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Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the following officers who will reach the retirement milestone: 31 December 2025 Major Rhonda Elkington Major Bev Kingston Major Phillip McCall Major Alan Milkins Major Denise Milkins Major Alwyn Robinson ‌Major David Rogerson               Major Heather Stamp Major Miriam Sutcliffe Colonel Wendy Walters Major Christine Wright 30 September 2025 Major Paul Beardsley Major Gregory Howard Major Julie Howard Colonel Kelvin Merrett Colonel Winsome Merrett Major Marrianne Schryver Major Peter Sutcliffe 31 August 2025 Major Neil Dickson 31 July 2025 Colonel Donna Evans      Colonel Stuart Evans  We warmly welcome home Colonels Donna and Stuart Evans after serving internationally for the past five years.  Effective 30 June 2025 Major Sue Hopper Effective 31 May 2025 Captain Laurel Cummins                                            Commissioner Robyn Maxwell                                            Commissioner Wayne Maxwell Effective 30 April 2025 Major Christine Ellis Effective 28 February 2025 Major Kirsten Elliott                        Lieut-Colonel Winsome Mason Major David Terracini Major Michele Terracini Effective 31 January 2025 Territorial Envoy Rosemary Richardson Lieutenant Colonel Neil Venables Major Craig Walker Effective 31 March 2025 Major Christine Ivers   Major Colin Maxwell

From: Rouse Hill Region Corps (NSW) Appointment: Corps Officer/Team Leader at Rouse Hill Corps (NSW) Silver Star recipients : Lieut-Colonels David and Sandra Godkin   I grew up in the church, witnessing my parents live out their faith and calling.   I encountered Jesus and gave my life to him at the age of eight. I had a deep desire to do anything for Jesus.   As I began to live out my faith in the church, it became more about works and doing things that were seen by others. Over time, I started seeking the approval of man over the approval of God.    It wasn’t until my adult years that the Holy Spirit took me deeper through some dark and broken seasons. Through my pain, he showed me that it was never about what I did for him or for others, but the anointing was in who I was as an adopted child of God.   He took me on an inner-healing journey and showed me his supernatural presence in my life, teaching me what my true Christ-given identity is. I then started to see gifts and mantles placed on me that I had never seen before. My ‘doing’ for him had shifted to a ‘being’ known by him.    This next step in ministry is my next ‘yes’ to Jesus. I have come to love the prayer ‘Disturb me, Lord’. Every disturbance in my life has brought me greater intimacy with Jesus and a deeper surrender to Holy Spirit.   I now have a deep yearning in my heart for all people to encounter that same revelation of what it means to be found, known, healed and transformed by the power of God.   When our lives are surrendered to the Holy Spirit, he takes our fears and turns them into our very calling.     Bible verse: “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28-29 NLT).

To view the latest Appointment Bulletin, click here

From: Auburn Corps (NSW) Appointment: Corps Officer/Team Member at Rockdale Corps (NSW) Silver Star recipients : Sia Bangao and Amadu Kargbo   I was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and my childhood was marked by war and trauma.   During the civil war, my mother and I were caught in a rebel attack while shopping. Amid the chaos, we were separated.   Days later, someone told me my mother had been killed. I was forced to live with my uncle. Life became harsh. He treated me like a servant, often locking me in a room without food.   At school, I was bullied, and when I sought help, no one listened. Perhaps the most painful part was never knowing my father. He abandoned me, and I never had the chance to see his face.    I grew up Muslim, but my experiences with religion were painful. As a child, I was beaten for failing to memorise the Qur’an in Arabic, a language I did not understand. Worship was never in my heart language, and I often felt judged and excluded, cast out for mistakes. I grew angry at people, at religion, and at God.    Years later, an unexpected encounter changed everything. A woman from Australia visited Sierra Leone and recognised my uncle. She told him she had seen his sister (my mother) in Australia; that she was alive, living there as a refugee! She had been told her children were dead.   When word reached me that my mother was alive, I refused to believe it. I felt abandoned and bitter. But with encouragement from community members, I agreed to travel to Australia in 2016 to be reunited with her.    Soon after arriving, my mother invited me to her church, The Salvation Army in Auburn. I told her it would be my first and last visit. I had no interest in religion. Yet she did not give up on me, and along with the corps officers, she continues to encourage me to come. Gradually, I began attending church.   The people were welcoming, but I still felt restless and depressed, often sitting alone in my car and weeping. Then I sensed God speaking to me. As I began to read the Bible given to me by one of the corps officers, it was as though Christ himself spoke: words of hope, purpose and love. The anger and isolation that had defined me began to lift.    