Effective local mission delivery transforms lives in Sydney’s north
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Sam and Tyson had no idea that being placed with The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service would change their lives in such a profound way.
The two men from Sydney’s far northern suburbs were referred to Employment Plus Inclusive Employment Australia worker Wendy Law. She met with the men at Hornsby Gateway Salvos, where Wendy operates a few days per fortnight.
Both of them immediately felt a warmth from Wendy, describing feeling comfortable, accepted and “listened to”. The feeling of being seen and really heard and understood is something that meant a lot to both men.
Sam, a taxi driver for most of his life, had been struggling to find work since suffering from diabetes related health issues that affected his eyesight. Tyson, who had graduated from The Salvation Army’s Dooralong Transformation Centre in 2021, still suffered with debilitating anxiety and depression.
As they got to know Wendy, through their Employment Plus appointments, they felt encouraged and supported. And meeting her at Hornsby Gateway Salvos, where they could grab a coffee at Friday’s Gateway Café and take home some frozen meals and other food items from time-to-time, felt comfortable and relaxed.
“I think it’s very important for the vulnerable people, and especially our clients, they have a disability, that they feel that they are seen and loved,” said Wendy, who adds that working collaboratively across the different Salvation Army services is a highlight of her role.
“We are under the same umbrella of The Salvation Army, and we are not only providing free food and support and wellbeing [at Hornsby Gateway Salvos] but through my role, we also provide them opportunity to work.”
Volunteering opportunity
It wasn’t long before Wendy had suggested to both Sam and Tyson that they might benefit from volunteering at Hornsby Gateway Salvos, whilst they continued to look for paid work.
Sam took up an opportunity to become a café volunteer, and Tyson started volunteering at the Family Store, which is also onsite. The process for the two men was easy, given that they had already met Hornsby Gateway Corps Officers, Captains Lydia Hong and Sean Li, who often stop to chat with Wendy and her clients when she works onsite.
“I’m doing four days a week here and it’s really good,” says Tyson. “I get to meet Sean on Fridays for the coffee. And just the interaction with the people who come in from different walks of life, and telling them a bit about my story and everything like that … I feel like God is placing me here for a reason.”
Tyson, who reconnected with his faith during his time at Dooralong Transformation Centre, says the past two years have been the best he has ever experienced. “I still have anxiety over things, but I am now out of the house, I’m out doing things and out talking and interacting with people.”
Sam, who came into a relationship with Jesus during the COVID-19 lockdowns, also feels like God has led him to Hornsby Gateway Salvos for a reason.
He is passionate about sharing his faith with members of the Chinese community, and has recently become a Voluntary Mission Assistant at the corps. He will assist with translation at the weekly English language classes and share the gospel when people ask questions about faith.
“I really like The Salvation Army the way they serve the people,” he says. “I thank Wendy and I thank God [for this opportunity].”
Mission delivery
For Captains Lydia and Sean, the collaboration between the corps, the family store and café, Employment Plus and their corps community welfare worker, is an example of The Salvation Army’s Local Mission Delivery model working.
“This is holistic mission, not just spiritual connection, not just material assistance and not just social enterprise. Our place incorporates all three,” they say.
A small change being made this year really showcases the holistic nature of the ‘Jesus-Centred, Spirit-Led, hope-revealed’ ministry at Hornsby Gateway Salvos.
The corps newsletter has been expanded to be not just corps news, but all news from across all the different expressions, and will be distributed as such.
“We are integrated together – all our ministries work together. A church to the community, all throughout the week,” says Sean.
