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Camberwell Corps warmly welcomed the 2026 cadets of The Salvation Army’s Rescued session at a special ‘Cadet Welcome’ service. (From back row, left) Major Gavin Watts (officer recruitment), Reuben Van Gaalen and Caleb Gorringe. Front row, from left​​ - Rachelle Atkinson, Chantal Tait, Jessica Gorringe, Bramwell Nemhara, Mike Salomo, Wati Seeto and Yasmin Van Gaalen-Prentice. BY LERISSE SMITH A sneak peek into the lives of some of this year’s nine cadets from The Salvation Army’s  Rescued  session captivated the audience at the special ‘Cadet Welcome’ service at Camberwell Corps on Sunday 1 February. There was no hesitation from first-year cadets Bramwell Nemhara (Perth Fortress, WA), Chantal Tait (Kwinana Corps, WA), Jessica Gorringe (Long Jetty Corps, NSW) and Mike Salomo (Macarthur Corps, NSW), who openly shared their hearts, hopes and journeys during a special Q&A with Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College. The service followed the cadets’ Orientation Week with the college team.  Asked to name a highlight from Orientation Week, Mike didn’t hesitate. “Oh, that’s easy!” he said with a smile. “It is definitely meeting all the beautiful, wonderful cadets, and the training college staff, such as yourself, Kylie. The days have been long! Every day has been an information overload, but I’ve also had so much fun just being in each other’s presence and getting to know each other. I hope that we will continue to learn from each other – and lean on each other.” Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College, (left) led a special Q&A with cadets Mike, Bramwell, Jessica and Chantal. For Bramwell, the surprise of the week proved deeply formative and unexpectedly transformative. “I was surprised by how much emphasis there is on who we are becoming, not just what we are going to, but who we are becoming,” he commented. “That really surprised me. I thought, as I had a few experiences in ministry, I thought I’ve got it all before, but this week has surprised me and just broken me down to start building me up to be who I will become in ministry.” Jessica shared a personal insight into what she had learned about herself during last week. “I have learnt about myself that there is so much more to discover about faith and about The Salvation Army,” she said. “There’s so much that I thought that I knew, but there’s so much that I don’t know, and I’m excited to discover that and learn more.” With her eyes fixed firmly on the journey ahead, Chantal spoke about what she looked forward to in the future. “I’m looking forward to the learning, the developing, and also just getting deeper and learning in a different environment to my normal home corps,” she said. “So, experiencing a large corps, coming from a smaller corps ... really just looking to get into the work within that corps and what they’re doing in the area. So, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”  The other five cadets of the 2026 cadets of the Rescued session are Caleb Gorringe (Long Jetty Corps, NSW), Rachelle Atkinson (Mandurah Corps, WA), Reuben Van Gaalen (Coffs Harbour Corps, NSW), Yasmin Van Gaalen-Prentice (Waverley Corps, Vic.) and Wati Seeto (Fiji). Major Matthew Reeve, Corps Officer at Camberwell, brought a stirring message. One of the most significant moments of the service was a special personalised message from Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas for the cadets. Unable to attend in person, she had her message read by Major Kim Haworth. “May this be another line in the sand day for you as we welcome you as cadets in our territory,” Miriam had written. “And what a wonderful territory it is. What a wonderful name for a session – Rescued. You have been rescued in order to rescue. William Booth said, “We are a salvation people.” This is our specialty, getting saved and keeping saved and then getting somebody else saved, and the ministry of Jesus to proclaim the Good News to the poor.” Miriam also shared her excitement with both the cadets and congregation about this year’s  Rescued  session. “Rescue – what an amazing ministry, what a privilege, what a calling,” she emphasised. “Jesus has rescued us and set our feet on solid ground. We are a people on our knees, rising up and going forward with the Holy Spirit to see the world, one for Jesus. May you be Jesus-centred, Spirit-led and revealers of hope. The world desperately needs Jesus, and you are a part of his plan. You’re a hope-giver and a hope-bringer. You can’t do it without him. Don’t even try! It’s His mission, and we partner with him. A highlight for the Rescued cadets was receiving prayer for their life-changing journey ahead. “These will be both exciting and challenging days. Make the most of every day. Live for him and be like him ... Colonels John and Lani Chamness join me in welcoming you. Rescued to rescue. What an amazing calling! I can’t wait to hear the salvation stories that you get to be part of.” More highlights were to come for those attending the service, including special prayers for the nine cadets, worship, and a stirring message from Major Matthew Reeve, Corps Officer at Camberwell. A key inspiration for the cadets was the sessional verse for the  Rescued  session, Colossians 1:13: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” Kylie explained that each year, as a new session commences, she writes a reflection on the sessional verse and wanted to share the closing portion with those gathered. “I’d like you to hear it as a word of encouragement for all of us who have been rescued and brought into the Kingdom of the Son,” she said. “The rescued are entrusted with a hope that is grounded in Kingdom realities. Living a holy life is to live a life of resistance, to be a freedom fighter. It is a way of being in the world that resists despair, dehumanisation and indifference. Rescued is not just a testimony in the past tense. It is a vocation for the present.”

