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Registrations are now open for The Salvation Army’s second annual National Creative Arts Camp. The 2024 event is being held from 14-20 January and is open to Salvos aged 15 (Year 9) to 30 who have a passion for living our mission through the creative arts. The venue is Rutherford Park Country Retreat at Blampied, north of Ballarat in Victoria’s Central Highlands. The camp focuses on cultivating their skills to share the love of Jesus with their local communities. For more information and to register, go to the Facebook site here.

World Teachers Day is celebrated in Australia on the last Friday of October each year. It is a day when we commemorate those long-suffering teachers who did their best to give us an education. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane! See if you can answer these questions: • Who was your favourite teacher at primary school? Do you remember their name? • Who was your favourite teacher in high school? What subject did they teach? • What was your favourite subject at school? • Which subject did you do best in? • Who were your best friends at school? • How did you spend your recess and lunch times? • What sports did you learn to play at school? • What is your happiest memory from school? For some of us, school was sometimes a miserable place, and the best part of the day was going home! For others, school was where we got to have fun with our friends. And some of us loved school and enjoyed doing schoolwork. However you feel about your time at school, we can be grateful for our teachers. Some did well, and some not so well. Some loved us, and some didn’t seem to like us much at all. But because of them, we can read, write, count and understand many things about the world. Now that we are adults, we have other teachers – wise people who help us learn about life and ourselves just by spending time with us. And we have the greatest teacher of all – our God, who made us, loves us and wants to teach us how to have a wonderful life with him. We can pray with the writer of Psalm 25, verse 5: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.” For more information on World Teachers Day, click here

BY CAPTAIN PAUL FARTHING In 2015, the UK’s Independent newspaper broke the news that the name Gary would soon be extinct. Gary was popular for a while there. But you don’t hear of many Garys anymore. Gary is apparently on the way out. In the 1950s baby boom, English-speaking parents frequently called their sons Gary (the Italian version of Gary is Gherado with a rolled R, which is much more glamorous). In the 1980s, both the Queensland and NSW State of Origin rugby league fullbacks were named Gary. Even some girls were named Gary. For a time, you could find Gary on those nameplates they sell out the front of newsagents and gift shops. But at some point, naming your baby Gary became ridiculous. That’s the thing about names, they come and go. This coming and going of names causes a real problem for authors trying to write believable fiction. To write a convincing story, you must use the names used in the time and place in which your story is set. If you, for instance, filled your story with Garys at a time when nobody was called Gary, your story would be unbelievable. This isn’t hard to do if the author is writing about a time and place in which they have actually lived, but if the setting is in a distant place many years ago, it is fiendishly difficult. If I had to write a story set in Italy in, say, 1942, everyone would be called Mussolini or Gherado (with a rolled R), and I only know of Gherado with a rolled R because I looked it up for this article. Take it as gospel Some doubting souls have suggested that the Gospels are a work of historical fiction. That they were made up many years later by people who were not there. If this were true, the names would be an absolute mess. Especially when one considers that this is the ancient world, and the authors had no internet access or record books to do some research. And the Gospel writers didn’t make it easy on themselves. If they were trying to convince people their fake story was real, they would keep names to a minimum, the more names you use, the greater your chance of error. But the Gospel writers name just about everyone. When Jesus gets too tired to carry his cross, a man from the crowd is made to help. Three of the Gospel writers tell us his name was Simon and he was from Cyrene, and then they tell us he had two sons named Rufus and Alexander. There was no need to name Rufus and Alexander as neither were there. There wasn’t even a need to name Simon or tell us where he was from. But they named them anyway. The Gospel writers named everyone. In 2006, Cambridge scholar Richard Bauckham compiled a list of names used in first-century Palestine. He used every source possible – historical records, the Dead Sea Scrolls, even grave markings. He then ranked the popular names and compared his list to the Gospels. The correlation was exquisite. Even more impressive were the disambiguations. When a name is popular, adding something to the name is helpful to specify who you are talking about. Simon was the most popular name in first-century Palestine. That is why we are told that the cross-carrying Simon was from Cyrene. Disambiguations don’t emerge unless they are needed. Bauckham’s list showed they would have been needed for first-century Palestinian Simons, and the Gospels use a heap of them (Simon Peter, Simon the Zealot, Simon the Leper, etc.) This makes the argument that the Gospels were invented many years later by people who were not there implausible. People who were not there could never be so precise. It is much more reasonable to believe that the Gospels are based on eyewitness testimony. The authors knew people’s actual names. They knew there were plenty of Simons and Marys and Josephs, and they knew there were absolutely no Garys.

