In the third of a series spotlighting this year’s cadets of the Rescued session, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Yasmin Van Gaalen-Prentice about being shaped in ministry through the often untold stories of people’s journeys, and the privilege of holding their stories with care, stepping beyond her comfort zone, and why the quiet ritual of baking helps her reconnect with her hands, her heart – and the sacredness of slowing down. Yasmin, rewind for us – when did the call to officership hit, and what made you say that big ‘yes’? I think it was very much a lifelong calling for me. I’m an officer’s child, and I grew up always sensing that I was either going to work for the Army or be an officer. I remember as a child playing ‘Army’ with my toys, writing meeting leads and songs. As I grew up, my ambitions changed, and I studied archaeology and then cultural heritage studies before moving into chaplaincy. But people kept speaking into my life – beautiful spiritual mentors who would either outright ask: “So when are you going in?” or encourage me in my spiritual life. The confirmation came last year when I was privileged to be in the Melbourne Staff Band. The theme for the year chosen by Bandmaster Mark Hamilton was ‘Courage’. About halfway through the year, I felt God saying that now was the time, and that I had to have the courage to step out – and into cadetship. Where are you serving at the moment – and what’s your role? I’m a cadet on placement at Hurstville Corps in Sydney under the leadership of Major Judith Soeters, and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s full of wisdom, godly people, and a lot of ministry experience to learn from. I feel very supported and cared for, and I love being involved in all the different ministries because it’s a busy, lively and serving corps. Any standout moments that are shaping you as a future officer? Having it confirmed that the moments that shape me most in ministry are the ones that can’t be shared – they’re about sharing people’s journeys and holding their stories. There will always be the public side of ministry that people can see, but there’s also the hidden side that I think is the most precious part of it. Enjoying special moments in Japan and Spain have been part of Yasmin’s journey. Where are you feeling stretched right now? I naturally tend to be a more shy and introverted person – which can often be an advantage in ministry – but right now being a cadet it means I’m always visible. Things like my first time conducting the Just Brass Band, or preaching live-streamed, are new experiences, but I’m so supported by my corps officers and the corps that even if I might occasionally think, ‘Oh, I’ll redo that a different way next time’. It challenges me to give my best rather than feel overly stretched. What strengths do you lean on most? I’ve always loved to study and love to understand things well before I do them; whether that’s preaching, reading Scripture in the meeting, or serving in other ways. I also love finding the gaps to fill in ministry. I’ll look at a situation and think, “Where could my place be here, and what is there for me to do or say?” Yasmin loves walking her crazy little Westiepoo, Sophie, along Ninety Mile Beach in Melbourne. What focus areas of officership really fire you up – and why? I love corps. I think the corps [members] are the beating heart of the Army and who we are; the gathered people of God being the hands and feet of Christ in their community. It’s a great privilege to be able to shepherd people in that. I also have a great love for resourcing, especially in worship arts, theology, and prayer, and am very passionate about how we enable our corps to express that in their communities. If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like and who would you most hope to impact? My dream appointment doesn’t quite exist yet, but it would definitely involve professional supervision and spiritual direction. I would love to be in a role that brings together different streams of ministry and different people across our corps to focus on solid theological foundations and best practice so that we are best equipping our people to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Yasmin loves to bake culinary delights - especially bread and pastry. She says good baking isn’t just ingredients, knowledge, and method; it’s about patience, slowing down, and instinct. And just for fun … when you switch off, what do you love doing? I love music and being part of the musical fellowship ministries at Hurstville, as well as walking my dog. But most of all, I’m a baker, especially bread and pastry. My mind is constantly busy, but good baking isn’t just ingredients, knowledge, and method; it’s about patience, slowing down, and instinct. Nothing ever comes out well when I’m stressed, so it becomes like meditation for me where I can calm my mind, pray and reset – and get a beautiful treat at the end of it! READ MORE: Rescued and ready to go!

