In the final week of the Self Denial Appeal, Tristan Bray from Shire Salvos shares an original worship song, Because of Your Love, a powerful reminder of how God’s love calms storms, heals hearts and inspires generosity. Also performed by Liberty Hill and Matt Metcher, this heartfelt piece is about being motivated by love – giving sacrificially so others can experience hope, dignity, and opportunity. Your support helps transform lives around the world, so please give generously. To find out more and donate, click here .

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? Currently, I am the Corps Leader at North Brisbane Corps (NBC). I share this appointment with my husband, Scott, and we have been here for two years. One of the things I love most about being a corps leader is getting to walk alongside people in their spiritual journeys. I really value the honest conversations, the questions, and the moments when people discover something new about their faith or about God. It’s a privilege to share life together, supporting one another, learning from each other, and all of us growing along the way. I also love helping NBC look outward, finding new ways to connect with and serve the community around us, and being part of a church that wants to make a real, positive difference in people’s lives. NBC is multigenerational, and I love to see the generations worshipping and serving together. There is energy and enthusiasm. There is a richness in relationships and a wealth of learning from all ages.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I’m intentional about taking time away from my role at NBC so I can rest and recharge. Simple things like taking the dog for a walk or walking with a friend, reading, and going for a run help me unwind and give me space to think. I have to admit that running isn’t exactly a natural gift of mine, and it doesn’t always make me feel relaxed, but it is something I have challenged myself to do over the past seven years and, strangely enough, I do find it enjoyable – most of the time. On a day off, I also enjoy relaxing with a good limited series on Netflix, especially anything related to police or crime stories. One of my favourite ways to stay connected and refreshed is Facetiming with family and having a chat with my grandchildren, which always brings a lot of joy.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? One of my favourite songs at the moment is ‘Christ Be Magnified’ written by Cody Carnes. I love it because it’s a simple but powerful reminder of the desire of my heart – that in my life, my words, and the way I lead, people would see and hear Jesus more than anything else. It also reminds me to live a life that is surrendered to God and full of worship for who He is, not just in church but in everyday moments.   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? I think I would love the opportunity to sit and chat with Mary, the mother of Jesus. As a mother, I imagine in our conversation that we would share that deep heart for our children, and I would love to hear what it was like for her to watch Jesus step into His ministry. It must have been incredibly moving but also painful at times, especially as she saw the rejection He experienced. I often wonder how she carried that as a mother – holding the sorrow of His suffering alongside the incredible promise God had given her that her son would be the Saviour of the world.    5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   If I were speaking with someone about becoming a Salvation Army officer, I would encourage them to truly listen for God’s call on their life and to follow where He leads. If that call includes officership, I would encourage them to step forward with the prayer, “not my will, but God’s will be done”. God is faithful, and His call into ministry can be trusted. All the things that might make someone hesitate or feel like saying, “I can’t do it because of …” can be brought to God. He is able to hold those concerns, guide the way forward, and give what is needed for the journey. More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here . *Meet the Officer interviews are conducted by Salvos Online journalist Lerisse Smith

Toasting marshmallows around the campfire – a different way of gathering to worship Jesus in Southern NSW.   BY LAUREN MARTIN   Most Christians associate sitting around a campfire, singing worship songs and toasting marshmallows with their annual church camp experience.   But Salvationists in Southern NSW are embracing this form of worship weekly, with ‘Campfire Sessions – Faith around the Flames’ attracting ‘new people’ eager to connect with God. The flyer for the Campfire Sessions ministry. Captain Henry and Lieutenant Cindy Roehrig were appointed to Bega Valley Corps a few years ago and began a journey of seeking God and being open to the direction he wanted to take The Salvation Army’s mission in the area.   “[Even though we had an older congregation], the faith and passion never faded, so we were listening to God and following the doors that have opened in the past couple of years,” said Henry.   God gave the corps a verse, Ezekiel 36:26:   “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you …”   In researching the corps’ history, the Roehrigs discovered that going back to the 1930s, there are records of Salvationists conducting outreaches as far south as the town of Eden on the NSW/Victorian border. There was also an idea to plant a congregation in the coastal town of Pambula, but it never eventuated.   “Our focus had been on revitalising the church at Bega,” said Henry. “But doors kept closing in that area, and more and more opportunities were opening up in Merimbula [about 25 minutes south].   In collaboration with their congregation, Bega Valley Corps felt called to replant a faith expression in Merimbula. Sunday gathered worshipping ceased in Bega on Christmas Day 2025, with the ‘Campfire Sessions’ worshipping community and mid-week Spiritual Walks beginning in February. Captain Henry Roehrig leads the first Campfire Sessions evening, which attracts people of all ages. The first ‘Campfire Session’ attracted 18 people, nine of whom were new to the corps.   People bring along their camp chairs to the open area at the back of the Merimbula Scout Hall, which looks out onto bushland. The gathering starts with tea and coffee and a chat, then worship begins with everyone sitting around the fire, singing praise to God.   “Cindy and I love nature,” said Henry. “That’s where we experience God, that’s where we experience the divine … With Campfire Sessions, we can have a gathered worship experience in a more organic sort of way where people aren’t afraid of all the structure that comes with walking into a church building and all that kind of stuff.” The basic set-up behind the Merimbula Scout Hall that serves as a place of worship ... around a campfire.   The format also suits families, with kids who are not able to stay seated for long periods still able to experience the worship and teaching.   The message is delivered as a ‘campfire’ story, with Henry or Cindy simplifying a Bible passage to make it conversational and encourage discussion.   “People tend to slow down and just talk more than they ever would in church,” said Henry. “I think God is opening ideas of what church can really look like, what it can be.”   The vision for the new Bega Valley Corps replant, named ‘Pulse Gatherings’, is to raise up disciples who raise up disciples.   The flyer for the Spiritual Walks ministry. Part of Pulse Gatherings is also a regular Tuesday bushwalk, rotating through several scenic locations around the area, called ‘Spiritual Walks.’ People are encouraged to join a 60-minute gentle walk in nature to slow down, notice what is sacred, and ‘make space to meet with Jesus.’   “I prepare some guided prompts around a passage of Scripture,” said Henry. “Then, we, by ourselves, do whatever the walk is, and then we meet and share what we experienced, how we have encountered God.”   People who have heard about the walks from friends, or from Facebook advertising, are coming along to check it out for themselves. A momentum is building around encountering God in a different, authentic way. Henry and Cindy continue to pray into where God is leading the corps and what comes next in the discipleship journey.   “I’ve been around the Salvos for quite a while now, and at different times you pick up these stories of The Salvation Army being innovative and doing new things, and then you also hear, ‘Oh, but we have to wear ‘navies’ and do the brass band thing,’” said Henry. “I think God is reminding us that we can be innovative and do new things and actually just enjoy who God is.”