‘By your side’ was the theme of The Salvation Army’s 30th anniversary celebrations in the Republic of Georgia, a division of the Eastern Europe Territory (EET), on 14-15 October. “It was a full and incredibly blessed weekend,” said territorial leaders of the EET – Australian officers Colonels Cheralynne and Kelvin Pethybridge. “So many incredibly inspiring stories of transformation and hope as well as sung worship and drama presentations. “It was such a privilege to enrol 16 junior soldiers and three senior soldiers and to witness the enthusiasm of the people. God is doing amazing things in this beautiful country, and we are truly grateful to share in this journey.” Additional events included a charity dinner and an advisory board lunch. To view the testimonies of Captain Rezo Bakhtadze, Georgia Divisional Commander, and Major Tengizi Tungia, Rustavi Corps Officer, click on the links below. English subtitles are provided.

The Eastern Europe Territory, led by Australian officers Colonels Cheralynne and Kelvin Pethybridge, joined with international leaders, territorial personnel, Bulgaria regional leaders Captains Captains Eduard and Inna Lebedev, youth and the local Salvos community to celebrate the official launch of The Salvation Army’s Bulgaria Region on Saturday 21 October. “It certainly was a day to remember,” said Colonel Cheralynne. The culmination of a great weekend for The Salvation Army in Bulgaria / Армията на Спасението – the enrolment of five senior soldiers, three junior soldiers and two adherents in Bulgaria – an incredible and exciting privilege to be part of this chapter in The Salvation Army Eastern Europe Territory. It was a long-awaited day. In St Petersburg, Russia (then part of the Eastern Europe Territory), in 2006, celebrations took place that recognised the 15th anniversary of Army ministry recommencing in Eastern Europe and then growing behind the former Iron Curtain. At that congress, a Bulgarian flag was presented to recognise a country in which it was believed the Army would eventually ‘open fire’. General Brian Peddle (Ret.) announced on 9 March 2021 that Bulgaria had become the 132nd country in which The Salvation Army is officially at work. In May 2019, registration was granted for the Army to begin work in Bulgaria almost 15 years after the St Petersburg celebrations. Despite lockdown and other restrictions enforced due to COVID-19 having made life far from easy in the country, the Army ministry quickly made its presence felt. Partnerships were formed to help distribute clothes and food for children and needy families. Youth work, scouts, children's ministry and worship groups quickly formed. These continue today, as does a growing spiritual ministry, family outreach, and an extensive support work for Ukrainian refugees.

