Search Results

(Image supplied) Kylie Vaughan calls herself a ‘Spicy Christian’ – bold, unfiltered and drawn to life’s toughest conversations. The harder the challenge, the better. But she’s also grounded in faith, driven by deep compassion, and passionately believes real change starts within. As a Salvos Employment Plus Employment Consultant, she channels that belief into helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives from the ground up. In her ongoing series on The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus agency, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Kylie about leading from the front and why change starts with what we are willing to confront. When Jane* was just 12 years old, she was trafficked by her mother and sold for a bag of dope. The horrific circumstances became the backdrop to a life largely spent in prison – until meeting Kylie in a maximum-security facility changed her trajectory, sparking 22 weeks of support that helped her rebuild her life and pursue becoming a youth advocate. Kylie’s confronting yet hopeful work is driven by empathy, a passion for changing lives, and supporting ex-offenders as they rebuild – often from the ground up. It isn’t just a job; it’s a calling born from frustration, compassion and a refusal to look away. “I was just sick and tired of seeing prisoners released who had done their time, all dressed up and quite literally nowhere to go,” Kylie reflects. “They were hungry. They only had the clothes on their backs. They were disconnected from culture, from family, no circle of friends or positive influencers, no one to have a hot cup of tea with. I just couldn’t stomach it anymore. And I thought to myself, if, in 20 years’ time, what if either of my children were in that position, what would I want? I’m a firm believer that we can’t expect change unless we’re able to do it ourselves and to start leading from the front.” And that question didn’t just linger there; it redirected the course of her life. If there’s one constant in Kylie’s work with ex-offenders, it’s this: people want a chance and someone to trust. (Image Supplied) It began with opening a small outreach in Laidley, a rural town in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley Region, in December 2024, offering a cup of noodles, a coffee, and a conversation with ex-offenders – a non-judgemental service to anyone. “It was me serving them and removing the barriers by being approachable,” Kylie says. “Being someone they can connect to and recharge to and get a positive spin on life beyond barriers.” After a ‘whimsical conversation’ of wishful thinking with a colleague, Belinda Donova-Beggs, The Steps of Freedom Initiative (SOFI) was then born. It has exceeded expectations. Testament to this is that the Employment Plus program has welcomed over 2000 people whilst in custody, on parole, and entangled in the corrections system in some way. READ MORE: More than a job for Graeme White Currently, SOFI has nearly 100 people commencing with Kylie. “It’s not because I’m the silver bullet,” she emphasises. “It’s because this program does what we say we’re going to do. There’s no fictitious building up of fake. We deal with facts. We have transparent communication with Corrections. We don’t overpromise. We do what we say we’re going to do. “If we’re goal-setting today, we’re goal-setting. If we’re making outward referrals, we’re making outward referrals. There’s no changing of faces, no manipulation. It’s almost as if we’re speaking a love language that was always there for them, but they never knew was available to them – and that’s compassion.” For Kylie, patterns of offending are rarely a mystery. Many clients come from loveless, hugless, structureless homes where children grow into adults who struggle with conflict, lacking the foundational building blocks that often start with family conversations at the dinner table. And the biggest barrier ex-offenders face when seeking employment? A lack of confidence. Ex-offenders secure work often in industries they were trained in during prison - welding, construction, woodwork. (Image Supplied) It’s quiet but powerful, seeping into every corner of a person’s life, fuelling destructive behaviours, toxic relationships, alcohol, and other drugs. And how do they deal with it? “You address it,” she says. “You agitate it, walk into those waters – get the sediment to the surface – and apply practical, genuine solutions. You start by bringing down the barriers, making sure that they can talk to me about anything.” Trust becomes the cornerstone of every relationship she builds. Kylie explains that after building trust, she can confidently introduce people to new resources without them feeling set up to fail. Her approach involves identifying their issues, creating an action plan, and connecting them with support services such as Salvos Doorways, first responders, and chaplaincy. While Kylie is faith-based, she doesn’t impose her beliefs. Instead, she offers a different perspective that can challenge their existing assumptions. Interestingly, many ex-offenders assume Christianity is straight-laced or stereotypically a blonde-haired and blue-eyed person. Then they meet Kylie. “I’ve got more tattoos than many of them put together!” she says. “I am a spicy Christian, but undoubtedly a faith-filled Christian. In every aspect, we incorporate all of the core values of just being a good human.” The impact is immediate. “The response is always remarkable,” Kylie says. "They sit with me because it’s voluntary. They are not in prison ... for the first time in many of their lives, they are sitting across the table from someone who they know gets it. You start seeing them engage, you see them flicker with hope, and they start setting and achieving goals.” The Steps of Freedom Initiative (SOFI) that Kylie runs has exceeded expectations. Testament to this is that the Employment Plus program has welcomed over 2,000 people whilst in custody, on parole, and entangled in the corrections system in some way. (Image Supplied) It’s never about perfection. It’s about progression. Kylie also supports employers hesitant to hire ex-offenders, while keeping victims front of mind. She respects each employer’s boundaries, especially around specific offences, and works within their comfort levels rather than pushing them beyond what they accept. But getting a job is only part of the picture. The real challenge is keeping people engaged in work that keeps them ticking. That’s why her support doesn’t stop at placement. “This is why I love Employment Plus,” she says. “We give a genuine 360-degree service.” This includes removing low-lying barriers: paying for the cost of fuel, phones, car registrations, first-aid training. Accessing government-provided