Salvation Army representatives Katie Lawson and Rob Ellis at the Lego house-building stall at the housing conference in Adelaide. BY ANTHONY CASTLE   The Salvation Army has helped raise awareness of youth homelessness by building Lego houses at the National Homelessness Conference in Adelaide.   The Salvos are one of more than 140 organisations supporting Home Time’s national campaign to ‘fix housing for young people’.   Participants at the largest housing conference in Australasia last week took the time to build one Lego brick home for every unaccompanied 15 to 17-year-old with nowhere to live in South Australia. There were 827 Lego houses constructed. “We’re trying to represent the number of young people who are homeless and have presented to services in South Australia,” explains Katie Lawson, the Salvos’ State Manager for Youth. “That 827 number is from the last financial year, that cohort who accessed or sought support from homelessness services in this state.”   The two-day Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Conference hosted hundreds of delegates to discuss the causes and solutions to homelessness. The National Housing Conference has been staged in partnership with state and territory governments and AHURI for over 20 years. Nearly a quarter of Australians experiencing homelessness are aged between 12 and 24.   “There’s a growing understanding that youth housing is an issue that needs to be treated differently,” says Rob Ellis, The Salvation Army’s Youth Services Specialist.   “Young people don’t have the living skills. We know a lot of young people’s housing breaks down without the support attached to it; that’s a critical part of the puzzle. As we talk about the three main asks of the Home Time campaign: housing, supports and subsidies to make it viable in the broader housing market.” The stall where participants were invited to build a Lego house. The Home Time Action Plan calls on federal, state and territory governments to develop and maintain a national pool of 15,000 dedicated youth tenancies. This request also includes linked support services to enable young people to transition to independence and address the rental gap to ensure viability for housing providers and landlords offering tenancies to young people.   “That number, 827, is of the 15 to 17-year-old cohort who presented seeking accommodation last year in South Australia,” Rob says. “That’s an alarming figure because they’re children. When you look at the older cohort, 16-25, that number goes to 3500. And there are huge numbers of young people who are part of family units that are experiencing homelessness – 48,000 across the country. The alarming issue for South Australia is that 827 ... those are children who are presenting alone.   “We are unfortunately seeing a rise in young people sleeping rough who don’t know how to access services.” Almost 40,000 children and young people have nowhere to live across this country each year. ​Around 9500 of them are 15 to 17 years old, and thousands more lost their homes when they were children​. Thirty per cent of these homeless young people are First Nations. Disconnection from school and family creates lifelong disadvantage.   “We are unfortunately seeing a rise in young people sleeping rough who don’t know how to access services,” Rob says. “And there are many couch surfing, too, which is a hidden number. Domestic violence and family breakdown are major causes of youth homelessness. They escape through a friend’s house, one night here or there. It’s a transient form of accommodation. We know about one-third are First Nations young people. That’s a group we’re very concerned about, with long-term entrenched disadvantage.”  Extreme life events and trauma, such as family violence, abuse, neglect and family breakdown, are the primary causes of homelessness before the age of 18, with the lack of housing and support services often causing children and young people to be trapped in danger and uncertainty for many years.   “The responses here have been good,” Katie says. “The houses are designed to represent the need for suitable housing to be built, to raise awareness, but to also have people make something tangible. To look at the thing in their hand reminds them of what Home Time is doing.” Home Time is a national campaign backed by over 140 organisations working to fix housing for young people. Organisations supporting Home Time include Homelessness Australia, Community Housing Industry Association, National Shelter, Melbourne City Mission, Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, ACOSS, The Salvation Army, Anglicare Australia, Brisbane Youth Service, Foyer Foundation, YFoundations and the Australian Services Union.   See www.hometime.org.au for more information.