The corps officers and congregation patiently walked with me. They never forced faith on me. They simply loved me. Through their example, I learned that my worth comes not from rules or human approval, but from God’s grace.     Over time, I became involved in ministry. I saw how many people, even in a wealthy country like Australia, carry hidden pain and loneliness. My own experiences of war, abuse and rejection had opened my eyes to their struggles. I realised that God was calling me to reach out as others had reached out to me.    The Salvation Army has been God’s grace alive in my life. It gave me a family of faith and a place to serve. That is why I feel called to become a Salvation Army officer: to share the love and hope of Christ with people who feel lost, unloved, or forgotten, just as I once did.    God has blessed me with a wonderful wife who has stood beside me throughout my journey. Her prayers and encouragement remind me daily of God’s love. Together, we are raising our three-year-old son, Emmanuel, whose name means ‘God with us’.   Emmanuel is a living reminder of God’s presence and faithfulness in our family. My wife and son are both a source of strength and joy in my life, and I know that ministry will be something we share together as a family.    I once believed I was alone and unloved. Today, I know I am a child of God, redeemed and called to serve. My prayer is that through my ministry, others will encounter the same transforming grace that changed my life.    Bible verse: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore, he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and decrees. (Psalm 25:8-10).

From: Ahyeon Corps, Korea Territory Appointment: Corps Officer - Team Member, Belmore (NSW/ACT Division) Silver Star recipients : Jaesook Lee and Hyuknam Kwon When I first felt the sense of God’s calling to join The Salvation Army as an officer, a song suddenly popped into my head – a simple phrase that wouldn’t leave me: “No turning back.”   Since then, this phrase has become both my answer to God’s calling and my promise to him. And from that moment on, the Lord has led me on a journey full of surprises and grace.   Beginning my training as a cadet overseas in South Korea and later returning to Australia has been a story of God’s faithful leading. Through every transition, every challenge, and every new beginning, God has been kind and faithful.   Yet I must admit, there were teeny tiny moments when I did look back. I missed the things I had left behind to follow Jesus, including the comfort of familiar places and faces. There were times I asked myself, “Am I really suitable to carry God’s mission? Am I enough?”   I quietly despaired at my own shortcomings. Yet, even in those moments, I sensed his gentle whisper: “You are called.” God reminded me that it is His faithfulness, not mine, that will carry me through. I have learned to trust His plan, even when I cannot see the whole path ahead.   Our session name is Keepers of the Covenant . I loved that name from the first time I heard it. It has remained special and meaningful throughout my journey as I have learned that it is God who is the true ‘keeper of the covenant’.   He never lets go and continues to work faithfully even when I am weak, when I lack, or when I fail. He is the One who carries out his covenant – even through someone like me. Praise the Lord!   I also give thanks to God for surrounding me with faithful servants throughout my journey; people who have shown me what it means to serve God and his people with humility and love. Their steadfast faith and quiet obedience have deeply shaped my walk with Christ, and I am truly grateful for their encouragement, guidance and prayers.   Through their lives I have seen the heart of Jesus, the heart of a true servant who loves without expecting anything in return. Their faithfulness reminds me that ministry is not about success, but about simple obedience and love for God and His people. Now, again, as I prepare to step into ministry, I feel like I am standing on the shore of the ocean. The waves are moving, and the water looks deep. The sound of the waves is welcoming, but I cannot help feeling a little afraid. There is excitement, yes, but also a trembling in my heart, because I know that once again, God is calling me to go deeper.   And yet, even in that trembling, I feel assured, because I know who is going with me. The same God who called me, who guided me through every season, and who kept every promise will continue to lead me. He has been, and will always be, the faithful ‘keeper of the covenant’.   So, I take a step, a careful step, like a little child taking their first step. I may be shaky and unsteady, and I may grow tired quickly, but I know that the One who walks beside me is holding me tight with his gentle, kind and strong hand, just as he always has.   I stand here today to testify that God is faithful. He is the One who called me, who holds me, and the One I long to live for and serve with all my heart.   And so, once again, I say, “No turning back.”   Thanks be to God. All glory and honour to God my Saviour, the ‘True Keeper of the Covenant’.   Amen Bible verse:   “The eternal is the source of my strength and the shield that guards me. When I learn to rest and truly trust him, he sends his help. This is why my heart is singing! I open my mouth to praise him, and thankfulness rises as song. (Psalm 28:7 The Voice).