employment funding can take someone from survival mode to thrive mode. And the success stories speak for themselves. Recently, a Māori lady who was on a 501 VISA and a candidate for deportation was able to secure employment four months after being involved with SOFI. Ex-offenders also secure work often in industries they were trained in during prison – welding, construction, woodwork. Several creative and talented beautiful minds come out of prison, Kylie added, eventually settling and continuing their passions. READ MORE: A day in the life of an Employment Plus consultant If there’s one constant in her work, it’s this: people want a chance and someone to trust. “They’ve been let down all their lives,” she says. “They want to believe in you. They want to trust you. They just need the opportunity to trust.” And the Employment Consultant insists her work isn’t solo. “I’m very fortunate. Employment Plus rallies behind me,” Kylie remarks. “Not just the immediate team, but the executive team, the national management team, the regional managers. There is never a door closed – and I rely heavily on that.” Two Bible verses are also kept close to her heart: 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Proverbs 13:20, both centred on the power of relationships. “The Salvation Army is doing things that haven’t been able to be achieved,” she says. “The fact that we have been able to open these doors and become intertwined in this area is only evidence that God is real. We are trailblazing this because we don’t want to have applause or anything in return, but we are living up to the core values of this great army. Everything we do has to be to improve and leave this world better than what we inherited." *Jane is not her real name. It has been used to protect her identity. ​​ ​​

Students of the Hornsby Gateway Corps’ ‘AI for Good’ ministry with their graduation certificates. BY LAUREN MARTIN On Palm Sunday at Hornsby Gateway Corps, a vibrant cross-section of the community joined the congregation for the first time for a special ‘All-in-One’ gathering. This included the children and parents from the corps’ STEM program, alongside the UTS student volunteers who coached them in coding and A.I powered project-based learning. Also joining them were the dedicated teachers and students from TAFE Hornsby – the behind-the-scenes heroes who have spent the past term preparing afternoon tea for the families each weekend. It was a landmark day of celebration, bringing together all those who have made this innovative community initiative a success. Captain Lydia Hong, Hornsby Gateway Corps Officer, said the idea of the after-school STEM club was to engage children and young people with the corps, which doesn’t have playgroup or music ministries. She and a UNSW computer science graduate came up with the idea of teaching primary and middle school students the coding program ‘Scratch’ and the STEM club started in late 2024. Hornsby Gateway Corps Officer Captain Lydia Hong giving the message on Palm Sunday, attended by community members connected with the corps’ new STEM-based children’s ministry. “It’s been well received by the community,” she said. The demand was high, but more volunteers were needed to expand, and due to the specific nature of expertise needed, volunteers were hard to find. Then God intervened. “I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at UTS [University of Technology Sydney] organised by AUS_LEAP… under a theme called ‘Thriving in the age of AI-volunteering as a gateway’,” Lydia said. “It was an opportunity for networking and building leadership skills. We gave a 10-minute speech to 150 UTS students on the campus. I got to talk about what The Salvation Army Hornsby does, that we have a family store, we have social programs, and recently we started this kids’ coding club. “I talked about the philosophy and the project-based learning and how we are now doing it in our community for lower socio-economic families. Some of the UTS students were interested, especially members of their Engineer Society, so they came and they said, ‘We are happy to volunteer.’” Hornsby Gateway Corps Officer, Captain Lydia Hong, speaking at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) on a panel talking about volunteering in the age of AI. With the extra volunteers on hand, and a ready-to-use curriculum from another non-for-profit tech-group, in 2026, Lydia and the STEM club leader, Sunny, launched an extra program on Sunday afternoons, focused on A.I powered projects. “We called it ‘A.I for Good’ which is based on this very familiar term, ‘tech for good’ in the technology world,” Lydia said. “I thought that it was a good connection with the Salvos’ ‘Believe in Good’ [campaign].” Each Sunday afternoon, the session started with those gathered learning about an A.I For Good project, such as ‘Affective Computing’ and ‘Ocean Cleanup’. “Then, we introduced Salvos’ ‘Believe in Good’ campaign and invited them to choose a project to help the local Salvos with, which, for the first cohort, was around the Hornsby Gateway Salvation Army Family Store,” said Lydia. The students conducted a shopper survey and found that few younger shoppers were visiting the store, so the project focused on how to attract younger customers. The result was the launch of Hornsby Family Store Mascots, which were 3D printed, with each of the four mascots having their own unique name and backstory. “The Mascots are called the ‘S Alliance’ and ‘S’ stands for Salvation,” said Lydia. At the end of the project, the group and their parents were invited to participate in Sunday worship at Hornsby Gateway Corps on Palm Sunday, to showcase their project and be celebrated. The invitation to the Sunday meeting was just one faith pathway that Lydia and the team integrated into the STEM programs. Every Sunday, at the start of the ‘A.I for Good’ program, Lydia would showcase a Christian scientist. “We call it the ‘Little Devotion’ at the beginning of each week,” she said. “We wanted to help them to understand that faith and science are not contradictory.” In the lead-up to Easter, the mid-week Coding Club was asked to code an animation based on a part of the Bible story. Lydia and the team are seeking God’s direction on where to take the groups in the future and how to strengthen connections with the parents of those who participate, many of whom stay throughout the class. Please keep this new ministry at Hornsby Gateway Corps in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit would move powerfully to impact the lives of those who are becoming connected with the corps through this focus on technology and science. Students of the ‘AI for Good’ ministry at Hornsby Gateway Corps enjoy lunch after attending the Palm Sunday morning meeting.

