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SAGALA started in 2010 as a mentoring group for young people facing hardship. “We are a place that puts young people who find themselves on the margins into the centre. And we treat them like they’re our own family,” says Major Cate Shanks (Community Outreach Officer – Frankston North). The team of leaders and mentors work with young people and families to build community, acceptance and trust. Providing a support network that is fun, social and a safe haven when life is tough.

Friends, How are you? I have a great feeling about this year. I really sense that it is a new day, and that we will now walk in that. It’s time. I know this. The Kingdom of God is advancing, and my/our God is good! I love the Word of God. So much gold ... “I recall all you have done, O Lord. I remember your wonderful deeds … They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. O God, your ways are holy.‌” (Psalm 77:11-13a NLT) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!” (Psalm 103:1) This is what God says, ‌“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see if? There it is. I’m making a way through the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18) I love the idea of looking back over the year/years and using ‘Examen’: Remember, rejoice, repent ... and now, at the beginning of 2024, I believe that God is asking us to be ready! William Bridges, who has written an excellent book, Transitions, has done some great work on this subject. You might like to look up his work or read his book. William talks about three stages: Endings ‌Neutral zone ‌New beginnings You experience a lot of different feelings in each: Endings ... shock, anger, denial, fear, sadness Neutral zone ... confusion, disorientation, frustration, scepticism, apathy New beginnings ... excitement, energy, commitment Check out the story of the Israelites in Joshua 3. It’s time to cross the Jordan. Their journey from Egypt into the wilderness and across that river was enormous, and I reckon they experienced all of those feelings. And now, in Joshua 3:5: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you”. Well, I don’t know about you, but I am so ready for the ‘new beginnings’, and I am going there. I am ready to ‘step into the Jordan’ (even though it is in flood!). I am ready to leave Egypt behind (no going back), and I am so ready to be part of the amazing things that God will do among us, as we write the new story. Are you coming? I hope so. So, this is what will be key over the next few years ... and we all need to be singing from the same song sheet: Our rallying cry becoming a strong reality, ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and hope revealed’. The way we do things around here. ‌Advancing and not retreating. Areas formed, all throughout Australia, with ‘Gathered Worship Communities’, ‘Communities of Hope’, and ‘Community Tables’, the priority on prayer, discipleship, great culture, spirituality and raising leaders. Every expression working collaboratively. ‌Different ways of leading in the Army. Officers, auxiliary-lieutenants, ministry leaders and more. People ‘tapped on the shoulder’. ‌Blue-sky thinking, for provision and dependence on God. ‌Focusing on the primary issues, and not being distracted by other issues. ‌The Salvation Army being what God called it to be in both belief and practice. ‌Passion ignited and systems simplified. ‌Writing a new, good, faith-filled, hope-filled story. Loving who God has called us to be and living it out beautifully. Calling out the gold in one another. Come on friends. It’s time. ‌ Bless you. Grateful to you and for you. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas Territorial Commander ‌The Salvation Army Australia Territory

To read Stanley’s tribute, click here

Salvation Army volunteers and personnel in the NSW Hunter region were honoured with a ‘Significant Contribution’ award for their service to the community during the Hunter Valley bus tragedy in June 2023. Ten people were killed and 25 taken to hospital from the crash. The Salvation Army’s SAES Hunter and Central Coast regional coordinator, Hans Schryver, said volunteers gave their time to assist with catering and a listening ear at the site for 10 days following the tragedy. The award was presented to the SAES at a Cessnock City Council Australia Day Celebrations and Awards ceremony.