Majors Daniel and Melissa Templeman Twells (centre, with their two children) and some of the Koto Corps members in Tokyo. The Australia Territory has 32 Aussie officers serving overseas, one at International Headquarters in London but based in Australia, and 10 overseas officers serving in different appointments here. Global Focus is featuring many of these officers – who they are, where they’re serving, the joys and challenges they face and what life looks like for them in their unique corners of The Salvation Army world. Japan is known throughout the world for its iconic cuisine, stunning scenery, historical wonders and social civility. It’s also home to Majors Daniel and Melissa Templeman Twells, who are back serving with The Salvation Army in Japan for the second time with their two young children, Toby and Abby. Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH recently caught up with the couple to chat about surviving and thriving in the Land of the Rising Sun. With travel bags in hand and two young children in tow, Melissa and Daniel knew another incredible adventure lay ahead as they boarded their flight to serve the people of Japan.   But it nearly didn’t happen. “To be honest, when they asked us, we said no at first,” Daniel recalled.   “We didn’t feel it was the right time because we just had a baby two months earlier. It was in the middle of COVID, and there were many reasons ... but sure enough, we felt God calling us. So, we said, “Please ask us again in 12 months, and we’ll think about it for the following year.” But a few weeks later, we contacted them again and said, “Look, if it’s still available, we will come next year’ – and that’s what we did.”   The Aussie officers have not looked back since arriving in April last year for their second stint in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Templeman Twells family in front of a Japanese cherry blossom tree. Varied roles They entered Japan in 2012 for three years and then renewed for a second three-year term. Daniel was a Training Officer at the College for Officer Training in Tokyo, teaching the New Testament and managing the college’s finances. Melissa was the Corps Officer of Koto Corps on the east side of Tokyo and an assistant in the Territorial Youth Department.   With their latest appointment to Japan spanning a three-year term, the couple are undertaking exciting and significant spiritual leadership roles with a clear calling from God to serve the Japanese people as their solid foundation.   Daniel’s primary role is serving as the Training Principal of the Officer Training College, with a secondary role as Spiritual Life Development Secretary for the territory. The intake of cadets at the training college is annual. However, there are presently no cadets for the current session.   “It’s an interesting dynamic because traditionally, they have one kind of student every other year, he said. “I keep describing it as being the captain of a ship without any passengers!”   However, the absence has given him the opportunity post-COVID to explore how training is offered in the Japan Territory moving forward and focus on creating a territorial strategy for education and spiritual development.   Furthermore, Daniel’s hope is that the college will broaden to be more of a place of education and spiritual programs, not just for officer training but also for people looking to extend their spiritual growth. Local officer training, retreats and pastoral supervision are part of the broader scope.   He is also serving on a working group to explore future service opportunities such as auxiliary tenancy or single spouse officership that has never been considered in Japan until now .   “We are on the precipice of incredibly exciting change for the future,” he said. There’s a lot of things happening.” The Templeman Twells with the Corps Officers of the Shibuya Corps. For Melissa, being the Koto Corps Officer in Tokyo is an equally exciting and diverse role. It’s probably the most multicultural church among all The Salvation Army congregations in Japan. At least six to 10 countries are represented, with about 25 attendees, the average for Japanese denominations.   “It’s really good, a great place to be,” she said.   Worship is conducted in both Japanese and English, with an interpreter for the sermons. Messages and testimonies are usually in English but can be in Japanese. Song lyrics and Bible verses are shown in both languages. The couple also initiated a new bilingual corps flag – possibly the only one in Japan Territory’s history – to reflect the corps’ multicultural community.   Service motivation The Templeman Twells’ passion and commitment to the varying ministries and the people of Japan dates back many years.   Melissa’s interest in Japanese culture began in high school, where she learned the language before embarking on being an 18-year-old exchange student in the country.   “I feel like, right back then, my destiny was kind of planned for me,” she reflected.   It was also serendipitous that as an exchange student, Melissa was invited to Koto Corps – her first Japan Salvation Army experience.   “Now, I’m the officer at that church; it’s amazing!” she said. “I really do believe it’s God’s calling and plan for my life and destiny.”   Daniel met Melissa at Bible College, jokingly referred to as ‘bridal college’, and when the opportunity to serve in 2012 arose, they eagerly accepted.   “We imagined we’d come again in the future, but not five years after heading back last time,” Daniel said. “But two children and lots of other life things happened in those five years.” Melissa (centre) with members of the Koto Corps serve at the monthly food relief program. Cultural differences A key component and focus of their ministry is building relationships and showing love through running outreach programs and meeting the needs of the local community and families.   