(From left): Lieut-Colonel Paul Ha​​teley (Secretary for Communications), Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (Territorial Commander), Judi Agnew (Relationship Manager, Corporate Partnerships),  Louise Osborne (Director of Sales and Marketing Lanson Place) and Colonels John and Lani Chamness gather at Melbourne’s Lanson Place for the unveiling of the Salvo Wall. BY LERISSE SMITH It all began with a poignant cuppa and a chat. In July 2023, Judi Agnew, Salvos Corporate Partnerships Manager, met with the Human Resources Manager of a new boutique hotel under development in East Melbourne for a casual coffee and a discussion about a potential connection. Excitement buzzed in the air, ideas flowed freely – and a shared vision was born. Sixteen months later, that vision sprang to life with the official opening of Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, housed within The Salvation Army’s former printing works at 502 Albert Street, originally built in 1902. Now, another milestone has been celebrated with the unveiling of the ‘Salvo Wall’ – a tribute honouring the ministry that once operated within these walls during The Salvation Army’s ownership. The installation includes historic images and the original brass plaque, inscribed with the words ‘Publishing Office’, which was presented by then Victoria Divisional Commander Colonel Kelvin Merrett at the hotel's official opening on 26 November 2024. The original brass plaque (left) and the Salvo Wall that has pride of place in the hotel. (From left) Marcus Packham (General Manager Lanson Place), Colonel John Chamness and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas admiring the Salvo Wall. “The Salvo Wall is a remarkable testament to ministry, mission, milestones and memories,” Judi said. “With a thoughtful nod to The Salvation Army at almost every turn, the owners have beautifully renovated and extended the building, carefully honouring both its rich history and our enduring connection to the site.” READ MORE:   Keeping Salvos heritage alive Adding to the excitement of the day was the presence of new territorial executive leaders, Colonels John and Lani Chamness, along with Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas. The hotel itself is a celebration of heritage. Carefully curated artworks pay homage to its origins as a printing works, engaging the senses and celebrating its heritage. A must-see feature is the glass ceiling installation in the main foyer, inspired by flowing manuscript pages that appear to move from the front to the rear of the building. Brigita Ozolinsis’ work called ‘Salvation’, which uses binary code to reflect The Salvation Army motto ‘Soup, Soap and Salvation’. Another standout is an artwork by Brigita Ozolinsis titled ‘Salvation’, which translates The Salvation Army’s motto ‘Soup, Soap, Salvation’ into binary code – blending history, mission and modernity in a striking way. The binary code of the work, which hangs in the main dining room of Lanson Place, is rendered in mirrored Perspex inlaid into a stained plywood panel. The word ‘soup’ is charcoal grey, while ‘soap’ and ‘Salvation’ are gold, but it is only the title that provides a clue about the meaning of the work, which otherwise remains a mystery. “The team at Lanson Place Parliament Gardens describe themselves as connected forever to The Salvation Army,” Judi remarked. “We are truly grateful for their ongoing support in so many meaningful ways.” At the top – (from left) Colonel John Chamness (Chief Secretary), Judi Agnew (Relationship Manager Corporate Partnerships), Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (Territorial Commander), Lieut-Col Paul Hateley (Secretary for Communications), Marcus Packham (General Manager Lanson Place), Louise Osborne (Director of Sales & Marketing Lanson Place) and Colonel Lani Chamness (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries).

Please pray for the nations of this territory – Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Do you know the countries that make up the South America West Territory? They are: Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another. This week ( 9-15 February )   we pray for the South America West Territory. Music is a major ministry focus in the South America West Territory.   This territory has 321 officers (209 active, 112 retired), 92 corps, 6 outposts, 4507 senior soldiers, 1249 adherents, 1338 junior soldiers, and 1057 employees.   Colonels Alex and Luz Nesterenko lead the South America West Territory. The work of the territory includes: ·  Schools and education (16 schools) ·  Village savings and loan associations ·  Community health services (52,000 people treated in hospital) ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response. Praise points: We are grateful and praise God for his faithfulness to our territory for: ·     The 10 new lieutenants recently commissioned and sent to the field in December 2025. ·     The 19 cadets who advanced to their second year and are now on summer break appointments, and the 14 accepted candidates who will enter training in March 2026. ·     We thank God for the new converts, children, youth and families who have been won through the territory's schools and kindergartens, and we pray that they will continue their spiritual growth in the linked corps.   Prayer requests : ·     Pray for the continued development of the spiritual life of the officers and soldiers of the territory through seminars, meetings, and growth workshops, and for more prayer warriors and home prayer programs. ·     Pray for the continuation of the Territorial Strategic Plan ‘Send Me’ and its integration with the General’s call to action with Compass. ·    Pray for the visit of the General and the World President of Women’s Ministries to Ecuador and Peru in July 2026, and for the movement of the Holy Spirit in these places. ·     Pray for the expansion plan, including the opening of new pioneering and outpost works and their development.   To find out more about the South America West Territory, see here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, see here . To download the 2026 prayer schedule, see here .

