The Australia Territory’s Movement Renewal is a learning journey that brings together officers, employees, lay leaders, and emerging pioneers to explore and deepen their understanding of living out God’s mission in communities. It has a significant impact on shaping leaders, churches, and mission across the Territory. The recent Movement Renewal Conference at North Brisbane Corps highlighted these themes and invited people to join the 2027 Cohort to continue this mission-focused journey. Captain Aaron Reid (Corps Officer/Church Leader at Toowoomba, Qld), shares his reflections on the impact of being involved in Movement Renewal. BY AARON REID I have been on the Movement Renewal journey for the past 18 months and, looking back, I can see the profound impact it has had on my thinking, my leadership and the way I approach mission. One of the biggest things I have learned is that renewal does not have to be complicated. In the past, I often found myself overthinking how to engage my local community or looking for complex solutions. I could easily move towards thinking about what program we needed to run, what activity we could organise or what we could do differently. Through this journey, I have had to unlearn some of that thinking and relearn what it means to simply be faithful to what God has already called me to do. For me, that has meant listening well, building genuine relationships, making disciples and being obedient to God’s leading. There has been something incredibly freeing about recognising that I don’t always need to have the answer or create something new. Sometimes, I simply need to pay attention to what God is already doing and be willing to join Him in it. Another significant learning for me has been the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone and engaging with my community through missional incarnational impulse. I have come to understand this as living out the Gospel through proximity, presence and sacrificial love. It has challenged me to think differently about where ministry happens. Rather than expecting people to come to us, I have become more intentional about going into the places where people are already living, working and connecting. READ MORE: Rekindling The Salvation Army’s missional DNA This has also changed the mindset I take with me when I enter those spaces. I am learning to approach people with more of Jesus and less of me. Instead of asking what I can achieve, I am learning to listen, notice and remain open to what the Holy Spirit may be doing. Some of the most amazing and God-glorifying moments I have experienced have come from simply being present, building relationships and following those promptings. I have moved from seeing ministry primarily through the lens of programs, activities and what we can accomplish, to seeing it more intentionally as making disciples who make disciples. READ MORE: Finding a way in the fiery chaos That shift has changed how I think about leadership and Kingdom success. It has encouraged me to focus less on doing more, and instead, invest deeply in people. I have become more aware of the importance of simple, reproducible practices that others can embrace, live out and pass on. If something depends entirely on me, it is difficult to multiply. But when we invest in people and equip them to invest in others, we begin to see discipleship become part of the culture. I have become more convinced that Movement Renewal offers a clear, intentional and Spirit-led way of helping us engage our local communities and build flourishing faith communities. Ultimately, my greatest learning has been that lasting Kingdom impact does not necessarily come from doing more. It comes from faithfully following God’s leading, investing in people, making disciples and trusting Him with the growth. After 18 months, I am still learning, but I am learning to keep it simple, stay faithful, listen well and trust God with what comes next. Are you interested, or do you know someone who might be interested in joining the 2027 Cohort? Share this video of the 2026 Movement Renewal Conference with them and help them start dreaming about what could be next! Or email movementrenewal@salvationarmy.org.au

Major Kaye Viney speaking at the prayer breakfast. Image: Facebook BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE A representative from The Salvation Army in Darwin attended the inaugural Northern Territory Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast yesterday. The event, organised by the Northern Territory Council of Churches (NTCC) brings together political, church and community leaders in a shared spirit of prayer and reflection. Salvation Army Area Officer Major Kaye Viney attended the event and gave the address on the call in Micah 6:8 to “act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. She then encouraged those in leadership to serve with integrity, compassion and humility. The event was hosted by The Honourable Robyn Lambley MLA, and chaired by Anglican Bishop Greg Anderson, President of the NTCC. Kaye said it was a privilege to help mark this significant occasion and to share a message of faith and service at the first-ever event of this kind. Faith representatives including Major Kaye Viney (centre), standing alongside Robyn Lambley at the event. Image: Facebook

“We are a school of hope,” says Phillip Cooper, Principal of TSA Independent School in Lawnton (Qld). For young people who have fallen through the cracks of mainstream education, The Salvation Army’s Independent School offers a place to belong. Hear from students and staff about how walking alongside young people and their families, with support from the Pine Rivers Corps community, is helping them rebuild confidence and discover their strengths.

