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Today, Betty Bull turns 100. Happy Birthday Betty! A dedicated soldier for 75 years, in this video, she reflects  on her deep faith, her life with her beloved husband, Les, her role as a mother, and what it means to build one’s life on the firm foundation of the Lord. Betty’s commitment to faith, family, and the next generation shines through as she continues to pray for and encourage others, even now at 100 years old.

Hope and a Future participants with mentors and supporters proudly showing off their medals after the Gold Coast Marathon last weekend. BY FAY FOSTER “This has been a big day and a hugely successful day, and we’re all very, very proud of our team who wear those finishers’ shirts and finishers’ medals today.” This was the comment by Sarah-Jane Alley, one of the mentors for the Hope and a Future team from Papua New Guinea (PNG) who had run the Gold Coast Marathon that day (Sunday 6 July). “It was a long and hot day. And the conditions were quite tricky at the end. But you finished it. You can do anything.”   The 10 young people participating in the program – of which the marathon is a part – all completed the 42.2km course and received their finisher’s medal and shirt.   After the race, which included a celebration and recovery barbeque, the team, with their mentors and support crew, gathered for a time of sharing and debriefing.   One participant, Heagi, spoke about how she prepared for the marathon while injured. “It was a privilege to be running the marathon myself,” she said. “It’s been really tough, but it was fun. I’ve listened to the past runners telling their stories, and now I’m writing my own story, and I’m thankful for that to all of you in here right now and to God. READ MORE: The Hope and a Future program kicks off for 2025 . “The training was fun, but in the middle, I sprained my ankle. The pain was not good. But I kept on pushing myself, and I want to thank God because I prayed, and I told [him] … I know you will get me through this. At times, I couldn’t walk properly, and my team had to carry me during the training, but I didn’t give up. I kept coming for training. I think in June I fully recovered. And I ran.”   Partway through the marathon, participant Elnora was afraid she wouldn’t make it to the end. “After  20km, I vomited very badly. I almost [pulled out], but seeing my mentor, she is confident in me. I don’t want to let her down.”   “I always get very emotional, because I do have just a little bit of understanding of the journey that you guys take to get here,” said mentor Captain Brad McIver, Head of Social Mission. “And the thing I love most about the marathon is that I get to learn about your life.   “Thank you for being selfless. We were at about the 40km mark, and I’m trying to feed [participant] Emcey gels and lollies to keep her going. And we came across two of our fellow runners, and I think they’re a bit light on gels. And next thing I know, Emcey got two gels out of her pocket, puts them down on the road so that the runners behind could pick them up. And I think that’s the heart of a true servant and a true leader.”   The project name, ‘Hope and a Future’ is taken from the Scripture, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” ( Jeremiah 29:11 ). “What is incredible about this project is we’re all being prospered, we're all being blessed, and we’re all just growing from the experience,” said mentor Sharon Callister, one of the founders of the program and former head of Salvation Army Aged Care.   “And some of the things that I saw today – the absolute strength and determination. And when you are cramping or you are vomiting, it’s grit, it’s resilience, it’s belief. We did say a lot of prayers along the way, and I just have learned so much from you all.”   Project caterer Captain Joycelyn McIver, Team Leader Waverley Temple, agreed. “You are a generation who have been polite, been kind, you have looked out for one another. And I see in your leadership one that is Christ-centred because of those attributes. And you will take that into your ministry, into your leadership, into your communities. And you guys are going to change your country, the world. You are the most confident group we’ve had.”   Hearing the participants’ stories on the night of the marathon is a highlight for the mentors and supporters. “This year”, said Project Coordinator Kim, “I was especially impacted by the runners’ stories of finding strength and resilience – in life and during the marathon run – when they felt like giving up. I’ve been through some hard times, and I relate to their stories. They inspire me to keep going, to find my own strength and resilience, and not give up.  And I’m so glad that I’ve been able to play a part in their stories.” Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, co-founder of Hope and a Future and former Chief Secretary of the PNG Territory, attends the marathon weekend and supports the team every year. “This will be something that you’ll hold onto forever … there’ll be this bond forever … But what I love, it’s a bond with each other and it’s also a bond with God. And you have very little, but you have so much. It’s very special. You give that to us, and we are the blessed.”   For the next few days, the young people, with their Australian and PNG support crew, will attend leadership training development at Tweed Head Corps (led by Majors Deon and Michelle Oliver from Queensland Divisional Headquarters, and Major Narelle Unicomb, Faith Communities Development Secretary, NSW/ACT ) as well as enjoy some much-deserved rest and relaxation. They will then head off to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to serve at corps until their departure next Tuesday.   The marathon experience was extra special for one of the mentors, Adrian Kistan, who ran alongside his older brother, Major Nesan Kistan. “My first time running this marathon was in 2014,” said Nesan, who serves as the Divisional Commander of the Intermountain Division in the USA and was in Australia visiting family. “It [Hope and a Future] is such a great program. The PNG runners really give their all ... they are all champions.”

