Commandant Herbert Booth and his wife Cornelie Booth, who took Brisbane by storm in 1901. BY BARRY GITTINS Some 124 years ago, The Salvation Army’s War Cry in Australia reported that Brisbane was ablaze with “revival fires, spiritual fervour and force”. For weeks following “a glorious Good Friday in Brisbane”, the visiting speakers – national leaders Commandant Herbert Booth and his formidable bride, Mrs Cornelie Booth – were said to be whipping up the flames with “deep spiritual utterances”, according to the report in a 1901 War Cry edition. In an age before home entertainment systems, 24/7 leisure activities, contemporary public address systems, microphones and walls of ‘speakers’, public speaking and acoustics were earnest pursuits indeed. Immense crowds jammed the Centennial Hall “from end to end”, offering rapt attention, “tumultuous applause” and – in Mrs Booth’s case – “the vehement intensity of a passionate heart”. In one dramatic event that encouraged 147 Brisbanites to be converted, Herbert’s beloved “lecture”, the multimedia extravaganza Soldiers of the Cross gave him “most of the thrilling scenes, which he verbally described, depicted on canvas by means of the cinematographe and limelight views”. The venue was “uncomfortably jammed an hour before starting time”, and “after all reasonable space was occupied, many gladly took up a position behind the screen at two shillings each and even then, many were turned away. “The commandant had special unction during the delivery of the lecture, and the new films add interest and attraction to an already powerful and pathetic narrative,” the War Cry stated.   People wanted to change their lives, and with the help of the Booths and their God, they sought to do so. “A notable drunkard volunteered and was followed to the penitent-form by his wife and child; it was a touching scene as they wept bitterly. Another man, aged 73, who had never sought God, felt he was too bad. Jesus met with him – it was a glorious conversion.”Decisions to change lives were followed by decisions to join The Salvation Army’s ranks. “The substantial spiritual work told well at the Trade Department, where the converts and others were ordering caps and bonnets on Monday morning,” the War Cry concluded. READ MORE: Australia’s adopted Booth

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? My present appointment is Corps Officer at Umina Beach Corps on the Central Coast of NSW. In my time here, we have commenced a children’s group 0-5 years old. I absolutely love this group. We get to watch and participate in the children’s lives prior to school. We have had babies come at just a few days old. We get to watch them grow from baby through toddler through to going to school. We take great delight in the families who come, and we get to engage with them all each week.    2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? When I get some downtime, I love to watch British television. I also get in the kitchen and do some baking. The corps folk benefit from this in many different ways over morning teas and the occasional lunch.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?  As a person who loves music and was a professional singer prior to becoming an officer, this is a really hard question to answer. I have learnt not to say “this is my favourite song” when introducing a song. I normally say it is one of my favourite songs. If I really have to nut it down, it would be ‘He Leadeth Me’. I honestly believe that God has led me my whole life. Even when I wasn’t close to God, He blessed me constantly. He used that time to grow me and realise that life with God is way better than life without God.    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? My favourite biblical character has always been Joseph (one of the sons of Israel). I think I would mostly ask him about his dreams. How he found forgiveness for his brothers. The extremes of his life.    5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say? My first question is always, “Do you feel God has called you to officership?” As an officer’s kid and now an officer, one thing I know is that if you are not called to be an officer then the ‘job’ is too hard to do. But if you are called to officership, then God will equip you for the tasks and you will find enjoyment and completeness in this role.