Salvation Army UN Representative, Markus Hofer, speaks at the UN Human Rights Council. BY IHQ INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS The Salvation Army has called for greater humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced women and children in Haiti during an intervention at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Speaking during an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Haiti, The Salvation Army’s United Nations Representative in Geneva, Markus Hofer, urged the international community to strengthen humanitarian access, support coordinated survivor-centred services and ensure accountability for serious human rights violations. The dialogue, led by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, also included William G. O’Neill, the UN Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti. A crisis affecting women and children Drawing on The Salvation Army’s more than 75 years of service in Haiti, Markus highlighted the devastating impact of armed violence on communities, particularly women and children. More than 1.5 million people are displaced, many living in overcrowded sites with limited access to basic services. The statement also drew attention to widespread sexual and gender-based violence and the urgent need for justice and protection for survivors. “Children are also bearing the consequences,” said Markus. “Schools have closed, access to healthcare and essential services has deteriorated, and children associated with armed groups remain at risk of further harm and stigma.” He asked the panel what concrete action the international community should take to ensure adequate support reaches those most at risk. In response, Mr O’Neill highlighted the need for greater expertise and resources for locally led judicial bodies, as well as significantly more safe centres for children recruited by armed groups. He said Haiti currently has just one centre, with capacity for around 300 children, providing psychological and social support. At least four or five additional centres are needed to respond adequately to the scale of need. Advocacy rooted in frontline experience The Human Rights Council statement builds on a report submitted in July by The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission (ISJC), working in collaboration with the movement’s Caribbean Territory, as part of Haiti’s Universal Periodic Review. The Universal Periodic Review examines the human rights record of every UN Member State and provides recommendations aimed at strengthening the protection and fulfilment of human rights. Through its engagement with the United Nations and its presence alongside communities around the world, the ISJC continues to bring frontline experience into international discussions and advocate for the voices and rights of people who are most vulnerable. As we celebrated the International Day of the Girl on 11 October 2026, the intervention underlines the ISJC’s continuing advocacy for girls and other children whose rights and safety are threatened by conflict, displacement and violence. Watch Marcus Hofer deliver The Salvation Army’s statement here. Read The Salvation Army’s submission on Haiti to the Universal Periodic Review here.

The Salvation Army took over Castle Hill in Townsville on 18 September when they hosted the Wounded Heroes 24-hour walk to support Veterans in crisis. (Photos courtesy of SAES and RSDS Facebook sites) BY SIMONE WORTHING The Queensland Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) recently partnered with the Red Shield Defence Services (RSDS) in Townsville to cater for enthusiastic walkers in the Wounded Heroes* 24-hour Challenge on Castle Hill. Funds raised through the challenge will help provide immediate support to Far North Queensland Australian Defence Force members, as well as Veterans and their families facing housing, financial and other crises. Around 700 people attended the opening of the event, including local politicians and supporting agencies. Approximately 300 joined in to walk, including 12 who walked for 24 hours. Participants walked up and down Castle Hill for 24 hours to raise funds and awareness. Salvation Army walkers included Major Brett Gallagher, Head of Integrated Mission and Resourcing; Aux-Lieutenant Vaughan Agnew, RSDS Chief Commissioner; Captain Ali McKeand, RSDS Defence Veterans Ministries Co-ordinator RSDS; and Territorial Envoys Heidi and Stuart Grice, RSDS representatives at Townville’s Lavarack Barracks. “The menu available at our truck included fish and chips, chicken schnitzel and chips, butter chicken and rice, pesto pasta, egg and bacon rolls and drinks,” said Daryl Crowden, General Manager Emergency, Aid and Development. “We were fuelling the ‘walkers’ trekking up and down the hill with carbs and sugar as some of them – one man in particular who climbed the hill 27 times in 24 hours – came up on 100km. “Thanks to our additional serving partner, Woolworths, for the extra carbs.” Daryl explained that the assistance was provided as a “holistic, integrated mission opportunity”. “Captain Ali has built a relationship with Wounded Heroes in her role, and SAES had the necessary assets in Townsville, so we responded to their request,” he said. *Wounded Heroes Australia provides 24/7 immediate crisis support to the Australian Defence Services, veterans and their families in financial crisis, experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness nationwide. Its sole charitable purpose is the prevention of veteran suicide. Since 2007, Wounded Heroes has financially supported over 38,000 military families, with 4,223 in 2024 and 5,800 in 2025.