A new series of sermons, Bible studies and creative reflections, titled ‘7 Signs – Jesus revealed in the Book of John’, has been released by The Salvation Army’s Mission Resources team. Based on the seven miracles of Jesus in the book of John, the series focuses on Jesus’ attributes and how he continues to work in the lives of believers today. The resource suite, which can be found on the my.Salvos toolkit, also includes visual reflections to be used within small groups. These visual reflections focus on an image, and a guided spoken reflection encourages participants to reflect on it and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to them through it. “This is a new style of resource, and it’s ideal for people who prefer to engage through art rather than words,” said Jess Clayton from the Mission Resources Team. Also included are cards that summarise each week’s teaching, which can be printed and given to congregation or small-group members to take home as a visual reminder that Jesus is God. “We are praying that this series is a blessing and support to you and that it helps your whole church family grow closer to Jesus,” said Jess. – Lauren Martin

Kurlana Padnipadninya (KP) Program Manager James Girvan, Social Mission State Manager Kim Herbert, Support Worker Rhubee Neale and KP client Holly Wright at the exhibition. Image: Kirralee Nicolle BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Salvation Army and the City of Adelaide last week collaborated to host an art exhibition featuring artists from TSA homelessness and addiction recovery programs as part of National Homelessness Week. Participants in the Kurlana Padnipadninya (KP) and Warrondi Engage and Link (WEL) programs held out of Whitmore Square, Adelaide produced artworks, which were displayed in the Minor Works Building Community Centre in the CBD. The artworks were produced alongside Art Teacher Leah Jeffries from the WEL program, who was unable to attend the exhibition, and TSA Support Worker and artist Rhubee Neale from KP. Rhubee spoke of the role of art in her life having experienced trauma, and how it had helped her to grow and become who she was today. “The art has helped me through that journey,” she said. “So, I’m really honoured to be working at KP and help all the beautiful residents to do the same, grow and shine with their art. It’s been really rewarding for the residents, and myself too. It’s given me more confidence.” Former Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council (ADAC) program participant Tara Baggendorf was involved with the WEL program’s art space and gym facilities during a three-month stint just over 18 months ago. She spoke of how she had never painted before but now found herself returning to the centre to access the art classes and reconnect with residents and staff. Three of her original artworks were featured in the exhibition. Tara Baggendorf with her artworks. Image: Kirralee Nicolle “I just find it a really personal and therapeutic way to express myself,” she said. “I’d like to thank the Salvos incredibly …. thank you for that opportunity.” KP program resident Holly Wright, who had four artworks on display, said she had found herself in the program after experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV) and then struggling with addiction. She said she was used to being met with a clinical and cold response in similar programs, where if all criteria wasn’t met, she would see clients being shown the door. “But coming into KP and seeing that all the workers, they’re all welcoming and they genuinely care,” she said. “For once I felt seen, heard and guided in a world where I felt alone. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to improve myself and get better for my children.” KP Program Manager James Girvan said the goal of the service was to provide hope. “People hopefully see a pathway forward for themselves, knowing that it’s not easy sometimes,” he said. One of the artists, Amii Lindsay with her art. Image: Supplied “For once I felt seen, heard and guided in a world where I felt alone.” WEL Program Mission Team Leader Jacqui O’Brien said the team wanted to support people through the entire scope of homelessness, adversities, drug and alcohol addiction and trauma. “That’s why we're all working together to help people,” she said. “I think that the artwork and the creative expression that we can do is really helpful for them therapeutically, and all of us really.” The flyers for each of the artists displaying their works. The Salvation Army has put together an engaging website that has more information and stories in support of Homelessness Week. Go to the website here, where you can find an array of stories supporting Homelessness Week.

Isolation and financial hardship affect many people in regional communities. ‘Salvos Connect’ brings together emergency relief, community connection and personalised support under one roof. From food assistance to Doorways case management, The Salvation Army in Dubbo is creating a safe, welcoming place where people can access help and build relationships.

