Amanda Lennestaal, Gender Equity Coordinator for The Salvation Army Australia. By DAWN VOLZ and SIMONE WORTHING As a woman with her own complex life caring for her children with multiple disabilities, Amanda Lennestaal, Gender Equity Coordinator for The Salvation Army Australia, is excited about helping make positive changes for women within the Salvos and beyond. “My three girls all live with disabilities,” Amanda says, “and I constantly see the barriers they, and I, face. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in the headspace that it’s all too difficult but then what sort of world would I be leaving to my kids?” “My husband is from Sweden, and we recently spent a few years living there. That was good for my egalitarian soul and the work and study I did there has helped me to form values more deeply around inclusion and equity.” A complex issue Amanda says that, given the unique spaces the Salvos work and worship in, women can’t be looked at as ‘binary’ human beings and there is a need to make sure that, as a church, employer and social services provider, the Salvos are offering the flexibility and care such a diversity of women are worthy of. “I understand that women’s lives are complex, and one size definitely doesn’t fit all. We are looking at a variety of voices and experiences as we tackle a range of issues through communities of practice and smaller focus groups. Equity is about everybody – it needs to be geographically diverse too and include regional areas and people living remotely.” Ensuring career progression for women employed by the Salvos is also one of Amanda’s focus areas. “We are still new as a territory and still pioneering ways to gender equality in terms of our investment across the whole of mission. From officers to aged care workers, everyone needs to be treated with respect, without discrimination, and to work according to fair work practices.” A unifying approach In the area of gender and inclusion, Amanda has chosen a gentle, long-term approach that is unifying, peaceful and finds a way forward. “Our organisation is relational, and diversity and inclusion is often about vulnerability,” she says. “I believe we have what it takes to move to that next phase in these spaces. “The Salvation Army is committed to hearing strong female voices. We want people to talk about what matters to them and share their lived experience.” A biblical model “Gender Equity challenges narratives of power and control. I am a firm believer in the voices of women in story, helping them bring out their stories in different ways. We value their voice, and there is a space for it. This is the biblical model present in the everyday – sometimes the mundane and messy is where the sacred is found.” Amanda is also intentionally asking men to be involved, as she contends that gender equity is not just a women’s event – it is a whole of society thing, and gender equity doesn’t sit neatly into one space. With qualifications in law and political science, Amanda says it was a world that she didn’t enjoy and she was pleased to have the eventual strength to leave. In Sweden, she worked in a community chaplaincy role and social enterprise. “That is what I live and breathe,” she says. “Seeing the presence of the divine in every life and circumstance – that is present in the aspect of everything we do. I don’t need to be preaching; others do that. At the end of the day, I want to do the kind of work Jesus would do.”

Australia’s Major Sandra Pawar and her husband, Captain Ashish Pawar, are officers of the US Southern Territory. For Major Sandra Pawar, a Salvation Army officer originally from Australia now serving in the Southern Territory of the United States, a disturbing observation while sitting at a café in Greece turned into a master’s thesis . This passion has now been realised in a book . More Than Just a Refugee details the issue of unaccompanied minors living as refugees across the world and the unique challenges they face. She recently shared with Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE how her work propelled her in this direction.  Can you please tell me a little about yourself – your work in The Salvation Army and how you came to work with refugees?    I identify as a ‘womb to the tomb’ Salvationist. My parents, who are retired officers of The Salvation Army, raised me within this community. My love for The Salvation Army and its values runs deep, and when I reached an age where I could choose my own path in worship and work, I remained committed to The Salvation Army because I wholeheartedly believe in its mission.    Before becoming an officer in The Salvation Army, I worked in youth ministry and with homeless youth and women. My passion for justice issues and supporting vulnerable populations has been a consistent thread throughout my journey as an officer.   I have a strong desire to learn about and engage with diverse cultures, which has led me to travel around the globe and gain insights from others. This commitment to serving the world took us to the UK and Australia for overseas service. Although these countries are Western, our corps were wonderfully multicultural, and we cherished those experiences.   While in the UK, I attended a memorial service for a little boy named Alan Kurdi, who tragically washed ashore after his family’s boat capsized while seeking safety in another country. His death garnered international attention, shining a light on the refugee crisis. It was during this time that I first learned about refugees, and their stories deeply moved me. This drove me to travel to Greece several times, including leading a mission trip with a group of women and participating in various efforts to aid The Salvation Army as they supported the influx of refugees into their country.   What prompted you to write this book? Was there a specific moment you knew you needed to write it?     After my initial visit to Greece, where I met refugees and listened to their stories, I was deeply affected by the situation of unaccompanied minors. My heart truly ached as I witnessed so much that profoundly disturbed me, igniting a desire to take action. The scene depicted in the introduction of my book captures the exact moment I realised I had to make a difference. At that time, I was pursuing my master’s degree in international community development, and I chose to focus my thesis on the challenges faced by unaccompanied minors in Greece. However, once I completed my thesis, I felt compelled to raise awareness about this issue on a larger scale, which led me to transform my thesis into a book that broadened its focus to a global perspective rather than just concentrating on Greece.    What are you hoping people will get from this book, and how would you like them to respond?     I aim to raise awareness about this issue, emphasising that it transcends politics and is fundamentally a humanitarian concern, one that we can address through biblical principles. My goal is to shed light on the hardships faced by refugees and asylum seekers, encouraging individuals to let the Holy Spirit guide them in their responses.   This book reflects my passion, and it would mean so much to me if readers engaged with the material, contemplated the questions at the end of each chapter, and dedicated time to pray for those in need. Ultimately, I hope to inspire genuine care and discourage indifference towards both the issue and the individuals affected.   I feel really blessed to have been given this opportunity, and this book represents my heart. I am thankful that others understood my heart and felt that this subject was important and something others needed to know about. I pray this becomes an issue of the heart for others, too.   More Than Just a Refugee can be purchased internationally here .