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 (12-18 October) we pray for the Caribbean Territory. This territory is made up of 16 different nations: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, French Guiana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Caribbean Territory has 268 officers (268 active, 0 retired); 11 Envoys; 127 corps; 52 outposts; 12,751 senior soldiers; 2351 adherents; 3976 junior soldiers; 921 employees. Commissioners Emmanuel and Edeline Supré lead the territory. The work of the Caribbean Territory includes: Education Disaster response Modern slavery and human trafficking response Homes for older people. Children and youth sing praises to God. Praise points: We praise God for his goodness and for being merciful as the territory continues to experience various natural disasters including hurricanes, earthquakes and other excessive weather phenomena. We thank God for friends, families and strangers across the international Salvation Army and beyond who responded in love and fervent prayer when the territory faced natural disasters. We give thanks for God-inspired wisdom and leadership of our officers that has resulted in the successful implementation and execution of soul-winning, saints-growing and humanity-serving initiatives at all levels across the territory. Disaster response to Cyclone Melissa which devastated the region in October 2025. Prayer requests: Pray for the Caribbean Territory Congress 2027, with the international leaders of The Salvation Army, 19 February - 1 March 2027. Activities for this event will be hosted in two zones (A and B). Pray for God to be glorified and exalted and for Salvationists across the territory to be encouraged by the ministry and presence of our international leaders. During these activities, The Salvation Army will celebrate 140 years of ministry and service in the Caribbean. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom as the territory moves with focus and intentionality to achieve the financial accounting standards goals and objectives. Thank God for personnel who have travelled from IHQ to journey with us through this process. Pray for a spirit of cohesiveness at all levels for the unified aim of advancing the work of the Lord and the mission of The Salvation Army across the territory. Pray for God’s wisdom to guide the movement and entry of officers (various nationalities) across the 16 countries which make up the territory. May we be aware and compliant with immigration and labour laws which govern the movement and employment of personnel in each country. Officers of the Caribbean Territory. To find out more about the Caribbean Territory click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.

Captains Scott and Natalie Frame serving attendees at the ‘Be at the Ready’ event on 19 September. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) in South Australia recently held their annual seasonal readiness event for staff and volunteers. The ‘Be at the Ready’ event was held at the SAES depot in Pooraka on 19 September, with a sausage sizzle and discussions about volunteer readiness, response planning, community support, seasonal preparedness and opportunities to serve. Captains Scott and Natalie Frame (Divisional Commander and Area Officer) attended the event, cooking the sausages and assisting with clean-up. For the first time, Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers also attended as well as CFS executives Andy Warner and Chanel Zamogna, who spoke highly of the work of SAES volunteers. The South Australian SAES Response Coordinator said this event marked a significant moment with the involvement of the TSA Divisional Commander (SA/NT), with Scott demonstrating a deep commitment to the work of the SAES. The event came as the SAES team were preparing for the upcoming season of increased fire and flood risk. Leaders said the team was in need of more volunteers, with possible scenarios requiring more assistance than was currently available. Community events, camping out on activations, maintenance and repairs or cleaning tasks are all possible areas of focus for volunteers; however, all volunteers need to be compliant in order to be deployed when necessary. The Response Coordinator also noted that current Salvation Army staff were very welcome to use their allotted volunteer leave time to assist the SAES. In recent years, the SAES in South Australia have been deployed to a wide variety of activations, including large fires in the southern Fleurieu Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges. Volunteer compliance involves undertaking an initial interview, followed by identity and criminal history checks, then completing online training modules. To find out more about volunteering with the SAES and submit an expression of interest, see here.

General Bramwell Booth, world leader of The Salvation Army from 1912-1929, and the quirky article that appeared in The War Cry of June 1929. BY BARRY GITTINS Being the General of The Salvation Army must be a stressful role, with all the burdens, pressures and responsibilities the job entails. The level of agitation and nervous energy of these leaders may be heightened by inquiries from the fourth estate (journalists are not always known to play nice or act with contextual rigour). One strategy General Bramwell Booth used to ease his interview jitters – as the 29 June 1929 issue of the War Cry informs us – was to schedule the conversation at a time and place of his choosing, often a Turkish bath* in London’s city centre. The General’s anonymous journalistic inquisitor is referred to as the editor of The Young Man, a publication that, even then, had “ceased publication [and] took place at the time of the last International Congress in London”. The headline? ‘A “heated” discussion with the General’! The journalist wrote that modern interviews were generally conducted “under difficulties [with] as little heat as possible”, with “no-go areas negotiated, rendering discourse stiff, formal, hurried and unpleasant … Not so in a Turkish bath”. The article continued: “There, all men are placed on a level, in more sense than one; and whilst its physiological adornments are scanty, they are sufficient, and a warm, genial time is assured.” The journalist avowed his interview with General Booth was “so revelatory and charming that I have resolved, if ever asked to interview any great men, to find out the baths they patronise! The advantages are obvious; they cannot get away quickly, and must sit it out”. Bramwell was described as “a man with snow-white hair and serene face, who