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Photo: Gaspar Uhas on Unsplash  BY ANTHONY CASTLE   What day is it?   It’s a question I hear often. My children ask it most mornings, as if they don’t recall the day before. I understand what they need to know, though: Do I put my school clothes on? Is it the weekend? The question they are really asking of me is ‘Where are we in life right now?’   It can be an annoying question during the early-morning routine. I’d rather they remember it for themselves, but it’s annoying for another reason; I can’t always answer. I stop to remember this basic fact, and for the small time in which I can’t, I feel lost.   There are explanations for this temporary amnesia – the pre-coffee haze, or whatever the paternal equivalent of ‘mum brain’ might be. Memory loss is common in middle age, but I feel as if it’s getting worse. I don’t seem to remember things like I used to, and I’m not alone.   ‘Brain rot’ was the Oxford Word of the Year in 2024, a term that has come to describe a common sense of fading intelligence. Increasing numbers of adults have reported symptoms of brain fog in recent years. Speaking with friends, I came to realise it’s not just the day that might be briefly forgotten, but tasks or current events. I have come to call this ‘the forgetting’: a feeling of being lost, overwhelmed by it all. More and more, we are asking, How did we lose track of things? How do we get back to normal? How do we stop this?   Research indicates attention spans have shrunk by more than half in the last 20 years . There are health reasons for the trend of cognitive decline, such as the effects of long COVID, or increasing life expectancies, though technology is often blamed.   Research has found that memory is reduced in adults who multitask across multimedia technologies, particularly in workplaces. Moving from task to task, screen to screen, creates a unrecognised mental exertion known as ‘switch cost’ . This ‘switch cost’ has crept into our personal lives, too, with specialists coining the term ‘digital dementia’ to highlight the memory loss associated with overuse of smartphones.   While there have always been social panics about new forms of technology, from television to video games, studies have found that social media can affect focus. Twenty minutes on TikTok can significantly decrease the attention span and memory of its young users, and even increase the likelihood of cognitive decline in adulthood .   There have been some attempts to stop the brain rot created by work and smartphones, with new ‘right to disconnect’ laws giving workers the right to log off after hours, and schools banning phones for students. Similarly, the government’s social media ban is designed to keep young people off these platforms entirely, though experts question whether the ban will be effective.   “We have built a new, digitised world that we aren’t really made for.” Each of these measures may limit the reach of technology in our work lives and personal lives, but they cannot stop it. We buy movie tickets, read the news, talk to teachers, organise weddings, do banking – do anything – through digital interfaces. We have fully digitised society. Jobs, media, our communities – all are now online.   We have lost track of things because things have changed. We may not be able to get back to normal, as this might become the new normal. I wonder if the reason we can feel so lost is because we are. We have built a new, digitised world that we aren’t really made for.   I find myself deleting social media apps from my smartphone from time to time, making spaces to leave the device at night. Research finds that social media breaks can improve mental health , but I have wondered about the degree to which it should be routine, part of the week even.   The rest is up to us There is a time in Scripture known as the Sabbath, meaning to stop. The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest in religious life, observed differently in different traditions. A Sabbath time could be practised weekly, or even for a year. During Sabbath times, people rested, the fields grew wild for the poor and the migrant to eat from, debts were cancelled, and slaves were released.   The idea has its origins in the Biblical creation story (Genesis 1), and points to rest being a necessary rhythm in the divine, in the natural world, and in the human condition. Stopping is sacred, and rhythms of rest make the world. Creation and recreation are connected.   This new digital world was made for us to lose ourselves in, to increase our addiction, our screen time. Politicians deliberately ‘flood the zone’ with misinformation to confuse. Social media platforms have admitted they are susceptible to disinformation campaigns. It never stops, it’s not making the world better, and we weren’t made for this.   Each day, the average Australian checks their email 77 times and spends three hours on their smartphone. We cannot stop the digitisation of society, but we can find time to stop, to rest. We can make space – from work, from social media, from smartphones, from the noise made by the powerful. These platforms rely on screen addiction to gather our data and sell it for hundreds of billions of dollars .   So, unless we choose how to use these things, these things will continue to use us. There are no easy answers to this new, digitised world, but unless we develop regular routines to remember where we are in life, then we will continue to feel lost.   I won’t always remember what day it is in the early hours, but we need to remember to practise Sabbath in our lives. We can choose to stop, and rest in what is sacred, not rotting but growing, connecting to what makes the world around us better.