Volunteers plays a vital role in the success of Parramatta Salvos’ mid-week community outreaches, including Henry (top left), Ray (bottom left) and William and Kerry (main image). Photos: Lauren Martin   BY LAUREN MARTIN   Five years ago, Parramatta Corps Officers Major Kylie Collinson and Lieutenant Sarah Walker (now Captain, and Youth & Young Adults Secretary) started a food ministry from the newly opened Parramatta Corps building.   “There was a huge need for affordable groceries as the cost-of-living crisis started to set in after COVID,” remembered Kylie. “We connected with [Coles] Second Bite and started to do pick-ups [from supermarkets]. The first few pick-ups Sarah and I did in my car!”   Fast forward to now, and the corps has a dedicated van, with volunteers picking up from partnering supermarkets and other food suppliers five days a week. Parramatta Corps Officer Major Kylie Collinson (right) says it’s been a joy watching the Holy Spirit at work at the corps during the weekly ministries, including the Community Market Day, with many community members and volunteers now also connected to the Sunday faith community. Dozens of volunteers fill the Wednesday Market Day roster, having been inducted as volunteers with specific roles and job descriptions. They all know exactly what unique part they play in Parramatta Salvation Army’s biggest day of the week, where up to 150 come through the doors for free groceries, coffee and a light meal.   With that many people being assisted, one could imagine the centre could be chaotic, but a well-thought-out membership system staggers community members’ arrival times, giving them access to the market in different time slots (which are changed every week so that everyone has a turn being ‘first’).   The Ubuntu approach Before the doors even open for Market Day, all volunteers and staff gather in the café for a team meeting. This is a big part of the ‘culture piece’ that sits at the heart of everything Parramatta Salvos does.  Parramatta Salvation Army’s Program Coordinator, Roza Gutschow speaks to volunteers and team members before the doors open for the Wednesday Market Day. On the day Salvos Online visited, Program Coordinator Roza Gutschow shared the African idea of Ubuntu – that we are all interconnected and interdependent. “We are bound to each other through our humanity … so we look after each other, ourselves and the community.” Practical information is also shared, volunteers are celebrated, and on that particular day, the upcoming Volunteer Picnic Day was advertised. At the end of the meeting, Roza led the team through what sounded like a well-worn mantra: Roza: “We’re a … Volunteers respond: “Community!” Roza: “In a … Volunteers respond: “Community!” Roza: “Serving a … Volunteers respond: “Community!”   After the clapping and cheering that followed the chant, everyone got up and attended to their individual jobs. Pauline told Salvos Online that she hands out the frozen meat every week. “Salvos were helping me, and then I started volunteering,” she said. “I like helping people, and it makes me feel very happy.” Henry loves greeting community members as they arrive at Parramatta Salvos in western Sydney for Wednesday’s Market Day. Henry’s story Nearby in the commercial kitchen, another volunteer was using donated food items to cook a carbonara pasta for that day’s free meal. Henry, who volunteers five days a week at Parramatta Salvos, opened the doors to the community and stood greeting people by name as they walked inside.   “I was on the streets a long time ago,” he said. “I feel sorry for these people when I see them on the streets. They are good people, and you try to help them as much as you can.”   Henry began volunteering many years ago at The Salvation Army’s former corps location, but then got a job. When that finished up, he returned. “I thought, ‘I’ll come back, meet some people and get involved.’ I know all these people here. They are like family, and I come on Sundays too, not every Sunday but sometimes.” Ray loves making coffee for community members at Parramatta Salvation Army’s Market Day every Wednesday. Ray’s story Upstairs in the café, Ray is at his regular spot behind the coffee machine. Ray began volunteering two and a half years ago. “When I thought I had nothing more to give, I stepped into this role it gave me more to give.”   His journey with The Salvation Army began in 2016 when he had a meaningful conversation at Harris Park train station with a Salvation Army officer who was collecting. “He said, ‘Come down to Granville Corps. So, I did Bible study there, and I loved it there, and I engaged. That was 2016, and then in 2019 I became a soldier.   “I had a faith, but it was just a matter of reconnecting. I had walked away from it, and I thought that life had nothing more to offer me, but the path was given back to me, a faith pathway.”   Ray, like so many others, volunteers numerous days of the week, and attends Parramatta Salvation Army on Sundays to worship the God that they serve during the week.   