For Major Steven Lavaki, peace-building is not always carried out behind his desk. BY MS SYEIDAH GENIEMBO Kainantu is a town in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province, part of the country’s rugged mountainous interior. It is also a place where The Salvation Army has deep roots, serving communities through its churches, health and education programmes and, increasingly, the painstaking work of peacebuilding. Across Papua New Guinea’s Highlands, conflict between clans and communities can be triggered by disputes over land and resources, election results, deaths, and accusations of sorcery or grievances stretching back generations. What may begin as a disagreement between individuals can draw in extended families and neighbouring clans, creating cycles of retaliation that are difficult to break. The growing presence of modern firearms has made such conflicts increasingly deadly. The consequences extend far beyond those doing the fighting. Families are displaced, homes destroyed, gardens abandoned and children kept from school. In 2021, the United Nations condemned fighting near Kainantu that claimed 19 lives. Yet the region also has a history of reconciliation. In 2016, The Salvation Army worked alongside other churches to help broker a peace agreement between two clans in Eastern Highlands Province, bringing an end to 11 years of hostilities. Major Steven and his team visiting the fighting tribes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. That work continues. Supported through the PNG-Australia Partnership’s Church Partnership Program, Salvation Army officers and other church leaders are building relationships across dividing lines, returning repeatedly to communities where trust has broken down and creating opportunities for dialogue. For Major Steven Lavaki, however, peace-building is not always conducted around a meeting table. Sometimes ministry means raising The Salvation Army flag above his vehicle and driving directly towards the sound of gunfire. They come running out of the trees in bursts. Young men, barefoot on hard ground, rifles lifted, bows drawn. The crack of a gun answers the hiss of an arrow cutting the air. Smoke hangs low. Someone shouts and another falls. The road that cuts between the two villages is empty of traffic and full of fear. Into this, a white utility with a yellow, red and blue flag tied to its frame moves forward at a steady crawl. It does not stop at the first sound of gunfire. It keeps coming. Major Steven Lavaki is at the wheel. Beside him sits his wife, also in uniform. Neither of them looks away. “We go straight in,” he says. “They know us. They won’t touch us.” Most days, Major Steven’s work looks very different. He sits behind a desk in Kainantu, answering emails, managing staff, organising church programs and field visits; working through the steady demands of administration. The routine is quiet, ordered and predictable. Then the phone rings. A short message. Fighting has broken out! He leaves the office, raises the flag above his vehicle and does the opposite to what most people would do. He heads towards the conflict. “We go straight in,” he says. “They know us. They won’t touch us.” Major Steven is a Salvation Army officer serving in Eastern Highlands Province. His role has placed him in the middle of some of the worst tribal fighting in the region. The disputes vary. In one area, clans are fighting over land believed to contain gold, over sorcery accusations or drug and alcohol related issues. In others, old grievances have reignited after political disputes or deaths in the community. Major Steven and his team visiting the displaced villagers during the tribal fighting. The pattern is familiar. Villages deserted, houses burned and gardens left to rot. Families scatter, some sleeping under rocks or staying with relatives. Young men take up guns, bows and bush knives. Many are still schoolboys. On that road, the fight has already taken a life. A boy is carried out by his friends with blood running down his shirt. He is young, likely not past grade eight. They are still trying to save him. Major Steven stops the car, lifts the boy inside, and drives to the nearest hospital. However, when he gets there, the doctor says the boy is already dead. “It was strange to see people with blood, trying their best to find help,” Major Steven says. There is always risk. He drives on anyway. “I feel fear. But I also feel a duty to protect life, to save life.” When Major Steven and others arrive on the scene of conflict, they begin by placing themselves between the two sides, somewhere visible, where all the fighters can see them. On one occasion, church leaders from several denominations joined police and moved into the middle of the road. They set down a metal drum. “This is the boundary,” they told the fighters. “You cannot cross!” It forced a pause. The shooting slowed, then the guns fell silent. However, this is only the beginning. The harder work comes after the slaughter stops. Major Steven starts with visits. He sends messages ahead and meetings are arranged with community leaders and those directing the fighting. Sometimes the reception is tense particularly in situations where the feeling of loss is fresh and where anger understandably sits just beneath the surface. “They are still angry. But when they see us, there is a relief,” he says. “I feel fear. But I also feel a duty to protect life, to save life.” He opens with prayer. He reads from the Bible. His wife prays with the women and speaks plainly about what the fighting has done to their families. The language is direct and the message is familiar. “It touches them,” Major Steven says. “They begin to think about stopping.” The visits continue. One side, then the other, again and again. There is no quick settlement. In one area, it took two years of talking before both sides agreed to stop fighting. The work depends on persistence and on practical support. Each trip needs fuel, food and time away from other duties. Through the PNG-Australia Partnership’s Church Partnership Program, The Salvation Army has been able to sustain those visits and maintain a presence over time. “Without