Salvos Online continues a new series of unexpected and decidedly prescriptive teachings that General William Booth gave to his soldiers 124 years ago, excerpting the 1902 publication Letters to Salvationists on Religion for Every Day (volume 1). We are publishing General Booth’s thoughts on everyday topics, including sickness and bereavement, sleep, hygiene, life challenges, conversation, clothing, poverty, the Bible and the Sabbath, industrial relations and more. “A good Salvationist keeps the Sabbath by availing himself of the extra opportunities it offers for spreading salvation.” Keeping the Sabbath BY GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH Salvation Army co-founder (The article below is General William Booth’s original transcript.) I would like to say something to you about the duty of keeping the Sabbath. That day was, as you all know, set apart by God to be a special day of rest, and concerning it He said, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” That commandment has never been repealed and is therefore binding on us today. Some seem to think we can keep it or not, just as we choose. Others imagine that the Jew alone is under the obligation to pay any attention to its observance, while in the opinion and practice of many Christians, it is abolished altogether. Now, in order that you may have a correct view of what is expected of Salvation Soldiers, in keeping the Sabbath, I ask your careful attention to what I have to say on the subject. There is not any particular sacredness about that particular day which makes it The Lord’s day, for all days according to Jesus and His Apostles are alike holy to those who serve Him. But that it is the doing or the leaving undone of certain things which makes the day set apart for the Sabbath a holy day. Some time ago I held a meeting of ministers and citizens in the city of Philadelphia, in the United States, for the purpose of affording information respecting The Army. After doing so, I threw the meeting open for anyone who wished for further explanations to ask me questions. Among others, a gentleman belonging to a small sect which observes the Sabbath on our Saturday, asked what were the views of The Army with respect to the observance of the Sabbath on the Seventh instead of the First day of the week. I answered that a good Salvationist had seven Sundays a week. The great bulk of my audience were both pleased and satisfied with my reply. Now you, my Comrades, will understand that by a Salvationist having seven Sundays a week, I meant that every day of every week ought to be alike sacred to God, and sacredly employed in doing His will. One day, or a thousand years, are the same to God, and all our days and all our years belong to Him, and ought to be equally employed in doing His blessed will. That is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Now if this is observed, you will see that every meal we partake of will become a sacrament, and every duty we perform will be an act of religion, and every day we live will be a sacred day, a Sabbath of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Yes, every day alike belongs to God. In trying to show the importance of keeping the Sabbath, some people will say, “When God has given you six days for yourself, keeping only one back for Himself, how wicked it must be to rob Him of the one!” But this is a mistaken way of stating the truth, seeing that God commands you to be as truly religious on Monday as on Sunday, and to strive as earnestly to please Him when you are doing your daily work on the six days, as when you are resting in your home, or praying in your meetings, on the other. If you do not obey this rule, you will not be a true Salvationist. While, however, every day belongs alike to God, there is a difference in the character and opportunities of the Sabbath day, and consequently there will be a difference in the character of the service expected from us by God on that particular day; and I would like to show you, as far as is possible, what God expects from us on the Sabbath; in other words, I would like to describe what I think should be a Salvationist’s Sunday: • It should be a day of rest from all unnecessary labour, both for ourselves and for others. • It should be a day for the special worship of God, both in public and private. • It should be a day of extra effort, by works of love and mercy, for the well-being of the bodies and souls of men. Let me explain this a little more fully: The Salvationist should, as far as possible, keep the Sabbath as a day of rest. Such observance of the day has been proved over and over again to be a very beneficial arrangement. It is promotive of bodily health and vigour. Men and animals, and even machinery, will, it is said, last longer, and do more good work in the long run, with one day’s rest in the seven, than they will if they work all the time without intermission. One day’s rest from our ordinary labour, per week, is highly promotive of the vigour of the mind, as well as favourable to the well-being of the soul. Out of obedience, therefore, to God, and from consideration of the advantages to be reaped by man, the purpose of God in the ordination of the Sabbath should be thoughtfully considered and carried out. In the character of this rest, the Salvationist cannot follow the regulation laid down by Moses for the Jews in its strict letter. It was never intended that he should. For example, the climate of a large part of the world will not allow him to do so. In the directions given to the Israelites for the observance of the Sabbath, they were forbidden to light a fire. But without a fire, the Salvationist in many of the countries wherein he is called to live, would perish with cold. While, however, he cannot keep the Sabbath after the Jewish pattern, let him keep it in the spirit, by avoiding all unnecessary work. Let him lay aside his week-day labour. Let the hammer and the plough, and the saw and the machine, and himself into the bargain, be unemployed, as far as possible, on the Sabbath. Let there be rest in his Home as far as practicable. General William Booth at his desk writing to Salvationists in his latter years. Let there be as little cooking, with the work attendant on it, as possible. It grieves me often to know what an immense amount of Roasting, Boiling, TableSpreading, Washing-up, and other similar work, is done on the Sabbath in many of the homes of my dear Soldiers. Much of it could, I am sure, be done without. Let the day, as far as possible, be a day of rest. A Salvationist’s Sunday ought to be a day of rest from unnecessary travelling. The Jew was not allowed to travel more than about three miles. That distance was called “A Sabbath Day’s journey.” That command said in spirit to the Israelite, “Don’t travel farther than is actually necessary to meet your immediate needs or to do good to your fellow-men.” The Salvationist’s Sunday should be a Day of Rest from unnecessary labour in cleaning up and in dressing. Sunday clothes may become a great snare and burden. Many Soldiers make it a practice to prepare their meals, brush their clothes, and clean their boots on Saturday night, so as to enable them to be “Free for Service” the next day. Strive as far as you possibly can, for your own sake, to make it a Day of Rest from such things. Let your body and your brain rest. Your life will be healthier, more vigorous, and happier, and it will last longer with the Sabbath Rest than without it. A good Salvationist keeps the Sabbath by availing himself of the extra opportunities it offers for spreading salvation. The people are more at leisure than on other days. The absorption and anxieties connected with their daily toil are off their minds. It is true that in some countries there is the excitement afforded by the extra facilities for pleasure and recreation. But in others, large masses of the people are wholly without occupation or amusement. They have literally nothing to do but lie in bed and read the newspaper or the novel, or hang about gossiping, or admiring each other’s clothes. There they are, and there is our opportunity: To Visit them in their Homes. To Talk to them in the Streets. To Attract them to our Halls. To get the Holy Ghost down upon them, and so convince them of sin, and bring them to God and save their souls. This must