An illustration from an early-day War Cry. Biblical literacy was quite high in this era, and the illustration seems to depict the dwelling place of Jehovah in the wilderness with the children of Israel. The Ark of the Covenant is seen in its tabernacle in the centre of the image, with the High Priest supplicating on his knees at the threshold of the tent.  BY BARRY GITTINS Life for early-day Salvationists was far from dull. The August 1883 issues of the War Cry , published 142 years ago, make that abundantly clear. For example, the Kadina Salvos in South Australia were marching along with a brass band while “the Devil was raging and a nice little stone came over a fence into the procession, striking one of our Bandsmen on the leg, but, thank God, did not do any damage”. Detractors and publicans were suspicious of these Salvationists; the latter were particularly concerned that many testifying at the Salvos’ “good Free-and-Easy” meetings “did not now spend their money in the public-house”. In “Sisters” and “Brothers” meetings, temperance meetings, open-air services, prayer meetings, Cottage meetings and Holiness meetings at Port Augusta (SA), many a “Great Drunkard and Swearer” were changing their lives, and finding “the desire was all gone for drink and pipe”. Lives were being changed. This was both a spiritual and temporal reality, as mission took both evangelical and practical forms. In Wallaroo (SA), and throughout the colonies of Australasia, Salvos were using Thanksgiving Teas, “Grand Devil Driving” meetings, Grand Hosanna meetings, Nicodemus meetings and Tea Festivals, and indulging in “Hallelujah Waves of Handkerchiefs”, to denounce “the Demon Drink [as] the forerunner of all evil”. While the Army declared its intentions to “Wage War against King Alcohol”, they returned home from Sunday Knee-drills (prayer meetings) “like giants refreshed with new wine”. The desire to promote changed lives included publishing of testimonies from “a converted actress” and “a converted spiritist”, who publicly pondered whether to burn, sell or take to headquarters his library of “infidel, spiritualist, pantheist and ‘Magic’ books”. Changed lives led to a desire to also help others change theirs. The War Cry ’s August 1883 issues carry additional subscriptions from friends and individuals (contributing a breadboard, a sugar basin, two candlesticks, stamps, etc.) to the Army’s “Home for Fallen Sisters” (a halfway house for women wanting to leave sex work). The Army’s work was not unopposed. Later that same year, a man “driving in a trap [wagon] drove through the crowd of an open-air ring and returned, thus risking the lives of the people. Some rough young fellows from a public-house saw it and came out, pulled the man out of the trap and thrashed him. Then the Publican turned Constable locked him up and summoned him for damages. He was fined very heavily. “Well done, publican,” the War Cry stated. “This is an example.” Two years later, in the War Cry ’s 8 August 1885 (140 years ago), a drunk man on horseback snatched a flaming torch out of the hands of a Salvationist at Sale (Vic.) and “tried to burn the flag”. The horse trod on the foot of the flagbearer, who fell to the ground to protect the flag. Lieut Knight declared that “in spite of the enemy, the Salvation Army is marching along with banner and song”. In an age before automobiles and reliable public transport, when not everyone could afford a horse or coach fare, people walked some impressive distances to go to The Salvation Army. Captain C. Wright reported that a man walked 42 miles (“and then was in the marches”) and a woman walked 18 miles (“along a lonely road, having no fear”) “to be at our meeting” at Dunolly (Vic.). The Army’s evangelical and advocacy/social welfare work went hand-in-hand from the start.   The stakes were indeed high to prompt that kind of effort and devotion. In the same issue, a woman housed in a Rescued Sisters Home testified that she’d twice attempted suicide – “once by the Yarra [river], once by laudanum [opium]” – before she fell in with the Salvos and was converted. Captain Rash added a plea, on behalf of the home, for “women’s clothing of all descriptions … a good chest of tea, a bag of sugar, or anything you can send”. Bodies and souls, individuals and groups, actions and intentions, all arenas of life mattered to the Salvos – because they believed that all of life mattered to God. The way you treated someone, the way you helped them in prison, or sickness, or hunger, or nakedness, was the way you treated Jesus. And so, The Salvation Army was consistently “out and about”, extending its forces, the whole world redeeming … Also in that 8 August 1885 issue, the Prison-Gate Brigade reported supplying “719 meals and 231 beds” to “the poor that we have always with us … Lord help us to do them good!” While the brigade was feeding and housing those in need, Prahran Corps’ “Drunkards’ Brigade” was busily bombarding “hotels … on the look-out for any poor drunkard that may be lying about”. The brigades were not always well received. One man with a drinking problem, “from the respectable class”, was reported to have assaulted a Salvo who was trying to help him (“he wanted to feel our comrade’s bumps with his walking stick”). Maldon Salvos (Vic.) visited “the Chinese camp” and saw “some of our poor fallen sisters” (white women engaged in sex work in the camp). The Salvos sang and prayed and “one sister went to them, and tried to persuade them to give up their evil ways, but she could not induce them to do so”. Among those singing, banging drums and blowing cornets, kneeling in prayer and testifying to God’s goodness and mercy, there were also many Australians who were being physically aided and restored by an Army of holistic salvation. Those who joined the ranks were helped by men and women who pursued the Spirit’s grace, practised the boundless love of God, and followed the teaching and example of King Jesus.