Australian support it would be very hard for us to keep going back,” Major Steven says. “This work needs many visits. It takes time to build trust and bring people to peace. The support helps us do that.” Women speak with the force of grief, and they tell of the damage done to their families demanding that it stop. The men listen. When both sides finally agree to meet, the atmosphere is controlled but fragile. The location is chosen carefully. Food is placed in the centre: sweet potato, greens and rice. The fighters stand apart, watching. Leaders step forward first. They speak about what has been lost. About children out of school, about gardens destroyed, about the future that is closing in on them if the fighting continues. There are no grand gestures. A few leaders shake hands. Others do not. The distance between the groups remains but it is enough that they have come together at all. “When we see you, it is like Heaven is coming down. We change our minds.” Women speak with the force of grief, and they tell of the damage done to their families demanding that it stop. The men listen. “They don’t beat around,” Major Steven says. “They say what needs to be said.” From there the process continues. More meetings and more visits. The anger does not disappear, but it is managed, then slowly reduces. Over time, people begin to move back. They rebuild their houses, plant new gardens and their children return to school. Major Steven does not describe it as success but as progress. In the Highlands, peace is not declared. It is worked at, repeatedly, and violence can return without warning. One fighter once told him what his presence meant. “When we see you, it is like Heaven is coming down. We change our minds.” Major Steven repeats the line without embellishment. Then he turns back to the routine of his other work: emails, meetings and budgets. Until the next call comes. This article was re-posted in All the World, the online magazine of the international Salvation Army. It originally appeared in Papua New Guinea’s Post Courier newspaper and was republished in The Salvation Army PNG Facebook page.

Officer appointment changes for the Australia Territory, effective from 13 January 2027 (unless otherwise stated), have been released. Please pray for those who are affected by these changes – for the officers who will be moving and any children, along with corps and centres that will be receiving new officer personnel. The Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, has approved the appointment changes. To view the PDF, click here.

Pastors from Ryde, NSW on a two-day retreat, part of their journey towards unity and oneness. Image: Supplied BY LAUREN MARTIN The Salvation Army is employing six Local City Mission Catalysts to work to connect local churches and mobilise them to serve their local communities. The roles, which have already been advertised, are being partially funded by The Salvation Army, and partially funded by the churches of the city in which they will work. City to City Australia, an organisation that assists churches to unify for mission, is supporting the roles through training and resourcing. Ryde Corps Salvationist Grieg Whittaker is the Director of Movement at City to City Australia and has been instrumental in the design of the new Salvation Army Local City Mission Catalyst positions. “Essentially the catalyst role is to connect the church to the city and the city to the church,” he said. “They are the conduit of connection.” The roles are being strategically located in six areas of Australia where churches have already been on a journey towards unity and oneness. The locations are Victor Harbour in South Australia; the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney in New South Wales; Gold Coast and Cairns in Queensland; Frankston in Victoria and Ryde in Sydney. The position in Ryde has been operational for a number of years as a pilot program, and the success of church unity at mobilising Christians for mission has been the driver for the expansion. Each catalyst position will work with existing corps and mission expressions in the area that they are located in. Assistant Chief-Secretary - Mission Major Kim Haworth said The Salvation Army has a heart for oneness across the body of Christ and is in a unique position to draw Christians together for mission. “There is such favour on The Salvation Army in Australia, and that means we can open doors that sometimes other churches cannot. This puts us in a prime position to leverage that favour for the benefit of transforming local cities with the love of Jesus, where this role is placed around the country,” she said. “Our mission is to transform lives and communities both spiritually and socially and the best way we can do that is by uniting with the broader body of Christ. When we join with the wider church, we have greater opportunity to bring heaven to earth and advance the kingdom of God through our combined work.” The six locations chosen are part of a two-year trial, where the learnings from the catalyst position will be used to scale the project, if successful. The catalyst workers will work with churches to develop opportunities for mission, connecting Christians with places and people. According to Greig, the goal is that every Christian in the areas would know their “Three P’s”: - A Place to be missionally connected. - A Person or persons to walk alongside and share the love of Jesus. - A Partner to come and join them who is not from the church and doesn’t know Jesus but wants to come on mission. “Churches have been good with vertical discipleship, that’s ‘me and God,” said Greig. “The mission catalyst will help pastors to mobilise their people to have their vocation discipleship pathway enabled for them.” For Greig, the generous posture of The Salvation Army towards resourcing all churches in a city for mission is at the heart of God’s mission for the world: “All of a sudden, we’re saying we’re not just about our brand, we’re about the Kingdom of God. Everything God has given us, we are going to give to the body of Christ, including our brand! “This is the way God always designed the Body of Christ to be.”