Each month on  Salvos Online , Rosy, the Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, shares her thoughts and reflections on the spiritual issues that shape our lives as Christians, exploring how our faith intersects with our everyday experiences and how we can deepen our relationship with God. Today, she reflects on the third instalment of the prayer walk series called God Encounters. The group outside Werribee Mansion getting ready for the prayer walk on Saturday 31 January 2026.   I want to share about the most recent instalment of our prayer walk experiences called God Encounters.   This one was called God’s Savannah and was held at Werribee Mansion in Victoria.   This was the third in the series, with each encounter intentionally held in a different natural setting. At the end of this article, we have included a simple guide and free photos, in the hope that you might feel encouraged to lead a God Encounters prayer walk, or something similar, in your own context.   Major Steve Haworth and I host all of the prayer walks in Victoria. Together, we bring spiritual reflection and photography into a shared space of encounter. Steve’s photography and the photo gift offered to each participant provide a focal point for listening to and encountering God.  Steve visits each site in advance and photographs the location. These images are then printed and prepared for use on the day. My role sits within Spiritual Life, and I love crafting words and creating spaces where people can encounter God in a place of safety and equal footing with one another.   When people gather, the experience begins with a shared time of devotion and prayer. Each participant is randomly given a photograph, and we spend time reflecting together, listening, and discerning what God might be saying through the image.   We also use the Year of Prayer card series from Spiritual Life Development, inviting people to consider whether and how the scripture speaks to their image. As my husband Scott, who attended, put it: if the words are not in your brain yet, that is an invitation. An open seat awaits in the next part of the reflection.   This time is gentle, spacious and deeply communal.   Following this, participants are given free time to walk through the environment with a devotional booklet that helps focus attention on listening and tuning in to what God might be saying. The day concludes with another time for sharing, during which people are invited to speak about what God has stirred in them. Participants are also invited to choose one of the photographs to take home. This final sharing time is often intimate and powerful.   A different group every time One of the unique aspects of God Encounters is that each gathering brings together an entirely different mix of people. The first encounter was held in the Redwoods Forest in Warburton and was called God’s Cathedral (read that story here ). The second took place at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens and was called God’s Garden.  The water tower at Werribee. One of my favourite moments from God’s Savannah was hearing from one of our youngest participants. She shared an insight about a water tower intended to store water but eroded by the very thing it was designed to contain. This was the photograph she had been given at the start of the day. It was incredibly moving and led me to reflect on what parts of my own life or spiritual life were meant to hold living water but may have been eroded by time or neglect.   Across the group, people shared openly and thrived in the space intentionally set aside for them. Many were in ministry or active community roles, and several reflected on how difficult it can be to find time to stop, soak in the Word of God, and simply be with other Christians in a new environment. Yet that space is so vital.   I had never visited Werribee Mansion before and was struck by how free and open it is to wander through and enjoy. As much as I would love to be outdoors more often, it is often only at these prayer walks that I actually do. God is gracious. In those moments, I am able to marvel at what God is doing through our people and through the world around us.   How to host a God Encounter in your own context Steve and I hope that anyone reading this would feel empowered to lead something similar in their own area. This does not need to be complicated or highly produced. At its heart, a God Encounter is simply about creating space to listen to God together.   Here is the basic shape of how we host these prayer walks:   ·       Choose a natural location that is accessible and safe. This could be a garden, coastal walk, bushland, or local park. Free and familiar spaces work beautifully. ·       If possible, visit the site in advance and take photographs that capture details, textures, and moments. These do not need to be professional, only reflective. (We have provided a link below to all Steve’s photos from the God’s Savannah walk for you to freely use). ·       Begin with a short time of welcome and prayer. ·       Randomly give each person a photograph and invite them to sit quietly with it. Encourage simple questions such as, “God, what are you drawing my attention to?” or “What might you be saying through this image?” You may also use the A Year of Prayer cards or a short scripture to anchor this time. Invite sharing if people are comfortable. ·       Offer space for people to walk freely in the environment with a short devotional or reflection guide. The aim is not to fill the time but to slow it down. ·       Gather everyone back together and invite sharing without pressure. Allow participants to choose a second photograph to take home as a tangible reminder, and invite them to share what stood out.   Steven has a folder with every photograph from the Werribee Mansion visit, which you are welcome to use as prompts for your own prayer walk (or email Steve directly if the link doesn’t work for you).   Here is the Canva design we used for the devotional booklet, which you are free to edit for your context any way you like.   What’s next   If you are in Victoria, our next God Encounter will be God’s Waterway, with details to be confirmed and a potential date of 28 March. Keep an eye on the Victorian divisional calendar. I will also create a Facebook page to share information, and a PowerPoint has already been sent via the divisional newsletter to support invitations.   As I move to Sydney later this year, expect some God Encounters in NSW/ACT. I would wholeheartedly recommend this space as a time of reconnection and growth.   The prayer and devotion are gentle and accessible, and people often find themselves sharing more deeply than they expected.   If you have a camera or smartphone, you can also take photos in your own environment and have a similar experience.   Steven and I are more than happy to help. Please feel free to email us at: steven.haworth@salvationarmy.org.au rosy.keane@salvationarmy.org.au