left an impression [of] steady, soldierly greatness. He looked hard at me, and I at him, and at last we smiled at each other”. The General was quizzed on subjects including the differences and relationships between the Salvationists and the churches, on liberal theology, the Army becoming “too respectable”, emotional preaching, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Bramwell listened as the reporter remembered sitting in the Army’s ‘Congress of the Nations’ meetings in the Royal Albert Hall, where he “laughed and cried like a child [as] you have a singular capacity for touching the heart”. “Ah!” Bramwell responded, “and is that not the place to get at?” “Man is a soul,” the General continued, “[so we must] drive that home! Don’t fear! Speak out! Ah, Fire, Heat! That’s what is needed. “Christianity dying? Absurd! The power is here. Let the churches use it.” The interviewer gently suggested to the general that “it is getting hot here”, and Bramwell laughed, called the journalist an “abnormal”, and promised to visit his church “since you press me”. READ MORE: The water treatment – General William Booth’s interest in hydropothy The chat concluded “in 200 degrees of heat [and] a hearty grip of the hand”; the interviewer bade Bramwell have a good day while thinking he’d come up with good copy. The editor was left wishing for “a liberal supply of ice water”. Customs and language change, but Bramwell’s concern that we deal “with men’s heads [while] leaving their hearts out” remains ever-relevant. * A Turkish bath, or hammam, seems an unusual place for a media encounter. Bathers are segregated, with men in the public baths tending to strip down and wear a pestemal (bath wrap) around their undercarriages. Bathers proceed through progressively warmer rooms to sweat, be ‘steamed’, exfoliated and receive soap massages as part of the cleansing process. Three images of Bramwell Booth as he aged through life. READ MORE: The Bramwell Booth crisis – a three-part series

Sydney City Salvos Team Leader Mitchell Evans and Commissioner Mark Campbell (left) with other Salvo representatives and project partners at the announcement. Photos courtesy of Property Industry Foundation. BY LANA IANNETTA Young people in Sydney who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness will soon have access to safe, stable accommodation and wraparound support through Haven House, a new transitional housing development in Surry Hills. The project, delivered through a partnership between Salvation Army Housing, The Salvation Army Youth Stream, the Property Industry Foundation, Housing Australia, the City of Sydney and other supporters, will provide 10 apartments and 19 much-needed beds for young people aged 16-24. Salvation Army Housing and The Salvation Army joined project partners and government representatives to mark the announcement of the upcoming development, which will help address Sydney’s growing need for youth housing. The Salvation Army’s Youth Services teams will provide integrated case management and wraparound support for residents for up to three years, helping young people build stability, develop life skills and work towards long-term independence. Salvation Army Housing will provide property and tenancy management, ensuring residents have a safe, secure place to call home. Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek MP speaks at the announcement in Sydney. The announcement event was attended by Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek MP, Housing Australia CEO Scott Langford and City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, alongside representatives from the many organisations contributing to the project. Commissioner Mark Campbell, Assistant Secretary for Communications, speaks on behalf of The Salvation Army. Commissioner Mark Campbell, Sydney City Salvos Team Leader Mitchell Evans and Youth Services Regional Manager Elaine Yallop each spoke about the importance of providing young people not only with housing, but also the support and community needed to thrive. Haven House reflects The Salvation Army’s commitment to walking alongside vulnerable young people and creating pathways out of homelessness. Through stable accommodation and personalised support, the project aims to give residents the opportunity to build brighter futures.

Retired officers play an integral role in the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army for many years after their active officership has ended. Most continue to be involved in meaningful ways in their local corps and community, drawing on experience gained over decades of service. Salvos Online today launches a new regular series focusing on some of these amazing retired officers. Colonels Kelvin and Julie Alley retired from active officership in 2020. 1. Which corps do you both currently attend, and how are you involved? Kelvin: The Gold Coast Temple Corps and very committed to the ministry of the corps. I play in the band and lead meetings from time to time as required, and serve as a volunteer gardener every Tuesday at the corps to help maintain the vast gardens and lawns in good condition. In addition, with Julie, I am Padre to the local RSL Runaway Sub-Branch, attend their monthly meetings, participate on Anzac Day and other memorial days, and also conduct funerals and other ceremonies as required. Julie: We have returned to the corps we led in 2000 for five years. I am very blessed to be able to lead a vibrant group of women (mainly community ladies) in patchwork. This is my main ministry and is extremely rewarding. For many of the ladies, it is their ‘church’ where they find support, care and prayer. As well as that, I regularly help with welcomes, morning tea and worship involvement. It is so good to be back at the Gold Coast Temple Corps. 