More than 200 people turned out for the annual Homelessness SA memorial event in Adelaide. Homelessness SA recently hosted the annual memorial to remember those who have passed away while experiencing homelessness in South Australia.   Representatives of The Salvation Army joined with approximately 200 others at Tarntanyangga/ Victoria Square in Adelaide on 9 August. Each year, people tragically lose their lives while experiencing homelessness. Spikes in the cost of living and a lack of housing have seen an increase in need across Australia, with more turning to services for support.Adelaide, in particular, has experienced the sharpest inflation in food of any capital city and has the lowest vacancy rates in Australia.   Homelessness has increased in South Australia since 2016, with demand for services rising by 60 per cent over the past four years. The rate of homelessness has increased by more than 14 per cent in the past five years. An estimated 170 individuals sleep rough on the streets of Adelaide every night.   Allen Edwards provided the Welcome to Country. The event was made possible due to the contributions of the Homelessness SA team, Fred’s Van, and the Salvos team. – Anthony Castle

Mission pioneers Steve Medved, Lauren Martin and Pam O’Dea after being presented with their Cutmore Awards at the General’s Sydney Rally on Monday 26 August. Photo: Steve Haworth BY DEAN SIMPSON Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas has introduced a new award – the Cutmore Award – named after Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore, Australian officers who pioneered The Salvation Army’s work in Papua New Guinea more than 60 years ago.   The first recipients were the Cutmores themselves, who were surprised and delighted when Miriam visited their home and presented them with the award – personally named the Pioneering Award.   “Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore are heroes of the faith,” Miriam said.   “When Ian was a young lieutenant, his commissioner asked him to go to Papua New Guinea. When Ian asked what he wanted him to do there, the commissioner said, ‘I don’t really know. Just go and do something!’ And he did.”   The Salvation Army officially commenced in Papua New Guinea on 31 August 1956. The first officers appointed to work in PNG were Major Keith and Mrs Major Edna Baker, and Lieut Ian Cutmore (now retired commissioner). Commissioner Miriam Gluyas presents Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore with the Pioneering Award at their Port Macquarie home. NSW/ACT recipients Miriam augured the new award, officially known as the Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award, to reward Salvos with an exceptional pioneering spirit. The first three recipients were honoured at the General’s Sydney Rally on Monday night – Steve Medved (Mission Leader in Central West NSW), Lauren Martin (Shire Salvos Communities of Hope Facilitator) and Pam O’Dea (Northlakes Corps Leader).   “We thank God for our pioneers and planters today. We celebrate them,” Miriam said “But we need more people who will ‘just go and do something’ and be amazed by what God does.”   Miriam said the three recipients of the new award were outstanding examples of Salvos who “embraced a pioneering spirit”.   The NSW/ACT Division provided the territorial commander with a heartfelt tribute about each recipient and their impact on their respective communities, which Salvos Online shares below:   Steve Medved “Winning souls for the Kingdom and God is Steve’s passion. He is a gifted evangelist who loves sharing his story and the gospel message. Steve has reignited the work of the gospel through The Salvation Army in Bathurst, Lithgow and Mudgee. Steve and his wife, Julie, love the people that God has given them, and their desire is to see them all reach their full potential in Christ. Recently, members of the Bathurst, Mudgee and Lithgow corps came together to celebrate the enrolment of 12 senior soldiers, two junior soldier and two adherents. Two senior soldiers from Lithgow recently attended the Leading in Place weekend at Collaroy and have also been set on fire to minister to their local community.”   Lauren Martin “Lauren has an evangelical and apostolic gift and she continues to create new ways for people to meet and hear from God. She has an ability to love people into the kingdom and is always ready to be interrupted for the God moments and conversations. Lauren has a big heart for people and a deep desire for them to come to know Jesus as their personal Saviour and friend. In Helensburgh (south of Sydney), you’ll see Lauren running a Bible study in the Salvos Store, supporting vulnerable people and families, running fundraisers or having coffee and meeting clients at The Cupbearer Café and running groups that allow for God conversations. Lauren brings the best out of others and is always willing to try something new if it helps her be missional. Lauren’s intentionality is such an inspiration as she maximises her impact for the kingdom. Lauren is a bundle of joy and makes Jesus known through just living her every day.”   