Arise Men’s Camp organiser Lieutenant Keven Williams and speaker Dr Sean Nolan at the Collaroy event. All photos: Bryan Bartlett BY LAUREN MARTIN   The Arise Men’s Camp at The Salvation Army’s Collaroy Centre on Sydney’s northern beaches was abuzz with the holy spirit earlier this month, as 130 men from their 20s to their 80s gathered to hear from God and support each other.   With busloads of men coming from several corps in the Victoria Division, the annual Arise Men’s Camp has grown over the past few years, with organiser Lieutenant Keven Williams saying he has never seen more hunger for God in the room than he witnessed at this event.   “There was a huge hunger for the spirit this year … really from the word ‘go’, from Friday night’s session right through until Sunday, we had people captivated, we had people engaging. You could sense the spirit in the room,” Keven said.   Dr Sean Nolan from Shire Salvos taught on being ‘chosen’ at the 2025 Arise Men’s Camp. This year, a large contingent of young adults attended from various corps across the division over the weekend of 24-26 October.   “We had about 30 people under 30 in the room,” said Keven. “It was like the younger generation brought an energy into the room and the older generation were catching onto the spirit of being young again – the vibe was just phenomenal.”   Dr Sean Nolan, of Shire Salvos in southern Sydney, taught on 1 Peter 2:9, that those in attendance were God’s chosen people, the royal priesthood, God’s special possession and that they have been called out of darkness and into the wonderful kingdom of light.   “There was a real sense that everyone there was specifically chosen by God to be there,” said Keven. “Sean’s teaching opened up for the men to consider what God is calling them to arise into.”   Feedback shared with the organising team included comments such as people learning “a better awareness of where I am with the Lord”, that they are “closer to Jesus” and the “the importance of mentoring/praying for one another.”   For Keven, he sensed that the men there really caught the vision of being spiritual fathers and sons.   “I would want to see coming out of this event that men would catch the vision of mentoring and praying with each other. Walking alongside each other and doing life together.”   Keven, who is the NSW/ACT Divisional Men’s Ministry Champion as an additional role to his Eastern Beaches Corps Officer appointment, says he would gladly come alongside any corps or Salvo who wants to invest in raising up healthy, godly men in their corps and communities.   “ If they are keen to either speak about having a young adult men’s or inter-generational men’s ministry at their corps, if they want to learn more about mentoring or father-and-sonship, just reach out because I’m willing to come and spend a few hours or a day to do some training and support.”   Keven is currently working with his counterpart in the Men’s Ministry space in Victoria to explore how an event like Arise could work within that division. Click through the slideshow below for more photos from the weekend:

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a particular territory or region of The Salvation Army.   The focus territory/region shares prayer requests to help us pray with precision and power for one another.   This week ( 3-9 November ), we pray for the Latin America North Territory.   The countries that make up the Latin America North Territory are Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela.   The Latin America North Territory has 173 officers (146 active and 27 retired); 4 cadets; 69 corps; 1 outpost; 5090 senior soldiers; 1754 adherents; 2362 junior soldiers; 150 employees.   Colonels Evangelina and Leonardo Fernández lead the Latin America North Territory. They have shared the following points to guide us as we pray: Prayer Requests ·   For soldiers, with gratitude to God for their faithfulness and commitment to the mission. Pray that they will be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and obedient to God's call to full-time service in all areas of life. ·   For officers, who are facing weakened family economies, yet remain steadfast in their unwavering commitment and dedication to ministry. ·   For new candidates, men and women who are called to serve the Lord as officers in The Salvation Army. We pray for a renewed movement of calling and response, and for the strengthening of the officer force across the territory where the need is great. ·   For the Territorial Prayer Gathering, asking for a special time of visitation from the Holy Spirit. ·   For the Ordination and Commissioning Meeting, ‘Champions of the Mission’, to be held in December. Pray for safe travels and a victorious time as we celebrate this important event. ·   For the Cadets, Officers, and their families at College For Officer Training in Cuba, who are enduring difficult circumstances due to power outages and food shortages, yet continue with a spirit of service and deep worship. ·   For the officers and people in Venezuela who are navigating significant political, social and financial instability. May God sustain them and provide peace, strength and provision. ·   For the situation in Nicaragua and our current status with the government, amid the risk of being banned like thousands of other NGOs. We pray especially for a highly impactful social project currently underway, which is transforming the lives of hundreds of people. ·    For more souls, and for new ways and opportunities to share the gospel across the 10 countries of the territory. ·    For the new Strategic Plan 2026–2030; for vision, discernment, and progress for the Army. ·    For new income-generating initiatives and funding opportunities that will expand ministry impact and improve living conditions for those we serve. ·    May the Lord grant wisdom, discernment, strength, physical health, and peace to territorial leaders so they may lead his people according to his will. ·    For the country of Cuba, which throughout the year 2025, has faced serious problems with the electrical service affecting all aspects of life. ·    For the physical health of our officers and their families at the territorial level. ·    For the department of Women’s Ministries who, in October, celebrated various activities which had a transformative impact on the lives of women and their families for Christ. ·    Let us celebrate a special time of prayer under the theme INCLUSION at the Territorial Prayer Gathering on Friday 7 November 2025. ·   For the economy in each country to know how to administer the blessings of the Lord.   To find out more about the Latin America North Territory, click here . To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .   To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here .