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 (10-17 August) we pray for The Salvation Army in the Sweden and Latvia Territory. This territory has 270 officers (136 active, 134 retired); 5 cadets; 74 corps; 4 societies and outposts; 2484 senior soldiers; 1277 adherents; 139 junior soldiers; 1112 employees Commissioner Lisbeth Andersen leads the territory. The work of the Sweden and Latvia Territory includes: · Homelessness services · Support for older people · Summer camps for young people · Modern slavery and human trafficking response. New enrolments for the Sweden and Latvia Territory. Praise points: Sweden: • We praise God for his goodness and mercy that endures forever. • We praise God for the increasing number of cadets at the training college for officers. On Sunday 23 August, we will welcome six cadets to the training college. At the same time, we will also welcome our new Territorial Leader for Sweden and Lativa, Commissioner Lisbeth Andersen. We thank God for Lisbeth and pray that God will bless her. Latvia: • We give thanks that the work of the Holy Spirit is evident in Latvia. • We give thanks for the 10 senior soldiers, 1 junior soldier and 2 adherents enrolled so far this year. • We give thanks for stronger links with Sweden after visits from their cadets and a youth mission trip, where both countries' youth connected together in worship, prayer, service and lots of fun. • We give thanks that people are saying yes to becoming officers. In this territory, the Gospel is preached in English, Latvian, Russian and Swedish. Prayer requests: Sweden: • We pray for our vision ‘Forward with Jesus’ and the strategic framework that will be launched this (northern) autumn. • We pray for people in Sweden to discover and seek God's word now that the Bible Society is launching a new translation of the Swedish Bible (New Testament) in August. • We pray for our country, Sweden, and the political election that will take place on 13 September. • We pray for our regional congresses, which will take place in three locations in Sweden (Umea, Stockholm and Gothenburg) during September and October. We pray that God will meet and equip his people to be his witnesses today. • We pray for the ‘Design for life’ weekend in October. We pray that people in Sweden will discover what God is calling them to do in his Kingdom. • We pray for children and youth in Sweden, that God will protect them, and that they will be saved and become disciples of Jesus. Latvia: • We pray for the people who have enquired about becoming officers, that we can find the finances and best way to train them. • We pray for the youth and children of the region. • We pray for more income to enable us to become self-sustaining. • We pray for the impact of our regional camp held last week (6-9 August), where over 100 people gathered for worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship. To find out more about the Sweden and Latvia Territory, click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.

A proud mother points to an image of her child she is holding at the Communities for Children Listen Louder exhibition in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Children from the Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands, Brighton and Central Highlands regions of Southern Tasmania have been sharing their stories through art, photography and film as part of The Salvation Army Communities for Children ‘Listen Louder’ project. Working alongside community artists David Adams and Evi van der Niet, children explored what matters most to them through large-scale portraits, short films and visual storytelling. The resulting exhibitions provided communities with a unique opportunity to engage with children’s perspectives, experiences and ideas. The Derwent Valley Crew’s promo postcard for the Listen Louder exhibition. Children and artists were supported throughout the project by The Salvation Army Communities for Children South East Tasmania Community Engagement Lead Katrina Higgins, and Community Partner organisations, Kids and Teens in the Valley and Hobart City Mission's Oatlands Hub. Their strong local connections helped create welcoming and inclusive spaces where children felt safe to participate and share their stories. Grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Listen Louder highlighted children’s rights to express their views (Article 12), seek and share information and ideas (Article 13), and participate freely in cultural and artistic life (Article 31). Liana Harding, Manager of Communities for Children South East Tasmania, said these rights are central to the initiative and the way Communities for Children works alongside local communities. The Derwent Valley Crew prepare for the exhibition launch. “At Communities for Children, listening to children and valuing their perspectives is central to how we work,” she said. “Our place-based approach recognises that children are experts in their own lives and communities. Projects like Listen Louder create meaningful opportunities for children to contribute their ideas, share their experiences and help shape the communities in which they live, learn and grow.” As participant Ava explained: “Adults should listen to children because they have a lot of important things to say and should be listened to.” The project served as a powerful reminder that when children are given meaningful opportunities to share their ideas, they offer valuable insights into their communities, relationships and the places where they live, learn and grow. Listen Louder was supported through Communities for Children South East Tasmania, which is facilitated by The Salvation Army. To learn more and view the children's artwork and films, visit the Communities for Children South East Tasmania website. The Listen Louder, Oatlands exhibition launch. Listen Louder exhibition opening portraits displayed at Willow Court, New Norfolk.