Pam O'Dea   “Pam has been faithfully leading Northlakes Salvation Army (NSW Central Coast) for over 20 years. Northlakes is a thriving church community, where prayer and small groups are an integral part of its culture. Under Pam’s leadership, Northlakes has become a multi-generational faith community, a place that connects with its community, and one that continues to have leadership that is 100 per cent volunteer. Including Pam, who is also the principal at St Phillips Christian College. Pam carries a passion to identify and equip emerging leaders, seeing each person reach their fullest potential in and through Christ.” More Cutmore Awards will be presented at rallies in each state as the General’s tour continues throughout the week.  Purchase a copy of Commissioner Ian Cutmore’s book on the pioneering work in Papua New Guinea. Not Weary Yet: Inspiring Snippets of The Salvation Army Papua New Guinea Story  is available from Salvationist Supplies by emailing trade.sydney@salvationarmy.org.au  or trade.melbourne@salvationarmy.org.au or by calling Sydney Salvationist Supplies (1800 634 209) and Melbourne Salvation Army Supplies (1800 100 018). If any one person, corps, division or territory wants to buy 10 copies or more they can email Cheryl.tinker@salvationarmy.org.au  and they will get them at the wholesale price of $25 each plus postage. To read about the book’s launch, click here

South Korean Salvationist Esther Jo conducts an impromptu interview with General Lyndon Buckingham. BY LAUREN MARTIN   A group of South Korean Salvationists travelling in Australia on a leadership training course were thrilled to meet General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham during the Sydney Rally.   The young adults have been in Australia for two weeks, visiting Salvation Army centres like Melbourne 614 and Sydney’s William Booth House and learning different mission and ministry techniques. When given the opportunity to meet General Buckingham, the group formulated three questions on leadership to ask him.   • What kind of leader is a good leader? • Could you say something to young leaders in The Salvation Army? • What kind of problems are we facing right now as Christians? Commissioner Miriam Gluyas is interviewed about leadership by a group of South Korean Salvation Army youth-in-training. The group had their photo taken with General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham and The Salvation Army’s Australian mascot, ‘Shieldy’. They also videoed their interview with the General. Earlier in the day, they interviewed Australia Territory Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas with similar questions.   “We were so excited to get the chance to meet the General because we want to be good leaders,” said a spokesperson for the group, Esther Jo. “We want to mimic Jesus, and he is one of the ‘mimicking Jesus’ leaders – that’s why we were so excited to meet and speak with him.”   The group will not only take home experiences that will shape their mission and ministry into the future, but they’ll also have footage and photos to share with their friends about the day they chatted with the world leader of The Salvation Army.   About 30 young Salvationists from South Korea who are in Australia on a leadership training tour had the chance to meet the world leaders of The Salvation Army, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham.

General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham stand with Bella Stobie as she prays during the Perth Rally on Tuesday night. Photo: Peter Mazanec BY LAUREN MARTIN   The heartfelt prayer of an 11-year-old – that The Salvation Army would be sold out to Jesus – set the scene for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit at the General’s rally in Perth on Tuesday night.   Bella Stobie, a Junior Soldier at Perth Fortress Corps, said she was shocked but excited when asked to prepare a prayer for the Western Australia Divisional event as part of General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham’s Australian tour.   When she stood at the pulpit, the Buckinghams moved forward to stand with her, and in a small, clear voice, she began. Bella’s prayer impacted everyone in the room at Perth Fortress Corps. Photo: Miriam Gluyas “We pray that everywhere there is a red shield, that they would brightly shine the love of Jesus. We want everyone in Western Australia to know Jesus as their Saviour and best friend,” she said. But prayers didn’t stop at the divisional border. Bella prayed that The Salvation Army in Australia would be a ‘mighty Jesus army’.   “Give us courage, give us boldness and give us a big faith to turn this country upside down with the love of Jesus,” to which those gathered added a resounding, “Amen.”   Dozens of children and young people took part in the rally, from Balga Corps’ Just Brass and Just Dance segment to Bella’s prayer and the choice of two young adults – Samuel Gibson, of Perth Fortress Corps, and Claire Castley, WA Youth and Young Adults Secretary – to interview the Buckinghams on stage.   