The Self Denial Appeal 2026 begins next week! ( Sunday 15 February). This year’s theme is ‘Motivated by Love’ - a love that reflects Christ, takes action and reaches across borders. As we give, we are called to do so with courage, strength and unwavering faith – not out of duty, but from a deep love for others and for God’s Kingdom.  This year’s series takes us to Malawi, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Fiji, where we’ll see how past Self Denial giving is already making a real difference – helping girls stay in school, providing clean water, opening up job opportunities for young people, and giving boys in need a safe and caring place to call home. To find out more and donate, click here .

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?     My husband and I have the absolute privilege and pleasure of being appointed to the Lockyer Valley Corps in South East Queensland. We are based in the town of Gatton, and it truly is the Promised Land! I’m sure many wouldn’t agree with that statement, but for Rick and me, it really is our patch of paradise. Rural farming land surrounds the little townships we minister in. We have a wonderfully supportive church family, and ministering in these communities is simply the best! You are part of the community; you are known in the community, and that opens up so many doors of opportunity.   Small communities often have great networks and opportunities for collaboration. We don’t enjoy the availability of support services that are available in many larger places, so we have to think outside the box, get talking and try to solve or at least alleviate the immediate need for those who are in difficulty. It is challenging and often frustrating, but a privilege to walk alongside those who need our support. Great relationships are formed across the communities, and we all benefit when we work together.   God continues to open up doors into all sorts of places and spaces and we are enjoying seeing people grow in faith, gaining a hunger for the Word and living authentically for Jesus. This truly is the best part of ministry! I’m not sure what God has in store for 2026, but we know it is going to be great!  As we say in this part of the world … LV (Lockyer Valley) is the place to be!   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?     I am a certified LEGO ‘enthusiast’. I love building LEGO, so sitting down to a new build with a pot of tea is a great way to relax and take my mind off things. Currently, in this season of ministry, our family and some of our great friends are fairly close in distance, so being able to spend time with them is a blessing we don’t take for granted. Spending time with my favourite people in person or over the phone will always be the best way to relax and unwind. It fills my cup full to overflowing being able to sit and share a cuppa with great mates, play a game of Euchre with my parents, see my sisters and their families on special occasions, and generally share moments together we haven’t been able to do when the distance has been too great. God has blessed me with some of the best people to do life with, and when we can, we lap it up, get refuelled and refreshed until we can do it all again and if it can be near a beach … even better!   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?     This could be controversial … I really don’t listen to music regularly! This can make planning for our worship meeting difficult at times! I guess when I think about music that has impacted my life and has truly evoked a response deep within my heart, I can’t go past He Giveth More Grace , Song 30 in our songbook. Perhaps an unusual choice when we have so many songs to choose from; however, this song, like no other, has brought me to tears and has been a reminder in both joy-filled and difficult seasons that God’s abundant love and grace are mine. I am never lacking where Jesus is concerned. The final verse is an absolute beauty.   His love has no limits, his grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men For out of his infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, He giveth and giveth again!   I so relate to the lyrics of this entire song. I can see my life and my life experiences woven through the lyrics. God has indeed been generous to me, and has given me more grace, more strength, more mercy and more peace when I have needed it. Not only given … but swamped me with an overwhelming tidal wave of provision that has kept me going in days where my ‘resources’ were completely gone. It’s definitely an old song, but the words still ring true today and will continue to for the years to come.   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?     This is a really difficult question ... there are so many people I’d love to talk to! Conversations with the ‘big names’ in Scripture would be awesome, but I would also like to chat to those who encountered Jesus or had their lives transformed by the gospel, and we heard no more about their life. The woman at the well, the Philippian jailer who was going to end his life when Paul and Silas were freed from their cell by an earthquake, the man who was at the pool of Bethesda ... so many people, often unnamed, whose lives testify to God’s redemptive grace. I guess I’d just love to sit with some of those people and listen to their life story ... they may not be named, yet their transformation and life story would still be a beautiful testimony to listen to.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?     Ask me that question 25 years ago, and I would have said ‘NO WAY!’ Simply because that was my biggest fear ... signing up to follow Jesus as a Salvation Army officer was NEVER in my plans! And yet God called ... and that call was undeniable. I have no doubt that officership is God’s plan for me, and if it is God’s plan for you, I encourage you to embrace it with everything you have! The temptation to run from this calling was great, but being in the centre of God’s will is where we all need to be, even when it seems an unlikely choice. I love being a corps officer! At times, the days are long and overwhelming, and yet I have a deep peace knowing that even on the most difficult of days, this is the space God has called me into. Seventeen years in, I am still so very thankful that I walk this journey, that God called me; uniquely created to share the love and joy found in Jesus! God has reminded me time and time again that I lack nothing. He has and will continue to equip me with all I need. I’m so glad the fear I felt about ‘officership’ was eroded by the beautiful assurance that this was God’s path for me ... and if it is yours also, be encouraged that it’s an amazing journey of growth, love, grace, chaos and unpredictability. It’s a cracker of a journey, and I’m glad it’s mine! More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here .