In recognition of The Salvation Army’s 160 th  anniversary on Founders’ Day (2 July) this year, International Headquarters (IHQ) has created eight short videos chronicling the vast and varied mission of the global Salvation Army over the past 160 years, with one video being released each week, beginning 5 June. READ MORE: Check out earlier videos focused on themes of church and charity, emergency relief, modern slavery and human trafficking, and social justice . On Founders’ Day last week, IHQ in London, along with Salvation Army centres around the world, celebrated 160 years of The Salvation Army’s global mission. Salvationists, employees, volunteers, ecumenical leaders and others gathered for the occasion. READ MORE: Check out the 160th anniversary celebration and IHQ, and view the video on education .   The next video in the celebration series focuses on The Salvation Army’s work in healthcare around the world.   Compassionate healthcare For almost as long as The Salvation Army has existed, it has operated health services. In the early days of The Salvation Army, there were many different health-related initiatives in the East End of London. Salvation Army midwives could be found in the refuges or ‘rescue homes’ where vulnerable pregnant women sought shelter and care. Other early programs included ‘slum maternity work’ and district nursing. It was from these humble beginnings that a network of hospitals, clinics and community health programmes evolved all over the world.   The Salvation Army now operates 24 hospitals, 127 healthcare facilities and a number of mobile clinics around the world. Click here  to learn more about The Salvation Army International Health Services. Watch the video below to learn more about The Salvation Army hospital in Chikankata, southern Zambia.

Mal Bilaniwsky (left, with appreciation certificate) and Paul Darby from Figtree Lions Club present Salvation Army Community Fundraising Relationship Manager Karen Walker with a $10,000 cheque for Carinya. Figtree Lions Club in Wollongong (NSW) has donated $10,000 to The Salvation Army Carinya Women and Children’s Service. The proceeds were raised from the Figtree Lions Club’s annual Charity Golf Day at Calderwood Golf Club on 21 May.   Carinya offers crisis and transitional housing, along with outreach support, for women and children affected by domestic violence and homelessness in the Illawarra region.   Carinya Program Manager Sonya Button. Carinya Program Manager Sonya Button said the donation would have a significant impact on the lives of the women and children they support.   “Here at Carinya, we are so, so grateful for the Figtree Lions Club’s donation to assist women and children rebuild their lives. All of the funds will go directly to assisting our clients,” she said.   About 120 people participated in the golf day, which was played in a two-person Ambrose format. A barbeque was held afterwards, with representatives from Carinya handing out the major prizes.   Figtree Lions Club spokesperson Bill Simpson said the club was honoured to support Carinya.   “We became aware of the incredibly supportive service Carinya staff provide to women and children in crisis, and our members wanted to do something to help,” he said. “Business and community members got behind the project because they saw Carinya as a valuable contributor to people in need at a critical time.”

Chris Waixel coordinates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministries for the Salvos in Victoria. BY CHRIS WAIXEL* While National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week are significant moments to honour and rejoice in the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is essential that our commitment does not begin and end with these celebratory weeks, but extends beyond them. In line with The Salvation Army’s values of justice and integrity, Salvos believe we are called to continually walk alongside First Nations peoples in deep listening, interactive learning and advocating for systemic change. Reconciliation must be more than symbolic; it must be embedded in our daily practice, personal responsibility, organisational culture and our shared leadership and national conversations.  It’s also about mutual acceptance – within and outside of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To live out our vision of transforming Australia with the love of Jesus, we must ensure that themes of truth-telling, cultural safety, equity and shared leadership are active parts of our strategic planning, community engagement, and public accountability. This includes ongoing education, culturally responsive services and amplifying Indigenous voices in decision-making at all levels.   Reconciliation is not a seasonal effort, but an ongoing and sustained journey of healing, partnership and transformation that requires humility, courage and unwavering commitment every day of the year.  *Chris Waixel is from the Yorta Yorta Peoples, in the area presently known as Swan Hill in north-western Victoria. Chris coordinates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministries for the Salvos in Victoria.   To view the NAIDOC Week toolkit on MySalvos, click here