The Perth Rally was well attended by Salvationists and friends from around the Western Australia Division. Photo: Peter Mazanec During the interview, Commissioner Bronwyn shared about the first time she gave her life to Christ, at the mercy seat during a Salvation Army meeting when she was a child: “I was only eight years old, but that was real for me because I can take myself back to that moment right now and feel those feelings and it tells me that the decision of a child for Jesus is real. And we must never, ever underestimate what the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of children and that they have so much to teach us who are older.”   During his message, General Buckingham spoke about the difference between having Jesus as ‘present’, ‘prominent’ or ‘pre-eminent’ in our lives and our Salvation Army movement. General Buckingham preaching during the Perth Rally. Photo: Peter Mazanec “The Salvation Army around the world is going to be a powerful salvation army when we reclaim and reposition the Lord Jesus Christ as the risen King of Kings within the movement.”   When speaking about what God had been revealing to him personally about pre-eminence, the General said, “I’m on a journey, just like you, on endeavouring to ensure that the living Christ stays pre-eminent in my life.”   He challenged those gathered to kneel before the Lord and yield themselves in worship, adoration, surrender and obedience. Many people, including young Bella Stobie, responded at the mercy seat.  During the Perth Rally, Morley Corps Officer Major Jo Brookshaw engaged in worship through art, painting a beautiful image on canvas depicting a hand holding sprouting seeds. Photo: Peter Mazanec

The Buckinghams with recipients of Cutmore Awards in Perth – Auxiliary-Lieutenants Marenda and Steve Freind (centre) and Major Nikki and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Mark Curtis. Photo: Peter Mazanec BY LAUREN MARTIN   Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas surprised four Salvation Army officers at the General’s rally in Perth with special recognition for their work in new ministry and faith spaces.   Receiving Cutmore Awards in the presence of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham at Perth Fortress Corps were Major Nikki and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Mark Curtis, and Auxiliary-Lieutenants Steven and Marenda Freind. Major Nikki and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Mark Curtis are appointed to the Garden of Hope (Mark) and Armadale Mission Centre (Nikki).    The Garden of Hope, located near a Salvation Army aged care centre and the Harry Hunter Centre for people struggling with addiction, is a place where people encounter a loving community.   It’s been a place of hope since 2014 after Mark followed the leading of God when he came to him in a dream in 2013 and told him to start a ‘Garden of Hope’.   “I didn’t know anything about gardening or even like it!” he later admitted. But God has used Mark’s obedience and created the garden to be a place where people experience the Kingdom of God and encounter Jesus through a loving community.  Major Nikki and Auxiliary-Lieutenant Mark Curtis with their award. Photo: Peter Mazanec In honouring them at the Perth Rally, Miriam said she’s been to the Garden of Hope and “I’ve heard some of the stories and the testimonies … and God is doing a great thing.”    Following the rally, the couple said they were stunned to be chosen for the honour.   “It feels a bit unnecessary,” said Nikki, “We’re just doing what we think God’s called us to do; we’re just being led by him.”    Mark added that it’s great to be appreciated, and for him, doing life and faith outside of a corps setting doesn’t feel so much “new” as returning to the original Salvation Army mission.   “I feel like it’s just going back to our roots,” he said. “Just getting out of the building and just meeting people where they’re at. I don’t think it’s anything ‘different’ ... it’s just what we were originally called to do!”   “ ... you don’t do that for any accolades … you just trust God in what you’re doing. We are very honoured and privileged to receive our award tonight.” Auxiliary-Lieutenants Steve and Marenda Freind have a joint appointment at Ellenbrook, a mission expression operating within a Salvos Store with Doorways and ministry in several schools. Their ministry isn’t so much about building a faith community but rather about changing communities.  Auxiliary-Lieutenants Steve and Marenda Freind with their award. Photo: Miriam Gluyas “As the General said tonight, the first point of accepting the call of God in your life is surrender and humility,” said Steve after the meeting. “And you don’t do that for any accolades … you just trust God in what you’re doing. We are very honoured and privileged to receive our award tonight.”   Marenda said she’s thankful for the freedom that Salvation Army leadership has given them to follow the spirit’s leading: “We have been given total trust and freedom to discern what god is doing and join up with that plan.”   She says she hopes that others in The Salvation Army will step out in faith. “Be brave enough to ask the question – what does God want from you? What are God’s plans and desires for you? Are you brave enough to ask the question? Are you brave enough to answer the question? Are you brave enough to be obedient?”