For Kylie, watching God at work through his people is an absolute joy. “People come along, and then they find community within The Salvation Army, and then they find community with each other. That’s the really cool thing, and we are seeing that more and more. There are these crossovers between our community and programs, and now people are coming in to worship on a Sunday.”   A focus on God’s way But, she said, it hasn’t always run so smoothly.   “To be honest, when market day started, it was kind of completely out of control! It used to be a bit of a ‘free for all’, and we would have people lined up outside the building at 7am, so now there is a membership system … it’s been refined over the years and that’s not been a ‘me’ thing, we have a community coordinator who looks after all the systems and we listen and take feedback from our volunteers as well.”   Now, Parramatta Corps is financially sustainable through the rental of its ground-floor shopfronts and has the capacity to employ staff, host a range of national stream workers (from Moneycare, Doorways and Homelessness support), as well as having an abundance of volunteers who assist with not only Market Day but the Corps’ Craft Group, Games Morning, Walking Group, Community Choir, English-Conversation Classes, Emergency Relief and the Community Café. But when Kylie and Sarah first started, it was just them, with a car, a vision, a whole heap of prayers and the deep knowledge that intentionality and culture was the bedrock they needed to build on.   “Culture is very important, and sometimes we have to make hard decisions about that, but it’s better to have the right people than to have more people,” Kylie said.   “Everybody’s got a job as well. That’s the other thing. When they come in to volunteer on a Wednesday, all of our volunteers, they know what their role is and what they are here to do.” William and Kerry love volunteering at Parramatta Salvos and have made the corps their spiritual home, becoming enrolled as Soldiers last year. Kerry and William’s story For Kerry and William, Market Day has changed their life. They were told about it by a friend, and came along, not really for assistance, but because they felt disconnected.   “We just travelled around on public transport to the city every day, and you get bored of it after a while, seeing the same old thing,” said William. “We came here just as community members, and we liked what we saw – volunteers helping the community. So, we asked if there was any available space for us to give back.”   Kerry and William were enrolled as senior soldiers at Parramatta Corps in 2025 and volunteer several days of the week, helping with Market Day, grocery pick-ups and helping to run the fortnightly games morning. Kerry has just joined the new Parramatta Salvos’ Community Choir.   “We like to help people, and we’ve made so many friends,” said Kerry.   In his testimony at his enrolment, William said that Parramatta Salvos is “ a good place to be. Sundays are special because we come to church to learn more about the Bible and how to pray. In the classes, Major Dave [Collinson] talked about serving – that each one of us can serve God in the Army – everyone has a ‘something’ they can do if you’re prepared to give it a go.” Mac, Parramatta Market Day’s volunteer coordinator speaks during a team meeting before the doors open. Start small and build strong Kylie Collinson just loves Parramatta Corps and seeing God at work among its people. Her advice to other Salvationists working in the food assistance space: “Start out small and do one or two things well [and with intentionality and good culture.]   “You can’t start something on every day of the week at first, even the first year. You have to do it gradually.” And if things aren’t working or culture has come out of alignment with Jesus, just refocus.   “Anybody can serve, you don’t have to have a faith. You don’t have to be a Christian to serve, so what is the difference for us? … We do it with the love of Jesus.”

Some of the dedicated volunteers who have worked tirelessly in Darwin the past week, including four from Western Australia. Image: Facebook With flood clean-up beginning in Bundaberg following last week’s inundation of homes and businesses in the region, The Salvation Army is continuing to provide care and support to those impacted. The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) was originally set to be activated in the Bundaberg Recovery Hub from 13 to 26 March, but the centre has been closed, and the SAES team has transitioned to its recovery phase. READ MORE: Salvos caring for locals trapped in floods In the Northern Territory, evacuation centres in Katherine have been closed, but in Darwin two remain open, with about 200 community members sheltering in each one. SAES personnel from three different states have been deployed to assist, with five volunteers from NSW being sent to assist this week.   Over the next couple of days, more heavy rain and a possible cyclone is expected, so SAES teams are on alert. All images Western Australia Salvation Army Emergency Services.