The front cover of the War Cry in November 1935, depicting a family that has been impacted by a father’s gambling habit. (Background photo: Philippe Oursel) BY BARRY GITTINS Some 164 years ago, on 7 November 1861, a field of 17 horses made their way around Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse for the inaugural Melbourne Cup.   It was a day out for the 4000 people who attended, but perhaps none of them would realise how large the event would become. By 1895, 34 years after it kicked off, visiting American humorist and raconteur Mark Twain said the Melbourne Cup astonished him, and that “nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation”. Mark Twain was in awe of the cup's popularity. The event has become known as the ‘Race that stops a nation’. It boasts $8.6 million in prize money and has long been marked by a Victorian public holiday, and tens of thousands cram themselves into the locale every first Tuesday in November to try their luck. But beyond the pageantry and colour of the Melbourne Cup, past the lure of easy money and hopes of striking it rich, is the long history of social harm from gambling and substance abuse. That harm was decried long and loud by mobs such as The Salvation Army, who were decidedly and vociferously against gambling. The Salvos would often stage alternative events – sporting contests and concerts on the same day – to distract from the gee gees. From their pulpits and in their periodicals, they denounced gambling as a source of pain to families, and the Melbourne Cup as a ‘gambling saturnalia’ that Society, the Press and the State – not to forget the churches – were all naughty to tolerate. Often present to pick up the pieces when the man of the house had spent the household’s budget on horses that didn’t place, the Salvos knew many kids that looked to go hungry, how many wives were bashed by drunken husbands, how many lives were impacted, how many families face eviction and homelessness – all through hazardous punts that did not pay off.   Gambling, they thundered, “embraces all races, all classes, and all ages in its octopus grip. Both sexes are equally guilty”. And w hen it came to gambling, the Salvos reckoned, “our politicians are, as a class, mere blind leaders of the blind”. The excerpt from a War Cry edition in 1935 giving its views on the Melbourne Cup. Consider the rhetoric of a 1935 jeremiad through which the Salvos waged war against gambling and the Cup: “A speculator in the [NSW] State Lottery has one chance of winning first prize and sixteen chances of being dead before the drawing takes place. Drink is not responsible for half the crime that betting and gambling are. The gambler enriches himself by another’s loss, extending even to the necessities of life of little children. His pleasure is achieved at the cost of another’s pain.” In the world of sport, the Salvos contended, “The event of the year [is] the Melbourne Cup, one of the greatest racing carnivals in the world, and one by which our fair country is best known by many of the world’s leading citizens.” NEED HELP?   Click here for Salvation Army Gambling Support Service The War Cry lamented that across the land, parliaments would be suspending their sitting sessions, booze would flow, libertines would frolic and that Australians “may be freely prostituted at the great pagan festival as 90,000 people, representing the majority of the nation, lay their offerings with spiritual frenzy on the high altar of this modern Moloch”. (Moloch, for those not up on Canaanite deities from the Bronze Age, was said to have been worshipped through child sacrifice.) Dramatising the event’s fervour further – a difficult task indeed – the Salvos said that “when the thrilling climax of a tidal emotion has been reached, and the noble animal which passed the winning post first has been acclaimed by the winners and bemoaned by the losers, the darker forces of licentiousness and debauchery will descend as the cavalry of hell, upon winners and losers alike, and complete the great holocaust”. Video footage and interviews from the Flemington grounds and carpark suggest that things haven’t really changed much in the past 90 years.   As for The Salvation Army, that body of men and women remains opposed to gambling and concerned at the social harm that betting has on families and those addicted to gambling. READ MORE: Gambling Support Service – new name, same committed service