Members of the Goulburn Corps embarked on a journey of faith, trusting God to stop certain things and start others. The result has seen the corps grow and flourish. BY LAUREN MARTIN   Ten years ago, Majors Philip and Tuesday McCall were appointed to Goulburn Corps, a farming township situated halfway between Sydney and Canberra. Soon after their arrival, they began asking their congregation dangerous questions ...   Their first two questions were: “What does God want for this church?” and “Are we brave enough to go there?”   “We put up signs with these questions all over the place,” said Tuesday. “We had prayer sessions and walked around praying … we scaled back the ministries that had their season and were just floating along, and our focus became ‘prayer’.”   In their second year at the corps, Philip and Tuesday invited a friend, an artist, to attend the corps’ Easter services. This woman had no connection with Goulburn Salvation Army and didn’t live locally. She spent time during the Good Friday service painting a prophetic image. (From left) Major Phil McCall, newly enrolled soldier Sandra Waters, Major Tuesday McCall, Yvonne and Kieran Mees. A number of new soldiers have been enrolled at Goulburn Corps since the opening of the community Market Day.  “When we finished worship, there was this beautiful painting, but it was storms and roughness, and there was Jesus as well,” remembered Tuesday. “My friend walked over to me and said, ‘I need to get this paint off my hands, it’s burning, I need to get it off.’ She said that when painting, she felt like there was a lot of darkness, that a lot of stuff had happened in the past, but Jesus has still been there, through it all.”   That painting tapped into some of The Salvation Army’s history in the township of Goulburn.   The Salvation Army has been active in Goulburn since 1883. In 1926, Joseph Gill, a significant sheep farm owner and businessman, bequeathed the bulk of his estate to The Salvation Army upon his death. The bequest was to be divided between The Salvation Army in Sydney, Melbourne and Goulburn.   Money from that bequest was used to establish a boys’ home in Goulburn. Many years later, in 2017, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse handed down a report highlighting failures in The Salvation Army’s management of children’s homes across the country, including Goulburn.   “[I believe] the first painting spoke of a time the corps had been going through, a time of roughness and darkness,” said Tuesday. “Yet in amongst the pain, Jesus was there and still with them.”   Three days later, on that Easter Sunday, God spoke through a different painting.   “On Sunday, she painted a hill, with this lighthouse sort of church on a hill,” said Tuesday.   This correlated with a word Tuesday believed God had given her and Phil at the start of their appointment about being brave, and a Scripture about the church being a ‘light on the hill’ (Matthew 5:14-16). It was at that point, when the vision God had given Phil and Tuesday, and the vision God was giving the corps, aligned, that momentum really kicked in.   The prophetic paintings of Goulburn Corps’ past and future. Meeting needs with the love of Jesus The corps conducted a survey of locals and asked about their biggest needs and concerns. “It came back that food was the biggest need, so we started with that,” Tuesday said.   Their building had a back hall that was only used for morning tea after church on Sundays. So, they installed shelving and created a community supermarket. Soon afterwards, following a suggestion from their volunteer team, they created a welcome area with tables and chairs in the front of the church hall, where people could relax and connect.   “We have made sure the whole time that we weren’t just ‘doing’,” Tuesday said. “Anyone can build a supermarket and have an area to come. But we are ‘church’ first and foremost. Everything we do, we want to make sure it is led by the spirit, and also there needed to be a flow-on effect.   “Since we have started, we have had about a dozen community members connected with the supermarket ministry that now come to church, and we have enrolled two soldiers, an adherent, all from that ministry.”   Kieran’s faith came alive when he began volunteering at Goulburn Corps’ community market day. One of those soldiers is Kieran, whose wife started volunteering with the Goulburn Corps’ market while studying a Diploma of Counselling.   “Since I was driving her up there, I ended up volunteering myself,” he says. Having served in the Australian Defence Forces, Kieran said he had a lot of respect for The Salvation Army – “The Sallyman was always out with us” – so he gained a lot of satisfaction from giving back.   Volunteering for Goulburn Salvos’ market also reignited Kieran’s faith. He had grown up and “lost his way”, but after moving back to Goulburn after his time in the military, he began attending church again. Finding a church home at the Salvos has changed the course of his life. Now, he and his wife are both studying a Certificate III in Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy and head up Goulburn Corps’ newest ministry at a local boarding house that is managed by Salvos Housing.   “Our relationship with God has blossomed,” he said.   Major Tuesday McCall with Goulburn Soldier Sue, who “became part of the team and the family” when she started volunteering with the corps’ community Market Day. The Goulburn Salvos Market has also had a transformational effect on Sue, who began attending for food relief when she was unemployed. She began volunteering and experienced a deep sense of belonging and significance. “I just loved how people didn’t judge you. You became part of the team and part of the family,” she said.   Now, Sue works 10 hours per week coordinating the market. “I’ve gone from being someone who couldn’t find work anywhere and struggled financially, having to come to the market to get by, and now I’m able to share with people my gift of caring.   “I now attend the church here. I also coordinate the kids’ craft time during the service.”   Reaching out and growing in This year marks the 11th anniversary of Philip and Tuesday McCall’s service as officers at Goulburn Corps. Their dangerous questions and the brave faith of their congregation have enabled the corps to reach out into the community and also grow deep roots of discipleship within.   The town now has numerous units, houses and the boarding house run by Salvos Housing to assist locals experiencing homelessness. They work closely with a Salvation Army homelessness support wo rker, a Doorways caseworker and a Salvation Army Moneycare Financial Counsellor . READ MORE: Dinner on the hill at Goulburn   Businesses are coming on board to partner and support the vision and mission. Opportunities have opened up for ministry – the corps was invited to provide weekly court support at the local courthouse. Even street collecting is more about Jesus than about finances.   A Bible study held after the regular Market Day is growing in popularity. More and more people are finding help – and hope – at Goulburn Corps, through the love of Jesus.   Tuesday has this message for others within The Salvation Army: “Be brave to be led wherever the Spirit leads in your community and be that light on the hill. Don’t be hidden.”   To view a Salvos Studios video of Goulburn Corps from 2022 showing its various ministries, click here     ttps://youtu.be/5tDDu7nSjgU

In recognition of The Salvation Army’s 160th anniversary on Founders’ Day (2 July) this year, IHQ has created eight short videos chronicling the vast and varied mission of the global Salvation Army over the past 160 years, with one video released each week, beginning 5 June. READ MORE: Check out earlier videos focused on themes of church and charity, emergency relief, modern slavery and human trafficking, social justice, education and healthcare here .   The next video in the celebration series focuses on The Salvation Army’s work in development around the world.   Did you know that, in 2024, The Salvation Army had 611 projects started in 93 countries, which will impact more than one million people?   The Salvation Army’s international development work is locally rooted, but has a global reach and remit. In all the work we do, we aim to amplify the voices of those we work to support to ensure that everyone is heard and valued. To read about Australia’s Salvation Army International Development (SAID), click here .   Watch the video below to learn more about how The Salvation Army is reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease and improving the overall quality of life in rural areas of Sri Lanka.

Salvos Funerals National Director Malcolm Pittendrigh has been with The Salvation Army for over 28 years. Did you know The Salvation Army is a funeral provider? Salvos Funerals is a trusted not-for-profit service owned and operated by The Salvation Army. Its services extend across most of NSW and ACT, South East Queensland, Melbourne and Perth. Malcolm Pittendrigh is the National Director of Salvos Funerals, and today Salvos Online shares his story. BY MALCOLM PITTENDRIGH The Salvos Funerals journey began for me in 2012. I was working as the Financial Controller for The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus team and had often wondered why faith-based enterprises like The Salvation Army had not seriously considered entering the funeral industry. What started as a flippant suggestion around the boardroom table (along with other creative and left-field ideas) quickly gained support from senior leadership. Following prayerful consideration and due diligence, the idea gained momentum. In late 2015, I moved on from my finance role in aged care to actively pursue The Salvation Army’s entry into the funeral industry. I often joke that I moved from being a ‘bean counter’ to ‘undertaker’ – the life of every party! So, Salvos Funerals all started with a simple question: What if we offered funerals? Initially, I researched the possibilities on weekends and in spare moments around my aged care work. In 2013, the idea gained additional traction, and at that point, we integrated the concept into the Aged Care Plus three-year strategic plan. Later that same year, we engaged KPMG to provide us with an overview of the industry itself. Following additional interest from our leadership, we conducted further targeted research on population demographics and major areas of investment. The information collected was positive and reinforced earlier thinking. With an ageing Australian population and increasing mortality rates, together with our public reputation and the infrastructure and assets that The Salvation Army is blessed with, the business case was starting to take shape. Further due diligence and much prayer followed, exploring and moving with new opportunities as they were presented. The opportunity appealed to the leadership because it would support people during a vulnerable point in their lives, offering dignified care and compassion during a period of grief and sorrow. It also enhanced and supplemented an existing ministry, as many of our officers/clergy were already conducting the church-service element of a funeral. As National Director for Salvos Funerals, I am responsible for the strategic direction of this enterprise. However, I am still involved in the day-to-day operation of serving families with honouring their loved ones. For much of my 28 years with The Salvation Army, my calling has been working as a finance professional. I was intrigued and excited about exploring the funeral industry but had not carefully considered the seriousness of the subject matter of funeral work, or what was involved in performing a funeral, and a ‘start-up’ one at that! READ MORE: Where grief meets grace How would I cope upon seeing a deceased person for the first time? How do I address a family member who has lost the most precious person in the world to them? What do I say? How do I conduct myself at a funeral arrangement? It was daunting! I was completely out of my comfort zone. The Lord, however, equipped me accordingly and instilled in me a passion for serving families in this way. I certainly fumbled my way through those early funeral arrangements but quickly discovered the most precious of vocations. I love it! Fast forward to 2025, and we have served more than 4000 families in our brief history. We have a footprint that extends across most of NSW, ACT, Melbourne, Perth and more recently (from March 2025), Southeast Queensland … and we are growing. For more information on Salvos Funerals, click here

Salvos Funerals’ foundation of faith convinces us that hope, purpose and fulfilment can be everyone’s story. Salvos Funerals is a trusted not-for-profit service owned and operated by The Salvation Army.     Salvos Funerals contributes to the ongoing work of the Salvos in the community. As an ethical, not-for-profit organisation, Salvos Funerals continues this care that has been provided to Australians during times of need over the last 150 years.    Genuine compassion  Salvos Funerals is a compassionate and experienced team that can guide people through the funeral process with an affordable funeral that is a thoughtful blend of remembrance, celebration and mourning.    The team understands that making arrangements after the death of a loved one can be overwhelming and can walk you through all the necessary steps – taking the stressful work out of planning a funeral and allowing you the time and space you need to grieve.    “What we offer is a different level of care than commercial services,” says Megan Maxwell, Operations Manager. “We can go beyond what other services might be able to do, refer people to different supports and services, link them to pastoral care. Our care goes above and beyond.”      “It’s genuine compassion and not about the bottom dollar. For us, it’s about mission. It’s mission that motivates us, connecting people with community and serving them in their darkest moments. That’s the real focus. What you’ll get from us is a quality service. It’s important that our families are served well. Our theme is on our business cards, it’s genuine compassion.”    Services   Salvos Funerals offers a range of services across its locations in NSW, ACT, Victoria, Perth and South East Queensland. These include:    ·       When a loved one has passed – initial practical and emotional support  ·       Pre-planned funeral  ·       Direct cremation  ·       Basic funeral and cremation  ·       Personalised funeral    Salvos Funerals provide real value for quality service. All prices are upfront and transparent with no hidden costs. Any profits made help support the broader work of the Salvos in the community and add to the long-lasting legacy of care for others.    Welcoming to all   Salvos Funerals welcomes, and can assist with:  ·       Specific cultural, religious or family requirements  ·       Organising interpreters for people from non-English speaking backgrounds  “We work with all families differently,” Megan says. “The natural assumption is that because we’re The Salvation Army, we only serve the disadvantaged, but we serve families right across the board. There’s no one cohort of family we serve. It’s whoever finds us.”    Ongoing support    Grief and practical concerns don’t stop when a funeral is over. Salvos Funerals will still be there to help you deal with the grief and loss after the funeral. From pastoral support to aged care services, the Salvos can help you in many other practical ways, including referrals.    Financial assistance   The Salvation Army offers a range of support to those facing financial difficulties or looking for advice on money matters. These include financial counselling, help with everyday essentials and, in certain circumstances, a Salvation Army No Interest Loan Scheme loan for unexpected funerals.     Spiritual and social connection   Our faith convinces us that hope, purpose and fulfilment can be everyone’s story. Our local Salvation Army churches welcome everyone to join them for a range of spiritual and social activities.    Salvos Funerals are available 24/7. For phone details, Frequently Asked Questions, a guide for families, tips, checklists and other information, click here

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it?   My current appointment is Corps Officer at Coffs Harbour Corps, and the thing I find most satisfying about it is the people. We are blessed to have a church that is growing, multicultural, and inclusive of all age ranges, and is full of people who hunger and thirst for God, displaying this in their actions towards each other and the community. It’s a great place to be, both in terms of location and church-wise. 2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? It is a busy appointment, but the one thing I do most mornings early is go to the gym. I never enter the gym without first having a prayer time with God. It’s something that I really need to do as a set-up for each day both my prayer time and the gym. I also take the opportunity to listen to a podcast while I work out. For some, that would not seem relaxing, but for me, it is. I guess the most important part of relaxing and unwinding for me is spending time with family but mostly with Jeanette, my wife. I love to go out and just grab a cuppa, sometimes we will go into the café and other times we will grab a takeaway and head down to the beach and just talk. I love going for walks with Jeanette as well. 3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?                                                          I have many favourite songs, but in this season of life, ‘One More Day’ by Sons of Sunday resonates with me the most. It is a deeply testimonial song that reminds me in the verses all about life and how in every aspect of life, no matter what we go through, it is Jesus who gets us through. But the writers don’t end or focus on the struggle; they draw us to a place of thankfulness.   It is the chorus that really captivates me: ‘ Cause You gave me one more day, to say I love You. You have brought me all this way to testify of grace. What more can I say, but hallelujah? Thank You, Jesus, thank You, Jesus, thank You, Jesus, Cause You gave me one more day, one more day.’ I remember when I first heard this, I was struck by that line, ‘ You gave me one more day’ , and how precious this one more day is – a day to lead someone to Jesus. This is the only day I have to share my testimony in the verses with someone. I’m not promised tomorrow! I have been given ‘one more day.’ For me, there is a passion and an urgency in this. In the movie Schindler’s List , there is a scene that immediately I think about when I heard this song; Oskar Schindler says: “I didn’t do enough.” To which Itzhak Stern says: “You did so much.” Oskar Schindler replies: “This car. Goeth would have bought this car. Why did I keep the car? Ten people right there. Ten people. Ten more people. This pin ... two people. This is gold. Two people. He would have given me two more, at least one. One more person. A person, Stern, for this. [He starts crying] I could have got one more person, and I didn’t! I, I, I didn’t!” I ask myself, am I giving my all for the cause of Jesus? Can I do more? I must do more! There is an old Salvation Army chorus that says, ‘ I want to live right, that God may use me at anytime and anywhere: I want to live right, that God may use me at anytime and anywhere.’ 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?   There are so many. I would love to chat with Peter. Another one would be Caleb. Just like favourite songs, it is seasonal and in this season of life, it would be Moses. I would like to talk to him about leadership and the way he kept a close relationship with God while leading so many people. How he was able to keep that close relationship when the people rebelled and denied him the opportunity of entering the Promised Land. So, it would be about leading from the position of leaning into God.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say?   Great question. Would I recommend officership? I pause because it’s not for everyone. For some, they know they are called by God into officership, and they value their current way of life more than serving Jesus. Then there are others who think they are called into officership and are really called into local leadership, serving Jesus through their local church and being bold in the workplaces they are already occupying.   To those who are called and know it, I would say to them, “What are you waiting for?” You have been called by King Jesus to be His representative on the earth, to speak on His behalf, to lead His church, of which He is the head. It’s not easy, but it is an adventure. You won’t regret it! What are you waiting for?! For me, it ties right into my favourite song right now, ‘One more day’. You have this one more day, make the most of it and serve Jesus the way He intended you to do it. My biggest regret is that I waited. Don’t wait! Go for it!

Tahana Turner, Kelly Brown (Ministry Assistant), Aux-Lieut Roderick Brown (Corps Officer) and Chris Waixel at the ‘ceremonial exchange’ at Launceston Corps’ NAIDOC Week service. Salvation Army corps and centres around the Australia Territory celebrated NAIDOC Week in a variety of ways. Salvos Online highlights three Salvo expressions – Launceston Corps, the Waterhole centre in Alice Springs and The Beacon centre in Perth – and how they honoured the week. BY SIMONE WORTHING NAIDOC Week celebrations at Launceston Corps, Tasmania, took on a national flavour this year, with the visit and involvement of Tahana Turner and Chris Waixel, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinators for Queensland and Victoria, respectively.   Tahana and Chris were among the special guests for the 6 July service, invited by Aux-Lieutenant Roderick Brown, Launceston Corps Officer, and supported by Shirli Congoo, General Manager, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander ministries.   After a smoking ceremony, Delia Summers, a local community leader, gave the Welcome to Country. The corps songsters also performed before Tahana joined the worship group as they led the congregation in song and praise.   Tahana shared some insights on The Salvation Army’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, including resourcing corps and centres to connect and engage with First Nations peoples and facilitate the reconciliation journey.   READ MORE: Reconciliation Action Plan 2025 – artwork and animation   Chris gave the message for the day, focusing on the need to raise the next generation from positions of strength, vision and legacy, reflecting this year’s NAIDOC Week theme. Tahana continued her songs, with a unique Indigenous focus. A ‘ceremonial exchange’ concluded the service – “They blessed us at the end of the service and we returned the exchange with a native plant as a gift for hosting us,” explained Tahana.   Many people, including corps and community members who had gathered for the special service, stayed on, yarning and sharing stories.   READ MORE: Reconciliation – the ongoing journey Elders in Council then invited Chris and Tahana to visit the premises. “It was incredible to go,” said Tahana. “We saw the pictures of all their ancestors throughout the building, ancestors that give us all the strength to do what we do and keep on going. I felt that it was a special space to be and felt honoured to be invited.”   Chris agreed. “That they felt we were the sort of people that they could trust and were safe enough to go into that special space for them, was incredible.” More photos from the event below: Alice Springs Corps celebrates NAIDOC Week More than 300 community members from The Salvation Army’s Waterhole Community Centre attended the NAIDOC Week celebration at Alice Springs Salvos on 10 July. “This was a wonderful joint project by the Waterhole, Moneycare, Homelessness and Doorways teams,” said Major Tim Watson, Alice Springs Corps Officer. “The celebrations began with a smoking ceremony by a local Arrente Elder. There was a barbeque, painting, earring making, a photo booth and cake. To see photos from the day, click on the arrow below. Photos: Paula Kelly. The Beacon puts NAIDOC Week on the map Residents and staff at The Beacon, The Salvation Army’s largest residential homelessness facility in Perth, had the opportunity to pin the ‘place of their birth/what they call home’ on the Australian Indigenous map during their on-site NAIDOC week festivities.    Beacon resident and NAIDOC committee member Dale W came up with the idea, aiming to educate attendees about the First Nations Australia map.   “Australia is lost in translation. The modern-day Australian map is drawn along state lines. Australia, in essence, is like Europe – made up of different cultures, languages and dialects. Yet, people see Australia as one culture, which we are not. By pinning the place of our birth/our home, everyone could connect to the traditional land,” Dale said.     The on-site event, attended by about 50 residents and staff, also included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Elder Nigel Wilkes, an educational session on the history of NAIDOC Week and speakers who focused on the 2025 theme – The Next Generation:  Strength, Vision, Legacy.   “The event concluded with the viewing of current and past NAIDOC week artworks produced by Beacon residents, a cuppa and traditional bush tomato scones,” said Karen Coetzee , The Beacon centre manager.

In South East Tasmania, the local Salvation Army has partnered with Business Employment Southeast TAS to give both hospitality skills and confidence to young people in the area. Offering free one-on-one barista training, resume writing and help finding a job, the program has allowed many young people to blossom.

The Salvos Colac Community Centre’s ‘The Drop-In’ has emerged as a lifeline of connection and purpose for disengaged youth ( photo courtesy of Olia Danilevich  pexels.com ). BY LERISSE SMITH What began as a modest social program at Colac Corps has evolved into one of the most dynamic and transformative forces for youth in the township. ‘The Drop-In’ at the Salvos Community Centre in regional Victoria has grown into something far bigger than anyone expected, integrating into the curriculum of two local schools and emerging as a lifeline of connection and purpose for disengaged youth – and its impact is spreading fast. “It has been phenomenal,” said Josiah Van Niekerk, Colac Corps Leader.  “The Drop-In has created flexible learning spaces. We are just trying to engage the disengaged through creating relational and community connections. The Drop-In’s motto is ‘a space for youth, shaped by youth’, and being part of the school curriculum is great. The school engagement has been massive, just phenomenal, and another four started last month.” Colac Corps Leader Josiah Van Niekerk. At the heart of it lies a deep and growing need for flexibility, belonging and alternative ways of learning for young people who do not thrive in traditional school environments.  Now integrated into the curriculum of the Saints College Colac, The Drop-In   gives students the chance to reconnect – with each other, with caring adults and with a renewed sense of purpose. And the numbers speak volumes. The program is embedded in two schools – Saints College Colac, involving 35 students, and Colac Secondary College, with 50 students. Other schools that have come on board include Beeac Primary School, South West Primary School, Greater Otway Applied Learning School (GOALS) and Trinity College Colac. They are all connected via the Colac Salvos’ Engage Program, with The Drop-In part of the program. But it is not just about academics or compulsory attendance. Around 100 young people pass through the Salvos centre each week, engaging in a mix of activities that tick off educational and personal growth. Some play the piano while others sketch and paint art that will hang on the centre walls. Students also assist with TentCare or domestic tasks such as vacuuming the floor. For others, just watching a movie or lounging is the order of the day. Above and below: These local Colac students take part in civil engagement duties including helping in the kitchen and creating artworks.  “They are disengaged in the way that they are lucky enough they turn up to school,” Josiah reflected. “So, we have been able to see some really good growth with The Drop-In. The young people have wanted to be here. That’s been really good.” More than attendance, The Drop-In is about transformation.  