Captains Joycelyn and Brad McIver have followed God’s leading to serve in the Solomon Islands. Salvos Online international reporter SIMONE WORTHING recently interviewed Captains Brad and Joycelyn McIver, who shared some of their experiences and impressions from their first couple of months in the Solomon Islands. The McIvers replaced fellow Australian officers Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans, who recently returned home after serving eight years in the Solomons. “ The day has finally arrived ,” wrote Joycelyn, as she and Brad left Australia on 9 January 2026 to begin their new roles as District Officers for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory (PNGSI) – based in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands.   “ After a long season of waiting for visas, we are on our way to begin a new season of serving God and his people in the Solomon Islands. The past two months have been a precious gift; time spent with dearly loved family and friends that we will hold close to our hearts. The memories made, hugs shared, and laughter enjoyed will be treasured in the years ahead. Saying goodbye has been incredibly hard, with many tears along the way, but we go forward trusting in God’s leading and filled with expectation for all that lies ahead .”   READ MORE: We have been living the extraordinary for eight years INTERVIEW WITH THE McIVERS   The McIvers were warmly welcomed to the Solomon Islands. Salvos Online: How long have you been in the Solomon Islands and what have you been doing so far? McIvers: We arrived on 9 January, although we had (mainly Brad) been providing support remotely from Australia since 1 October 2025. We have been acquainting ourselves with the District, meeting our leaders, and navigating life in Honiara. The journey has already been incredible and filled with so many blessings, We’ve been warmly welcomed and embraced by the most beautiful people, had the privilege of ministering alongside an amazing team, settled into an incredibly beautiful part of the world, and witnessed God at work moving in lives and opening doors through the bureaucratic and business processes involved in establishing life in a developing nation. There have been challenges too: adjusting to the intense heat and humidity of a tropical climate, navigating bureaucracy and business systems, learning a new language, finding new rhythms of work and life, and feeling the ache of missing family. Yet through it all, we hold tightly to the peace of our calling and are choosing to embrace every moment. Brad and Joycelyn are loving the beauty all around them. What are your initial impressions of The Salvation Army here, the country and community, and your new way of life? We are a young Army taking baby steps in ministry and mission whilst seeking to stabilise leadership and financial structures for future kingdom growth. The country and community are very friendly, and we feel very safe here and have freedom to roam around the city of Honiara. The infrastructure is quite underdeveloped and there are limited types of food and other goods available. This also means adapting to new routines and shopping and cooking differently. We have experienced the Solomon Islands as a culture of just dealing with one thing, a day at a time, with very little preplanning and strategic thinking and this can be quite frustrating at times.   Is there anything completely unexpected there that was a total surprise to you? A dual economy ( two separate economic sectors within one country, divided by different levels of development and technology. It usually features large disparities in income, access to technology, and living standards. ) Village life is primarily subsistence in nature, but as soon as people step out of their villages everything costs money and lots of it, which makes life and ministry very tough for them. You have also visited Papua New Guinea since your arrival – what is the relationship between the two nations and what ongoing contact will you have? The Solomon Islands is a District of the PNGSI Territory and so we really report to THQ leaders and their departments, and we visit twice a year for leadership gatherings. While we are a part of the territory, being a different country can mean that some policies and procedures need to be flexible to cater for the differing country requirements. Lieut-Colonels Garth and Suzanne Stevenson, PNGSI Chief Secretary and Assistant  Chief Secretary/Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, came from Papua New Guinea to instal us as District Officers (with Joycelyn also being District Director of Women’s Ministries). During their visit, the Stevensons also conducted training sessions for church leaders from various Salvation Army congregations across the district. Lieut-Colonels Garth and Suzanne Stevenson installed the McIvers. What are some of the lifestyle changes you are making? While we have freedom to go anywhere anytime, traffic in Honiara means that it can take many hours just to travel a small distance, so we tend to plan a list of things or activities to do and spend the day out running errands. It ’s not easy to just pop out to the corner supermarket and back. The heat and humidity take some managing and we are slowly acclimatising, but we have decided not to use air con as power is very expensive, so a cold shower and ceiling fans tend to be the best option. It is hard being away from family and friends, and being the only expat officers in the country can at times be very isolating and lonely. What are you loving already in the Solomon Islands? The people are just amazing and we love them deeply. The scenery is spectacular and we have just barely scratched the surface of what there is to see. You have to live a slower life as nothing happens quickly in the Solomon Islands. What are you looking forward to in the weeks and months ahead? We have just had most of our Solomon Islands church leaders here in Honiara, which was a real blessing, but we will also be heading to the provinces for the Easter Campaign, so all of the village churches will receive support during that time which will be a blessing for all involved. We hope to sign contracts and move our Honiara Corps officers into their new quarters which was funded by the Australian 2024 Making It Happen campaign. We have also been supported to continue our roles with the Hope and A Future project, so will again be visiting the Gold Coast with this year’s team in the first week of July. This will also provide a quick opportunity to connect with family which is awesome.  READ MORE: PNG champions find strength and resilience in running and in life. What are some of the challenges you face, and how can The Salvation Army Australia be praying for you both? The heat and humidity are challenging, and travel anywhere is not easy. There are frequent power outages and internet is intermittent and slow. We are a young Salvation Army, so our people are on a steep learning curve. We are a grant-funded Territory and District and finances are tough. We trust God in all things and do our best to be good stewards of the funds we do get. But we have never seen more faithful Christian living and Salvationism in our lives, and we are deeply grateful to be learning and growing with God’s people in the Solomon Islands. We miss family, especially the grandchildren, and pray for wisdom and opportunities to continue to develop those relationships. We are grateful for God’s calling and press into that during the challenging times. We have a deep peace about being here and feel very blessed to minister alongside the people of the Solomon Islands.     Unique snapshot In February, Brad and Joycelyn spent six days visiting three Salvation Army churches on the Isle of Malaita. Below, Brad shares some of that journey.    “What an experience! “It was a deeply blessed and equally stretching time physically, mentally and emotionally. Travel included a ferry from Honiara to Auki and back (2.5 hours there, five back after the boat lost an engine), three long rides (one over five hours) crammed into the tray of a pickup truck with 30+ people and supplies, plus an outboard motorboat and a canoe.   We lived without electricity, fans, flushing toilets or hot showers. We bathed and washed calico (clothes) in rivers, used a squat pit toilet, and slept on thin foam mattresses on the floor. We were constantly hot, muddy and sleep-deprived, and I came home with over 50 painful bites. At times I cried, unsure I could keep going. Yet pushing through revealed the joy and beauty of simple, communal, village life.   In every village, we were warmly welcomed. Despite language barriers, we shared kai kai (food), deep tok tok (conversation), amazing worship, much prayer, and learned from one another through laughter, gestures, patience and a shared love of Jesus.   A beautiful elder matriarch pulled me up a steep muddy hill (after I slipped) to teach me how to harvest and cook taro. When some of the villagers took us on an 8km ‘short walk’ and I slipped in the mud and injured my knee, two teenage girls held my hands and helped me through.   We watched women gather at the water source to wash calico and cooking utensils and share life as they did so. We swam in the river with pikininis (children) and young adults (nothing is done alone), and saw the whole village unite to prepare celebrations and raise their pikininis. Western individualism misses so much.   We learned the rhythm of village life, early mornings and late evenings for work, rest and stillness in the heat of the day.   We are grateful to be welcomed back as soon as we can to teach Scripture, sewing, and help train for Sunday school, Home League, and Learning Spaces. We’re honoured, but we have learnt and will learn so much more from them than they from us as we journey in ministry together over the next few years.   I returned exhausted and physically worn, yet full-hearted and overflowing in spirit. We are not taking this season for granted. To view images of the Malaita trip, click through the slideshow below:

Neurodiversity recognises the natural variation in how human brains work, writes Captain Anthony Hunt. This week marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week , a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. In this piece, a Queensland-based Salvation Army officer writes from his own journey of discovering his neurodivergence. BY CAPTAIN ANTHONY HUNT* It began, as these journeys often do, not with me, but with my children.  As we tried to understand why school days left them exhausted, why emotional regulation required so much effort, or why focus seemed to come and go, I recognised something familiar. Their experiences echoed my own childhood – only now there were words for it.  In learning how to support their developing minds, I began to understand my own.  Many adults who discover they are neurodivergent later in life share similar childhood memories. School report cards that praised potential but questioned consistency. Teachers writing comments like, “If only they applied themselves,” or “Bright, but easily distracted.” A familiar contradiction often appears early: being capable of complex thinking, creativity or handling pressure, while struggling with everyday organisation, routines and follow-through.  Labels   These experiences are rarely understood as difference. Instead, they become character judgments. Lazy. Disorganised. Too sensitive. Over time, those labels settle in and quietly shape how people see themselves.  For people of faith, this internal story can carry extra weight. When self-discipline, order and consistency are closely linked to faithfulness, difficulty managing time, attention or energy can feel like a moral or spiritual failure. You pray harder, try new systems and promise yourself you will do better next time. When change does not come, shame often takes root.  The unspoken question lingers: If I were more faithful, wouldn’t this be easier?   Different minds   Neurodiversity offers another lens.  Neurodiversity recognises the natural variation in how human brains work. It includes experiences such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and sensory processing differences. These are not new realities, but newly named ones. Many adults grew up without language to describe their experience or systems designed to support it. Difference was often corrected rather than understood.  For parents raising neurodivergent children, this can be confronting. As you learn to advocate for your child, to recognise sensory overload or emotional exhaustion, you may also begin to see how little understanding you were offered yourself.  That recognition often brings both relief and grief. Relief, because there is finally an explanation not rooted in failure. Grief, because of the years spent believing you were the problem.  Neurodivergent people often carry a particular mix of challenges and strengths. While everyday tasks can feel overwhelming, many are calm in moments of crisis. While organisation may be difficult, their sense of justice is often strong. While attention drifts in some settings, it can lock deeply onto what matters. Many notice subtle shifts in mood or atmosphere, carrying deep empathy and emotional awareness.  These qualities shape how people love, serve, and respond to the world. They are often the very traits that draw people toward advocacy, care, creativity and justice.  Strengths of difference   Pastor and writer Lamar Hardwick has written about how easily the church can mistake neurological difference for spiritual immaturity. His work challenges the idea that holiness looks the same for everyone and invites a more generous understanding of faithfulness.  Scripture consistently affirms that God works through difference. The biblical story is not one of uniform personalities or abilities, but of diverse lives called into faithful service.  Within The Salvation Army in Australia, faith is often described through the vision of living, loving, and fighting alongside others. This language reflects the heart of the gospel: a faith that is active, relational, and grounded in compassion and justice.  Living alongside others means telling the truth about who we are, including how our minds work. Loving alongside others means extending grace, patience and understanding, not only outward but inward as well. Fighting alongside others means standing against shame, exclusion and systems that overlook or misunderstand difference.  The whole person   Seen this way, accepting the brain you have is not self-focused. It is formative. As we grow in understanding and accepting ourselves, we are better positioned to understand and accept others. We become less quick to judge, more willing to listen, and more able to walk with people whose experiences differ from our own.  Disability theologian Amy Kenny reminds the church that disabled bodies and minds are not problems to be solved, but places where God is already present and at work. This challenges the idea that difference must be fixed before it can belong.  For parents, discovering neurodiversity invites grace in two directions at once: toward children navigating a world not always designed for how their minds work, and toward yourself, as you unlearn old narratives and relearn your story with kindness.  Acceptance does not remove difficulty. There are still days of exhaustion, frustration and uncertainty. But there is freedom in naming what is true, adjusting expectations, seeking support, and celebrating progress that does not look like someone else’s.  Within Salvation Army communities, there has long been a commitment to seeing the whole person. Body, mind, and spirit belong together. Dignity is not earned through performance. Justice is not reserved for those who conform. Compassion begins with listening.  Room for all   For churches and communities, neurodiversity invites gentle reflection. Who feels safe to be themselves here? Whose ways of engaging are assumed to be “normal”? Who may be present, faithful and committed, yet quietly overwhelmed?  Making room for difference does not require complex programs. It begins with curiosity instead of correction, patience instead of pressure, and the belief that faithfulness wears many faces.  Perhaps one of the quiet gifts of discovering neurodiversity, particularly through parenting, is learning to see ourselves and those we love with greater grace. It invites us to release shame that was never ours to carry and to recognise difference not as failure, but as part of how God has shaped us.  To say we are fearfully and wonderfully made is not to deny struggle or complexity. It is to affirm dignity. We are fearfully, wonderfully … and differently made. Our minds are not barriers to faith, but part of how we are formed for life with others.  As we grow in understanding and accepting ourselves, we are better able to live, love, and fight alongside others. This is faith expressed in everyday ways: walking together, standing for dignity, and making room for every person to belong.  Captain Anthony Hunt is the Beenleigh Corps Officer in South East Queensland

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas invites you to join The Way: Discipleship – a 30-day reading plan created for and by The Salvation Army in Australia. Each day features short devotions and reflections from voices across the movement. It ’s a chance for us to grow together in faith and follow Jesus in our everyday lives, pausing each day to reflect on Scripture and be encouraged.