The role of the Divisional Commander (DC) is to support programs and services mainly offered in corps and faith communities within a geographical area and ensure all parts of The Salvation Army are working together to achieve our vision and mission. We caught up with our DCs to see what they are looking forward to in 2024. Our Divisional Commanders: Queensland: Major Mark Everitt NSW/ACT: Major Kim Haworth South Australia/Northern Territory: Major Paul Hateley Tasmania: Major Tracy Briggs Victoria: Colonel Kelvin Merrett Western Australia: Major Brad Potter What are you looking forward to the most in 2024? Major Mark Everitt (Qld) says, “Returning to what is my home state of Queensland (after 23 years of serving in NSW/ACT Division) is a great thrill and sort of like a bookend to my life. I’m looking forward to catching up with lifelong friends and meeting new ones. And I’m looking forward to seeing what God has been up to in those 23 years of being away.” Major Kim Haworth (NSW/ACT) is looking forward to continuing the journey of serving God through The Salvation Army and partnering with him in mission throughout the NSW/ACT Division. She said, “I’m encouraged and truly blessed to work alongside some amazing people in this division and the broader movement. My passion is for the frontline, so anything I can do to empower and support our frontline in their work of seeing people’s lives transformed by the love of Jesus is my aim. We have a miracle-working God and a wonderful story to tell. These are challenging and exciting days of opportunity for us as the people of God.” Major Paul Hateley (SA/NT) says he is observing the green shoots of growth that are appearing throughout the South Australia/Northern Territory Division after the dormancy that COVID brought. “I see people coming along to corps who have first connected with a social program. I see people coming to faith through the ministry of our corps, our chaplains and our social program staff. I see various Salvation Army corps, centres, stores and programs, which are placed together in a geographical area, hold hands in mission and work together for the greater good.” Major Tracy Briggs (Tas) began her role as Tasmania Divisional Commander in March 2023 and says it was a steep learning curve. “There is an amazing team here in Tasmania throughout all Salvation Army expressions, and I am really excited to be working with them in 2024. I’m incredibly grateful to God for each of them and continue to pray for them as we build an even stronger connection as we seek God’s guidance and serve together to see lives transformed with the love of Jesus through being Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and seeing hope revealed across Tasmania in 2024. On a personal note, our second grandbaby is due in March, and I cannot wait!” Colonel Kelvin Merrett (Vic) is looking forward to continuing the momentum of ‘Recasting The Net’ in the Victoria Division. “This is a journey that is now 18 months old, and it’s great to see the traction taking place as our local corps reimagine the vision of what it looks like to be The Salvation Army in 2024 and beyond. Some exciting things are being planned, and we have a great opportunity to refocus The Salvation Army.” Major Brad Potter (WA) says the Western Australia Division reflects The Salvation Army’s belief in the intrinsic value of every person as it serves the community with the love of Jesus. He is proud of the Army’s relationship with the community and is looking forward to continuing this partnership.  He says, “I am aware of the overwhelming generosity of the WA community who underpin and build our capacity to provide hope to those in greatest need. We (as a division) remain as committed as ever together with our friends and partners to work with great speed and determination in delivering hope, dignity, justice, compassion and a sense of community.” What is your focus in 2024? Mark (Qld) says his focus for this first year will be observing, listening and understanding. “Our creator God has been present and active in this state, and I would thank Majors Gavin and Wendy for all they have done. It’s that learning curve for me in 2024.” Kim (NSW/ACT) says it is to listen to the Spirit of God and do what he says. As a member of the National Leadership, her focus is on leading the NSW/ACT Divisional Team and continuing to work on implementing the National Strategy through Local Mission Delivery and our Divisional Plan. “This includes supporting our frontline, especially corps and faith mission expressions, as well as progressing exciting projects that position us to best serve our communities and those in need across NSW/ACT. My focus is on the spiritual leadership of this division, plus collaborative oversight across all aspects of our mission delivery.” Paul (SA/NT) says his focus this year will be twofold. “Continue to strengthen the understanding of what being Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and revealers of hope looks like in Salvos as individuals and as a collective of God’s people. And to encourage sustainable models of ministry that will bring about growth for God’s Kingdom.” Tracy (Tas) has three focus points for 2024: 1.     