Naikbakht was supported by Parastoo Khosronejad, left, and Captain Tara McGuigan at the Salvos Red Shield Appeal Multicultural Media Launch where she spoke last year. By DAWN VOLZ The theme for International Women’s Day this year is ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender-equal future’, highlighting “the role that bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies and accessible education can play in combatting discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally”. This is a theme that resonates strongly with Captain Tara McGuigan, The Salvation Army’s Relationship Manager for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in NSW, herself originally from Sri Lanka. Recognising the hard road ahead for many refugees and migrants, Tara says the problems can be far more complex for women who are not used to speaking out, suddenly finding themselves in a new country and culture. “I have faced that and I know how hard it is,” she says. “Last year I was contacted by an Afghan refugee, Ruqia, who told me in stilted English that her three children were in high school and had no computer to do their studies. The three of them were managing between one mobile phone. I could hear the desperation in her voice and knew I had to help her. “Digital poverty is such a disadvantage, especially for children’s education, which provides the most important pathway to freedom, emancipation and hope.” Tara adds that lack of access to digital technology is “like sending a child to school in the past without a book and a pen”. There’s added poignancy in her observation that, “In Afghanistan girls can’t go to school but here they can, and we need to help support that.” Naibakht’s story True to her word, Tara instigated the Digital Poverty Project, reaching out to The Salvation Army’s IT Department who put her in touch with Dell Technologies. The company readily offered to lend a hand and generously agreed to provide $55,000 worth of computers, software and equipment to be distributed to 20 migrant and refugee families identified by the Parramatta-based Community Migrant Resource Centre. Tara McGuigan, right, with Naibakht at the Salvos Red Shield Appeal Multicultural Media Launch in 2022. One of the delighted recipients, Naikbakht, came to Australia in 2017 with her parents and four siblings as refugees after horrific experiences in war-torn Afghanistan. “I came to Australia for a better future,” she says, “and to be the voice of the women and girls of my country through the great opportunity that I received in Australia. Honestly, where I came from, we didn’t really have the knowledge of how to use technology. “I really appreciate the help that The Salvation Army gave to me and my family. Receiving a laptop helped me to cooperate with technology, and learn new skills from it. I hope to make good benefit from what I have received. “Since I got the laptop, it was a very easy access for me to work on my writing,” Naikbakht adds. “I am a young poet and I’ve been writing poetry for the last three years. Through this poetry it gives me an opportunity to explore the hardship of the girls and women who were experiencing war .” Naikbakht personifies the extraordinary benefits of cracking the code and innovating for a gender-equal future in digital technology. “I have a dream to write my first novel with my laptop,” she says. “That’s something which I look forward to.”