Captain Oleg, (left) with his wife Captain Dominika Domanska, their daughter, and some members of the Warsaw Corps.. When Captain Oleg Samoilenko arrived in Poland, away from his Ukrainian homeland and all things familiar, everything felt like an uphill battle, but what began as a lonely appointment in Warsaw has become a vibrant international family. BY CAPTAIN OLEG SAMOILENKO   My name is Oleg and I am a Salvation Army officer. I am Ukrainian, but I currently serve as a corps officer in Warsaw, Poland.  I remember my first day at Warsaw Corps back in 2018. One older woman told me there was no place for foreigners in Poland, then the accountant at regional headquarters said she had no time for my questions, and the children at the after-school program did not understand me.   READ MORE: Where there is no more strength, Oleg's story It’s not easy being a foreigner! As an officer, I was keen to communicate with and to get to know my people, so it was difficult for me.  All the attempts I made to be accepted did not work. I was seen as an outsider, and for several years I felt like a stranger in my own corps. I frequently questioned God’s plan for me. Then war broke out in Ukraine in 2022, which brought more than 10 million fellow Ukrainians to Poland. My native language suddenly became so helpful in supporting these vulnerable and lost people, who had left everything to save their lives. God’s timing was starting to make sense.  READ MORE: The Salvation Army Ukraine One day, a woman from Zimbabwe came to our Sunday meeting. She started searching for other Zimbabwean Salvationists in Poland and, a few weeks later, she had found more than 30 people to encourage to attend the corps. Soon after, I was invited to a school that supports migrant children to talk about human trafficking. The young people were so interested in The Salvation Army, and they asked questions about what the Army had to offer them.  Oleg with some of the Zimbabwean youth who attend the corps. We invited them to the corps on the Friday evenings, and bought some games and pizzas for the occasion. Two boys turned up on the first night, but the following Friday they brought 20 friends. Some have since become senior soldiers or are currently going through membership classes.   One thing united them – they were all foreigners, living far from their homeland and trying to find a new home. I knew exactly how they felt and how hard life is as an immigrant.   Language presented one of the greatest challenges. While foreigners often strive to learn the language of their new home, full self-expression remains difficult and humour rarely translates. This becomes especially evident when attempting to pray in a foreign language.  Activities for all ages and cultures are a regular part of ministry. By creating opportunities for people to speak in their native tongue, we have facilitated profound and meaningful conversations. Cultural engagement through traditional cuisine and dance has further deepened these connections, often moving participants to tears. Such small gestures can have a significant impact. Over the years, in moments of doubt, I had questioned why God had placed me in a setting where I felt unwelcome; yet now, encountering these individuals in such circumstances provided clarity and affirmed the purpose behind this calling.    Today, more than 11 nationalities come to our services. We are an international family in which everyone is accepted. We welcome teenagers from Belarus and Ukraine, seniors from Ukraine, refugees from Zimbabwe, Uganda and the Philippines, and people from India and Russia. Our corps is now full of different languages and diverse cultures. All these people have experienced loneliness and discrimination, but in The Salvation Army they are all loved.   Youth from around the world make up some of the 15 languages spoken at the corps. Being a corps officer is now more than just an appointment: my corps is my family. We don’t look on our differences and instead focus on the things that unite us. What began as a struggle to belong became an opportunity to build a spiritual home for people scattered across nations – a family united not by nationality, but by faith and grace.    This article first appeared in The Salvation Army’s international online magazine, All the World . It’s part of the  ‘Scattered’ column, inspired by Acts 8:4 : “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”   This column shares ministry perspectives of Salvation Army people serving away from their homeland or in remote and far-flung places.

From: Coffs Harbour Corps (NSW) Appointment: Corps Officer/Team Member at Westside Salvos (Vic.) Silver Star recipients : Norma Porcia and Major Jeanette van Gaalen   I remember the day clear as glass. Nearly 10 years ago, a Parramatta Drug Court judge sent me to Adele House, a drug and alcohol rehab in Coffs Harbour. I was fresh out of prison with only the greens on my back, a black garbage bag of donated clothes, and a Virgin Airlines ticket north.   At Sydney airport, I stood among travellers with bright luggage and fixed destinations. And there I was, clutching a garbage bag tied in a knot. My life reduced to someone else’s clothes, 20 cents in my pocket and rope holding up pants two sizes too big.   That moment stripped me bare.   God’s light didn't shine through stained-glass windows that day – it shone through the faces of strangers with Samsonite bags and second glances.  I broke my phone in the airport bathroom and chose not to return to the old life. That was my first surrender. The garbage bag taught me something that would guide me long before I knew what it meant: travel light. I didn’t yet know where I was headed, only that freedom began with letting go. Today, I recognise that same lesson in ministry – to live unencumbered, ready to move when God leads.  Before that awakening, my story was addiction, prison and shame. I had burned every bridge that love once built, and I begged by the Parramatta River just to stay alive. Yet even there, grace found me.  At the rehab, two Salvation Army officers (now retired) – Majors Russell and June Grice – led a Bible study that carried light into my darkness. There I met Jesus in a way that left no doubt. He called me out of despair and into a new life. The same hands, stretched wide on the cross, reached into my mess and lifted me up. My ‘yes’ changed everything.  When Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people,” those words echoed through my story. He didn’t say, “Follow me, and I’ll use you immediately.” He said, “I will make you.” These past 10 years – especially the last two in officer formation – have been his making of me.  At Eva Burrows College, I learned to cross liminal spaces where fear meets faith, and God waits on the other side. Discipline, reflection, devotion and service became sacred rhythms. Crossing those thresholds cost me more than I was prepared to give up, but God gave back more than I ever dreamed.  Why The Salvation Army? It holds together the two truths that saved my life: holiness and social justice. I know what it is to be set free by sanctifying grace – and to need help when you have nothing left. The Army preaches salvation and serves suffering humanity.  To wear this uniform is to give back what was freely given. I’m now part of the Westside Melbourne Salvos Team, where theology meets the rough edges of life. I’ve served meals, prayed with strangers and sat beside those wrestling with grief, addiction and homelessness. Ministry, I’ve learned, is often more about presence than preaching – though I can do that too.  Our session is called Keepers of the Covenant. It sounds heroic, like something from an Indiana Jones film. But I’ve learned we don’t keep the covenant – Christ keeps it. On Calvary, he sealed the promise in his blood. My calling is not to be the main character but to witness his grace.  The words of Isaiah 43 still anchor me:  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”   I was once lost, but now I am found – redeemed, called and sent.  Today I carry more than a garbage bag.  I carry the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Once I held the weight of shame in my hands.  Now I hold grace – and it is light.  To him be the glory.  Bible verse: “But as for you, man of God ... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NRSVUE).

Dr Bruce Gale’s 176-page book is filled with images, documents and newspaper clippings, as well as fascinating eyewitness accounts.  BY LAUREN MARTIN   It has been revealed that The Salvation Army’s origins in Singapore and Malaysia date back at least 44 years before official Salvation Army records.   A new book, to be launched this weekend by The Australasian Journal of Salvation Army History and author Dr Bruce Gale, details the work of The Salvation Army in Singapore, dating back to the work of “unsung pioneers” – Salvation Army soldiers and officers who visited Singapore and then Malaya in the late 1800s. The book launch takes place on Saturday 22 November. Dr Gale said he discovered the unreported history by chance while researching a story as a journalist for The Straits Times .   “ I had always thought it was a bit strange that the official Salvation Army history stated that the work in Singapore began only in 1935,” he said. “After all, it was widely known that The Salvation Army started operations in Japan, China and the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) in the closing decades of the 19th century. And Singapore was a major British port throughout that period.”   During his search through the archives for the unrelated story, Dr Gale decided to type in ‘Salvation Army’ and see what came up.   “I was surprised to discover that the newspaper had reported on the activities of various Salvation Army officers in Singapore as early as 1891!”   He said he was inspired by the work of passionate Salvationists and wanted to share their vision and heart for serving people in the love of Jesus with the Army across the globe.   “Those early pioneers from 1891 onwards were tough and dedicated,” Dr Gale said.   “Brigadier Herbert Lord was in New Zealand on holiday when the Japanese attacked in December 1941. He insisted on returning. His plane landed in Singapore during a Japanese air raid.   “After the war, Adjutant Bainbridge (himself suffering from malnutrition and weighing a mere 90 pounds after years of incarceration by the Japanese) directed the entire official emergency relief effort from a headquarters established by the British military in the Victoria Memorial Hall. In common with other Salvation Army officers, he worked 18 hours a day while propped up with pillows on a chair. The book is an excellent read for those who are interested in Salvation Army history and happenings. “There are numerous accounts of both bravery and dedication in the book, involving both officers and ordinary Salvation Army soldiers.” Dr Gale’s 176-page book, By Love, Serve One Another , The Salvation Army in Singapore and Malaya 1891-1960 , is filled with images, documents and newspaper clippings, as well as fascinating eyewitness accounts.   It will be launched this Saturday 22 November in a live event across three different time zones – 4pm in Singapore, 6pm in Brisbane and 9pm in New Zealand.   People who wish to attend can email AJSAHistory@gmail.com

Colonels John and Lani Chamness – The Salvation Army Australia’s new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leader Development – are still awaiting their visas to enter Australia, so in the meantime we sent them some questions! In this fun Q&A, John and Lani share a bit about themselves, what they’re most excited to experience in Australia and what they’ll miss from home. You’ll also hear their heart for ministry and what they’re looking forward to in this next chapter of service.

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week ( 17-23 November ), we pray for the Middle East Region.   The countries that make up the Middle East Region are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates.   The Middle East Region has four officers (all active), nine corps, 400 senior soldiers, 43 junior soldiers and four employees.   The Salvation Army in the Middle East provides a home for expatriate Salvationists in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. We provide care and support to vulnerable and abused domestic workers, as well as those trafficked or tricked into the region.   Majors Douglas and Janet Newman lead the region.   The Newmans have shared some points to guide us as we pray:   For the region: ·  We pray that God would continue to empower our faithful witness as we seek to grow saints throughout the Middle East. We praise God for the continued support of our partners in mission and for all those whose gifts help sustain The Salvation Army’s ministry throughout Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.   ·  As regional conflicts flare, we pray for reconciliation and peace.   ·  We pray for the safety of the officers and soldiers who live and work in this area of the world and hold sacred our Christian calling to be peacemakers and reconcilers.   ·  We continue to pray for official recognition and registration of The Salvation Army within the countries of the Middle East, specifically for registration in the country of Bahrain where our regional headquarters is located.   ·  We pray for wisdom and perseverance in addressing the many challenges of operating within the context of the Middle East. And that our work would be sustainable and that we might leave a legacy of faith, hope, and love.   For Bahrain: Registration of The Salvation Army here in Bahrain slowly continues its course. Nothing happens quickly here but we are in regular contact with our government contact and we are assured that everything is progressing. We have two corps here in Bahrain, a Tamil Corps and an International Corps. The International Corps attendees are mainly from north Africa and are the victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, having paid money on the promise of work, which doesn’t eventuate when they arrive. This ministry is heartbreaking and when we obtain registration, we feel we will be able to significantly speak into this situation. Please pray: That the registration of The Salvation Army in Bahrain continues its course and will be processed soon, and that as a result, Bahrain can stand as a new country officially flying the Salvation Army flag as an independent Christian church.   We pray that compassion and understanding would prevail as authorities deal with those tricked and trafficked into both Bahrain and the Gulf region as a whole.   For Kuwait : Whilst Christian worship within the church compound that we are in can happen with relative freedom, outside those walls is a different story. The authorities are very strict around gatherings and any form of fellowship that might be considered a Christian activity. Any form of public celebration of Christian events such as Christmas or Easter is very quickly attended, resulting in severe consequences such as arrest, imprisonment and deportation.   Please pray: We pray that Christians would not be persecuted for expressing their faith and worship of Jesus. That peace, and the true meaning of tolerance would prevail as people of faith work and worship in the same country.   For Oman: God has been good to The Salvation Army in Oman which is led by passionate and capable soldiers. We thank God for raising up leaders to continue the mission in Oman. We praise God for the interdenominational support and cooperation that we experience within the church compounds in Oman. We are blessed to see an increase in children’s ministry and the number of children and youth in our corps who love to learn about Jesus and use their gifts and talents to praise him.   Please pray: We pray for the corporate leaders in Oman, that God would renew their strength as they serve faithfully in the name of Jesus. We also pray for more leaders and helpers, and as the demands of the ministry increase, the burdens of each leader would grow lighter by the miracle of God’s grace and provision.   We pray for the resources to continue to disciple and grow the youth, as there is a specific need for Christian education material in both Tamil and English.   For The United Arab Emirates:  Please pray: We thank God for the grace which allows us to continue our ministry in the UAE. We praise God that Salvationists from around the world can come to this country and benefit from the many opportunities available to them, and that there is a place for them to serve and worship here in The Salvation Army.   We pray for a worship space in Abu Dhabi, specifically for a chapel to be available, and for approval to be able to worship there soon. We pray that the congregation in Abu Dhabi would grow and flourish as a space to worship opens.   We pray that the ministry in the UAE would be sustainable, and for freedom and resources to continue serving the soldiers who are living and working here.   To find out more about the Middle East Region, click here . To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

Major Tim Gittins (top right) running Exploring Spirituality online facilitator training. BY LAUREN MARTIN   An ‘Exploring Spirituality’ resource designed by The Salvation Army’s Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Services is strengthening connections between corps and recovery services.   While Salvation Army residential and non-residential AOD services no longer teach the ‘12-Step Model’, participants have always been invited to explore faith through chapel services and other small group offerings.   Now, a new resource called ‘Exploring Spirituality’ allows participants to engage in discussions and practices to deepen their understanding of their own spirituality.   The 12-week course is being run in partnership with local corps that have AOD Day Programs on-site, such as Canberra City Salvos and Eastern Beaches Salvos in Sydney.   National AOD Mission and Ministry Support Coordinator Major Tim Gittins said the resource isn’t new; it was created in 2019 after the merger of the two Australian territories by pulling together a range of resources used throughout the territory.   However, in 2021, he and Major Laura Gittins undertook a review and refresh of the materials, which was trialled in early 2024 and re-launched in July of that year.   “Most of the time it’s been delivered within residential services, usually by chaplains or ministry support coordinators,” he said. “We recognised we needed to wrestle with [the question], “How can we use this as a tool in non-residential recovery services to build those relationships into the local corps?”   NSW/ACT AOD Mission and Ministry Support Coordinator Captain Mitchell Stevens and the AOD Chaplain in Adelaide, Duan Kereru, became passionate about bridging the gap between corps and recovery services and worked with their local corps to introduce ‘Exploring Spirituality’ in partnership with corps leaders at the local corps settings, where day-program AOD services were already occurring.   “Exploring Spirituality is a faith pathway in trying to encourage people to explore that,” Mitchell said, stressing that the course is not about exploring Christianity, but being open and respectful of each participant’s spiritual journey.   “Every time we run the group, I say, ‘I am a Christian pastor, I don’t expect you to have the same beliefs as me, but if you want to explore that further, you are welcome to join our Recovery Church …’ More often than not, the people take us up on it.” READ MORE:   Jesus is still in our rehabs Exploring Spirituality at local corps Canberra City Salvos Corps Officer Captain Sally Stevens runs the ‘Exploring Spirituality’ group at her corps with participants of the AOD Day Program, which runs on-site.   