BY ANTHONY CASTLE The highly anticipated Salvos Hope Cup returns to Gawler on Saturday 16 November, pairing the annual charity cricket match and family fun day in a powerful stand against homelessness.   Now in its fourth year, the charity cricket match between the Riverside All-Stars and Gawler Police isn’t just a game, but an important event for rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness across the region.   Raising funds to support vital services such as sleeping pods, emergency accommodation, food relief, and long-term housing solutions, the Hope Cup has become a crucial response to the housing crisis.  The Riverside Salvos , led by Major Darren Dwyer, Gawler’s Citizen of the Year, continue to open their doors daily, providing showers, meals, and critical support to the vulnerable.   The Salvation Army’s Social Justice Stocktake found that South Australia, like the rest of the nation, is experiencing a housing crisis, with around 7410 people experiencing homelessness in the state alone.   Not having a safe and secure home makes every part of life more difficult, and almost seven out of 10 South Australians participating in the report identified housing affordability and homelessness as an issue in their community.   This year’s goal is to raise $75,000, with a strong start of $28,000 already secured at the recent Gala Launch featuring cricket legend Ian Chappell.   The Hope Cup will be held on 16 November from 9.45am-4.30pm at Trinity College Oval, with a short church service at 9am.   Attractions include food, mini-golf, axe throwing, pedal go-carts, pedal ponies, historical vehicles, a petting zoo, face painting, stalls, and more. Gold coin donation at gate with all profits raised to support those sleeping rough. Riverside Gawler Salvos Corps Officer Major Darren Dwyer and Senior Sgt. Rob Mowday from Gawler Police ready to do battle on the cricket field. Image: supplied

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

General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham enrolled Junior Soldiers at the Sunday Service celebrating 25 years of service in Macau. BY COLONEL DESLEA MAXWELL AND CAPTAIN JOYCE LAM LEE NOI-YAN   In a landmark visit from 10-17 October, Salvation Army international leaders General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) travelled to Macau, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong to celebrate key milestones and strengthen regional partnerships.   The visit to Macau, themed  Legacy of Hope , marked 25 years of Salvation Army service in the region. It was a moment of reflection and celebration, honouring the Army’s enduring commitment to spiritual care, social services and community development. The General and Commissioner Buckingham visited several centres, meeting staff and service users, and expressed heartfelt appreciation for their dedication and impact. A civic function held in honour of the anniversary and the leaders’ visit brought together dignitaries, community leaders and representatives from various sectors to celebrate the Army’s legacy and ongoing influence in Macau. Continuing their journey into mainland China, the Buckinghams visited The Amity Foundation and Amity Printing Company Limited, reinforcing collaborative ties and local partnerships. Throughout the journey, the Buckinghams’ presence reaffirmed The Salvation Army’s commitment to serving communities with compassion and integrity. Engagement with government officials, community leaders and partners highlighted the Army’s enduring values of faith, service and partnership across the region. The leaders attended officers councils in Hong Kong on 17 October. They spoke on the theme of God as Shepherd, encouraging officers with the Word of God and spiritual reflection. Many responded in prayer at the mercy seat, seeking renewal and strength – a deeply moving moment for all present. Later that day, the leaders participated in the opening ceremony of the Recycling Programme’s Logistic Centre, visited Queen’s Hill School and attended the charity civic dinner. The General expressed gratitude and recognition for the Army’s partners, service users and colleagues, and encouraged all to focus on the God of abundant grace. The Buckinghams’ visit was impactful and will continue to resonate within The Salvation Army’s Hong Kong and Macau Territory.  Four Australian officers serve in this territory. Colonels Deslea and Philip Maxwell are the territorial leaders of the Hong Kong and Macau Territory, Major Julia Price is the Protection Coordinator for Children and Vulnerable Adults and Spiritual Life Development Secretary, and Major Glenn Price is Secretary for Business Administration. For more images, click on the slideshow below.

Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Social Services (right) with The Salvation Army’s Lorrinda Hamilton (3rd from right, middle row), Lauren Chisholm (2nd right, middle row) and Marcus Tawfik (2nd right, back row) and Victoria Police personnel. BY SIMONE WORTHING The Salvation Army’s innovative Alexis Family Violence Response model (Alexis FVRM) has just received a $1.5 million investment from the Victorian Government.   The model aims to reduce family violence for victim-survivors and to achieve accountability among perpetrators.   Natalie Hutchins, the Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, announced the investment this week, with funding coming from the Labor Government’s Strengthening Women’s Safety Package.   The Alexis FVRM was created in partnership with Victoria Police and The Salvation Army in 2014, after mutual recognition that a more targeted and specialised response was needed for high-risk and recidivist family violence. This is achieved by embedding specialist family violence practitioners into Family Violence Investigation Units, with one practitioner supporting the victim survivor (and children) and the other supporting the person using violence. “It’s particularly exciting that the innovative response by The Salvation Army some years ago is now positively shaping the government’s response to family violence service delivery,” said Major Claire Emerton, Head of Social and Community Mission. The Alexis FVRM currently works across Prahran, Bayside, Morwell and Wonthaggi (Victoria). The additional funding will enable the program to expand to two new sites based on police advice. “The Alexis FVRM provides a collaborative, real-time response to high-risk family violence,” said Lauren Chisholm, Senior Manager, Integrated Men’s Services. “It brings practitioners and police together to share information, make joint decisions, and deliver coordinated interventions that strengthen safety and accountability. Operating through a whole-of-family approach, the model supports both victim-survivors and people using violence, aiming to break the cycle of harm and promote long-term change. “With assertive outreach and flexible, intensive support, Alexis proactively engages families who are often disconnected from mainstream services due to complex, intersecting barriers. This approach enables timely, trauma-informed interventions at critical moments, supporting individuals and families from crisis through to recovery.” Track record Lorrinda Hamilton, Salvation Army National General Manager – Family Violence and Modern Slavery, said, “We welcome the announcement of government investment into the successful Alexis Family Violence Response model.   “Evidence demonstrates a reduction in risk and recidivism while increasing the overall safety of victim-survivors.”   Minister Hutchins said, “This program has a proven track record of improving safety, holding perpetrators to account and supporting long-term behaviour change.   “This investment builds on the work we're doing right across Victoria to stop family violence before it starts, support victim-survivors and keep women and children safe.”   Victorian Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines, said, “Victoria Police plays a critical role in responding to family violence – having specialist workers embedded alongside officers means better support for victims from the very first call.   “These partnerships help police intervene earlier, better protect women and children and connect families with the services they need to stay safe.”   Some information for this story was taken from miragenews.com

Each month on Salvos Online , Rosy, the Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, shares her thoughts and reflections on the spiritual issues that shape our lives as Christians, exploring how our faith intersects with our everyday experiences and how we can deepen our relationship with God. Today, she focuses on making a difference – one life at a time.   “Again, he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’” (Mark 4:30–32 NIV).   I’ve been listening to Paul Kelly’s song From Little Things Big Things Grow on repeat. I tend to do that when I need to be reminded that it’s okay that all the things of ministry seem so small in the face of the need that is so great. It is from little things that the big things grow.   It’s no accident that Jesus describes the kingdom of God as the smallest of all seeds on earth. It’s no accident that it was a child with just a few fish and loaves that his mum packed for him in his lunchbox, who offered it up for one of the greatest miracles of all time.   “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9–10 NIV).   Even the disciples seemed distraught, but the little child offered what he had. After all, he’d heard that this Jesus was magic, wasn’t he?   “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” (Matthew 18:3–5 NIV).   We tend to think of older, established Christians in the faith as the ones to admire and look up to, as we should in some regards. But what about the ones we might ‘look down’ upon? Children are literally smaller and shorter. And yet these are the ones Jesus reminds us we might be like. Story upon story in the New Testament shows Jesus inviting the children into his presence, delighting in them and inviting others to consider them.   