Caitlin O’Connor (far left) with fellow delegates at the 2024 Yakila Conference in South Australia. Forming strong communities is at the heart of reconciliation, which is backed by this year’s NAIDOC Week theme: ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. In this Q&A interview, Caitlin O’Connor*, who works for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus in Canberra, focuses on the power of community in her life.   How would you define community? Community to me is a sense of belonging to my Country, my family ties and extended kinship. Community is a strong part of my identity and how I make my decisions. With the support of my community, I feel a sense of empowerment and feel strong connections within my spiritual, emotional, cultural and physical wellbeing.    What are some of the traditions around community that mean the most to you and your culture? I am a proud Dunghutti woman on my mother’s side and grew up away from Country. I still live away from Country as an adult. My mob has always shared stories, culture, and lore for me to humbly learn from. NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Day are some of the most important celebrations for me and my family. We take pride in sharing our culture, language and stories. An important tradition in my culture is sharing stories and language with the next generation. I grew up learning language and now it has become my time to assist in teaching others [including the younger members of my family].   What impact does community have on those who belong to it? Community has such a large impact on all people who belong as it forms the basis of connectedness and cultural identity. Community is the extension of family that holds the knowledge and traditions that keep our culture alive and vibrant. Community is how we connect to our kinship and live holistically, maintaining our relationships to the land and each other.   What can we do to make community more cohesive and stronger? Listening to the stories of our Elders and understanding cultural-based practices such as our traditions, languages and songs. I believe that engaging in research and listening to our stories will create a cohesive and stronger community. Research your local area and understand what Country you live and work on. Reach out to your local Elders to learn the stories and how they lived on Country. These small steps can form the basis for a stronger and more inclusive understanding of how our communities can become stronger and more inclusive.   *Caitlin is a site manager for The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus in Canberra To view the NAIDOC Week toolkit on MySalvos, click here

In this sermon, Joel Wiggins, a proud Gunaikurnai man, shares a spiritual reflection on the theme of NAIDOC Week 2025, urging the church to raise the next  generation with ‘Strength, Vision, and Legacy’. Drawing from Aboriginal and Christian traditions, it highlights the need to pass on spiritual resilience, help young people hear God’s voice, and be living examples of faith.