In this series, Colonel Kelvin Merrett reflects on how hearing God’s voice can be different for each one of us. It is important to have confidence in your relationship with God and to understand that he speaks to us as individuals taking into account our circumstances and personalities.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I’m Head of Government Relations Australia, based in Canberra, approximately one kilometre from Parliament House. I love connecting our Parliamentarians with the spiritual and practical mission of The Salvation Army in their local electorates. We strive to create a sense of being in partnership with Members of Parliament to solve the complex problems facing Australia – locally, at a state /territory level, and nationally. I also seek to support our MPs spiritually and pastorally. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I have a second appointment as a writer with The Salvation Army Australia. I find I’m never more satisfied and at ease than going into the writing bunker for a couple of days and letting the Spirit of God take over my keyboard. Love writing about people, mission and the challenges we face as human beings and as The Salvation Army and the Church generally. I also aim to have a full-day spiritual retreat once a month, which refreshes my spirit and declutters my mind and heart. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song, and why do you like it? There are several at the moment, but a stand-out for me is Hillsong’s What a Beautiful Name, written by Ben Fielding and Brooke Ligertwood. There is power in this song and great theology, starting in the first line: ‘You were the Word at the beginning’. The song’s bridge inspires faith in a God who has demonstrated great power in Jesus Christ to set us free from all that hinders and to be all we were intended to be – the very best version of ourselves in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s strength and God’s grace and God’s mercy and God’s love are all inherent in the name, the beautiful name of Jesus. As far as a traditional song of the Church goes, I always love to sing And Can It Be by Charles Wesley. What a song! 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? It’s probably my namesake, Peter. I know people understand him through the lens of the Gospels, in which he appears impulsive and sometimes even unthinking as he attempts to lead the disciples and garner the favour of Jesus. But if you see Peter through the Acts of the Apostles and through his own New Testament letters, you see a man who developed a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit and who, over time, modified his behaviour and cultivated an openness to the mind of God that created momentous breakthroughs in the life of the Early Church. That’s what I would talk about. A powerful example of Peter’s personal growth is in Acts 10 where, through a vision, the Holy Spirit challenges Peter’s understanding of the Gospel as being for Jews only. Peter’s initial response was ‘surely not, Lord’. But the Holy Spirit persisted, and Peter’s obedience led to the entire Christian community realising that with Jesus no one is excluded from God’s embrace, no matter what their ethnicity or background. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? That’s a good question for these times when the vast majority of people are quite fierce about protecting what they do with their lives and how they spend their time. Today, we don’t easily let others, even a trusted community of faith, tell us what to do. But I have found that being a Salvation Army officer brings me great fulfilment in life. The main reason, I think, is because, in every appointment I have held, being an officer has given me wide access to journeying with people at all levels of society. Whether a corps officer or in communications roles, I have journeyed with civic leaders and people from all walks of life. It means walking spiritually and pastorally with people and in friendship and seeing how together we can make a difference in the world. Interview by Major Mal Davies

BY MATT ALLENSBY The Salvation Army’s Strategic Sourcing and Procurement team are leading a charge in the fight against modern slavery with the introduction of recent updates to our Procurement Policy. The updated Procurement Policy, combined with our Sourcing Agreement Standard, stipulates we must consider modern slavery and human rights in all our procurement activities and ensure we follow international best practice in responsible sourcing. The updates strengthen the policy’s alignment with our Christian values and ensure compliance with legal requirements such as the Modern Slavery Act 2018, and state-specific public procurement rules. Now, you may find yourself asking, “What is responsible sourcing?”. Responsible sourcing is a term often used in supply chain and sourcing contexts. It’s when an organisation intentionally sources or procures products and services for its operations in a sustainable, ethical, and socially conscious way. By following responsible sourcing principles, The Salvation Army is reflecting international best practice in human rights. Captain Stuart Glover, Secretary for Business Support, explained that when sourcing from new suppliers we must be vigilant in making sure they are following responsible sourcing practices. “It’s important to ask how much did this product really cost to make? Is someone else paying for me to save money? In reality, our cost-savings could be coming at the expense of someone in our supply chain – a person facing the same hardship or disadvantage that we are here to address. In fact, unwittingly we could even be the cause of the hardship and injustice some in our world experience because of our poor or ignorant purchasing practices,” Stuart highlighted. As the Army continues its fight against modern slavery, the Finance Department is actively working with our suppliers to inform and educate them on how they can improve their approaches to responsible sourcing and join the fight alongside us. Many suppliers have already answered the call, with the department hosting over 40 of our suppliers at a forum in June 2023, where they welcomed representatives from companies such as Woolworths, Kia, Wasteflex and Winc. The forum served as a unique opportunity to come together and form strong relationships of trust and respect, providing key suppliers with a safe environment to be honest and transparent about areas where they require support to ensure they continue following responsible sourcing practices. As a result of the Finance team’s efforts to ensure responsible sourcing practices are followed both internally and by our suppliers, they’ve excluded high-risk suppliers from tendering for work with us here at the Salvos. They’ve also elected to not work with businesses that contract suppliers who display an unwillingness to evolve and enhance their responsible sourcing performance. The Salvation Army’s Responsible Sourcing Manager, Heather Moore, explained the responsible sourcing program would see ongoing activities and engagement with our suppliers, to promote the positive social impact that responsible sourcing has. “Linking with our national vision statement, the goal of our responsible sourcing program is to ensure we are not benefitting from, causing or contributing to hardship or injustice through the goods and services we buy,” she explained. To support personnel in doing this, their team have developed a Responsible Sourcing Toolkit, which is available on request by contacting Heather. Personnel can also ensure they’re responsibly sourcing supplies by purchasing through Coupa, the Salvos’ online purchasing portal. Suppliers and, in time, products on Coupa for vetted responsible sourcing standards, which takes the burden off personnel and provides assurance about what they’re buying. By working together, everyone in the Army can contribute to fighting the injustices of modern slavery. To find out more about how The Salvation Army is joining the fight against modern slavery, watch this video on the Salvos Studios YouTube channel.