“Please join us in prayers for Ukraine,” writes Ivan, who oversees The Salvation Army Ukraine's Facebook page. “On Monday, August 26th, Ukraine survived the longest and the biggest aerial attack on its sovereign territories. The attack lasted over eight hours. “Russia shelled around 230 highly technological and difficult-to-intercept missiles and drones. Thankfully, the majority of missiles and drones were intercepted, thanks to the modern technologies provided by the civilised world. However, there are some casualties and demolitions of the critical infrastructure. Please join us in prayers for peace and victory. “The light always overcomes the darkness!”

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas’ book is now available to purchase. BY LAUREN MARTIN   A new book by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas is being gifted to officers and mission leaders across the country this week.   Produced by Salvos Publishing , the book – Our Rallying Cry , Commissioner Miriam Gluyas with Auxiliary-Lieutenant Rosy Keane and storytellers of our movement – delves into the three tenants of the Australia Territory rallying cry: ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ and shares stories from across the territory.   Released in time for the visit of the Salvation Army’s world leaders, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, each officer and mission leader is receiving a copy of the book at divisional rallies across the country.  Lieut-Colonel Stuart Reid and Aux-Lieut Rosy Keane promoting the book at a stand at one of the General’s rallies this week. In the book, Miriam shares her own mission statement, which she developed early on in her life and has never wavered from. It is to “ live life to the full ”, “ love God, others and self” , and “ make a difference in someone’s life every day ”.   She said she has always loved stories and has heard and witnessed so many during her officership. Then, someone suggested she start writing them down. “So, I would just sit and write and delight in the people that God has put in my path and the beautiful way that they have impacted my life.”   Another officer then challenged her to write a book with the stories and focus it on the ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ rallying cry. “I asked people from around the nation to contribute, and what a testament the end result is to the goodness of God, and the delight of his people.”   The book is on general sale at the General’s rallies throughout the week for $20 and from Salvos Publishing for $25.

Serhii Nika, leader of the Scout Movement in the Eastern Europe Territory, works with some of the young scouts in teaching a range of values and skills. The worldwide Scout Movement is growing in the Ukraine Division of The Salvation Army – as the war rages around the country. Communications specialist for the division, Ivan Berezkin, interviewed Major Konstantyn Shvab, Ukraine Divisional Commander, about the recent summer (northern hemisphere) camp, themed ‘No darkness’. An excerpt of the interview is below. Major Konstantyn Shvab (left) at the scout camp with Captain Dmitrij Bessmolnyj. Ivan: Can you tell us about the Scout Movement in the division? Konstantyn:  The Scout Movement of the Ukraine Division is a general educational movement for youth and children. The scouting movement contributes to the development of the individual as a citizen with social and public responsibilities. At the same time, the Scout Movement is also a spiritual movement because the foundation of it is a faith in God. Christianity and the preaching of the Gospel occupies a prominent place in the Scout Movement of The Salvation Army Ukraine Division.   Ivan: What role did the summer camp play in growing this movement? Konstantyn:  It expanded significantly; it was a big breakthrough thanks to this camp. The camp lasted six days this year, and six corps participated. Three corps already had active scouting programs, and three additional corps joined the Scout Movement thanks to this camp. We have accepted new leaders, and they will now return to their corps and begin the formation of Scouting units. We had 45 people at the camp, with 35 being children and youth. The camp took place in different locations. Participants learned to tie knots, to build different things, how to survive in nature. They went through all this to pass certain standards and to be accepted into the scouts. Bible studies, worship and praise are foundational elements at the camp. Ivan: Can you tell us about the spiritual focus of the camp? Konstantyn:  The Scout Movement itself cannot be without faith. Spiritual activities with reading the Bible, meditation, prayers – all of that was part of the camp program. Every morning, at one of the locations that the participants visited, there were spiritual reflections, Bible readings and prayers. The evening general assembly was also accompanied by prayer.   