Women from all over North and Far North Queensland gathered for the Refresh retreat on picturesque Lake Tinaroo, south-west of Cairns. BY SIMONE WORTHING   “God moved powerfully,” said Major Petra Dorman, Area Officer, Central and North Queensland, describing the recent ‘Refresh’ women’s retreat in Far North Queensland. For the 46 women who attended, from Townsville to Atherton and Cairns, to Mt Isa and Mossman, the retreat offered “great worship, God’s word, fellowship, fun, food and reflection". The women were given ‘Refresh’ welcome packs on arrival at the retreat. ‘All that I am’ was the theme for the event, which was held at The Genazzano Retreat Centre overlooking Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands.   “The ladies heard what God had to say to his daughters about what it means to live fully for him,” said Petra.   Guest speaker and artist Lyn Diefenbach “unpacked what it is to give God all of our being through confession, commitment and purpose, and to go and be all that God created us to be. Special guest Lyn Diefenbach creates one of her artworks during the retreat. “Lyn is a talented artist who has come to realise that the world of art is her mission field. She is a woman who loves God and loves his people. Lyn’s art is a celebration of her faith and life, and she travels all over the world and across Australia teaching workshops.”   Lyn worships at the Capricorn Region Corps (Rockhampton) with her husband and son. ‘Papua New Guinea’ was the theme for the traditional retreat fun night, with all the women dressing up for the occasion.   The group also generously donated to the Making it Happen project, raising over $3100 for the Ela Beach Refuge in Papua New Guinea. “These funds will help renovate, expand and equip a critical women's refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence in Papua New Guinea,” said Petra. “This refuge helps restore dignity and bring real hope to those going through crisis. Women connected in small group sessions throughout the retreat. “The weekend was a sacred space where the Holy Spirit moved powerfully in our midst as we were reminded to declare our faith and keep God right in front of our eyes.”   The majority of women at Refresh came from corps in the area. Some of these ladies had invited friends, who were part of an event like this for the first time. A few women from other churches also attended. Lieutenant-Colonel Debra Stevens, Women's Resources Coordinator, was a special guest from Territorial Headquarters, Melbourne.    Much fun was had on ‘Papua New Guinea Night’ as the women dressed in traditional costumes in support of the Making it Happen project.

Did you know that the Korea Territory includes the nations of Cambodia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Mongolia and the Republic of Korea (South Korea)? Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week (11-17 August), we are praying for the Korea Territory of The Salvation Army.   Australian officers, Captains Star Conliffe and Charlie Jung are currently serving in Korea as assistant corps officers at Daejeon Central Corps, a church of about 300 people in a large city in the centre of Korea.   READ MORE: Officers serving overseas Captains Star Conliffe and Charlie Jung   The Korea Territory has 816 officers (489 active, 327 retired); Aux-Capts 11; cadets 16; employees 1638; corps 193; outposts 13; senior soldiers 45,605; adherents 3343; junior soldiers 347. Commissioners Kim, Byung-yoon and Cha, Soon-sam lead the territory.   The leaders of the Korea territory invite us to join them in prayer for the following:   • That all officers and soldiers live as faithful witnesses of God’s love, embodying the servant-heartedness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit – in accordance with the 2025 territorial slogan, ‘Testify with your Life’ (Acts 1:8).   • For the Lord’s provision with regard to human resources to further the mission of the territory. May more young people commit themselves to officership and may capable mid-level leaders be raised up to collaborate in his ministry.   • For the sustainable mission of Korea Territory through the responsible development of assets, along with transparent and efficient management of finances.   • For the effective implementation of the new governance structure, commencing in 2025. May governance committee members faithfully carry out their responsibilities. We also pray that all officers clearly understand the principles of delegated authority and accountability, in order to fulfil their God-given calling.   • For the commitment to expanding The Salvation Army’s mission work in overseas fields such as Mongolia and Cambodia, so that many more souls may come to salvation through the work of God.   • For the vision of The Salvation Army Korea Territory, that the gospel will go beyond the borders of Korea, reaching the nations of the world.   Click here to go to the Korea Territory website.   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .

Salvation Army Red Shield Representatives ready to be sent out to support Allied troops with their chaplaincy services in World War Two. BY BARRY GITTINS While VE Day (Victory in Europe) had occurred months prior (on 8 May 1945), the Second World War would continue to be waged until Japan surrendered to the US and the Allies on 15 August 1945 (VJ Day – Victory over Japan), 80 years ago today, post the atomic horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The 1945 issues of The Salvation Army’s weekly wonder, the War Cry , continued to chronicle the adventures of Salvo chaplains and Red Shield Representatives around the world. The reportage is a curious, heady mix of life-threatening actions, routine chores and the rich strain of human interaction under unbelievable pressures. One Salvation Army corporal “dived right into a sticky position” when he drove straight past AIF tanks and infantry to serve coffee and biscuits in a firefight in Labuan. The incident, reported by war correspondent Allan Dawes and published by the War Cry , meant the unnamed Salvo was courageously serving troops as they took fire from snipers and “unfriendly forces firing from commanding high ground on both sides of the narrow road”, with the undergrowth and gullies “thick with booby traps”. Ignoring increasing fire, negotiating precipices, swamp, jungle, with wounded men evacuated from tanks, and infantrymen momentarily pinned down, the Salvo swanned on, calmly dishing up refreshments while his hitchhikers (“correspondents” and a “cinema”) filmed “the whole incident”. Thankfully, not every day was dramatic for The Salvation Army personnel supporting the troops. One Red Shield man gratefully reported a service barber refusing to accept payment for an overdue haircut. From left: A Salvation Army Red Shield representative with Australian Women’s Army Service personnel; troops in the Ringwood Red Shield Hut; Captain C.B.W Bradford, better known as ‘Cappy’, serves soldiers in New Guinea in World War Two. A Salvo major had finished visiting a naval station with his corporal and their mobile unit, chockablock with comforts, only to find the servicemen unusually keen to have a chat, check out the Red Shield vehicle and stretch out the visit. Urged to hang around, two sailors arrived with smiling faces and “revealed to the Red Shield men the reason for the delay” – a successful catch! “The major and corporal had fish for supper that night.” Another Red Shield officer reported delivering much-needed soap being delivered in a military camp, with martial personnel smelling sweetly of “roses, carnations, lilies of the valley, musk, honeysuckle and other flowers”. The Salvo followed up by supplying an electric iron to have the troops look their best on leave before having the camp’s wireless set repaired. Nothing was too much or too hard for the troops. In Balikpapan, “with its battered beach, hammered with gunfire from the sea, deluged with bombs from the air”, the Salvos’ Cappy Radford dished out 11,000 cups of tea over six days, using 600 gallons of water. To the loud amusement of the Australian fighters, Cappy even managed to scrounge up a pack of chewing gum for the much-photographed Supreme Commander, US General Douglas MacArthur. From left: A Red Shield Hut being built in Darwin in 1941; Major Albert Moore’s Red Shield coffee point on the Kokoda Track in WWII; Australian soldiers form up outside Red Shield House in Malaya in WWII. Salvos were sometimes Johnny on the spot, or a good fill-in option for people in hard times. A “forlorn-looking soldier” asked a Red Shield rep if he was the padre. “No”, the Salvo replied, “that’s the padre’s tent.” “But you’re The Salvation Army man?” “Yes. “Well, you’ll do me,” the digger said. “The man told his story and received wise counsel,” the War Cry reported. “A few days later, he was discharged, but before leaving, he thanked the Salvationist for the excellent help he had given.” The horrors and everyday acts of kindness and service changed the experiences of military personnel. Salvationists were part of that experience, and their deeds are still remembered to this day by veterans and their families.

Victoria Divisional Commander Colonel Kelvin Merrett officially opens a Salvos Housing site earlier this year. BY ANTHONY CASTLE The Salvation Army has received funding to help social housing providers reduce their energy bills and tackle climate change.   The Federal Government and NSW Government have awarded $434,868 to the Salvos, along with 22 other housing providers, to upgrade thousands of social housing sites.   The upgrades will make social housing cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in and better for the environment.   “Upgrading solar and energy efficiency in social housing is all about lasting cost-of-living relief that makes houses cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in, as well as cutting emissions,” said Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy.   “Cooler homes in the hot months and warmer homes in winter lock in lasting bill relief and protection from international energy price spikes.”  The Salvation Army is a major provider of housing and homelessness services for those in need in Australia. It offers a range of housing support, including crisis accommodation, transitional housing and long-term social housing.   More than 2300 homes will be upgraded by The Salvation Army and other providers with nearly $18 million in joint funding from the Albanese and Minns Labour Governments.   “This is direct action to help people who need it most,” says Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Housing. “We are upgrading homes so they cost less to run, are more comfortable to live in, and help tackle climate change. People in social housing deserve homes that are safe, liveable and energy efficient.”   Australia has some of the coldest and least energy-efficient homes in the developed world. People in social housing often feel this the most. The upgrades provided by The Salvation Army and others will include rooftop solar panels and shared solar systems, reverse cycle air conditioning, energy-efficient hot water systems, ceiling insulation, window shading and draught proofing, LED lighting, and ceiling fans.