be, nay, I am sure it is, a plan of keeping the Sabbath which is peculiarly pleasing and acceptable to God, and highly profitable both for this world and the next to those who faithfully adopt it. Salvationists who are parents should make the Sunday at home, as happy and useful as they possibly can to every member of the household. It will be found very useful to arrange for a little quiet time with the children, enquiring into what has been going on at school, asking about their time for prayer, and giving tender and loving advice. I must add a word of caution. I know of nothing so likely to spoil Sunday at home as useless talking – such talk as is often associated with tea-parties and long country walks, and other ways of passing the time. I warn you against these. Whenever friends or Comrades drop in to see you, try to bless them in their souls, and try to help them to bless you. Let there be a little singing at the tea-table, and then some prayer – real heart-crying to God. If any present are unsaved, try your best to help them to decision. Thousands of souls will appear in glory by-and-by who have been either first convicted or led to Christ at such little Sunday gatherings in the homes of Salvationists. Salvationists should not only keep the Sabbath after the fashion I have described themselves, but they must see that all under their influence or authority are given proper opportunities of doing so. Be careful of the servant, if you have one; be especially careful of the wife, whose Sunday is often, I am afraid, a very hard day, just for want of a little thought and care on her husband’s part. Be careful of your fellow-servants, if you are yourself a servant. Try to get them the chance you so much prize, of going to the meeting. God will notice your thought in helping them to keep His Sabbath and your care for their souls, and reward you in His own way. NEXT WEEK: General William Booth’s thoughts on sickness. *This series has been compiled by Barry Gittins, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Melbourne)

When Queen Elizabeth II famously remarked, “Grief is the price we pay for love”, the words resonated around the world. For Major Gai Cathcart, Corps Officer at Adelaide’s North East Salvos, that sentiment became deeply personal when her beloved son, Alex, died by suicide at the age of 22. In the aftermath, grief was all-consuming. With a focus on motherhood in May, including Mother’s Day and International Bereaved Mother’s Day, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spoke with Gai about an often unspoken experience of motherhood – the loss of a child to suicide, the reality of grief and her strong belief in speaking openly about her story so that Alex’s life, and death, are not in vain. (Content Warning: This story contains themes of suicide and emotional distress that may be triggering for some readers.) Gai still vividly recalls the packets of coloured Sharpie pens laid out on a table at Alex’s funeral. They served a purpose unlike any other: to capture heartfelt messages from those present on his white coffin, honouring the handsome, talented young man who was deeply loved. As a photo montage played, his loved ones gathered to write memories, reflections and final words. What unfolded became more than a farewell – it became a powerful tribute to Alex, who had touched so many lives. “Alex was very creative, very intelligent,” she says, adding her son was a talented drummer who loved to cook. “Almost anything he put his hand to, he was good at. Very much like his father in that way. He could pick up any skill at the drop of a hat. He loved to make people laugh. He liked being the life of the party. He was very, very affectionate. He would often just come and sit on my lap for cuddles. We always said ‘we love you’ every day. He was fiercely loyal to people who he knew would have his back. He loved hanging out with his mates. If he didn’t have any, he would go and find you.” A beautiful memory captured in time ... Alex with his dad, Peer, and mum, Gai. Yet alongside that vitality sat another reality – one that would eventually prove impossible to outrun. He lived with anxiety and poor mental health. “His struggle with anxiety and mental health issues stole some of the joy from time to time,” Gai reflects. “He wasn’t in a place where he could sit long enough at, for example, a psychologist’s office or something like that to get the help he needed. At times, Alex believed he was a burden. He thought we would be better off without him.” There were moments, too, when he spoke openly about the topic. In one conversation, about two years before he died, Alex stood in front of his mum, tears in his eyes, expressing his desire to end his life but not wanting to do so because he knew how much it would hurt her. For a time, that connection held him. But poor mental health, Gai says, has its own momentum: “It went downhill so far and so quickly that eventually he couldn’t reason himself out of it anymore.” A devastating loss On 11 November 2017, everything changed. Alex took his life. His passing devastated her world, along with her husband, Peer, and their three other children, who all loved Alex dearly. They lost a much-loved son, friend and brother. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before in my life,” she says. “The deep, deep pain. It just takes over your whole body; the noises that come out of your mouth from deep within you are uncontrollable … People would often say ‘I can’t even imagine it’. And I would say, ‘That’s exactly right. You cannot imagine this kind of pain until you actually go through it.’ Even then, it’s still incredibly difficult to understand and explain and reconcile with.” And then there is the bond that cannot be undone. “I’m the one that carried him within my body for nine months,” she says. That kind of connection – physical, emotional, even a deep spiritual kind of connection – doesn’t get wiped away over time, ever.” When reflecting on the legacy she hopes her deeply personal story creates for others, Gai says it is one of willingness to have open conversations, particularly about death and suicide – a subject not talked about enough – as well as grief, which is not only attached to death. “Grieving is not a dirty word – it’s a healthy process,” she says. “And we all do it, whether we admit it or not. If we can name it, own it and talk about it, then we’re going to experience it in a more healthy way. Grieving is a process, and there are feelings attached to that. Sometimes grieving is yelling at the sadness that you’ve been through. Sometimes grieving is cheering at the positive choice that you’ve made, and that’s because grieving is all about experiencing loss because of change that you’ve been through.” Alex was a talented drummer and loved his mates. In the months after Alex’s passing, another reality emerged – the language of grief spoken by others. “All the clichés and sayings come out of the woodwork,” Gai recalls. “People tell you what you should be doing, saying and feeling … to just get over it. But you never get over it … there is never any closure.” Community became a lifeline. Their house was filled with people. People came, stayed and sat with them in their grief. And inevitably, life continued. You still have to cook, Gai added. You still have to make beds. You still have to function. At the time, their corps, which they loved like family, enveloped them with love and support after they bravely shared the news with their congregation. Gai says the NSW/ACT Divisional Commander at the time, now-Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, provided great support: “She showed support like I’ve never experienced before. She was wonderful.” A few months later, another poignant moment arrived. Gai and her husband moved to Adelaide to start work with The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Defence Services. When they shared their story and vulnerability, a military leader told them, “You may have lost one son, but you’ve just inherited 680 more.” “What a beautiful thing to say,” Gai reflects. “God knew that I still had so much love to give. I wasn’t cut off from being able to love my son anymore. It’s given me a greater capacity to love." Through grief, life has also become bigger. “Life gets bigger because the reality is you have to keep on living,” she says. “You have a choice. Everybody has a choice. You can either fade into the shadows and let that overwhelm you. Or you can make the life that you’ve lost worth something.” “One piece of advice from a coroner’s officer was: don’t be afraid to talk about their life. Alex is real. He existed. He still exists in my heart. Instead of saying ‘I am so sorry for your loss’, I would rather people come and say ‘Talk to me about Alex. What was he like?’” One key learning has been recognising grief in others. “There was one time I said to someone, ‘Have you acknowledged you’re grieving?” she recalls. “She just burst into tears and said, ‘I never thought of it’. Naming it gave her relief.” Another is the importance of suicide awareness – to talk about it and encourage honest discussion about the consequences, even if it may not change the outcome. “Loss is loss. It hurts. It's painful,” she emphasises. “We all of a sudden think that they (the person who takes their life) are a bad person. It’s just something that’s shied away from talking about, and yet it’s so common and so relevant. I used to think that suicide was one of the most selfish decisions anybody could ever make. ...