In the immediate aftermath of the shocking terror attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach, Eastern Beaches Corps Officers Keven and Jo Williams moved swiftly to stand and support the beloved community they have served for many years. ( Images either side courtesy of Sky News and Channel 9) When Eastern Beaches Corps Officers Lieutenant Keven and Captain Jo Williams woke on Sunday 14 December 2025, it was meant to be another busy day in the lead-up to Christmas. But by nightfall, everything had changed. Their community – and country – had been shattered to its core. Australia’s worst antisemitic terror attack struck Bondi Beach during Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday celebration. Fifteen lives were lost. Forty injured. A nation in shock.   In the immediate aftermath, the couple moved swiftly to stand with their community. They listened. They supported. They prayed. They held space for families whose worlds had been torn apart in an instant, marking The Salvation Army’s first involvement with a large-scale terror attack on Australian soil.   In their first interview since the horrific attack, the couple spoke with Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH about confronting unimaginable grief, witnessing profound courage, and the enduring strength found in unity.                                                                 Keven takes a deep breath.   The weight of what he’s about to share is palpable. This isn’t just another interview.   Reflecting on the Bondi Beach shooting massacre – the deadliest terror attack on Australia’s Jewish community – requires more than just words; it requires composure and moments of pause to truly express the weight of what he witnessed.   “The whole thing was overwhelming,” Keven says, recalling his time on the frontline in the aftermath of the tragedy.   “Some of the stories were horrible – too horrible to mention. It wasn’t nice … there were moments there that I didn’t know how to feel. I remember thinking, I’ve heard all these things today and I’m supporting people, but I actually do not know how to regulate and how to feel right now.”   Together with his wife, Jo, the couple spoke openly about their beloved Eastern Beaches community, which they have called home for many years, and the absolute heartbreak of facing yet another horrific tragedy after having supported community members through the Westfield Bondi Junction massacre in April 2024. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, places flowers at the Bondi Pavilion memorial site. In the aftermath of the shooting, Jo remained at the corps supporting grieving and shocked community members – while also caring for Keven.   “I know when he came home that I needed to give him space … I could feel the weight,” she reflects. “Sometimes, little bits would come out, like later on … I know when they finished (being stationed at Bondi in the aftermath) he did say, his brain was fried … I am so proud of him, he was amazing and what he did at the scene.”   For Keven and Jo, the violence was not distant. It was personal.   The couple had associations with three people killed on the day. They knew of the young girl, Matilda, through their neighbour across the road. She was part of the Eastern Beaches community. The best friend of Keven’s best friend’s mother was also killed. A local man, a close friend of Jo and Keven’s other neighbour across the street, was also killed.    Yet amidst the heartbreak, the headlines, and the torrent of emotions, hope emerged.   “The camaraderie, the solidarity, the coming together of the community was absolutely phenomenal,” Keven emphasises.   “The wreaths that were getting laid, the respect that was getting paid to the 15 victims who lost their lives … it just was like, Wow! This is what Australia is about. This is what community looks like. I was very proud of our community to come together. Jo was also great. She really brought the volunteers together in solidarity – and being open to talk about it.”   The day that changed everything The moment everything shifted remains etched in the officer’s mind.   Breaking news flashed across his television screen on the night of 14 December: an incident was unfolding at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah, attended by about 1000 people.   “We didn’t know what was entirely happening at the start,” says Keven.    “Once we knew (as the attack was being reported), I reached out to Waverley Council, to the community liaison, and said, ‘Hey, look, we know what’s happening. We just want to know if you guys and your team are okay. We’re here for support. If you guys need us, please reach out.’ We had previously built relationships with the council during the Bondi Westfield tragedy.”   Then, before dawn had fully broken, another call came.   Josh Farquhar, a director at North Bondi RSL, called and asked Keven what he was doing right then – and could he mobilise a team to come down and support the community as people were walking around not knowing what to do next, in shock, saying ‘What the hell’s going on? This is Australia. Nothing like this has ever happened before.’”   Within an hour, plans were in motion.   Keven had mobilised a support team, and the North Bondi RSL became an emergency services hub for community support. Together with co-chaplain Major Bill Geracia, Divisional Chaplaincy Manager (NSW/ACT), who led the team of chaplains, the team spent nearly a week at Bondi Beach in the aftermath, coordinating with other services daily to ensure efforts were effective and non-repetitive. In the aftermath of the shootings, Keven mobilised a support team and the North Bondi RSL (pictured) became an emergency services hub for community support. Pictured at the RSL are from left, Keven, Melissa Bitton (Community Services Doorways), Kylie Tai (administration assistant) and Ian Henry (retired officer). When the officer stepped onto the scene with several other chaplains and officers, the grief was immediate and overwhelming. They walked, they talked, they shed tears, bought coffee – and they prayed with people.   “I went up to a Jewish man,” Keven says.   “They were praying and laying flowers. And I just said, ‘How are you doing?’ And then tears just started rolling down his face. He then apologised, saying, ‘I’m so sorry. I should not be crying. I should be used to this.’ I replied, ‘Oh my gosh, mate, you should not be used to this. Nobody should be used to this. This is Australia – and nothing like this should have ever happened.’”   The heartbreak deepened when Keven learned the man’s story. The man had fled from Israel to start a new life.   “He came here thinking everything’s going to be good in a beautiful country like Australia,” Keven says. “And then this happens.”   Another image remains etched in his memory.   Twenty people stood on the beach, totally in shock. They did not know where to go, what to do. And their rallying cry? “This is Australia! This is Australia!”   Even those indirectly affected found solace.   