The Salvation Army’s Drive for Life program aims to see all young people have the opportunity to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. A driver’s license in a young person’s life is a key milestone that helps them move towards independence and hopefully allows them to pursue education, employment and housing goals. Justin Maher, a Drive for Life program coordinator, plays a key role in the program at Stafford in Brisbane. Salvos Online recently caught up with Justin to discuss the program and its demonstration of our mission of walking alongside people in our communities. BY CHLOE RICE Prior to his role with The Salvation Army, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin owned his own driving school. Near the end of the lockdowns, he was contacted by The Salvation Army in Brisbane, seeking his expertise in the Drive for Life program at Stafford. Justin decided to take a chance on the Salvos mission, closing his driving school and fully committing to this new opportunity. In his own practice, he would spend a lot of time teaching high-functioning autistic students, a passion that he felt aligned strongly with the Salvos’ mission of working with people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth. The Salvation Army Drive for Life program in Stafford is an ongoing initiative with approximately 70 students participating each year. Students in Queensland commit to 100 hours of driving practice to obtain their license. Justin shared that, at first, 100 hours can seem like a lot, but once students have practised with an instructor for the first 10 hours, they are introduced to a volunteer mentor and relationships are then formed. The volunteer mentors drawn from diverse backgrounds are “the golden stars in beginning the journey of growth and shared experiences between two generations”, according to Justin. In addition to the driving skills learnt, program mentors provide structured support amid life challenges, often equipping students with long-term life skills such as CV writing and job interview preparation. Some mentors even go the extra mile to pick up the students from different locations or arrange meeting points in central spaces, depending on the program location. There are currently three Drive for Life locations in Queensland – Lawnton and Stafford in Brisbane’s north and one in Bundaberg. Training for mentors The program in Stafford is closely linked with community initiatives, particularly those concerning refugees and youth outreach services. Justin says, “Addressing the trauma present in these young lives is a priority and preparing the mentors to guide them is key.” Training for mentors involves teaching them how to start lessons, initiate safe and meaningful conversations and meet students where they’re at – emotionally and mentally. Not to mention the workshops and special events just for the mentors. The mentorship experience is enriching for both parties, which, Justin says, “allows mentors to grow by gaining a deeper understanding of various cultures and backgrounds”. A vital component of the program is ensuring the lessons are tailored to a learner’s lived experience. Justin shared that there have been students from Afghanistan who’ve never been in a car but only had experience riding horseback. “It’s about understanding that some individuals have not grown up with the familiarity of being in a car and require tailored support and sometimes extra time,” he says. In this setting, mentors have the unique opportunity to be a steady presence, offering a wealth of experience, encouraging commitment and guiding students in the long drive of life. There are 20 mentors in the Stafford program, with the future hope being a one-to-one mentor-student ratio. “A key goal is increasing the number of volunteers, even within Brisbane, particularly for individuals emerging from traumatic experiences who we’ve seen find it difficult to prioritise getting a license,” Justin says. “Language barriers can present obstacles, and yet an opportunity for growth and learning for both the mentee and mentor ... teaching driving involves its own unique language.” The program is experiencing a notable influx of referrals, at least five a day, resulting in a growing waiting list. “It’s a struggle to keep up with the demand, securing grants to support this movement is also crucial to effectively address the growing demand and extend the program’s reach.” Justin explained that advancing the program is an ongoing goal, as digital transformation is essential, with access to IT playing a significant role in the program’s functionality. Unique challenges When asked about the main challenges the team faces in the program, Justin says, “Language barriers can present obstacles, and yet an opportunity for growth and learning for both the mentee and mentor ... teaching driving involves its own unique language.” Additionally, these young people frequently grapple with diverse life challenges such as job security, transportation accessibility and difficulties within their household dynamics, such as family fragmentation and lack of housing, not to mention the ongoing search to find their role and purpose in the world. “Encouraging students to attend their lessons in the midst of personal difficulty can be challenging,” Justin says. The age range of participants falls typically between 16 and 25, and some with diverse cultural backgrounds require a driver’s license to secure employment in Australia, adding another layer of difficulty to their experience. Reflecting on the most rewarding part of his job, Justin says, “Being on the frontline, building relationships with a young person and going on the journey with them, you can see where they come from and how they grow as individuals. And if they put one step in front of another, they can build a better life for themselves. “As a mentor, you can see the change in the student and the hope restored, not just with a license but the achievement and opening to greater opportunities – it really changes their life. Moulding the person they become, which correlates between moulding their understanding of the world and learning how to drive.”