“But I believe my son was thinking that he was doing something completely selfless … that is, he would no longer be a burden to his parents.” A memorable and special Mother’s Day photo for Gai is this one with all of her four children Alex (left), Rachel, Sarah and Atlas, taken several years ago and before Alex passed away. Anchor of support Asked what has carried her through the years since Alex’s passing, Gai doesn’t hesitate: faith. It has been her anchor. “What sustains me, purely 100 per cent, is my faith in God,” she emphasised. “My relationship with God. That’s the only way I survive.” Five years before Alex’s death, there was a moment of spiritual surrender. Gai describes what she calls ‘releasing him to God’ due to his poor mental health. “I just had to trust God with him and say, well, whatever will be for as long as I’ve got him. I will love and protect him and do my best with him,” she remarks. “… So, when Alex died, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was in the arms of God. And that’s the only thing that gets me through ... that God saved him, and God saves me.” There have been many other profound moments of faith, too. Gai recalls an extended family member who, because of her religious teaching, believed that people who committed suicide would not go to heaven. “I was really challenged by that. People in their right mind do not commit suicide,” she says. “I can’t blame Alex, and I don’t blame Alex. There has to be some kind of poor mental health there for someone to have to take such drastic measures to feel better and cope. It’s just a shame that it’s the kind of thing that you can never come back from.” In time, a conversation brought new understanding. After sitting down with her family member, Gai and her husband were able to share with her and talk about how expansive and deep God’s love, grace and mercy are, and that he died to save the whosoever, so that no one would be lost to him. “It changed my perspective on God’s love and grace and mercy and forgiveness,” she explains. “But it also gave me an opportunity to see my sister-in- law come to a new understanding of faith. And so that was absolutely amazing and beautiful.” Several passages of Scripture remain close to her heart: Jeremiah 29:11–12, Romans 8:28, and Psalm 139. One special Psalm, read at Alex’s funeral – which Gai describes as the best funeral she has ever been to with more than 250 people in attendance, and organised by the family with help from Salvos Funerals – is Psalm 13. “It says to me that even in the depths of my despair, when I am tempted to think that God has abandoned me,” Gai reflects. “He holds me with his unfailing love.” If you or anyone you know is struggling with poor mental health issues, please seek support and call your trusted healthcare professional or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467.

We are so accustomed to rituals offering us something, filling us with connection, and it is why we object to the emptiness when it all becomes rote, writes Anthony Castle. BY ANTHONY CASTLE* There was a familiar ritual to Sundays when I was young. There was the morning routine; kids pushed through the shower, creaking into the family sedan, the hum of church as we walked into the hall. The service itself followed a familiar runsheet; stand and sing, sit and listen, several songs and a sermon. Church itself was a ritual, mostly unchanged, each week. Of all the formal rituals from those Sundays, the one that struck me the most was the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer aloud. There was the invitation, and a hush fell over the congregation before hundreds began whispering the same words, in one shared rhythm. I can still hear where the pauses fell, the murmuring of the old men, the clash of countless lips tripping over the word ‘trespasses’. It filled the room. I remembered this recently while listening to an interview with American State Representative James Talarico. Talarico is a politician and a seminarian who has emerged as an important faith leader in difficult times. Talarico was asked about his prayer life, describing it as mostly silence and gratitude, but he also recites The Lord’s Prayer, aloud: It’s much more of a ritual, but rituals are also a gift, because it’s almost like a rhythm that you’re getting back in touch with, a prayer that’s been said for 2000 years. My own practice of the Lord’s Prayer was once ritualistic as well. In younger years, in simpler times, I stepped through the prayer each morning and reflected on the ideas within it. It became a way to acknowledge the divine, to reflect on its role in the world and how we respond to others. Over time, the practice seemed harder, repetitive. Rituals are rhythmic by nature. Whether a prayer or a song, rituals are structured actions, performed regularly. Rituals are repeated in the same way, and as time passes, so does the novelty. One day, I found the practice felt empty. So I stopped. It isn’t uncommon to find rituals losing their meaning over time. Many speak of finding rituals growing unfamiliar as they age. For some, circumstance changes the impact of the action, when things aren’t so simple. Life doesn’t remain unchanged, or flow from a runsheet, and these old rituals can start to seem hollow. By their nature, rituals come to us as fixed experiences. A ritual is regular, repeated, rarely altered. If the significance of a ritual was its novelty, then it is flawed by design. Rituals must remain somewhat unchanged to be rituals. That we find them empty one day is perhaps inevitable. Sometimes it may be useful to rest a ritual. There are always opportunities to reform rituals as well. Rituals can be left to the side for a time or can allow countless forms of expression within their existing structure. There’s no reason the Lord’s Prayer can’t be practised via music, craft, or sock puppets (other than the obvious reason – that it all sounds kind of excruciating). Sometimes the ritual needs a rest, sometimes it needs reform, but I wonder if there’s something to facing its emptiness too. In speaking further about the Lord’s Prayer, Talarico explained: Sometimes a ritual, you’re not ready to feel it, but part of the ritual … is to get into that mode, even when you’re not feeling it. Our lives can be filled with ritual, from the familiar routines of the week to prayers on Sunday. We are so accustomed to rituals offering us something, filling us with connection. It is why we object to the emptiness when it all becomes rote. For ritual to last, though, to be bigger than circumstance and difficult times, to span history, it needs more. Ritual needs our participation. Just as the Lord’s Prayer has filled rooms for thousands of years, these rituals can fill us, connect us to the divine and to others. At other times, they can seem meaningless, but that emptiness also provides a depth. An empty ritual is an invitation. Sometimes the rituals fill us. Sometimes it is us who fills the ritual. *Anthony Castle was previously a journalist with The Salvation Army's Publications Team, and is now a TSA Disability Inclusion Mission Specialist.

