Servants of God Session and retire July 1. Their first appointments were to Meadow Lake and then Nipawin, Sask., where they fell in love with prairie life. Don and Elizabeth finish 35 years of service with their last appointment in Swift Current, Sask., where they will retire. Officership has taken them to corps appointments, which included 12 years in one community, National Recycling Operations, and Grace Mansion, a transitional housing ministry in downtown Vancouver. The goal was always to do the best for God and trust him for the eternal results. Don and Elizabeth say that early in their ministry, God taught them the importance of encouraging people and helping them see hope in life. Hope, of course, that is rooted in a relationship with Jesus. They testify that God has been faithful throughout their years of officership, especially during some tough times, and they give God all the glory.

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—Mjr John Goulding (centre) is commissioned as the assistant corps sergeant-major at Mount Pearl Corps. Supporting him are Mjrs Pauline and Joshua Randell, then COs, and CSM Clyde Vincent, holding the flag.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Congratulations

2018 Accredited Ministry Units Barrie Bayside Mission Centre (OCE) With Commendation

Broadview Village (OCE) With Commendation

MOUNT PEARL, N.L.—Two new instruments are donated to the Mount Pearl Corps Band. From left, Artie Dyke, who donated a flugelhorn; BM Glenn Dyke; Brian Elliott, band member; CSM Clyde Vincent, holding the flag; Mjrs Robert and Ruby Froude, who donated a cornet; and Mjrs Pauline and Joshua Randell, then COs.

Agape Hospice (ABNT) With Commendation

Abbotsford Centre of Hope (BC) With Commendation

London Centre of Hope (OGL) With Distinction

Edmonton Centre of Hope (ABNT) With Commendation

Northern Centre of Hope (BC) Halifax Centre of Hope (MAR) With Commendation

Hamilton Booth Centre (OGL) With Commendation

Ellen Osler Home (OGL) With Commendation

COBOURG, ONT.—Four adherents are enrolled at Cobourg CC. From left, Cpt Michael Simpson, CO; RS Al King; Stacy Stoakley; Pauline Walker; Perry Bresee; Brenda McKay; and Cpt Carolyn Simpson, CO.

London Correctional and Justice Services (OGL) With Commendation

Oshawa Temple (OCE) Ottawa Grace Manor (OCE)

TRIBUTES ST. THOMAS, ONT.—Major Wilson Rex Faulkner was born in 1945 and promoted to glory at the age of 73. Married to Lorna for 52 years, together they raised three daughters and one son. Wilson was a school teacher for 12 years before they were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in 1979 in the Joyful Evangelists Session. They served as corps officers in Bridgeport, Buchans, Campbellton and Peterview, N.L., before being appointed to social services, at the Harbour Light in St. John’s, N.L., Toronto, London and Kitchener, Ont. Their ministry came full circle when they were appointed to the training college in St. John’s for five years before they retired. Upon retirement, Wilson returned to his teaching career for a few years and then found a new ministry as a school bus driver, where he brought joy and bubble gum to his “kids” every day. Remembered for his kind spirit, love of life and warm smile, Wilson is greatly missed by his loving wife, Lorna; daughters Elaine (Roy) Bridger, Tracy (Roger) Osmond and Nancy (Scott) Shelley; son, Luke (Jennifer); grandchildren Jonathan, Jessica, Brooke, Noah, Abby, Quinton, Chloe, Cassidy and Alex; great-grandchildren Kinsley and Aralynn. CHANCE COVE, N.L.—Garland Winsor Brace was born in Chance Cove in 1938 to Gordon and Elizabeth Brace. He attended The Salvation Army, gave his heart to the Lord at a young age and was enrolled as a soldier in 1954. Garland met the love of his life, Elizabeth Collett, and they were married in 1960 and were blessed with two children. Garland and Elizabeth worked side by side to operate a local store for 38 years. Garland kept the faith and was always a faithful soldier and supporter of Chance Cove Corps. He played the bass drum for 22 years, was a life member of the men’s fellowship and served as a member of the cemetery committee. Garland was always there to lend a helping hand whenever needed. Garland is lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth; son, Terry (Tanya); daughter, Teanne (Derrick); grandsons Dillon and Collin; three sisters; three brothers; a large circle of family and friends.