2. When did you both attend Officer Training College, and what was your sessional name? Did you like that name (why or why not)? Both: We attended the Training College in 1985 and 1986 at Bexley North in Sydney along with our little family of four children (ages 1-5). We had a rapid lead-up to attend Training College (the process took a mere six weeks!) and were delighted when we heard that our sessional name was Proclaimers of the Gospel. The name resonated strongly with our renewed and refreshed spiritual journey at the time and the sheer strength and confidence in God’s calling upon our lives. It sat well with us! 3. Looking back on your years as active officers, was there a particularly memorable appointment, and why? Kelvin: This is very hard to answer because all of our appointments have been memorable for a variety of reasons. However, on reflection, I would have to say that our final appointment as Territorial Leaders of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory stands out. It was a sheer privilege to serve a total of seven years in the Territory, with almost four as Territorial Leaders, from where we entered retirement. It was what I call adventurous and dangerous, but probably the most fulfilling of our appointments. We had to settle into the colourful culture, give wise guidance to a spiritually vibrant territory with limited financial resources, seize opportunities to travel extensively to visit our remote corps and health posts despite difficult terrain, punishing roads and high probability of hold-ups and roadblocks. However, to play a part in the peace celebrations of remote communities now seeking to live in harmony despite the terrible atrocities associated with years of tribal fighting will long remain as a valuable memory in my heart and mind. Julie: Every appointment we have had has carried the fragrance of God. Each appointment has had highlights, and each one has been so different and difficult to leave. However, thinking back over the many years of ministry, serving in Papua New Guinea comes out as the most challenging, spiritually rewarding and memorable. To be able to sit in a river early in the morning in the most remote parts of that beautiful country with women, singing, laughing and praying together was truly amazing. Worshipping with over 2000 women and listening to their singing, seeing them searching for God at the Mercy Seat and soaking up God’s Word, felt like being transported to heaven. Most people in Papua New Guinea live with nothing, yet give everything they have to God. Words cannot express the impact that these people and country had on my life. I really do miss it. The Alleys say their appointments in Papua New Guinea were a highlight of their officership. 4. Is there a specific Bible verse or passage, or even a song, that has anchored your spiritual lives over the years, and if so, why? Kelvin: Lots of verses have carried me at different times of my officership; two have had lasting meaning. It took me many years to be obedient to God’s call on my life, and when at age 30 I responded, I was saddened to think that I had wasted all those years of indecision. But the Lord showed me His promise in Hosea 2:35 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” And He has done that! And at a mid-term in my officership I was feeling greatly discouraged, and the Lord took me to Job 42:12 “The Lord blessed the latter half of Job’s life more than the first.” I took it as God’s promise to me personally, which gave me fresh vision and hope for the remainder of my officership. Julie: The verse that I have hung onto throughout my officership is one of victory, and not merely “making it to the end”. No matter what life throws at me, I know that God is there and nothing can ever take that from me. Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things (hardships, persecutions or danger) we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” More than conquerors for me means I am not going to merely fall over the line at the end but run through the finish tape with all my strength through Him. 5. If you were speaking to a young Salvationist who asked whether you would recommend officership, what would you say? Kelvin: If you sense that God is calling you to serve in Salvation Army officership, obedience is the only pathway to follow. Julie: It will be the most rewarding path you could follow. God calls, and He will equip you for every task. There is nothing like being in the very place God needs you to be. Wonderful things will happen. APPOINTMENT HISTORIES To view Kelvin’s appointment history, click here To view Julie’s appointment history, click here READ MORE: Alleys reflect on their role as RSL chaplains

Salvation Army officers and other personnel who have suffered the recent loss of a loved one: Captains Duane and Colette Albino are mourning the loss of Duane’s mother, Betty Albino, who was Promoted to Glory on Sunday 20 September 2026. Betty was a woman of strong Christian faith who was deeply loved by her family and known for her kindness and generous spirit. We extend our love and prayers to Duane, Colette, and the wider family as they give thanks for her life and lasting influence. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday 2 October 2026. The live-stream can be accessed via Harrison Funerals Live Stream. Please remember the family in your prayers, asking God's peace and comfort to sustain them in the days ahead. Auxiliary-Lieutenant Jackie Williams, Corps Officer Team Member, Kingborough/Huon Corps (Tasmania), recently experienced the unexpected passing of her younger brother in Cape Town, South Africa, during the last week of August. Jackie has travelled to Cape Town to be with her family and will conduct the memorial service for her brother. Please uphold Jackie and her family in prayer during this time of grief and loss, asking for God's comfort, peace, and strength in the days and weeks ahead. Majors Rowena Smith and Carolyn Harmer have been bereaved of their mother, Marie Walker, also sister to Lieut-Colonel Olive Lucas. Over her 91 years, Marie graciously served in many areas of The Salvation Army. She was a corps pianist, a secretary in the PR Department, and the Silver Star Secretary in Central North Queensland Division, a position she held for 27 years. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Bayside Corps on Friday 28 August at 10.30am (live-streaming available on Bayside Salvos YouTube channel). We pray that God’s comfort and peace will be with the family as they give thanks for Marie’s life and legacy. Captain Joy Crowden Shen is bereaved following the passing of her beloved mother, Mrs Zhang Xie Long-Zhi, in Taiwan on 25 May 2026. ‌Shortly before her passing, Mrs Zhang received a Silver Star, presented on 2 May 2026 by Major Sarah Tan, Regional Officer for Taiwan, in the presence of family and friends. The presentation was arranged following the recognition that she had not received a Silver Star when Joy was commissioned as an officer. ‌Joy has shared that her mother displayed a strong Christian witness in her final days and passed away peacefully while Joy was praying with her. A Christian funeral service was held in Taiwan, with Joy participating in and leading the funeral procession. We extend our sincere sympathy to Joy, Brian and their extended family. Please uphold them in prayer, asking that they will know God's