Can you ever be truly financially ready for a natural disaster? The Salvation Army Moneycare team set out to explore this question in 2022 when they published an online book, Planning for the Unplanned: Are you financially ready for a natural disaster? Planning for the Unplanned is a guidebook that includes real stories from people and supports readers to develop their own plans for being prepared. The publication includes some tips from Moneycare financial counsellors who are part of a team that has helped thousands of people gain control of their finances for more than three decades. The team is also offering free webinars on planning for the unplanned – whether that be a natural disaster, sudden loss of income, change in family circumstances or a range of other reasons. The webinar dates are: Monday 11 September 10:30am-12:30pm. To register, click here. Thursday 28 September 6:30pm-8:30pm. To register, click here. Additional webinar dates: Thursday 12 October 10:30am-12:30pm Monday 23 October 6:30pm-8:30pm Tuesday 7 November 10:30am-12:30pm Wednesday 22 November 6:30pm-8:30pm Readers can also register for any of the above dates emailing: planningfortheunplanned@salvationarmy.org.au To download the book, click here.

Major Rod Serojales, Corps Officer at Sunraysia (Mildura), recently led a two-week mission trip to the Philippines. The mission team worked with 12 different corps in Mindoro Island and the Antique Province of Panay Island. The 11 team members came from corps in Sunraysia, Latrobe Valley (Vic.), Carindale (Qld), and the Mildura Chinese Christian Fellowship (MCCF). The purpose of the trip was to assist with the ministries of the Filipino corps in whatever ways were needed. This included repairing and repainting buildings, providing spiritual support, and working with local corps and community members to assist with ministries already operating there. During the trip, school bags and supplies funded by individuals in Australia were distributed to 350 children. The team also led Home League meetings where they taught crafts to the women. There were opportunities to connect with people of all ages in the local communities throughout each day and over meals. Team member Dr Grace (from the MCCF) conducted basic medical check-ups and health conversations. Four members of the mission team in the Philippines also travelled with the team for its entire visit, ensuring their safety and basic needs were met, providing transport and assisting with the mission. Team reflections When Margaret Anderson accepted the invitation to join the trip, she was worried whether she would have the energy needed to do all that was required of her. “But I have discovered that, ‘With God all things are possible,’” she says. “I found it a privilege to pray in the medical clinics as Dr Grace was seeing the patients. Also, what a joy to spend time with the Filipino people who were so welcoming and so generous as they shared food with us and comfortable places to stay.” At first, Heather Anderson didn’t want to accept the invitation to the mission trip as she did not feel adequate for the task. “But as a step of faith, I said yes to God and to the experience,” she shares. Heather says she was overwhelmed with the generosity of the Filipino Salvos and how warm and welcoming they were to the team. “They have given so much to us all, even though they have little resources,” she says. “Every day I had some occasion where tears filled my eyes, where whatever activity we were involved with ... has caused me to realise that God is involved in every person’s life and each one is special, worthy, important and loved by him. I know that my life has been radically changed forever because of this experience!” Medical outreach Dr Grace, who was on her fourth mission trip, was surprised at how expensive medications were in the Philippines, as well as the lack of resources and access to medical care, especially in rural areas. “For me as a GP, it was rewarding to provide consults, teach people about preventive health and give some medications to patients who need treatment,” she explains. “One man in the Samalagi area had a stroke a year ago but was not on any blood thinners ... we were able to provide him a month’s supply.” Danni Gray says the most eye-opening experience for her was “seeing the lack of what we would call the ‘normal everyday things’ we take for