Corporal Lindsay Cox in 1965 during his time serving with the Citizens Military Forces. Inset: His latest book, ‘Still Serving’, will be launched at the Australian War Memorial on Thursday 7 November. BY LINDSAY COX*   Sixty years ago, when I was a young infantry ‘ Choco ’ skirmishing around in the heat and the dust of Scrub Hill, Puckapunyal, I bumped into a Landrover parked under a gum tree, where a Salvo bloke was handing out drinks of cold cordial to my fellow Citizen Military Forces mates. I still remember how satisfying that drink was!  I did not give much thought to the work of the Red Shield officers handing out drinks to thirsty diggers in times of peace or war, at least not until about 30 years later when I headed up a project to record what The Salvation Army did during World War Two.   The story of The Salvation Army’s temporal (and spiritual) care for members of the Australian Defence Forces goes back to the Boer War in South Africa in 1899. General William Booth’s belief in Christian brotherhood and the internationalism of The Salvation Army led him to order Adjutant Mary Murray and a relief party of ‘Troop-work Officers’ to be sent to minister comfort and practical aid to the men of both sides of the conflict.    After arriving in South Africa, Captain Marmaduke Ashman wrote: “The strain of getting to the camps five miles from Ladysmith is amply compensated by the sight of the eager crowd of soldiers which gathers around the cart for a drink and a cake.”   In World War One, Adjutant Robert Henry was The Salvation Army’s first accredited ‘Military Secretary’ sent overseas. In France, he established a ‘Hot Coffee Joint’ within the range of the enemy’s artillery and located at a busy intersection with a constant stream of khaki-clad men passing. Henry said, “Now we can’t give them mugs, so we simply double back the lid of the opened condensed milk tins, dip them into the steaming urn and hand it piping hot to the soldier in the slowly moving queues.”   In 1995, The Red Shield History Project gathered 184 oral history interviews, which resulted 25 years later in the publishing of Cuppa Tea, Digger? that recounted many amazing stories about the ubiquitous Salvo ‘cuppa’.    One of the first interviewees was Private Alexander McConnell of the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion: “In 1941 I was enjoying the solitude of an outpost on the Tobruk perimeter when I was rudely interrupted by a Salvo bloke asking: ‘Do you want a cuppa, or some paper to write home to your mother?’ The same thing happened several times in the ensuing months, so I shifted to El Alamein to escape him, but up he bobbed again just as cheerful as ever. The only way to dodge him was to go to New Guinea. On the Sattelberg Track my mates and I managed to isolate ourselves for several days. I thought, ‘At last I’m free’, but would you believe me, there was the cheerful Salvo bloke with his coffee urn and writing paper.”   The ubiquitous ‘cuppa’ followed the Australian serviceman to conflicts in Korea, Malaya, and Borneo in the 15 years after World War Two and then to Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s.  Private Tom Corrigan of 1RAR recalled alighting from a helicopter after returning from a “brush-up” with the Viet Cong and being greeted by a Salvo bloke with a cold drink and packet of PK. “The drink was welcome, but it was more so the act of caring that was the start of the healing process for the trauma we had been through.”   Then, there were the conflicts in Cambodia, Somalia, and East Timor in the 1990s, each accompanied by the Salvo ‘cuppa’.   The modern-day Sallyman and Sallyma’am continue their commitment to this, the 125th year of serving the men and women of the Australian Defence Force.   It is appropriate that as Remembrance Day approaches, we remember the service of the men and women of the Red Shield Defence Services and their forebears, just as we recall the suffering and sacrifice of all those who have experienced war.   Still Serving , the prequel to Cuppa Tea, Digger? , tells the story of the early days of The Salvation Army’s philanthropic attachment to the military. It honours the 125th anniversary of the RSDS and will be launched at the celebratory dinner at the Australian War Memorial on 7 November. (see ads below). Still Serving is available for purchase from the Salvos Publishing website. Click here   Major Brett Gallagher, Chief Commissioner of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services. Major Brett Gallagher, Chief Commissioner of Red Shield Defence Services, says: “The way these early Salvos sacrificed to ensure that our serving men and women could not only receive comfort, respite and refreshment but also a listening ear, combined with appropriate words of support, encouragement and cheer, spurs our team on to do the same.”   Lieutenant-General Sir Stanley Savige pronounced in 1945: “The Salvation Army has won a deserved place in the mind of the Australian Army. The cup of coffee given to a man in danger or an exhausted wounded soldier is something of Christ – it is the knowledge that someone cares.”   *Lindsay Cox is the manager of The Salvation Army Museum in Melbourne 125th anniversary of the Red Shield Defence Services To view the 125th anniversary flyer of the Last Post Ceremony, click here To view the 125th anniversary flyer of the anniversary dinner, click here

This year’s Christmas Day offering in corps around Australia will go towards a Salvation Army International Development (SAID) project in Tanzania. The project involves drilling four borehole wells for a village in the East African nation, one of the world’s poorest countries. Borehole wells make it easier to collect water. Many villagers, especially women, sometimes walk for kilometres to the nearest source just to collect enough water to drink and wash for their families. But this water is often contaminated, leading to sickness. A borehole eliminates this problem, and when a well is drilled near the villagers’ homes, life becomes easier for everyone. The appeal will also give the Australia Territory’s SAID department the opportunity to provide resources down the track to build two church halls and officers’ quarters in four locations in Tanzania.