Also, the couple say they must continually understand and study the unique culture of Japan, its people and its language. Understanding the specific differences between The Salvation Army in Japan and Australia is crucial, too.   Reflecting back to 2012, Daniel recalled how he expected adjusting to the Japanese lifestyle would be the biggest challenge. However, with Japan being very westernised, he found The Salvation Army in Japan was more traditional than they had anticipated, and even since COVID, its expression of ministry was done differently to Australia.   “They are open to progress and change,” Daniel said. “It just takes a long time to shift culture.”   And greatly helping Melissa and Daniel is being patient with themselves and others and accepting that the way the Japanese people lived was different.   “It’s different to what we do,” they said. “So, that’s the way we try and approach things here.”   Blessing of children When thinking of the rewards of serving the people of Japan the second time around, the couple spoke of how their two young children had formed a deep part of their joy after a difficult infertility journey spanning 12 years.   The continual prayers of people for Daniel and Melissa to have children eventually saw their prayers answered.   The Templeman Twells family out and about enjoying all that Tokyo has to offer for families. “To actually see the answered prayers in the flesh, that’s really nice,” Melissa said. “So, that is a joy, even though our children during church are running around the whole place, jumping off the stage. Thank goodness they’re cute because everyone forgives them!”   Daniel agreed.   “It’s a real joy as well to be here with our children,” he said. “They see part of our world that has existed that they have never known before.”   Providing significant encouragement and support to Japanese Salvationists who were struggling with the challenges of being a Christian was also a significant reward for the couple. Less than one per cent of the population is Christian, and the country is a spiritually dry place, with a lot of mental health issues, depression, high tiredness and an ‘overwork culture.’   Additionally, the stress could creep into Christians as well.   “Mother Teresa said, “Japan is a spiritual famine, not a physical famine,” Melissa emphasised. “And you really feel that when you are here, very much a spiritual famine. So, I think just us being here really encourages people. We add to the numbers as there are not many officers. We can offer joy and hope to people … I get joy out of being with the people and doing life with people.”   Daniel noted that while preaching and spreading the gospel can be challenging due to general suspicion of Christianity and wariness of The Salvation Army uniform, the shift toward more personal, one-on-one interactions post-COVID has been rewarding even if the results weren’t always immediately visible. Reconnecting with people, having a shared history, and forming new friendships had also been great for the couple. “ ... you really feel that when you are here, very much a spiritual famine. So, I think just us being here really encourages people.”  Gaining much joy from working in a role that aligned with his gifts and interests and making a valid contribution had also been rewarding for Daniel.   The couple has also found that their children love Japan, with Abby attending international preschool and daycare and Toby in kindergarten.   The cost of international ministry And whilst their ministry is rewarding, there’s a cost.   Being away from familiar support systems and family in Australia has been a major sacrifice, especially after waiting so long to have children only to then move overseas away from extended family support such as grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins. Melissa and members of the Koto Corps at a women’s rally. Daniel and Melissa also miss many practical conveniences, such as a car, a dishwasher, a backyard, and visiting the beach. A family of four living in two rooms is also an enormous challenge, with the children sharing one room. Thankfully, The Salvation Army Australia generously provided some home appliances. Yet, despite these challenges, they view their time in Japan as part of a larger purpose. They stay connected with family and friends through technology and have supportive relationships in Japan, including past host families.   The couple also stays involved in professional and pastoral networks to maintain their spiritual wellbeing. The last time they were in Japan, they were intentional about not having one foot in two places. They tried to be as Japanese as they could be without becoming Japanese.   “And I think we almost achieved it,” Daniel reflected. “This time, we’ve been really intentional about maintaining some professional relationships or connections. So, we are both involved in pastoral or professional supervision, counselling and things like that from Australia because that’s really important to do that.”   Spiritual growth Also intentional is their focus on personal faith and growth.   Melissa said that when she felt spiritually dry, the following scripture had great spiritual significance for her in her appointments and personal spiritual journey: Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”   “When you’re in the war, you learn to be a better prayer warrior,” she said. “You don’t get beaten down. A lot of my prayer life is based on intercession to bring refreshment for myself and others in that dry place.”   For Daniel, balancing family time, personal time and Bible reading is all important – as is staying informed through reading The Japan Times newspaper.   When the officers need a much-needed break, Melissa treasures going for long walks, while Daniel’s non-negotiable is visiting Starbucks, his ‘refuge’ – and a great taste of home. Daniel and Melissa on a recent visit to the Asakusa area of Tokyo.