Salvation Army teams are providing assistance as floods ravage parts of Mozambique. The Salvation Army is providing emergency relief in Mozambique after heavy and prolonged rainfall caused severe flooding across southern and central regions of the country. To supplement government efforts, The Salvation Army mobilised support in Maputo Province through local churches. Salvation Army officers and soldiers collected and distributed food items and clothing to flood-affected families in Matola and Katembe, providing practical assistance and encouragement during this difficult period.  Emergency response training  The Salvation Army’s response was particularly strong due to the training conducted in May 2025. The International Emergency Services PREPARE (Prepare to Respond to Emergencies – Planning and Readiness) training enabled local leaders in Mozambique to act quickly, organise distributions and engage communities effectively.   While these local efforts brought meaningful relief, many communities across the country continue to face food insecurity, loss of income and increased vulnerability. This is particularly apparent among children and older people, for whom these tough conditions can be very challenging. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, the need for continued humanitarian support and strengthened community resilience remains critical.  Ongoing support  The Salvation Army is continuing its efforts through a ‘Rapid Response’ initiative funded by International Emergency Services. It is also working alongside national and local partners to support 300 families with immediate life-saving items, including food (beans, rice, sugar and cooking oil) and hygiene products such as soap, sanitary pads, water buckets and water purification tablets.  The situation in Mozambique is ongoing. It will take a lot of time and effort to rebuild these communities from both a practical and emotional point of view. The Salvation Army asks you to keep all those affected in your prayers. Story courtesy The Salvation Army International website .

Madame Chiang Kai-Shek in 1943, and the excerpt of her article in the War Cry in 1975. (Photo credit: The White House Historical Association - Library of Congress) BY BARRY GITTINS The Salvation Army is an apolitical, nonpartisan group that once referred to its members as ‘comrades’ engaged in a movement.   Whether you prefer to see ‘the Salvos’ as a church or a denomination, or a para-church body, an NGO (non-government organisation) or a FBO (faith-based organisation), a social welfare campaigner, a not-for-profit corporation competing for government contracts, a tireless advocate for the underprivileged, or all of the above, the general principle remains that The Salvation Army does not mess with party politics or push any political candidate or side.   That doesn’t stop some strange bedfellows from appearing in Australian Salvation Army publications from time to time.   In the 31 May 1975 edition of its national newspaper, the War Cry , The Salvation Army carried the self-written life story and testimony of ‘Madame Chiang Kai-shek’.   She was the second wife of her hubby, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek; the rebel, general and politician who led the Republic of China (ROC) until his death in April 1975. (The revolutionary had headed up the Allied forces in China as ‘supreme commander of the Chinese theatre’ during WW2 and had ruled China on the mainland, and then led the ROC in exile on Taiwan when the Communists booted him out in 1949.)   The article where Madame Chiang shared her conversion to Christianity. Choosing to publish copy from the former leader’s missus, a month after the generalissimo’s death, was both a controversial and a political decision, if perhaps unintentional or naïve on The Salvation Army’s part. (Like other Christian groups, the Salvos had also been kicked out by the Communists and lamented their forced departure.)   Being seen as maintaining the enmity towards communist China was an odd stance for a non-political group like the Salvos, considering the geo-political shift ‘Down Under’.   In 1971, four years before the article’s publication, the then opposition leader Gough Whitlam toured ‘the People’s Republic of China’ and the next year, as Prime Minister, Whitlam duly ‘recognised’ China diplomatically (US president Richard Nixon had done the same earlier that year).   Whitlam made another visit there in 1973, the first time an Australian PM had made the journey into what had formerly been enemy territory in the Cold War.   After Whitlam was sacked in November 1975, six months after that War Cry article, in November 1975, his successor as prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, continued to mend Australia’s fences with China.   So, what was Madame Chiang Kai-Shek writing about? Ostensibly setting the scene as the daughter of Christian missionaries who’d been forced as a child “to listen to very long sermons”, the writer shared her conversion to Christianity while describing her husband’s struggles “against the intimidation of Japanese aggression, [an] internal revolt in China and … hunger [caused by] the Yellow River floods”.   For many years, she wrote, “Mr Chiang and I worked closely together to build a united, modern China.” While the Madam was revered in US evangelical circles, many international media outlets and historians described her as a pitiless politician. The Los Angeles Times obituary described her as “Madame Dictator … ruthless, corrupt and unmoved by the miseries of the Chinese people.”   Being an apolitical organisation does not stop groups from swimming in murky waters, and the expression of faith – in and of itself, a thing of joy – does not mean the living of that expressed faith.   It brings to mind the words of Jesus himself, who had hoped that his followers would be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.