peace, comfort and strength in the days ahead. We extend our sympathy to Majors Robyn and Paul Lorimer following the passing of Robyn’s father, John Barclay, who was Promoted to Glory on Saturday 11 July 2026. John was also the brother of Major Elaine Johnson. A Thanksgiving Service to celebrate John’s life will be held at The Salvation Army, Waverley on Thursday 30 July 2026 at 2.00pm. Please keep the families in your prayers at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Robert Champion and his family following the passing of his eldest son, Joseph. Please uphold Robert and his children – Hayley, Jamie, Kayla and Sarah – in prayer during this difficult time. May they know God's peace, love and comfort surrounding them as they grieve this profound loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lieut-Colonel John Hodge and their family following the passing of John's brother, Arthur Hodge, on 13 June 2026. Arthur leaves behind his Wife Lorraine (sister to Major Denice Hutchinson), his four children their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchild and siblings Lt Col John, Eileen and Robert. We pray that God's peace, love and comfort will surround the family during this of time of deep loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Majors Sue and Max Hale and their family following the passing of Sue’s beloved mother, Dorothy Jennaway, on Thursday 7 May 2026. We pray that God’s peace, love, and comfort will surround the family during this time of deep loss. We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts on the passing of their dearly loved father, Colin Watts, on Sunday 29 March 2026. Colin was reunited with his Lord just 19 days after the passing of his beloved wife, Rosemarie. Colin was also a devoted father to Ashley, a much loved Pa to Josh (and Brigitta) and Sarah (and Matt), a brother-in-law to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished uncle to his nieces and nephews. ‌We give thanks for Colin’s life and the enduring legacy he leaves behind. We rejoice in the assurance that he is now free from pain and resting in the presence of his Maker. We pray that God’s peace, love, and comfort will surround the family during this time of deep loss. ‌‌Our thoughts and prayers are with Major Steve Dorman and his family following the passing of his beloved father, Leslie Dorman, who passed away on Monday 30 March 2026. Leslie will be fondly remembered as a devoted father to Majors Steve and Petra Dorman, Lawrence Dorman and Terese Dorman, a cherished grandfather to five grandchildren, and a treasured great grandfather to six great grandchildren. His funeral service will be held on 10 April 2026. ‌Major Linda Willing is bereaved following the unexpected passing of her youngest brother, David Willing, in Cowra. David’s funeral service was held on Wednesday 8 April 2026. Please keep Linda and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. ‌‌We share with sadness that Divisional Envoy Christine Jameson is bereaved of her husband, Divisional Envoy Michael Jameson, who was Promoted to Glory on Saturday 21 February 2026, aged 94 years. We give thanks for his faithful life and service and continue to uphold Christine in our prayers. ‌We extend our love and deepest sympathies to Major Aaron Stobie, Captain Ronald Stobie, Captain Lauren Stobie, Captain Amy Stobie, and their families following the loss of their beloved Nana, Mrs Melva Stobie, on Tuesday 17 March 2026. Promoted to Glory in New Zealand at the age of 97, Melva was a devoted mother of 6 (including Mr Brett Stobie), grandmother to 12, and great‑grandmother to 17. Our prayers and care surround the Stobie family at this sad and significant time. Lieut-Colonel Lyn Edge was bereaved of her father, Eric Edge, who was promoted to Glory on Thursday 26 February 2026. Our love and prayers surround Lyn and Terry and the whole family at this sad time. May they each know God’s deep comfort, strength, and peace in these tender days, and feel upheld by the care and love of their Salvation Army family as they grieve and remember a dearly loved father. ‌ ‌We extend our love and prayers to Colonel Mark Watts and Majors Gavin and Wendy Watts following the passing of their beloved mother, Rosemarie Watts, on 10 March 2026. Rosemarie was the dearly loved wife of Colin, mother of Ashley, Nana to Josh and Sarah, sister to Commissioner Earle Maxwell, and a cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews. We give thanks to God for Rosemarie’s life and the lasting impact she made. We rejoice in the assurance that she is now safely in the arms of Jesus, and we pray that the family will know God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, during this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Commissioner Cheralynne Pethybridge, Major Greg Pack and Mrs Roslyn Eades at the recent loss of their mum, sister Colleen Pack who passed away on Wednesday 21 January 2026 (two months short of her 90th birthday). Colleen was a grandmother of Captain Matt Pethybridge, much loved wife of Gordon (deceased), Mother in Law of their spouses, Grandma to 13 grandchildren and Great Grandma to 11. She will be incredibly missed but her Godly influence remains in those who knew and loved her. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Captain Fleur Hodge at the recent loss of her Dad, Peter Hodge, who passed away on Tuesday 3rd February. Our deepest love and prayers surround Fleur and her family at this very sad time. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Peter’s life will be held at 10am on Saturday 21 February at Adelaide Congress Hall. Lieut-Colonel Cheryl Carpenter’s father, Neville Lane, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday 24 December. Please uphold Cheryl and the family in prayer during this time. Major Sue Smith has suffered the bereavement of her mother Hazel Sanger. Hazel was a soldier of Port Macquarie Corps for many years. Please pray that Sue will keenly experience the presence of the Holy Spirit's comfort at this time. ‌ ‌We extend our heartfelt love and prayers to Major Andrew Walton following the recent passing of his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Walton. Elizabeth was dearly loved as the wife of Ken, mother to Craig and Andrew, and grandmother to Anjali and Nishie. A service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at Ringwood Corps on Thursday 22 January. As we give thanks for Elizabeth’s life and the impact she had, we pray that the family will experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding during this time of mixed emotions.