One line in The Salvation Army Australia’s vision statement says, ‘transforming Australia one life at a time’. Some have said, quite rightly, it’s too small an aim to only change one life around us, our whole lives. We want the whole community! We want the whole family! We want the whole country to know the Lord. And yet, consider this quote:   “If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities.   If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbours. If there is to be peace between neighbours, there must be peace in the home.   If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.”   This is from Lao Tzu, a 5th-century BC Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism. In Chinese, Tao means ‘the way’.   “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6 NIV).   There’s a well-known modern-day parable of the starfish. An old woman comes around the corner of the beach and sees thousands of starfish stranded. She notices a young girl picking them up one by one and taking them out to the ocean so they can survive. She says to her, “You can’t possibly save them all. Why bother at all? It won’t make a difference.”   And the young girl says, “It made a difference to that one.”   When I was thinking of how many starfish, how many people are in need, are on that beach each day, the thought suddenly struck me that I am a starfish too.   Jesus picked me up and put me back into the ocean of his love.   How must it be for Jesus, walking along the beach, looking at the thousands upon thousands, upon millions of stranded starfish, and wishing to pick each one up and save their lives? I join Jesus in the agonising love for God’s people, without trying to take over Jesus’ work for him.   The words from one of my favourite quotes: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” – Rabbi Tarfon   The feelings I have about wanting to see the whole world saved for Jesus, how much more does Jesus feel that himself? While I was praying and agonising over the sense of overwhelm I feel about the world and all that is needed, the Holy Spirit brought this Scripture to mind:   “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you…?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40 NIV).   When I talked to my husband, Scott, about it, I was amazed that it wasn’t “I was hungry and you built a bakery that fed thousands and became a ministry.” It wasn’t “I was thirsty and you built a well and a church sprang up around it.” It wasn’t “I needed clothes and you started a new clothes bank” or “I was in prison and you converted the whole prison.”   It was just the one.   And not only the one. It was the least.   I mean, praise God if all that happens as a result! But we must start with the little things for the big things to grow.   I’m wondering if we have a bit of a curse of scalability.   Scalability is the capacity to grow larger. If God’s kingdom is upside down, then that means it won’t make sense in the way business principles can be applied. We can’t only invest our time and capacity into things that might have a massive crop.   Sometimes numbers aren’t the best indication of health, and attendance isn’t the best representation of the Spirit at work. Some of the most meaningful spaces for spiritual growth in my life involve only three, four, or 10 people maximum. And some of the ideas or acts may never see the light of day, let alone become a feasible ministry.   The person we give a cup of water to might not turn out to be a soldier. The person we visit in prison might not convert their entire block. They might not even become a Christian! But Jesus says, whatever we do for the least, the one, the small, we’ve done for him.   So, where might we return to find the wisdom of the small things of this world? Will we slow down enough to listen?   The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 says that the servant who received one talent and buried it was unfaithful. Their defence? Well, they knew their master was a hard man, “So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” (Matthew 25:25 NIV).   They had only one talent to look after, so they wanted to return it as is, with no risk of loss.   If we consider the ‘talent’ we receive as a bag of seeds, we are called to be reckless sowers. We are to scatter our seed and investment, our time, money and talents, across all types of people and all circumstances, allowing the Lord to judge the soil for himself. We’re not to despair at the seed that appears lost. All we must do is sow.   It made a difference in my life. It makes a difference in your life.   It makes a difference for that one starfish.   And that one.   And that one.   Do it anyway.   Inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta:   People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.   The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Do good anyway.Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.   You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;It was never between you and them anyway.”