Salvation Army teams have been on the ground in Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa struck three months ago. Jamaica struggles after Hurricane Melissa Three months after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on 28 October, 2025, this Caribbean island remains a landscape of devastation.   The first Category 5 storm ever to strike the island damaged infrastructure to the extent that it reshaped entire communities, erased livelihoods, and left entire towns across western Jamaica facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis.   In places once known for gently rolling farmland, fishing harbors, and small but vibrant town centres, the terrain has been transformed. Houses lie flattened beneath mounds of rubble. Commercial blocks where shops, clinics, and microbusinesses once operated are now empty shells or foundations exposed to the sky. Roads once lined with vendors and schoolchildren are carved through debris fields, broken concrete, and the twisted remnants of roofs.   Amid this devastation, The Salvation Army has remained a consistent source of relief and stability. Teams continue to serve communities across the island, drawing on the organisation's 29 service centres that were already embedded in remote and hard-to-reach areas before the storm.   Their response began immediately after Melissa made landfall and has continued steadily into the new year. As of January 2026, The Salvation Army had reached more than 212,000 people with emergency assistance, including 131,000 meal kits, 66,000 hot meals, 9000 food parcels, 27,000 bottles of drinking water, and 25,000 hygiene kits. These supplies have helped stabilise households whose farms, shops, and livelihoods were erased.   Click on the video below to read the stories of six people whose lives and communities were reshaped by the storm and learn how each of them is attempting to rebuild in the face of overwhelming loss, with Salvation Army support. This story and video courtesy The Salvation Army World Service Office . Ukrainians serve in bitter cold The morning of 3 February was especially difficult for Ukraine after a major attack on key civilian infrastructure. Critical services such as electricity, central heating and water supply facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv came under intense attack, coinciding with temperatures that plummeted to -19°C.   Many civilians have lost their homes as a result of this attack.   “Please remember The Salvation Army in Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers as we assist civilians, especially the most vulnerable, to endure these inhumane conditions,” say Ukraine Divisional Leaders, Majors Irina and Konstanyn Shvab.      Hope and safety beyond the brothels The Salvation Army in Bangladesh operates a support program near Jashore’s brothels to help vulnerable and exploited women and children who are exiting cycles of abuse. One such woman, Saanvi*, was sold into sexual exploitation by her abusive husband and later forced to raise her daughter, Ishra*, in the brothel. Tragically, Ishra was also drawn into the sex trade at a young age. With ongoing support from The Salvation Army, Saanvi eventually left the brothel but sadly passed away soon after. Inspired by her mother’s courage, Ishra sought help, started her own grocery store and began rebuilding her life with assistance from the program. Since 2021, The Salvation Army has emphasised local ownership of its initiatives, engaging women, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify solutions to exploitation. They have supported 35 women in leaving brothels, with many receiving training in skills such as tailoring and small-business management. The program also provides safe spaces for children living in brothels, offering education, creative activities and nutritious meals, while raising awareness about social issues such as child marriage and human trafficking in the broader community. Saanvi and Ishra’s stories reflect both the immense challenges faced by women and children in exploitation and the hope that The Salvation Army continues to bring through its work in Jashore. .Learning new skills gives exploited young women an opportunity to rebuild their lives. This story is courtesy The Salvation Army World Service Office .   Designing life in Poland Young people from The Salvation Army in Warsaw, Poland, recently got together to participate in the ‘Design for Life’ program. “This is a unique time when we get to know ourselves, our talents and our calling in life better,” the group shared. “Thanks to our guest from Germany, Major Matthias Lindner, who led this event. We now wish everyone the best opportunities to use their talents.”  Youth respond to the ‘Design for Life’ program in Warsaw.   Back to school in Southern Africa The Back to School campaign is in full swing in the Southern Africa Territory, with school uniforms, shoes and other supplies being given to disadvantaged schools in the Eastern Cape and Eastern KwaZulu Natal divisions. For many children, this simple gift means walking into the classroom with confidence, pride and hope for a brighter future.   Being properly equipped for school enables students to study, learn and develop.