Major Svitlana Bochkareva (right) with fellow officer Captain Natalaya Yarovaya* – both leading corps in wartime Ukraine – enjoy a rare moment of relaxation at a divisional retreat. Major Svitlana leads the Kharkiv Corps, and Captain Natalaya leads Dnipro Corps, around 100km from the closest active conflict area in the Donbas Region. BY SIMONE WORTHING International Editor Major Svitlana Bochkareva is the Corps Officer of Kharkiv Corps, Ukraine, approximately 30km south of the Russian border. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kharkiv is considered a frontline city and experiences ongoing bombing, shelling, drone and missile attacks, destruction and terror. Major Svitlana and her team, as well as the nearby Saltivka Outpost, continue to serve the corps and community, despite living in an active warzone. I recently spoke with Svitlana who shared some of her story, and the ministry of the corps, constantly working in unimaginable circumstances: Simone: Can you share some of your background with us, and the work of the corps where you currently serve? Svitlana: I am originally from Moldova. It was there that I learned about The Salvation Army, met Christ, became a soldier and then an officer. But my roots are in Ukraine, and my parents decided to move to Ukraine. So, when God offered me the opportunity to serve in Ukraine, I went. In order to make it easier to serve with the appropriate legal status, I became a Ukrainian citizen. Knowing how long the process of obtaining citizenship usually takes, the speed with which I received my Ukrainian passport convinced me that this was God’s will. However, when Kharkiv was shelled in 2022, I couldn’t help asking God, “Why me?” And I received an answer that corresponded exactly to my question: “Because you.” As an officer, I have been serving God for 17 years. For the past three years, I have been serving in Kharkiv, and for the four years before that I served in Pisochyn. Half of this town is considered part of Kharkiv, while the other half is a suburb of Kharkiv. It is difficult to explain. But one thing I can say is that for seven years of war, I have been serving people in a frontline area. We also worked with children, helping to distract them from the horror that fills the heart and mind when the sounds of rockets, drones, guided aerial bombs and fighting can be heard flying overhead or exploding nearby. But we have never stopped serving God and people, not even for a minute. Our doors in Pisochyn were open so that people could shelter from the bombing, because we were located in a basement. Even under shelling, we continued to gather for worship, Bible study and prayer. We also worked with children, helping to distract them from the horror that fills the heart and mind when the sounds of rockets, drones, guided-aerial bombs and fighting can be heard flying overhead or exploding nearby. Whenever possible, we provided assistance in the form of food. Major Svitlana speaks about the work of the Kharkiv Corps at the divisional retreat. Now, in the fifth year of the war, people in the corps continue to gather for worship, prayer meetings and Bible studies covering both the Old and New Testaments. We gather children for a children’s club. We also run an after-school program for them, and a psychologist works with them. We provide assistance through vouchers for food, cleaning and hygiene products, shoes and clothing, dishes and bed linen. We also have a ‘House of Kindness’. People bring things they no longer need and leave them for those who are in need. Unfortunately, we have very little space, so some of these things are displayed in the corridor near the entrance, and some outside. We dream of having our own large premises where there would be space for all the people and programs. When distributing assistance, we try to talk with people and tell them about God. We distribute Bibles and provide information about how to protect themselves from being trafficked into slavery. Most of the ministry is carried out by senior soldiers, but volunteers also help us. Major Svitlana (right) with some of her faithful Kharkiv team, including retired officers Captain Irina Khokhotva (left) and Major Irina Pomytkina (left, second row). You are located not far from the Russian border. What does your usual day and night look like – or has the concept of ‘normal’ already lost its meaning? All of this activity takes place against the constant sound of sirens, day and night, because of our proximity to the frontline. The sirens warn us of the danger of incoming attacks. The truth is that, over time, we have stopped hiding in shelters. We simply monitor the warnings to see how close the threat is and in which direction it is moving. The shelling has become so intense that we would have to sit in shelters constantly if we took cover every time. And the missiles and drones travel so quickly that sometimes you simply don’t have time to get to a shelter ... In the first years of the war, people rushed to churches, praying for the war to end and for the young men serving on the frontline. But now it is the fifth year of the war. The cemeteries have grown many times larger. And people have become frozen in the horror and grief that we are going through. We describe ourselves as “unbroken”, but in reality, it is a cry for help. There is one goal: to live to see the end of the war. Most people are experiencing feelings