In the fifth of a series spotlighting this year’s cadets of the Rescued session, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Chantal Tait about her passion for corps and the love of socialising with people and hearing their stories, the art of playing the timbrel well – and being a Disney LEGO fanatic when she has a spare moment. Chantal, could you rewind for us…when did the call to officership hit and what has made you say that big ‘yes’? The big ‘yes’ happened in 2024. My corps officers at Kwinana (WA) received an appointment change at the start of the year, which meant that the corps was going to be without an officer for the interim. At the time, my role at the corps was the Corps Sergeant Major, and I assisted the Area Officer with the running of the corps. I was also working at the Western Australia Divisional Headquarters at the time, and my manager allowed me to work from the corps one day a week. It was during that time that the calling became more apparent to me. I always joke and say to people, it’s almost like God knew that I needed to try before I said, absolutely, yes, that’s what I want to do! Chantal says she always has a philosophy about the timbrel – she loves the musical instrument as long as it’s played properly and on the beat. Here she is (centre) marching with fellow timbrel players. Where are you serving at the moment and what’s your role? My placement is at Perth Fortress Corps in Western Australia. It’s a lovely corps and a very traditional corps, but I love being part of the corps. Everyone has been very welcoming. At the start of the year, I spent a lot of time observing what happens on Sundays and during the week when I am there, which felt very foreign to me as I am used to doing things around the corps. I’ve been welcomed into the songster and timbrel group. I always have a philosophy – I love the timbrel as long as it’s played properly and on the beat. Any standout moments that are really shaping you as a future officer? One thing that is standing out to me at the moment is being in a different environment and location. Having the opportunity to learn from Major Aaron and Captain Lauren Stobie has really opened my eyes and broadened my perspective. Seeing how they navigate both the joys and challenges of being corps officers has helped me understand the role in a way that I never could as a corps member. It has given me a new appreciation for the responsibilities, pressures, and rewards that come with ministry leadership. And where are you feeling stretched right now? I don’t like being still, and it doesn’t come naturally to me. Yet I’m learning that stillness is often where I hear God most clearly, and discovering what works for me in this space is an ongoing journey. I am also being stretched in my preaching. Before becoming a cadet, I had only preached a few times, but through my classes, I am growing in confidence and discovering my own style. God continues to stretch me as I seek to know Him more deeply and listen more closely to His voice. And what strengths do you lean on the most? I love admin! You can give me admin ’til the cows come home and it’s my thing. So that’s one of my big strengths. So, I am really missing doing this at the moment, but I am also learning and developing new strengths as I work in the corps. When not knee-deep in her studies, Chantal loves the footy and is a passionate Fremantle Dockers member. She recently attended a game with her son, Byron (centre) and his fiancée, Laura (right). What focus areas of officership really fire you up and why? My focus areas at the moment are corps ministry and social mission. I love seeing people come to know God and having the privilege of walking alongside them in their faith journey. Being invited into people’s significant life moments is both humbling and rewarding. I also have a strong passion for social mission. During my recent placement at an AOD recovery centre, I saw how spirituality can be integrated into recovery and the positive impact it has on residents’ lives. It was encouraging to hear the faith stories of both residents and staff and witness the role that faith and community can play in recovery. If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like and who would you most hope to impact? My dream Salvation Army appointment would combine corps ministry and social mission. I would love to be part of a community where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their faith or situation, and where practical support and spiritual care work hand in hand. My passion is walking alongside people, helping them experience hope, belonging, and the love of God throughout their journey. And just for fun, when you switch off, what do you love doing? I don’t switch off a lot. But when I do, I am that crafty person. My passion is LEGO. I have numerous boxes that are sitting there waiting to be built. Last year, I gifted myself the Disney castle because I’m a Disney fanatic! I also love going to the Footy with my son and his fiancée. Love LEGO? So does Chantal – especially all things Disney! The cadet loves creating LEGO Disney masterpieces when she has a spare moment. Here she is finishing off her Winnie the Pooh creation. She also built this stunning Disney Castle. READ MORE: Rescued and ready to go!