1. What is your current appointment and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am the Corps Officer, along with my husband, Peer, at North East Salvos in Adelaide. The thing I find most satisfying about being an officer is the look on people’s faces when they discover something new about themselves that gives them encouragement, a sense of purpose, and affirmation of who they are in Christ. It doesn’t matter where that discovery comes from, whether it be in a small group, in a church service, while volunteering, or through a one-on-one conversation. The moment they ‘get it’ is inspiring. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? As much as I love my role – and it can be all-consuming at times – I do take time to relax and unwind, and I have quite a few options. I really enjoy doing the housework on my day off. My home is my sanctuary. So, when I know it is clean and tidy, it helps my mind and body relax and prepare for the busyness that the rest of the week may hold. I also enjoy a good crime thriller or medical drama on TV. I also love getting creative, whether it is sewing a quilt, playing music, or, on the rare occasion, spending time at the cottage we are renovating in the country. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? That’s a really difficult question to answer. As a musician, I understand and appreciate musicality, and as a Christian, I like to feel connected to the words and meaning behind the song. So, today I choose ‘I am Carried’ by Geoff Bullock. It is one of the songs I pull out and play and sing when I sit down at the piano. The song takes me on a journey of acknowledging the constant presence of God in my life, no matter where I am, who I am with, or what I am doing. The last line of the chorus says: I am carried in the arms of grace and love Divine. There’s no place I’d rather be than in God’s arms as I do this life that He has called me to. 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? Another tough question to answer, but I would choose Mary, Jesus’ mother, and we would talk about grief. There is something different and unique about the grief that comes from losing a child. I lost my son when he was 22 years old and under very different circumstances from how Mary lost her son, Jesus, but I can imagine that we would have a few things in common and lots to talk about. I could learn from her experience and take comfort in her wisdom. Despite the fact that our children lived very different lives, there is an inner strength, deep compassion and broad understanding that comes from being a mother who is grieving the loss of her child. I would want to learn from her, and I want to connect with other mothers in the same way. READ MORE: Gai discusses her grief over losing her son in an interview with Salvos Online journalist Lerisse Smith. Click here 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I would say listen. Listen well and listen long. Take your time with God first and foremost to make sure it is His calling. In my answer to the first question, I mentioned how good it is when someone discovers their purpose. It is one of the questions that people find most difficult to answer: “What is my purpose?” The answer is quite simple really: my purpose, everyone’s purpose, is to show off the goodness and glory of God, and the Bible tells me so. Some people get it, some don’t, and until they do, they will always be searching. How we fulfil that purpose is as individual as we are and is based on God’s call for our lives. The first call on our lives is to be disciples of Jesus. How we do that will be determined by an open, surrendered, listening and obedient heart. So, listen. Pay attention to what others are saying around you, too, and test it with Scripture and prayer so that you will hear the voice of God louder than any other.

To read the appointment bulletin, click here

Young people from the Kyiv Corps led worship on Sunday 27 April to mark The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth. Salvos Online journalist SIMONE WORTHING and her husband, Cliff, are on deployment with an International Headquarters Emergency Services team, assisting at various corps in the Ukraine Division of the Eastern Europe Territory. Simone filed this report on how the Ukraine Division marked The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth. BY SIMONE WORTHING In Ukraine It began with an invitation after the Sunday meeting at the Vinnytsia Corps in Ukraine. A few of the youth offered to take my husband, Cliff, and me on a walking tour to show us the history and beauty of their city. We were surprised but delighted that the young people would volunteer to spend time with us ‘oldies’, and they were equally surprised that we accepted! In so many ways, we could’ve been anywhere in the world on this (northern hemisphere) spring evening – children playing in parks, outdoor cafes full of people, music playing, the sound of laughter. Except we weren’t. We were in a country at war. Russia’s war in Ukraine began in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Its impact can be seen and felt everywhere, despite the laughter, the music and the signs that life goes on. The young people of Vinnytsia Corps gave Australian Salvationists Cliff and Simone Worthing a tour of their city. (Cliff and Simone on the far right in the second photo). And yet, in many ways, life doesn’t go on. People still go to work, children go to school, and ordinary activities continue. But so do the air-raid sirens, the drones, the missiles, the destroyed lives and homes, the grief, the exhaustion. Life goes on, but at the same time, it is on hold. And so it is for the young people of the Vinnytsia Corps. Yet their growing faith, reliance on God, and energy and positivity bring a joy and hope that seem to rise above the challenges and encourage all those around them. “Many of our hopes and dreams may be more difficult to obtain right now because of the war, but we still have them, are doing what we can, and are trusting God to direct our paths and our future.” This was the overwhelming sentiment among this small group of young people who showed us around the city that night. As we walked through parks, down boulevards and rode trams, they spoke about their faith, their service at the corps, their beloved youth and Scout groups, and their hope for the future, both now and when the war is over. They still face the challenges many young people around the world encounter as they grow spiritually, socially and emotionally, and they carry the added burdens, complexities and pain of war. Yet they focus on God, his strength and his will for their lives as they serve, study and look to the future. Kyiv youth The young people in Kyiv showed a similar spirit – a desire to serve God, the corps, their peers, and their community – as they