Salvation Army workers at the frontline caring, counselling and catering for community members in need.   In his role as the Café Supervisor at Melbourne Project 614, Matthew Daniels sees many people from all walks of life come into The Salvation Army’s centre on Bourke St – mostly those doing it tough and struggling to make ends meet. They are often desperate souls seeking help, and greeting them are a special type of Salvo – our frontline workers. In this Viewpoint, MATTHEW DANIELS offers a word of encouragement for these workers.   There are weeks in this work that feel heavier than others.   Not because something dramatic happened. Not because there was a crisis that made headlines. But because the accumulation of stories, needs and human complexity quietly pressed. This past week felt like one of those weeks.   There was a moment that stayed with me. Over the course of this week, three individuals came into the café at Project 614 seeking accommodation.   That, in itself, isn’t unusual. People presenting with housing needs have been part of this space for a long time. What felt different was who they were and how they presented.   Each person carried a complex story. Each situation required patience, discernment, and presence. None of it fit neatly into a policy box.   And then there was a moment on Friday, toward the end of the day, that stopped me.   All three individuals were in the café at the same time. Each was sitting with a different staff member. Three conversations, three vulnerable people, three workers fully present.   Nothing dramatic. No spotlight. No applause.   Just people showing up.   Standing there, watching that unfold, I was struck by how rare and significant that moment actually was. The cafe at Melbourne Project 614 on a normal weekday. The woman at the well   There’s a story in the Christian tradition about a woman who meets Jesus at a well.   In simple terms, she was someone society had already written off. She carried a history that made her an outsider, and she avoided public spaces. Society had already decided she didn’t matter. Her story was known, judged, and reduced. She came to the well at a time of day when she wouldn’t have to see anyone because being unseen felt safer.   And yet Jesus met her there.   He didn’t fix her circumstances in an instant. He didn’t tidy her life into something respectable. What he did was see her. He spoke to her. He listened. He gave her dignity, purpose, and voice.   In a world that had made her invisible, she was treated as somebody.   I see echoes of that story in this space [working on the frontline with The Salvation Army] all the time.   People arrive carrying labels long before they carry hope. They’ve been defined by systems, failures, diagnoses and histories. And sometimes the most powerful thing we offer isn’t a solution. It is recognition.   We see people, we listen, we honour stories that are messy and unresolved. That matters more than we probably realise.   Moses and the bush   Another story that comes to mind is Moses and the burning bush.   In brief, it’s a story about a man going about his ordinary work when he notices a bush that is on fire but not being consumed. When he stops and pays attention, he realises something significant is happening. It’s in that moment of noticing that God speaks.   Some interpretations of this story suggest something interesting. The bush may have been burning long before Moses stopped. The moment didn’t change because God suddenly appeared, but because Moses finally noticed.   Whether you read this spiritually or symbolically, the idea is powerful: sometimes meaning isn’t absent, sometimes it is overlooked.   What I saw on Friday felt like one of those moments. An ordinary café, an ordinary end of the day. And yet, something important was happening.   If we rush, if we’re exhausted, if we’re focused only on what’s next, it’s easy to miss these moments not because they aren’t there, but because we are human.   Carrying the cost   This kind of work comes at a cost.   It is tiring, emotionally demanding, and requires restraint, empathy, and presence even on days when your own reserves are low.   Many ancient traditions, including the Biblical ones, carry this idea that freedom and restoration often come with a cost that someone, somewhere, carries weight so others can find safety. Whether understood spiritually or symbolically, it’s a way of naming a truth about human care.   That doesn’t mean suffering should be glorified, and it doesn’t mean boundaries don’t matter. It simply acknowledges that frontline care involves emotional labour and that labour deserves to be seen, respected and supported.   So, I want to say this clearly and sincerely to all frontline workers across The Salvation Army:   Thank you.   Thank you for staying present when it would have been easier to disengage. Thank you for listening to stories that don’t resolve neatly. Thank you for offering dignity where people may have expected dismissal. Thank you for doing work that is often invisible but deeply meaningful.   My encouragement isn’t to do more, it’s not to give endlessly, it’s not to ignore your own limits.   It’s this: Keep noticing. Keep listening. Keep seeing what’s in front of you.   And just as importantly: Rest. Set boundaries. Let yourself be human.   Holy ground exists in ordinary places, not because they are perfect, but because people show up.   READ MORE: The Salvation Army Australia Territory’s mission and vision

Click on the video above to hear the Territorial Commander’s message. Salvationists across Australia are invited to attend the launch of ‘The Way’ – the Australia Territory’s spiritual direction for 2026 and beyond.  Our Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, says The Way will inform the future direction of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry, and she’s calling on all people within the movement to walk in alignment with Jesus and with each other. “We are focusing on discipleship, prayer, evangelism, spiritual warfare, and being on mission,” she enthuses. “This is the way of Jesus. This is our way, and forever. Let’s come along, sharpen the focus, be iron sharpens iron to and with one another, and then walk so closely in the footsteps of Rabbi Jesus that we are covered in his dust.” She says she is excited to attend The Way launch at Tuggeranong Corps in Canberra on 13-14 February. “I’ll be there. Come and join me – wherever you are in Australia! The best days are coming.” Register your attendance at one of The Way launches across Australia  here .