A television cameraman who had witnessed the event after a daughter’s birthday party and started filming, felt guilty and distressed for not performing CPR. Keven offered to pray.   “I said to him, ‘Look, can I pray with you?’,” he remembers. “And he was open to prayer. Most people were open to prayer. They were open to being prayed for, being cared upon.”   Back at the corps, the sorrow lingered.   Jo reflected on the week’s sombreness: “We just had to support one another and listen ... people coming to the corps to pick up their Christmas toys and hampers were definitely scared; some even had been at Bondi when the shooting happened,” she recalls.   “The whole week was definitely sombre because the staff and volunteers were all feeling upset and scared. We had to support one another and listen, and even for the staff as well.”   For some, survival itself felt miraculous. Various news channels showing the community response to the tragedy.   One of the corps’ receptionists, who is Jewish, was on her way to the Hanukkah celebration when she somehow felt, in the spirit, a tap on her shoulder to turn back – a serendipitous warning. It potentially saved her life.   Acts of service also became pathways to healing.   Keven and the Salvos team distributed water with the Australian Red Cross, connecting with people of all faiths. Biscuits were handed out. Conversations, care and compassion took top priority.   And on a spiritual level, there was strength.   Keven drew deeply from two Bible verses –  Jeremiah 29:11 , and   Isaiah 41:10 – to find hope amid the trauma.   “In the difficult times for people that were around me, God promises that there is a future and there is hope, even amongst death and trauma and tragedy,” he said. “God was there – he was there, and I could feel it, and I could see him work.” A poignant reminder that the Australian community was standing with its Jewish community. Reaching out to his supervisor and people skilled in dealing with trauma incidents helped him navigate the emotional weight, plus Jo’s unwavering support.   And amidst the devastation and despair, a deeper love for the Bondi community emerged.   Reflecting on the tragedy’s impact, Keven remarks, “It has given me more of a love for Bondi, the community there. Now that we have established a relationship with North Bondi RSL, we reach out to them once a month. I’ll go there, have coffee, a chat, ask how they’re doing, and see how we can support them.”   The officer has also continued to counsel and pray with RSL staff, who have deeply appreciated the support: “Our new relationship, our new bond that we have, will continue for as long as we are here.”   And at the heart of it all is a message the officers are determined to share.   “From a non-Christian basis, we are all better together than we are apart,” he says.   “From a Christian perspective, Jesus sat with the Samaritan woman at the well. He mixed with everyone. He talked with everyone. If we are to be like Jesus and lead like Jesus, then we are called to every person. The message is that we are to love. We are not to hate. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus – that’s really what we want the community to know.”   For Jo, the call is clear: do not rush past the pain.   “We actually should not move on for from this quickly,” she says.   “It is a really devastating big thing that we actually need to remember and not forget, to not make light of it and move on to the next thing. “It’s quite a devastating thing … it wasn’t just the Jewish community – everyone was affected.”   She recalls a non-Jewish community member throwing a child, whom she did not know, into her arms to protect her during the shooting.   “We want unity, we want love and support,” she emphasises.   As the couple look to the future, they are determined what happened on that fateful day must be remembered.   “We should remember those who passed,” Keven says. “We should remember those who were affected. Whilst it was targeted at the Jewish community, the wider Australian community has really felt it and is still feeling it even now with protests and other events.”   And through the ashes of tragedy, a legacy of service stands firm.   “There are times that I get reminded that The Salvation Army has always been there first,” he says.   “Most directors at North Bondi RSL are from an army background and have a high regard for The Salvation Army – first in, last out, always there. Historically, in wars, The Salvation Army was always in the trenches. And again, we were in the trenches with the community, facing an enemy – but we did it together.”   READ MORE: Finding light in the darkness of Bondi

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 ( 16-22 March )   we pray for the USA Central Territory. This includes the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.   Commissioner Evie Diaz leads the territory.   The USA Central Territory has 1058 officers (535 active, 523 retired); 8 Aux-Capts; 39 Envoys; 28 cadets; 228 corps; 10,922 senior soldiers; 1675 adherents; 1923 junior soldiers; 10,854 employees.     The work of the territory includes: ·  Homelessness services ·  Disaster response ·  Support for older people ·  Summer camps for young people ·  Modern slavery and human trafficking response Praise points  ·     The new year brought a new territorial prayer initiative: Praying Beyond … BIG & BOLD!  We are encouraged to pray beyond ourselves with big, bold prayers to God who answers in amazing ways! ·     We praise God for the beautiful diversity he has gifted us with in our congregations and those we serve. ·     A Centre for Social Justice and City Mission has recently been opened in the heart of Chicago. Pray for its presence and ministry in the community and throughout the territory. Prayer requests ·     We are praying for revival to sweep across the territory! ·     We pray to be good stewards of our finances, facilities and resources. ·     Uphold the Keepers of the Covenant and Proclaimers of Transformation sessions of cadets in prayer. ·    People open to hearing the call of God on their lives and responding to local leadership and officership. ·     For the Holy Spirit’s leading in the three territorial priorities and their task forces: Spiritual Life ·     To hear the needs of the field and be creative in coming alongside them. ·     That we would experience new levels of spiritual transformation and growth resulting in richer spiritual lives. Youth    ·     That we would continue to see growth and revival in our young adults. ·     For the corps’ youth outreach and summer camping programs. Leadership Development  ·     For leaders to be Christ-like, Spirit-led, servant leaders, and resilient in a fast-changing and turbulent world. ·     Leaders will disciple and multiply other leaders.   To find out more about the US Central Territory, click here .   To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here . To download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here .