continue their studies and work towards a future that is anything but easy to navigate after more than four years of war. Their openness to learning was both inspiring and humbling. They actively participated in seminars and Bible studies on caring for self and others, team building, emotional intelligence, communication, trust, working together, and problem-solving. They asked questions about psychological safety, the compassion of Jesus, social justice, inclusion, leading and loving the pre- and early-teen groups, and God’s will for their lives. “I want to improve my English, and I want to improve everything I am doing and learning,” said one youth leader. “I know God is leading me and I want to respond.” Young people led the Sunday service at Kyiv Corps. Their friendly competition with youth groups from other corps was heartwarming. Their love of music, fashion and technology was familiar. Their maturity and ability to face and work through issues that no young person their age should have to face were inspiring and humbling. Despite the grinding impacts of a war many have grown up with, the faith, love, and energy these young people embody bring hope and joy to a nation in need of light and joy in dark, desperate times. And times are desperate. There are many young people grieving the loss of parents and loved ones at the front; many who have served and are dealing with mental, physical and psychological scars; many who have turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of loss, grief and horror; many who have no one to turn to; and so many more suffering in numerous ways. The youth of The Salvation Army in Ukraine face many difficulties and challenging life circumstances too, but their lights continue to shine – sometimes flickering, sometimes bright – as they focus on Jesus, the source of light and hope. Youth and children On The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth (27 April), corps across Ukraine celebrated the day. Children and youth led meetings, read the Scriptures, collected offerings, sang, played and served snacks. In Dnipro, the children studied Matthew 18:3, learning how much Jesus loves children and what it means to be a child of God. They also focused on Ephesians 5:8, learning about shining as lights in the darkness. In Lviv, the young people sang for the congregation (see link below): In Kyiv, the young people prepared for the meeting, led worship and collected the offering. Youth leader Timofei Shvab delivered the message. In Vinnytsia, the young people gave testimonies, prayed, collected the offering and led the Sunday school. In all corps, including Kharkiv, Novi, and Kropivnitsky, The Salvation Army runs programs for children and youth, including Bible studies, scouting, youth groups, sports, crafts, English lessons, after-school programs, and more. The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth at Dnipro Corps. The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth at Kharkiv Corps. The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth at Lviv Corps. The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth at Kropivnitsky Corps.

Auxiliary-Lieutenant Caleb Smith has always been fascinated with Biblical cartography. (Right) A map of the original Temora ‘Stations of the Cross’ walk held in 2023. BY LAUREN MARTIN Auxiliary-Lieutenant Caleb Smith was an OK ... an ‘Officer’s Kid’. He recalls many Sundays as a child, sitting bored at the back of the corps hall, entertaining himself by looking at the map pages in the back of the Bible. “I’ve always been interested in maps,” he said. Many years later, that interest has translated into a unique way of experiencing the Easter weekend – an at-scale ‘Stations of the Cross’ walk around his NSW country town of Temora, where he is the corps leader. Designing the walk, according to Caleb, was easy. “If you just get two maps of the same scale and overlay them [one being a map of New Testament Jerusalem], you can trace out the path that Jesus would have taken on the first Good Friday. You can overlay [New Testament Jerusalem] onto pretty much any suburb, anywhere really. It’s very easy to do, I can highly recommend it!” The Stations of the Cross walk, held on Easter Saturday, took people on an experiential journey from the arrest of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (Hillview Park), through to his death on the cross at Golgotha (the footy field), with the High Priest’s house and the Roman Fortress along the way. “It conveniently worked out that the main Herodian street of Jerusalem lined up with our main street,” said Caleb. He said that the location of the Temora McDonald’s fast-food restaurant was at the Jerusalem map location of the Roman Fortress. “We thought that was fun! The foreign empire staking its claim on our beloved town!” The Stations of the Cross walkers stopped at the place where the Roman Fortress would have been (the location of Temora McDonald’s restaurant!) Around 35 people from various churches in Temora, along with some interested community members, gathered for the walk, which lasted about an hour and a half. “We stopped at each point and got a volunteer to read the Scriptures and pray as well, and we encouraged people to have a chat and share any thoughts that they had,” said Caleb. Many of those who attended said that the walk gave them a fresh perspective of the journey that Jesus took. Temora Salvation Army’s at-scale ‘Stations of the Cross’ walk was a popular way for community members to engage with the Easter Story. “Someone pointed out, ‘Isn’t it weird that the High Priest’s house is located as far away from the Temple as you can possibly get?’” he said. Details like that are missed unless you take a look at the map or walk the actual route. Another thing noticed was how long it took to get from the location of the Garden of Gethsemane to the High Priest’s house, where he was first taken after his arrest. “It’s a good 20-minute walk,” said Caleb. “They would have been in the dark. [As we walked it, we were discussing,] ‘What were they talking about?’ ‘Did they talk to Jesus ... did he talk to them?’” He said the feedback from those who experienced the walk was encouraging. The final stop on the Temora at-scale ‘Stations of the Cross’ cross walk was the local football field, which was the location of Golgotha, where Jesus died on the cross. “People are very keen to do it again, they found it really meaningful. Particularly some of the people that aren’t part of a congregation that came along, they were impressed by it and found it a good way to learn through experience. They found that really positive.” Caleb said that for anyone interested in recreating the Stations of the Cross walk in their own town or suburb, he would be happy to assist with mapping. “You just need maps of the correct scale and off you go!”