Personal prayer, Scripture, Sabbaths and Retreat days 2.     Raising the Spiritual temperature in Tasmania through prayers, training, conversations and relationships 3.     Intentional Discipleship Kelvin (Vic) says his focus this year is a continued emphasis on ‘Recasting the Net’. “This is vital to the future of The Salvation Army in Victoria. It has been so encouraging as I have shared this ‘picture’ in 30 different engagements in Victoria over the past 18 months, and to see the enthusiasm of officers and corps personnel as they engage in the opportunity of recasting what the future for The Salvation Army will be in their local area.  My focus is to keep that momentum going.” What is your inspiration for the new year? Mark (Qld): The whole reason the DC’s role exists – at least in my present understanding – is to ensure The Salvation Army’s frontline is understanding and fulfilling God’s calling for our movement. To spiritually, strategically and practically support the frontline is central to any form of headquarters in this Army. My inspiration is my Saviour’s example:“Though he was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phillippians 2) Kim (NSW/ACT): Over Christmas, I was inspired and blown away by reading about the life of Rees Howells*.  Rees was an incredible intercessor for the Lord, who accomplished a great deal in his earthly life.  He was part of the Welsh Revival of the early 1900s. His obedience and Holy Spirit-filled commitment to the Lord was breathtaking.  The dedication of his life to the mission of God meant that he was used mightily by the Lord for his purposes. My desire is that the Lord would find in me, and in our people, the same heart, willingness and dedication. My prayer is that the Lord will continue to do incredible things through us to change lives, communities and our country! Paul (SA/NT): God created us for community; therefore, we lead out of relationship, not out of a command and control transaction. Tracy (Tas): To live in the moment and encounter the present. Not to look back to the past or to the future with such a deep longing that I miss what God is saying and doing right now today! A favourite Scripture verse of mine is found in Revelation chapter 7, I love the whole chapter, but the last verse never fails to stir my heart when I picture it: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” I find these words a powerful imagery of our Heavenly Father coming with compassion and love, gently wiping away my tears and those of countless others. If you can, for a moment, just imagine all the tears you have shed for many different reasons over the years and then think of all those who are crying today and picture the most gentle kind hand wiping them away until every face is shining with the most brilliant smile, oh wow that precious image spurs me on and encourages me to be His hands and feet today! Kelvin (Vic): My catch verse has always been Philippians 4-13: “I can do all of this through him who gives me strength”. This is a consistent reminder that everything we do needs to be in the strength of our Lord. How important it is that we bring him along the journey – or more importantly, it is his journey that we are on!

BY LERISSE SMITH It all began under a humble gum tree in Adelaide’s Botanic Park on 5 September 1880. Two converts of William Booth’s new ‘Salvation Army’ – Edward Saunders and John Gore – staged the first unofficial Army meeting in Australia from the back of a greengrocer’s cart. The following year, the first officers arrived from London – Captain and Mrs Thomas Sutherland – and The Salvation Army made an official start, spreading like wildfire. One of the towns that ‘caught the fire’ was Kaniva, a rural community 300km south-east of Adelaide, just across the border in Victoria. Two Salvation Army soldiers, affectionately known as ‘Satchel and Cook’, had moved into the Kaniva farming district and set about making converts and establishing a corps. Little did they know that their initiative would result in The Salvation Army serving the vibrant community for the next 140 years. In a bittersweet moment, Kaniva Corps recently celebrated its 140th anniversary at the same time as closing its doors. The COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in church membership were the catalyst for Kaniva closing. The corps was also no longer financially viable. The celebratory service on 31 December 2023 at its church