The Saltivka Outpost, Ukraine, works to give children a safe place to be a child during the war. The Children’s Ministries team at Ukraine’s Saltivka Outpost – a district of the eastern city of Kharkiv and located only 20-25km from active regional frontlines and the Russian border – were ready and waiting for children to come to Sunday school the morning after a drone strike on adjacent residential buildings. In Kharkiv, the war is constant, with many days beginning and continuing with the sounds of explosions, sirens and wailing ambulances. Last Sunday morning 9 August, drone strikes targeted high-rise residential buildings in Saltivka, destroying several floors of one apartment block, killing three people, and leaving residents trapped. Many residents, including children, spent the night in the corridors of neighbouring homes. “You can only imagine what they felt,” the Children’s Ministries team shared. “Fear, explosions, loud sounds, anxiety for their loved ones and their home ... And yet they came. They came to the Sunday school. They came where they are awaited. “We meet them, play, create, communicate, talk about good, faith, friendship and hope. Because even during the war, childhood should not consist only of explosions, sirens, and fear. “Yes, we are scared. Yes, we hear explosions. Yes, rescuers and medics work every day right next to them. But we stay close to the children. Because it is very important for them to know that there is a place where people are waiting for them; there are adults who care about them; there is a space where they can, at least for a few hours, just be a child. “We cannot stop the war. But we can do a small good every day – support the children, give them care, knowledge, joy, and hope. Thank you to everyone who helps us continue this work.” Ministry for children and youth, Saltivka Outpost, Ukraine.

Carolyn Russell and Stefano Verrelli at the Parliamentary Launch of The Red Shield Report 2026. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE The Red Shield Report, an annual publication released by The Salvation Army in line with the Red Shield Appeal, this year showed devastating results. Cost-of-living pressures, food insecurity and housing affordability barriers facing many surveyed families and individuals who accessed The Salvation Army’s Doorways emergency relief services are extreme. The survey findings showed that 87 per cent of respondents were living below the poverty line, with 92 per cent finding it difficult to afford basic living costs. The cover of the 2026 Red Shield Report. Such findings are dire, but they would remain uncalculated without the efforts of The Salvation Army’s award-winning Research Team, part of the Centre for Mission Impact. The team has been consistently producing a Red Shield Report each year for the past 13 years. Research Projects Officer Carolyn Russell and Research Analyst Dr Stefano Verrelli were core to the 2026 Red Shield Report survey design. I recently caught up with them to chat about what the experience was like for them. Salvos Online: Can you tell me a little bit about yourselves and how you found yourselves in these roles? Carolyn: I started working in government and across the community sector in operational, coordination and project roles, and then I applied to the Salvos. I’ve been working here for just over 12 years now. I started off in social programs and policy before moving into a research and projects role. I suppose I found myself in that space because I wanted to make a difference. I’ve always had a really strong interest in social research and using data and evidence to inform positive and meaningful change for individuals and communities facing disadvantage. I’ve always had a strong social justice approach, so I think it was a really natural progression and evolution. Stefano: I started with a degree in psychology. I’ve now spent more than 10 years working in social research and spent the last five and a half years working with The Salvation Army’s research team. My initial interest in going into psychology was wanting to help people, particularly people experiencing poor mental health. As I progressed through my studies, I developed a deeper appreciation of social research and how it can help us understand the complexity of the human experience, both the positive and negative sides of it. What drew me to research is how it allows us to move beyond our assumptions to what the evidence is actually telling us, so we can better understand what is actually happening and how we might contribute to positive change. I then completed a PhD in social psychology, where I continued exploring those questions through a