Youth and leaders enjoyed Summer Parties across the nation. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army’s 2026 Summer Parties were a success, as youth and young adults as well as leaders met to mark the launch of a new year of ministry. The yearly events, which happen across the country from late January through February, draw hundreds of young people from multiple mission expressions to engage in fun, fellowship and a celebration service to mark the beginning of the year. This year, for the first time in several years, the Northern Territory hosted an event, with 14 youth and young adults as well as three leaders gathering at Kingpin Darwin to enjoy bowling, laser tag, arcade games and more. Among those gathered were five young people from the TIPTE (Towards Independence Program Top End). “Hopes emerged for revival in schools, prayers to push into Jesus more and for courage to tell others about Jesus,” wrote Captain Aaron Coombes, Youth and Young Adults Secretary for SA/NT. “So incredible to see the life changing, inclusive ministry that is happening in the NT!” Darwin Corps Officer Major Kim Hawke wrote to thank the Youth and Young Adults Ministry team for their dedication to the young people in the Northern Territory. She wrote that there had been lots of positive feedback from the young people, parents, corps members and TSA staff.   “The kids are now really excited about the year ahead,” she wrote. “They are motivated to invite their friends, are keen to see the kids from local TSA programs again, and they already have ideas about things they would love to do to build on the excitement generated by the Summer Party.” In other parts of the country, young people gathered at aquatic centres and theme parks to enjoy a day of games and cooling off before listening to gospel-centred messages in the evening. A total 71 youth and young adults and 29 leaders gathered across four locations in Western Australia to kick off the year, with the final one held at Karratha on 21 February. Karratha Corps Officer Captain Jodie Jones expressed her thanks for the support that made their event possible. “Our Karratha team had a great time trying something new at the Indoor Golf Centre and giving young people an opportunity at dinner to share their hearts and lives, along with their fears, hopes and transformations,” Jodie wrote. “My heart feels overwhelmed at the possible impacts this ministry is having and will continue to have in the lives of our young people. Thank you for helping this to happen.” Click through the slideshow below for more photos from Summer Parties around the Australia Territory: All images supplied.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously supported the Self Denial Appeal! This year’s theme, Motivated by Love, celebrates the heart behind every gift. In this video, we hear sincere expressions of gratitude from participants in Fiji, Malawi, Rwanda and Sri Lanka. And it’s not too late to donate to the appeal. For more information on the 2026 Self Denial Appeal and to donate or become a regular giver, click here

The Salvation Army Sleep Out event in Shepparton brought youth homelessness into sharp focus, highlighting an issue impacting many young people – Dr Neil Morris (left) led the smoking ceremony. BY LERISSE SMITH On a chilly April night in the regional Victorian town of Shepparton, a bunch of CEOs, VIPs and locals ditched warm beds, hot showers and plush sofas for cold grass and sleeping bags – all for a cause worth losing sleep over. The Salvation Army North East Youth Services ‘Under the Same Stars’ Sleep Out fundraising event brought youth homelessness into sharp focus, highlighting an issue impacting many young people – and raised a record $46,000 to build youth transitional housing in the future. “The amount we raised was truly incredible,” says Jim Gow, Youth Participation Worker at Salvation Army North East Youth Services. “On the back of the 2025 event, it was a no-brainer for us to hold it this year. We are aware that people want to help but aren’t always sure how. This event is a great opportunity to not only help, but also to network with others and experience what many experience each and every single day. Think of it as a networking event with a purpose. “Our youth services are thankful for the participation of the runners, the sleepers, the donors and the partners/sponsors that made this great event happen. Momentum from last year made this year’s event inevitable – and bigger.” Sleeping bags and sleeping mats scattered all over the oval for the Salvos Under the Same Stars fundraiser. Under the Same Stars attendees heard firsthand accounts of homelessness, unpacked sobering statistics about under-25s, and took part in exercises simulating the tight constraints of living on the Youth Allowance and the challenges that it brings. More than 100 people rolled out sleeping bags, while 70 runners laced up for the April 15 event held at Deakin Reserve sports oval. The concept was simple but powerful: to bring people together, give them a glimpse of the reality many young people face, and turn awareness of homelessness into action. From 5pm to 7am, the oval became more than a sporting ground. It became a space for reflection, learning, and uncomfortable truths. Attendees heard firsthand accounts of homelessness, unpacked sobering statistics about under-25s, and took part in exercises simulating the tight constraints of living on the Youth Allowance and the challenges that it brings. Every dollar raised will stay local, supporting young people in the very community that rallied behind them. “It’s important that the funds stay local for us,” reflects Jim. “Many fundraisers send money to different areas; however, this money is raised by locals for locals. I’ve been involved in more than 70 events previously, but this is the biggest fundraiser I’ve been a part of.” Attending the Sleep Out were (from left) Jim Gow (Youth Participation Worker at Salvation Army North-East Youth Services), Kim O’Keefe (State Member for Shepparton District), Omeni Ndlovu (Salvation Army Adult Homelessness Shepparton) and Sam Atukorala OAM (Shepparton Ethnic Council). Running alongside the Sleep Out was ‘Miles From Home’, a grassroots endurance event inspired by last year’s remarkable effort from local runners, Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino. “We ended up running the 100 miles last year in under 22 hours, which was a massive personal achievement,” says Peter. “But we wanted to create more of a community running event – something that the running community can be a part of, not just Vic and I. This has been in our minds for a while, and why not raise funds for a worthy cause by doing it? Everybody wins.” This year, the challenge went even further. The pair ran for 24 hours, joined by more than 70 runners who collectively tackled different sections of the 100-mile distance. Behind the scenes, planning and preparation were no small feat, but the energy from the community carried it forward. “We really encouraged the local running community to get behind this event and make it a win/win for all involved,” says Peter. “My business – Ray Dobson Real Estate – was proud to be partnering for this event and assisting in the preparation for a really great cause.” A charity auction hosted by Shepparton Brewery will be held on 19 May as part of the Under the Same Stars event. Limited tickets of 100 people. Memorabilia, goods and experiences will be auctioned off, including a signed AFL jerseys (thanks to Shepparton Automotive Group), signed NBL jerseys, Shepparton art prints (thanks to Elise Gow Designs) and a $2000 advertising campaign with Triple M Goulburn Valley. For more information, go to the website here