Students are learning life skills including responsibility, teamwork and how to give back to their local community through the Salvos Colac Community Centre – and the reach is already expanding. While the students involved are predominantly secondary-school aged, Josiah added that plans were in place to start its first primary school next term, with 13 students coming on a Wednesday across term three to serve, connect and socialise. With momentum building, the next steps are already taking shape.  The Salvos team is applying for a grant to bring someone on board to lead the program. The hope is to eventually have 200 to 300 students cycling through the community centre every year, ensuring the Salvos is not just a place to go, but a place to grow and a launchpad for potential. The growth will unlock even more opportunities. If successful with the grant, the Salvos would have the means to cater for a greater number of students once the other four schools are on board. The students would do the social side with The Drop-in or service across the Salvos’ other school engagement initiatives, including Otway Wardrobe, Otway TentCare, making meals for the community and working in its community garden. The corps also has musical lessons and woodwork classes launching soon. “It would be just phenomenal for the community and phenomenal for the centre,” Josiah remarked if the funding comes to fruition. But even without the funding, the mission is full steam ahead. A major fundraiser is set for October, aiming to support holiday programs in a region that currently has none. The programs and fundraisers help to fund and sustain all school engagement activities. The school holiday programs are aimed at pre-school and primary school students. And the vision doesn’t stop there. The plans are ambitious: a partnership with the local radio station, the Red Door Theatre, the local leisure centre, and the local sports stadium that includes three basketball courts and an oval. The local secondary college has offered its oval for the fun day out, too. Feature attractions will range from fairy floss and face painting to the CFA on site, and a Cousin Koala appearance thanks to the Salvos kids’ ministry team. With the community rallying behind them, the future is bright. And with the talk of a three-day festival next year, Josiah and his Salvos team are excited and energised about what lies ahead. “It has been this amazing thing,” Josiah reflected. “When we take that first step and really open up into a current need for our community, how much that door just swings wide open once we step into it.”

The Family Gospel Choir was one of the worship groups that led the congregation in praise during the festival. General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, international leaders of The Salvation Army, took part in the Denmark and Greenland Territory’s festival in Slagelse, on the Danish island of Zealand, from 21-22 June. The festival theme, ‘Compass’, underscored the call to navigate life according to God’s direction – and to extend that invitation to all corners of the world.   The doors of the festival venue remained open all weekend, serving as a powerful metaphor: an invitation to take faith beyond church walls and out into the world. The world leaders issued a strong challenge: to be “fully in and fully out”, calling for a natural synergy between inner and outer life, individually and corporately.   Many of the festival’s activities also took place outside, reflecting its outward focus. A vibrant marketplace featured stalls showcasing the work of The Salvation Army, fun activities for children and opportunities for prayer and conversation. The aroma of food from the mobile canteen drew constant crowds, while the Valby Band filled the square with joyful music, adding to the atmosphere.   A range of musicians and worship groups led the congregations in praise throughout the event, including a special moment of Greenlandic worship delivered via video link from Nuuk, Greenland.   The international leaders shared a vision of The Salvation Army as a movement focused on people, mission and legacy – knowing who we are, understanding our purpose and serving with an impact that lasts. Their message echoed Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV): “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”   This theme of transition gained deeper significance during the closing meeting, which also served as a farewell to the current territorial leaders, Lieut-Colonels Jan and Kjersti Risan.   It was a fitting end to a festival defined by unity, joy and the challenge to step boldly into the world – led by God’s compass.   Crisis centre visit During the festival, the General and Commissioner also visited The Salvation Army’s crisis centre Svendebjerggård in Hvidovre, 9km from Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital.   “It was an honour to participate in the inauguration of the 20 newly renovated rooms at the crisis centre,” said the General. “We join in prayer for Svendebjerggård, praying that it will be a source of blessings for many.”   The rooms of the centre have been remodelled so each residence now has its own bathroom – a welcome feature that will ease the everyday lives of the crisis-affected singles and families living at Svendebjerggård. To read the full story of the festival, click here .

Have you ever pleaded with God to take something away? In this devotional on 2 Corinthians, Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient and more than enough for any situation. God’s grace is given to invite us into his Kingdom. We live in a world that says ‘be strong’. However, God says, ‘Boast in your weakness’ because it is when we are weak that God’s strength shines through.