granted, like clean running water. When we visited Narra Outpost, I was told the whole town shares water, and if the tank runs empty, you just have to try the next day!” “I always find joy participating in mission trips," says Lyndon Gray, “because I enjoy the different cultures and being able to do simple things that can often make such a difference. I love that people are always willing to share and interact. And that faith crosses the cultural divide. I have enjoyed sharing my faith with the people and seeing God move among those we shared with, despite our language barrier. “It has also been interesting to see the people here so committed to ... furthering of God’s kingdom. They have so little but are willing to share what they have.” Ashleigh Gray had felt for some time that he was called to this kind of mission. “We were able to build the capacity of the local church,” he shares. “Having the members involved means that they have pride in their work and the church and have ownership of the work done.” Julie echoed the depth of respect for the Filipino people experienced by the whole team. “The most challenging experience was to see people living such simple lifestyles, yet they are still very faithful to our Lord and are happy and joyful with his blessings,” she said. Julie’s husband Tiang, also on the trip, adds, “Major Rod and the officers in the Philippines have done a great job. Major Rod [who is originally from the Philippines] put so much time and effort into the planning and was always ensuring the safety of the team and making sure all the logistics were going smoothly. It was a very humbling experience and taught me to appreciate things that I have and not to take things for granted.”

For more than a decade now, the phrase ‘consumer church’ or ‘consumer mentality’ has been used as a shorthand way of referring to a type of church and, indeed, a type of Christian. In simple terms, it refers to an approach where key questions for a believer are: How will this church please me? Does this church provide and tell me what I like? How will I be served and satisfied by being part of this church? It’s an approach that seems to place ‘self’ in front of God and make the worship experience about personal preferences. This has led to an increase in church ‘shopping’, where a Christian moves from church to church as they ‘try on’ different ones and decide which one to ‘buy’. I was wondering: what if we decided to go more fully into a consumer mentality and really made church a shopping experience? You buy a ticket, which reserves your seat, and you pick up some popcorn in the church foyer on the way in. The worship leader welcomes the congregation and says, “We can do ‘Build Your Kingdom Here’ or ‘How Great is Our God’. What am I bid and for which song?’ Members of the congregation call out dollar bids and name their choice of song. How Great is Our God wins, with a bid of $65. The corps’ EFTPOS machine is passed to them; they make payment and then – and only then! – the band starts playing. Several songs are purchased in the same manner, and then it’s time for the brass band to play their message for the morning. The bandmaster says: “At band practice on Tuesday night, Kevin paid for us to play his favourite piece today, ‘Emblem of the Army’, so here it is. The offering comes next, and the corps officer gets up to introduce it, saying: “As the offering is collected, please note that it will be counted in a back room immediately. If we have more than $1000, you get the 10-minute sermon. If it’s $500–$1000, you get the 20-minute sermon, and if it’s under $500, you get the 30-minute sermon.” The offering is taken and – wonderfully! miraculously! – it exceeds $1000. What a generous congregation! The end of the meeting nears, and the CSM, who is a wonderful singer, announces that she will sing the favourite song of the highest bidder to conclude the meeting. The bids come thick and fast: $100, $150, $180, $200 ... Finally, it’s settled. The winning bid is $285, and the song chosen by the winner contains a clear biblical reference: it’s ‘Highway to Hell’ by AC/DC. The song itself, of course, doesn’t matter – $285 was raised for mission work. Hallelujah! Now that’s a real consumer church: saving money, growing the bank balance and serving ourselves. – Major Mal Davies and his wife Major Tracey are the Corps Officers at Adelaide City Salvos