building in Progress St featured the Horsham Corps band and a worship group from a Samoan fellowship that will now use the Army hall. A community Christmas carols by candlelight event also formed part of the celebration. “I wanted to finish very well,” said Major Karen Armstrong, who was Corps Officer at Kaniva. “I kept saying to the people of Kaniva, it might be The Salvation Army shutting their doors, but it’s not God. God is just going to take you on a different journey. He is saying, from Isaiah 42, ‘I can still do something new’, and that’s what my message was based on at the last service – that God was going to do something new.” The Army comes to town After ‘Satchel and Cook’ established The Salvation Army’s footing in Kaniva in 1883, they were soon followed by Envoy Samuel Dalling, who arrived as a fresh convert from Mount Gambier. By profession a vet, Samuel moved around the district giving the gospel message wherever he went and commenced cottage meetings at Lawloit, Lillimur, Yearinga, Yanac South and Kaniva. Many converts were made, including the well-respected Envoy J.L. Judd of South Yanac. A call went out for an officer, and a corps commenced at South Yanac with 60 soldiers being placed on the roll. It was decided to move The Salvation Army from Yanac South to Kaniva where the first citadel was erected on June 12, 1889, under the command of Captain James Duncan. During the next 16 years, there were no less than 30 officers that moved rapidly throughout that period. The daughter of Envoy Dalling, Mrs FJ Vivian, known as ‘Eva’, became an officer and for four years served in Western Australia before having to return for home duty as her mother was ill. She settled in Kaniva and served the community for 42 years before retirement. Historical records further document that the ‘Three Envoys’ – Dallings, Envoy Judd and Mrs FJ Vivian – became eminent names in The Salvation Army in Victoria. Apparently, they didn’t take too well to wearing The Salvation Army cap, so wore black felt trilby hats – and hence were known as ‘The Three Bishops!’  Many of their descendants became Army officers and served for many years to come at Kaniva. A beautiful appointment During Kaniva’s entire history, more than 40 corps officers have served the community, including current Victorian Divisional Commander Colonel Kelvin Merrett and Captains Chris and Tracey Sutton, Corps Officers at nearby Horsham. Its building on Progress Street was built in the 1950s, with renovations taking place in the proceeding years. It was the legacy of all those involved in the rich history of Kaniva that Major Karen Armstrong embraced when she arrived at Kaniva in November 2022 to serve as corps officer to both Kaniva and the neighbouring Broughton Corps (which remains open) and as rural chaplain for the West Wimmera area. “It was a beautiful, beautiful appointment,” Karen said. “I found there was a richness in their faith which I thoroughly enjoyed. People cared for each other. They understand the land. When you look at the Bible, you see the stories that Jesus taught; you would be right in amongst it when Jesus is talking about the wheat fields because that's what they’re in. When you hear that Jesus is the Lamb of God, well, they’ve got sheep and they know what that shepherd mentality is – that humbleness, and they are humble people. “You are just accepted,” she said. “You are not a local and never will be – but you’re accepted. They accept The Salvation Army and who we are and what we stand for. And they have always done that.” Deep faith and resilience The farmers’ resilience was also on full display when Karen served the people of Kaniva. She said they had it in “bucketfuls”. “Tough times have birthed a deep faith in farmers,” she said. “Right on Christmas time, there was one farmer household, and for 48 hours, they were virtually going non-stop, knowing that if they didn’t do that, they wouldn’t be able to get the harvest and the wheat cut.” When it came to the sad realisation Kaniva Corps would be closing, Karen had one clear focus – to ensure the closing went well and The Salvation Army would come out with a good name and not a negative name. “For me, it had to be a time of glorifying God,” she said. “Not only for those years of faithfulness and God being faithful to the people in the area, but the people who served God so humbly, and the number of people over those years that have been pray-ers. When I have spoken with past corps officers who had served at Kaniva, they told me it was their best appointment.” While Kaniva Corps has officially closed, for the month of January 2024, The Salvation Army has leased out its building to the local Samoan group – something that excites Karen. “There’s a whole Samoan community that will move in,” she said. “And I am glad it will keep the building alive.”