When all the world is dark, the power lies in looking up, reflects Anthony Castle. BY ANTHONY CASTLE I was given something sacred when I was young. I took it in my hands, unfolding a cloth that was stitched together from red, gold, and deep blue. I put it over myself, carrying it on my shoulders. It was a Superman cape.   The homemade costume was sold at the kindergarten fair. The colours weren’t quite right, but I wore that cape sincerely in the morning light, as I did for much of my childhood, occasionally beneath my everyday clothes. I didn’t always know what to make of the world when I was a child, but when I wore that cape, I saw things differently. I could be powerful. I could save the day.   I could be Superman.   The recently released Superman is written and directed by James Gunn, and revisits that core sincerity of the comic book legend. Superman, played by David Corenswet, has his good intentions questioned after billionaire Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, exposes the secrets of his alien origins and turns public opinion against him.   Superman isn’t really cool these days. The character’s sincerity can seem naïve. He looks silly. He’s not punk rock. Kids don’t really want to be Superman anymore. Even in my own teenage years, I seemed to outgrow the character, and the cape went into a box. Gunn’s film tackles this feeling but also asks a larger question; in a world that can seem so broken and dark, can a childish myth like this still work? Can Superman save the day anymore?   The film’s tagline is ‘look up’, but we first meet our hero crashing back down to earth after losing a battle for the first time, and the attacks continue throughout the film. Superman is beaten, slandered, imprisoned, and cast into an eternal darkness that threatens to divide the world and swallow everything in its wake. Now that I am a man, I still don’t know what to make of the world. I have watched invasions on my phone, witnessed governments corrupted by billionaires, felt our descent into a post-truth era. The world seems divided. People suffer, children die. I am powerless.   Superman even finds himself interrogated by star reporter and love interest Lois Lane. He believes his role is to do the most good, to serve others, and make the world a better place. Even Lois, played by Rachel Brosnahan, doubts him.   Superman’s story has often had a gospel-like significance, with truth and justice its key values. Created by the children of Jewish immigrants, the character borrowed motifs from biblical characters like Moses and Samson and later accrued Christ-like significance. Gunn’s film feels more similar to the Book of Job, with Superman’s goodness put to the test as his suffering seems too much to bear.   The film is a morality tale, revolving around the symbols of sight and blindness, light and dark. Superman is powered by the sun, but at one point darkness wraps itself around him, suffocating him and blinding his eyes. Superman is trying to save a world that doubts his goodness, that even attacks him. If Superman can’t save the day, who can? Now that I am a man, I still don’t know what to make of the world. I have watched invasions on my phone, witnessed governments corrupted by billionaires, felt our descent into a post-truth era. The world seems divided. People suffer, children die. I am powerless.   Gunn’s film wrestles with this same feeling. It is a bombastic comic book world with robots and monsters, but the violence and corruption it depicts reflects our own. Superman is even deemed an illegal alien, arrested by masked agents, and locked up in a foreign gulag without due process.   None of us can be Superman, but Gunn’s film knows this. It isn’t necessarily Superman who exposes the billionaire, protects civilians, and faces the darkness breaking the world apart. Superman doesn’t actually save the day. Other people do, when they look to his goodness and start to choose it for themselves.   Superman is powered by light, but his greatest strength seems to come from how he sees things. In the scene where Lois questions Superman, she explains her own cynicism; I’m punk rock. I question everything. You trust everyone and think everyone you meet is beautiful. Superman’s answer is simple ; maybe that’s the real punk rock.   I take a familiar fold of cloth from an old box. I still have the cape, though it’s been in my children’s bedroom for years now. I hold in my hands one more time, and my daughter, the same age now as I was when I first wore it, looks up; you want to be Superman . I give the cape to her to wear now. More than anything.   None of us are faster than a speeding bullet. We can’t leap over a tall building in a single bound. There are some things we can do though. We can see beauty, believe in good. We can speak the truth, act for justice, even if people think it naïve, even if we look silly.   I don’t wear a cape beneath my clothes anymore, but this childish myth did give me something sacred, that I still keep on the inside. We choose the values we dress ourselves in. We can choose to carry them on our shoulders each morning, revealing them, when everything seems too much to bear.   We don’t stop believing in good because the world is broken. Precisely because the world is so broken is why  we believe in good. When it’s dark is when we look up. That’s the gospel according to Superman, the simple power we’ve had all along.   That’s the real punk rock.