With Distinction

Peterborough Temple (OCE) With Commendation

Regina Haven of Hope Ministries (PRA) St. John’s Wiseman Centre (NL) With Commendation

The Territorial Social Services Department celebrates these ministry units for meeting and exceeding organizational standards of mission delivery

GAZETTE TERRITORIAL Birth: Lts Barry/Jesse Austin, daughter, Gwendolen Elizabeth, Apr 29 Retirements: Jun 30—Mjr Alison Cowling (Australia Tty); Jul 1—Mjrs Edward/ Luanne Barrow, Mjrs Maurice/Marilyn Blackler, Mjr Caroline Braddock, Mjrs Glenn/Jean Bridger, Mjrs Gary/Sharon Cooper, Mjrs Grayling/Jacqueline Crites, Mjrs David/Edith Dean, Mjrs Peter/Karen Eason, Mjrs Don/Elizabeth Grad, Mjrs Wilfred/Heather Harbin, Mjr Bryan Hayward, Mjr Valerie Hennessy, Mjr Deborah Hilliard, Mjrs Raymond/Laura Janes, Mjrs David/Donna Kennedy, Mjrs Martin Ketteringham/Carolyn Doonan, Mjr Dale Lewis, Mjrs Kevin/ Loriann Metcalf, Mjrs Wayne/Betty Ann Pike, Mjrs Lorne/Barbara Pritchett, Mjr Sam Roberts Promoted to glory: Mjr Ralph Godfrey, May 1; Mjr Edith Hodgkinson, May 4

CALENDAR Commissioner Susan McMillan: Jul 19-21 dedication of expansion, West End CC, Sandys, Bermuda Colonels Edward and Shelley Hill: Jul 4-7 Calgary Stampede weekend, Glenmore Temple, Calgary

Salvationist July 2019 29

SALVATION STORIES

Living on Purpose Four years later, the impact of Boundless 2015 continues to resound in my life. BY AIDAN TURLEY

don’t remember a time when faith wasn’t part of my life. I was born into a loving, Christian home, and we attended The Salvation Army’s Bracebridge Community Church in Ontario, where I had many wonderful mentors who cared about my spiritual journey. I can’t point to one moment in my life when I became a Christian, but there was a time when I began to take my faith more seriously. During my final year at the University of Waterloo, Ont., where I studied environmental science and business, thoughts of What’s next? were never far from my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had something to offer, but I wasn’t sure where God wanted me to go or what he wanted me to do. In February 2015, I received the news that I’d been chosen to attend Boundless—The Whole World Redeeming, an international congress in London, England, to celebrate The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary. I was thrilled. What better way to end my university career than go to Europe? Little did I know that this trip would light a fire in me. As I walked into the first session of the congress, there was so much excitement in the air. I remember looking around The O2 stadium, taking it all in and realizing that everyone was there to worship and praise God. It sent shivers down my spine. But it was something General André Cox said that sparked a change in my life: “Our young people aren’t the future of the Army—they are the Army of today.” That surprised me. As a young person, you’re used to hearing that you are the future, not the present. Growing up in a Christian home, it’s easy to become complacent, because it’s so familiar. General Cox helped me realize that I needed to take responsibility for my faith, to answer God’s call to be his witness in all areas of my life. When I returned from England, my questions about the future were replaced with a new desire to live on purpose, to embrace my faith and live it to the fullest. I took some time to pray and listen for what I should do. God showed me the importance of investing in the spiritual journey of others, just as many people have influenced and invested in me. The area that first came to me was youth ministries. I started leading youth events and getting others around me involved in different groups. I took on the college and careers Bible study and the Sunday youth Bible lessons. I joined the divisional youth band and helped the divisional youth chorus from time to time. I continued to participate in yearly mission trips to the Caribbean, but now the focus was more than just constructing buildings—it was building God’s kingdom. At the same time, I started looking for a job, somewhere 30 July 2019 Salvationist

“I’m learning to live for God every day, in every area of my life,” says Aidan Turley

I could see myself long term. It was tough. Nothing seemed right, and things didn’t happen in the time frame I wanted. Many nights I struggled to fall asleep. I prayed about it, but it took me a while to realize I was still trying to make something happen. When my prayers changed to “God, you know what’s best and I trust you with this decision,” a huge burden was lifted. At the moment, I’m working in construction with my father and brother, building and fixing docks, boathouses and cottages in Muskoka, Ont. It’s not the job I set out to get, but I have peace about God’s timing and I’m happy with where I am. I’m learning to live for God every day, in every area of my life—in my conversations, friendships and work. Being a Christian must inform all of who I am, so that Christ is seen in me. That’s my hope—that others would see Jesus in how I live. At work, I try to be an example on the job site, and to be open to talking about faith with others. People know they can turn to me for advice and have expressed their respect for the choices I’ve made. I’ve had several non-Christian friends talk to me about their struggles and request prayer. I am a member of the Canadian Staff Songsters, and the song Still reminds me of God’s promises: “When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with you above the storm, Father you are king over the flood, I will be still and know you are God.” Even though I don’t know what’s next, I know who is with me.

WHEN OTHERS TURN THEIR BACKS, LEAN IN.

BOOTHUC.CA

EDUCAT ION FOR A BET TER WORLD Salvationist July 2019 31

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