Corps Leader Greig Whittaker has a passion for unity in his Ryde City Council area. BY LAUREN MARTIN   During one of his regular walks with God in a park, Ryde Corps Leader Greig Whittaker felt God reveal to him that he was “an abusive lover” of his local city council area. The revelation sent him staggering to his knees and on a quest to discover what it really means for the church to ‘be as one’.   His journey towards unity and oneness within the church began in 2017 when he was invited to a pizza dinner with Gather Movement team members Roger Sutton and Dave King from Salford, England. They shared stories about what God was doing in their country to bring unity to the church and, through that, citywide transformation.   “At this dinner,” Greig writes in his recently published book Unity for Movement , “the Holy Spirit awakened something in me that has been my journey and passion since.”   He began re-reading the Scriptures and was struck by how passionately Jesus wanted his followers to live in unity, noting that in John 17, Jesus asks the Father four times to “make us one”. Something had birthed in Greig that he “couldn’t leave alone”.   God wants the city One day, as he was brainstorming with God on a walk, he felt God asking him to be “wildly optimistic” about his hopes and prayers for Ryde Corps for the following year. “I was rattling off the stats that I thought mattered, and then God firmly and directly interrupted me – ‘I want the city [of Ryde]!’”   He realised that his vision had been small, centred just on Ryde Salvation Army (in Sydney’s north-west), and therefore “not in alignment with God’s vision”.   “He said, ‘You love your church in the city. You love upon the city, so they will come to our church, but you do not love the city. You do not even know your city’.” Greig realised that he was “an abusive lover of my city; I loved for gain, for what I could get. This is not Heaven’s love. I love that God revealed that to my heart because awareness is the beautiful gift that leads to repentance and transformation.”   Greig Whittaker says he sees God working to bring unity. From then on, Greig prioritised unity and oneness by intentionally setting aside time in his diary to have coffee or lunch with other pastors in the Ryde City Council area. God challenged him to spend 15 per cent of his time investing in the unity space.   He remembers that, at the beginning, stepping away from the demands of a busy corps to attend regular long lunches with the aim of building relationships (not even talking about working together on a project at that early stage) felt strange. He also experienced some revelations, writing in his book: “Playing exclusively in my Salvos sandpit, I never realised how deeply I was lacking, and also what I had to give. What is second nature for my tribe is rocket science to another, and vice-versa.”   He also realised that there was no “quick fix” or “silver bullet” to oneness.   “We’re talking generational reformation of church here.” They waited on God as the small group of pastors came together regularly just to get to know each other, trust each other and love each other. They then realised that they didn’t really know their city.   Ryde was changing dramatically, with high-rises replacing traditional Australian quarter-acre blocks. “We had no idea how to minister to a ‘vertical village’,” said Greig, “because we had never lived in one.”   So, God opened access to the pastors a grant for a research project to begin on ‘vertical villages’. Macquarie University came on board, and the research has opened up new opportunities and partnerships.   Together for the city From the lunches and the relationships that formed amongst the pastors, the ‘Together for Ryde’ movement was birthed , a network of churches and Christian ministries in the Ryde area who have a shared vision of serving the city through partnership and collaboration. The movement collaborates on outreach opportunities, with volunteers from all churches joining community members to love their city through various initiatives.   The ‘Together for Ryde’ meetings bring together ministers and leaders of other denominations in the Ryde City Council area. Greig says that through intentional relationship building, he and the other pastors bonded over their deep love of their city, and they grew to trust each other.   When Greig suggested that they collaborate for The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal fundraising campaign one year, with all profits being put towards the ‘Together for Ryde’ movement, it was Ryde Salvos’ largest Red Shield Appeal in history. Now, the movement employs a part-time worker and has gained so much momentum that community leaders, including the local council and the police local area command, are approaching the movement to collaborate on tackling social issues.   “When we come together, the blessing of Heaven flows and we experience Psalm 133:1,” writes Greig in his book. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”   Ryde Salvos now worships in oneness with the Ryde Baptist Church, after the building the corps used to worship in was sold. Because of the relationship built through the ‘Together for Ryde’ movement, the Ryde Baptists invited The Salvation Army to share its space, free of charge. “So, we became the four o’clock congregation at the Ryde Baptist with offices, counselling rooms, everything free, just given to us because we were in relationship with each other,” said Greig.   Soon, the two congregations decided to merge.   “We’re one church with two logos and two bank accounts, but we do everything together! And people say, ‘How on earth does that work?’ and I say, ‘Well, it’s not as hard as you think it is.’ “We have just relationally connected.”   Bringing other cities together in Christ Greig Whittaker now works for the City to City Movement, passionately working with pastors from cities across Australia and the South Pacific to help facilitate oneness. He is spurred on by a vision of cities being transformed by “the grace, love, mercy and justice of God led by the unified body of Christ”.   He says momentum is building. “The conversation almost didn’t exist when I started [2.5 years ago], and now the conversation is all over the place, lots of movement!”   City to City supports churches and faith-based organisations in more than 70 cities in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Salvation Army corps officers in Sydney, on the NSW Central Coast, Clayton in Victoria, Cairns in Queensland and Rockingham in Western Australia are also joining City to City ‘tables’ where they commit to setting aside time to intentionally get to know and love the other pastors in the city, with the prayer to see the city won for Jesus.   “I feel the pleasure of heaven when we meet in unity,” Greig writes in his book. “He seems to smile upon his kids when we play well together.”   He has this vision for the church: “Imagine, a unified church, witnessing the transformation of their city, giving glory to God for his goodness.” And this challenge: “Now go and be your imaginings.”   If you want to find out more about unity and oneness, head to: citytocityaustralia.org.au