BY LAUREN MARTIN An influx of Pacific Islander workers into south-west NSW rural townships has led to an inter-denominational partnership between The Salvation Army and the Wagga Fellowship. The Federal Government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from nine Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste when not enough local workers are available. This has led to an increase in Pacific Islanders living and working in rural and regional Australia. In Wagga Wagga, south-west NSW, The Salvation Army was approached by the Wagga Fellowship (a church made up of many Pacific Islanders) about three years ago, requesting to use the Army hall for a Wagga Fellowship event. This led to a partnership between the two churches, with regular combined services and missional events. “We could not have come this far if it hadn’t been for The Salvation Army,” said Wagga Fellowship Pastor Tom Rokoqica. “We believe we all come under the same banner and serve the same purpose to save the lost.” Pastor Tom, who has been in Australia for the past four years from Fiji, said the Wagga Fellowship started due to the Australian Government’s PALM scheme enticing more islanders to work in Australia. “A lot of us are coming from the islands, and when they are here, they are idle,” he said. “We started this fellowship to keep the fire for Christ burning. And it has grown now.” The Wagga Fellowship often uses The Salvation Army’s building for meetings, as well as other halls in the rural city. Pastor Tom said the connection with The Salvation Army also provides valuable support for new Pacific Islander families moving to the area. “Most of them when it comes to the first time coming into Australia, they have their lodging, but the house stuff, The Salvation Army has helped a lot with them. Blankets and things like that.” Wagga Wagga Corps Officer Auxiliary-Lieutenant Val Hopewell said partnering with the Wagga Fellowship has been enriching for parishioners of both churches. “It’s been a great opportunity for our corps to see how people worship differently, but we all have the same common love of God,” she said. “One of the services we did with them last year, we welcomed them, and they had a ‘lovo’ (a traditional islander barbeque) onsite to bless us, and they led us in our Mother’s Day service.” Cultural exchange As relationships strengthened between the churches, an idea was born to develop a cultural exchange for young Fijians. Pastor Tom said The Salvation Army’s support helped to enable the Nausori Interdenominational Youth Group to travel to Australia and perform a cultural youth tour throughout the Riverina. The group used The Salvation Army Leeton Corps bus to travel to different schools and locations to perform, including at The Salvation Army Wagga, The Salvation Army Leeton and Salvos Store in Wagga. “There was singing, dancing and outreach,” said Pastor Tom. “With testimonies in between featuring real experiences from the young kids.” One of the highlights was performing at the Riverina Youth Justice Centre, where Pastor Tom said the response from the young people was very enthusiastic. “They would like us to come back next year,” he said. “We are so grateful for The Salvation Army’s support in helping us to create this youth cultural exchange.” The Wagga Fellowship is now looking to partner with The Salvation Army in Albury (90 minutes south), hoping its church will expand as more Pacific Islander workers move to the city. “We have done five Sundays already going to them and having fellowship with them, and we are trying to locate a hall in the area, and it might be a possibility to come and use The Salvation Army in Albury to have church there.”

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 we are praying for the Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory. Prayer requests: ·       For good people in the government of each of our four countries who will make the welfare of people the priority in every government policy. ·       For sustainability in all our services, as well as outreach, that God will continue to provide the resources we need and show us more opportunities to meet the ever-changing needs of people. ·       That our officers, soldiers, staff and volunteers will be united and stand firm to uphold the functional role of the corps and be constantly reminded that, together, we are to be evangelical and united with churches around the world so that, as one Church in Jesus Christ, we participate in saving souls and making disciples for the glory of God. ·       For all our outreach programs and initiatives to have a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve. We ask for God’s blessing on all our efforts to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those we serve. ·       For the successful registration of Yangon Girls Home and Phyu Boys Home. ·       For the approval of the application for The Salvation Army in Myanmar to carry out social work in the country. ·       For Cadets Tharadon (Don) and Sriwilai (Nid) from Thailand as they go through their training to be officers. They will be the first national couple to be ready for commissioning during the General’s visit to Chiangmai, Thailand, in April 2024. ·       For God’s provision of sufficient resources, including financial support, volunteers, and partnerships, to enable the expansion of our services and reach more people in need. To find out more about the Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory click here. For more information on the International Prayer Focus 2024, and to download the calendar, click here.