Assistant Museum Manager Don Callaghan and the boxes packed and ready for the move.. BY LAUREN MARTIN   The Salvation Army Museum’s Sydney campus is moving into a new space at Auburn Corps in Sydney’s west.   The museum (formerly known as a heritage centre) has been housed at The Salvation Army’s Bexley North property since 1983.   The moving process is in full swing with boxes being carefully packed under the supervision of Assistant Museum Manager Don Callaghan. Items on display at the Sydney Museum.  Don expects the museum to reopen at its new site later this year or in the new year. He says the new site will be located within the vibrant Auburn Corps’ ministry space, which will no doubt bring new people into contact with Salvation Army history.   “We will still be doing research as well,” he says. “The museum will be on the first floor, and office space and research space will be on the second floor.”   A reopening celebration is being planned for people to tour the new museum space.   More details will be communicated shortly on salvosonline.org.au   The Salvation Army Melbourne Museum remains at 69 Bourke St.

To be young and fully alive is the societal ideal we all strive toward and grieve when it feels lost, writes Kirralee Nicolle. BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  Death is everywhere. In a commercial sense, at the very least.   We’ve just had the time of the year when houses, supermarkets, novelty stores, craft shops and many other buildings are decked out in spiders’ webs, skeletons and fake blood. Halloween is typically a time of revelling in visuals of decay, gore and horror.  It isn’t fun or enjoyable for everyone. I’ve heard bereaved parents who have tragically lost children say that Halloween was a painful reminder of loss, especially paired with the rituals of trick or treating and small costumes. Of course, for many Christians, the day feels unnecessarily dark in a world where Jesus has overcome the power of death.  My family recently lost a loved one. Our household, which includes young children, has had to reckon with the finality and grief that accompany death. We’ve had conversations about what death means, what happens to our bodies when we die and have tried to begin the process of talking about what life after death looks like from a Christian perspective.  In all of this, I’ve been reminded of just how palpable the human fear of endings can be. We don’t want things to stop, because that would mean the end of what we definitively know to be true, possible and available to us. While the status quo continues, we can also keep disappointing ourselves and others in the small ways we fall short each day, with less guilt or remorse than if we knew exactly when all of this might come to its conclusion.   Not to mention, we love the thought and feeling of vitality. To be young and fully alive is the societal ideal we all strive toward and grieve when it feels lost. Death and decay are the antithesis of our world’s sense of hope – they undermine our sense of being able to maintain control and stay at the top of our game.  With all this in mind, I understand the draw of Halloween. It offers a hopeful subversion. If we can befriend death and turn it into a marketable product, perhaps it can be less frightening; warmer, cutesier.  Christians have also been accused, somewhat fairly, of being obsessed with death. We hang crosses on almost anything we can find, sing about tombs and death being taken into custody, and while The Salvation Army does not prioritise baptism, other church denominations symbolise death through immersion in water. Walk into a Catholic church, and you might be confronted with a lifelike Jesus, dripping with blood, face contorted in agony. Even the idea of being ‘promoted to Glory’ brings with it a certain labelling of what death means in The Salvation Army context, and its own cultural expectations. In this way, we all – believers or not – do our best to reckon with death’s solemn reality in whichever ways most soothe us and feel right in our spirits.   As Christians, we know this state in which death is a solemn reality to be a temporary one. As Revelation 21:4 states, Jesus will, one day, “wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Our hope is complete in knowing, in an eternal sense, that death will one day be no more.  I encourage you to consider how the idea of death sits in your spirit. What comes to mind when you think about death? Is it elements of your belief system, anxieties about your readiness and those you might leave behind, or something else? Has this changed over time for you?  If we can befriend death and turn it into a marketable product, perhaps it can be less frightening; warmer, cutesier. It’s not often a casual conversation topic in Australian culture, but I would encourage you to bring it up where you can. Talking about death, especially sharing our experiences and fears, brings it out of the abstract and the frightening into a realm where it can be held, touched and considered. We may find ourselves less inclined to run from the topic and more inclined to befriend death in a way that doesn’t simply line the pockets of corporations marketing Halloween decorations.  Because true peace cannot be bought. It has already been given to us, at no cost, by the Giver of Life himself – Jesus.

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?   I am currently a Corps Officer/Team Member for Greater Ballarat Salvos. My husband, Zane, and I are responsible for Ballarat Community Church. Within the centre, we run a café three days a week, and together with our fantastic volunteers, we serve a variety of food and drinks to the local community. Over the past month or so, we’ve seen a beautiful sense of community emerge – almost like a family. Everyone looks out for one another, while others simply enjoy sitting quietly and soaking in the welcoming atmosphere. I love the conversations that happen around the café tables. One of our regular community members recently said to someone new, “Oh yes, we know the ministers of the church – they’re just at the next table.” Moments like that remind me what a privilege it is to be part of this unique community. The café provides open invitations for genuine connection and conversations with people who want to know more about God and The Salvation Army. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind?   As someone who grew up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I love listening to music from that era. There’s just something about those songs – great melodies, meaningful lyrics, and a bit of nostalgia – that makes them wonderful to listen to. Another way I like to relax is by reading. I enjoy spending time in bookshops, second-hand bookstores, and libraries. I especially love autobiographies because I find people’s life stories fascinating. Everyone has a story to tell, and I always learn something new from their experiences.  3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?   I have many favourite Christian songs, so it’s hard to choose just one. Recently, however, I’ve been especially drawn to  Surrounded (Fight My Battles) written by Elyssa Smith and performed by Upperroom. Some of the lyrics say: This is how I fight my battles. It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by You. As an officer, I find that the spiritual battle is ongoing. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12,  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” When I listen to this song, it soothes my soul. The words provide comfort and remind me that no matter what battle I face, I am always surrounded by God. His presence and strength are all I need as I serve and minister for Him. 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?   If I could sit down and have a good talk with someone other than a biblical character or Jesus, it would have to be Catherine Booth. And yes, I know that sounds like the ‘obvious’ choice for a Salvation Army officer, since she co-founded the movement alongside William Booth. But honestly, that’s not why. When I was doing my degree, I had to complete a unit of study on Catherine Booth. To be completely honest, I wasn’t all that excited about it at first. I thought I already knew who she was – the co-founder, the preacher. But as I started reading her letters to William, her diary and her sermons, something inside me changed. I discovered someone far more real, far more human than I expected. Here was a woman who faced enormous struggles – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She battled illness, opposition and criticism, yet her faith never wavered. She didn’t just believe in Christ; she was compelled by Him. Sharing the gospel wasn’t just something she did – it was who she was. Catherine Booth’s story inspires me because it reminds me that faith isn’t meant to be comfortable. It’s meant to move us, stretch us and push us beyond ourselves. And like Catherine, I want to be someone whose faith compels me to tell others about Jesus, no matter what season I’m in. 5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   When I first felt God calling me to officership, I didn’t see it as a ‘career move’. In fact, I still don’t. Officership isn’t a job to me; it’s a lifestyle. It’s who I am, not just what I do. I live and breathe it every single day, whether I’m wearing The Salvation Army uniform or not. The Salvation Army, for me, is simply the vehicle that allows me to live out my personal relationship with Christ. It’s the way God has chosen for me to serve Him – to be His hands and feet in the world. “Would you recommend officership?” And honestly, that’s a hard question to answer. Because it’s not about my recommendation – it’s about God’s calling on your life. This is something only you can wrestle through with Him. Officership isn’t something you choose   like a career path; it’s something you respond to in obedience and trust. I’ll be honest, I wrestle with that call all the time. I have to come back to God time and time again and say, “Here I am again, Lord. Use me today.” I often tell people, “God has called me to serve as an officer today ,  and I’ll honour that call. But don’t ask me about tomorrow.” That might sound strange, but for me, it’s freeing. It allows me to live in the present, to focus on what God is doing right now, in this moment, and to simply enjoy the journey.