BY LUCY DAVIS* Reflecting on our recent Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Launch in early June, we are reminded of the significance of key moments, such as National Reconciliation Week (NRW) and NAIDOC Week – times when we come together to honour the strength, culture, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But our ministry and commitment to reconciliation cannot be confined to two weeks a year. For us in The Salvation Army, celebrating First Nations peoples must be an ongoing, intentional, and embedded part of our everyday work. As part of our Stretch RAP, we’re excited to roll out a key initiative: RAP applications. This new platform will enable us to track actions across Relationships, Partnerships, Communications, and Events, helping us maintain accountability and amplify the progress being made across our movement. And there’s more – our new Events App will enable us to track the number of events being hosted across corps and programs, not just during NRW or NAIDOC, but throughout the entire year. From cultural celebrations to quiet moments of connection, every event matters. Through our RAP consultation process – Ngumbe Bianga Guuyungs (meaning "to listen & yarn in our camp/circle" in the Burunggam language of Southwest Queensland) – we heard moving stories from across the country. Corps connecting with local Elders, gathering for morning teas, partnering with First Nations churches, and walking alongside community groups. These are the moments that reflect what reconciliation truly looks like. We encourage every officer, staff member, and volunteer to report their events – no matter how big or small – through the RAP database. Because every connection counts. Every story contributes. Every act of respect builds a stronger future. The database will be launching soon, and we can’t wait to see how you celebrate and engage with First Nations communities all year long. *Lucy Davis is The Salvation Army’s Reconciliation Action Plan & Projects Manager To view the NAIDOC Week toolkit on MySalvos, click here

SAES teams catered for attendees at Reserve Forces Day, Melbourne. Image: Victoria Salvation Army Emergency Services The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team provided catering for attendees at the Reserve Forces Day in Melbourne, Victoria. The event, held at the Shrine of Remembrance, acknowledged the more than 1.25 million people who have served in Australia’s Defence Reserves since Federation. Today, Reserve Forces support peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief operations worldwide, according to Shrine Melbourne. Reserve Forces Day is observed annually on 6 July, commemorating the establishment of the Citizen Military Forces in 1948. For over 80 years, the SAES have been trusted by Australians in need, and are proud to partner with government, business and not-for-profit entities to deliver responses and recovery in the wake of large weather events and other crises.

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a specific territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week (7-13 July), we are praying for the Japan Territory.    Colonels Stephen and Wendy Morris lead the territory.   The Japan Territory has 150 officers (54 active, 96 retired); Aux-Captains 2; employees 1158; corps 40; outposts 11; senior soldiers 1964; adherents 63; junior soldiers 173.   READ MORE: Australian officers, Majors Daniel and Melissa Templeman-Twells are serving in Japan, for the second time. Pray for the Japan Territory Praise: We praise God for a successful spiritual life seminar and spiritual revival meetings in the territory. We also praise God for Territorial Officers’ Councils and for successful Home League rallies throughout the territory. Prayer requests: Please pray for: ·   Those who get new responsibilities for their settlements as well as our new, appointed sectional heads. ·   Our new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Lieut-Colonels Abraham and Manjula Mudda, who will take up their appointments on 1 July 2025. ·   A resolution to the financial crisis that is ongoing in the territory. ·    Increase in giving among Salvationists to support our territory. ·    Spiritual revival in the life of officers and soldiers. ·    Extensions work in Himachal Pradesh. To find out more about the Japan Territory, click here . To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here . To read more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .

The Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service is now operating out of Preston Corps. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  The Salvation Army’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service (ASRS) has begun operating out of a new facility, where it is better-equipped to continue serving the Melbourne refugee community.  The service, which previously operated out of a building in Brunswick, is now located in the Preston Corps building. The service began operations a t Preston on 2 July.   ASRS Manager Major Rod Serojales said the move will provide greater opportunities for collaboration with the local corps. Farsi Fellowship, which works alongside the service, also operates out of Preston.   Major Rod Serojales. Image: Supplied Rod also said the Preston Doorways service was already connected with a large number of those living as refugees or asylum seekers in the area. He also said that Preston offered a larger space to provide services, such as English classes.  “We are moving closer to where people are,” Rod said. “The good thing is we can connect them with other services the corps is already [offering]. We can collaborate.”  Rod said that down the track, he was excited to offer new classes and groups for clients to join at the new building.   ASRS has been operating out of the Tinning Street, Brunswick, location since it began in 2010. The service recently marked this milestone and farewelled the old building at a recent Family Fun Day .