Lieut-Col David Godkin and Soul Food regular Jean, who was invited to cut the birthday cake. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Birthday parties are a time when friends and family gather in a spirit of celebration and enjoyment of each other’s company. That was the atmosphere earlier this month when community members gathered at Shire Salvos Miranda for the first anniversary of the weekly ‘Soul Food’ faith community.   Soul Food offers community members who access food relief at the centre ‘food for your stomach, hope for your soul, and truth that sets you free!’   It was started because strong friendships were formed between community members who regularly attended the centre in search of hope and relief from food poverty, loneliness, isolation and other hardships.   There was a sense that Shire Salvos Miranda was a space for community members to connect with each other and that they desired to connect at a deeper level with The Salvation Army’s core values.   A year later, most of the same people are still attending (with some new additions!). Many of them consider Soul Food their church. Corps members from Shire Salvos Menai regularly attend and support in terms of offering friendship and practical assistance.   Shire Salvos Miranda Mission Leader, Lieutenant-Colonel David Godkin, said the week before the first birthday event, the community spoke about ‘values’ and wrote down the values they identified in the Soul Food Faith Community. They were: honesty, forgiveness, unconditional love without judgement, never giving up, trusting each other, helping each other, encouragement, respect, equality and belief.   “These values have developed over the past 12 months in our Soul Food faith community, and I believe God has even greater things in store for us. We’ve only just begun,” he said.   At the birthday party, David talked about the meaning of a ‘celebration’ and asked those gathered to identify the good things they could celebrate in their lives. Many people took to the open microphone to share, with contributions like “not having to cook!” generating laughter and some going deeper, with one man sharing how he loves and appreciates everyone at the Soul Food faith community, which is a big part of his life.   One community member who has been attending from the beginning, Jean, was given the honour of cutting the cake, which everyone – especially the children gathered – was excited to eat for dessert!   Please keep the faith community of ‘Soul Food’ at Shire Salvos Miranda in your prayers!   Click on the slideshow below for more photos: Photo 1: The Shire Salvos Miranda Soul Food faith community offers ‘food for your stomach, hope for your soul, and truth that sets you free!’ Photo 2: Christine, Claire and Scott volunteer at the Soul Food faith community. Photo 3: Shire Salvos Miranda Mission Leader Lieutenant-Colonel David Godkin speaks at the first birthday celebration of the Soul Food faith community.

The 2024 Salvation Army Impact Report is now available to read or download online and is brimming with stories of hope and transformation from the past year. The report demonstrates the breadth of care provided by The Salvation Army, Australia’s largest homeless service provider. According to the report, The Salvation Army provided almost $25 million worth of financial assistance in the form of cash, vouchers and gift cards, more than 1.2 million nights of accommodation, 1.63 million meals to those in need and 820,000 crisis beds across the country during the 2022-23 financial year period. To read or download the report, click here

Nicholas Walker, Children’s and Families Coordinator at Warrnambool Corps, leads the awards ceremony. BY LERISSE SMITH   The lighting of a special Olympic candle and the awarding of shiny gold medals were just some of the fun highlights at Warrnambool Corps’ recent Mini Olympics.   The church welcomed more than 60 people from the community who participated in the event held during the 2024 Paris Olympics.   It was a great success.   Local Warrnambool community members join in the fun at the Mini Olympics event. “One of many highlights was seeing members of our church, Just Brass, and Kids Club embrace the many new faces from our community,” said Nicholas Walker, Children’s and Families Coordinator at Warrnambool Corps.   “We had people of all ages and abilities, noting a bus full of people with disabilities from Gen U. It was great to partner up and have support from another local organisation. Since the event, the church has welcomed new children into our Kids Club program.”   Groups of people participated in various activities such as 10-pin bowling, mini golf and basketball. Nicholas Walker lights the special Olympics candle. The church has hosted several Free Family Fun events throughout the year, such as Carnival Day, Disney Trivia and Movie Night.   Nicolas said it was humbling to see a substantial rise in numbers at the Warrnambool Salvation Army playgroup, Kids Club and Just Brass since he started working there a year ago.   “Since starting with only two kids in our Kids Club program, we now welcome an average of 14 kids per week!” he said.   “This is a testament to the hard work of our corps leaders, volunteers, and church members who have embraced and supported the positive development of our church. I would like to personally thank the church members and local community who have embraced me with open arms.”   The church looks forward to its next family event, God’s Beloved Community, a Celebration of Children , which will be an opportunity for children from its Playgroup, Kids Club, and Just Brass programs to be involved in an alternative church service.   “We are excited for what God has in store for us in the future,” Nicholas said.   Award-winning Mini Olympics participants were all smiles after being presented with their special awards.