Josie and Beechworth Corps Officer Captain Pauline Middleton getting ready for Christmas. BY JOSIE* I came from a family of 13 children and was the fifth youngest. We grew up in poverty in a family of verbal abuse and violence, but I hid it all from my friends. For many years we lived in a corrugated iron house with no glass in our windows, mosquito wire and pieces of corrugated iron that folded down at night or when it rained. By the time I was seven years old, I was suffering from serious malnutrition. Food was scarce in those days, and I would live on vegemite sandwiches and sweet drinks to fill up. My body and my teeth suffered from this. It was a sad childhood for all of us. One of my sisters died of cancer at the age of four. Our life was a constant worry about when we would be hit next. I would be hit for doing nothing wrong except being in the wrong place when my dad was in a bad mood. My brother lost his hearing in one ear as he was always hit on the one side of his head. He and I had a great bond during childhood, and we tried to protect each other. We are still the best of friends. A ray of light Every year it was embarrassing going to school after Christmas, as the other children were talking about what they received, and I couldn’t say anything. One day I looked out my bedroom window to see a man in a uniform come up the footpath and sit down to speak with my father. He was from The Salvation Army. He was a wonderful person who did not judge and was there to make sure we had a Christmas like everyone else did. That year, I received my favourite Christmas gift and have remembered it ever since. A tea set similar to the one Josie received from the Salvos when she was a child. It was a small tea set, and I loved it. That was the day I said to myself that I would make it up to The Salvation Army for giving my family a Christmas to remember. After that, The Salvation Army started delivering gifts to us every year. It was so wonderful to receive the gifts and tell my friends what I got for Christmas. The feeling of belonging was, in many ways, the greatest gift of all. And it was not only the gifts that made such a difference but also the hampers we received to make sure we had a wonderful Christmas lunch. Usually, we had baked beans with mashed potatoes, but after The Salvation Army started delivering their wonderful hampers, we had roast chicken, baked potatoes, pumpkin, peas, gravy and for dessert pudding and custard. Helping others Over many years, I never forgot my desire to help others and pay back the Salvos. I finally started volunteering with the Beechworth Salvation Army Thrift Shop in May 2012 with [Corps Officer] Captain Pauline Middleton. Pauline made me feel so welcome that I have been there ever since and enjoy what I do to help out. And while I love being busy through The Salvation Army, I also have many other projects on the go. Some of my projects over the past few years include a project making facemasks early in the COVID-19 pandemic to support those who were homeless. In total, over 1000 masks were made. I have also organised knitting/crocheting of more than 200 sets of beanies, scarves and gloves for the homeless in Melbourne. I am also part of a project making ‘dining scarves’ for older people that has been taken up by people all over the world. My latest project is to collect Christmas decorations. We never decorated our house at Christmas when I was a child, so I make sure people can do that. My husband Brian and I have two adult children – Sophie and Shane. During COVID, we agreed not to buy big Christmas gifts anymore, as being together at Christmas is a gift in itself. A loving family, food on the table, and a peaceful Christmas truly is a gift. Looking back, my life was hard to start with, but it is what you make it, and it is thanks to people who cared, like The Salvation Army, that I have a beautiful family that I love and a happy life. Thanks to what The Salvation Army did in my younger life, I have spent my life helping others. I thoroughly enjoy helping others because I love seeing their smiles and the tears they shed when they realise someone cares. * As told to Naomi Singlehurst

Akiki (left) and Miremba are receiving an education and learning about children's rights through Salvation Army programs in Uganda. The Salvation Army International Development (SAID), Australia, is working in Uganda to empower children, families and individuals to change their lives and build a future where hope and purpose prevail. Global Focus editor SIMONE WORTHING compiled this report. A young teenage boy with disabilities, who now believes in himself, feels valued and loved and plans to be a doctor. A 10-year-old girl, who knows she has a right to education and healthy relationships, is focused on helping her brother and learning maths so she can be a nurse. Meet Ugandan siblings Akiki and Miremba*, who share their amazing stories for Salvos Online .   Akiki is a young boy living with disabilities. His mother, Grace,* is a member of the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) in their local community. “The SAID team spoke to Grace, and Akiki became a part of the CORC (Comprehensive Response for Vulnerable Children) project,” said Therese Osland, Child Rights Program Coordinator, SAID. “ Grace learned about and attended the information sessions on child rights and disability inclusiveness.” Therese Osland, Child Rights Program Coordinator, SAID, with Akiki and Miremba. Akiki and Miremba go to a primary school where the CORC project trained two teachers on the rights of children and the formation of community Child Rights Clubs.   “Social workers and community facilitators work with local corps officers, teachers, parents and children to raise awareness of child rights and promote the rights of children living with disabilities,” Therese explained.   AKIKI'S STORY Akiki is now confident about himself, his value and worth, and his future. My name is Akiki. I am 13 years old and in primary five ...   I stay with my parents. I was born with a physical disability – both of my legs are disabled. According to my parents, when I was born, my grandparents told my mother: “You have brought trouble in our family because none has ever given birth to such.” She (my mother) lived a very stressed life, but inside her, she knew I am like any other child, and she loved me so much.   I am at school studying. I just crawl because my parents can’t afford a wheelchair for me, but I am in school like any other child, and my brains are functioning well. I am always leading in class, and I want to become a doctor.   Before my parents joined VSLA group, I couldn’t get scholastic material on time, and this made me think my father doesn’t value me since I am disabled. I used to be sad, but when my mother joined the group and started saving, she borrowed money from the group and buy for me books, pens and a uniform, and I report to school on time.   I have joined the Child Rights Club and am the chairperson of the group. When I was elected, at first, I turned it down because I was reflecting, “How am I going to work with the normal children with no disability?” but the social worker had a counselling session with me and spoke positive things about me, which my mother had never told me. I was so much encouraged and loved; I accepted the role. “I am an empowered person; my disability is not inability.” To my surprise, the club members showed me love and kindness, which made me feel valued, and I am proud of this club because there is no discrimination, we interact freely with fellow peers, and I have made new friends because we come from different villages.   