At great risk of sounding like an old Salvo – which, well, I am – I was recently reminded of a Sunday school song I learnt many years ago and which, it seems, is still taking up space in my brain: probably the bit that should be telling me what my wife said to pick up at the supermarket on my way home. It was this song (and this might scare readers under 40): ‘J-O-Y, J-O-Y, this must surely be, / Jesus first, yourself last and others in between’. You simply repeated that all again and it was sung – amazingly – to the tune of the chorus of ‘Jingle Bells’. Or perhaps the chorus of ‘Jingle Bells’ was sung to the tune of ‘J-O-Y'; I don’t know which came first. It was a simple spelling lesson – yes, J-O-Y spells ‘joy’ – and also a useful mnemonic for remembering who gets priority in living out our faith. However, then I recalled another old song, and I started to sense a conspiracy. We used to sing ‘I’m happy today’ but on the second time through, we’d spell out some words. ‘I’m happy today, yes, happy today,/ In Jesus’ love I’m happy today,/ He’s taken all my sins away/ And that’s why I’m happy today./ ‘I’m H-A-P-P-Y, I’m H-A-P-P-Y,/ In J-E-S-U-S I’m H-A-P-P-Y,/ He’s T-A-K-E-N my S-I-Ns away/ And that’s why I’m H-A-P-P-Y.’ Sunday school wasn’t just teaching us about Jesus, it was teaching us how to spell! Why, those sneaky Sunday school teachers; they were making us do school lessons on a non-school-except-for Sunday-school day! I was reflecting on this deceptive form of teaching when I realised something: 50 years later, I still remember those songs! Hmm, sneaks they might have been, but they were clever sneaks. And now I’m thinking, if that’s what makes song lyrics memorable, perhaps we should try it more in worship today. ‘I love you, Lord/ For your mercy never fails me/ All my days, I’ve been held in your hands,/ From the moment that I wake up/ Until I lay my head,/ Oh, I will sing of the G-O-O-D-N-E-S-S of G-O-D.’ Hmm, not sure that that’s really working. Let’s try another one. Maybe we’ll go more Army this time. It might work if we use some creative spelling. ‘I want to be a soldier of the cross,/ Bravehearted and T-R-U,/ I want to be a soldier of the cross,/ I do, I do, I do, I D-O-O,/ I want to be a soldier of the cross,/ Telling out the stor-E-E-E,/ Walking with Jesus/ All the way to glor-E-E.’ Well, it’s singable, but only just. Hang on, I know what to do: when in doubt, turn to the Founder’s song. ‘O B-O-U-N-D-L-E-S-S S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N...’ Oh, no. Imagine doing seven verses of that! It would take hours. The only saving grace would be the last phrase: ‘4 U and 4 me’. Perhaps we’ll leave the spelling of song words to Sunday school children. No need to persist with the method when we’ve grown up and learnt how to spel. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I’m the Corps Officer at Kingborough-Huon Corps in Tasmania. It’s a delight and what’s satisfying about this appointment is the location and its people. Kingborough is by the coast of southern Tasmania with ocean views from the beautiful windows of our building. Huonville is just a half-hour drive west, inland to the hills and valleys of picturesque rural Tasmania with all the country hospitality to go with it. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I love the opportunity to go for drives with my husband, Bruce, to beautiful locations for walks and coffee. You don’t have to travel too far to find ocean views, open spaces and great hospitality. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? At the moment it’s I Speak Jesus. This song covers everything for me. In a world of so many rules, regulations, guidelines, conflict and anxiety, the name of Jesus speaks power, healing and life, breaks every stronghold and shines through the shadows – ‘Declaring there is hope and there is freedom,/ I speak Jesus.’ 4. If you could have a good talk with a biblical character apart from Jesus, who would it be and what would you talk about? Mary, the mother of Jesus. What an incredible life! God chose this remarkably strong, resilient young woman to bear a child who would change the world forever. She lived through utter dependency on him. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? Officership – wow! What a privilege and life-changing, challenging opportunity for growth. God calls all of us to love and serve people with the love of Jesus. You just have to say ‘yes’ and the places God will take you, you could never imagine. God opens doors when we say ‘yes’. I know this full well. There is nothing like frontline mission at the grassroots, with opportunities aplenty.

This series features members of The Salvation Army Pastoral Committee, as they share key God moments that shaped the people and leaders they are today. In this video, Colonel Rodney Walters talks about the importance of letting God lead, as his plans are always perfect, much more perfect than ours.