In this God-defining moment, Major Marco Lupis reflects on two defining experiences that shaped his faith and leadership. Through times of uncertainty, he shares how God taught him to use his gifts in worship and, through sickness, how God reminded him that His presence remains constant through every storm.

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the recent loss of a loved one: Majors Rowena Smith and Carolyn Harmer have been bereaved of their mother, Marie Walker, also sister to Lt. Colonel Olive Lucas. Over her 91 years, Marie graciously served in many areas of The Salvation Army. She was a corps pianist, a secretary in the PR Department, and the Silver Star Secretary in Central North Queensland Division, a position she held for 27 years. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Bayside Corps on Friday 28 August at 10.30am (live-streaming available on Bayside Salvos YouTube channel). We pray that God’s comfort and peace will be with the family as they give thanks for Marie’s life and legacy. Captain Joy Crowden Shen is bereaved following the passing of her beloved mother, Mrs Zhang Xie Long-Zhi, in Taiwan on 25 May 2026. ‌Shortly before her passing, Mrs Zhang received a Silver Star, presented on 2 May 2026 by Major Sarah Tan, Regional Officer for Taiwan, in the presence of family and friends. The presentation was arranged following the recognition that she had not received a Silver Star when Joy was commissioned as an officer. ‌Joy has shared that her mother displayed a strong Christian witness in her final days and passed away peacefully while Joy was praying with her. A Christian funeral service was held in Taiwan, with Joy participating in and leading the funeral procession. We extend our sincere sympathy to Joy, Brian and their extended family. Please uphold them in prayer, asking that they will know God's peace, comfort and strength in the days ahead. We extend our sympathy to Majors Robyn and Paul Lorimer following the passing of Robyn’s father, John Barclay, who was Promoted to Glory on Saturday 11 July 2026. John was also the brother of Major Elaine Johnson. A Thanksgiving Service to celebrate John’s life will be held at The Salvation Army, Waverley on Thursday 30 July 2026 at 2.00pm. Please keep the families in your prayers at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Robert Champion and his family following the passing of his eldest son, Joseph. Please uphold Robert and his children – Hayley, Jamie, Kayla and Sarah – in prayer during this difficult time. May they know God's peace, love and comfort surrounding them as they grieve this profound loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lieut-Colonel John Hodge and their family following the passing of John's brother, Arthur Hodge, on 13 June 2026. Arthur leaves behind his Wife Lorraine (sister to Major Denice Hutchinson), his four children their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchild and siblings Lt Col John, Eileen and Robert. We pray that God's peace, love and comfort will surround the family during this of time of deep loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Majors Sue and Max Hale and their family following the passing of Sue’s beloved mother, Dorothy Jennaway, on Thursday 7 May 2026. We pray that God’s peace, love, and comfort will surround the family during this time of deep loss. We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts on the passing of their dearly loved father, Colin Watts, on Sunday 29 March 2026. Colin was reunited with his Lord just 19 days after the passing of his beloved wife, Rosemarie. Colin was also a devoted father to Ashley, a much loved Pa to Josh (and Brigitta) and Sarah (and Matt), a brother-in-law to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished uncle to his nieces and nephews. ‌We give thanks for Colin’s life and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. We rejoice in the assurance that he is now free from pain and resting in the presence of his Maker. We pray that God’s peace, love, and comfort will surround the family during this time of deep loss. ‌‌Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Steve Dorman and his family following the passing of his beloved father, Leslie Dorman, who passed away on Monday 30 March 2026. Leslie will be fondly remembered as a devoted father to Majors Steve and Petra Dorman, Lawrence Dorman and Terese Dorman, a cherished grandfather to five grandchildren, and a treasured great grandfather to six great grandchildren. His funeral service will be held on 10 April 2026. ‌Major Linda Willing is bereaved following the unexpected passing of her youngest brother, David Willing, in Cowra. David’s funeral service was held on Wednesday 8 April 2026. Please keep Linda and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. ‌‌We share with sadness that Divisional Envoy Christine Jameson is bereaved of her husband, Divisional Envoy Michael Jameson, who was Promoted to Glory on Saturday 21 February 2026, aged 94 years. We give thanks for his faithful life and service and continue to uphold Christine in our prayers. ‌We extend our love and deepest