In our club, we have a lot of fun – we sing, play, and do short skits. We receive training and this has made us aware of our rights and told us places we can report when one violates our rights or abuses any child in the community. I am an empowered person; my disability is not inability. I will make it in life. I am indeed grateful to The Salvation Army, CORC project, for the opportunity of including me in the Child Rights Club as a member. MIREMBA'S STORY At just 10 years old, Miremba has goals and plans and also helps others to achieve theirs. My name is Miremba. I am 10 years old, female, and I am in primary four ...   My favourite subject is mathematics. I love it because I would like to be a nurse, whereby mathematics will help me to know of patients that I am to take care of.   When I am at school, during my free time, I always play sports and games with my best friend – her name is Hannah.  We play netball and games like hide and seek. We find it so interesting! Another interesting thing I would like to share is about my brother. His name is Akiki. I am happy because I love him, and I love to help him because of his condition of disability. I always push him in the wheelchair very early in the morning from home to school and return home late in the evening.   I decided to help my brother because he is unable to walk on his legs and on some days, he would miss school since our parents are always busy digging gardens for us to have food. “It is my right to play, have healthy relationships and I have a right to study.”   However, whenever I push the wheelchair with my bother on, we face a lot of challenges. The roads are rough, hilly and sloppy – especially currently. It is rainy season, and the roads become muddy and very slippery. Sometimes he falls off the wheelchair. The wheelchair is old, and some parts are spoilt, but still we remain patient and hoping for the best because both of us have a right to be in school and study.   Lastly, I am a member in the Child Rights Club. I have friends in the club, and whenever I am invited for training, I attend with my brother, where we learn more about our rights and roles as children. It is my right to play, have healthy relationships, and I have a right to study.      I am grateful for this chance to share with you my short story of life experience. *Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.   Salvation Army programs means hope and a future for all the family.

During the festive season, we celebrate the birth of the most significant figure in history – Jesus. As the son of God, he was also fully human, using his five senses to experience the same 24-hour periods that we do. In this enlightening article, Jo-anne Brown reflects on what may have been a typical day for Jesus during his years of ministry. The road ahead ... a day in the life of Jesus would have been a tiring yet rewarding journey from dawn till dusk. BY JO-ANNE BROWN The night sky is just beginning to glimmer, and a faint glow soon appears in the east. The man rolls over, stands to his feet, and stretches, gazing out the window at the still-sleeping world. He covers his head and steps out into the pre-dawn stillness toward the mountain on the edge of the village. He pauses halfway up the mountain, looking down at the world below him, noticing the first streaks of sunlight touching the tops of the trees. There is something beautiful in this early morning stillness. This is his time. His time for silence, for solitude, for spending time with his Father. Life has been so full lately, with many demands on his time and many people needing help. He finds a smooth rock and settles down to watch the sunrise. He talks to his Father, telling him everything on his mind, wondering about the day ahead, and thinking about the people he is close to. Then, as the sun fills the sky, Jesus walks back down the mountain and into the village, filled with a sense of peace and purpose. People hear he is coming their way and rush to meet him. Some want to listen to what he has to say, some want to be healed from sickness, and some just want to see who this person is that everyone is talking about. And, of course, some have come to criticise. The street is crowded, and people are jostling each other out of the way. A small child is pushed to the ground and, losing sight of her mother in the hubbub, begins to cry. Jesus crouches beside her and smiles into her face. “It’s okay,” he says gently. “You’re safe now – your mother’s coming”, as he sees an anxious woman hurrying toward them. The little girl leans into Jesus’ arms, then smiles shyly as her mother picks her up and hugs her. Jesus says to the crowd, “You know, little children are precious. Such innocent hearts are close to the heart of God. Look after them and learn from them.” He gets to his feet and gathers his closest friends to him. “Come on; we need to find a quiet place where we can hear ourselves think.” He smiles again at the little girl in her mother’s arms, and he and his friends turn to go back up the mountain. Their quiet time doesn’t last long, and soon the crowds are following after him. They have many questions and want to hear more of the stories Jesus tells. He finds a grassy spot on the side of the hill and sits down. Small children rush to sit at his feet, followed closely by their mothers. “Be kind to each other,” he says. “Be gentle and compassionate to all those you meet. Don’t fight and squabble over unimportant things – be people of peace. Spend time with me and discover the peace I can bring you.” Jesus tells them stories ... stories about ordinary people, about being generous, about how to love those who mistreat us, and not to judge others. He teaches them how to find peace instead of worrying about their difficulties and how to truly connect with the God who loves them. He reminds them of how special they are, that when they show kindness, compassion and justice, they are like bright lights, making a difference in the world. As Jesus talks and children play, the shadows grow longer, and the day cools down. His friends point out how late it is getting, that people are far from home and have nothing to eat. Something needs to be done, but what? There is nowhere nearby where they can get food for the thousands of people who have been with Jesus all day! Jesus looks at them and says, “I think you’ll be able to figure something out.” They look at each other in puzzlement, with no idea how to solve the problem, until one sees a boy pull out some food for himself. He has a few small fish and some pieces of bread. Okay, that is nowhere near enough to feed even the children in that crowd, but maybe Jesus can do something with that. And he does! The little boy gives Jesus what he has, and Jesus takes it gratefully. He asks his Father to bless it and then gives it to his friends to share among the crowd. Now, there are thousands of people there, but somehow that little boy’s meal is enough for everyone to have plenty to eat, with enough leftovers for people to take some away with them. After they’ve eaten, the parents gather the children and begin the journey home. Jesus and his friends start down the mountain, and as they get to the shore of the lake, he suggests they find a boat and cross over to the other side, where they can find a resting place for the night. As darkness falls and the men row the boat across the lake, Jesus rests in the back, thinking about the day’s experiences, the conversations he’s had, the people he’s met, and the little girl he comforted. It has been a good day, and he smiles.