By LERISSE SMITH Special celebration services to rejoice in lives positively transformed through a commitment to Christ have taken part at The Salvation Army’s Wyndham City Corps (Vic.). Evoking both emotions and inspiration, the services held recently at the corps’ premises in Werribee celebrated 14 new church members and the enrolment of seven junior soldiers. Wyndham City Corps Officer Major Phill Abram said the services, officiated by Assistant Divisional Commander Major Brenda Young, were both emotional and special for the church community. “It was a massive celebration of Jesus transforming lives,” he said. “Some are more exuberant in their life transformation, and others are very private about their life transformation, and that's okay. When they say, ‘This is what I was like before my encounter with Jesus, and this is where I'm going now,’ that is what it’s all about for us.” Growing attendance Newcomer lunches held at the church have been a key element in helping to introduce people to the church community, with 14 new members being a significant number for Phill and his wife, Major Catherine Abram, who have been corps officers for 18 years. “It was a sign of last year,” Phill said. “Most churches that I've spoken to are seeing a decrease (in numbers) since COVID, but for some reason, by the grace of God, we're seeing a buck in the trend. We had around 70 new people come in last year and be regularly attending, so that was the kind of the catalyst to do the membership and soldiership days.” And the reason behind bucking the trend? “It’s prayer,” Catherine said. “It says everything. It has to be prayer, prayer, prayer. It’s not by our skill as leaders; we’ve got an amazing team of people, staff and volunteers. We're very blessed.” Legends of the Army Phill further added it was not left to Catherine or himself as corps officers to invite people to church. “I was joking with one of the retired officers and said we've got evangelists in every age group in the church,” he said. “We’ve got evangelists in the 70-plus age group that are inviting their friends, evangelists in the 50-age group, in the 30-age group, and it goes down the line. The kids are inviting their friends to come too. “It has not stopped at Catherine and I being the officers. We are actually seeing the gifts of God working throughout the congregation. And so those who are gifted in evangelism, they are doing their part for the kingdom rather than expecting Catherine and I to do everything in that space. It is gifts and fruits that are in action to make it work.” For the seven junior soldiers who were enrolled, the junior soldier preparation classes spanned several weeks. Community outreach Catherine said it was special to have the new members and junior soldiers be part of their “very Pentecostal” church congregation which spanned many cultures including the Middle East and the Pacific, with a large population of the church being Africans. “We have people who jump up and down African style, sometimes doing the African shrill,” she said. “It's rowdy . . . there's lots of shouting, dancing and carry on, so we are historical rather than traditional Salvation Army. Our church meetings won’t all be spoken in English as congregants are encouraged to pray in their own native tongue, and to bring their own Bible and read it in the language of their own tongue.” Community members have also connected with Wyndham City through its large red bus – affectionately named ‘Hunger Busters’ – that visits the local train station every Friday night to give away food and drinks and cook a barbecue, plus community lunches held during the week. “We figured out that from those two outreach things, we've got a dozen people that have transitioned from just a food handout or a meal, to actually coming to church and being engaged in the congregation,” Phill said. “I don't think that's happened before, so that's kind of really cool to have the right people in the right seats that are doing the work.” Being on the frontline is a top priority for both Catherine and Phill who are passionate about their corps work and ministering to others. They have also greatly benefitted from previous leaders who have invested into their lives, stating it has been an incredible blessing to both of them, and they were “standing on the shoulders” of some incredible corps officers that had been before them. And it was leaders who prayed over the church’s newest members as their role was to disciple. “I was looking at Retired Officer Major Rintje Taekema, and he was praying over a guy, James. It was a huge step for him to become a soldier. He was giving up a lot of family traditions, a lot of things . . . and I just went, you know, how beautiful is that, that he is praying and speaking into his life,” Catherine said. For Phill, he calls them “legends of The Salvation Army”, like bringing a grandma and grandpa figure to reality. “They hold the spiritual temperature high, and they keep the accountability high,” he said. “They bring the eldership position in the congregation and it holds everyone to a standard.”