Ivan: How does scouting contribute to recovering from the consequences of war? Konstantyn:  It comes from unity with nature, developing character. Children can experience “today, now” because post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as other psychological traumas, are connected with the past. Hiking and the Scout Movement can switch a person to the fact that they are “here and now”, it has a very positive and practical effect on a person’s psychological recovery. Children learn a range of practical skills as part of scouting. Ivan: What do you see as the future of the Scout Movement in Ukraine? Konstantyn:  I see a great future. We have planned a seminar for scout leaders in November this year and in March 2025, as well as a workshop for scout leaders in 2025. We plan to learn new program in November, and then in March, our scouts will take an exam on this program. In the summer of 2025, we will run a practical implementation of the new programs. We are aiming to organise another camp that will be much larger and with several changes. We plan to welcome many more new scouts and leaders to the scout camp next year.   Ivan: What are the needs of the Scout Movement in the division? Konstantyn:  The main need is material resources, because for this we need funds – for ropes and wood, for renting sites where it should take place, for transportation, for food. It is the case for each corps in our division too. Units must arrive equipped, with tents, with everything necessary. This is the material part, and today we have a little problem with it – it is connected with the war, with the economic situation in Ukraine. Parents cannot pay any contributions to buy something at their expense. Most of the children are internally displaced people. They lack money anyway and we, accordingly, cannot take any contributions to buy something at their expense. This is the biggest problem. The children work hard to achieve their scouting goals and are proud of what they do. There is also a need for resources. We do not have developed material for The Salvation Army in Ukraine. Serhii Nika, as the Leader of the Scout Movement in the Eastern Europe Territory (of which Ukraine is part), translated some of the Australian materials on scouting. But most of the materials have not been translated yet. It would be good if next year, and we need to think about it, scouts from other countries came to us, to teach something, to share an experience. And we dream that the war will end, with God’s will, they will come to us.

General Lyndon Buckingham in full cry during his message at Adelaide City Salvos on Wednesday night. Photo: Duan Kereru  BY LAUREN MARTIN   General Lyndon Buckingham has urged Salvationists of the Australia Territory to “be ready” for a new wave of the Holy Spirit.   In an inspiring message at a packed Adelaide City Salvos auditorium on Wednesday night, The Salvation Army’s world leader challenged people to consider where Jesus stood in their lives – is he ‘present’, ‘prominent’, or ‘pre-eminent’?    “If God is hovering over the movement because he’s preparing us for the next chapter, he’s going to be looking for men and women who are not content with ‘present’, not content with ‘prominent’, but are  all-in  with the pre-eminence of the King in their lives.”   He said he sees evidence that The Salvation Army is entering a new chapter of mission and ministry.   “God the Holy Spirit is on the move, within the movement. There’s a hovering, there’s a stirring, there’s a dissatisfaction, there’s a hunger for a new wave, and that’s a beautiful thing. And there’s a sense in which God is calling us as his people to position ourselves to be ready for what it is that he needs us to be and to do in the world in these days.”   Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham shares a word during the Adelaide Rally at City Salvos on Wednesday night. Photo: Duan Kereru Earlier, during the rally hosted by the South Australia/Northern Territory Division, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham said that the world needed people of God who opened themselves to the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit.   “He speaks to us because he needs us to be his hands and feet and his voice in this world … there is no other plan; it is  us , and that’s why he speaks to us, and that’s why we must be open to hearing from him.”   The Adelaide Rally was filled with joyous and heartfelt worship, led by the Rev Church Worship Group and the Adelaide Congress Hall Brass Band, with the locally produced song  Our Redeemer  from Revolution Worship a congregation favourite.   Cutmore Award recipients Another rally highlight was the presentation of Cutmore Awards to Territorial Envoy Nathan Casey and Major Darren Dwyer.   