Commissioner Miriam Gluyas presents Don Callaghan, The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Sydney), with a Commemorative Certificate at the official opening at Auburn. Photos: Greg Donovan “May this museum continue to honour the past, strengthen the present, and inspire the future.” – Secretary for Communications Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley BY DEAN SIMPSON The Salvation Army entered a new chapter of safeguarding and showcasing its history with the official Opening and Blessing of The Salvation Army Australia Museum’s Auburn site in Sydney on Friday 6 March. Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas officiated alongside Museum Specialist Don Callaghan, who oversees the Sydney operations. “I love how Don, you are so passionate about this museum,” Miriam said in her address. “And it’s not only about the history, but it’s about the now, it’s about who Jesus is and what he means to you as you run this space ... and we say a huge thank you to you. “We do honour the past, we do honour the present, and we do believe there’s a future. The story of The Salvation Army is still being written. How we thank God for what he’s done, how we thank God for what he’s doing, and we thank God for what might be ahead. The Salvation Army Australia Museum Specialist (Sydney) Don Callaghan cuts the cake at the official opening of the Auburn site. “And let me just say that one of the things I love is where our museums are now ... in corps premises ... at Project 614 in Melbourne and here at Auburn Corps in Sydney. “That’s what we want, isn’t it ... people seeing our museums sitting alongside our corps outreaches ... here’s our DNA, here’s our history. We are saying to people, come and see, come and experience. From the past to the present, this is the story still being lived. Very exciting days, but never let us forget the history, why we are raised up, whose we are, where we are going. We continue to write that story.” About 50 people attended the opening, including Melbourne Museum Specialist Barry Gittins, with a small band playing some tunes before the official ceremony began. An Acknowledgement of Country was given by Adrian Kistan, a prayer by Natalie Kistan, and a Bible reading by Robyn Edge (Psalm 145:3-13). (From left) Robyn Edge, Adrian Kistan and Lieut-Colonel Paul Hateley. Secretary for Communications Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Hateley extended a warm welcome, recognising the many people who had dedicated time and effort into setting up the museum space.  “Today is a very special day as we come together to celebrate the opening of The Salvation Army Australia Museum here in Auburn,” Paul said. “It is a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history, mission, and ministry of The Salvation Army in Australia. “This museum holds countless stories of faith, service, sacrifice, and hope – stories that continue to inspire and shape our future. The move from our former Bexley site to this new location was no small undertaking. It required careful planning, expert handling, and countless hours of hard work behind the scenes. [Formerly known as a heritage centre, the Sydney Museum had been housed at The Salvation Army’s Bexley North property since 1983.] “This next chapter for the museum challenges us to think creatively about how we share our story, and it gives us new opportunities to educate, to inspire, and to connect all generations with the remarkable story of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry.” Commissioner Miriam Gluyas with Museum Specialists Barry Gittins and Don Callaghan; Don addresses guests during the cake-cutting ceremony. Guests were then guided to the museum entrance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ribbon, cut by Miriam, was held by Doorways Caseworker Mark Lui and museum volunteer Leonie Bell. “I would like to declare the Auburn site of the Museum of The Salvation Army officially open,” said, Miriam, as she cut the ribbon to the cheers of all assembled. Miriam then presented a framed Commemorative Certificate to Don before a cake-cutting ceremony. Those present were invited to browse through the museum before a morning tea was served at the Auburn Corps Welcome Café. Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the official opening at Auburn:

Paradox Coffee Roasters have teamed up with The Salvation Army to release a special Easter blend to raise money for ‘Aussies in need’.   The Salvation Army is partnering with Paradox Coffee Roasters this Easter to support those in our community facing hardship.   “A portion of sales from every 200g bag sold will be donated to The Salvation Army to support Aussies in need ,” a Paradox Coffee representative said.   Purchasing the Strawberry-Brownie Easter Blend will help fund emergency housing, crisis support for women and families, and financial counselling services – providing essential care and relief to individuals and families facing hardship and homelessness.   “The donations will be directed to The Salvation Army Doorways Emergency Relief program, helping provide food, support and care for people in our community experiencing hardship.”   Amanda Travers, Relationships Manager (Corporate Partnerships) for the Communications Fundraising team, said The Salvation Army was incredibly grateful to partner with Paradox Coffee Roasters this Easter.   “Initiatives like the Strawberry-Brownie Easter Blend show how simple choices can make a real difference, helping The Salvation Army provide vital support for Australians experiencing hardship,” she said.   The Salvation Army and Paradox Coffee Roasters also partnered in the lead-up to Christmas last year with a special blend for the festive season.   For more information and to purchase the limited-release Easter Blend, click here   For information on The Salvation Army’s partnership, click here   To go to the Paradox Coffee Roasters website, click here