Savings have quadrupled in Village Savings and Loan Associations in Rwanda, with 91 per cent of members actively investing in their future.  GLOBAL FOCUS with Simone Worthing Could you find Jamaica and Rwanda on a map?   The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) works globally with local corps and centres to help change the lives of some of the world’s poorest, most vulnerable, and suffering individuals.   Over the coming months, Global Focus will feature some of the projects SAWSO is driving and the impact these are having in local communities.   JAMAICA: INCLUSIVE EDUCATION The Salvation Army Arthur Wint Basic School in Lucea, Hanover, Jamaica, is setting a powerful example in inclusive education, where children with special needs learn alongside their peers in a welcoming and supportive environment. At the core of this effort is a thoughtfully designed sensory room featuring a textured sequin wall, a large block-building area, a ball pit, and indoor sensory swings. This space supports up to 20 children, promoting acceptance, equal opportunity, and a strong sense of belonging. The impact extends beyond the sensory room. By providing every student with the tools they need to thrive, the school nurtures empathy, cooperation, and a culture of understanding across the entire community. Through this commitment to inclusion, The Salvation Army is helping all children reach their full potential together.   RWANDA: SAVINGS & LOANS In Rwanda’s Muko neighbourhood, many small-scale farmers struggle with low crop yields that lead to financial hardships and limited access to nutritious food. Seeing the community’s great need, SAWSO stepped in with a transformative project that has helped 500 farmers increase their resilience through agricultural training, financial literacy, and livestock support. Since the project’s launch in 2022, maize and bean yields have significantly increased, and vegetable revenue has more than quadrupled. Savings through Village Savings and Loan Associations have grown substantially, with most members actively borrowing and reinvesting in their farms. Increased livestock ownership has also provided families with a steady source of dairy, meat, and eggs, improving household nutrition. Today, 99 per cent of families maintain kitchen gardens, and nearly all consume a more diverse diet containing at least four food groups. With stronger harvests, greater financial stability, and improved nutrition, farmers in Muko are building a more resilient and food-secure future for themselves and their community.

Salvation Army international leaders, Commissioner Bronwyn and General Lyndon Buckingham, with soldier Krisna Puspita, who spoke on behalf of the Army’s young people. GLOBAL FOCUS with Simone Worthing The Salvation Army is celebrating its 160th anniversary!   On Founders’ Day yesterday, 2 July, International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, along with Salvation Army centres around the world, celebrated 160 years of The Salvation Army’s global mission. Salvationists, employees, volunteers, ecumenical leaders and others gathered for the occasion. General Lyndon Buckingham speaks at the celebration. Not finished yet “God has not finished with this movement and still has work for us to do on the planet, and that we celebrate!” said General Lyndon Buckingham to those assembled at IHQ.   “All around the world, under the umbrella of The Salvation Army, [The Salvation Army mission statement] is being lived out and enacted by our people, by officers and soldiers and adherents and staff and volunteers. This missional statement of The Salvation Army will result in transformation in the 134 countries in which our flag flies, and we give thanks to God for that reality.   Commissioner Patti Niemand prays for the international Salvation Army. “We thank God because we understand that at the end of the day, what is helping this movement to accomplish its mission is people … I want to say thank you to the Lord for the people who make up the International Salvation Army. You are being used by the King to bring glory to his name and to extend his Kingdom … I simply want to say thank you. God bless you!” Commissioner Patti Niemand, World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development , thanked God for the purpose and mission of The Salvation Army, as well as his empowering presence and hand. “Lord, we believe you raised up The Salvation Army for a purpose, but even more, we believe you are still at work in and through us,” she prayed. “You haven't finished writing the story. So as we look to the future, we pray for bold Holy Spirit courage to continue to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in the name of Jesus without discrimination.”   Krisna Puspita spoke on behalf of youth. Soldier Krisna Puspita spoke about the young people being the present, and the future of The Salvation Army, “the active heartbeat of our mission right now … You are not just preparing us for tomorrow, you are strengthening The Salvation Army of today, offering hope and solution to a generation that desperately needs it,” she said. “When we combine the wisdom of seasoned leaders with the passion and innovative spirit of youth, there are no limits to what we can achieve for God’s Kingdom.”   The Reverend Dr Leão Neto. The Reverend Dr Leão Neto, Secretary General of the World Methodist Council, assured those gathered of prayer. “My prayers, and the prayers of the World Methodist Council, are with you, that the spirit may come upon The Salvation Army,” he said. For the full story, click here .   For more photos from the 160th celebration at IHQ, click on the arrow below. WEEK 5 VIDEO: 160 years of education In recognition of The Salvation Army’s 160 th  anniversary, IHQ has created eight short videos chronicling the vast and varied mission of the global Salvation Army over the past 160 years, with one video being released each week, beginning 5 June.   The fifth video, released this week, focuses on The Salvation Army’s work in education. The Salvation Army has a long history of engagement with education and currently works with more than half a million children in more than 2500 schools, supported by 20,000 teachers in 45 countries.   To view the video and learn more about The Salvation Army’s Joytown School in Kenya and Josfridah’s story, click on the arrow below. READ MORE: Check out earlier videos focused on themes of church and charity, emergency relief, modern slavery and human trafficking, and social justice.