The award is named in honour of Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore to recognise their pioneering work in establishing The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea, which they did alongside Majors Keith and Edna Baker. (Left) Major Darren Dwyer receives his Cutmore Award from General Lyndon Buckingham, and (right) Envoy Nathan Casey is presented with his award by Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. Photos: Duan Kereru Nathan has been involved in the youth and young adult space for more than 20 years, creating safe and welcoming spaces for people to discover Jesus. In recent years, the Rev Church congregation has grown into a multi-generational congregation under Nathan’s leadership.   Darren took over South Australia’s Gawler Corps in 2012, working out of a thrift shop and holding worship in a side room. Fast-forward to today and Riverside-Gawler is an intergenerational church with three congregations.   “We want this [pioneering spirit] to spread all around our nation, and it’s starting to. There’s a new day ahead!” – Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas   After the rally, Nathan was surprised and delighted to be acknowledged for “what I think is just being faithful,” he said. He urged other Salvos, with a calling from Jesus, to start new expressions of faith, or ways of being church, not to wait for permission.   “We have leadership at the moment who are saying, ‘permission is given, just step out and try, and do’… we just have to step out. That takes faith, and it takes courage, but we have a God who provides, and he’s already gone ahead.”   The Rev Church Worship Group leads the congregation in a song and praise time at the Adelaide Rally. Photo: Duan Kereru He also said he believed the General’s message about a new chapter for The Salvation Army is one for the worldwide church: “I believe that the Holy Spirit is doing something new across the world and that we are going to see the renewal of the church. It’s going to look different; it will look very different.”   Darren said he was blown away when he was called to the platform to accept his award, and he was greeted with a huge cheer from his Riverside Corps leadership team, whom he didn’t know were in attendance!   “This really belongs to my team,” he said afterwards. “They are just incredible, godly people … I love the privilege I’ve got of being part of the team at Riverside.” O priase the name of the Lord our God ... the worship time in full swing at the Adelaide Rally on Wednesday night. Photo: Duan Kereru

Majors Kirsten and Warren Elliott, of the Victoria Division, at the premiere of Limelight in Melbourne. Photo: Joel Young BY BARRY GITTINS More than 400 filmgoers attended the world premiere of Limelight – Salvation and the Silver Screen on Wednesday night, 21 August 2024, in Melbourne’s The Palms at Crown. The extravaganza was preceded by the screening of a magic lantern show by Dr Martyn Jolly, complete with live music and narrators. Director Eddie Beyrouthy told Salvos Online that the 17 months of hard work from pre-production to the premiere were challenging “but so rewarding – it wasn’t a job, or a task, it was a passion project”. Director Eddie Beyrouthy addresses the audience at the Limelight premiere. Photo: Joel Young “There was no hesitation or doubt in my mind when it came to this subject; I needed to tell a complex story, in 95 minutes, that people could connect and relate to.” Eddie sees himself as a fellow traveller with the Salvos and admires their work. “My mother is Catholic, and my father is Orthodox, so I do believe in God,” he said. “In my journey as a filmmaker, every choice I make is led by faith. I really embraced this story, celebrating The Salvation Army’s achievements.” Shooting Limelight , he added, “definitely changed my understanding of the film industry and its origins. I really wanted to share the story of the Limelight Department and the untold story of the birth of film in Australia. So many people have said to me, ‘I didn’t know The Salvation Army did this!’” Colonels Kelvin and Winsome Merrett at the premiere. Ten per cent of the night’s ticket sales and all proceeds of a silent auction held that evening were donated to The Salvation Army Australia Museum, amounting to $1460. Eddie hopes the documentary will be released by the end of the year and is exploring options for streaming platforms and DVD release for home entertainment. There are also tentative plans to tour in a Limelight Roadshow. The Salvation Army Australia Museum congratulates Eddie on his historicity, attention to detail, and visual storytelling.   Limelight is an eloquent, credible take on the story of filmmaking in Australia. He was kind to The Salvation Army and shared an informed view of the movement. Click through the slideshow below for more photos:

South Australian senior soldier Alison Fallaize was inspired to write a poem after hearing the General’s message. Main photo: Duan Kereru BY LAUREN MARTIN   The General’s message on making Jesus pre-eminent in our lives sparked a spirit of creativity in newly enrolled Adelaide senior soldier Alison Fallaize.   The world leader of the Salvation Army, General Lyndon Buckingham, has been challenging Salvos across Australia to ask themselves this question: Where is Jesus in your life and ministry? Is he just present? Maybe a prominent figure? Or is he pre-eminent – the King and rightful leader of our lives?   Alison says she came home from the Adelaide Rally on Tuesday evening feeling excited and sat down in the presence of God with her Bible and journal. The Holy Spirit spoke to her, and she wrote this poem:   In shadows cast by doubt, we seek the light,   Yet oft we place the Lord upon a shelf,   To linger there, a figure out of sight,   While life unfolds, we centre on ourselves.   But let not God be merely present here,   Nor just a voice that whispers in the night,   His presence calls us forth, dispelling fear,   To make Him pre-eminent, our guiding light.   In Jesus-centred, hearts ignite anew,   The Spirit leads us forth with hope revealed,   In every breath, His love and grace imbue,   A tapestry of faith that is concealed.   So let us rise, His glory to proclaim,   In pre-eminence, we find our truest name.   Alison was enrolled as a soldier earlier this month after journeying with The Salvation Army at Marion Corps for the past eight years.   She says a miracle brought her to the corps. After losing someone close to her, she fell into a pit of anxiety. “I had to give up work and also couldn’t leave the house.”   Her mother was offered two volunteering opportunities – one with the Salvos at Marion and one with another charity. For no particular reason, her mum chose to volunteer at the Salvos. Alison would drop in to visit her from time to time and got to know the people there.   “Gradually, I became more confident about coming in as it was a safe place for me. I was asked one day if I wanted to volunteer and help bag up the bread for the community. I said yes. I started my volunteer role and began meeting people from the church who invited me to church on Sundays. I felt this push for me to go, so I did. Since then, I have never looked back,” she says.   She could now see God’s hand in drawing her mother to volunteer at Marion Corps. “God knew I needed the help, and this was where I needed to be. We did the Alpha course, and I gave my life to Jesus on the Holy Spirit Weekend.”   Alison is one of hundreds of Salvationists who have gathered at rallies across Australia this week to mark the visit of the movement’s world leaders. There has been a celebration of what Jesus is doing in and through the movement and openness in people’s hearts to allow the Holy Spirit to lead the movement into what the General calls “a new chapter.”   NSW corps officer Lieutenant Cindy Roehrig couldn’t attend her divisional rally but received a copy of Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas’ new book, Our Rallying Cry . She said she was inspired by the stories in it, and in prayer, the Holy Spirit gave her this poem:   In quiet moments, Spirit leads, Guiding us through our deepest needs, With Jesus at the centre’s core, we find the strength to seek and soar. Hope unfolds in every dawn, With light that breaks where shadows hide. In faith, our path becomes revealed, And love’s pure truth is gently healed.

General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham at the Brisbane Rally last night, which was filled with high-energy praise and worship. All photos: Jaiden Ivers BY LAUREN MARTIN   General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham’s message for Australia – calling on Salvationists to bow the knee and make Jesus pre-eminent in all aspects of their lives and ministry – ignited an overflowing of praise and spiritual encounter at the General’s rally in Brisbane on Thursday night.   The North Brisbane Corps (NBC) auditorum was packed with officers, mission leaders, volunteers and Salvationists from across the vast Queensland Division, full of joy at the opportunity to gather, worship God and celebrate what the Holy Spirit is doing through the movement.   Retired Commissioner Jan Condon, who has met eight other Generals in her lifetime, said it was valuable for the General to worship with locals in each division “to observe and experience first-hand the spiritual energy and culture of the territory”. Festivities started early at North Brisbane Corps, with Redcliffe Corps and Just Brass bands combining for pre-rally entertainment outside the main auditorium. And the Queensland Division certainly had energy! The highly creative rally began with a Welcome to Country involving traditional song and dance, followed by an integrated worship experience featuring the Salvos Dance group, congregational singing with the worship team and the brass band. Another highlight was the rich voices of the Cairns African Choir and the Redcliffe Corps Just Brass group.   