When you give to the Self Denial Appeal, your generosity supports The Salvation Army’s work to share the Gospel and alleviate human suffering. Gifts raised in Australia have supported life-changing projects across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific region, while also aiding Salvation Army territories in financial need through International Headquarters. These funds also provide Evangelical Mission Support with vital resources like Bibles, housing, church buildings, and training and Community Development with clean water, education and income-generating skills. To find out more and donate, visit selfdenial.info

Richard Smyth and his wife Jess had their baby boy dedicated by Commissioner James Condon at Caloundra Salvos in January 2023.  “... my chains are broken, I have been set free.” BY LERISSE SMITH Richard Smyth has not forgotten the fateful day he walked out of jail with only a few clothes packed tightly into a bag.   To call it a humbling experience would be an understatement.   He had lost everything. Now, he was faced with the daunting task of rebuilding from the ground up. This was far from the life he had imagined for himself.   “I lost everything,” says Richard as he reflects on the most difficult chapter of his life from his Sunshine Coast home in Queensland.   “I lost my house, work, being present and engaged with my four children while in jail, my trucks, cars … just everything.”   Fast forward eight years, and Richard is now in a completely different place thanks to the Salvos, who provided both practical and emotional support after his incarceration. It helped transform his life from turmoil to renewal.   Now a content man, Richard and his wife, Jess, whom he met through the Salvos several years ago, have a blended family of 14 children, including those from previous relationships. Seven of them, including the newest addition, a two-year-old boy, live at home.   Richard and Jess surrounded by their large blended family at the dedication. Richard cherishes precious moments with his large family, saying that if his kids are happy, then he is happy. His unwavering faith in God is also a great source of strength and purpose.   Yet, the lonely days spent behind bars remain fresh in his memory, along with hard-learned lessons from a past shaped by drugs and alcohol that ultimately led to his two-year sentence in jail. “I made a promise to my kids they will never see me again in prison.”   And key learnings from hard lessons learned now drive Richard to share his personal testimony with his friends at the Caloundra Salvos’ Just Men group.   He treasures the safe and confidential space where men can be authentic and express emotions and life experiences without judgement or discrimination.   “I think it’s pretty special that we can go in and as a group of men just talk really openly and honestly about all different sort of life subjects,” he says.   “We unpack what went on in church on the Sunday and discuss what the sermon was all about. Maybe not in a super spiritual way, but just in a very real way. There are also some men who have attended the group who have been in jail, too. I thought the answers in life were drugs and alcohol, but I never found it and never had any direction in life. But I found purpose with God and the Salvos and now have direction in life.” Richard and his son spending some quality time together. He says if his kids are happy, he is happy. Challenging year The camaraderie within the group has also served as a vital lifeline for Richard, helping him navigate through some personal challenges – particularly in 2024. It wasn’t a good year.   In the space of just 12 months, he had a major triple bypass operation, broke his back, farewelled his beloved mother after she passed away, and suffered a stroke at Christmas. Then, just a few weeks ago, he survived being bitten by a poisonous snake.   “I am like a cat and have used up many lives,” he says.   “It’s not my time to go. I believe I am alive because there is someone looking out for me. I should not be alive; even the doctors cannot believe it. They would not have operated on me with my triple bypass if I did not have young kids. In the past, I also had a heart attack at 5am in the morning and still kept working before going to hospital after 9am, and I am still here today! God has a purpose for me and has kept me here for a reason.”   Furthermore, Richard believes his life purpose is giving back – not only to his fellow mates at Just Men and those who join the group but also to the Salvos in general. He still vividly recalls how the Salvos hugely impacted his life while in jail with a self-care pack. It touched him in a profound and meaningful way. Richard recuperating in hospital after suffering a heart attack last year. “I just couldn’t believe they would do that for me,” he explained. “And so, I said to the prison chaplain, ‘How do you get involved with the Salvos?’ He told me that once I was released from jail, to go and see them.”   And he did. His new life then began to unfold.   After having an appointment with a social worker and joining the Doorways program, Richard volunteered with the Salvos to give back for the “invaluable help” he had received.   As a professional landscaper, he volunteered to work on the large grounds of Caloundra Salvos, where he met a friend who talked about the church. Richard’s daughter then encouraged the family to attend the corps, and the love and acceptance Richard felt from the community led him to give his life to Christ.   He then went from strength to strength, meeting his wife at Salvos Connect, finding employment, and joining Just Men two years ago. His girls have also become Junior Soldiers at the church.   “My bad mistakes and poor decisions led me to me being in prison,” he says.   “I had to own my mistakes, and when I started going to church, I had such a big burden and guilt. But going to church, and I get emotional just thinking about it, some songs really touched me with words from the hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, such as ‘my chains are broken, I have been set free.’  And I had four big reasons why I needed to change, too – my kids. I made a promise to my kids they will never see me again in prison.” Richard shared his story at a recent Red Shield Appeal launch. Equally significant for Richard has been belonging to the Salvos community, where he formed meaningful friendships, particularly with his fellow members of the Just Men group.   “To be open and honest with people takes a bit of trust,” he says.   “But at Just Men, we all pray for different things, and if anyone wants to pray for someone, it’s pretty special. I like welcoming new members into the group and will bring some friends along where the Salvos make them feel welcome, too. It’s a great place to be – and I look forward to being involved for a long time to come.” READ MORE: The unbreakable rule at Caloundra Salvos’ Just Men group

The Just Men group at Caloundra, led by Commissioner James Condon (right), is a place where males can bond and share life’s journey. Photos on left courtesy of Unsplash What is shared in the group stays in the group. That is the unbreakable rule behind ‘Just Men’, a thriving weekly meet-up for men of all ages, which is transforming lives at Queensland’s Caloundra Salvation Army, as Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH uncovered. The winning formula? Guys simply bonding over fun, friendship and fellowship. In a world that rarely makes space for men to truly connect, Just Men is flipping the script on brotherhood. Each Tuesday evening, a bunch of men gather at Caloundra Salvos to connect and share their raw emotions, chew the fat, lift up a quick prayer and offer support ... and there’s an occasional hug, too. It’s a special, sacred time where everything stays real, respectful and relatable. And it has proven to be a big hit since its inception six years ago. “It has absolutely changed lives,” says the retired former Australia Eastern Territorial Commander, Commissioner James Condon, who spearheads the group and has a deep passion for guiding, pastoring and supporting men on their life’s journey. “When you think about The Salvation Army’s mission statement of changing Australia one life at a time, we are doing that through Just Men. I have always had a heart for men in terms of their place in the church and helping men on life’s journey with men’s issues.” Where it all started The formation of the weekly meeting all began with one man’s voice. James recalls a local church member approaching him, expressing the need for a men’s group at the church after retiring early, driven by the effects of post-traumatic stress and mental health challenges. He emphasised that men had real needs: a need for fellowship and a need for a safe space to share and be vulnerable. It was a serendipitous moment. Sometime later, Commissioner James had been leading an Alpha course when he was asked by the church minister to lead a men’s group as part of the course. Afterwards, the men asked James if they could keep meeting together – and hence, Just Men was born. Males from all walks of life join forces every week at 6pm at Caloundra Salvation Army after a community meal that starts an hour earlier. The group draws men of all ages. Some are regular church attendees, while many others are homeless or struggling with mental health or alcohol issues. But everyone is welcome and supported to speak their inner voice, emotions, feelings and thoughts in an inclusive and respectful setting. “I have often said the only thing we have not had is a punch-up!” James says with a laugh. “But we have come close. When I stop and think about it, when I talk about mental health or other issues, and a man is telling his own story or opinion, he doesn’t like being cut off by another man coming in and having something to say!” Keeping it real One key component for all those who take part in the get-together is keeping it real. It’s a very real and earthy men’s group, says James, adding that for some men who rock up at the get-together for the first time, they may be surprised by the sometimes colourful language people use when they are openly sharing. “But we don’t frown on that,” he remarks. “They are sharing and making it real for themselves.” The group’s success amazes the leader, and while he has tried to analyse it, he knows there is a trust between the men. “We always say what is shared in the group stays in the group, and we have never had reason to doubt that.” “It is beautiful to hear men pray, especially when it’s new to them. It is just talking to God like you are talking to someone. It’s organic and real.” James picks a topic during the hour-long discussions for men every Tuesday evening. Half the night is for open discussion. The goal is to make it as ‘life-related’ as possible. The topics discussed are diverse, ranging from overcoming anger and building healthy relationships to sports and the inception of DNA. Of paramount importance is men feeling free and encouraged to share their stories and insights in a safe and confidential space. Where appropriate, some group participants are further encouraged to consider positive lifestyle programs focused on topics such as overcoming anger and fear and building self-esteem and healthy relationships. And at some point during the evening, James will introduce the Scriptures and Jesus’ teachings, which are always welcomed. “They never shy away from that,” he emphasises. “I’ve never had anyone look down on it.” At the end of each session, the evening concludes with prayer. Men share prayer requests – everything from prayers for family members to upcoming court cases. “We have seen amazing things happen,” James reflects. “It is beautiful to hear men pray, especially when it’s new to them. It is just talking to God like you are talking to someone. It’s organic and real.” Broader support networks One key component is that the leader doesn’t do all the praying; after making a list of requests, he encourages someone in the group to pray. There might be some silence sometimes, but eventually, someone will pray for that person, and someone else. And prayer is needed for men. Ongoing issues such as mental health, brokenness, and reconciliation are just some of the many challenges that the male population is struggling with in society. Caloundra Salvos hosts four Alcoholics Anonymous groups, which connect the men’s group with a broader support network. What is shared in the group stays in the group. That is the rock-solid rule guiding the participants of Just Men who enjoy fun, fellowship and friendship at Caloundra Salvos each week.  (Photo courtesy of Getty Images) “There are a lot of broken men out there,” James reflects. “We talk a lot about domestic violence, and some men will acknowledge that and seek forgiveness. We often talk about reconciliation with wives, partners, children and families.” A key factor in the group’s success is providing a safe and confidential space for men to be themselves and feel accepted without judgment, regardless of their past experiences. The group has welcomed men recently released from jail who have felt loved and accepted. Many other men have shared their experiences of abuse. Despite these challenges, every man needs and wants a space where he can let his guard down. Deep down, every man wants and needs that space, James adds. They might sit there for weeks and not say anything, but then, all of a sudden, something triggers emotions, and they are ready to share. One common misconception about men is that they are ‘hard’ and emotionally distant. People think men can’t be kind or gentle. But it really depends on the context and what area of society you are dealing with. Listening and encouraging Additionally, James stresses the importance of listening to each man’s story before making judgments about their behaviour. “I am strong about listening. Everybody has a story, and I never make a judgment unless I know the story,” James said. “It’s the same with men’s behaviour and thinking ‘What is behind this? What is the story?’” The community meal helps bridge the gap for many men who might otherwise hesitate to enter a church. “It’s a big step to walk into a church,” he remarks. “But we have got the bridge through the community meal where they sit down around food.” James thrives on helping and encouraging men – it is one of his life missions. Pastoring the men is a key part of his role. He’s passionate about supporting them wherever needed, whether visiting them in hospitals or meeting for a coffee. Furthermore, he keeps in touch with some men who shared their experiences during the 2012 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. At the time, James was the Territorial Commander for the former Australia Eastern Territory. “I built lifelong relationships,” he says. “There are so many forces that shape us.” READ MORE: Walking out of jail, Richard went in search of the Salvos Many inspirational stories have come out of Just Men, too. Commissioner James Condon interviews Richard Smyth at God’s Sports Arena church. One participant, Richard Smyth, began his involvement after the Salvos greatly assisted him with accommodation and essential material aid after being in prison for two years. He eventually found work in his profession as a landscape gardener after volunteering to help transform the church’s grounds. He wanted to give back, and now, Richard’s landscaping has transformed the property into a beautiful space with gardens, creeks, and ponds. “Richard’s story has a happy ending,” James says. “He met Jess, a woman from the congregation who had lost her husband to cancer. Richard and Jess married, blending their families, and now attend church together with their children. We have a lot of good stories to tell, and the group plans to continue on for a long time to come.”   READ MORE: How Commissioner James Condon was brought to his knees in retirement

The ‘Love Rockingham’ Christmas team, comprising members of several churches in the Rockingham area of Western Australia. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Following the success of the Love Rockingham Christmas Appeal, a group of churches in Rockingham, Western Australia, is planning how to serve the community next. The Rockingham Salvation Army, together with Paradox Church and The Crew Rockingham, mobilised more than 10 additional church and para-church organisations to create 1200 Christmas hampers for local families in need in December 2024, raising close to $65,000 to cover costs. A total of about 360 volunteers from across the community collaborated on the drive. “Love Rockingham’s first initiative was a powerful demonstration of how a community can come together to support its most vulnerable members,” the team said in a press release. The Love Rockingham initiative has been warmly embraced by the local community.  “The joy and smiles on the faces of the recipients were truly overwhelming. For many, these hampers represented more than just essential items; they symbolised the compassion, kindness, and love of their neighbours.” Through the combined support of church groups, individuals, businesses and the City of Rockingham, the team collected 29,000 individual products, including 5000 gifts for children. The drive included bags of fresh vegetables, Christmas foods, meat vouchers and at least two gifts for each of the 1995 registered children. “That’s probably the most church partnership we’ve ever seen in our 14 years [as corps officers],” Corps Officer Captain Darrell Wilson said. The team is now looking to the future to mobilise volunteers for new projects. With the Christmas drive raising close to $10,000 more than the original goal of $55,000, this money was allocated to back-to-school supplies for children in the Rockingham region.

Tarrawanna’s Kids in the Kitchen cooking program, run by Lyn Mather (left), has been a huge success. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE When Corps Secretary Lyn Mather started Tarrawanna Salvation Army’s Kids in the Kitchen program, she was seeking a way to serve the community after her grandchildren had grown up and required less of her time. What she didn’t realise was how much the community would respond. When she decided to launch Kids in the Kitchen at Tarrawanna, a suburb of Wollongong (NSW), almost seven years ago, no children were attending the corps for services or programs. Now, 25 to 30 children aged eight to 12 apply each school term, but there are only 12 spaces available. Lyn learned about the program from a story featuring its founder, Major Cathryn Williamson, who started Kids in the Kitchen in Cowra (NSW) in 2017. “I picked up a copy of the Pipeline [former Australian Eastern Territory publication] and it had the story of Cathryn and Kids in the Kitchen. And straight away, I knew, this is it,” Lyn said. “It was like God said, ‘Here’s the door, go through it, because this is what you’re going to do’.” The program starts with children learning to cook bacon and eggs, then progresses through 10 weeks of recipes, including macaroni cheese, hamburgers and stir fry before, finally, participants cook a meal of fried rice for their families. Weekly sessions last for two hours and cover budgeting for food, understanding safety and earning recognition badges. While the Kids in the Kitchen program is centred around food, Lyn said it’s about much more than just learning to cook. She explained that the group will properly set the table and enjoy the finished meal together. “They’re learning the basic skills for life,” Lyn said. “It’s amazing the number of kids who cannot eat properly at a table. They’re learning social skills, they’re learning the basics of cooking. They’re learning how to use a knife and fork. They’re learning about God, [and about how] to make friends with kids that they don’t know.” Major Cathryn Williamson, who founded the Kids in the Kitchen concept in Cowra (NSW) in 2017. Lyn said the devotional part of Kids in the Kitchen, which included Bible verses, was something that they offered the children, but there was no obligation to believe in God. She said some children came from atheist families. “I even had one kid who said to me, ‘Because I don’t believe in God, does that mean that I can’t come anymore?’” Lyn said. “And I said ‘No, not at all’. Because we take everybody.” Lyn said among the volunteers in the program are several from the Baptist church and one from the Catholic church. The team also partners with a local Catholic school to provide work experience and Duke of Edinburgh Award hours. The team were forced to limit numbers for a very practical reason. They found when they had too many children, the amount of electricity required to run all the kitchen equipment kept tripping the power fuse. With children on the autism spectrum welcomed each term, Lyn said there was another benefit to the smaller numbers. “What we found was that having only four kids in each group with a leader, it’s been fantastic for kids on the autism spectrum because it’s quiet,” Lyn said. “They get very focused, and they feel safe. It’s not a rowdy program, and it just works for them.” Jurni and her Rising Star Award. Jurni Young, who participated in Tarrawanna’s very first term of Kids in the Kitchen when she was just 10 years old, was recently honoured with a Rising Star Award by the City of Wollongong. This recognition was due to her involvement with the program. She now volunteers at Kids in the Kitchen every week. And hers is not the only success story. Lyn said she recently heard from a parent to two boys on the autism spectrum who were enrolled in Kids in the Kitchen over the past two years. The boys had previously been finding school difficult, and their behaviour reflected this. Police and teachers had attempted to help the boys, but they were violent towards others and presented a threat to other students in the school. Throughout this time, the mother had also been undergoing treatment for cancer. After their involvement in Kids in the Kitchen, the eldest son loved cooking so much that he assisted in catering for a wedding, and the second son was shopping for ingredients and cooking meals for the family. “He now has become [school] captain,” Lyn said. “He represents the school at swimming carnivals and comes first. He’s doing all sorts of things.” Lyn said the boy’s mother was convinced Kids in the Kitchen was the source of the transformation, as it had taught her sons how to focus. “She puts it down to the fact that Kids in the Kitchen had a big impact on them,” Lyn said. “And she’s finished off by saying, ‘Thank you very much to all your team for your prayer support and your support of our family’. “And they don’t believe in God.” Lyn shared that a mother of another child on the autism spectrum, who often refused certain foods, was recently brought to tears when she discovered that her son not only prepared the chicken and vegetables for a soup but also went back for seconds. “It’s just amazing what the program does for the families,” Lyn said. “There’s just story after story like that where it’s a family thing. We’re involved with families.” Lyn said that a single father of a child in the program recently shared with her how Kids in the Kitchen was impacting their relationship. “He [gave] me [a] big hug, and he cried and said, ‘I’ve been trying to find something that I can do with my 11-year-old daughter. You know what we’re doing? We’re cooking together! It’s fantastic. Thank you so much.’ “There’s just story after story like that where it’s a family thing. We’re involved with families.” To find out more about Kids in the Kitchen, see here .

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 ( 24-30 March ] we are praying for the Australia Territory .   The Australia Territory has 1525 officers (624 active, 901 retired); aux-lieutenants 54; envoys 12; cadets 9; employees 8899; corps 286; societies and outposts 8; senior soldiers 12,072; adherents 3796; junior soldiers 1530.   Pray for the Australia Territory Led and inspired by our Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, we are preparing for a new season of growth and change with the Holy Spirit’s help, supported by a vision of provision in 2 Kings 3 . We thank you in advance for your prayerful intercession. ·       Pray for deep faith and belief in the advancing Kingdom of God, trusting that God is always on the move, whether progress is visible or gradual. ·       Please pray for the ‘Big 5’ areas we have seen emerging and are committing to as a territory in this new season: 1.    Discipleship: by following the way of Jesus, being a disciple who invests in another disciple, who, in turn, makes another disciple. 2.    Evangelism: by being confident in God’s complete good news story and eager to share his message when the time is right. 3.    Prayer: by regularly being still, listening and being renewed by the presence of the living God. 4.    Spiritual warfare: by being wise and discerning in the spiritual battles we face. 5.    Mission: by playing our part in advancing God's mission in our local context as we ‘Gather, Grow, and Go.’   ·       Pray for pioneers and pioneering – that we would be seeing, understanding, and empowering those who feel led to step out in a new way, to carve new paths for the advancement of the Kingdom. ·       Rejoice with those who are experiencing breakthroughs and pray for those in tougher seasons, believing in a future filled with hope. ·       Pray for perseverance in difficult times, trusting in God’s provision, even when challenges arise, as seen in 2 Kings 3. ·       Pray for a combination of faith and action for our soldiery, staff, and everyone who encounters our movement, trusting that God will provide as we take the steps Jesus asks of us, even if they seem unclear at first. ·       Pray for confidence in God's provision, believing that he will send the rain when we do our part. Pray also for patience to wait for God’s timing. ·       Pray for determination and commitment to do the hard work, trusting that God will honour our efforts. Pray for perseverance for our people, knowing that God’s transformation work in the world at times asks for our combined effort, and ask God for strength to press on with the shared yoke of Christ. ·       Pray for the courage to stand firm and explain our faith to those who may not understand the work God has called us to, with hope of their salvation at the forefront of our purpose and mind. ·       Pray for focus on the priorities of God's mission: that Jesus would be at the centre of everything, and that we would wisely spend our time, money and energy. ·       Pray for a deepening focus on the things God values, especially salvation, holiness, and advancing God’s Kingdom. ·       Pray for a fresh understanding of God’s mission as revealed by the Word, our own lives and the saints that have gone before - remembering that we are part of God’s ongoing story. ·       Pray for a shift in our perspective and communication, recognising that we live in a ‘pre-Christian nation’ and need to share Jesus in ways that people can understand – including with our staff and soldiery, whom we value and thank God for. ·       Pray for God’s Spirit to lead us as a movement that is Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, and hope revealed throughout 2025 and beyond. ·       Pray with us in both excitement and faith, anticipating what God will accomplish as we labour together for God’s Kingdom. ·       Pray for our part in the ‘People, Mission and Legacy’ focus to be outworked in our communities, across our nation, and to impact the world for Jesus’ name. To find out more about the history of the Australia Territory, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

Major Darren Kingston at the Free Prayer tent at Macquarie Fields Markets. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Are you passionate about growing the Kingdom of God? If so, one of The Salvation Army Australia’s most committed evangelists, Major Darren Kingston, wants to hear from you.   Darren has been an officer for 20 years and is currently serving as a Team Member at Macquarie Fields Mission in the south-west of Sydney.   He is inviting Salvos to join him in learning about and experiencing street ministry, public prayer initiatives and responding to the call of the Holy Spirit in our community.   A few weeks ago, when Darren was praying before engaging in some street ministry in the Sydney suburb of Minto, he received a vision of ice cream, a red shirt, and an ankle issue. He didn’t gather much more than that, so he decided to explore the ice cream section of a nearby supermarket.   “I saw a guy walking away from that area in a red shirt,” he says. “I wondered if it was him that God was calling me to, but I didn’t know, so I stayed around the ice cream area and spent some time checking out the different flavours!”   After a while, he wandered back outside and saw the man in the red shirt again, sitting on a bench. He struck up a conversation with the man, who mentioned he was having a problem with his ankle. Darren sought his permission to pray for him.   Darren often posts his street evangelism experiences on Facebook, hoping to encourage others. “God is always trying to tell us things,” says Darren, who regularly seeks God’s guidance on where he should go and what he should do at the start of each day.   He says many Christians find ‘street evangelism’ to be ‘scary’ or ‘daunting’, but it’s simply about taking time to pray, being attentive to what God is revealing to him, and responding to the call.   And he says that members of the community are very open to chatting with the Salvos on the street.   “I usually just say to people, ‘Hey, I’m Darren, and I’m just going around looking for people I can pray for. Do you have a prayer need, or is there something I can pray for you about?’ It’s quite soft, you’re not pushing anything.”   Darren says he loves to mentor and support anyone in The Salvation Army – or Christians from other churches – who feel called to evangelism but may lack the confidence to act on that calling.    “Usually, when I take people out, we first sit in my office, and we will pray and ask God for some clues about where we should go or what we might be able to see when we are there. Then, we will head out and look for some of those people that God might allow us to minister to. And not just those people but being open to what God is showing us. If we see someone walking with a sore leg, it might be an opportunity for prayer.”   Another way for people to learn from Darren and experience the work of the Holy Spirit through street ministry is by attending and assisting at one of the prayer tents in south-west Sydney. Once a month, Salvo teams set up a prayer tent at the local Macquarie Fields or Fairfield markets, where they distribute free water and sunscreen and offer prayer. Darren and Aux-Lieut Katharine Brown, Fairfields Corps Officer, at the Prayer Tent at Fairfield Markets. “Sometimes it is a bit easier to experience and learn how God works within us at the prayer tent because members of the community are approaching the tent to ask for prayer, not the other way around,” says Darren. “We are always happy to have Christians there alongside us, working with us, seeing God at work and having their own faith strengthened.” READ MORE:   Prayer Tent ministry expands / Would you like me to pray for you? Throughout his officership, Darren has never deviated from his rhythm of listening to God and acting on the words and visions that the Holy Spirit gives him to minister to his community. He has seen God do countless miracles and has had deep conversations with total strangers that have, at times, led to people giving their lives to Jesus.    “My heart is to really continue to grow evangelists in the area,” he says. “And engage with other churches’ evangelists as well – to give them opportunities.”   If you would like to connect with Darren for mentoring, support or gain experience in evangelism, you can email him:  darren.kingston@salvationarmy.org.au

To read David’s Promoted to Glory notice, click here

Many moons ago, I studied English literature and philosophy at university, and I got to know the theories and considered reflections of some of the world’s greatest thinkers. It was wonderful to stretch my own thinking into areas way beyond what I’d ever considered.   My favourite philosopher, still to this day, was a very short English character, famous for walking around naked even when with his friends and in public. His name was Winnie-the-Pooh. Much of what he said has been attributed to English writer A.A. Milne, but I’m inclined to believe he simply appropriated what Pooh had said.   Pooh, it was well known, loved eating honey perhaps more than anything else. Although, he once said something to the contrary: “You know, the only thing better than eating honey, is that moment just before you start eating honey.”   Ah, the lovely sense of anticipation; joyful apprehension; hopeful premonition. The notions of promise and suspense somehow linked together. That knowledge that something is about to happen, and it will be good.   When do we have this feeling in a Salvation Army meeting?   We have it when the person preaching, often an officer, says, “And finally …”. Suddenly, our eyes open a little, we sit up straight, and we start to sense feeling returning to our extremities. We have a renewed sense of hope: the end is near. Mind you, I’ve heard preachers plough through three or four “And finally’s” without an end anywhere in sight.   We have that sense of anticipation when the person doing the children’s story or interactive message has decided to incorporate a magic trick or liquid or spaghetti or cream, and we just know it’s all going to go wrong at some stage, and we’ll laugh and laugh. We quietly say to the person sitting next to us, “This is not going to end well”, and sure enough – suddenly, there’s cream up someone’s nostrils and water spilling on the carpet, and, as the table leg collapses, everything flies everywhere.   We sense the suspense when the band is playing a piece that includes the cornets hitting a high C near the end, and we know that none of these cornet players have hit a high C since 1978. What will happen? Will they play it down an octave? Will the bandmaster pull out a cornet just to play that note? Will the eupho player play the note instead of the cornets? Ah, problem solved – the bandmaster finished the piece at the end of the previous section. Very clever. Crisis averted.   We are filled with joy and hope when the officer announces that the corps council has approved the purchase of new chairs to replace the mid-blue carpet-covered pews they’ve been sitting on for 40 years. The congregation actually applauds!   And then the officer announces that to speed up the transition and save money, he’s already purchased 100 chairs online from eBay, apparently from a cinema centre that’s closing down. He’s sure they’ll be great, and they’re only 20 years old. He then calls for a working bee to wipe down the black faux-leather chairs with some wet wipes and scrape off the gum.   Anticipation: it’s a wonderful thing to hold, at least for a few moments, until reality sets in. In the end, Paul writes, we’ll have faith, hope and love, and I love the feeling of faithfully hoping. Major Mal Davies is the Assistant Divisional Commander for the Victoria Division

The Australia Territory’s newest ordained officers – Lieutenants Karen and Tim Clark – outside their beloved Caloundra Corps. BY LERISSE SMITH   A road less travelled – guided by God’s amazing love.   This profound and inspiring message echoed through the testimonies of Lieutenants Karen and Tim Clark as they shared reflections on a road less travelled during their Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out service at Caloundra Corps on Sunday.   The Clarks, who have served as Caloundra Corps Officers for the past six years with the rank of auxiliary-lieutenants, were commissioned as lieutenants under the sessional name ‘ Champions of the Mission’ .   Their journey resonated deeply with family, friends and the church community, who gathered for the commissioning service to celebrate the momentous occasion with the couple along with their three sons.   “Our very strong calling has come a little later than most,” Tim reflected. “But it’s still just as strong and valid for us. It has been a very slow revelation of where God wants us to be. Nothing has happened quickly.” Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas congratulates the Clarks during the commissioning service. Photos: Kathy Hughes The calling spanned a decade from the first inkling that God might want them to do something else other than Tim’s profession as a pharmacist and Karen’s career in teaching.   “There have been turns and bends in the road, which have led to here, and blind bends where I did not know what was around the corner,” Karen added. “I would not have imagined that this is where we would end up. But having said that, we both really love where we are and what we are doing.”   The celebratory commissioning occasion signified an exciting new chapter for the couple, who remarked that they felt “ridiculously loved and supported” by their community. The service was filled with uplifting messages, worship, multimedia presentations, and an impassioned plea from Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas for all to go out and preach the good news of Jesus.   “The Gospel is good news,” she emphasised. “There is nothing better than sharing our beautiful Jesus!” The Caloundra Corps hall was filled to capacity for the commissioning service on Sunday 16 March. Both Karen and Tim know firsthand the power of sharing the Gospel as they grew up in encouraging and supportive Salvation Army families. They have the deepest gratitude for the legacy of faith-filled homes, parents and grandparents who have played a huge part in their lives.   Their ministry at Caloundra Corps has been strongly supported by a great team of staff and volunteers. Together, they have seen how deeply impactful it can be to build relationships that offer hope and have dedicated themselves to walking alongside those in their community – from all walks of life.   Empowered by God, the couple added they long to see greater spiritual growth in the congregation and effective, accessible community engagement programs that show the love of Jesus. Caloundra aims to live out its vision statement: “No one should do life alone; there is hope and freedom in Jesus.”   Tapped on the shoulder Tim and Karen's pathway to Caloundra Corps began after spending 27 years being soldiers at North Brisbane Corps with their family. It was a great training field for their future journey. After being “tapped on the shoulder” for ministry, they committed to an initial three years. Their plan was to then go straight back into their professions.     However, they decided on another three years before making the pivotal decision to become commissioned officers through the guidance and the grace of God and saying yes to their next journey and chapter.   “We anticipate great times ahead,” Karen said. “We don’t know what the future holds for us as a family, for our family and our friends, for this corps, for this place – but we trust in God for that.” Area Officers Majors Sharon and Neil Clanfield pray over the Clarks during the service. Tim’s slow move towards God During the commissioning service, Tim shared with the congregants the headline he had chosen for his testimony.   “I feel that throughout my whole life, God has constantly been calling me to him, slowly and surely,” he said.   “I think I’ve always felt his love and his presence. I remember quite strongly, as a seven-year-old, hearing the call of God in my life in a Salvation Army meeting where there was an appeal given (to give your life to Christ). I was at the back, and I slowly made my way forward. It wasn’t a bold move. It was one row and then another row, then another row. Fortunately, the appeal went on long enough so I could make it to the front. Someone prayed with me, and I had a real sense, as much as a seven-year-old could, to understand that God was calling me to himself.”   It marked the beginning of a lifelong discipleship journey – and one of discovery, too.   Tim remembers questioning his future at 17 years of age before becoming a pharmacist, a career that provided for his family but consumed much of his life. He recalls the tension at home about where he was and bringing work home with him.   However, a pivotal decision to not open his pharmacy on Sundays allowed Tim to reconnect with his faith and family.   Another life-changing moment came in 2010 when he attended a Christian Missionary Society summer school and heard a life-altering statement: “If you want to be used by God, you have to be prepared for when he wants to use you.” Lieutenant Tim Clark shares during the service. Inspired by these words, he began studying at the Brisbane School of Theology and for the first time, the Scriptures opened up to him.    It was a major turning point in his life.   “The Holy Spirit just showed me that the story of Jesus is just so amazing, just so fulfilling, so wonderful, so deep, so wide,” he said.   “This was a new experience for me. Now, it didn’t change me to the point where I went outside and became a bold street preacher or anything like that, but it was one of those moments where I crept slowly, row by row, towards the front, with more study, offering myself to in ministry spaces at North Brisbane Salvos where we were soldiers.”   Teaching Religious Instruction in schools was also to become a significant moment: “When you’ve got to teach 100 Grade Four children week after week the stories of Jesus, it makes you really think what they are all about.”   Karen’s embedded faith Karen reflected on God’s faithfulness during the service and a childhood deeply steeped in faith.   “I was thinking this morning about the faithfulness of God, and how from the very beginning, God has been present and setting things in place,” she said.   “I don’t recall ever not knowing God. I don’t recall a time where I went, ‘Oh, wow, this is God’, because I think it was so taught to me and embedded in my family all my life. And I’m so grateful for that, then moving into my childhood and my teenage years and marrying this amazing man … the knowledge that God all my life has been faithful is so comforting and such an assurance.” Lieutenant Karen Clark shares during the service. As they reflect on their time in Caloundra, the couple expressed deep appreciation for the community they have come to know and love.    “The highlight is just the people,” Karen said.   “Getting to meet people all over the place and really building those relationships from not just a hello, see you later, or I will give you something, but really investing into people’s lives so that that’s been the highlight for me over the last few years.”   Tim agreed, adding Caloundra was very mission and community-orientated and outward-looking.    As the couple steps into their new chapter, they are focused on continuing to serve their treasured community, loving people, and meeting their needs wherever possible – and they are excited about what God does in the future. The Caloundra Corps family and friends celebrate with the Clarks after the service.

In Week 4 of Self Denial, we travel to Punjab, India, to meet Rita, a woman empowered by The Salvation Army’s sewing program. Through the program, Rita learned how to sew and stitch and was given her own sewing machine when she graduated. Today, Rita says she is delighted to be able to pass on these skills to her daughter and contribute to the household expenses. Each week throughout the Self Denial Appeal season, we will hear inspirational stories from Salvation Army programs in Georgia, Bulgaria, Tanzania and India. To find out more and donate, visit selfdenial.info

This year's Harmony Week slogan is 'Everyone Belongs'. Anthony Castle asks us to interrogate how we are ensuring this truth is seen in our communities and relationships. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   I was listening to music at a rally earlier this year. A group featuring Aboriginal musicians started to perform, the band made up of guitars and drums and Indigenous instruments. I have attended this rally for years, following an invitation from an Aboriginal Christian leader. They are noisy places, with shouting and megaphones, footfalls and laughter; but the music is the thing that stayed with me. Traditionally, these different parts would not have been played together, but as the voices rose, it made something more. It made harmony.   The rally had started late that day, due to another gathering held nearby. The path of the rally I attended had been temporarily blocked by a group of 30 men, uniformed in black, displaying Nazi symbols and chanting racist slogans. Sixteen of the men were arrested, and the rally was able to go ahead later than planned, despite the disruptions.   I have been thinking about that disruption, in the approach to this year’s Harmony Week. So much of our political debate and culture has come to be defined by disagreement, even conflict. Listening to the musicians, I wondered about those men dressed in black and how to make sense of these times. What does harmony even mean when the world seems so noisy? On that day, listening to the music as it rose into the hot summer sky, it all felt like an attack on who gets to belong.   Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds to celebrate inclusion. Australia has been called the most successful multicultural country in the world, given the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. Australians identify with over 300 different ancestries , and the cultures making up our modern society are both ancient and recent to the land.   The theme for Harmony Week this year is ‘Everyone Belongs’. While we can see that diverse people have found belonging in Australia, not everyone agrees with this. Here and abroad, voices have questioned multicultural values, criticising inclusion and equality. Different people groups have been subject to racist abuse, threats, and even, in recent months, been attacked.   These trends don’t feel like controversies in tough times. They feel bigger than the usual arguing online or bickering over politics. These disruptions to our multicultural values feel like a conflict over who should be here. On that day, listening to the music as it rose into the hot summer sky, it all felt like an attack on who gets to belong.   Harmony Week has its origins in the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day commemorates a tragedy in South Africa when peaceful anti-apartheid demonstrators were violently attacked. Harmony Week began with people at a rally making noise.   When making harmony in music, it starts with noise. The different parts work together in complementary ways, becoming something larger. These notes are different, some quiet, some loud, but together, they feel as if they belong. They make something more.   We can think of social harmony as something calm, quiet even. In times like these, quiet calm can seem appealing. Like many, I look at the news and social media and feel sick of the noise, but the challenges we face won’t go away if we are quiet. Harmony Week has its origins in standing up for inclusion. It began with those raising their voices for others.   You can’t make music without first making noise, and there won’t be any harmony here if we remain silent.   Australia is home to the world's oldest continuous culture, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living on this continent for upwards of 60,000 years. One in three current Australians were born overseas . At a time when Australian security authorities have reported that racism is now their highest priority , it has never been more important to stand up for the diversity we share.   The Salvation Army is committed to inclusion, and the work of harmony. It supports intercultural communities and values diverse people. The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and is committed to relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For those who were here first, who arrived last, and everyone in between; the harmony we need starts with noise.   What part do we play?