BY LUCY DAVIS* Reflecting on our recent Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Launch in early June, we are reminded of the significance of key moments, such as National Reconciliation Week (NRW) and NAIDOC Week – times when we come together to honour the strength, culture, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But our ministry and commitment to reconciliation cannot be confined to two weeks a year. For us in The Salvation Army, celebrating First Nations peoples must be an ongoing, intentional, and embedded part of our everyday work. As part of our Stretch RAP, we’re excited to roll out a key initiative: RAP applications. This new platform will enable us to track actions across Relationships, Partnerships, Communications, and Events, helping us maintain accountability and amplify the progress being made across our movement. And there’s more – our new Events App will enable us to track the number of events being hosted across corps and programs, not just during NRW or NAIDOC, but throughout the entire year. From cultural celebrations to quiet moments of connection, every event matters. Through our RAP consultation process – Ngumbe Bianga Guuyungs (meaning "to listen & yarn in our camp/circle" in the Burunggam language of Southwest Queensland) – we heard moving stories from across the country. Corps connecting with local Elders, gathering for morning teas, partnering with First Nations churches, and walking alongside community groups. These are the moments that reflect what reconciliation truly looks like. We encourage every officer, staff member, and volunteer to report their events – no matter how big or small – through the RAP database. Because every connection counts. Every story contributes. Every act of respect builds a stronger future. The database will be launching soon, and we can’t wait to see how you celebrate and engage with First Nations communities all year long. *Lucy Davis is The Salvation Army’s Reconciliation Action Plan & Projects Manager To view the NAIDOC Week toolkit on MySalvos, click here

SAES teams catered for attendees at Reserve Forces Day, Melbourne. Image: Victoria Salvation Army Emergency Services The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team provided catering for attendees at the Reserve Forces Day in Melbourne, Victoria. The event, held at the Shrine of Remembrance, acknowledged the more than 1.25 million people who have served in Australia’s Defence Reserves since Federation. Today, Reserve Forces support peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief operations worldwide, according to Shrine Melbourne. Reserve Forces Day is observed annually on 6 July, commemorating the establishment of the Citizen Military Forces in 1948. For over 80 years, the SAES have been trusted by Australians in need, and are proud to partner with government, business and not-for-profit entities to deliver responses and recovery in the wake of large weather events and other crises.

Each week throughout 2025, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for a specific 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 (7-13 July), we are praying for the Japan Territory.    Colonels Stephen and Wendy Morris lead the territory.   The Japan Territory has 150 officers (54 active, 96 retired); Aux-Captains 2; employees 1158; corps 40; outposts 11; senior soldiers 1964; adherents 63; junior soldiers 173.   READ MORE: Australian officers, Majors Daniel and Melissa Templeman-Twells are serving in Japan, for the second time. Pray for the Japan Territory Praise: We praise God for a successful spiritual life seminar and spiritual revival meetings in the territory. We also praise God for Territorial Officers’ Councils and for successful Home League rallies throughout the territory. Prayer requests: Please pray for: ·   Those who get new responsibilities for their settlements as well as our new, appointed sectional heads. ·   Our new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Lieut-Colonels Abraham and Manjula Mudda, who will take up their appointments on 1 July 2025. ·   A resolution to the financial crisis that is ongoing in the territory. ·    Increase in giving among Salvationists to support our territory. ·    Spiritual revival in the life of officers and soldiers. ·    Extensions work in Himachal Pradesh. To find out more about the Japan Territory, click here . To download the 2025 International Prayer Focus schedule, click here . To read more about The Salvation Army’s prayer focus, click here .

The Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service is now operating out of Preston Corps. Image: Supplied BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE  The Salvation Army’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service (ASRS) has begun operating out of a new facility, where it is better-equipped to continue serving the Melbourne refugee community.  The service, which previously operated out of a building in Brunswick, is now located in the Preston Corps building. The service began operations a t Preston on 2 July.   ASRS Manager Major Rod Serojales said the move will provide greater opportunities for collaboration with the local corps. Farsi Fellowship, which works alongside the service, also operates out of Preston.   Major Rod Serojales. Image: Supplied Rod also said the Preston Doorways service was already connected with a large number of those living as refugees or asylum seekers in the area. He also said that Preston offered a larger space to provide services, such as English classes.  “We are moving closer to where people are,” Rod said. “The good thing is we can connect them with other services the corps is already [offering]. We can collaborate.”  Rod said that down the track, he was excited to offer new classes and groups for clients to join at the new building.   ASRS has been operating out of the Tinning Street, Brunswick, location since it began in 2010. The service recently marked this milestone and farewelled the old building at a recent Family Fun Day .

Cessnock Salvos Stores manager Erin Copeland and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordinator for NSW/ACT, Sue Hodges. BY ANTHONY CASTLE A Salvos Store in Cessnock (NSW) has been specially decorated to celebrate NAIDOC Week.   The elaborate display was organised by Store Manager Erin Copeland and volunteers, who sourced items to reflect the importance of NAIDOC.   The theme for NAIDOC Week 2025 is ‘The Next Generation’, and marks 50 years of the celebration.   “I am grateful to Erin,” said Sue Hodges, the Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Coordinator for NSW/ACT. “Erin and her team of volunteers hunted and gathered for pieces to dress up their store for NAIDOC Week.”   Mannequins dressed to support NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC has its origins in a letter written to churches and communities by Aboriginal leader William Cooper in 1938, calling for a day of action and solidarity with First Nations peoples. NAIDOC Week now celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia and runs this year from Sunday 6 July to Sunday 13 July.   The Salvation Army Australia encourages and equips its corps churches, centres, staff and volunteers to actively participate in National NAIDOC Week events.  The Salvation Army’s National Reconciliation Week website states: “Our vision as a faith movement for building understanding and working towards reconciliation is through a commitment to social justice, equity and freedom. We aim to respect, value and acknowledge the unique cultures, spiritualities, histories and languages of the oldest surviving culture in the world, and to engage in a unified and positive relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.”   The Salvation Army acknowledge First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways of Australia, and is committed to working alongside First Nations peoples to pursue justice, reconciliation and mutual flourishing. The facade of the Salvos Stores complex in Cessnock (NSW).

Spiritual Life with Rosy Keane is a new monthly column on  Salvos Online . Each month, Rosy, the Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, will share 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. Many of us know pain. From illness or allergy, mental health or wholeness, curable or not, pain can short-circuit our thinking and reasoning, lay us up in bed for days or months on end, and derail life plans. If COVID taught us anything, it was to respect our health and allow time to heal and recover, rather than ‘soldiering through’ at work and risking the health of others (it’s unfortunate that it’s often our concern about inconveniencing others that convinces us, rather than recognising our own need). I find it interesting that two of my heroes of the faith in The Salvation Army – Catherine Booth and Samuel Logan Brengle – were ‘laid up’ for significant periods of time. When Catherine was a child, she experienced a severe curvature of the spine, which meant she couldn’t leave her bed for months. During that time, she read the Bible right through multiple times. She later credited this season of wrestling through physical illness with spiritual fervour as part of forming the foundation of her deep theological development. Catherine’s theology gave birth to much of the doctrine we continue to thrive on today. Two giants of Salvation Army theology – Catherine Booth and Samuel Logan Brengle. Samuel Logan Brengle, arguably The Salvation Army’s most well-known holiness theologian, was renowned too for his spiritual depth and vigour. When he was appointed to a corps in Boston in the early days of the Army, an enraged listener hurled a brick at his head. Brengle lay between life and death for days, and his eventual recovery took over 18 months, much of it in bed. During that time, while unable to preach or lead in the traditional sense, he began writing articles on holiness for The War Cry . This marked the beginning of his holiness teaching ministry, eventually translated internationally and compiled into a series of books that are still referenced in our modern-day theology. Brengle later said, “If there had been no brick, there would have been no books.” I have witnessed extreme resilience among the people who serve in The Salvation Army. We are those who persevere, survive and endure. We come from an intensely pragmatic movement, whose ‘sleeves rolled up’ and ‘saved to serve’ mantras push us into action, for ‘faith without deeds is dead’. But what happens when sickness comes? What do we do when illness or doubt strikes, and we can no longer work in the way we once did? Do we keep going out of fear that we are not being good stewards of our gifts? What is balance? In the words of Pilate, what is truth? “But you, keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant” (2 Timothy 4:5 The Message) For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with near-daily pain. It was such a normal part of my life that I didn’t realise some things weren’t typical. (What, you don’t wake up with a headache every morning?) Years of medical appointments later, I found out last year that I had stage four endometriosis – a drastically understudied and underreported disease that can damage organs, inflame joints and compromise health in ways that currently have no cure. I struggled with feelings of self-worth, self-doubt and self-pity. The message of 2 Timothy could have felt like a rebuke in the worst parts of my pain. But when we recognise that a ‘thorough job’ can be done in the spiritual realm and in life – not just in physical activity – we begin to see that periods or diagnoses of being ‘unable’ can unlock new ways of being and seeing if we let them. Even when our bodies, minds or mental health limit us in very real and measurable ways, we can view the words of 2 Timothy 4:5 as encouragement, not rebuke. We can remain alert without overextending ourselves. These hard times will not last forever, and we can acknowledge that right now they are indeed difficult. · What does the message of Good News look like when it is lived through your current reality? · What does a thorough job look like when you receive your orders from God? · Who is God asking you to be? · What is God asking you to do? · How are you working at being, rather than simply being hard-working? I say this to myself as a reminder, too. We say we want to thrive, not just survive – but our own motivation can quickly thrust us out of the hammock of God’s grace and straight back into striving. Will you join me in allowing the times we experience of being ‘laid up’ to lay us down? Psalm 23 (NIV): The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Here, he will teach you and lead you, retire and rest you. Without the curvature of her spine, there may have been no theology of Catherine’s; without the brick, there would have been no holiness books from Brengle; without our own personal values and valleys, there would be no opportunity to lay our trust in the God who will lead us through. When the valley comes, look for the Shepherd.

Emergency Disaster Services teams setting up to assist those impacted by the devastating floods. BY PHILIP BURN Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams in Central Texas are working around the clock to provide meals, hydration and emotional and spiritual care to communities affected by the devastating flooding that has impacted the region since the beginning of the 4 July holiday weekend. Tragically, the death toll has risen to 82, with many more missing, including 10 girls from the Kerr County Camp Mystic summer camp. Search and rescue is ongoing as roads are steadily being cleared and the river level slowly recedes. The walls of water that came down the Guadelupe River crested with historic levels of waterflow, causing extensive damage in the region. More rain has been forecast for Tuesday. Teams in Kerrville County serve first responders and those impacted by the disaster. “The Salvation Army is currently serving in the affected communities of Hunt, Ingram, and Kerrville,” said Major Phil Swyers, with The Salvation Army in Kerrville. “We have three fully stocked mobile feeding units that began Saturday morning serving survivors at emergency shelters. However, when word was received that the road to Hunt was reopened, we sent the two units from San Antonio to serve impacted residents in that city which had been cut off since Friday.” Since service began on 4 July, The Salvation Army has served 1700 meals, 290 snacks, and more than 10,000 drinks. Cleanup kits, hygiene kits, blankets and other essential items are available. “The Kerrville mobile kitchen and disaster team has been stationed at the City West Church in Ingram providing around-the-clock support to first responders and law enforcement personnel,” said Major Swyers. “It is estimated that close to 1000 additional first responders representing many different agencies have arrived in Kerrville over the last two days. It has been a blessing for The Salvation Army to provide 24-hour support as they tirelessly work to help in our community. They have been grateful to receive a meal, drink and a word of encouragement or prayer from our team.” In San Angelo, Salvation Army staff and volunteers served first responders and flood survivors from the mobile kitchen throughout the day. Service will continue Sunday with additional support arriving in the form of the Big Lake Rapid Response Unit and a trained EDS team from Midland. The Salvation Army leadership in Kerrville is working closely with County and State Officials and will begin to accept in-kind donations. This is a huge logistical undertaking, and The Salvation Army will manage the receiving, organising and distribution of those supplies to impacted individuals and families in the coming days, supported by Texas EDS staff. “Kerrville is a relatively small community with a population of only around 27,000 people. The Salvation Army has worked in this community for many years, and we are uniquely positioned to step forward and partner with the county and city in this way,” said Swyers. “However, we need the community’s continued support in the form of donations and volunteers.” To view a Fox News report and interview with Salvation Army officer Major Phil Swyers click here

Stan Grant with Simon Smart. Image: Centre for Public Christianity NAIDOC Week is an important event in the Australian calendar, when we pause to acknowledge the achievements of First Nations Australians, as well as the history and traditions of the world’s oldest living culture. The theme for 2025 is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”.  The goal is not only to celebrate the achievements of the past but also to look ahead to the bright future being built on the strength of young Aboriginal leaders, who will carry on the vision of their communities and ancestral legacies.    Two years ago, award-winning Australian journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant walked away from media, following sustained racial attacks. Recently, he caught up with Simon Smart from The Centre for Public Christianity for a chat on the CPX podcast, Life & Faith. Stan has also recently released Murriyang: Song of Time, a book which he has described as a “Wiradjuri Book of Prayer”. This NAIDOC Week, with permission from CPX, we are featuring part of this conversation as a story about one man’s quest for love, hope and connection to God and Country.       In the interview, Stan discussed the impact his long-term reporting on wars, disasters, terror attacks and tragedies had on him. He described how everything that went wrong in his life – including something as minor as running out of milk – began to feel like a disaster after years of facing constant devastation. He talked about how a catastrophe becomes normalised for those who are exposed to it on a daily basis, and it also begins to feel like the only aspect of life that still holds meaning.      “The world I was reporting on was not the real world,” Stan said. “The real world is buying milk. The real world is dropping your kids off to school. The real world is watching television with your wife or your husband. The real world is taking your dog for a walk.”      Stan described becoming suicidal as a result of his work and seeking medical care to “come back” to himself.      “It takes a terrible toll on you,” Stan said. “Two of my closest friends that I worked with are no longer with us. Another one of my friends that I worked with very closely had a similar breakdown and has not really recovered. As for me, I live with it every day. I factor things into my life to take care of myself. I try to avoid the things that are going to trigger those emotions again.       “I’m hypervigilant – I try to bring routine into my sleep and my exercise and all the things I have to do to regulate my moods, to attend to my mental health and to keep those demons at bay, because once you have seen them, you don't stop seeing them.”      Stan described how despite his lifelong faith, God felt distant. It was through connecting to his Wiradjuri roots through the words of his father and pondering the meaning of being on Country as he returned to Wiradjuri land that he began to feel God’s presence again.   Stan Grant with his father, Stan Grant Sr AM. Image: file    “When I sit on Country, it isn’t the rocks and the trees that speak to me,” Stan told Simon. “It is God in the rocks and the trees. Too many people put a big burden on Country. They want Country to heal them. Country can’t take any more of their pain, but God can take it all. That’s the lesson of dad'’s life. We are saved by God in the country that God gave us.”      And for Stan, God “re-enchanted” his Wiradjuri soul in communion with others who also follow Jesus.      “There is room for us all from our cultural traditions, our backgrounds, but in that body of Christ, we also become one,” Stan said.       “And that is the fulfilment for me of being a First Nations person or Wiradjuri person. It is not that I go to church to be seen as a Wiradjuri person, to be celebrated as a Wiradjuri person, recognised as a Wiradjuri person. I go there to be fulfilled in the presence of others, to bring myself in union with them, to be closer to God. I am fulfilled in that. That’s what enchants my Wiradjuri soul.”      Stan spoke of the fear that exists in Christendom toward Aboriginal cultural ties, and the perception that First Nations people were looking to “fashion” Christianity in the image of their culture.      “God did not arrive on the First Fleet,” Stan says. “Because the people who came here with the Bible in their hand could not see God when God appeared in front of them in us on the land that God had given us … that is their failure, not ours.”      In this podcast, Stan goes on to talk about forgiveness, the diminishing of God in Western culture and the increasing politicisation of faith. Listen here .

1. What is your current appointment, and what do you find most satisfying about it? Currently, I am the Corps Officer at Mooroolbark Corps in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and have been here for five months. In many ways, I feel like I still have my training wheels on as I haven’t been a corps officer since 2018, but I am really enjoying the rhythm of discovery and this new adventure. Unlike most changes of appointments, my family and I have been part of the faith community for two years, so I already had relationships with people and knew the place. This has been really helpful and beautiful as I have transitioned to being the officer. Apart from saying that I find everything satisfying, there are two things that stand out to me: the sense of community and family in the people who call Mooroolbark Corps home, and the heart to serve people in our community. I noticed these things as a member, and I am now noticing them in a deeper way as the officer. What a privilege to lead and walk life’s journey with amazing people where the Lord has placed me for this season.   2. Away from the appointment – if that’s possible! – what do you do to relax or unwind? Most Saturday mornings, when I can, you will find me walking a trail somewhere here in Melbourne. Whether it’s a coastal trail, bushwalk, local park, or the streets of the city, I love this part of my weekly rhythm, and it definitely helps me relax and unwind. It also helps me connect with God and myself. Apart from this, I love watching sport (whether live or on TV), planning our next holiday adventure, or finding a new foodie spot with the family.   3. What’s a favourite Christian song and why do you like it?  There are many songs that have special meaning to me, and some that have remained with me for many years. However, a current song that is a favourite is ‘El Roi’ by Warehouse Worship. This song came to me as part of Lectio 365 devotions earlier this year and has sat with me ever since. The key line is ‘you are the God who sees me’. This year has seen many changes for me and my family, and this song has helped me lean into the promise that God sees me and he sees my family.   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? Ever since I came to faith in 1995, I have been captivated by the apostle Paul and his life. His missionary journeys inspire me, and the role he had upon the early church and its people astounds me. But most of all, as it was for me, the way God broke into his life and changed him is a testament to the power and miracles of the Lord. I would love to just sit down and listen to him share his heart about life, ministry and faith.   5. If you were talking to a group of Salvationists and they asked if you recommended officership or not, what would you say It would be a resounding YES. Having said this, I would be authentic and real to tell of the challenges and trials that will come, but above all, it is an amazing adventure and one which the Lord will equip you for and guide you in. As I reflect on my 20-plus years of officership, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to live out my faith and use my skills to lead and serve others. I am thankful for the many incredible people I have met along the way. I am blessed beyond measure to live in God’s promise that He is with me each and every day. I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness to me. To go to the Mooroolbark Salvos Facebook page, click here .

Lieut-Col Sandra Godkin, Mission Leader at Shire Salvos (Panania), with Kila Haoda, the new café manager at The Village Café in Panania. Photos: Michelle Wheatley BY LAUREN MARTIN   Kila Haoda remembers brewing his first ‘proper’ coffee when he was about 11.   His parents owned Billy’s Coffee, one of the first cafes in Cairns that focused solely on coffee, “and in those days, people didn’t often go out for coffee like they do regularly now,” he says.   Despite being counter-cultural, Billy’s Coffee built up a huge clientele, which Kila attests to the ‘homely’ feeling of the place.   “It was set up to be very welcoming and accessible,” he says. “I’m from Papua New Guinea, and whenever you have a guest in your house, there is certain hospitality that you provide. The café was just an extension of our house, so we treated it the same way.”   Kila Haoda says he’s looking forward to his new role at Shire Salvos Panania. People from all walks of life made the café a regular part of their week. Lawyers and judges from the nearby courthouse would caffeinate between sessions, alongside a men’s homeless group that met regularly in the space.   It was this atmosphere that captivated Shire Salvos Mission Leader Mark Soper when he stopped in Cairns on a six-month road trip around Australia with his wife, Lauren, and their children in 2020.   “He said to my dad, ‘You’re doing church in your coffee shop,’” Kila remembers. He also remembers being surprised when Mark offered him a job to manage the yet unbuilt Salvation Army café that Mark believed God was instilling a vision for at Shire Salvos Panania, in south-west Sydney.   “He offered me the job when it was still in its conception,” Kila laughs, “and I shot him down every time.”   Fast forward five years, and when Kila saw Mark’s number flash up on his phone earlier this year, he just “knew” it was the right time.   “It felt like the end of a season … little things were contributing to me wanting to look for more and have my own experiences.” Having grown up in The Salvation Army, with a rich family line of Salvation Army officers from both Australia and Papua New Guinea, Kila has a heart for God and a heart for people. “The Salvos, they’re known for being in the world and for fighting the good fight,” he says. “I love how practical the Salvos are.”   So, when he felt it was the right time to accept Mark’s offer to become the new Café Manager of The Village café in Panania (operated by Shire Salvos), Kila left balmy Cairns and moved to Sydney in the middle of a cold, wet winter. The temperature might have been cold, but the reception was warm when he started at The Village.   Shire Salvos Panania ‘The Village’ volunteer, Andrea Hosking, with Café Manager, Kila Haoda. The Village is a Salvation Army café, run mostly with volunteers, that operates on the same site as the Panania Salvos Store. Customers are known by name, cared for like family, and small groups such as Bible studies and book clubs have started meeting on its sunny deck. Kila says he felt at home straight away.  “It’s a really special community,” he says. “We make people feel welcomed and seen and listened to, things that I think should be standard but … there’s so many people that don’t have that, that need that.”   He works alongside Panania Salvos Mission Leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Sandra Godkin, whom he says is the ultimate ‘people-person’. “She loves to be out front chatting with everyone. We make a really great team.”   And whilst Kila is behind the coffee machine, it’s through the art of a good coffee that he shows love and hospitality to people, his biggest passion. He’s excited to be part of the Shire Salvos team, bringing hope to the locals of Panania, one cup at a time.  READ MORE: New Salvos café opens in Sydney’s south to offer hope and connection

Yakila* 2025 is now open for registration. The event provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personnel and corps members, as well as non-Indigenous personnel, to gather over four days. The theme for this year’s event is Cultural Safety, Reconciliation, and Spiritual Identity.    Yakila’s themes are designed for participants to listen deeply and engage wholeheartedly. The initial part of the Yakila program is specifically designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, centred around the concepts of sharing, contribution, and wellbeing. The final Faith Days part of the program explores how ancient truths and modern faith intersect in the lives of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Salvationists.    More than a conference, the Yakila gathering is a space for connection, solidarity, and the exploration of faith. Yakila is held from 11-14 September, ​at Novotel Sunshine Coast (Qld). Registrations close on 1 August.    The Salvation Army acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways of Australia that we now share. It is committed to working alongside First Nations peoples to pursue justice, reconciliation and mutual flourishing. The Salvos are committed in prayer and practice to the lands of Australia and its peoples, seeking reconciliation, unity and equity.    Voices from Yakila 2024:    “Every session, fellowship over meals, conversation, teaching, statement, prayer ... was inspiring, challenging, moving and motivational.”     “Best event I have been to. I am proud I was able to attend as it helped me become a better ally and person.”     “This is the first time I have felt truly at one with my identity. It has helped me teach my students that our different shades don't make us more or less Indigenous. It is what we feel inside.”     “This has had a huge impact for change in me.”     “Great job, team. It was such a privilege to be part of Yakila this year!”     “Great speakers, great atmosphere, great information and interactions was had by me over the 4-day period.”   * ‘Yakila’ is a word from the Wemba Wemba language, meaning ‘ walking and talking together in reconciliation and understanding ’

Mentor Michelle Watts (back row in singlet) with the Papua New Guinea Hope and a Future participants and supporters during a training session in Port Moresby last month.  BY FAY FOSTER Ten Papua New Guineans who are part of this year’s Hope and a Future program will arrive in Australia today to participate in the Gold Coast Marathon this Sunday (6 July). Each year, 10 ‘future leaders’ are selected to participate in The Salvation Army program, and are paired with experienced marathon runners as mentors, before being brought to the Gold Coast to run. And it’s not just about running a marathon! The program provides young nationals from Papua New Guinea (PNG), identified as having leadership potential, with the opportunity to be mentored in leadership skills, and is modelled around four key pillars – faith, fitness, education and leadership. Salvation Army mentors and supporters encouraged all team members to cross the finish line during the 2023 Gold Coast Marathon. This year’s team is made up of five young men: George Kumye, Somo Iga, Lox Pala, Karlo Ramson and Ragina Raga – and five young women: Manupe Barona, Monica Numa, Elnora Temine, Heagi Koiari and Rachael Buka. Their support team from PNG includes the two Territorial Youth Secretaries (Captains John and Rose Raga), and Alyshia Van Kannel, a Canadian currently working for The Salvation Army in PNG. This year’s mentors, Omis Diruza and Esau Los, were selected based on their great participation in last year’s Hope and a Future Team. The 2024 team at their post-race debriefing session with Bill Hunter and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (top right). The team coach, Queensland Divisional Envoy Bill Hunter, said, “We didn’t know it at the time of the selections, but six of the selected participants are children of Salvation Army officers. “Usually, most of the participants are from Port Moresby, but this year quite a few are from outlying villages, and just travelled into Moresby for the selections.” Bill said that despite a lot of injuries during training, all the participants have been very resilient. What stands out to him about this year’s team is that they are “the most united as a team – united in prayer and in supporting each other”. Service and learning at local corps and centres is part of the Hope and a Future program. The team pictured last year leading worship at the Gold Coast Temple Corps. The group will be joined in the marathon by Bill and eight mentors from Australia, who will run alongside the team. After celebrating their success that night, the team will engage in eight days of ministry and activities with Queensland corps before returning to PNG on 15 July.   Members of the 2025 Hope and a Future cohort with mentor Michelle Watts.