of guilt, loss and disappointment, and stop coming to God. But during this period, we have accepted 13 soldiers as members, and we continue to invite people to enter into a covenant with God. We have also opened an outpost in Saltivka, a large district of Kharkiv. The Saltivka Outpost team with Ukraine Divisional Commander Major Konstantyn Shvab (right) and corps leader Tamara Mirgorodskaya (centre, back). Some of the people and ministry of the Saltivka Outpost. How has the war affected you personally? The hardest part of serving during the war is communicating with people who have lost their loved ones, and with those who have been physically maimed by the war – without arms or legs. And the most frightening thing is those who have lost hope. I have never had doubts about my salvation or my calling to ministry. But in terms of my character – yes. I can only tell you how the war has affected my character. I have become more confident and learned to accept a ‘no’ without taking offence. I have become less rebellious in the face of injustice when I cannot influence events. I have learned to trust God more. I dream of peace for Ukraine. I dream that Ukraine would belong to God. You could leave if you wanted to. What motivates you to stay? God, my calling, and the understanding that everything is in his hands. I was evacuated for several months. But after some time, I realised that I couldn’t find my place, and I started bombarding the headquarters with letters asking whether it was time for me to return, as things had become quieter there. The support of people also brings me joy – through prayer and material support. Knowing that I am not alone in this horror. Where do you draw strength and hope from? God and his promises, people, and their faith and support. Spending time with people who, despite their losses, continue to praise God. I will never forget a man who showed me his back and stomach, where a piece of his body had been torn away, and who had lost a leg. He confidently said that he had survived because that was what God wanted. He was escaping from an occupied area when a drone deliberately struck him. People pulled him out, but the doctors gave him no chance of survival. Yet he survived. Knowing that there are people beside me who support me in my ministry – like Moses, who prayed for his people while they fought their enemies, holding up his hands. And those around him supported his hands. While his hands were raised in prayer to God, the Israelites were winning. I am truly not Moses. But support gives me strength and courage. How do the corps, other officers and the local community support one another? The corps – caring for one another and prayer. If someone has plenty of something, we bring it and share it. Officers – communication and prayer. The community – we support one another by sharing humanitarian aid. The officers and leaders of The Salvation Army, with Ukraine Divisional Leaders Majors Konstantyn and Irina Shvab (centre, left). The Salvation Army continues to preach about salvation and the love of God in the most difficult circumstances, helping, as far as we are able, everyone who needs help. What will people need after the war? I think: Healing for their souls. The longer the war continues, the more hatred and unforgiveness accumulate in the hearts of Ukrainians. Help for displaced people to return home. Almost all displaced people dream of returning home. In their hearts, they understand that their cities and villages have been razed to the ground, but they still want to go home. They will need help rebuilding roofs over their heads. Help for people with disabilities. There are so many people who have been physically maimed. What would you like The Salvation Army around the world to know about Ukraine, its people and the Army’s work in this country? As for Ukraine – ordinary people in Ukraine never wanted war, and now we are praying for peace. But we do not want to lose our identity. What do you dream of for Ukraine, your people, your corps? I dream of peace for Ukraine. I dream that Ukraine would belong to God. That the people of Ukraine would see God’s support and put their trust in him. For the corps, I dream of people who are faithful to God, a strong team of leaders who are dedicated to God and to service, and our own premises where there will be a place for every kind of ministry – both spiritual and social. Please pray that we, The Salvation Army, will stand firm and spread throughout all of Ukraine; for protection; and for peace in our hearts and in our country. What has the war taught you about God and your own journey of faith? To remain faithful to God’s truth, so that I do not become disappointed by the results of my actions. To give myself and other people a chance, but not to indulge our weaknesses. Not to be afraid to stand up for my position, even if there are losses. The days of life given to us are very short and precious. We need to live in such a way that we will not regret a single minute or a single person. I believe in God, whose words always come true. Isaiah 55:11 says: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” I hope that I am his word. The music and these words from Oh my God on TikTok resonate with the movement of my soul. Please pray that we, The Salvation Army, will stand firm and spread throughout all of Ukraine; for protection; and for peace in our hearts and in our country.