social justice lens. As I was doing that research, I realised that I wanted to work closer to the communities experiencing some of these social issues. I valued my academic experience, but I wanted that connection between the research I was doing and people's everyday life to be more direct. That’s what led me into the social services sector, and ultimately, the Salvos. I see my role as building that bridge between people’s lived experiences, frontline practice, the research and evidence side, and high-level decisions that can lead to broader change. Image: Supplied What can you tell me about the process of designing a survey for a report like this? Stefano: The survey design is quite an iterative process. We have core questions that we ask year in, year out, but each year builds on what we learned in previous years. The design of the survey is also strongly grounded in current affairs – what are the current policy trends and what’s happening in the broader economic environment. With ongoing cost-of-living pressures and the housing crisis, we wanted to understand how that looks for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people and communities. We explore that through a mix of rating scales or closed-ended questions, as well as open-ended questions. We find that the open-ended questions show us the complexity of people’s experiences and what sits behind some of the numbers. They often reveal details or experiences that we may not have anticipated when designing the survey. We can then take that finding and develop it into a question in the following year’s survey to understand how widespread that experience is. For example, one year a number of people shared with us in their open-ended responses that they were losing considerable weight because they couldn’t afford enough food to eat. The following year, we wanted to understand, well, how prevalent is this experience of quite severe food insecurity? So, we created a closed-ended question where people could indicate if this had happened to them in the past 12 months, and we learned that unfortunately it was happening quite frequently amongst people coming to our emergency relief services. This year we found that 40 per cent of survey respondents said they had lost weight because they could not afford enough food. So rather than designing the survey based only on what we think is happening, we draw on what people have shared with us about their lived experiences. Those insights help shape how the survey evolves each year and what we explore in greater depth. Carolyn: It continues to evolve. It just keeps growing. I think that’s one of the challenges – we don’t want to make it too long and deter people from participating, but we want to be able to cover topics for a broad audience and for broad stakeholders. So that can be a challenge. We want people to complete it, but for it not be too burdensome. Stefano: And that’s another of the most important considerations when designing the survey and conducting research in the social services sector, making sure that the survey is not only rigorous, but also safe and respectful for the people completing it. We are asking people to share challenging and sometimes sensitive experiences of hardship, so participation is always voluntary, people can skip any question, they can stop at any time. We also pay close attention to the language we use, making sure questions are written in a way that is accessible and non-judgmental. We want to collect evidence that is meaningful and robust, but never at the expense of someone’s wellbeing. Good survey design is always that balance between rigour and care. People are trusting us with their experiences, and we have a deep responsibility to handle that trust with care. Carolyn: Respondents have shared they’re really glad that they’ve had an opportunity to voice their concerns and experiences, and that somebody’s listening. If they choose not to participate, that’s okay too. That doesn’t impact on the services that they receive. Stefano: We also try to explore the hardship that people are experiencing, but also balance that with questions about hope, questions about the support they’ve received and what keeps people going. It is important that we don’t reduce people to the difficulties they’re experiencing. We want to understand hardship, but it doesn’t define the whole person, so we try to reflect that complexity as carefully as we can. We want to collect evidence that is meaningful and robust, but never at the expense of someone’s wellbeing. Good survey design is always that balance between rigour and care. The findings in the report were quite heartbreaking to read, including increasing food insecurity and cost-of-living impacts on children and families. Can you tell me a bit about what it was like for you personally to handle such data and self-reported hardship? Stefano: Every year, the scale of the hardship we see is overwhelming. It’s quite enormous. And I think sometimes when you just look at the numbers, it can become quite difficult to comprehend the scale of it. For example, what does 98 per cent of people experiencing something like food insecurity actually mean? But it’s the open-ended responses that never allow you to forget what those numbers represent – the stories that sit behind those really high percentages. And that’s what always grounds me, it is the part that always hits me in the gut. Some of the stories are devastating. But I always have to remain conscious that the emotional impact on me doesn’t even come close to what the experience is like for the person living through that hardship. So, every time I read these stories, I feel this even greater responsibility towards the people who have trusted us with that very personal, often painful part of their experience. Behind every number, behind every story, there is someone who has trusted us with what’s happening in their household, and we have this responsibility to ensure those experiences are represented accurately and with respect, and in a way that can help bring about change. Carolyn: I think it’s really challenging to hear those repeated experiences of hardship and poverty year in and year out, and you hope that things change over time, but it just doesn’t seem to. This year I felt there was just this really strong sense of despair among respondents. It felt more grave than previous years, like there is this increased level of desperation to make ends meet. It was really confronting that people were starving themselves or going without their critical medication or healthcare because that was seen as not being a priority. People were obviously prioritising housing because it’s critical obviously, but I think it’s just that level of self-deprivation and that constant going without that's quite challenging to read. But also, I feel incredibly humbled and really privileged that we had more than 4400 people who responded and shared those struggles and experiences with us. I felt really honoured and privileged that we could provide them an opportunity and a voice to ensure that their experiences are seen and heard by decision-makers and that such pathways can make a difference for them. That evidence and insight can create change, and we can use it to advocate and support discussions with policymakers to hopefully help people experiencing such chronic disadvantage. Behind every number, behind every story, there is someone who has trusted us with what's happening in their household, and we have this responsibility to ensure those experiences are represented accurately and with respect, and in a way that can help bring about change.

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

Cooma Corps Officer Aux-Lieut Debbie Bartlett (right) and Debby McGrath, who have become great friends through the ‘Sew Together’ group. BY LAUREN MARTIN In 2025, Auxiliary-Lieutenant Debbie Bartlett sat in front of a shopping centre, collecting for the Red Shield Appeal. She was in the middle of a season of deep grief, having lost her sister just before an appointment change and a move to Cooma, a small town in the NSW Snowy Mountains region. She had met people, but she really knew no one at all. The Cooma Corps was in transition when she and her husband, Auxiliary-Lieutenant Bryan Bartlett, arrived, and they oversaw the completion of a building project and the re-establishment of the ministry. “I thought that the best way to make friends would be through my craft,” Debbie said. “I started going to a few [groups], but months down the track I had acquaintances, but I still didn’t have a friend.” That was the situation she found herself in on that Red Shield Appeal day, when a woman walked out of the shopping centre and made eye contact. “I noticed her bag and commented on it,” said Debbie. “I had made a similar one for my sister for her last birthday. She asked me, ‘What’s your sewing story?’” The two hit it off, and soon another woman joined them after they noticed her homemade pants and asked whether she had made them herself. That day, at the Red Shield Appeal collection table, the three decided to start a new craft group. “God had been working at me,” said Debbie, “telling me, ‘You need to do something.’ I was very cautious of using my craft, which was my outlet of recharging, as a ministry, because I didn’t want to lose the passion or the enjoyment out of it.” But that day, Debbie stepped out in faith. The craft group – ‘Sew Together’ – has run every Thursday since. It started off slowly, but this year it really took off, with women involved inviting other women, and even people who wouldn’t describe themselves as ‘crafty’ coming along. “I say, ‘It’s not about the craft, it’s about the connection. If you want to make friends, come along – it’s a safe place for everybody.’ I often just take my craft, but I don’t do it. It’s a time to have connection and time to do life together.” ‘Sew Together’ regular Debby McGrath says she first heard about the group while attending Canberra City Salvos with a friend. She had brought some homemade cards, and someone there mentioned the craft group. She was given Debbie’s number, and the two women connected. “I said to her, ‘I think we’re kindred spirits,’ remembers Debby, who adds that Debbie Bartlett agreed!” “I love watching all these women that come together,” she says of the group. “There’s young mums, there’s older ladies that just enjoy the company, there’s Debbie who is so willing and able to help with anything, and I feel like I’ve been able to contribute as well. I help with morning tea, because my passion is food and hospitality.” The Sew Together group meets every Thursday at Cooma, southern NSW. She says she has come from a church background where evangelism was seen as a gift given to certain people, but she can see, through being part of ‘Sew Together’, that speaking about Jesus with others happens naturally. “Every week, you get together, and you journey with these women, and you hear their stories, and you can speak into that because God is flowing through you,” she says. “It’s very organic.” Debbie Bartlett says one of the biggest joys of ‘Sew Together’ has been seeing how God is building healthy community through it. A new woman started coming after recently moving to town. Debbie later found out that others in the group had taken her out to lunch and arranged to meet on another day to show her around town. Another time, when Debbie couldn’t make the group, a fellow member arranged to open the centre and run it so that fellowship could continue. It has become a vital social connection for many members. “God is at work,” said Debbie, who has also made cherished friendships through “Sew Together”. God often brings blessings at just the right time and in just the right places. Red Shield Appeal collecting will always feel somewhat special to Debbie Bartlett now, as she remembers what it birthed when she really needed it. READ MORE: Cooma Community of Hope offering a different Kingdom space

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? I am currently working together with my husband, Bernie, as auxiliary-lieutenants, and we are the Corps Officers at Eastlakes Corps. We have been here for 34 years and have been leading for the past eight! We love our people. I think the most satisfying thing about my job is seeing the lightbulb come on for people when they get to know Jesus. I particularly love discipling young adults! 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I have a newfound love of crochet! I love watching movies and being with my dog. She’s one and adorable. She’s a Golden Groodle. I also love hanging out with my husband, two grown kids and their partners – they’re my favourite people in the world. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? I love the song ‘Build a House’ by Megan Tibbits. I had it on repeat for weeks a couple of years ago. It talks about how we try to build things in our lives, only to mess them up. We often end up having to redo or relearn them. I want to spend my life in God’s house with God’s people. I’m committed to building the house. I don’t know ... it just speaks to me. 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? David! I totally relate to how flawed he was, but also to how he so desperately loved and cared for his people. I love how he poured out his heart to God and how he was a worshipper and a skilled muso. I love how there were times when he was sad and constantly complained, but then he remembered the goodness of God, and that always helped him return to praise. Can’t wait to meet him. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? I totally would. It’s not for everyone. I love how the Army is recognising different pathways to ministry now. We were never called to training college, but we have been called to love and lead our people. I actually love my job. It’s different every day, and I get to talk about Jesus constantly. It’s a beautiful privilege! More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here.

Pastoral care, hospitality and support in Glasgow Salvation Army teams joined in a shared Christian outreach during the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July-2 August. More than 3000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competed in the international event – a 10-day celebration of sporting excellence. The games spanned four venues and 10 sporting disciplines, including six para-sports. Glasgow City Centre Corps was a hub for Glasgow Churches Together, a team that included Glasgow City Mission, Glasgow Street Pastors and Sports Chaplaincy UK. Throughout the Games, the hall was open from 10am to 6pm with refreshments and opportunities to rest, recharge and socialise. The special edition was given out on the streets and in the hubs during the Commonwealth Games. “We have a huge team here,” explains manager Harry McCafferty, just prior to the Games opening. “If you include the paid staff and the volunteers, we have about 95 people! As well as helping with refreshments, we’ll be able to provide clothing, because people coming might not have the right items for the weather.” “It’s targeted at athletes if they haven’t got the right clothes or need somewhere to meet their family,” says corps leader Captain Ian Arthur. “I have experience as a sports chaplain, which will be helpful. Sports Chaplaincy UK delivers chaplaincy to the Games, but the chaplaincy teams will be able to bring any athletes here if they need a quiet space.” Representatives from Employment Plus were also present at the hall, along with other Salvation Army services. ‘Good News for Everyone’ staff were giving out Bibles. Glasgow Street Pastors usually patrol the streets on a Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am but extended their shifts to cover afternoons and early evenings during the Games. “Our teams were armed with maps, ponchos, phone chargers, a friendly smile and the desire to show the love of God to everyone they meet,” said Elizabeth Lacey from Govan Corps, who is the coordinator for Glasgow Street Pastors. Hospitality, pastoral support and wraparound services were part of The Salvation Army’s involvement in the recent Commonwealth Games. “Shieldy was also out on the streets, along with water, leaflets and the 18 July edition of Kids Alive! (The Salvation Army’s UKI children’s magazine), which featured the Commonwealth Games,” said Commissioner Ivor Telfer, “We went to all the Games locations and had opportunities to chat and really be visible. “The extent of The Salvation Army’s work is a great secret to most people,” Ivor continued. “The Salvation Army is present in the majority of the Commonwealth. At the hall, we had a 30-minute video showing the Army’s work playing on one of the TVs.” Working with Churches Together, The Salvation Army also helped provide sermons and children’s stories and prayers for churches to use. ‘Move of Hope’ exhibition opens at IHQ IHQ staff explore the new exhibition of The Salvation Army's global work against modern slavery and human trafficking. The Salvation Army’s international Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response team has launched an exhibition of its work in Gallery 101 at International Headquarters (IHQ), London. Unveiled on 30 July 2026, the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, ‘Move of Hope’ brings together stories from across The Salvation Army world. Through the experiences of survivors and the communities supporting them, the exhibition demonstrates that freedom is possible when people choose compassion over indifference and action over silence. Survivor leader and advocacy specialist Malaika Oringo. “Survivors are not defined by what happened to them. They are defined by their strength, their dignity and their future," said Priscilla Santos, International Coordinator for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response, at the opening. For more information and personal testimonies from victim survivors, click here. For more information about The Salvation Army’s international work to end modern-slavery and human-trafficking, click here. Rwanda: Strengthening childhood education For 49 years, The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) has been helping individuals, families, and communities around the world address the physical, social and economic challenges they face. Engaged in more than $50 million worth of active projects, SAWSO helps by employing a holistic, faith-based and community-focused approach to meet the needs of those in poverty. In 2025, SAWSO delivered $50 million across 152 projects in 69 countries, working through The Salvation Army’s global network in 134 countries. The Rubuye Preschool Project is seeing positive results in early childhood eduction outcomes. In Rubuye, a coordinated early-learning initiative is improving the quality and safety of preschool education across 11 under-served communities. An initial assessment identified significant gaps: untrained teaching staff, unregistered centres, inadequate and unsafe facilities, limited inclusion for children with disabilities, lack of child-sized furniture and unstructured meal preparation. To address these needs, SAWSO, in partnership with international and local branches of The Salvation Army, partnered with parents, parent teacher associations and the local government to upgrade the infrastructure and strengthen school management. The project resulted in safer classrooms, 20 trained early childhood education teachers and a new selection of age-appropriate furniture. It also created inclusive learning spaces and introduced standardised feeding systems that meet basic health and safety requirements. More than 300 children now attend preschools in Rwanda that meet minimum international standards for learning, protection and development. Improved attendance and classroom readiness indicate early gains in educational outcomes. Christmas comes early For the first time, The Salvation Army US celebrated Christmas in July by bringing Red Kettles to Walmart locations across the country. Officers, employees and volunteers rang the bells throughout the month to raise funds that help provide food, shelter and other essentials to neighbours in need all year long. Thank you to Walmart for supporting this initiative, and to everyone who stopped by and gave at a kettle. Your generosity makes a real difference for your neighbours in need. The bells will be ringing again before you know it!