Colonels John and Lani Chamness (centre) were treated to a rousing Redfern welcome at a special chapel service at Territorial Headquarters in Sydney on Thursday 29 January. BY LAUREN MARTIN   At their first official welcome event in Australia, Colonels John and Lani Chamness have emphasised the importance of integrity, organisational honesty and faithfulness to one another and to God as they take on key territorial leadership roles.   A special Welcome Chapel and morning tea was held at Territorial Headquarters in Redfern, Sydney, earlier today for the officers of the USA Western Territory.   Amid jokes about Vegemite and Aussie colloquialisms, the Chamnesses shared personal aspects of their lives and ministry, along with the qualities they will bring to their new appointments – John as Chief Secretary and Lani as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Officer Leader Development.   Colonel John Chamness speaks at the Welcome Chapel service at Redfern. “A few things I live by,” said John after he thanked those gathered for their warm welcome, “is integrity. As a movement, we need to live up to the integrity that Christ has called us to.   “Honesty. A word that’s often lacking in our world today – to be honest, to be true. We need to be honest with each other.”   He went on to say: “Faithfulness is another important thing for me, to be faithful to one another. I didn’t grow up in the [Salvation] Army, but as a young member of The Salvation Army, I often heard my friends talk about ‘THQ’ or ‘DHQ’ or whatever, and that has continued, where we blame one another. But we have such a beautiful transforming organisation, so we should be proud of who we are, instead of pointing fingers at one another – let’s lift each other up!” Major Kim Haworth, Colonel Lani Chamness, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Major Stuart Glover and Colonel John Chamness at THQ Redfern. Leading courageously Major Kim Haworth, Assistant Chief Secretary (Mission), said that as she has come to know the colonels over the past few months, she has praised God for what a great ‘fit’ they are for leadership in the Australia Territory.   “They are the ‘real deal’,” she said. “They’re authentic, they are wise, loving and kind. They share a deep and beautiful faith and bring a wealth of experience to us from their officer journey.   “We have a real sense that we are in very good hands under their leadership.” Speakers at Redfern included (from left) Emily Blackstock, Major Robyn Black and Major Kim Haworth.   Major Robyn Black, NSW/ACT Divisional Commander, welcomed officers and members of The Salvation Army’s faith communities and committed to covering the new leaders in prayer: “And we especially pray for you that you will continue to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit and that you will lead courageously.”   In her welcome on behalf of employees and volunteers, People and Culture Partner Emily Blackstock thanked God for preparing the colonels to lead The Salvation Army in Australia into the years ahead: “We are excited about the ways God will use your leadership to strengthen our mission and expand our impact.” Colonel Lani Chamness plays her song at the service.. A highlight of the meeting was when Lani brought a song that she had written, called ‘I Will Hope in My God’. As she played the guitar and sang to a packed chapel about the hope of Jesus, a beautiful sense of peace settled over those gathered in the Redfern chapel.    Redfern-based The Chamnesses will live in Sydney and work from Territorial Headquarters at Redfern, the base for Executive Leadership as of January 2026.   However, they will travel throughout the country as they work alongside the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, and other key leaders to guide The Salvation Army Australia into the future.   Their next official welcome will be a chapel service at Blackburn Territorial Headquarters in Melbourne on Thursday 5 February.   This will be followed by official public Welcome Meetings at Camberwell Corps (Vic.) on Sunday 15 February and at Parramatta Corps (NSW) on Sunday 1 March. Photos: Michelle Watts (Senior Producer - Salvos Studios)