sympathies to Major Aaron Stobie, Captain Ronald Stobie, Captain Lauren Stobie, Captain Amy Stobie, and their families following the loss of their beloved Nana, Mrs Melva Stobie, on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Promoted to Glory in New Zealand at the age of 97, Melva was a devoted mother of 6 (including Mr Brett Stobie), grandmother to 12, and great‑grandmother to 17. Our prayers and care surround the Stobie family at this sad and significant time. Lieut-Colonel Lyn Edge was bereaved of her father, Eric Edge, who was promoted to Glory on Thursday 26 February 2026. Our love and prayers surround Lyn and Terry and the whole family at this sad time. May they each know God’s deep comfort, strength, and peace in these tender days, and feel upheld by the care and love of their Salvation Army family as they grieve and remember a dearly loved father. ‌ ‌We extend our love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts following the passing of their beloved mother, Rosemarie Watts, on 10 March 2026. Rosemarie was the dearly loved wife of Colin, mother of Ashley, Nana to Josh and Sarah, sister to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews. We give thanks to God for Rosemarie’s life and the lasting impact she made. We rejoice in the assurance that she is now safely in the arms of Jesus, and we pray that the family will know God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, during this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Commissioner Cheralynne Pethybridge, Major Greg Pack and Mrs Roslyn Eades at the recent loss of their mum, sister Colleen Pack who passed away on Wednesday 21 January 2026 (two months short of her 90th birthday). Colleen was a grandmother of Captain Matt Pethybridge, much loved wife of Gordon (deceased), Mother in Law of their spouses, Grandma to 13 grandchildren and Great Grandma to 11. She will be incredibly missed but her Godly influence remains in those who knew and loved her. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Captain Fleur Hodge at the recent loss of her Dad, Peter Hodge, who passed away on Tuesday 3rd February. Our deepest love and prayers surround Fleur and her family at this very sad time. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Peter’s life will be held at 10am on Saturday 21 February at Adelaide Congress Hall. Lieut-Colonel Cheryl Carpenter’s father, Neville Lane, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday 24 December. Please uphold Cheryl and the family in prayer during this time. Major Sue Smith has suffered the bereavement of her mother Hazel Sanger. Hazel was a soldier of Port Macquarie Corps for many years. Please pray that Sue will keenly experience the presence of the Holy Spirit's comfort at this time. ‌ ‌We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Major Andrew Walton following the recent passing of his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Walton. Elizabeth was dearly loved as the wife of Ken, mother to Craig and Andrew, and grandmother to Anjali and Nishie. A service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at Ringwood Corps on Thursday 22 January. As we give thanks for Elizabeth’s life and the impact she had, we pray that the family will experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding during this time of mixed emotions.

Salvation Army officers who have concluded their service in 2026: Effective 17 August Please remember Captain Janine Lamb (Skinner) in your thoughts and prayers as she concluded her service, effective 17 August 2026. Effective 31 July Please remember Majors Leanne and Lincoln Stevens in your thoughts and prayers as they conclude their service. We thank God for the faithful ministry they have shared and the dedication with which they have served. As they move into this new season, may they know God’s abiding peace, be led by His guiding hand, and find deep joy and purpose in all that lies ahead. Effective 19 July Please remember Captain BJ Baillie in your thoughts and prayers as he concluded his service, effective 19 July 2026. We thank God for his commitment and faithful ministry shared throughout his service. As BJ enters this new chapter, may he continue to experience God’s presence and guidance, and may he be blessed with peace, fulfilment, and joy in the journey ahead. Effective 2 April Please remember Captains Ashley and Rita Biermann in your thoughts and prayers as they concluded their service, effective 2 April 2026. Effective 3 March Please remember Major Phil Staines in your thoughts and prayers as he concluded his service, effective 3 March 2026 Effective 28 January Please remember Captain Marie Kovacs in your thoughts and prayers as she concluded her service, effective 28 January 2026. ‌ Effective 8 January Please remember Captain Gemma Keogh in your thoughts and prayers as she concluded her service, effective 8 January 2026. We give thanks to God for her faithful ministry and dedicated service. As Gemma steps into a new season, we pray that God’s peace will surround her, His wisdom will guide her, and that every new opportunity will bring joy, purpose, and deep fulfilment.