After five years as officers in High River, Alberta, Canada, Captains Chad and Lisa Cole and their children responded to God's call and have been appointed as corps officers at Brimbank City Corps in Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs. From left to right: Chad, Connor, Lisa and Ginny. BY JESSICA MORRIS An international appointment is a big deal for any Salvation Army officer. But for Captains Chad and Lisa Cole, new corps officers at Brimbank City Salvos in Melbourne, the move to Australia took them to the other side of the globe – literally. Chad and Lisa were commissioned in 2017 as part of the Joyful Intercessors session in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. According to the Canadians, if you were to dig a hole from Chad’s parents’ home in Newfoundland, in the country’s east, you would only see blue sky again when you came out in Melbourne. And while their previous appointment was in High River, Alberta, near the Rocky Mountains, the premise is basically the same. Chad, Lisa and their children, Ginny (4) and Connor (2), are living in an upside-down reality – where people drive on the opposite side of the road, Christmastime is for wearing shorts, and no one knows what a Tim Hortons is (it’s a diner, by the way). The Cole family stepped onto Australian soil on 5 August after a 16-hour plane trip. Receiving a phone call from their personnel secretary, Lieut-Colonel Brian Armstrong, they had assumed an international appointment would take them to Europe, where they had completed some training as cadets in Germany. But with an opening at Brimbank City Salvos, word of Chad and Lisa’s work with tight-knit communities reached International Headquarters. Within two months of the official announcement, they were in the air. Lisa and Chad travelled for 16 hours with their children Ginny and Connor, and finally arrived in Australia in August. Lisa and Chad travelled for 16 hours with their children Ginny and Connor, and finally arrived in Australia in August. “There was some hesitation there for me for sure, but when it came down to it, I truly believe that God breathes on the appointment process, and they asked us for a reason,” shares Lisa. “At the same time, it was very exciting, and I had to get over the worry and really dig into [the fact that] this is where God wants us as a family. It just came down to ‘yes’.” “That’s where Romans 8:28 comes in,” Chad says. “All things work together for the good when your will is in alignment with [God]. So we just do what he calls us to do, and it has been amazing.” Responding to the call Chad and Lisa, pictured here before their commissioning, met in Toronto and both felt an individual call to officership, before God's plans came together a year into their marriage. Their ‘yes’ speaks of obedience, but it’s even more remarkable when you realise the couple never set out to become Salvation Army officers – at least for a while. Chad is a fourth-generation Salvo and witnessed his parents serve in lay positions at local corps in Ontario. Meanwhile, Lisa is a third-generation Salvo, and it was her parents who invited her along to North York Temple, Toronto, in 2008 where she and Chad met. As the story goes, Chad was singing a moving solo rendition of Mary, Did You Know?, and Lisa decided to stay. Chad and Lisa, pictured here before their commissioning, met in Toronto and both felt an individual call to officership, before God's plans came together a year into their marriage.Only after they were married in 2011 did the serious possibility of officership come up. At the time, Lisa’s parents were considering entering Officer Training College. And in fact, they entered college during the Coles’ second year. But, over a bite of pizza, the conversation turned to the young couple. “We just kind of laughed it off until we got home,” recalls Lisa. “And it turns out [Chad] had felt the call earlier on in his life too. It had just grown stronger in the last year, and it had for me too. We just hadn’t talked about it!” “We always had a desire to serve in that capacity but never really knew what it looked like or what it could be until we moved,” adds Chad. “I thought, ‘I’m volunteering all my spare time, I’d rather be doing this all the time!’ That was kind of the thing and that harkens back to when The Volunteer Army became The Salvation Army.” The events surrounding the couple’s move to officership mirror their journey to Australia. Within two weeks, they sold their house and two vehicles and found a new home for their beloved dog. God had made a way, and after their commissioning in 2017 their first appointment was to High River, Alberta, a small town 30 minutes south of Calgary in Canada’s Alberta Northwest Territories division. Serving a community in crisis They served for five years in the community, which was still reeling from flooding in 2013. Overseeing the corps, two thrift stores, and the community and family services, Chad, pictured with an Emergency Services Disaster vehicle in 2020, during his and Lisa's appointment at High River, Alberta. Photo published with permission Okotoks Online. Chad also became a trained member of The Salvation Army’s Emergency Services and played a crucial role in supporting frontline responders to forest fires and other disasters in the region. This has stood him in good stead in Australia, having already volunteered with the SAES to assist with the flooding emergency in Echuca and Bendigo just weeks after they arrived. When COVID-19 made global news, Chad and Lisa were also at the frontlines of Canada’s outbreak. The Cargill meat processing plant was three minutes from where they lived and suffered the largest single facility outbreak at the time in North America. Supporting employees, responders and locals, The Salvation Army was the registered food bank in the town, and they went from helping 107 families a month to more than 400 families a week. “We discovered that nothing makes a community rally better than catastrophe, so having come through the floods, the community rallied and supported one another and