The evening was fun, funny and often slightly irreverent, with the congregation alive with delight, especially when General Lyndon Buckingham claimed Queensland as his “home state”, revealing that his great-grandfather was a pioneer who started many of Queensland’s first corps, including Gympie and Brisbane 1.    The Salvos Dance group performs at the rally. During an interview with the world leaders, conducted by the NextGen Coordinator at Carindale Corps, Luke Terracini, and the Cairns Corps Youth Ministry Coordinator, Tahlia Johnson, General Buckingham shared his personal salvation story, saying that despite going to the mercy seat at the age of six, he can look back and realise that he was a ‘cultural salvationist’, going through the motions of junior soldiership and even senior soldiership up until the age of 17 when he had a powerful Holy Spirit encounter.   “The truth of God’s love for me, in the person of Jesus, burst into my life. I was so excited,” he said, “So I rushed down to the mercy seat, and I grabbed the little form, and I just signed it straight away. And it was the candidate’s form for officership!”   Later, during his message, the General referred to that experience of Jesus simply being ‘present’ or maybe even ‘prominent’ in our lives but said it’s not until the King of Kings gains ‘pre-eminence’ in us that Jesus can fully use us in his grand plan to transform the world.  The Cairns Corps African Choir brought a vibrant experience to the evening with their rich voices. “The Lord is raising up, around the globe, men and women who will be salt, who will be light, who will be the aroma of Christ. He’s pouring his Spirit out. Who is he pouring his Spirit out on? Not people who are content for him to be present or just people who are content to have him as a prominent person in their life … he is pouring his Spirit out on men and women, regardless of their age, who are prepared to bow the knee, surrender themselves to his Lordship in their life and are willing to make him the pre-eminent focus of their living and being. And I’m asking the question tonight – are you one of them?”   In a time of worship after the message, Salvationists from all generations, including a large group of young people, knelt at the mercy seat.   One of them was Ellen Gittins, who said she had never heard the term ‘pre-eminence’ before, and when the General explained it, she knew God was calling her to respond. “My friend and I were kind of like, ‘Do we go? Do we not go? [to the mercy seat.] And we went down, and it was really cool because there was a group of us on the floor in a little huddle, and then all our mums came, and our pastor came and stood around us and prayed for us. It was a great experience.”   The worship time was a particularly meaningful part of the Brisbane Rally. Luke Terracini said afterwards that the world leaders’ messages resonated with what he felt God was already doing across the Queensland Division, bringing new people into encounters with Jesus, particularly amongst young people.   “The Army is going to be built on our emerging generations coming through, so seeing them responding to God tonight, not necessarily to the Army, but to God, is really encouraging.”   Inspiring Officers Councils   Salvation Army officers and mission leaders participated in an Officers Councils before the evening rally. They said the teaching on Psalm 23 on personal holiness and taking time to sit at the Lord’s Table to lead by example was inspiring and refreshing.   “It was probably the most inspiring message I’ve heard for a long time,” said Queensland Area Officer Major Neil Clanfield. “It’s a line-in-the-sand moment, and we need to come together [as a movement] and be inspired.”   General Lyndon Buckingham in full flight during his message to Queenslanders at the Brisbane Rally. Caboolture Corps Officer Captain Danielle Cook agreed, saying, “It’s so on-point for where I think we’ve all been sitting and a perfect word for us for where we are right now.”   Tweed Heads Corps Officers Majors John and Nicole Viles said they were left wanting more at the end of the world leaders’ messages. They said shifting the focus away from The Salvation Army and onto Christ being the real head of our movement was a ‘word-in-season’ for The Salvation Army in Australia.   “While we love The Salvation Army, we are all at the point where – it’s not about The Salvation Army – it’s about Jesus. It’s about the Kingdom of God, and to hear him [General Lyndon Buckingham] focus on that, I think, resonates with people’s hearts,” said Nicole, with John adding: “The General’s not preaching ‘The Salvation Army’; he’s preaching the gospel ... he’s preaching the Kingdom of God, and that’s what we’re about. We’re not about  a  movement – we’re about  the  movement!” Click through the slideshow below for more photos by Jaiden Ivers: