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In the second of a series spotlighting this year’s cadets of the Rescued session, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH chatted with Wati Seeto about waking up at 3am with a deep certainty that God was calling her to officership, being a big-picture leader, her love of crafts – and her go-to pick me up song, ‘The Only Way Is Up!’ Wati, rewind for us ... when did the call to officership hit, and what made you say that big ‘yes’? I first sensed God’s call in my late teens, but I kept putting it off to focus on my legal career. Everything shifted after a congress in New Zealand in 2023. At 3am on 13 October, I woke up with a deep certainty that God was calling me to officership. I remember saying, “Lord, I don’t know how I’m going to do this, I’m in the middle of a contract, I’m too old, and I’m already doing ministry at work.” But God didn’t let go. After talking with my husband, who was fully supportive, I applied and was accepted for training in the NZFT [territory]. In 2024, I submitted an expression of interest for Australia so our family could be together, as my husband was already living here. Where are you serving at the moment - and what’s your role? I’m at North Brisbane corps and learning from Corps Officers Majors Scott and Sharon Allen as part of the corps officer team. It’s a lot of observation and learning for me. It’s a big corps. I am involved wherever I am needed. North Brisbane is a pilot corps for The Salvation Army’s intercultural STAGES project so, that’s something I am passionate about and really want to get fully involved in. Wati was appointed as the first Financial Services Ombudsperson for Fiji. ​​ Any standout moments that are shaping you as a future officer? It has been realising how much of this season is about what God is doing in me. After 20 years of constant professional and corps involvement, 2026 has become a God‑given space of physical rest and deeper spiritual formation. I’m learning to let God reshape me from the inside out. I’m also being stretched and encouraged by the leadership I’m observing in Scott and Sharon, which is becoming an important part of my formation as a future officer. Where are you feeling stretched right now? The discipline of simply being still. It’s not natural for me. I’m a doer, always leading, organising, or moving something forward. This season is teaching me to slow down, to stop filling every gap with activity, and to focus on growing deeper spiritually rather than constantly producing or achieving. What strengths do you lean on most? I’m a big‑picture leader with spiritual gifts in leadership and administration, shaped by years in the legal profession and my work as the Financial Services Ombudsperson at the central bank. Working with people, navigating complexity, and championing social justice are core strengths. I’ve also had significant experience in human rights training, financial inclusion, and partnering with People Living with HIV (PLHIV) organisations and women’s groups, work that has deepened my commitment to development, dignity, and community empowerment. Wati (third from the left) has had significant experience in human rights training, financial inclusion, and partnering with People Living with HIV (PLHIV) organisations and women’s groups, work that has deepened her commitment to development, dignity, and community empowerment. Which focus areas of officership really fire you up – and why? I love working with teams – empowering, equipping, and building up local leaders so they can strengthen their own corps and programs, rather than stepping in to do the work for them. That’s what healthy officership should look like wherever we’re appointed: developing others, not centralising everything in ourselves. While I naturally gravitate toward areas in my wheelhouse, I’m committed to learning new things and growing so I can better support the people and communities I serve. If you could design your dream appointment today, what would it look like – and who would you most hope to impact? It would sit at the intersection of Mission Support and Faith Communities Development, where strategy, spiritual formation, and organisational strengthening meet. I’m energised by roles that help the army grow – not just numerically, but in depth, health, and missional clarity. When taking some time out, Wati loves crafting, including macrame and getting stuck into puzzles. The cadet likes to do things with her hands, especially when she has a lot on her mind and needs to think through things. My ideal appointment would allow me to work alongside corps, centres, and leaders to build capacity, strengthen governance, and shape sustainable systems that help communities flourish. At its heart, this dream role would be about impacting people who carry responsibility for others – officers, local leaders, volunteers, young leaders and emerging voices who want to see their communities thrive but may feel stretched, under‑resourced or unsure how to move forward. Ultimately, the people I most hope to impact are those who are shaping the future of The Salvation Army – helping them create environments where justice, compassion, and faith can take root and grow. And just for fun ... when you switch off, what do you love doing? I love crafting. I like puzzles. I like to do things with my hands, especially when I have a lot on my mind and need to think through things. I will do macrame or make jewellery, but I don’t really switch off; I use these activities to aid my thought process when I have things or ideas to think through. READ MORE: Rescued and ready to go!

One million refugees have been welcomed by Australia since World War Two. Refugee Week 2026 is a moment to reflect on that milestone and to celebrate the million stories behind it. The Salvation Army Australia celebrates this milestone, highlighting Australia’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe haven for those fleeing persecution and conflict, and recognises the immense contributions refugees make to our society. This year also marks 40 years of Refugee Week: sharing stories, challenging stereotypes, and building a more compassionate society. Refugee Week events and activities continue to demonstrate the determination, openness and pride of our community in creating awareness of the contributions and journey of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. It’s a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film, and other activities that take place across Australia (www.refugeeweek.org.au). The Salvation Army has a host of mission resources for Refugee Week, and they can be found on MySalvos here. International call As Europe recovered from the devastation of World War Two, Australia responded to an international call to offer a future to people with nowhere to call home. Since that initial agreement in 1947 to receive 4000 refugees from Central Europe, Australia has issued one million permanent humanitarian visas – welcoming people from all parts of the globe, people who have helped to build modern Australia. Refugee Week 2026 is a time to reflect on that milestone and to celebrate the million stories behind it. Each story is unique. Each one is powerful. And together, they shape the Australia we all call home today. In Refugee Week, we look back, but also to the future. • How can we continue to welcome people in need of safety? • What more can we do, as individuals and communities, to offer support and understanding? • And how can each of us show kindness and help people feel they belong? Thu-Trang, a former refugee from Vietnam, with her two children. Discover her story at refugeeweek.org.au. Photo by Attie Mohebali. Celebrating courage and resilience Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The festival is a partnership project coordinated by the UK-based organisation, Counterpoints Arts. Last year, the number of people forced to flee their homes exceeded 117 million due to conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution. Over 36 million of these became refugees. Conflict is one of the main drivers of displacement, and 67 per cent of all refugees originated from just five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan and Venezuela. (www.worldvision.org.uk) Inspired by the lives and experiences of people seeking sanctuary, World Refugee Week 2026 invites us to explore the theme of Courage. For refugees around the world, courage is often a daily necessity. It is the courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world. At a time when some seek to divide and blame, Refugee Week 2026 calls us to come together and share the courage to welcome, to stand for what we believe in, and to celebrate culture and community – to be joyful, to imagine new possibilities, to dream, to heal, and to connect. Courage isn’t always loud or bold. It can be found in simple acts: opening your door to a neighbour, trying new food, reading a book, or watching a film that changes your view of the world. It can be speaking up, asking for help, sharing your story – or simply having the courage to be yourself. Through art, stories and community, we celebrate the courage that lives within us all – and how connection helps it grow. – Fay Foster

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? My appointment is as one of the Corps Officers at Rockdale Salvos (in the South/Eastern suburbs of Sydney), alongside Lieutenant Jonathan Abdulai (and a fabulous ministry team and social services!). The most satisfying part of my appointment is being able to minister and serve alongside wonderful people who love Jesus and love people. We not only share our location with a Salvos Store, Oasis, and Moneycare, but our mission as well. They each have gracious hearts, as do our amazing volunteers, and they do whatever they can to partner with us in serving our church and community. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? I love my Pilates classes … it forces me to concentrate on not falling off my roller, so I can’t think about anything else! I enjoy connecting deeply by myself with the Spirit through journalling and also having a cuppa and chat with friends. Time with my husband, kids and granddaughter is an absolute joy too … (but relaxing …?) 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it? Ohhh so many! Probably ‘Rain / Reign’. It speaks of God’s love falling on us and all of creation. Powerful, and yet gentle and kind, washing away what it not of God, making everything beautiful and new. Both the lyrics and music speak to the juxtaposition of God’s power and grace. 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? Deborah (book of Judges) – a prophetess who showed such courage and wisdom, and an influential leader and judge who would help people settle their disputes. I would love to chat to Deborah about her leadership, her courage in speaking out God’s word, and her agreement in accompanying the military into battle (scary!). Even though she showed such strength, I think she must have had a peaceable spirit to sit under a tree (becoming known as the ‘Palm of Deborah’), where people would come to her for mediation and advice. One day, I want to do a role where I can do all my tasks outside under a tree! 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? If you have a pressing on your heart and mind into ministry, are on a path of learning to hold Jesus at the centre of everything, and are passionate about being transformed by the Holy Spirit, I would absolutely recommend officership (however that may look for you – I’m an Auxiliary Lieutenant). I remember General Linda Bond once saying, “If you are called into officership, and you don’t … you’ll be miserable.” Hahaha. I’ve never forgotten that! Following God’s plan for you places you within the Kingdom plan, and the Spirit living in and through you, along with your unique gifting, is always the way to abundant life. There are challenges, of course, but that’s everywhere, and when you’re on God’s path, you’re on solid ground. More information on Salvation Army officership can be found here.

General Lyndon Buckingham introduces the new five-year-strategy at International Headquarters. BY IHQ COMMUNICATIONS Staff and officers gathered in London on 2 June 2026 for the official launch of a five-year strategy designed to strengthen how International Headquarters (IHQ) supports the General and serves The Salvation Army around the world. The strategy will guide IHQ’s work through to 2031, helping ensure that its efforts remain focused on People, Mission and Legacy. It unpacks how IHQ will deliver and demonstrate spiritual direction, strategic leadership and operational excellence. “Essentially, what this means is that we aim to improve the way we support the General’s leadership of The Salvation Army and support the movement’s work – internally and externally,” explained Major Peter McGuigan, Secretary for Communications. “We have developed an internal strategy for the work of IHQ that is intrinsically linked with the Compass framework, and we are in the process of developing materials and a strategy committee made up of a cross-section of IHQ staff." For more information on the Compass Strategic Framework, click here. A shared vision Opening the strategy launch at IHQ, Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill reflected on both the opportunities and challenges facing The Salvation Army worldwide. “The Salvation Army of 2026 has a lot to celebrate,” he said. “Exciting, significant ministry is being replicated in thousands and thousands of locations around the globe. We are part of a great, gifted and still-growing Salvation Army.” He encouraged staff to embrace the journey ahead: “We begin a journey today, and we have a road map. It’s a good plan, created through partnership and fuelled by divine power. Let’s take that step together today with faith and joy and confidence.” From strategy to action Commissioner Garth Niemand, who was instrumental in its development, highlighted the practical nature of the strategy and the importance of translating plans into action. “This is not just a strategy. It’s a strategy with a to-do list,” Commissioner Niemand said. “The success of this strategy will not be defined here today. It will be defined by what happens tomorrow morning.” He also stressed that lasting change depends on people: “Even the best strategy will stall if behaviours don’t change,” he said. “Transformation at IHQ will not come from one big moment. It will come from many small, consistent actions across all of us.” Commissioner Niemand will be installed as the new Chief of the Staff in October when Commissioner Hill retires. READ MORE: New-Chief-of-the-Staff Attendees also viewed a video featuring staff and officers sharing their hopes for the future and reflecting on how the strategy will strengthen IHQ’s support for the worldwide Salvation Army. Working together The IHQ Strategy was developed through extensive consultation involving staff from across IHQ, with support from Moore Kingston Smith. Nearly 190 people contributed to shaping its priorities and implementation plan. Officially launching the strategy, General Lyndon Buckingham celebrated its alignment with the values of The Salvation Army and reminded staff that the strategy is ultimately about advancing God’s mission. Drawing on the biblical account of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the General highlighted the power of teamwork and shared responsibility. “A big task becomes much more manageable when it is divided into smaller parts and when many people get involved,” he said. “When people work together efficiently and faithfully, they can achieve extraordinary results. We can, too.” Looking ahead Expressing confidence in both the strategy and the people who will deliver it, the General declared: “I officially launch this IHQ Strategy with confidence that the Lord will use the plan – and, more importantly, us – to ensure flourishing within the house that impacts the global Salvation Army.” As implementation begins, the strategy will help strengthen how The Salvation Army International Headquarters supports staff, officers, volunteers and people in need around the world. This article first appeared in the International Salvation Army website.

Meriel Chamberlin (left) with Madeleine McGowan at the Textile Recovery Facility. Image: File BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE Salvos Stores have been nominated for an Australian Retail Council (ARC) Award, with the winner to be announced in Melbourne this evening. The ARC Sustainability Excellence Award acknowledges the dedication of a retailer’s stewardship and innovation in embracing sustainable practices. This award recognises a business who has implemented groundbreaking initiatives to transition to a low-carbon economy and actively collaborates with their team, stakeholders and customers to enhance positive environmental outcomes. In a deeper commitment than just target-setting, the recipient uses their influence to champion positive policy changes that broaden the adoption of sustainable practices within the retail sector, according to the ARC website. Other finalists in the category include Coles, IKEA Australia, Vinnies and Woolworths Group. With the opening of The Salvation Army’s Textile Recovery Facility in Queensland, the first of its kind in the country, Salvos Stores are working towards greater circularity across its retail and reuse practices. Textile Recovery Facility Business Development Manager Meriel Chamberlin said that as a retailer with more than 420 stores, the footprint of Salvos Stores was enormous, and gave them great credibility in the retail space. She said the plans to establish a centre like the Textile Recovery Facility had been five years in the making, with Madeleine McGowan, Regional Manager for Salvos Stores and previous Chief Executive Matt Davis doing extensive work to make the project viable, securing $4.97m funding support from the Queensland Government to establish the facility. Meriel said The Salvation Army Australia was now trusted across the world for its focus on sustainable textile recovery, standing on the shoulders of TSA teams in the UK and the Netherlands, and that the fact it was a national and an international organisation meant there was enormous potential to expand the work of fabric reuse. “What we are doing here is massive, together we are leading in so many ways,” Meriel said. “It’s really big.” The Salvation Army has a long history of seeking to establish sustainable and ethical practices around factory production. One hundred and thirty-five years ago, The Salvation Army established its own matchstick factory which provided an alternative to the standard matches which were produced using phosphorus, a substance which caused long-term health impacts for factory workers. The winner of the ARC Sustainability Excellence Award will be announced today at a cocktail event at the Ritz Carlton in Melbourne.

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A collection of burned-out cars near the city of Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, reflects images of hope and resilience. Salvos Online journalist SIMONE WORTHING and her husband Cliff have recently returned from a deployment with International Headquarters Emergency Services, assisting at various corps in the Ukraine Division of the Eastern Europe Territory. Simone wrote this report, providing a snapshot of the work of The Salvation Army, the people impacted, and some personal reflections. Content warning: This story contains descriptions of grief, loss and war. Please read at your discretion. “Thank you, Salvation Army Australia, for praying for us in Ukraine, for our country, for coming to be with us and for not forgetting about what we are facing. This gives us such comfort, such strength, such hope. We are struggling, but we are not forgotten, and people around the world are joining us in prayer – even in faraway Australia. We value this more than words can say. It means so much. We are not alone.” We heard this and similar comments so many times throughout our recent, almost four weeks in Ukraine. The gratitude of the people was so humbling, but also inspiring and encouraging. We also assured them that we had learned more from them than we could possibly give back, as we witnessed deep faith and a commitment to worship, service and ministry in a country at war. Focus on children The Salvation Army across Ukraine has a special focus on children. Each of the seven corps and one outpost runs an after-school program for primary-aged children, providing help with homework, extra educational and fun activities, a hot meal, time with a psychologist, and a caring, supportive atmosphere. The children, most of whom are internally displaced due to the war or come from poor and vulnerable families, thrive in this environment. The sound of their laughter and the buzz of their energy and enthusiasm bring joy and hope in extremely challenging times. “My son had stopped talking after we fled the fighting early in the war,” shared Tanya*. “He saw such atrocities and simply shut down. After a few weeks in the after-school program, he gradually started to play again and show interest in activities. After a couple of months, he started to smile. Now he is talking again, playing and engaging with other kids. I just cannot believe it, and I am so grateful.” A staff member from one of the corps spoke about the program’s wider impact. “The children are happy, which helps the families, which helps the community,” she said. “And our team, we support each other in our personal lives too, and the officers help us as well. It’s like a family, which we all need in these hard times.” The corps also runs youth groups and Scouts, which are popular with children and young people from both the corps and surrounding communities. War’s impact on children Tragically, though, in times of war, these activities – and life in general – are often disrupted. “We recently took the children out for a (northern) summer play in the park, drawing with chalk on the asphalt paths,” said one corps leader in Eastern Ukraine. “Unfortunately, once again, the arrival of rockets and Shaheds [Russian kamikaze drones] did not allow their fun and creativity to continue. May the Lord keep us all under his holy protection.” Children draw The Salvation Army shield and Ukrainian flag before drones forces them inside. Eight-year-old Ilya and his family fled the Donetsk region just after the full-scale war began in February 2022, witnessing death and destruction on a large scale as they escaped. They now live in Central Ukraine and attend the local corps. Ilya had his birthday party online recently so he could share it with his friends, who are also displaced from the temporarily occupied territories and living in different regions. “My birthday wish for all of you is that you will never know what it’s like to be shot at, or to see people being shot,” he told his friends. One lady who regularly attends corps programs shared that her children are still scared by their early experiences of war when they lived closer to the frontline. “Now, even when there are no air raid sirens, they want to sleep in the hallway on their bedding. They don’t sleep on their beds anymore.” (If people can’t get to a bomb shelter quickly and easily, they often find a hallway within their flat, apartment block or house that has an extra wall between them and any windows. This is considered safer. As is the bathroom. Many say wryly that nothing will save them from a direct hit from a missile, but they do what they can). Due to their proximity to the Russian border, cities and villages in Eastern Ukraine have endured constant Russian attacks since the first day of the full-scale invasion (24 February 2022). Russian forces regularly strike the area with artillery, kamikaze drones and guided aerial bombs, targeting homes and civilian infrastructure. Residents try to live their lives but are constantly on alert. Levels of sleeping disorders, stress and trauma are high. “The toll on children, teenagers and adults is immense,” shared one corps officer. “For many of the children, the only thing they can remember in their short lives is war, particularly those living in the temporarily occupied territories. Tragically, we have got used to bombings, missiles and drones. It’s not good, we know that, but it’s our reality.” The officers and leaders of the Ukraine Division of the Eastern Europe Territory who are serving, ministering to and supporting their corps and local communities as the war continues. The women who wait Everywhere we went, we spoke to so many women, of all ages, waiting for their husbands, sons, grandsons, other relatives and friends to return from the front. Fear, worry, tension and hope were etched into their faces. “I am from Kherson,” said Antonina, after a corps program in Western Ukraine. “My son is a medic in the Army, not far from the frontline. We worry when we don’t hear from him, but he calls when he can. If it’s been a while, I feel such anxiety, such fear. The Russians took my home, lived in it for a while, and then destroyed all of it. Both floors of our little home, our garden. I feel such pain when I think of it, I simply can’t tell you …” She started to cry and walked away. “My grandson is 16 and is stuck in the temporarily occupied territories,” a worried grandmother shared. “We are trying to get him out, but it’s very difficult and expensive. It’s hard to talk to him, too. The connection is very bad, and apps have been blocked. I feel so helpless, but we will never give up trying.” Oxana’s husband is in the military. He is not at the frontline but often travels into ‘hot spots’. She looks after their young family and works full-time. “I worry about him all the time,” she says. “I worry that he will be sent to the front, that something terrible will happen to him, and we will never see him again.” Another corps member shared that her son is fighting at the front, but she doesn’t always know where. “He can’t tell me where he is when he calls,” she said. “I am just glad to hear his voice and pray God will bring him home.” The pain of loss Heartbreakingly, though, so many no longer wait. They know what has happened to their loved ones, and their intense grief is overwhelming. “My grandson was killed in the war,” one woman told us. “My focus now is on helping my daughter through this grief and pain. He was such a good boy, and now he is gone.” Another elderly lady, through sobs and regular pauses, shared about the deaths of her husband and then her nephew. “The pain is so intense, it just takes my breath away,” she said, in barely a whisper. “Our whole country is suffering like this. I just have to get through each day. I don’t want to, but I know I have to, and my husband would want me to. Thank God I can come to the corps. There are no solutions, but I get a moment of peace here.” The evidence of the thousands who have been killed is everywhere. In the centre of Kyiv, just below the Mother of Ukraine statue on Independence Square (Maidan), thousands of blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags line the pathways of one side of the square, with photos of so many young men and women alongside them. Beloved trinkets or candles adorn many of these tributes. People walk around them silently, hands on hearts, heads bowed, many in tears. Flags representing those who have fallen in war fly beneath the Mother of Ukraine statue in Kyiv. Click on the video to see a small section of the tributes to fallen soldiers. We saw these collections of flags and photos in many squares in towns and cities across the country. They also line the streets of many little villages – one tiny village we drove through, which consisted of only a few streets of houses, had hundreds of flags on display. The heavy sadness in the air was palpable, and our travelling group was silent as we passed through. On the other side of the village, fields of bright, yellow canola (rapeseed) stretch for kilometres, and golden-domed churches glitter in the sun. The contrast is almost surreal. Cities, towns and villages across the country remember and honour the fallen. Never forgotten Every morning at 9am, the entire country stops for a minute of silence to remember those killed fighting for Ukraine. People stand, mostly with heads bowed, wherever they are. Shop staff often come onto the streets. Cars stop, and many drivers get out – we saw quite a few go down on one knee in respect. In smaller towns, traffic is halted, and loudspeakers broadcast a message of respect and honour, or sometimes just a quiet tick, tick, tick. If we were travelling by car, Major Konstantyn Shvab, Ukraine Divisional Commander, would stop the car wherever we were, pulling over if he could, or simply joining others who had turned on their hazard lights. He explained that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, few people observed the Minute of Silence. “As the war dragged on, though, and more and more people were killed, it became more important to observe,” he shared. “And now it’s huge. And everyone also knows and celebrates all the national Ukrainian days.” Most of the country stops for the Minute of Silence every day at 9am. Click on the video to watch part of a Minute of Silence in Lviv. War is everywhere In cities, towns and villages in Central and Western Ukraine, far from the frontline, war is still ever-present. Tragically, Kyiv regularly experiences missile, drone and bomb attacks, with dozens killed and injured every month. And even in places where attacks happen less often, nowhere is exempt, and nowhere is really safe. Across the country, there are reminders of war – bombed-out buildings, monuments protected by scaffolding and cathedral windows boarded up. People cast anxious glances at the sky and startle at loud noises. Billboards share the stories of fallen soldiers. Trenches and varying degrees of fortifications are present in many parks, and generators of all sizes are common sights on the streets and inside buildings. Evidence of war is everywhere, even far from the frontline. Nowhere is totally safe. Through the generosity of international Salvation Army project funding, each corps has a generator, ready for the frequent power outages, so ministry can continue. And Salvation Army ministry does continue – worship, programs and outreach – with so much of its response geared to those impacted by the war – which is almost everyone. The female officers can leave the country at any time, but they have chosen not to. Rather, they stay and serve their corps and communities, standing alongside them during these dark and difficult days. Officers, employees and volunteers help encourage and support others, providing physical, emotional and spiritual care to so many in times of grief, uncertainty and exhaustion. This happens all over the country, including in regions close to the frontline. Life goes on In many ways, life does continue – it has to – but for most people, it is anything but normal. Just under the surface of laughter, celebrations, and the everyday is a tension, an uncertainty, and a weariness borne of more than four years of war. There is strength, determination, hope and commitment, but there is also grief, sadness and a deep desire for the war to just be over. As one senior soldier of a corps said, “I know we have hope, and I trust in God, but I am so tired. I just want the war to be over and Jesus to return.” *Names and locations have been changed

Born from a simple idea at North Brisbane Corps (Qld), Brick Masters is a kids' club for children in grades two to six. It uses the universal appeal of Lego to bring young people together, and to open doors to faith and Jesus. The program blends fun building challenges with meaningful themes drawn from The Salvation Army's Kidzone Magazine, and is proving that something as simple as a handful of bricks can build far more than just creations. Download the Brick Masters handbook to access this exciting new children’s ministry resource, developed by North Brisbane Corps and designed for Salvation Army churches across Australia.

In the agricultural region of Colac (Vic), The Salvation Army centre has become a place where hundreds of people find food, showers, healthcare referrals, employment support — and a sense of belonging. Distributing three to four tonnes of food aid every Friday, they have a dedicated family of 140 passionate volunteers, many of whom once came through the doors needing help themselves. “No matter the time or day, the focus is on caring for people's physical, emotional and spiritual needs,” says Corps Leader Josiah Van Niekerk.

Commissioners Garth and Patti Niemand are originally from the Southern Africa Territory. By COMMISSIONER EDWARD HILL Chief of the Staff On behalf of the General, I am happy to announce that he has chosen and appointed Commissioner Garth Niemand to be the Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Patti Niemand to be World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, effective from 1 October 2026. They will succeed my wife, Commissioner Shelley Hill, and I, who will be retiring from active officer service. Commissioners Garth and Patti Niemand entered The Salvation Army Training College in 1998 and were ordained and commissioned as Lieutenants in 1999 as members of the Forward 2000 Session in the Southern Africa Territory. Their ministry began with three years of corps and community service leadership at a Corps and Goodwill Centre in Pietermaritzburg. In 2003, as captains, they were appointed Corps Officers of Johannesburg City Corps. From 2004 to 2008, they also served as Administrators of Johannesburg Social Services, during which time Garth additionally fulfilled responsibilities as Sectional Youth Officer. In 2008, both officers were appointed to Territorial Headquarters. Garth became Territorial Public Relations Secretary, and Patti was appointed Territorial Planned Giving and Legacy Director. In 2010, Garth assumed the role of Assistant Secretary for Business Administration, and in 2011 Garth and Patti were appointed Territorial Secretary for Business Administration and Territorial Social Programme Secretary, respectively. Throughout this period, both contributed significantly to the development of future officers through regular lecturing at the College for Officer Training. In 2015, now serving as majors, they were appointed to the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory. Garth became the territory’s first Territorial Secretary for Business Administration, and Patti served as Assistant Programme Secretary (Social). In January 2018, Patti was appointed Territorial Secretary for Programme. Later that year, on 1 November 2018, Garth and Patti were appointed Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, respectively, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 2019, Patti also assumed responsibility as Territorial Secretary for Leader Development. On 1 May 2020, as colonels, they were appointed Territorial Leaders of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory. On 1 September 2023, they were appointed as commissioners to International Headquarters, where Garth serves as International Secretary for Business Administration and Patti as World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development. Garth holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Theology, and qualifications in Accounting and Leadership. Patti holds a Bachelor of Theology and an Ascent Leadership Certificate. Commissioner Garth Niemand will be the first Chief of the Staff from a supported territory, and the first from Africa. I know you will join me in assuring Commissioners Niemand of our prayers and support as they prepare, both in heart and mind, to assume the significant responsibilities that will be entrusted to them in service to our international leaders and the worldwide mission of The Salvation Army.

Jena Clarke works with TSA's Policy and Advocacy team. Image: Supplied The Salvation Army’s Policy and Advocacy team recently welcomed another staff member, Support Coordinator Jena Clarke. The Policy and Advocacy team is part of The Salvation Army’s newly formed Centre for Mission Impact, and advocates to influence key decision makers and those who have the power to implement social policy change across state and federal jurisdictions in Australia. Salvos Online journalist KIRRALEE NICOLLE recently caught up with Jena to find out about her background, her passions, and why she loves what The Salvation Army does. Can you tell me a little bit about your background and how you ended up here at the Salvos? Sure. I graduated from my undergraduate in 2024, having studied social justice and creative writing. I really loved my time at uni, and I learned a lot about the world, its need for justice and ways of achieving justice and equity through that process. In 2025, I spent time volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers around Sydney, and that was a really rewarding experience and something that I still do currently. I loved those connections, but I knew that I wanted a role where I could use my gifts in writing and language to make change. So, I joined Policy and Advocacy in November as a volunteer to learn about what the team did, and it quickly became clear that I wanted to further dedicate myself to the incredible work the Policy and Advocacy team was doing. That's a really interesting combination – social justice and creative writing. What are some ways that you've used that already, in either in this role or previously? I think the strengths of that combination came to the fore at uni. All of my creative writing assignments had a bit of a social justice twist to them, and I felt like I was using writing and stories to talk about society and about what was going on for real people. Then as I've come into this team, I use the same skills to edit work or to analyse it. I'm learning a lot from the team because it’s a different kind of writing, but I have a deep appreciation of language as something so powerful and so I'm so glad I can bring that appreciation into this role. You've already mentioned that you've done some volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers, but I’m curious about what specifically draws you about this work and about the work of the Salvos? I think it's pretty clear that the Salvos have such a big reach around Australia and have been making changes for people on an individual level, on a community level and on a wider level for a long time. As someone who wanted to use my skills to help make change, I was really keen to get on board with Policy and Advocacy and to see what their work was doing for people in Australia. Since volunteering with the team and now being on staff, I’m seeing that we take what we see in Salvos services and we share that with state and Commonwealth and say, ‘Hey, this is what people really need, and this is what this is what will be beneficial for the people that we are interacting with’. I sometimes found that when you study and think about all the difficult things that we face in society, it can feel like there's no hope, but I feel like Salvos has this real hopefulness about it as an organisation. And that comes through in this kind of advocacy work, because we're having the real conversations and we're trying to make change for people in a really structural way. Outside of work, what are your interests and hobbies? I love words. I love to write, and I love to read. I’m always reading short stories. While our personalities don’t align, I love the way Hemingway wrote! I have a great appreciation for the way he used setting to tell the whole story and get a deeper point across. What are your hopes for this role going forward, and what are some of the things that you're looking forward to? I’m excited to grow in this role. I’ve got a lot of passion and to be able to learn from the expertise of the team is unreal. I'm looking forward to supporting the team in the work that they do, and I'm also keen to use my gifts to benefit others.

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 (8-14 June) we pray for The Salvation Army in the India Eastern Territory. The India Eastern Territory has 405 officers (304 active, 101 retired); 24 cadets; 13 Aux-Capts; 252 corps; 168 outposts and societies; 40,818 senior soldiers; 183 adherents;10,510 junior soldiers; 170 employees Commissioners Colonels Lalbulliana Tlau and Lalnunhlui Khawlhring lead the territory. The work of the territory includes: · Education · Support for elderly people · Rehabilitation centres · Modern slavery and human trafficking response Praise and prayer points for the India Eastern Territory: Praise points · We thank God for the success of all the programs in 2025. · We give glory to God for the success of the Ordination, Commissioning and Appointment Service for the seven Lieutenants on 11 April 2026, Keepers of the Covenant Session 2024-2026. · We praise God for the faithful Salvationists who made generous contributions to support the smooth running of the territory and help it sustain itself. · We thank God for the 13 Territorial Evangelism Ministry speakers who have travelled, preached and nurtured Salvationists without pay, all year round. · We thank God for the 'Soldier of the Cross' and evangelist teachers who served the Lord in difficult places with very minimum pay. A recent 'Festival of Praise' in the India Eastern Territory. Prayer Requests · For the visit of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham to the Territorial Congress of the India Eastern Territory from 17-19 October in Nepal, and from 20-27 October in Aizawl. · For Salvationists and Officers of India Eastern Territory, that the territory may grow stronger as a self-supporting territory, especially in meeting the many needs of the weaker centres. · For Women's Ministries – the strong backbone of the territory. · For the ongoing cadets undergoing field training in three divisions. · For Prayer Mountain, where 14,434 people from different denominations will visit this year. Pray also for the on-going developmental works. · For the 14 Social Institutions: Baby Homes (2), Boys Homes (6), Blind School (2), Adult Rehabilitation Centre, Hearing Impaired, Girls Home and Home for the Aged. · For the production and tailoring centre run by Women's Ministries which has provided care and job opportunities for vulnerable women trained in the tailoring centres. · For the 18 territorial evangelical speakers. Some of them come from underprivileged families and need prayer support in every aspect of their lives and ministry. · For Men's Fellowship Sunday, to be observed on 19 July 2026, that the India Eastern Territory may be blessed with more dedicated and self-sacrificing men. · For the Salvation Army Youth Action Plan 2026, 'Bring them in 2.0', that more youths and members will be brought in. · For the Young People Corps and the Corps Cadets, along with all the Sergeants and Company Guards who serve the children with their best. To find out more about the India Eastern, click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.