became stronger. COVID-19 was just another example of being down but not out,” Chad says. “It paved a way to move forward with a lot of initiatives – to expand, build better working relationships with partner organisations and better relationships even with our congregation because it gave us the opportunity to do ministry differently.” Looking ahead Major Rebecca Inglis, right, installed Chad and Lisa as officers at Brimbank City Salvation Army in September. Photo courtesy Jasmine Purches. Having spent their first Christmas in Australia, the Cole family is excited to see what God will do in the New Year. Already embraced by Brimbank City Salvos (they rave about the prepared meals, clean house and friendship already given to them), they want to explore, empower and step into God’s Kingdom work on this side of the globe. And while their love for Canada isn’t going anywhere, there is no doubt a piece of Australia will always stay with them. After all, the proof is in their kids, who have taken to Australia like ducks to water. “Our kids have already started picking up the lingo!” Lisa laughs. “Connor is only two and a half ­– he will learn to speak with an Aussie accent.”

(From left) REIWA CEO Cath Hart and The Salvation Army’s Kate Greenaway and Major Brad Potter. The Salvation Army’s new outreach vehicle, funded by REIWA’s Community REInvest program in Western Australia, will hit the road this weekend to bring food and other essential items to those experiencing homelessness around Perth.   The vehicle, part of the Salvos’ Street Outreach Team, plays a vital role in delivering immediate assistance to individuals and families. It also creates opportunities for the Salvos to meet more people in need and talk about ongoing support options.   “This new vehicle will make a huge difference,” said Kate Greenway, Western Australia Homelessness State Manager at The Salvation Army.   “It’s more than just a vehicle – it’s a lifeline for those who are vulnerable. It will allow us to engage with more people, meet their immediate needs and help them on their path toward stability.”   The vehicle has replaced an outdated vehicle, with easy access to purpose-built shelving, an esky and a hot box for keeping food warm. It can drive off-road, offering a meal and a hot drink as well as clothing, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags and first-aid.   REIWA is The Salvation Army’s largest corporate contributor to programs for those experiencing homelessness in WA, via Community REInvest sponsorships, donations and volunteering.  Cath Hart, REIWA CEO, said it was a privilege to support the Salvos’ work through the Community REInvest partnership, which started 10 years ago.   “To date, we have donated over $1.6 million to the Salvos to assist them in the very important work they do to support those experiencing homelessness and/or family and domestic violence,” she said.   “The new vehicle is a great example of how we can, together, create meaningful change.”   Kate said without the support of organisations such as REIWA, “our work would be far more limited”.   “The housing crisis is a growing issue, and the support we've received from REIWA has allowed us to extend our services and provide more impactful, meaningful support to those in need,” she said.   The vehicle features artwork by Helen Latham, an artist with lived experience of homelessness. Having been supported by the Salvos to secure housing and employment, Helen’s art reflects her personal journey from darkness to hope.   “When you’re homeless, everything feels dark, and your self-esteem is low,” Helen said.   “Every day, you ask yourself, are things ever going to get better? What have I done to be in this position? You don’t want to be a burden on people; you just think the world is against you.   “But there is always hope; you just need to be patient and wait for brighter days.”   Information for story courtesy of miragenews.com

Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett (left) enjoys a conversation with Mick Evans, Community Engagement Officer for Gladstone Corps, at the barbecue set-up at the Philip Street Precinct. BY CLIFF WORTHING Conversations based around values of dignity and respect in order to build the kingdom of God are the whole purpose of Kingdom Chat Rooms, according to Captain Chris Ford, Manager of Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct in Gladstone, Queensland. Each week, 70 to 80 people come for a meal and chat at the Philip Street community hub. Chris said they used to have the Kingdom Chat Room at the corps building but relaunched it after COVID restrictions so that participants could access the full range of services available at the hub. “Our Kingdom Chat Room is highly missional and restorative,” Chris said. “It is a warm entry to faith, based on beautiful, quality conversations.” There are always two or three Christians in attendance, and staff from other services wander through informally to engage participants in conversation. Chris said many people come for the food, to meet others because they are lonely, and many don’t really know why they are there initially but receive help. He sa Mick Evans sets up for the weekly meal and conversations at the Kingdom Chat Room in Gladstone. id the format helps people find assistance for themselves. Chris gave examples of people who were suicidal or experiencing family violence who were able to find help with multiple services that they didn’t even know existed. One such person came for a psychologist appointment and was referred to the Salvos for food relief. Another young person came for a meal but now cooks for the group. Some are beginning to engage with the church, and many more with the rest of the community. Volunteers weren’t sure how they could have quality conversations in the beginning, but now they know all they have to do is just talk to people, according to Chris. Some even have the opportunity to pray with participants. “It’s such a safe place that we don’t even need to promote it,” Chris said. “We can offer hope because there is always hope.”