Artist Joanne Brookshaw painting during a session at the Community Arts Engagement Conference. Image: Andy Gorrie BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Community Arts Engagement Conference 2024 kicked off last Friday night with a feast of creative expression, fellowship and fine food. The conference was held from 16-18 August at the Treacy Centre, Parkville, Victoria. The weekend’s program was centred on being ‘Made to Create’ and featured talks by community enthusiast and social capitalist Peter Kenyon OAM and poetic summaries from conference Artist in Residence Joel McKerrow. The Friday night event also featured an art exhibition, with paintings by Darwin Studio Off the Street artists, clothing, quilts and cartoons by Salvationists across the country. Melbourne Contemporary Choir also performed three songs, including an original by Worship Arts Coordinator and choir director Jason Simmonds, with Jared Haschek: ‘The Song We Shared’. Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas spoke at the Friday dinner about what defined creative people, their focus, and their obsession with pursuing their interests. She told of how she had recently met Joni Eareckson Tada, an American evangelical speaker and author who, after experiencing a life-changing accident that left her unable to paint with her hands, later discovered how to paint using her mouth. Studio Off the Street artist Sharon Butcher. Image: Kirralee Nicolle “She’s spent her life obsessing about ensuring that people just like her were able to have a better life,” Miriam said. “She’s focused and obsessed. “It’s time to start obsessing. I’m giving you permission tonight to obsess.” Poet Joel McKerrow performed ‘Welcome Home’, a spoken word piece dedicated to the artist and “those who have forgotten that they are so”: “The child who put away their paintbrush, ballet shoes left dusty in the back bits of attics/To the cartoon scribbler in the margins of maths books/To the memory of crayons and drawings pinned up on fridges/To the childhood actors performing in loungeroom, backyard, front verandah theatres/To the students whose teachers took their own failures and transposed them upon you/To the burdened shoulders and the clipped wings and to those have never tried again … Welcome Home.” TSA Head of Mission Lieutenant-Colonel Gregory Morgan brought devotional thoughts about the concept of being “blessed to be a blessing” through the story of Abraham in Genesis. “Look around,” Gregory said. “Look across the table, and as you look, see God’s image expressed through artists and writers and composers and musicians and perhaps dancers and singers and all sorts of other creative pursuits. “Tonight, our creative God looks on this room of creatives, and he says, yes, this is very good. Hear and feel the affirmation of God upon your life tonight.” Conference attendee Denise Cook from Perth Fortress said she attended despite losing her husband Brian just 10 weeks prior, as she wanted to honour his legacy. As a former aged care nurse, she wanted to learn more about the Singing by Heart program. “I know [Brian] would want me here; he knew how important this was to me,” she said. Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett and Head of Mission Support Matt Reeve presented three awards to Worship Arts leaders Phil Jennings and Jo Ineson, who pioneered the Just Move and Singing by Heart programs, Joanne Brookshaw for her art contributions to TSA and Cliff and Rhonda Maddigan from Arndale Corps, for their contribution to the Just Brass program. “It’s all about the kids,” Rhonda said when presented with the award, emotion in her voice. Keynote speaker Peter Kenyon, who presented at the main sessions throughout the weekend, spoke of his experiences running his not-for-profit community and economic development consultancy, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. He said the main thing he wanted conference attendees to take away was that the goal was not to help people.   “We are here to create a community for all of us, and that’s very different from the mindset that we’re here to help people,” Peter said. “I want people engaged as coworkers, co-designers, co-producers of what’s going on in our communities, and not as recipients of what that community can do for them.” This was referenced later in the evening by Joel McKerrow in his poetic summary, who joked, “I never thought I’d come to a Salvos conference and be told to stop helping people.” “I can just see the next Salvos ad on TV: ‘We don’t help people’,” he quipped. His poem concluded the evening with a reminder to “stop feeding folks without getting to know them”. “Friends, it’s time to step down from being the heroes who help/Let us instead begin to sit in the rubble/With those who sit in the rubble.” The full list of artists exhibiting their work on the night was Joanne Brookshaw, Jenny Huang, Kai Wen Wang, Michael Wright, Francine Ogle, Erin Mains, Spencer Viney, Sharon Butcher, Eunice Woods, Joel Gibson, Peter Collins, Lindsay Cox, Robert Taylor, Vivienne Hancox and Jan Venables. The rest of the weekend’s program featured sessions on Art in Disaster and Recovery Settings by Erin Mains of Salvation Army Emergency Services, Planet Muse, a new music therapy program by Dean Eaton from Camberwell Corps, Creativity and Social Change with Joel McKerrow and Just Brass workshops. The weekend concluded with delegates exploring how the arts can be used effectively at the local level in faith-infused arts-based community development. To find out more about Community Arts Engagement, see here .

First Nations culture and traditions were an intergral part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee meeting this week. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council gathered in Townsville this week for its latest meeting.   “As well as talking around key issues related to The Salvation Army and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we had the chance to connect with Elders in Townsville and to experience cultural awareness opportunities from both Torres Strait and Aboriginal cultural groups,” said Lieut-Colonel Greg Morgan, Secretary for Mission.   “Thanks to Uncle Vince and the team for the ongoing leadership and reminder of the priority of the First Nations people of our land.”

The NSW women’s basketball team bond before taking the court for one of its matches at the Geelong carnival. Every year, teams from around the Australia Territory come together for a week of sport and fellowship at The Salvation Army Interstate Basketball and Netball Carnival.   The event has been running since 1971, and a different city plays host each year. This year’s carnival was held in Geelong (Vic.), where 37 teams competed.   Marj Rava, from the National Youth and Young Adults Team (Tas/SA/NT) and one of the carnival organisers, said the 2024 event was a great success. Action from a women’s netball match at the Geelong carnival. “The event kicks off with an opening night where we all meet, have a meal and then join together for an ‘opening ceremony’,” she said.   “This can include games, worship and some type of message or sharing time. Then we move into games, which are played on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.   “Wednesday is a rest day, and finals are held on Saturday. Each day includes devotions, and teams play up to 12 games throughout the week. A presentation night is held on Saturday night, where awards are given out, we celebrate winning teams, and we say our goodbyes.”   This year’s carnival included Men’s A basketball, Men’s B basketball, Women’s A & B basketball, Under 18 Boys, Under 14 mixed and netball. Squads came from Western Australia, South Australia, NSW/ACT, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.    “Our key aims are to bring people who love sport together to share in a week together, build community and use this opportunity to share with participants that they belong, are loved and have purpose,” Marj said.     Macquarie Fields Salvos Youth Pastor Rachel Gorringe took seven young people along to the carnival who were part of the NSW contingent.   Rachel said her group enjoyed a fun but “meaningful” week.   “It’s a great event. It uniquely combines sports with faith, offering a space where participants can enjoy both basketball and netball while also engaging in meaningful discipleship and faith development,” she said. The ‘All Officers’ team from the Geelong carnival. “Each evening, as we gathered for dinner and devotions, our group delved into thought-provoking discussions about faith and life. The week proved to be an exceptional opportunity for building strong relationships and having significant conversations about faith, all while enjoying some great sports action!” An ‘All Officers’ team was selected at the end of the carnival and included Sherie Clarke, David Collinson, Sarah Walker, Darren Kingston, Ben, and Emma Johnson.   Results: Men’s A: SA def, NSW/ACT (86 - 60)..Men’s B: VIC def TAS (41 - 38). Women’s A: WA def SA (50-29). Women’s B: NSW/ACT def QLD (52 - 41). Netball: SA def TAS (28-14). Under 18 Boys: NSW/ACT def SA (61-57). Under 14 mixed: SA def NSW/ACT (38-32). To view more photos from the carnival, click through the slideshow below:

BY LAUREN MARTIN   The Salvation Army’s world leaders will touch down in Sydney on Monday morning (26 August) to start their whirlwind tour of the Australia Territory.   General Lyndon Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham will tour the country for a week and address Salvationists, officers, staff and volunteers in each division.   Rallies will be held in Sydney (Mon), Perth (Tues), Adelaide (Wed), Brisbane (Thurs), Hobart (Fri) and Melbourne (Sun). Officers and faith leaders will also gather for separate Officers Councils each day.   The theme for the tour is ‘Pre-eminence’.   General Buckingham said the focus will be on ensuring Jesus remains central to The Salvation Army’s mission and activity.   “Not only is he present, not only is he prominent, but in our case, he is pre-eminent,” General Buckingham said in a video message to the Australia Territory in the lead-up to the tour.   The Australia Territory rally cry – Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed – will also be at the forefront of each event.   The Buckinghams were ordained and commissioned in 1990 as officers for the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. In addition to appointments at home, they have served in various Salvation Army territories and took up their current responsibilities as world leaders on 3 August 2023.   Commissioner Bronwyn says she is inspired by the belief that God has a new truth to reveal to her daily. She is also passionate about being part of an Army where the next generation will choose to embrace their leadership calling.   General Buckingham says he’s passionate about finding ways for The Salvation Army to fulfil its mission more effectively.   Please keep General and Commissioner Buckingham and those travelling with them in your prayers as they embark on their Australian tour.   For more information, click here   The General’s itinerary:

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (centre) with youth from the Korea Territory who came to Australia for leadership training earlier this month. The Salvation Army Leadership Training (SALT) present were: Captain Charlie Jung (front), Captain Taryn Singer (far back), and senior soldiers Hyeong-eun Lee (left) and Eun-byol (Esther) Jo (right). Each week throughout this year, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   Prayer requests are shared by the focus territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.    This week (26 August-1 September) we are praying for the Korea Territory. This territory is made up of 45,644 senior soldiers, 3,970 adherents and 6464 junior soldiers. There are 210 corps, 13 outposts, 816 officers (500 active and 316 retired), 17 cadets and 2151 employees. Countries included in the Korea Territory: Kingdom of Cambodia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), Mongolia, Republic of Korea (South Korea). Prayer requests: We pray for the deep spiritual growth of all officers and soldiers according to our territorial theme of ‘Go Deeper’ in 2024. Pray that we would experience God in our lives every day through obedience to the Word, faith in action and serving others. Pray for our leadership team, that they can lead deeper changes according to the demands of the times. Pray for the sustainability of The Salvation Army through securing resources, through appropriate property development and through transparent and smooth management of finances.   Pray for Cambodia: We pray for the deep spiritual growth of local Cambodian officers and soldiers. We pray for the Officers’ Capacity Building Training in September and the Officers’ Brengle Seminar in November. We pray that we can work in Cambodia under the name of The Salvation Army rather than a local NGO. We pray for the human resources and material resources needed for the Salvation Army work in Cambodia to be self-supporting.   For more information about the Korea Territory, click here . Find out more about Korea Territory     For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here .

