Revolution Salisbury City ‘comes home’ in Adelaide corps merger

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Divisional Commander Major Paul Hateley (right) leads the affirmation of the new Revolution Salisbury City Corps in Adelaide – (from left) Major Wendy Hateley, Captains Keryn and Aaron Coombes, and Envoy Nathan Casey.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE

Revolution Salisbury City is a new faith community and outreach in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. The new expression is the result of a merger between two existing Salvo churches – Revolution Church and Parafield Gardens Salvos.

“We’re coming home,” says Envoy Nathan Casey, Team Leader of Revolution Salisbury City. “Our heart has always been in this part of Adelaide’s northern suburbs. Our work has been mentioned in the Action Plan for Salisbury City. It’s our neighbourhood.”

Envoy Nathan Casey oversees the new faith community alongside Corps Officers Captains Aaron and Keryn Coombes, combining the strengths and assets of the two churches.

The first service was on Good Friday, with over 150 in attendance.

Captain Aaron Coombes and the worship band.

South Australia/Northern Territory Divisional Commander Major Paul Hateley affirmed the newly unified faith community, sharing about the history of The Salvation Army’s work in the greater Salisbury area.

“We’ve had a relationship with Parafield Gardens for years, with combined youth ministries,” Nathan says. “We’ve worked together. We started to talk about what we both had and didn’t have, and realised that we each had what the other was missing. Things aligned.”

Revolution has established initiatives that provide outreach to schools and services for youth experiencing homelessness. Revolution Salisbury City utilises its Red Shield Appeal funding to supply emergency packs to caseworkers and local services, with an eye on how the housing crisis impacts young people and families.

Envoy Nathan Casey says he is excited by the new combined faith community.

“Our scope is the city of Salisbury, and it’s still a demographic where The Salvation Army needs to be present,” says Nathan. “There’s a large migrant population. There are a lot of families, a lot of young people, and a lot of need.”

Revolution Salisbury City has already seen its numbers increase since its first Sunday.

Locals and families from the area have visited the new community expression. The newly arrived kids and families programs complement the existing Companion Club and Craft Club.

“The gospel invitation is for all people, with no exceptions, ever,” Nathan says. “We hope to exist for all people, but our mission priority is young people. That’s been our legacy; it’s what we’re going to continue to do.

“To create a safe, welcoming place for young people, we need all generations involved. There is a place and a purpose for all people.”