“What’s cool about this [Revolution Worship] is that it’s for us, by us. It’s for The Salvation Army,” says Worship Arts songwriter Dan Casey. Others writer Anthony Castle interviews Worship Arts Coordinator Dan Casey about his role as a singer/songwriter and the impact it is having on the musical direction of worship in The Salvation Army. The National Worship Arts Team consists of various people with different skill sets. What’s your background? A decade ago, I was playing in bands. I toured the world in a band that I saw as my church on the road, my ministry in a sense. My band had been nominated for an ARIA, and we played festivals like the Big Day Out, sharing a main stage with The Killers and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. That was what God had in store for me. I always felt the need to do that in the secular space, to bring hope, but in the last couple of years, I felt a pull towards the more traditional church. My heart is for young people, and I’m bringing whatever skill I can to help show God’s character to them. This isn’t my rock-and-roll dream here. I did all that. I don’t do this as an ambitious music project. This is where I feel called. This is something I’m passionate about. The Worship Arts team has a passion to see creative arts continually lead people to encounters with Jesus. What is Revolution Worship, where does it sit, and what is its goal? Revolution Worship is a platform for new music within The Salvation Army. It’s not a group or a band but a platform that paves the way to produce a united message through our music. It happens within my role with the Worship Arts team, but the end goal is a spot for The Salvation Army’s songwriters to land. Right now, we create resources for our corps and events and build connections with songwriters and creatives. The Salvation Army often models performance culture, making spaces for musicians or vocalists to build skill sets by performing existing work. More recently, it hasn’t always had structures for creativity and new material. Is this platform about making space for creativity, not just performance? The Salvos have lost way too many skilled and amazing artists because there’s nowhere for them to go. There are all these worship bands out there in other organisations, and the line-ups can be half Salvo. What’s cool about this is that it’s for us, by us. It’s for The Salvation Army. There’s a sense of ownership about it. Using other people’s gifts, so they don’t have to go elsewhere to use their creativity. Authenticity is the main thing. It’s trying to do something that works, coming from a heart place. It’s an authentic expression of our skills and our creative gifts. This is the material we want to make, what we want to hear coming from our movement. Dan says the Worships Arts team’s songs are being rolled out at events, camps and corps around the country. What impact has the music had so far? Our material has been in the Christian charts and the top 30 TCM (Today’s Christian Music) charts. People respect that, but the thing that we’re loving is the corps are using the songs on Sundays. It’s working on Friday nights, at events, at camps, and has our theology, our personality. That authenticity is resourcing local corps. It’s collaborative, working with other mission teams to get the best outcome. I think there’s power in the ownership. Each week, corps are using the songs, thousands are hearing these songs every year. How many other songs out there reflect what we believe about God, about justice, about our cities? With ownership comes that pathway to participation; you can own this, and you can have space here, you can be part of the contribution. There are two songs out at the moment, ‘Our Redeemer’ and ‘Love Never Ending’. It’s only been a few months, and we’re seeing all this traction. We’re working on a new one at the moment, laying a foundation for musicians and songwriters to feed into. We’re creating a platform for artists to express themselves in this movement. It’s only through weird God circumstances that I have found the position I’m in. I was definitely not planning on working in the movement, but God’s created opportunities to use my gifts here. Links for more information and the music of Dan Casey: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4lT6irWKqen9PaaVvzYTdS?si=dUWzlP2LQuu9d4IAjUztWw https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionWorship Dan Casey in the studio recording the single Our Redeemer.