More than 140 people attended the family get-together to have fun and enjoy making Lego masterpieces. BY LERISSE SMITH   A buzz of excitement filled the air at Melbourne’s Camberwell Corps as church families created dazzling masterpieces at a recent Lego family fun night.   The Lego get-together drew more than 140 people. Television Lego Masters star Ryan Evans ran the event and thrilled the audience with his presence and creativity.   The main purpose of the event was to gather everyone together and enjoy a family night out while also connecting with each other.   “The kids loved it,” said Meredith Daniels, Children and Youth Ministry Assistant at Camberwell Corps.   “It was a great success. It brought in families that normally wouldn’t come. All families were connected in some way to the corps, such as Just Brass, corps families, and grandkids of corps members. It was great to get everyone together, have a family night out, and connect with each other. COVID killed a lot of fun nights, so we are trying to bring back gatherings.”   Meredith said many families in Camberwell did not live in the area and came from far and wide to attend the church. New families also formed part of the church.   Corps Sergeant Major Allen Dickson helped organise the Lego event with Ryan, which fostered creativity and allowed children to have some screen-free time.   The church plans to hold more fun and get-togethers in the future. Next on the list is a bush dance.   “Camberwell is a welcoming place,” she said. “Everyone walks in and feels comfortable.”   Camberwell Corps families immerse themselves in creating colourful Lego masterpieces.

General Lyndon Buckingham preaches in Sydney on the first stop of his tour of Australia. All photos: Steve Haworth BY LAUREN MARTIN   Hundreds of Salvationists and friends gathered in Sydney last night for the first Australian rally to mark the visit of The Salvation Army’s world leaders, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham.   NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Kim Haworth welcomed those gathered and said to the Buckinghams that they were “starting their tour of Australia in the best division!”   The Buckinghams and those gathered enjoyed worship with the Sydney Staff Songsters and a combined band comprising Parramatta Corps Band, Sydney Youth Band and Salvation Brass members. The worship ensemble – led by Rockdale Corps Officer Aux-Lieut Renata Davies and made up of Salvos from Auburn, Rockdale, Sydney Congress Hall, Norwest and Shire Salvos – anchored the evening by leading the congregation in song and praise. A highlight of the evening was a Welcome to Country that included Indigenous dance, song, language and poetry. The Sydney Staff Songsters performing at the Sydney Rally. In an inspiring and animated address, the General said he sensed that this was a time when the Holy Spirit was stirring over his people, and he urged Salvationists not to miss it.   “In the midst of all the darkness, in the midst of all the uncertainty, in the midst of all of the pain that is the reality of our world right now, God is stirring up his people, that we might be a healing balm, an antidote, light, salt, the aroma of Christ. Hope, in a hopeless world,” he said.   “Where do you want the King to be in your life,” he cried out to those gathered. “Present? Prominent? Or preeminent? I’m telling you, the action, the dynamism, the excitement, that all unleashes … in the surrender, in the making ourselves available.”   Three young people of the NSW/ACT Division interviewing the General and Commissioner Buckingham. Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Bronwyn and General Lyndon were interviewed by three young Salvationists, Jessica Sesay, Christian Davies and Naomi Meredith, with Commissioner Bronwyn encouraging them that young people across The Salvation Army world are rising up: “God is at work amongst the children and the teenagers and the young adults of our Salvation Army. And that, to me, is really, really exciting!”   Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham bringing a word at the Sydney Rally. There was also a presentation from leaders of three Army expressions – Mark Soper (Shire Salvos), Aux-Lieut Amanda Pethybridge (Rouse Hill) and Aux-Lieut David Hopewell (Wagga Wagga) – who expanded on the ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ rally cry of the Australia Territory.   During the meeting, the Territorial Commander of the Australia Territory, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, announced the formation of a new Salvation Army Australia award – the ‘Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award’ for pioneering new faith expressions. ( Full story here )   Commissioner Gluyas said she had recently awarded the very first Cutmore Award to Commissioners Ian and Nancy themselves for their role in pioneering the work of The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea.   The evening culminated with a rousing rendition of O Boundless Salvation and a blessing and benediction from Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett.   The Buckinghams attended an event at Territorial Headquarters in Redfern this morning before flying to Perth for a night rally at Perth Fortress Corps. For more photos of the Sydney Rally, click through the slideshow below: