(From left) Auxiliary-Lieutenant Katharine Brown, Salvos Stores Area Manager Jeff McCartney and Fairfield Corps volunteer Joseline at the Coffee and Connect ministry inside Salvos Stores Fairfield in south-west Sydney. BY LAUREN MARTIN Every second Monday, when people walk into Salvos Stores Fairfield in south-west Sydney, they are greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The source? A coffee machine manned by members of the nearby corps, who invite people to connect, share life and pray. ‘Coffee and Connect’ is a ministry that started this year after months of prayer. Auxiliary-Lieutenants Katharine and Russell Brown, Corps Officers at Fairfield, felt led by the Holy Spirit to their Salvos Store, and a prayer walk with others confirmed it. “The aim is to make relational connection, and share the love of Jesus with the volunteers, staff and community members,” said Katharine. “While prayer-walking in Fairfield with the other members of the South West Hub team, it was confirmed that Salvos Stores Fairfield would be a place of connection.” So far, God has opened doors for Katharine and a ministry volunteer, Joseline, to come alongside people who are lonely, isolated, and newly arrived in Australia. “One lady mentioned she felt like Jesus hugged her through the love that was shown to her,” said Katharine. “Another lady returned in the next fortnight to say that after we prayed for understanding in the relationship between her and her son, she had noticed there was a great sense of peace in her household.” One woman who reconnected with Katharine and Joseline at Coffee and Connect joined them for church at Fairfield Corps that Sunday. For Katharine, getting out of the corps building and into the community is an important part of discipleship – following the ways of Jesus. “Jesus primarily ministered to marginalised people by healing the sick and proclaiming good news of His Kingdom in the places where crowds gathered in the community,” she says. “This is part of Jesus’ ‘go’ ministry that he is calling us as a Salvation Army movement back to, in this modern context.” The ministry has been fully backed by Salvos Stores Fairfield Manager Julie Bryce and Area Manager Jeff McCartney, who said: “Coffee and Connect assists the store in letting locals see the bigger picture as to what The Salvation Army is and does. It also gives our team (volunteers and staff) an understanding that there is more to what they do than just ‘sell stuff’. “Let’s not only spread the word of God but also spread the good news that Salvos Stores is more than just a shop. It’s The Salvation Army and a place where the community can be in their ‘happy place’.”

Students listen in during the Homelessness Workshop before heading out on the walking tour. REFLECTION BY LERISSE SMITH The juxtaposition was impossible to ignore. Across a serene Melbourne city park, a photographer captured the joy of a bride and groom on their wedding day. Their moment was filled with celebration and hope for a future of love, financial security, and a place to call home. Nearby, a group of Year 9 students were captured in a very different moment. As part of a learning activity, they were asked to imagine being a young person experiencing homelessness with only $50 to survive the next 24 hours. While one group celebrated the hope of a secure future, the other was considering what life would be like if that security disappeared. As I joined students and teachers from Hawkesdale College for the Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour, it quickly became clear that this was far more than a school excursion. It was a compelling, real-world experience that challenged students’ assumptions about homelessness and encouraged them to consider how they might respond with compassion and contribute to meaningful change. Students were invited to step beyond assumptions and encounter homelessness not as a statistic or a headline, but as a human experience shaped by circumstance, vulnerability, resilience – and hope. Watching the students engage, I was reminded that some of the most powerful learning happens beyond the classroom. I found myself learning alongside them – reminded that understanding often begins when we are willing to listen before we judge. Listening to Bronwyn Covill, Victorian Schools Engagement Program Leader, guide the workshop through discussion, activities, and lived-experience videos, I was struck by how quickly assumptions began to shift. The conversation moved beyond what homelessness looks like to understanding the complex circumstances that can lead someone to a place they never imagined they would end up. And one truth stood out immediately: homelessness is often hidden in plain sight. It reinforced that homelessness could affect anyone, with causes ranging from family violence and a lack of affordable housing to financial hardship and relationship breakdown. The distance between stability and crisis is often much shorter than we imagine. It’s easy to believe homelessness happens to ‘other people’ until we recognise how quickly circumstances can change. A single event can reshape a life. As we walked through Melbourne’s CBD, listening to stories of people who had experienced homelessness and visiting places of refuge with Salvos Schools Engagement Coordinator, Hannah Fowler, after the workshop at Project 614, I was reminded of John, an older gentleman I interviewed several years earlier. Salvos Schools Engagement Coordinator Hannah Fowler leads students and teachers from Hawkesdale College on the Homelessness Walking Tour of Melbourne. Once living what many would describe as the Australian dream – with a successful business, financial security, luxury cars and a home – he was struck by a serious accident that left him out of action for many months, triggering a chain of events that eventually saw him lose his livelihood, the cars, his wealth and his home. He still recalls the indignity of sleeping under bridges, the stench of certain public toilet blocks, and the constant hunger that accompanied life without a safe place to call home. With support from The Salvation Army, John eventually rebuilt his life. He told me that having a front door, a warm bed and a private bathroom felt like living in a palace. His story has stayed with me because it challenges how we define security, success and what it truly means to feel at home. Together, John’s story and the stories shared throughout the tour reinforced that homelessness is not a distant issue but a human reality unfolding in the communities we pass through every day. And as the tour drew to a close, I saw firsthand that when young people are given the opportunity to engage with complex issues, they leave informed, inspired, and ready to champion social change. This is reflected in the actions of many students, who leave not only with greater awareness but also with a desire to turn compassion into action. Some schools go on to organise a range of fundraising initiatives, from sleep-outs and support for the Salvos Red Shield Appeal to volunteering with their local Salvos corps and preparing Christmas hampers. Others develop ongoing partnerships with their corps and local communities. I left the tour with a renewed sense of hope. Hope not only for the young people who took part, but also for the conversations and actions they will carry into their communities. Hope found in the dedication and passion of the Salvos Schools team, who remind us that behind every statistic is a person with a story – someone who deserves to be respected, seen and heard. Hope found in the compassion of a classroom full of engaged teenagers eager to make the world a better place. And hope found in journeys such as John's – a reminder that behind every story of homelessness is a person, a journey, and the possibility of a new beginning. To go to The Salvation Army Homelessness Week 2026 website, click here.

A Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour in progress in Melbourne. A city walk-and-talk might not sound life-changing, but for thousands of students across Australia, the Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour is proving transformative. By combining a Homelessness Workshop with a powerful city tour, the program immerses students in real places and real stories, opening their eyes to the diverse experiences of homelessness and creating powerful opportunities for corps to build strong connections with school communities. As Australia marks Homelessness Week 2026 with the theme ‘Homelessness Action Now’, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spoke with the Salvos Schools team about their impactful educational program and how it is equipping the next generation with the knowledge, empathy and confidence to champion meaningful social change. It’s no ordinary school excursion. A group of Year 9 students from Hawkesdale College in regional Victoria stand quietly in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Traffic rushes past. Around them, the city carries on as normal. Over the next hour, these familiar streets will become a classroom unlike any other. What follows is a powerful experiential tour that explores sites of refuge and stories of lived experience related to one of the nation’s most pressing social issues: homelessness. It aims to foster compassion, build empathy, and empower students to take social justice action to address the growing crisis. “I feel so inspired to know that this generation and these students in Victoria that have participated now have the language to respond to homelessness,” reflects Grace Davidson, National Schools Engagement Manager, when discussing the greatest impact of the tours. “To have an understanding that is informed by evidence of lived experience rather than stereotypes. I just have so much faith and drive that this is supporting people today by telling them about the assistance available and potentially some destigmatisation around experiences of hardship … There’s compassion, there’s action from how the school supports The Salvation Army following the tour, but also a generation going forward with compassion and understanding.” Grace Davidson running a Homelessness Workshop as part of the Salvos Schools tour. Since its inception over 10 years ago, the Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour has expanded across the nation with great success, providing an educational and impactful experience for students in Years 9 to 12. It now operates in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. At the heart of the experience is a two-hour journey that combines a one-hour Homelessness Workshop with a one-hour city tour. The workshop uses activities, videos and discussion to unpack how and why people experience homelessness in Australia, challenge common stereotypes and explore the many ways The Salvation Army supports people facing hardship. Students then head into the city, walking a circuit through the CBD and stopping at locations where people have previously slept rough. With permission, educators share true, de-identified stories from people who once stayed in those places, helping students connect lived experience with the realities around them. For Grace, that is where it becomes about connecting with someone’s story. “It’s taking students out of the classroom and providing an immersive and formative kind of interaction around homelessness to come to a place of compassion, to see homelessness for what it is, a human rights issue,” she explained. “The Salvation Army is advocating for a future where homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. This workshop asks us, as a society or a school community, to consider how we can better address the issue.” READ MORE: My experience of joining the tour In Melbourne, the Salvos Schools team works closely with Salvos Project 614, whose staff are based at its Bourke St site. The city tour provides schools with an opportunity to learn how The Salvation Army is responding to homelessness and the services and support it provides to the community. The reality of homelessness often challenges students’ first impressions as they embark on the two-hour tour. Many assume homelessness only means sleeping rough. Through the workshop, they learn that rough sleeping represents only a small proportion of homelessness, while many others experience homelessness in overcrowded housing, supported accommodation, boarding houses, staying with other households, or in other temporary accommodation. For many students, it’s a turning point. Bronwyn Covill, Victorian Schools Engagement Program Leader, says that realisation is often one of the day’s biggest moments. “One of the biggest takeaways they get is that they didn’t think homelessness was a real problem,” she says. “Then they come out realising it’s a much bigger problem than they thought and also that it’s in every community, not just the CBD.” To go to The Salvation Army Homelessness Week 2026 website, click here. The Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour runs every day of the school term, with groups of around 25 students participating in each session. Students who engage in the tours come from schools across all divisions, with Year Nine students often taking part to complete a city experience that forms part of the Victorian curriculum. The tour is one of more than 13 educational programs aligned with Australian curriculum standards, usually centred on a Salvation Army service or theme. Addressing topics such as homelessness and financial hardship, the programs use age-appropriate language to equip students to understand these issues and to know how to seek support for themselves or others. But the impact doesn’t stop with students. The homelessness tour program also creates powerful opportunities for local corps to connect with schools. Those introductions can spark lasting partnerships. Whenever a school books the tour, Salvos Schools invites local corps representatives to attend, meet teachers and students, and share the work underway in their own community. These connections can have a lasting impact – and break down barriers. “Schools are so warm to The Salvation Army,” Grace says. “They have brought their students to learn about The Salvation Army. When a local Salvos representative attends the tour, students can put a face and a name to the Salvos building down the road from them. It means local students, and their families by extension, can better understand our local programs and services … it breaks down barriers.” It is hoped that the experience marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship between schools, the corps, and the local Salvos teams. Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, visited Project 614 in Melbourne in June and joined the Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour with a group of Year 9 students. Schools regularly organise fundraising events, sleep-outs, casual clothes days and donation drives, while others begin volunteering with their local corps or Salvos stores. Some of the outcomes have been extraordinary – and inspiring. “There are so many benefits that I’ve seen when a corps has come along because they’re able to follow the tour and speak to some of the teachers,” Grace says. “I've seen beautiful examples of ongoing support locally in terms of fundraising. I’ve also seen schools starting up meal programs for corps. I know of one school that sent school maintenance staff to volunteer at a corps, and they built a community laundry. So, you just don’t really know what’s going to come from that connection.” Sometimes the inspiration becomes deeply personal. Students have made fundraising bookmarks to sell to their friends and families; others have written letters to their MP, volunteered at their local Salvo stores or through the local corps. The Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour is equipping the next generation with the knowledge, empathy and confidence to champion meaningful social change. So, what spurs them on? Quite simply, they find the experience of the homelessness tour quite surprising. “We get a lot of ‘it was eye-opening’ in our evaluation forms and ‘we didn’t know it was that big of an issue’,” Grace explains. “They feel motivated to better address it, through a greater understanding of it, but also this increased empathy, compassion. You can often feel that students feel inspired to act, which is really lovely.” Ultimately, for the National Schools Engagement Manager, one of the most important outcomes is shifting everyday conversations. “We emphasise that one of the simplest and most powerful ways students can make a difference is by continuing the conversation. Homelessness has too often been swept under the rug in previous generations,” she says. “And I believe that this workshop tears that rug out. For this generation to go forward with the knowledge, compassion and confidence to respond to homelessness, they’re not just changing the conversation; they’re changing the future.” For more information on Salvos Schools and the Salvos Schools Homelessness City Tour, click here.

The gathering also celebrated the unveiling of the official International Youth Congress 2027 logo, designed by Savannah Archer from The Salvation Army in Australia. Chosen from more than 70 submissions from around the world, the vibrant design reflects worship, diversity and unity. Savannah was online to witness the announcement and said she felt called by God to use her creative gifts in service of God’s mission. BY IHQ COMMUNICATIONS There is just under a year to go until The Salvation Army’s International Youth Congress 2027 (IYC27), to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15-20 July next year. The countdown officially began on Thursday 16 July 2026 during family prayers at The International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, where staff and guests gathered 12 months ahead of the congress. Centred on the theme ‘Empowering a Generation’, the congress will bring together approximately 2500 young adults aged 18 to 25 from The Salvation Army around the world (The Salvation Army now operates in more than 130 countries). Delegates will focus on deepening their relationship with God, discerning God’s calling on their lives and returning home equipped to serve as Christ-centred leaders in their churches (corps), communities and nations. Opening the gathering, International Youth and Children’s Officer Major Juanita Wright welcomed those attending in person and online, including representatives from The Salvation Army in Indonesia, the International Youth Congress planning teams and members of the International Children and Youth Advisory Group. “Today is more than just the launch of the International Youth Congress,” said Major Wright. “It’s a declaration of our collective commitment to our young people across the globe … We see you, we hear you, you matter!” To watch the launch video, click on the arrow below. IYC Coordinator Major Ian F. Payne and IHQ Youth and Children Specialist Kevyn Oliver shared the vision for the congress, describing it as an opportunity to invest intentionally in young leaders and listen to their voices. Their ideas would be incorporated into the planning of the Congress and would equip them to serve confidently in their local corps, communities and nations. They invited Salvationists around the world to begin praying intentionally for every stage of the preparations over the coming year. Leaders at IHQ launched IYC27 with now less than one year to go to the event. General endorses congress General Lyndon Buckingham gave his wholehearted endorsement to the International Youth Congress, describing it as a vision born through prayer and affirmed by senior international Salvation Army leaders at the International Conference of Leaders in March 2026. Reflecting on Proverbs 16:3, he encouraged Salvationists everywhere to commit every stage of the preparations to God. “As we continue to seek his guidance, his wisdom and his blessing, as we plan, as we pray, as we engage, then I think as a global Army there can be within our hearts a sense of expectation that something groundbreaking, ground-shifting, movement-moving is going to happen as a result of our commitment to this event,” he said. General Lyndon Buckingham endorsing IYC27 at the recent launch. Prayer remained at the heart of the launch as leaders prayed for every aspect of the congress. Intercessions covered the international planning teams, the Indonesian hosts, the International Children and Youth Advisory Group, the selection of delegates and the spiritual impact of the gathering. There were prayers for wisdom, unity and protection for those organising the event, and that God would already be preparing the hearts of the young adults who will gather in Indonesia next July. Participants also prayed that delegates would return home inspired, equipped and empowered to serve Christ and the world in their local communities and across the global Salvation Army. REGISTER: Australia Territory Salvos are invited to register for the congress here. The Registration deadline is Friday 4 September 2026. To read the original story on The Salvation Army International website, click here.

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

Homeless at 17, addicted to meth and grieving a sister she lost to heroin and suicide, Danielle had every reason to give up – but God had other plans. Seven years clean and counting. Danielle says that she has made a full surrender to Jesus. The Salvation Army Australia Alcohol and Other Drugs welcomes all people without prejudice and seeks to support them to access the treatment they need. Visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/services-and-support/alcohol-and-other-drugs/ If you or someone you know is at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, The Salvation Army is here to help. Visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/services-and-support/homelessness-support-services/

Daryl Crowden shares how 135 years of integrated crisis response continues to shape disaster management across Australia and the world at the recent Disaster and Emergency Management Conference. BY SIMONE WORTHING Daryl Crowden and Major Bindy Lupis represented The Salvation Army at the Disaster and Emergency Management Conference on the Gold Coast last week. The conference brings together frontline agencies from Australia, New Zealand and, increasingly, from the Asia Pacific Region and globally. Fifteen countries were represented, including a delegate from Norway who specialises in counter-terrorism. Daryl is The Salvation Army’s General Manager Emergency, Aid and Development, and Bindy serves as Senior Program Manager, Response and Wellbeing for The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES). Daryl presented on ‘Integrated Crisis Response Isn’t New: 135 Years of Global Practice from The Salvos’. He explained that “The Humanitarian–Peace–Development (HPD) Nexus is often discussed as a contemporary approach to addressing complex and protracted crises. However, my presentation explored how many of its core principles have been embedded in The Salvation Army International’s work since William Booth’s 1890 vision of ‘Rescue, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate’. “Drawing on both historical foundations and current practice across Australia, the Pacific and other fragile contexts, I reflected on why the Nexus is best understood, not as a project or program model, but as a mindset – one that intentionally integrates humanitarian action, development outcomes and peace-building efforts,” he said. “A key message was that sustainable transformation is built on long-term community presence, trust, local leadership and genuine partnership. When relief, resilience and social cohesion are designed and delivered together, communities are better equipped to withstand shocks and create lasting change.” Daryl’s shared from William Booth’s book In Darkest England and the Way Out (1890), where, essentially, the General spoke about rehabilitation, reintegration and what is essentially peace-building and humanitarian development. Daryl spoke about how many core principles of crisis response have been embedded in The Salvation Army International’s work since William Booth’s 1890 vision of ‘Rescue, Rehabilitate, Reintegrate’. He emphasised that The Salvation Army is structured for sustainable transformation and has been doing it for 135 years, with varying degrees of effectiveness. “The Church or the faith-based organisations are by DNA integrated programming models because of our relationships in communities,” he said. “We have this trusted relationship that can develop peace or social cohesion – which means peace-building. “We do humanitarian aid, development and peace-building – and when we do those things together, integrated and seamlessly, we are extremely effective. To conclude his presentation and the discussions that followed, Daryl thanked everyone who contributed questions and shared insights. “The conversations reinforced the importance of moving beyond silos and working collaboratively to create more integrated, dignified and transformative responses for communities facing crisis.” Mental health and wellbeing For Bindy, a personal highlight of the conference was “hearing Dr Tony Smith’s keynote on the Whakaari/White Island eruption, which reinforced the importance of prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of emergency services personnel. “The impacts of disasters extend well beyond the event itself, making ongoing support for responders a critical priority.” Major Bindy Lupis, Senior Program Manager, Response and Wellbeing, Salvation Army Emergency Services, pictured here at the opening of the new SAES Depot in Victoria last month. Bindy also shared that “it was fantastic to have The Salvation Army Emergency, Aid and Development represented by Daryl Crowden whose workshop explored how 135 years of integrated crisis response practice continues to inform contemporary disaster management. “Drawing on The Salvation Army’s global experience, the presentation highlighted the importance of connecting immediate relief with recovery, resilience-building and long-term community development to create stronger outcomes for communities affected by crisis. “I was proud to see The Salvation Army contributing to these important conversations and demonstrating how our mission continues to make a meaningful difference before, during and long after disasters occur.”

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 (3-9 August) we pray for The Salvation Army in the Brazil Territory. This territory has 162 officers (114 active, 48 retired); 3 cadets; 42 corps; 6 outposts; 1584 senior soldiers; 111 adherents; 379 junior soldiers; 438 employees Colonels Rafael and Karina Giusti lead the territory. The work of the Brazil Territory includes: • Community centres • Education • Emergency response • Homelessness services • Modern slavery and human trafficking response. Praise points: We thank God for the time of service of Colonels Wilson and Nara Strasse, leaders of Brazil Territory appointed to Spain and Portugal Territory. Prayer requests: Please pray for: • The new Territorial Leaders, Colonels Rafael and Karina Giusti. • Retired officers who are sick and experiencing family problems. • The financial improvement of the territory. • The project with the retired officers’ “ELITE SQUAD”, that they will support and reinforce our work, especially the new initiatives, with their experience. • The youth ministry throughout the territory, that God will continue to raise up and strengthen this ministry, reaching more children and young people with the message of the gospel. We pray that many will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, have their lives transformed and that there will be significant growth in the youth ministry throughout the territory. • The candidates for the college of cadets, that the Lord may continue to call men and women to officership. We pray that more people will hear God's voice clearly, respond in faith and obedience to his call, and say “yes” to becoming Salvation Army officers. • Pray as we re-evaluate our programs, asking that God will show us the necessary paths for change. • For more people to find salvation through our activities. • For new openings of work. • For the retreat with the officials of the territory in November. • For social projects, so that we have relevance wherever we are working. • For the youth leadership training. • For more candidates for officership. • Pray that God will grant us wisdom, direction and resources, enabling us to identify the real needs of communities, develop effective responses, and strengthen care for people in vulnerable situations, promoting hope and transformation through the love of Christ. • The development and growth of local Women's Ministry officers and their commitment to God. • For new strategies to reach young women in communities. • For revival, a passion for Christ in evangelism and a willingness to go beyond the four walls of the church. To find out more about the Brazil Territory, click here. To find out more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, and to download the 2026 prayer schedule, click here.

Vicky Brown says God miraculously changed her perspective on life when she went back to church. TESTIMONY Vicky Brown has been a soldier at Newcastle Corps for the past 15 years and volunteers two days a week, including assisting The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES). Here she shares her story for Salvos Online*. Thirty-three years ago, my father had just died, and my mum was distraught. She decided that she wanted to go to church and wanted me to take her, which I did [to a Salvation Army corps.] And every week I would just take her to church, sit there and listen. [At the time], I was angry. When I was only 13 years old, my parents split up, and for quite a lot of years they were separated, and from then every little thing that went wrong in my life was all God’s fault, never mine. I got married, I had children, and I have a good married life and three children, but I never really thought about it – still, everything that went wrong was still God’s fault. But you know, you just live life and time goes by and then when my father died, our family fell apart all over again. After a year of going to that corps, my mother decided that she wanted to change churches, and I found that I didn’t, I was happy where I was. I realised I wasn’t going to church just because I was taking my mother; I’d found God again. It changed my life. It made my life more positive. I didn’t dwell on the negatives anymore. I found that it was never God’s fault; it was always my attitude. I started to see things from a different perspective than what I normally had. When you’re helping out with welfare and things like that, and giving out toys at Christmas, I realised that my life is pretty darn good compared to a lot of people and that instead of being grateful for what I had, I was just being resentful for what I didn’t have. There was never this flash-in-the-pan moment. It was just a gradual awakening; it just happened slowly, bit by bit. I didn’t look at the problems in my life as problems anymore; I looked at them as learning experiences. Vicky Brown (right) and her daughter Amanda assisted people affected by bushfires that swept through the Cessnock area of the Hunter Valley just before Christmas, 2023. I believe in The Salvation Army’s work. Whatever needs doing, I’m in for it! It gives me something to do now that I’m retired. I come in here two days a week, and if the emergency services [SAES] need me and I can fit it in, I’m quite happy to do that. I got a phone call at home one Sunday a few years back saying the emergency services needed people who can do SAMIS [Service and Mission Information System], so I said, ‘Yeah ok,’ and the next thing I know I was out Cessnock way when they had that major fire, and I was doing emergency relief and I saw a whole new side of things. I went to Queensland when the tornado went through there; I was on Tambourine Mountain with people who had lost absolutely everything. They would come in, and they would be crying and not knowing what was happening. They would walk out, and sometimes they would run back and throw their arms around you. Just sitting for 10 minutes talking to them just changed how their day was. That’s a big something. Vicky says she is willing to assist with any task at Newcastle Salvos. “Whatever needs doing, I’m in for it!” she says. We are just loving them into the Kingdom of God. I found that really rewarding. Now, when things do go wrong in life, because believing in God and loving God does not stop the bad things from happening, but when they do, I have a whole community around me. All the church praying. Normally, bad things would ‘wipe me off the face of the earth’ nearly, but now I’m choosing to remain positive, and I know God has me in his hands. *As told to Lauren Martin READ MORE: Help in the Hunter Valley For more information on Newcastle Salvos, click here

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 two events that reflected The Salvation Army’s strategy for strengthening its mission in Jesus’ name. Last month, I had the pleasure of attending two events in drastically different locations, yet the vine of Jesus Christ bore fruit on both occasions. I was in Darwin and Adelaide for the South Australia/Northern Territory Division’s introduction to The Salvation Army Australia’s National Strategy, which is being rolled out. Then it was off to the Gold Coast, where I attended the exciting MORE Conference, designed to encourage and equip our leaders working in youth and young adult ministry. Firstly, the strategy. As we met with groups in Darwin and Adelaide, we had the distinct joy of affirming that this strategy is simply a consolidation of what so many of us are already doing. Commissioner Miriam Gluyas puts it this way ... 10 words to remember: Spiritual and Social Transformation. Holistic Integrated Mission. Local Mission Delivery. If you’re anything like me, it can take a few passes through a dense sentence to understand it. I have been known to swallow a nectarine stone because I was too lazy to take it to the bin, and I almost choked on it! (For the record, don’t try it). So, I want to make sure that, when I am digesting information, it isn’t a similar experience! Our Salvation Army has always held the cross of Jesus as the ‘and’ between Spiritual and Social Transformation. ‘Soup, Soap and Salvation’ spoke to Catherine and William Booth’s belief that a person could not always hear the Good News clearly if they were hungry and frightened, with nowhere to sleep that night. In providing succour, an old-school word for rest and relief, the hope was that the Good News would permeate their whole person as the person of Christ became hope revealed through Spirit-soaked Salvationists. The promise was that we would be ready to share the Good News of God when they asked why we were helping. It was because of the love of Jesus, who loves each of the people we serve more than anyone else does. Now for Holistic Integrated Mission. Holistic is a word that sometimes gets a bad rap for being a bit ‘woo-woo’. But holistic is much like the te reo Māori word hauora, which means whole-of-life wellness. Who wouldn’t want that? We believe in whole people, whole lives, whole communities and whole nations being transformed by Christ’s power! Integrated mission is not merely about working together. It is about thinking, planning, operating and serving in an interwoven way, like a plaited mat that many Pasifika cultures make together. Each piece of flax is carefully selected, prepared and threaded over and under, as elders disciple younger people in the craft. Holistic Integrated Mission is a worldview in which we bring a spiritual view of wholeness into our operations through true unity. As a movement, every expression works in harmony, deliberately choosing oneness and seeking one another out for expertise, partnership and planning, so we can work more fully together to serve the needs of our communities. And Local Mission Delivery is the practice of on-the-ground, frontline ministry: bringing mission to life in every place with a Red Shield on the door. From our Salvos Stores to our playgroups, from our Salvos Funerals service to our alcohol and other drug centres, our staff, volunteers, retired officers and donors are all part of a larger network that loves and lives in its local community. I had a picture in Adelaide when I took Divisional Commander Scott Frame’s shoe off and declared that, just as the lace on our shoe is one, it weaves across two distinct sides. It goes through every lace hole to secure the shoe. Every expression of our movement needs to be laced together: our soldiery and social services, our worshipping communities, enterprise and support, all alongside one another, for social and spiritual transformation to happen. For Holistic Integrated Mission to happen, we need the laces pulled together. No expressions or holes can be missed. That way, we won’t trip over loose laces. And when we commit to unity and remaining together, it means we will be fleet of foot: faster and more effective in running to meet the needs of our people through our Local Mission Delivery. I saw this so clearly as we worshipped together at MORE Conference with the children, youth and young adult leaders of our Territory. You should have seen it! For the record, it’s every year, and you can go in 2027! What joy to see the interlacing and the heart of our movement at its best; to hear teaching on sustainable leadership, times of ministry, connection and upskilling, prophetic prayer and worship, and times of planning together with our teams, as we look for ways in The Salvation Army to keep moving together as one. All three days together were about drawing the threads (or the flax) together and ‘go back out’: filled with the Holy Spirit, who brings dead things to life. Together we usher in hope for the whole world. The strategy is a seed. It is about being sent. As Christians, we are a people sent to the nations and the ends of the earth with the Good News of Jesus Christ. As those who serve with The Salvation Army, no matter our capacity, those 10 words signal a laser-sharp focus on being an army of salvation, sent to bring the Good News to those whom society often sidelines, and to minister to Australians who need our practical help the most. Our young people will be the ones leading the way. In the next article, I’ll explain how I see that happening through our youth and young adult spiritual life forums, discipling, and reverse mentoring. Spiritual and social transformation. Holistic integrated mission. Local mission delivery. And all for the one word that defined the life of General William Booth: ‘Others’.

A scene of jubilation as Salvos Striders PNG celebrate their successful marathon with mentors and supporters. Photo: Greg Vali. BY SIMONE WORTHING When Team GABIDADAMA gathered in the dark at The Salvation Army’s Papua New Guinea Territorial Headquarters in Boroko at 3am last Saturday (25 July), the runners, their mentors and supporters were ready. Their hard work and resilience paid off. Seven first-time marathon runners crossed the finish line in impressive times ranging from 3 hours 38 minutes to 4 hours 35 minutes. An eighth teammate, Bala, was unable to run after a family tragedy. The term GABIDADAMA is a specific team name and rallying cry used by The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea for its distance runners, representing resilience, faith in action, and community encouragement. The PNG team of 10 young runners had been training and preparing to participate in the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday 5 July as part of the Hope and a Future program, but only two were granted visas to come to Australia for the event. READ MORE: Runners fly the flag for depleted PNG marathon team Head Coach Bill Hunter, Territorial Envoy, and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander and co-founder of the Hope and a Future program, decided that, regardless, every runner would complete a marathon (42.2km) and chose a different finish line for the entire team. The runners began the marathon at 3am to avoid the worst of the heat and humidity. For the first time in the history of the PNG Salvos Striders, Team GABIDADAMA completed a full marathon on home soil, becoming the first team in the program's history to conquer the 42.2km distance in Papua New Guinea. The runners and their PNG and Australian mentors were encouraged and cheered on throughout the run – much of which was done in the dark in the early hours of the morning to avoid the worst heat and humidity – by more than 100 supporters lining the course. Local Salvation Army corps made signs, ran parts of the marathon alongside the runners, staffed aid stations and cheered from vehicles, while a police escort provided security. The runners started at Boroko and then completed three laps around Ela Beach to make up the distance. Supporters encouraged the runners along the route of the marathon. Hohola Corps youth created the start and finish line, and 25 former Hope and Future marathon runners also returned to support the team. The finish at Boroko erupted with music, dancing and celebrations led by Territorial Leaders Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa. Coach Bill Hunter said the marathon was the culmination of months of perseverance through disappointment and personal hardship. “We’ve been so impressed with your leadership, your growth, your perseverance and your dedication to the training,” he told the team after the race. “After all the changes to the schedule and the delay, you still ran incredibly well. I think it's the fastest we’ve ever finished a group.” The team and their supporters celebrated in style as all the runners completed the marathon in excellent time. During a moving debrief over lunch, many runners reflected on the challenges of the past year, including the disappointment of missing the opportunity to travel to Australia and other personal struggles they had faced. “Those six months of training were not wasted,” one runner said. “Though we didn’t go, we have faith that something will happen for us. We just ran 42 kilometres this morning. I want to thank God and thank you for the blessings you provided for us.” Another reflected on how the team had carried one another through the setbacks. “This year was a tough year, but we overcame everything. We all cooperated together, smiled together and encouraged each other.” For one runner, completing the marathon marked the end of months of uncertainty. “The time where I was supposed to visit Australia was gone. I wasn’t okay with that. Now I’m okay because I finished the run in PNG.” Another admitted there had been times when quitting seemed easier. “Everyone knows I was the one saying I wanted to give up,” they said. “But today I’m proud of myself and proud of everyone who supported me. Even though we couldn’t make it to Brisbane, at least we fulfilled our dream today.” To watch the video of the marathon, click on the arrow below. Mentor Michelle Watts (Creative Director – Salvos Studios) reminded the team that the marathon was only one chapter in a much bigger story. “I think this year is a good reflection of life,” she said. “You’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but you’ve stuck together. You’ve shown perseverance, encouragement and joy. Australia felt like the big goal, but it’s not the pinnacle. God has so many amazing plans for you. This is just one step.” Michelle also reflected that, “Seeing the young people being supported by their own friends, family, past program participants, Salvation Army leaders was just incredible. The love and support they have for one another is powerful.” The event was made possible through the support of the PNG and Solomon Islands Territory, including Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa, Captains John and Rose Raga, Alyshia Van Kannel, Bill Hunter, mentors Michelle Watts and Sharon Callister, and support crew Eric Parlato and Kayla O’Brien Parlato. Reflecting after the marathon, Bill paid tribute to everyone who helped make the historic day possible. “I couldn’t have done it without these amazing friends of mine,” he said. “Sharon Callister and Michelle Watts are absolute marathon mentor legends who got our team through despite everything thrown at them. Eric and Kayla helped in so many ways. The marathon doesn’t happen without these guys – and, of course, so many of our PNG friends. Thanks, PNG. It’s been a blast.” Bill with fellow mentors Sharon Callister (left) and Michelle Watts.

Supporting people who are experiencing homelessness is a hallmark of The Salvation Army. This week is Homelessness Week – a campaign that raises awareness of the reality of homelessness in Australia and what can be done to drive lasting change. More than 122,400 people across Australia are living without a safe, secure and affordable home. This includes people sleeping rough, living in cars, staying in shelters or on other people’s couches, and in unsuitable housing. The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in Australia and we believe in fighting for the rights of those experiencing homelessness ... • We see situations like this every day, and we believe this should not be anyone’s reality. • We believe everyone deserves a stable home where they can develop relationships, belong to a community and thrive. • We believe in good, and we believe we can end homelessness – for good. If you share this vision, then partner with us this Homelessness Week to help make it a reality. Homelessness Week is an annual campaign coordinated by Homelessness Australia, the national peak body for homelessness in Australia. It aims to build community support and government commitment to end homelessness in Australia. Their theme for Homelessness Week 2026 is Homelessness Action Now. The Salvation Army makes a huge impact in the fight against homelessness. In 2025, nationally The Salvation Army’s Homelessness services: 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, such as these below. For the MySalvos toolkit for all the resources, click here.