Fresh expressions of faith are spreading throughout the Netherlands and impacting local communities and beyond.   GLOBAL FOCUS with Simone Worthing In 2020, The Salvation Army in the Netherlands launched the Geloven in de Buurt (Faith in the Neighbourhood) program. The aim is to build strong social networks in Dutch neighbourhoods, resulting in fewer people experiencing livelihood insecurity and having to seek professional help. Since the scheme began, about 25 new locations have opened, including a series of fresh expressions (pioneer projects). Faith in the Neighbourhood is a collaborative project of The Salvation Army Church and the Army Welfare and Health Foundation, which includes both corps and community rooms. Because it’s not possible for everyone in the Netherlands to be reached through a community centre or corps, a total of seven fresh expressions or pioneer projects were started. Most of these innovative communities focus on teenagers and young adults.   The Flex Workspace The Flex Workspace is located in the university city of Wageningen. This site offers young adults a place where they can work and study. Visitors especially appreciate the structure offered: a daily program with fixed hours of quiet, and moments for breaks and conversations. From time to time, there are also study evenings, shared meals and celebrations. The Walking Church The Walking Church is one of the latest Dutch fresh expressions. This ‘church’ sees the outdoors as a cathedral. The Salvation Army organises walks through this cathedral with moments of silence, reflection, conversation and picnics. This concept particularly targets students in the cities of Utrecht and Wageningen. It also meets the need for more exercise because, of all Europeans, the Dutch sit the most!   The School for Compassion The School for Compassion operates in Amersfoort and Hilversum. This fresh expression focuses on seekers of meaning and so-called new spirituals. It is a training ground for compassion, where The Salvation Army wants to give people a taste of what it is like to live as Jesus did: in love for God and each other. The programme consists of exercises, conversation, meditations and rituals.   Sports in the Neighbourhood Dutch pioneers can be found on the streets several times a week playing sports with children and teenagers, enabling links to be forged with conversations about faith. In Utrecht, this fresh expression has a home base: a community centre with a wide range of fitness equipment available. For those who want to take part, there are Bible studies and meetings. To read the full story, click here . For more information on the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory, click here .

A voucher system for Ukrainian refugees in Georgia is just one of the many ways The Salvation Army has been supporting those fleeing Russia's full-scale invasion of their country. GLOBAL FOCUS with Simone Worthing   The Salvation Army in the Republic of Georgia has been awarded the Order of St Panteleimon in recognition of its outstanding work in supporting Ukrainian refugees.   The Order of St Panteleimon, presented on behalf of the Ukrainian Government, recognises individuals and organisations for their significant contribution to the Ukrainian people’s struggle for freedom and independence. The Salvation Army in Georgia was shortlisted for the award alongside 10 other organisations from around the world. The recipients of the award were announced at an event hosted at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 28 July 2025. A ceremony will also be held at the Embassy of Ukraine in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The Order of St Panteleimon is named after St Panteleimon, a healer and the patron saint of physicians and midwives.   Colonel João Paulo Ramos, Territorial Commander for the Eastern Europe Territory – which comprises Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine – said: “It is a profound honour that The Salvation Army’s work has been acknowledged in this way. This award is a powerful testament to the tireless efforts of Salvationists and friends of The Salvation Army, and to the impact of our God-given mission to serve displaced families and individuals with dignity and hope.   “Please join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement, and in praying that the ministry in Georgia will continue to flourish and shine as a beacon of hope in the community.” A kids club for young refugees run by The Salvation Army in Georgia.  The Salvation Army in Georgia, and across the Eastern Europe Territory, serves with unwavering commitment and compassion in some of the most complex and challenging circumstances. From humanitarian relief for displaced families to long-term community development, The Salvation Army’s presence has become a symbol of hope, dignity and practical love. READ MORE: Three years of war: healing the mental health scars The Salvation Army was nominated for the award following recommendations by Ukrainians living in Georgia who had been assisted by The Salvation Army. It was the only organisation within the country to receive a nomination. As part of the nomination process, Georgia Divisional Commander Major Rezo Bakhtadze was interviewed by the awards council, which included members of the Ukrainian Parliament. The Ukrainian representative to Georgia visited The Salvation Army’s work in the country on multiple occasions because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Ukrainians about the support received. For more images, click through the slideshow below:

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and Major Mark Everitt relaunch Logan Corps with a plaque unveiling. BY SIMONE WORTHING Radical hospitality and authentic relationships – that’s the focus of Captains Ashley and Rita Biermann as they lead Queensland’s Logan Corps into an exciting new chapter. “It was humbling to watch the community connections and relationships that were guided and led by God’s gracious rhythms of grace come together in a moment that brought everything together,” Ashley said after the official relaunch of Logan Corps, which is located 27km south of Brisbane. “It truly was a culmination of an 18-month piece of work, intertwined with God’s mission in Logan.” Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, and Major Mark Everitt, Queensland Divisional Commander, attended the relaunch, unveiling the centre’s plaque that reads: “For the Glory of God and service of the community.”   “This sums it up for me,” said Ashley.   The Logan Corps relaunch was the celebration of a faith, mission and disciple-making community and a gathering place for the diverse Logan communities. Around 90 people attended the launch from across many organisations.   “It was a wonderful affirmation of the work that’s been happening,” said Ashley. “And by God’s grace, he’s just opened doors where we couldn’t believe.”   The previous Logan Corps ran a similar ministry and outreach under the leadership of Majors Ashley and Bronwyn Barkmeyer, but sadly, had to close when the lease on the premises could not be renewed. Divisional Commander Major Mark Everitt acknowledges the Logan Corps Officers, Captains Rita and Ashley Biermann, at the relaunch last month. Ashley and Rita began their appointment at Logan Salvos in January 2024. “There were no volunteers, no ready building, no nothing. It was just both of us,” said Ashley. “We spent six months faithfully seeing who was around, what was being done, what the needs were, and how our council development application was progressing.   “The Salvation Army purchased a small shopping centre on Station Road, down from the Woodridge train station, 12 months after the former corps closed. There are five retail shops that we lease out, and there is a space called ‘Shop 6’ between the retail shops and the corps. While we have responsibility for the whole centre, the corps is in ‘Shop 7’.   “In ApriI 2024, I met with our local councillor to explain the vision behind our development application for shops 6 and 7 as a space for ‘a hand up’ and working with Disability Employment Services. The Army’s Employment Plus Local is now building a team to assist people on a humanitarian journey with pathways to work.” READ MORE: Salvos Logan in the heart of challenging mission field   Rita explained that the mission began developing organically, at the roots of the local community.   “We began without programs, just to see who came in and what their needs were,” she said. “Logan is rich with community support, but our focus was on ‘what is missing’. We didn’t want to duplicate anything that is already happening in the community. “We asked ourselves where the space is that God wants us to sit in as The Salvation Army, and even as a church. We hadn’t planned on starting a church per se, certainly not immediately, but God grew it from two to four, then eight within three weeks, and then it was 16. Close to 50 people have come through the faith community, and around 25 come on a Sunday now. “We have people from Papua New Guinea, immigrants, refugees, an Iranian Christian and a Muslim who works next door. So, it’s like God is bringing his children from all around the world into this space. And so that is exciting. “We’re here for the people, relationships and supporting other community partners that are here doing the same work. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we’re utilising their strengths to complement what we are doing, working smarter, not harder. But we’re doing different work too, and we want to create a space that’s safe for people to be seen and to have very natural, organic connections to Doorways, to Moneycare, to Employment Plus Disability, where it’s not just a transaction – we bring a little bit of humanity.”   Radical hospitality Ashley explained that the goal was to create a residence in the middle of Logan so they could invite people into their home. “It’s a beautiful space; Rita has done an amazing job of making it comfortable.   “The whole design is focused on radical hospitality and authentic relationships – this is what made disciples in New Testament times, and our research backs that up. And so does the feedback from people on the streets around us. They want a home they can come to. Those who attend Logan Corps represent a variety of nationalities. “We’ve had reasonable engagement from the homeless that are in the area, and they are connecting with us, using the showers and the laundry. We’re opening up space for an occasional meal, as well as working hard towards a mid-week chapel.   “Doorways operate two days per week. One day per week is an employment day with Employment Plus and other partnering organisations. Moneycare is not far away, and we’d love to have housing. We have an entry space into domestic violence support and some case work.   “On Sundays, we have church at 9am and the centre is open until 1pm. We’re exploring their discipleship journey – not just as The Salvation Army, but as a new plant. The Salvation Army is such a beautiful picture of a missional organisation, so its foundations are very easy in a space like this. We are actually on mission all the time, every day of the week, loving God and others.   “We’d also like to explore more deeply the possibility of connections with local workers, as we feel we are here for them too, as well as others.   “Watch this space.”   READ MORE: Meet the Officer – Captain Ashley Biermann