Celebrating One Story, One Army

6 hours ago
2 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

Dear friends,

Founders’ Day is here! And I think this prompts an important question: What does it take to start a movement?

Faith, courage, obedience? All three, plus more?

Back in 1865, William and Catherine Booth stepped into the streets of East London. They saw people who were struggling and often ignored, and they didn’t walk past. They stopped, they listened, and they were obedient to the calling.

God gave the Booths his vision. They obeyed, and look what God did! And that mission to our world continues.

They offered practical help.

They shared hope.

They pointed people to Jesus.

Soup, Soap, Salvation.

And this is still at the heart of who we are.

So, let’s now pause, remember how it all began, and lift our eyes to see where God is leading us now, because the remarkable thing is that the story didn’t end with them. It has been carried by generations since, and now it lives in each one of us, in the way we lead, the way we serve, and the way we show up every day.

Scripture reminds us, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Today, we honour the past with thankfulness, but we are not standing still. We are stepping forward with purpose into all that God continues to do through us.

Across the Australia Territory, you’ll start to hear us name this more clearly.

One Story. One Army.

Spiritual and social transformation, through holistic integrated mission, with local mission delivery.

And ... it all starts with Jesus, led by His Spirit and bringing hope to the world, a world that needs Him desperately right now.

Our shared story of hope in action will take shape intentionally, and every one of us has a part to play.

As we celebrate Founders’ Day, we’re not simply looking back with gratitude. We’re looking forward with purpose.

To remember why we exist.

To reflect on how we are living it.

And to renew our commitment to what comes next.

This day belongs to all of us.

Because the mission is shared.

The call is shared.