Emergency Services teams helped locals in Jamaica prepare for Hurricane Melissa in the days leading up to its landfall. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, leads the territory in prayer for those impacted by Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean. The full story follows the territorial commander’s message. I am deeply saddened by what we are seeing across the Caribbean. Overnight, and still now, the devastation of Hurricane Melissa continues to unfold. I invite you to join me in praying for our brothers and sisters who are facing unimaginable loss and hardship. Homes, schools, hospitals and businesses have been torn apart. Much of the island is without power. ‌‌The suffering is real and raw. We may not understand why this is happening but we hold onto the truth that God is near. ‌Let us pray together: For those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. For communities trying to find hope in the middle of destruction. For emergency workers and Salvation Army teams serving on the ground. For God’s comfort, strength and peace to be felt across the Caribbean. Let’s keep holding our friends across the Caribbean in prayer, that they would know strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Melissa’s impact widespread Hurricane Melissa, which was classified as a category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching up to 185 mph (298 km/h), has left an indelible mark across the Caribbean. Praying for those affected As Hurricane Melissa brings devastation to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations, we pause to pray for all those affected. We ask that those in the path of the storm may find refuge, support and protection. We also remember in prayer the volunteers, officers and members of the emergency services who are responding with courage, whose actions have included urging residents to relocate to government-designated shelters before the storm, as well as now assessing the needs on the ground. Unprecedented impact in Jamaica Hurricane Melissa, which was classified as a category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching up to 185 mph (298 km/h), has left an indelible mark on Jamaica. This powerful system is the most severe to strike the island in modern history, prompting the country’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to declare a state of catastrophe across the nation. Winds have reached extraordinary speeds, and the scale of destruction has been significant. Tragically, as the weather worsened before the hurricane reached Jamaica, three people lost their lives in incidents involving falling trees. The country now faces widespread disruption, including damage to infrastructure and essential services. Humanitarian organisations estimate that a substantial proportion of the population may be affected, with many people at risk of displacement, power cuts and loss of income. Wider regional effects The effects of Hurricane Melissa have not been limited to Jamaica. As the storm moved through the region, it brought heavy rain and strong winds to Cuba, particularly impacting the eastern provinces with flooding and property damage. In Haiti, authorities have issued the highest level of alert for some departments, as communities contend with flash flooding and landslides. The Dominican Republic has also experienced severe weather, resulting in swollen rivers and families forced to leave their homes. Meanwhile, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands have faced coastal flooding, power outages and the evacuation of vulnerable residents. The Salvation Army’s response The Salvation Army’s presence in Jamaica includes two divisions, 42 corps and nine outposts. These divisions have taken proactive steps to prepare for the severe weather, including visiting their corps communities in recent days to encourage residents to move to government-designated shelters. The Salvation Army in Jamaica also ministers to people living on the street and is working diligently to persuade them to seek safety in government evacuation shelters. “I believe that, despite the difficult context, we are doing the best we can.” In Cuba, as shared by Ricardo Gómez, Territorial Emergency Officer for Latin America North, there are two divisions. The Divisional Headquarters of Central Cuba is in Havana, which oversees 14 corps and 25 active officers. In Holguín, about 16 hours away by land, the Divisional Headquarters of Eastern Cuba is responsible for 10 corps and 20 active officers. In total, Cuba has 24 corps and 45 officers. Daryl Crowden, General Manager for Emergency, Aid and Development at The Salvation Army said Australia's role was in an advisory capacity only at this stage. “Emergency, Aid and Development are receiving updates, and following the rapid assessments by the Territories, we will consider requests for support,” Daryl said. Monitoring and ongoing support In the Eastern Cuba Division, the situation is particularly tense as the hurricane appears to be heading directly towards Holguín after passing over Jamaica. An emergency team, led by the Divisional Commander and two experienced volunteers, is in place. Continuous monitoring of the emergency is underway, and local members are coordinating with government emergency teams. High-risk areas have been identified, and the wellbeing and safety of all Salvation Army members are being closely monitored. At present, everyone appears to be in a safe area. Ricardo explains: “There is some concern about how slowly this hurricane is moving, as that means its effects in one place could last much longer than usual. For now, everyone is praying that it dissipates in the Atlantic, but if that’s not the case, I believe that, despite the difficult context, we are doing the best we can.” International Emergency Services at International Headquarters is in regular contact with the Caribbean and the Latin America North territories and stands ready to assist. Please keep our colleagues, friends and the communities likely to be affected by this event in your thoughts and prayers. ‌