God revealing ‘The Way’ to Salvos across the Australia Territory
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Hundreds of Salvationists gathered across Australia from Friday to Sunday 13-15 February to focus on The Salvation Army’s spiritual direction for 2026 and beyond – ‘The Way’.
“I can’t even put it into words, but there was a strong sense of spirit-led worship and God moving amongst us,” – Captain Amy Jones, Greater Ballarat Salvos (Vic.).
“There was a felt movement of the Holy Spirit in the room!” – Tamara Forde, Corps Ministry Team Member, Townsville Corps (Qld).
“This wasn’t information only. It was formational,” – Lieutenant Jose Porcia, Westside Melbourne Salvos (Vic.).
“I have no doubt that God is doing a new thing here, and in many places across our amazing country,” – Lieutenant Karen Clark, Caloundra Corps (Qld).
These responses, and hundreds more of them, flew across the Facebook pages of Salvationists around the country who gathered at dozens of ‘launch sites’ in each state to worship, pray, engage with teaching on discipleship and spiritual disciplines, and hear from God.
“It was so good knowing all over Australia people are focusing on and praying for the same things,” said Area Officer Major Chelsea Wilson from Western Australia.
The teaching, from Dr Arseny Ermakov, lecturer at Eva Burrows College, were on the ancient patterns of discipleship and emphasised that mission is a mix of both ‘presence’ (sitting at the feet of Jesus) and ‘practice’ (living out his calling.)
There were also elective sessions on evangelism, discipleship, prayer, mission and spiritual warfare, taught by Salvation Army officers from across Australia via videos.
“The day was full of energy, connection, and inspiration, reminding us all why gathering as a community is so vital,” said Major Dianne Jarvey who was at the Morley launch site in Western Australia. “We left encouraged, motivated, and excited for the ways God is moving among us!”
Major Narelle Unicomb was at Wagga Wagga Corps, where Salvos from across south-west NSW gathered: “The teaching was great and I really valued the breakout spaces to wrestle through what discipleship looks like in our everyday lives and to learn from each other!”
The response was similar hundreds of kilometres away in the western Victorian town of Delacombe.
“We all gained so much from the teachings of Arseny and all the elective speakers,” said Captain Amy Jones. “The discussions around the break-out groups were significant for us, so much of this we are keen to press into further and take into our congregations and ministries for 2026!”
Many corps leaders have decided to continue focusing on ‘The Way’ through sermons and small group discussions as the year progresses.
Lieutenant Tim Clark from Caloundra Corps in Queensland made this comment at the end of the launch: “I feel like I’m drinking from a fire hydrant, with a straw!”
“We’re thirsty for good teaching, we’re hungry for more, we want to go deeper.”
The Way launches at Auburn, Caloundra, Riverland, North Brisbane, Camberwell and Chatswood corps.
In Lismore, northern NSW, the congregation who gathered felt led to make ‘The Way’ a year-long theme.
“To delve deeper, unpack it and give practical ways for our corps to apply it into their everyday,” said Captain Phil Sutliffe. “So, a 25-week preaching resource has been developed, spending five weeks on each of ‘The Way’ pillars – evangelism, discipleship, prayer, mission and spiritual warfare.”
‘The Way’ has been grounded in prayer, with a week of uninterrupted prayer preceding the launches. Each division and Territorial Headquarters covered a full day and night, with participants of all ages taking part.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas said she has been inundated with positive responses from around the country.
“There is a strong sense in The Salvation Army that God has taken us through the fire, and we are emerging, ready and expectant for the harvest he is revealing to us.
“Rise up, Salvation Army Australia! Now is the time to be bold and to follow the Spirit into the new.”
The Way launches at Ingle Farm, Tweed Heads and Lismore corps.