To read Lenore’s Promoted to Glory notice and appointment history, click here.

To read the latest international appointment bulletin, click here.

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 (31 August – 7 September) we pray for The Salvation Army in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This territory has 497 officers (317 active, 180 retired); 22 cadets; 201 corps; 118 outposts; 39,261 senior soldiers; 3283 adherents; 16,780 junior soldiers; and 5441 employees. Colonels Dieudonné and Philippine Tsilulu lead the territory. Joy and hope on display at a recent event in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The work of the Democratic Republic of Congo Territory includes: · Education · Health clinics · Disaster response · Community development · Modern slavery and human trafficking response. To read more about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and The Salvation Army’s ongoing response, click here. Tragically, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to escalate. Two people have died after presenting with Ebola symptoms at The Salvation Army’s Kansangani clinic. Prayer requests: · Pray for reconciliation and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. · Pray that the provinces of Uturi, North and South Kivu, and the populations affected by Ebola, are protected, and that this pandemic comes to an end in our country and in neighbouring nations. · Pray for the Territorial Prayer Convention, celebrating 92 years of The Salvation Army's mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To find out more about the Democratic Republic of Congo Territory, click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.

Majors Johnmark and Nicole Snead have been Corps Officers at Hobart for the past 10 years. BY LAUREN MARTIN At the back of the Hobart Corps platform is a sign that’s been there for more than 10 years, boldly proclaiming that the corps is ‘A Church for the City’. When Majors Johnmark and Nicole Snead arrived as corps officers a decade ago, the Holy Spirit used that sign to spark a vision of integrated ministry for the corps, one that would “shift the focus beyond the four walls”. It hasn’t been easy. “[The corps has] walked a road marked by both mountaintop moments and valleys of deep challenge,” says Nicole. “There have been seasons of loss that tested our resilience and reshaped our community.” The early years were particularly difficult. A major building project was abruptly shelved by head office. The closure of the corps band – no longer viable due to declining and ageing membership – brought hurt and led to a significant exodus. A cluster of more than 30 deaths in the corps community weighed heavily with grief. And then came COVID, bringing isolation and further disruption. Johnmark and Nicole say only God’s faithfulness saw them, and their corps community, through the challenges. “We continued to just sow the vision, do the work,” said Johnmark. The ‘work’ he’s referring to was that of relationship and discipleship: nothing ‘new’, and it’s not ‘rocket science’. “There is often a pull within The Salvation Army toward discovering ‘what’s new’,” Johnmark observed. “We just do the simple things, and we do them really well. Acts of genuine love. Never underestimate what acts of genuine love can do in someone’s life. We focus on Kingdom outcomes rather than corps-growth outcomes.” That Kingdom focus has seen the corps orient itself towards others, now opening its doors six days a week to the community, and working in team with other Salvation Army mission expressions to love, serve and disciple the city. “Our doors are open, not just physically but relationally,” says Nicole, “creating space for people to belong, be heard, and encounter God.” Hobart Corps volunteers at the MRA Toy Run. Relationships anchor corps community Nicole says that through the ‘hard yards’, the truth about what is important was made clear. “What has sustained The Salvation Army Hobart is not programs or buildings, but deep relationships – with Jesus and with one another. “When structures shifted, and comforts fell away, those relationships became the anchor. It’s been in shared prayer, honest conversations, faithful service, and quiet perseverance that God continued to shape us into a people of hope.” That depth of relationship is now offered, lovingly and freely, to all who walk through the doors. And it’s on full display at the corps’ Sunday Dinner, a free three-course meal for anyone, which has about 50 people regularly attending. “Do they all have a faith? No,” says Johnmark. “Do they swear like troopers? Some of them, yes! “But are the values of the kingdom of God coming alive in them? YES! It might not be full salvation yet, but there are measures of salvation there. We value the intangible. That’s where we see God at work.” (Left) Major Johnmark Snead speaks at the beginning of Hobart Corps’ Salvos Sunday Dinner. (Right) Volunteers helping in the kitchen at the Salvos Sunday Dinner. Intentionality is key to discipleship A SHIFTm2M (Ministries to Movement) discipleship training three years ago was ‘God timing’ for the corps. “We really sensed that God was saying, ‘I want you to focus on making disciple-makers’,” says Johnmark. “That year we were offered a move [change-of-appointment], but we said, ‘No, it’s not the right time.’ We pulled together a disciple-making cohort and started meeting once a month.” “Now, we are seeing growth through this intentional discipleship,” says Nicole, “with a growing cohort committed to spiritual formation, disciple-making, and living out faith in everyday life. We are a corps learning to go deep, not just wide.” The disciple-making cohort is seen as ‘basic training’ for anyone in the corps who wants to go deeper with others. They might serve in the recovery space at Recovery Church, in community spaces, Salvo Connect, or leading small groups. “All of them learning to know the process and the pathway of how we make disciples who make disciples,” says Johnmark. “This is our investment in the future.” The other ‘future investment’ is happening within the youth space at Hobart Corps, which is exploding with unchurched young people, whereas 10 years ago, the youth group consisted of 95 per cent corps kids. “[We are so proud of] the way in which our leaders just make space for, and love the kids on the margins,” says Johnmark “It’s messy. Nothing’s clean, but there’s genuine love and safety for teenagers … God is absolutely at work.” (Left) Hobart Corps’ worship team. (Right) Vanessa sharing her story of transformation during worship. And discipleship is at the heart of the youth ministry as well, with Nicole saying that young people are “not just turning up, but owning their faith, discovering their God-given identity, and stepping into leadership.” God is absolutely at work. And it’s evident. Lives are being transformed. People who are volunteering are deciding to follow Jesus. People who are deciding to follow Jesus are wanting to volunteer. Whilst Johnmark and Nicole have never focused on corps growth, their commitment to the ‘Jesus-way’ of loving relationship and intentional discipleship is driving healthy, sustainable growth at Hobart Corps. “The corps’ gathered worshipping community is excited,” says Johnmark. “They’re saying, “Look at all these new people! How good is God!’” Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed. Please keep Johnmark and Nicole and their team at Hobart Corps in your prayers. Lucy volunteers at a Hobart Salvos event with mascot ‘Shieldy’. A noticeboard at Hobart Salvos showing the programs held throughout the week. :

Narelle Harris (left) and Natalie Kistan regularly pray and discuss how to be intentional about creating faith pathways all through the week at Auburn Corps. BY LAUREN MARTIN There is a giant banner out the front of Auburn Corps that reads, ‘A house of prayer for all the nations’. And, indeed, it is. Auburn Corps is located in the heart of one of Sydney’s most multicultural Local Government Areas. Five different congregations worship at the corps on Saturdays and Sundays, and each weekday begins with a prayer meeting at 9.45am in the foyer of the bustling building. The banner that hangs outside Auburn Corps. “We will often be praying, and someone will walk in and our receptionist will say, ‘Sorry, we are just having a prayer at the moment,’ and the person will wait and listen,” says Corps Leader Natalie Kistan. “When you walk in our doors, unashamedly this is who we are, and this is what we do – proclaim the name of Jesus.” With the Auburn Corps building housing a suite of Salvation Army services and corps-based community activities, the constant challenge is to keep everything centred on Jesus. “We’re constantly having conversations about how we can be more transformational and less transactional,” says Natalie. Volunteers Makereta and Barbara with Auburn Corps’s Food Market coordinator, Sereana Tikoimaisenai. Friday ‘family meal’ One change the team made at the end of last year was to its Welcome Café, which serves a $5 low-cost lunch every day of the week. This change is aimed at building deeper connections with community members who access the corps’ popular low-cost Food Market. “We push all the tables together and have two really large tables,” says Auburn Corps’ Community Program Coordinator Narelle Harris. “We invite all of our staff from the different services in the building to come and intentionally connect with people. Everyone stops, and we say grace; it’s really great.” The cost of the meal on Family Fridays has been reduced to just $2, and Narelle says it’s been beautiful to see people start making friends and inviting others to the meal. “A lot of the people come every week. There’s a couple who come, and they do their grocery shopping and come and have lunch, and they love it. Recently they have been bringing their adult kids. They love it here, and they found community here, so they wanted to bring their family here, which is really nice.” Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist Don Callaghan loves being co-located with Auburn Corps. Friendship evangelism Don Callaghan is a Museum Specialist at The Salvation Army Australia Museum – Sydney, located in the Auburn Corps building. He attends the Family Lunch every Friday and loves it. “Anyone in the community can come in, but that gives us an opportunity to engage with the community and have a chat,” he says. “It’s friendship evangelism, and that’s what I like about this place.” Don recounts a story about Salvation Army founder William Booth, who, in the earliest days of the Christian Mission (which preceded The Salvation Army), met a man named James Flawn, who ran a tea shop. James had grown up an orphan, and Don says he was on the London Bridge one day, begging. “‘Spare me a copper, mister, I’m ever so hungry,’ he said to a passing gentleman,” Don recounts. “But he got rebuffed. And that raised some emotion in James, who said with a bright red face, ‘See when I’m a man, mister, I don’t help out boys like me!’” James was true to his word and, years later, opened a tea shop and was always generous to orphans. It just so happened that William Booth frequented the tea shop, got to know James, and as Don says, “When the Christian Mission opened its first headquarters on Whitechapel Road, the ‘People’s Mission Hall’, part of that was a soup kitchen that James ran, serving 2000 bread and soup meals a day! “The good thing about that is all around The Salvation Army it still happens today. Including here at Auburn!” Relationships lead to faith pathways Whilst the Friday meal was building relationships, the team was keen to offer community members and volunteers a faith pathway, and discussed the possibility of a Bible study. God drew a Christian couple, the new pastors of a nearby Baptist Church, into their midst at just the right time, and the idea for ‘Open Circle’ emerged. Weekly sewing classes are popular at Auburn. “It’s a collaboration between us and the Baptist Church,” says Natalie. “It’s a time when we can come together, share a meal, and we get to open up the Bible and read a story about Jesus … These people haven’t read the Bible before, or are from different faiths or no faith.” Even in the weekly English Conversational Classes, faith pathways will soon be introduced so that, in the final segment of every lesson, a Bible story is used to practise English conversation. “If people don’t want to stay, they won’t have to – it will be an optional part at the end of the English class,” says Natalie. “Some people might say, ‘Well, I don’t believe in the Bible,’ and that’s completely their choice, but that is who we are, and that is our faith, and when you walk in our doors, unashamedly this is who we are, and this is what we do.” Narelle Harris is the Auburn Corps Program Coordinator. Narelle says she’s noticed this year that volunteers are becoming more open to prayer and conversation. “The volunteers here don’t necessarily have families, and they would say that this is their family. “Building relationships and actually being invested in their lives and being grateful for what they are doing here and showing gratitude is important.” Discipleship focus On Sundays, Auburn Corps is described as “heaven on earth”, with over 30 nations represented in the worshipping community. Natalie and her family have been worshipping at the corps for 14 years (and leading for the past five), and she says there’s not a Sunday that goes by without at least one newcomer to the service. “That is what has blown my mind so much, is that that never ceases. It’s rare for a Sunday to not have someone new in our midst.” This year, the congregation is about to relaunch small-group Bible studies with a focus on discipleship. A Sunday morning service in progress at Auburn Corps. “Our people naturally gather together in their homes, which is just beautiful,” says Natalie. “They are praying all the time with their families; they are opening up the Word with their families in their household. “But we are focusing on coming back to being in a church and belonging to Christ and belonging to one another – what does that look like for us? We are going to have groups that meet after church on Sunday in our café space, we are going to have online groups, and we are going to have some groups that meet in homes.” She says that’s where God is taking the corps deeper – into relationship with him and with each other. Staying focused on Jesus and being intentional in mission every day of the week is transforming lives at Auburn Salvation Army. Feg, Maz, Ming, Sugaritha and Shirley volunteer in the ‘Welcome Café’ kitchen at Auburn Corps.