She said it is a beautiful way to develop a relationship with the participants, and often they will naturally attend community days (where food and other assistance are available), become volunteers, and connect with Recovery Church.   “I emphasise that it’s not a Bible study or church – we talk about the difference between religion and spirituality. We also say, ‘We are all spiritual beings, so it’s important that we talk about spirituality because it benefits us in recovery.’ [We talk about] looking inwards to connect to something bigger than ourselves.”   Lieutenant Keven Williams at Eastern Beaches Salvos has nearly finished facilitating his first ‘Exploring Spirituality’ program. He said he jumped at the chance to introduce the course when asked by members of the AOD team who work on-site.   “It’s corps and social working together,” he said. “I see God opening opportunities for people … it’s a beautiful space for the staff in our social streams and the corps to align. It is a holistic alignment. Our Doorways worker has also come in as well. She sits in on the course, and she finds it refreshing and values that space.” Lieutenant Keven Williams says the Exploring Spirituality course is “corps and social working together”.  Keven hasn’t limited participation in the group to people within the AOD service space; he said he invited members of the different corps’ communities to attend, and some people who regularly attend corps’ meal services and food assistance days came along.   “I think it’s a gentle easing into spirituality, and it’s not prescriptive. We are not here to force spirituality on them; we’re here for them to experience what God has created, which is an experience in itself. It’s an organic situation – an invitation for them to go where they want to go in it.”   Faith Pathways At Canberra City Salvos, Sally said one of the things that has worked really well with the ‘Exploring Spirituality’ groups is introducing social outings.   “There has been this perception that because they are in a day program – coming for a day and going home – that they don’t need activities and things for connection [like they do with participants in residential recovery.] But a lot of these people have been through a lot and are just ‘surviving’. So, the invitation to do something playful and fun and invest in them has opened heaps of conversation and relationships.”   The corps used some of its Red Shield Appeal Initiative money to fund the activities and has taken participants in the Exploring Spirituality group bowling, to a local hedge-maze and bushwalking. Canberra City Salvos has introduced social outings as part of their delivery of The Salvation Army Exploring Spirituality course.   Thomas Richmond, a graduate of Canberra Recovery Services, participated in the Exploring Spirituality course twice, once whilst in a residential program and once as a day participant at Canberra City Salvos. He said he was wary at first, but relaxed once he realised it was a participant-guided discovery.   “They absolutely weren’t pushing anything on anybody,” he said, which was different from other times when people had spoken to him about religion, God or faith.   “Personally, I have tried [to do spiritual stuff], but I didn’t know how to go about it. It’s very confusing, and it’s a very personal thing. It was good to have that kind of guidance into exploring it yourself.”   Midway through the course, Thomas had a revelation that he was a ‘child of God’ and began asking more questions about Christianity at the Canberra City Salvos Recovery Church that he chose to attend during his time at Canberra Recovery Services. Canberra Recovery Services participant Thomas Richmond (left) and Captain Mitchell Stevens. Thomas says Exploring Spirituality helped connect him with Jesus.  “The way I see it now is the more ‘God conscious’ I am, or ‘spiritually conscious’ I am, the less ‘self-conscious’ I am. If I’m finding that I have days where I’m self-absorbed – which is easy to do in today’s world – I find that it’s usually the spiritual aspect of myself that is missing, and I have to become more God-conscious.”   Thomas has joined the worship band at Canberra City Salvos and recently attended The Salvation Army’s Arise Men’s Camp. He says he is stepping into his new role as a mentor and encourager to men just starting their recovery journey.   “Personally, I got out [of Men’s Camp] that I’ve got to lean into this opportunity that I have, to be a good role model … It feels different having people look up to you, it’s kind of nice.”   Going beyond AOD services Major Tim Gittins said there has been increased interest from different corps interested in working alongside AOD services to offer ‘Exploring Spirituality’ in their corps-based settings.   There is even a Salvation Army mission expression signed up to provide facilitator training for the course to introduce it outside an AOD setting to people in the community who are warm to spirituality but not open to attending Sunday worship.   “We would encourage corps, especially if they have a co-located AOD service, to explore it,” he said.   People interested in attending Exploring Spirituality facilitator-training should get in touch with him at tim.gittins@salvationarmy.org.au

After multiple nights of hundreds of Russian drones and dozens of missiles hitting civilian infrastructure, homes, schools, electricity sub-stations and residential areas – killing several people and injuring many – Major Iryna Shvab, divisional leader with Major Konstantyn Shvab, described herself as “feeling heartbroken”.   Despite the ongoing brutality of almost four years of full-scale war, “service in each corps is continuing” Iryna added.   She quoted John 16:33, “I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”   #salvationarmyinukraine #salvationarmy #Godisgood