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News from The Salvation Army U.S. Western Territory.
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CELEBRATING OUR 30th YEAR The Western Territory’s news source for 30 years
February 27, 2012Vol. 30, No. 03
Frontlines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
The West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
The Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
The World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Promoted to Glory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
A View from the Board Side. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sharper Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
From the Desk of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Life Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
On the Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Inside:
On the web:www.newfrontierpublications.org
Facebook: tsanewfrontier
The nuts and bolts of ‘Doing the Most Good’n First ever territorial Social Services Councils examine and strategize seven critical topics.
Territorial Commander Commissioner James Knaggs commissioned the newly formed Western Territorial Social Service Response Team, which met in February for the first-ever Social Services Councils to discuss topics critical to the growth of the Army in the West. Major Lawrence Shiroma, territorial social services secretary, led the four-day conference on the Army’s caring ministries.
The response team split into small groups to strategize seven items that they identified as critical to the Army’s moving forward. At the final meeting of councils, a representative from each group presented a strategy including a timeline for results to the assembly, and Knaggs immediately responded to each proposal.
Topics under ongoing examination include: 1) How to create new social service corps and linkages; 2) Jobs for the
SPIRIT II, page 10
We serve a big God who exceeds our understanding... — Southern California Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Doug Riley~
~
Rileys welcomed as divisional leaders
Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs install Lt. Colonels Doug and Colleen Riley as Southern California divisional leaders. Photo by John Docter
n Small corps has big impact in Kodiak, Alaska.
The Salvation Army Kodiak Corps in Alaska numbers just 20 attendees on a Sunday, but these members are deeply involved in the town of roughly 13,500 people, according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau report.
“Kodiak is a warm and caring community,” said Major Cathy Quinn, corps officer with her husband, Major John Quinn. “Whenever there is a tragedy or disaster the whole community comes together to help.”
A hub for the maritime industry of southern Alaska, Kodiak Island maintains a large and varied fishing fleet. The population decreases during fishing season—May 15 into September—while the fleet is out on the fishing grounds, an area the size of the lower 48 states. It’s also a Coast Guard community, with person-nel moving frequently.
The Salvation Army provides a stable base within the fluctu-ating currents of people, seeking to meet their needs, whatever they may be. Each week, corps members serve up to 50 families from the food bank, run a kids’ club, a worship service and Bible study at the senior high-rise facility, and a visitation program.
In conjunction with other agencies in Kodiak, including Safe Harbor and Brother Francis Shelter, The Salvation Army also maintains a supportive network to promote substance-free living through the “Beachcomber Program,” the first of its kind in the community that provides a drug-free, safe living environment
for up to 10 men and women transitioning from a substance abuse program to independent living. In addition to safe hous-ing, program participants work with a case manager to achieve individual goals in relapse prevention, mental and physical health care, vocational services, life skills training and adult basic education.
Powered by volunteers Members run the corps’ vast programming.
Fishing for the kingdom
Members of the Kodiak Corps lead worship. Photo by Sue Byers
Larsson musical slated for June premiere
The cast of Spirit! II: Empire rehearses at The Salvation Army’s studio in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Photo by Karen Gleason
RILEYS, page 2
SOCIAL SERVICES, page 4
BY ROBERT DOCTERCommissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs
surprised the audience with a special announcement following the formal installation of Majors Douglas and Colleen Riley as Southern California divisional commander and divisional director of women’s ministries, respectively. Turning to the Rileys, he said: “I am happy to inform you that both of you are hereby promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel.”
The audience burst into applause as Commissioner Carolyn Knaggs and Chief Secretary Colonel David Hudson fastened epaulets reflecting the new rank on the Rileys’ shoulders.
It was a warm welcome home for the Rileys, who have been away from Southern California for the past 18 years. Their four sons, twins 16-year-old Nick and Zach, along with Noah, 13, and Elijah, 11, have never lived in the area.
A stirring fanfare, “To a God Like This,” began the evening, during which officers, soldiers and various musical groups from the division celebrated the
n Play completes Paul’s story from the book of Acts.
Rehearsals are continuing apace for the premiere of “Spirit! II: Empire” at The Gathering in June. With practices every Tuesday, along with one Sunday a month, the 70 cast members have made a huge commitment.
“They’re a dedicated, talented bunch,” said Karl Larsson, co-director along with Barbara Allen. “We work them hard, but they always seem to deliver.”
The 1973 musical, “Spirit!” written by John Gowans and John Larsson, begins the story of what happened to Jesus’ followers after his ascent to heaven—the first part of Acts.
This new musical takes up where the original ended, completing Paul’s journey as documented in Acts. It opens with a dramatic storm and shipwreck off the coast of Malta, and then jumps back in time to explore how Paul found himself under arrest, traveling to the heart of the empire: Rome.
“Musical theater is a wonderful medium for storytelling; the musical ‘Spirit! II’ literally brings the book of Acts to life in front of your eyes. Working with the cast week by week is a joy!” Allen said. “The Army is blessed to have so many fine actors and singers. People we have known
BIG IMPACT, page 7
new leaders.
A warm Southern California welcome
Major Ana Diaz and Captain Dianne Madsen offered prayer in both Spanish and English. Dawn Smith led a performance by the Long Beach Corps Singing Company. Tustin Ranch Corps Sergeant-Major Gary Ayres spoke for the soldiers of the division and pledged support, commitment and tithing.
Music included praise and worship with the team from the Santa Ana Temple Corps led by Erick Rodriguez, and the Tustin Ranch Band, Ed Freeman, bandmaster, which performed Bill Himes’s challenging message “All That I Am.”
Captain Erika Hernandez, Pomona corps officer, spoke for the officers of the division. “We are innovative and use the latest approaches in evangelism, fundraising, and educating our communities relative to a growing ministry.
“We are a big family, and we take care of each other. We are culturally diverse and hold strong family values,” she said. “We need your encouragement, accountability, and, most importantly, we need you to be our pastors. Stay in touch—and, oh yes, Saturday barbecues at your house are always acceptable.”
Irene De Anda Lewis, executive director of the Los Angeles Red Shield Youth and Community Center, spoke on behalf of employees. “Good fathers make good sons,” she
said, referencing her work with Lt. Colonel David Riley, Douglas’s dad, now promoted to Glory and an unseen presence in the room. As the former Southern California divisional commander, he told her that the most important thing she could do in her position is “love the people who walk through the door with all your heart and be the living example of God’s love. This is what transforms people and communities—and don’t forget to save your receipts.”
Lewis told the Rileys: “Know that you have our support, prayers and determination to work together to transform people and communities in that time-proven way. It’s what we are called to do.”
The Pasadena Tabernacle Songsters, led by Martin Hunt, sang “My Life Must Be Christ’s Broken Bread.”
Both Commissioners Knaggs administered the formal installation, and Carolyn Knaggs offered a prayer of dedication.
“The greatest power in the universe”
Following a response and testimony by Colleen Riley, the new divisional commander spoke on “Déjà vu all over again.”
He expressed appreciation to Knaggs for “being part of this new beginning for us,” and thanked the Leslies, outgoing divisional leaders, for all they have done. He also noted the presence of his mother and brother in the audience, thanking his mother for her legacy of service to God.
“We serve a big God who exceeds our understanding and uses ordinary people as angels on this earth. If we are
an army we need to invade and invite. The greatest soldier is one subject to the power of the Holy Spirit, exhibiting the compassion of Christ. The greatest power in the universe is ours if we choose to use it.
“Our service to the division is not about ourselves. We give that away to serve others, letting go of personal ambition, being and making soldiers. We are not just another church. This Army is called and set apart to care for those who are the least. Think big! I’m excited to be a Salvationist in this Army today.
“Do you believe that God has stopped doing amazing things today? Aren’t there still miracles? Can’t he still do them through the faith of ordinary people? I believe he can and he will if we are willing. So let’s team up. Let’s work together. Let’s stay connected, and God will do a ‘new thing.’
“Here I am, wholly available,” Riley said. As for me, I will serve the Lord.”
Major Isobel Robinson led a song of celebration, “To God Be the Glory,” and Major Sherry McWhorter pronounced the benediction.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matt. 5:9 KJV).
SAN FRANCISCO—John McKnight, from San Francisco Harbor Light, spoke to students at Alta Vista School, a small private school. The children, pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade, learned about The Salvation Army and its work with the homeless population. They then made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—315 in one hour. Later that night volunteers delivered them in their outreach to the homeless.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.—Major Nancy Ball, corps officer, issued a challenge in mid-February to San Bernardino corps members: “Memorize 1 John 2:1-6 this week, and I’ll take you to Starbucks next Sunday.”
A lot of people expressed interest, but only two met the challenge: a teenage girl and a gentleman from the transitional living program.
“I’m very proud of them,” Ball said. “We will go to Starbucks this coming Sunday.”
SALEM, ORE.—The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center held its first health fair in January, featuring health screenings and 35 vendors from the fields of fitness, nutrition and cardio and mental health.
The center enrolled over 540 new members; one person accepted Christ. Tom Ferrin, associate director of development, said this first event will not be the last.
As of Feb. 1, Major Kelly Pontsler is The Salvation Army Marion-Polk Counties coordinator and Kroc Center administrator.
DENVER—The Denver Red Shield Corps has enrolled 21 new members—14 junior soldiers, four senior soldiers and three adherents—in the past two months. Corps programs are meeting community needs, with the after-school program serving 58 children, and a community dinner that feeds 65-80 people each evening, Monday through Friday.
Captains Ronald and Roberta McKinley are the corps officers.
MODESTO, CALIF.—The Salvation Army Berberian Homeless and Transition Shelter received 15 full-size quilts, two blankets and an afghan—all handmade—from the Modesto Senior Citizens Quilt Department. The group, which meets weekly, has been making and donating quilts to charities for over 30 years.
The shelter operates year-round, and during the winter season (November– April) it can accommodate 80 men and 20 women.
WESTERN TERRITORY—New Frontier Publications is currently accepting nominations for the annual Trailblazer Award, which will be presented at The Gathering in June. Do you know an outstanding soldier, corps officer, advisory board member, or someone who has demonstrated distinguished service to The Salvation Army? If so, work with your corps officer to submit the nomination.
Contact New Frontier staff with questions by email or call (562) 491-8332.
February 27, 2012New Frontier2
KarenGleason
Editor
N E W S B R I E F S O F T H E W E S T
Doing theMost Good
BY JOANNE LOUANGAMATH, CAPTAINThe weekend of Feb. 10-12, 182
delegates from across the Western Territory gathered at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont for the annual Future Officers’ Fellowship retreat. Territorial candidates’ and recruitment secretaries Majors John and Pamilla Brackenbury led a weekend that inspired each attendee to be “marked” with the characteristics of Christ.
During the Friday evening keynote session, Cadet Joy Groenleer (Proclaimers of the Resurrection Session president) spoke about her call to officership. Although she envisioned spending her life on the Hawaiian Islands, God’s vision for her was greater.
Lt. Colonels Doug and Diane O’Brien filled the chapel with laughter and tears as they shared their message on what it meant to be “marked” with love. The message of love resonated throughout the weekend.
Prospective candidate Naomi Kuhlman of the Sierra del Mar Division shared her testimony about how God marked her life saying, “Today I see what was always right in front of me—the love that God gives so freely—the love I’ve searched for my whole life.”
Recently commissioned lieutenants Sean and Bonita Kelsey, corps officers of the Cathedral City (Calif.) Corps, shared their experience at Crestmont and as new officers
in the field. Bonita Kelsey said, “I don’t think I can say it enough, but the reason that I am here today is because of Jesus—his death and resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit enabling me to get up here and talk to you. My insecurities and weaknesses I crucify daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes by the minute, because this is what God calls us to do.”
On Saturday the delegates attended classes on how to study the Bible, preparing for the pulpit, developing good study
habits and developing research skills as well as touring the campus and getting to know the first-year cadets. Everyone enjoyed an evening of intrigue and laughter as delegates dressed up and took part in a murder mystery dinner titled “Hollywood Confidential.”
Sunday morning the delegates spent time in prayer, lifting up praises and petitions. Accepted candidates Stephen and Briana Milner of the Del Oro Division
‘MARKED’2012 Future Officers’ Fellowship Retreat
Lt. Colonel Doug O’Brien examines Cadet Judah Young’s tattoos during the Future Officers’ Fellowship Retreat at Crestmont. Photo by Bob Louangamath
RILEYS from page 1
Lt. Colonels Doug and Colleen Riley greet well-wishers following the instal-lation service. Photo by John Docter
TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS—
PERSONNEL SERVICES Major Linda Markiewicz Secretary for Leadership
DevelopmentEffective April 4
newAppointment
FUTURE OFFICERS’ FELLOWSHIP, page 9
February 27, 2012New Frontier 3Doing the
Most Good
n Matsiko World Orphan Choir visits the Portland Tabernacle Corps.
BY RAYMOND DIHLE, LT.The email request from divisional
headquarters arrived on Thursday, Jan. 19: Could the Portland (Ore.) Tabernacle Corps host a non-Army children’s singing group that very Sunday?
Not knowing what to expect, we adjust-ed our meeting program and accepted the offer. Hoping for a good turnout, we made some phone calls to generate interest.
What occurred was a standing-room only crowd for the unique performance of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir.
The children, who came from Africa and South America, danced and sang up the aisles, shaking hands with the congre-gation as they began a program of praise songs and cultural dancing. Their intricate dance moves captivated the congregation, while complex drum routines enhanced the performance. One young boy gave his testi-mony—contrasting the despair he once felt to the joy he now knows following Jesus.
“One powerful number started with two groups of kids, each in conflict with the other’s culture,” said Major Nancy Dihle, corps officer. “Although they pantomimed conflict, each cultural group performed and during the last part of the song, they
were all in one accord. It was an unspo-ken, meaningful statement about love and acceptance.”
The International Children’s Network began the choir program in 2008, bring-ing together children from the countries in which it provides sponsorship networking. According the group’s website, Matsiko gets its name from the Ugandan word for hope (http://tiny.cc/q8831).
The choir’s rendition of “He Knows My Name” was also memorable. These chil-dren, who had endured poverty and loneli-ness, sang, “He formed my heart…I have a Father…and he hears me when I call.”
The children of the Matsiko World Orphan Choir—whose lives were once so mired in anguish—had found hope in Jesus Christ. The corps showed its appreciation with a standing ovation.
A last minute request
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir performs “He knows my name,” at the Portland Tabernacle Corps.Photo by Annalisa Green
Alaska’s Booth Home—from institutional to stunningn Design project transforms seven outdated bedrooms into works of art.
BY JENNI RAGLANDSeven bedrooms, once “institutionally
decorated,” at The Salvation Army’s Booth Memorial Youth and Family Services facil-ity in Anchorage, Alaska, now resemble four-star hotel rooms thanks to community partnerships.
Donated materials and labor—60 vol-unteers, 900 hours—valued at almost $100,000 enabled the facility to renovate the bedrooms with new paint, carpeting, window treatments, artwork and furnish-ings.
“Of all the projects I’ve helped organize in Anchorage, none has been so well sup-ported and come together as quickly as this did,” said Cindy Curtis, Anchorage Advisory Board member who helped spear-head the project.
Various room designers created visions for their selected rooms, resulting in myriad designs and colors. RIM Design, RIM Architects and RIM First People
& Cornerstone Construction designed a “You-nique” room. The Anchorage Zonta Club developed the “Yellow Rose” room while CH2MHill created the “Berry Room,” reminiscent of Alaskan summers.
The “Pink Blossom” room—with rich chocolate brown tones and pink blos-soms—was the dream of the American Society of Interior Designers. Carter Financial Group brought the outdoors inside with birch logs in their “Spice Fields” room. “Wisteria,” by Medical Park Family Care, offers a spa-like retreat. And the Lasswell family completed “Quiet Comfort” for staff members that stay over-night in the residence.
Eastside Carpet installed the carpeting and Truman Newsome and Art Barlow, retired electricians, put in the extensive rewiring and electrical upgrades.
Tom Nottle, interim administra-tor, spoke at the Room Renovation Celebration.
“If you could know the very difficult and often abusive situations that result in girls coming to our program, you would under-stand they’ve not likely seen such sponta-neous generosity and kindness being shown to them,” he said. “Every day at Booth we say this is a house of care and this project has helped express that to our clients.”
Staying warm in the Northwestn The Salvation Army, a local TV station and a banking chain join forces to provide winter clothing to the needy.
The Salvation Army Northwest Divisional Headquarters in Seattle, Wash., joined forces with KeyBank and TV station King 5 for “The Great Winter Warm Up” drive, a program designed to help the needy and home-less withstand the cold, harsh winter in western Washington. The program began before Christmas 2011 and continued into the new year.
To jumpstart the project, KeyBank contributed $10,000 toward the pur-chase of new hats, gloves, scarves and socks. Clothing collection bins went up in all 150 KeyBank locations and bank customers donated $1,625.
“The Salvation Army is such an important mission. They’re all about taking care of people in great need, so our clothing drive fits very well with them,” said Steve Maxwell, president of KeyBank’s Puget Sound District.
To date, 5,444 items have been collected for the campaign. As the ven-ture nears its end, its timeliness is evident: western Washington has recently had record-breaking cold temperatures.
Major James Baker, Bremerton corps officer, with Bremerton Key Bank Staff. Photo courtesy of Northwesr Divisional Headquarters
The “Yellow Rose” room at the Alaska Booth Home Photo by Jenni Ragland
BLAST FROM THE PAST
National Commander on ‘60 Minutes’n In 1983, Commissioner John Needham appeared on the long-running news program, currently in its 44th season.
Throughout its 30th year, New Frontier will reprint articles from 1983, its first year of publication. The follow-ing piece appeared in New Frontier, vol. 1, no. 1, Feb. 1, 1983.
Television newsman Morley Safer recently interviewed Commissioner John D. Needham, national com-mander of The Salvation Army, on the television program “60 Minutes.” The subject concerned the Army’s withdrawal from active membership in the World Council of Churches.
Throughout the segment of the program Safer continually made the point that contributors to church collection plates in the United States are probably unaware of the nature of the causes supported by the World Council. After interviewing Council representatives it became somewhat apparent that the Council itself was not able to control the ultimate use of its support for humanitarian causes,
PAST, page 5
Tournament of Roses namesWilliam Flinn executive director
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Board announced that William B. Flinn, a Salvationist, will assume the role of executive director, effective March 1. Flinn has been serv-ing as both interim executive director and chief operating officer since September 2011. As executive direc-tor, Flinn will lead the professional staff, supporting the association’s leadership and the 935 volunteers in planning and staging the world-renowned Tournament of Roses Parade.
“I am honored to have been asked to serve in this capacity,” Flinn said. “I am energized by the spirit of our Tournament family and am eager to collectively build upon the heritage of the past 124 years, while utilizing new and creative strategies that will carry these uniquely Pasadena New Year events forward to the benefit and inter-est of future generations.”
In addition to his work with the Tournament of Roses Association, Flinn is the conductor of the Pasadena Tabernacle Band and chairman of the Governance Council for the College for Officer Training at Crestmont.
William Flinn
working poor: and what works; 3) How to have Salvation Army homes for the homeless; 4) How to successfully pursue public and private funding; 5) How to publish Salvation Army research on poverty; 6) How to aid victims of human trafficking in your community; and 7) How to trace our lost soldiery.
In strategizing these subjects, participants kept in mind the threefold purpose of the Social Services Response Team, which are, in short, to be proactive in identifying and meeting the needs of the community, to strongly reaffirm The Salvation Army’s place as a major social services provider in the Western Territory, and to help shape the future of The Salvation Army in the West.
“Commissioner Knaggs’ presence and willingness to respond to the team strategies was an important part of the event,” said Marcus Stannard, contract, legal and property services director for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division. “When the organization leader puts himself ‘on the line,’ that speaks of leadership.”
In closing, Knaggs thanked the team
for its good work and its ministry, and declared his plan to bring them together often. “Let’s get the research projects going,” he said, “put the subjects together.
“We need to do a better job in responding to the needs of our times, on a macro and micro scale,” Knaggs said. “I want us to take not just a notch, but a quantum leap forward. I believe we will attract more funding and more resources to get the job done. God has always provided the resources that we need as we remain faithful and accountable. You are a very important part of who we are.”
Team member Diane Brandsma, executive director for White Shield Center, summed up the councils experience: “I left with a sense of hope. It is easy to lose hope and perspective and to get caught up in numbers and dollar signs versus the people we serve and the needs of our community.
“The Commissioner’s vision and willingness to support these amazing programs, and explore innovative ideas and creative funding streams gives me a bit of peace amidst the chaos,” Brandsma said.
‘Kettles on Parade’To cel-
ebrate its 125th anniver-sary, The Salvation Army of Wake County in Raleigh, N.C., launched Kettles on Parade, a community art proj-ect and contest. Starting March 30, groups, families or individuals can adopt and decorate a kettle, and enter it into the contest. The kettles will be displayed in various outlets throughout the community to remind people that help is needed year-round, not just at Christmas.
The top three artist winners will receive rec-ognition and the top fundraising winner will receive a cash prize of $500.
February 27, 2012New Frontier4 Doing the
Most Good
FIND US ON FACEBOOKfacebook.com/tsanewfrontier
BY PATRICK PATEYThe 2012 Personal Life/
Public Faith lecture, hosted by Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology on Feb. 10, honored The Salvation Army’s Major Ward and Captain Michele Matthews, Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex commanders in Texas.
Overseeing The Salvation Army in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, and Ellis coun-ties, the Matthews supervise a staff of 400 and a budget of $38.2 million to deliver an extensive range of compas-sionate services and spiritual programs to the community, including 15 community centers, four homeless shelters, two apartment buildings for senior citizens, two social service centers, and a Christmas assistance center. The command involves more than 450 corporate partners, and works closely with a 73-mem-ber advisory board comprising local business and civic leaders.
The Public Life/Personal Faith series is a fundraising and out-reach event of Perkins School of Theology in service to the larger community. The lecture and symposium provide an opportunity
for participants to engage scholars on topics related to why and how personal faith shapes public life. “We are called to know, love, and serve God and neighbor in our daily lives through sharing the gospel of truth, mercy, jus-tice, and love,” explains Rev. Dr. Todd Rasberry, director of development at Perkins. “Personal faith has practical consequences for the way we think, speak, make choices, and live our public lives.”
Underwritten by James and Judy Gibbs and the Gene and Jerry Jones fam-ily, the luncheon featured Dr. Diane Winston, Knight
Chair in Media and Religion at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California and a national authority on religion and the media. Her address, “Soup, Soap and Salvation: William Booth’s legacy for the 21st century,” drew in part from her book, Red-Hot and Righteous: The Urban Religion of The Salvation Army. Winston also offered a symposium address, “Saving Grace: Ritual, Re-enchantment and Redemption.”
Perkins School of Theologyhonors Salvation Army officers
Major Ward and Captain Michele Matthews
n Nine new members bring business, marketing and media skills.
National Commander William A. Roberts announced the installation of nine new members to The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board (NAB), a group of national civic, philanthropic and business leaders who assist the organization in matters ranging from strategic planning to public outreach. Each new member has been selected for community involvement and engagement with the Army in their local communities and with other nonprofit and relief organizations across the United States and internationally.
“We are honored that each of these civic and community leaders have accepted the mantel of national voluntary leadership with The Salvation Army,” Roberts said. “Each is accomplished in business and community change and we are honored that they will apply their knowledgeable insight to help guide The Salvation Army.”
As of Jan. 1, each member began serv-ing a three-year term on the NAB. They join a group led by the National Board Chair, Charlotte Jones Anderson, executive vice president brand management and president of charities for the Dallas Cowboys.
“We are thrilled to be growing the size and scope of The Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board,” Anderson said. “The Board has now grown to 44 members and the combined wealth of experience, talent and dedication of these new leaders will bring a wonderful set of fresh ideas to our goal of helping others.”
New members include Pamela Abdalla, an attorney and chairman of The Salvation Army’s Middle East Advisory Board; Gary Brown, chief executive officer of Mount West Investments; Bill Burke, senior vice president of marketing at Nationwide Financial; Michael Ducker, chief operating officer for FedEx Express and president of its international divi-sions; Micheal Flaherty, president of Walden Media; Eric Holm, owner of Metro Corral Partners; Marcia Larson, manager of HR content and communications at Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal; Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of Herschend Family Entertainment; and Ambassador Gaddi H. Vasquez, senior vice president of public affairs for the Southern California Edison Company and previously U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Organizations in Rome.
Find more about each new member at new-frontierpublications.org.
Community and civic leaders join the National Advisory Board
Scandinavian Congress this May
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory is hold-ing its annual Scandinavian Congress May 25-28 at the Ladore Conference Center in Waymart, Pa. Special guests will include Commissioners Lawrence R. and Nancy A. Moretz, former lead-ers of the Eastern Territory. There will also be youth oriented programming, band and string band participation.
For more information email [email protected]
Delegates to the territorial Social Services Councils Photo by John Docter
SOCIAL SERVICES from page 1
ON THE WEB
youtube.com/salvationarmytodayThe Salvation Army’s USA Southern Territory launched “Salvation Army Today,” a web-based news show. The weekly program offers breaking news and information concerning the Army’s many ministries around the world.
n International leader welcomed by thousands of Salvationists and friends.
General Linda Bond visited The Salvation Army’s India South Eastern and India South Western territories in February. In each territory, thousands of people welcomed her. Captain Elizabeth Nelson from International Headquarters accompanied her.
In the India South Eastern Territory, a motorized golden chariot transported Bond, Nelson and territorial leaders Commissioners M.C. and Susamma James to the Booth Tucker Memorial Church in Nagercoil, where 25,000 people gathered to see the Army’s international leader.
The General challenged Salvationists in the India South Eastern Territory to be a holy people before God and the world. Each Bible-based message expanded on
aspects of the International Vision: “One Army, One Mission, One Message.” She emphasized the importance of prayer, saying, “Without prayer the church cannot go forward,” and stressed the importance of holiness.
Large crowds also greeted Bond in the India South Western Territory, including territorial leaders Colonels Samuel and Bimla Charan. Here she spoke at officers’ councils on the Army’s “One Mission”
vision, saying Salvationists should be the people they are called to be and do what they are called to do. In another session, she asked: “What kind of officers do we need?” challenging Army officers to serve people with a willing heart and lead them with a gracious Spirit.
After each of her messages, scores of people approached the mercy seat to dedicate or rededicate their lives to God.
From salvationarmy.org/ihq
February 27, 2012New Frontier 5Doing the
Most Good
Elsewhere in the world
ZAMBIA—U.S. Western Territory officer Major Beryl Pierce recently departed The Salvation Army’s Chikankata mission in the southern province of Zambia for a new assignment. On March 1 she will assume her new appointment as administrator of Matanda Home for the Aged in the northern province of Zambia.
Pierce has served God in Zambia since June 2005, most recently as a corps officer and a social worker at Chikankata Hospital. The Army grew significantly during her time at Chikankata (see newfrontierpublications.org/nf/?p=1912).
UNITED KINGDOM—Salvationist Clarence Adoo, Newcastle City Temple Corps, received the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for musical service. Adoo, once a renowned trumpet player with the Northern Sinfonia, was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident in 1995. Despite his disability, he travels throughout England fulfilling a non-playing role with the Sinfonia.
“I had a choice,” Adoo said. “Give up and feel sorry for myself or be positive and have a good crack at life and see what was possible.”
AUSTRALIA—Devastating floods affected large areas in Queensland and New South Wales, stranding hundreds of people and causing widespread destruction. The Salvation Army assisted those affected by flooding in both locations.
As floodwaters receded, Army personnel also helped residents assess damages and begin cleaning up their homes.
“The situation in the evacuation center is starting to ease but much needs to be done as the recovery process begins,” said Norm Archer, emergency services director for the Australia Eastern Territory.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA—The Salvation Army’s Uaripi Fellowship in the Gulf Province received four new timbrels, a guitar and $527, donated by Raggah and Coral Sibby of the Koki Corps. The corps in Koki is just over five hours away from Uaripi village by truck and boat.
Uaripi Fellowship officially opened as an Army outpost in 2006 and stands strong despite hardships. Although the church shelter is made of bamboo and rush ropes, its services are well attended.
PAST from page 3
but gave the $85 million in faith that the money would not be used for bombs and bullets.
Needham states that the ultimate “straw” requiring the Army’s decision to termi-nate full membership in the Council came with the actions of the Patriotic Front in Zimbabwe, a group that had been support-ed by the World Council of Churches. The Patriotic Front, Needham said, unleashed guerilla warfare, which resulted in the death of two Salvationists. “The Army,” Needham noted, “has served in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) for over 80 years, trying to help people in that land.” Having Salvationists die from bullets fired by members of an organization supported by the World Council became just too much, he added.
The program also interviewed leaders of the World Council, and a basic philosophi-cal difference between that organization and the Army became apparent. Seemingly the Council seeks to achieve a better world by changing society, while the Army attempts to achieve the same goal by changing human beings from the inside, one life at a time. The program gave the impression that the World Council is prepared to help redistribute power through support of vari-ous political groups, while the Army seeks to redistribute power through the introduc-tion of Jesus Christ into the lives of men and women.
n Corps opened in its new facility, the former Bird in Hand, on Feb. 14.
Salvationists at the Forest-of-Dean Corps in the U.K. are hoping people will fall in love with their new facility, which opened for the first time on St. Valentine’s Day.
The corps purchased a former pub, the Bird in Hand, and refurbished the downstairs as its new base. The upstairs will follow.
“We hope the refurbishment will grow with the community when we know what the local needs are,” said Captain Vivienne Prescott, corps officer.
The Forest of Dean consists of 35 square miles of ancient forest located in Gloucestershire, England. Renowned for its natural beauty and cultural and historical value, the Forest of Dean is bordered by the Severn and Wye rivers and the city of Gloucester.
U.S. Western Territory officer Lt. Colonel Diane O’Brien reflected on The Salvation Army’s history with the British pub scene. “A pub is traditionally more than just a bar. It’s often the heart of a
small community,” she said.
“Salvationists have taken our periodicals into them for years and often our relationships with the landlords have been warm, despite our stand on alcohol. In my years as an officer in the U.K., I experienced the community feel
when my regular paper customers would be waiting for me on a Friday or Saturday night,” O’Brien said. “I even had the joy of enrolling three of my former pub customers as good and proper soldiers. And it just seems so right for the Army to be buying and refurbishing a pub!”
In Salvation Army history, one pub holds special significance—the Blind Beggar in London’s East End. In 1865, William Booth preached outside the pub. Hoping to reach ordinary people with the good news of Jesus Christ, he had recently resigned his position as a Methodist minister. Responding to his powerful speaking, some missioners invited him to lead a series of tent meetings. This encounter is recognized as the birth of The Salvation Army, initially called The Christian Mission.
U.K.’s Forest-of-Dean Corps moves into a pub
General Linda Bond visits IndiaGeneral Linda Bond is greeted by Salvationists and friends during her visit to the India South Eastern Territory. Photo courtesy of International Headquarters
General announces international congressGeneral Linda Bond announced that an International Congress will be held during the
first week of July 2015. The Congress will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of The Salvation Army.
Since London is where the Army was born, it is fitting that Salvationists gather in this city to celebrate God’s faithfulness and blessing on the Army’s mission.
Planning and preparation for the Congress will be coordinated by Lt. Colonels Eddie and Kathy Hobgood, officers of the U.S. Southern Territory, who will be based at International Headquarters from July 2012 under the supervision of Commissioner William Cochrane, International Secretary to the Chief of the Staff.
A Salvation Army prayer service in Papua New Guinea
PAGE 6—NEW FRONTIER • February 27, 2012
n Kodiak Corps takes a look back in time.
Snatched from the grip of the devil—such is the history of the property that now houses the Kodiak Corps, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in November 2011.
In 1976, Major Arthur Smith, then Alaska’s divisional commander, asked Lieutenant Craig Fanning, then in his first appointment at the Kenai Peninsula Corps, if he would be interested in someday opening the work in Kodiak.
Although it took a while, events unfolded—in God’s time—that brought about the corps’ opening. Unknown to everyone, a local resident, Nina Galbreth, had been praying constantly that God would redeem the Beachcomber Bar—favorite hangout of Kodiak’s crab fishing fleet—known for rowdy parties and a raucous atmosphere.
By 1991 the bar had become a strip club, and Galbreth and others prayed that God would redeem this ground. The battle had been waging for more than 15 years when Major Olin Hogan, the new divisional com-mander, called on a former officer to open a corps in Kodiak. He didn’t know that this was the same young lieutenant who had been approached 15 years previously.
Envoys Craig and Jeanne Fanning moved to Kodiak and began search-ing for a location. “We didn’t know that Nina had been praying for decades about the property,” Fanning said, “but I was drawn to the old Beachcomber, spending each lunchtime sitting outside the bar, praying
that God would give this property to The Salvation Army.”
Months later, the owner of the Beachcomber called Fanning and said he was willing to sell. Although excited at first, Fanning realized that the asking price was far more than the Army would consider. After much negotiation, feel-
ing that perhaps it wasn’t God’s plan for a corps
in Kodiak, the owner made his final offer of $750,000. Territorial head-
quarters accepted this offer, and The Salvation Army had a home. For the 20th anniversary observance, Corps Officer Major John Quinn invited the Fannings, cur-rently corps officers (again) at Kenai Peninsula, to join the festivities. Community leader retired Coast Guard Commander Jimmy Ng pre-sented a history of the facilities. He quoted James 5:16: The prayer of a righ-teous man is power-ful and effective, empha-sizing Galbreth’s prayers.
Divisional Commander Major George Baker spoke on moving the battle forward, and relying on God’s faithfulness. Fanning’s Sunday morning mes-sage was “Back to the Future.” Citing Genesis 35, he encouraged everyone to recommit his or her life to God.
Reflecting on the weekend, Fanning said, “We may never know what our corps were in their previous lives, or how the work in our communi-ties started. But I learned this weekend that someone prayed, and God answered.
“Whatever God places on our hearts, keep praying.”
Reclaimed for the kingdom
KINGDOM BUILDING IN KODIAK
Top: The town of Kodiak. Above: The interior of the Beachcomber bar. Middle of page: The sign outside the Kodiak Corps; the same sign just after the building was purchased by The Salvation Army; Kodiak in the early 1900s; Corps officers Majors John and Cathy Quinn and divisional leaders Majors George and Jeanne Baker at the Kodiak Corps 20th anniversary celebration
“We greatly appreciate the presence of The Salvation Army on Kodiak Island. They are a major player in our social
safety net for individuals who encounter life’s adversities.”
—KODIAK BOROUGH MAYOR JEROME SELBY
Corps sergeant-major (CSM) Dave Blacketer, president of the Senior Citizen Center Board, speaks on alternate weeks in the worship service at the senior high-rise, and his wife, Carol, assists with the Bible study.
Gary and Sue Byers serve as quartermaster and assistant CSM, respec-tively. They operate the food bank, help with youth activities and are the unofficial corps photographers.
Adherents Tony and Esther Furio volunteer countless hours each year painting, waxing, fixing and vacuuming in the corps’ facility.
These three couples tag teach the adult Sunday school class, and Sue Byers teaches a youth class.
Adherent Barbe Wolkoff, family store supervisor and chaplain for the state of Alaska in the AL Auxiliary, runs an efficient volunteer program that works when the store is open and restocks on Monday nights, result-ing in the store’s highest sales on Tuesdays.
Each year, volunteers run the corps’ Red Kettle program. “If we don’t have volunteers, our kettles don’t go out,” Cathy Quinn said. “During the five seasons that we have been here, our Red Kettle effort has grown from $15,000 per season to $25,000 this past Christmas.”
In touch with the communityKodiak’s Coast Guard station, the largest worldwide, houses rescuers
who also serve as active law enforcers, protectors of the fisheries, and as volunteers in the community when off-duty. One family began ringing bells for The Salvation Army in 2010, started attending the corps in 2011 and brought another Coast Guard family to the worship services.
The corps participates in the Ministerial Alliance, which meets each month for fellowship and conducts three community meetings each year—a fishermen’s memorial service each May, a community-wide Good Friday service, and a community-wide Thanksgiving service. The corps
holds a community “singspiration” the last Sunday night of each month January through March, as one of the rotating hosts of local churches. Soloists and praise teams from the different congregations participate.
In addition to their duties as corps officers, the Quinns hold positions in the local community. Cathy Quinn is a volunteer chaplain with Kodiak’s Providence Hospital; John Quinn is a volunteer chaplain with Bayside Fire Station and opens each Borough Assembly meeting in prayer. He also writes a weekly column, “Another Day in Paradise,” for the Kodiak Daily Mirror religion page. Quinn said the weekly reflection of activities and events “helps keep us pointed to God and in tune to the needs of this community as part of God’s work in Kodiak.”
February 27, 2012 • NEW FRONTIER—PAGE 7
Kodiak factsKodiak, Alaska, population
6,357 (July 2009), is one of seven communities and the main city on Kodiak Island in southern Alaska. In the native language, “Kadiak” means island. English Captain James Cook first penned “Kodiak” in his journals in 1778.
Alutiiq natives inhabited the area for over 7,000 years before Russian immigrants settled there in the 18th century, when the city became the capital of Russian Alaska. Kodiak became a commercial fishing center after the U.S. acquired it with the Alaska Purchase in 1867. Fishing remains the basis of its economy, with tourism a lesser, though important, influence.
As of 2009 the demographic makeup was 40.5 percent White, 36.4 per-cent Asian, 10.9 percent Native American, 8.7 percent Hispanic, 1.8 percent two or more races, 1.6 percent Black.
Source: city-data.com/city/Kodiak-Alaska.html
KINGDOM BUILDING IN KODIAK
BIG IMPACT from page 1
PAGE 8—NEW FRONTIER • February 27, 2012
June 3 SunDAY 6:30pm Pre-Gathering Concert Pasadena Tabernacle Youth Chorus {Pasadena Tabernacle Corps}
June 4 - 6 MonDAY — WeDneSDAY 9:00am Boot Camp
June 7 ThurSDAY 9:00am Boot Camp 10:00am The Gathering registration opens1:30pm Officers’Councils* {First united Methodist Church} 5:30pm reception 7:00pm The Gathering Main Meeting 9:00pm refreshments & Concerts 9:00pm Prayer Gathering
June 8 FriDAY 5:30am Korean Prayer Gathering 7:00am Prayer Gathering 8:00am recovery Ministry Breakfast {hilton hotel} 8:00am Officers’Kids’Breakfast 10:00am Seminars 10:30am Commencement {First united Methodist Church}12:30pm SilverStarBanquet* {hilton hotel} 1:00pm encore! 1:00pm Latino Praise and Worship Meeting 1:30pm Seminars 3:00pm Musical – “Spirit! ii: empire” 3:00pm Divisional Gatherings – Golden State, Sierra Del Mar, Southern California and Southwest 5:00pm LongServiceDinner* {hilton hotel}
June 8 FriDAY (ConTinueD) 5:30pm reception 7:00pm The Gathering Main Meeting 9:00pm refreshments & Concerts 9:00pm Prayer Gathering
June 9 SATurDAY 5:30am Korean Prayer Gathering 7:00am Prayer Gathering10:00am FamilyGatherings-Women’sTea, Men’sRally,Kids’Carnival {Brookside Park} 1:00pm encore! 1:30pm Seminars 3:00pm Musical – “Spirit! ii: empire” 3:00pm Divisional Gatherings – Alaska, Cascade,DelOro,HawaiianandPacific islands, intermountain and northwest 5:30pm reception 7:00pm The Gathering Main Meeting 9:00pm refreshments & Concerts 9:00pm Prayer Gathering
June 10 SunDAY 5:30am Korean Prayer Gathering 7:00am Prayer Gathering 8:00am FoF Breakfast 10:00am Commissioning & ordination 12:00pm The Gathering Lunch 3:00pm Service of Appointments3:00pm Kids’WorshipMeeting
*byinvitationonly
Translation will be available in Spanish, Korean and Chinese for all major events if requested at registration.
All events to be held at the Pasadena Convention Center unless otherwise indicated.
To register for all events, visit www.uswevents.org.
RegisteR BY May 1, 2012 at www.uswevents.oRg visit www.faceBook.com/thegatheRing2012
JUNE 7 - 10, 2012PASADENA, CA
And when two or three of you are togetherbecause of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.{ }
— Matthew 18:20
USA WESTERN TERRITORY
THE GATHERING
JUNE 7 - 10, 2012PASADENA, CA
And when two or three of you are togetherbecause of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.{ }
— Matthew 18:20
USA WESTERN TERRITORY
THE GATHERING
February 27, 2012 9Doing the Most Good
Major Clarence Lanakila Orion was promoted to Glory Jan. 30 from Florrisant, Mo.
The oldest of four children, Orion was born June 6, 1942, in Honolulu to Anathalio and Elizabeth Orion.
Orion was raised in The Salvation Army church where he attended kinder-garten and remained active throughout his teenage years. In 1960, he won the top musician award at Camp Homelani; this led to his participation the following year in music camps at Redwood Glen (Golden State Division) and Mt. Crags (Southern California Division). He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1961 and served at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Ill., where he played in the band until 1969. While stationed at Scott, he attended a Salvation Army corps in St. Louis, Mo.
In 1962, Orion attended a Salvation
Army future officer retreat where he met Patricia Round, who was working for the summer before leaving for Salvation Army training college. Round postponed training and the couple wed later in 1962. They had four children: Clarence II, Erik, Terence and Joy Trish.
In 1968—after attending music camps in Missouri—he felt called to be a Salvation Army officer. The Orions entered the School for Officer Training in San Francisco and were commissioned with the Victorious Session in 1971—a fitting label since Orion’s middle name means “victorious.” The couple held appointments in Lahaina, Hanapepe and Kaneohe, Hawaii; and Ventura, Compton and Pasadena, Calif.
They left Salvation Army work for eight years, returning in 1991 when Clarence Orion served as addiction treatment ser-vices chaplain at the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Divisional Headquarters. His final active appointment was divisional music director.
The couple retired in 2008 and moved to Florissant where Patricia Orion’s family lived.
The Kauluwela Mission Corps held a memorial service Feb. 11. Major Randy Mulch, Major Warren Dabis and Divisional Commander Major Edward Hill took part in the service. That evening Orion’s ashes were scattered in the waters off Camp Homelani.
Major Lola L. Bacon was promot-ed to Glory Jan. 20 from Albany, Ore.
Lola Hoffman was born in Lovelle, Wyo., May 9, 1937, to William and Gladys Hoffman. She served in the U.S. Navy and married Floyd C. Bacon in 1957.
In her candidate’s papers for admission to officer training, Bacon wrote of her holiness event: “Even now it thrills me. It was in April 1971 at youth councils in Spokane, Wash., that I ‘reached out and touched the Lord.’ It was Sunday morning and we were singing that prayer chorus for the last time when I actually felt like my life had just begun.”
Bacon attended The Salvation Army School for Officer Training from 1973-1975, graduating with the Soldiers of the Cross Session. She and her husband held appointments as corps officers in Sitka, Alaska, from 1975-1977; Juneau, Alaska from 1977-1984; Vancouver, Wash., from 1984-1991; and Glendale, Calif., from 1991-2001. The couple retired in 2001 but came out of retirement to serve in Albany from 2007-2011.
Bacon enjoyed sewing, stamp collect-ing and arts and crafts of all kinds. She was active in TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Floyd C. Bacon of Albany; foster daughter Kathleen Johnson (Dana) of Port Angeles, Wash.; son William Bacon of California; two nieces and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
The Salvation Army Albany Corps held a celebration of life Feb. 4 with Cascade Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Eda Hokom officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army Albany Corps Building Campaign.
ACADEMIC DEAN
Booth University College invites applications, nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Academic Dean effective July 1, 2012.
Booth University College is operated by The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory as an educational expression of the ministry of the Army. The University College serves students on its Winnipeg campus, officers across the Canada and Bermuda Territory, and the international Salvation Army in 35 countries.
The Academic Dean provides leadership to the academic programs of the institution, including the development and maintenance of programs, the recruitment and supervision of faculty, and the cultivation of strong relationships within the academic and other constituencies. The Academic Dean is a member of the senior leadership team of the institution and works closely with the President.
Desired Qualifications:• a Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to the emerging curriculum of the University College,
demonstrated success teaching undergraduates, experience in academic administration, and a passion for undergraduate education.
• the ability to provide visionary leadership and to manage the day-to-day operations of the academic program.
• the ability to cultivate relationships with other colleges and universities.• Salvationist in good standing.• beliefs and a lifestyle compatible with the mission and identity of the University College.
We encourage all qualified persons to apply in confidence; however, due to federal immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Consideration of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please submit a letter of introduction, a curriculum vitae, and the names of three referees to Dr. Donald Burke, President, Booth University College, 447 Webb Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 2P2.
Web: www.BoothUC.caE-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (204) 924-4868.
Be smart, don’t startEvery year the Substance Abuse Steering Coalition in Yuba City (Calif.) hosts a mural com-petition on the topic: “What is your alternative to drugs and alcohol?” This year, Rodney Cable—an elementary student who attends the Yuba-Sutter Corps’ after-school program—took 1st place in his division. Hesitant to join the contest at first because he didn’t know what to draw or say, he finally came up with the winning slogan: “Be Smart, Don’t Start.”
Photo by Rick Millhollin
shared their journey in accepting the call to officership. They expressed that running from God’s call was exhausting, but an over-whelming peace came when they accepted it. The women’s ensemble, under the direction of Diane O’Brien, sang “Nothing but Thy Blood.”
Commissioner James Knaggs shared his heart as he said, “God has called us to serve him. We make a commitment to serve him, and then it becomes our character; it becomes who we are. There really is no sepa-ration—it comes from a relationship with God.” He further added, “Even if you are called to officership it doesn’t mean anything if you haven’t made the commitment. And
can I say, the commitment means very little until it materializes in your character.”
Each attendee returned home with a renewed vigor for ministry and commitment in service to God. The cabinet, territorial and divisional leaders, college staff and cadets shared the “mark” of love that was definitely felt and was undeniably infectious. The call-ing to serve in the ministry of The Salvation Army is immeasurable as it encompasses so much more than we can ever expect.
Sean Kelsey left us with this challenge: “Take hold of that call. A call is an invitation. The question is what are we going to do with the invitation that God is giving us?”
FUTURE OFFICERS’ FELLOWSHIP from page 2
One of our favorite things to do as a family is to attend live stage musicals, and we have had the opportunity to attend some great ones. For those that I haven’t seen, I like to listen to the soundtracks. One “old” musical that I haven’t seen has a song called, “You gotta have heart.” It talks about “havin’ miles and miles of heart” “havin’ hope, not sittin’ around to mope,” or something like that…any-way.
During this time of thinking about hearts and flowers and love, we also know that God’s word has lots of things to say about heart. Here are just a few examples from the Psalms alone:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and con-trite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts (Psalm 139:23).
Of course, I could take up the entire New Frontier with scripture relating to the heart. Jesus, who turned the world upside down with his teachings, life and sacrifice, really challenges us by saying:
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil
man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45).
But Jesus also directed us to the “Greatest Commandment”:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 23:6).
When we do this, our hearts will be full of good and not of evil—and so what we say and do should reflect our total love for our God. Love him first—love him last—love him truly!
“Ya gotta have” a heart for him!
Our Salvation Army is uniquely blessed by the frequent bequests that come to us from wills and estates. Some of these are planned and expected, but many come as a complete surprise when announced. Often we receive bequests from generous people that no one on our board knew, or even
recognized.Several years ago we were astonished to hear that
a woman had left us $1.5 million, and no one on our board, council, auxiliary or staff had ever heard of this person. In fact, she had occasionally donated $50 or $100, but never an amount that would capture attention. This gift became the springboard toward establishing our endowment, which is now over $5 million, and the monthly interest payments greatly assist us in making our operational budget.
Then, last month we heard another piece of wonderful news. A 96-year-old woman had left a net check of $1,731,533.91! Wow! Only one board member knew this person, and then only as a brief acquaintance. She left a grand total of $15,000 to family and friends.
Her financial advisor related some interesting facts to us. She never owned a dishwasher. She did not have a clothes dryer, just a clothesline in the back yard.
When asked why she would reply, “That much more for The Salvation Army.”
Now, that story should bless and encourage every one of us in the greater Salvation Army family. It surely blessed us in Modesto as we recognize the awesome avenues of opportunity that these unexpected funds will provide.
I think several lessons can be learned from these examples.
First, we need to keep our focus on “Doing the Most Good” for our community and for our beneficiaries. Donors have always recognized us for our integrity, for getting “the most bang for the buck” and for our steadfast focus on keeping to our mission. We have frequently been called “America’s Favorite Charity,” and the flow of funds to us from unexpected sources attests to that title. Our obligation is to exceed those expectations, operating with grace and integrity to honor the intent of the donor.
Second, we need to work hard at encouraging and educating the community about our needs and the ways that they can be met. We try to schedule a will clinic or an estate-planning seminar on a regular basis to educate donors as to how their estate plan can benefit them and The Salvation Army. Every advisory board should have an attorney member, and this member can help spearhead these events.
We also need to ask, better yet strongly urge, our board and council members to include the Army in their own estate plans. This is critical! In my view this is one of the clear and important expectations that should be held for membership on the board, and indeed our local work is regularly blessed by these bequests that come from our own “family” members who have passed on.
Make time at your board and council meetings to allow brief presentations by your divisional planned giving representatives. In fact, these folks should be present at every one of your meetings and be given opportunity to present and discuss creative ways to strategize wills and estate plans.
Finally, and perhaps most important, we need to keep the faith, praying and expecting that our Lord will assist us in providing these blessings. Every time I hear of an expected estate bequest to our local Army work I breathe a prayer of thanks, knowing that “With God all things are possible.”
Feel free to contact Dick at [email protected] for questions, board related materials and comments concerning advisory board issues.
February 27, 2011New Frontier10 Doing the
Most Good
Like kings and queensThey came in vanloads and waited
patiently in our cramped dining room for the others to arrive.
On the first Monday in January, the Training College hosted its first ever Golden Agers Christmas Party. These senior citizens were survivors. They had survived the great flood when typhoon Ondoy leveled their homes and took their loved ones. They are surviving daily, having lived for three years in makeshift houses with up to six other families in a space that was intended for one family. Their faces were rough and lined with the evidence of the harshness of their existence.
We did our best to transform our humble dining room into a place that would be special for the seniors. We pleated and pinned skirting around the cadets’ desks that had been arranged from end to end around the room. We used our best linen, had fresh flowers on the tables, and prepared a program of games and worship for the group.
After several trips we had our 60 seniors from the four training college outreaches, and we were ready to begin.
The menu consisted of what the cadets felt would be the favorite foods of our guests—pancit canton, meatballs, baked chicken with sauce, rice, sautéed veggies, fruit salad and a special drink with chunks of gelatin in it.
The staff and cadets served the seniors, and as we brought them the heaping plates, we were met with words of appreciation.
The game time was hilarious as the women fed the
men from baby bottles. The crowd squealed with laughter.
A cadet led a devotional time with songs and a salvation message, and every one of those wonderful seniors stood up at their table and repeated the sinner’s prayer in their own language. My eyes were not dry as I witnessed this beautiful moment.
Each guest received a gift package containing flip-flops, a housedress or shorts (for the men) and various food items.
Finally, the party was over, and they filed out of the dining room and back into the vans. I went outside to thank them for coming, and one very elderly man took my hand and said in English, “Thank you. Happy New Year.” I could tell that he had been practicing these words because of the awkward way they came from his mouth. His sincerity and moist, grateful eyes as he graciously thanked me touched my heart.
Later, I learned of their comments on the way home. “This is the first time I have been in a beautiful car like this. It even has air conditioning,” and “We were treated like kings and queens.”
There is something good and right and beautiful about treating the poor, the humble and the disadvantaged like “kings and queens.”
It’s a simple thing. To give your best with love and respect brings glory to God. May we never lose sight not only of what we do for others in the name of God but how we do it.
In blessing others—in giving what we can from the heart—we are truly blessed.
Dick HagertyAdvisory boardmember
Estates andbequests
Heart
Sharron HudsonColonel
a view from the Board Side
LindaManhardtMajor
for years suddenly blossom when given a line to read or a song to sing. There is so much hidden talent.”
Kevin Larsson, Southern California divisional music director, composed the music for “Spirit! II,” Malcolm Westwood contributed the lyrics, and Karl Larsson wrote the book.
“It’s exhilarating to hear the cast breathe life into these songs,” said Kevin Larsson. “Even at this stage, without any real musical backing, they feel alive. It’s exciting.”
Major Darren Norton, chaplain for the production, challenged the cast to read through Acts. “This musical is bringing Scripture to life, and it’s exciting to realize that these lines we are saying, these characters we are
playing, were real. It adds such new understanding to Scripture.”
Norton is convinced the production will have a spiritual impact, not just with the audience, but also with the cast. “We are bathing the musical in prayer, and it can’t fail to have an impact on those taking part. Expect to see lives changed,” he said.
The cast features Salvationists and friends from around Southern
California, ranging in age from 14 to 70-plus.
“Going into this, we were somewhat new to The Salvation Army,” said Justus Bradshaw (Pasadena Tabernacle Corps), “but not only have we made friends, we now feel like family.”
“Spirit! II: Empire” premieres at The Gathering, with performances on
Friday and Saturday afternoon. Make you sure you don’t miss out on this historical event.
SPIRIT II from page 1
I make no pretenses relative to being a theologian. I have examined God’s word as an amateur. I have sought meaning from a number of different references and consulted various commentaries. I have strong commitments to Christ and the Army. I keep trying to be like Christ and to fix the Army.
Legalism, n, 1. strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit. 2. Theology a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws. (Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language)
It is not by works that we are saved, but by faith.
According to Paul, writing in his letter to the Romans, 9:30-33, reliance on works got the people of Israel into much difficulty. Their blind obedience to the law came without faith. They created their own approach to righteousness by trying to earn it through strict obedience to the law of Moses and to the Levitical code. They confused the acquisition of righteousness as being the same as earning payment for a day’s work. It’s not gained that way. They had the wrong motive. Obedience to the law gained from fear of punishment or from some type of enrichment was not the purpose of the law. Taking care of aging parents from obligation instead of love is not obedience to the law. That is what Jesus meant when he said “I have not come to abolish the law of the prophets, but to fulfill them.”
Paul described his commitment to the law prior to his conversion as “faultless.”
He further states concerning Israel’s “missing” the arrival of Messiah while Gentiles resonated very favorably to it:
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attainedit. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame (Rom. 9: 30-33 NIV)
Christ is the stone.We must guard against religious practices
in Salvation Army corps that lead to legalism-creep. The driving forces of this seem to be our judgmentalism stimulated by our fear. Too many of us refuse to let God be God. We want to take over his role. The would-be “gods” impose man-made rules as laws of Christian practice—and many of them have a long list.
We fear the contagion of the values of the culture. We seek to protect ourselves from it with these “lists” rather than putting our faith in God. Unintentionally, we communicate exclusivity. Too often we tend to practice “relative righteousness” where one sin is ranked worse than another.
Understanding God’s mind is clearly beyond us. John 9 might provide a clue.
As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me.”
We seem to have a hard time with people who are in any way “different.” We categorize them and label them, over-value them or persecute them. Maybe God made them that way to give us an opportunity to “display” God’s love through the quality of our non-judgmental relationship.
In Romans 14 we get some idea of God’s view of required rules:
V 1-5 Accept him (and her) whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything,but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything should not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not should not condemn the man who does. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?One man considers one day more sacred than another, another man considers every day alike. Each man should be fully convinced in hisown mind. He who regards one day special does so for the Lord.
V 7 None of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
V 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Don’t misunderstand me. I have no problem with rules per se. Civilization is held together with such rules. A culture is defined by its rules. They are regulations that allow society to function. However, when a church group makes rules that seem to restrict membership and require those who administer the rules to be judgmental and unloving, I criticize the nature of the rules.
All this is a “heart matter.” If we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. For with the heart (spiritual) we believe and are justified and with the mouth (human) we confess and are saved (Rom. 10:9-10).
It seems so simple, but when people are required to face a number of additional requirements, it gets very complicated.
The big problem with legalism is that it requires the legalist to “play god,”—that’s self-deification. I don’t think God likes that. Let’s try not to “stumble” over this one.
February 27, 2012 New Frontier 11
The new church of America—Part 1
Feb. 28, 2012, marks the 30th anniversary of our arrival in the U.S. from the U.K. It has never been declared a national holiday and no one has composed a poem or symphony to commemorate this auspicious day. No books have been written or movies made about it, and to the best of my knowledge it is not taught in public school history classes.
Nevertheless, it was an important day in our family history when we sold all our
earthly goods and uprooted our children to set off on a big adventure.
But that’s a story for another time. Driving to church the other Sunday, I noticed a lot of buses
on the road—they were all heading to casinos. I couldn’t help thinking that when we arrived in this country most buses on the road on Sunday morning were filled with children headed for Sunday school.
What a difference 30 years makes! Casinos have become a major denomination in the New Church of America (NCA). Instead of worshiping God, people flock to worship Mammon. They happily pay their tithe, and often a lot more, spending hours sitting on a stool in a noisy, smoke-filled, windowless room throwing their hard-earned cash into the hands of the casino owners while their souls drift closer to hell with every click of the slot machine or roll of the dice.
Fitness clubs are another new denomination in the NCA. Every Sunday morning you can see their congregations through the massive glass windows, running and cycling their hearts out while going nowhere. The television screens around them proclaim messages of politics, business and sports mingled with worship music of never-ending commercials. At least they have something to show for their money with better health, lower weight and a lot of excess sweat.
What happened? When, and more importantly, why did people stop going to church and start going to casinos, fitness clubs, the beach or the mall on Sunday morning? We could write a hundred columns like this and only scratch the surface of that debate. But the burning question that we must face today is: What are we doing about it?
Obviously slot machines and treadmills in the corps lobby are not the answer. Slick marketing and entertainment won’t compete either. People are turning to the New Church of America because they have decided that the Old Church of America no longer meets their needs. And compromise doesn’t work. A few years ago the New Yorker magazine published a cartoon of a church sign that read:
The LITE CHURCH:24% fewer commitments:
Home of the 7.5% tithe, 15-minute sermons, 45-minute worship service
We have only 8 commandments—your choiceWe use just 3 spiritual laws and an 800-year millennium
Everything you’ve wanted in a church…and less!
Yet, giving up is not an option—I don’t remember see-ing, “If you can’t beat them, join them,” in the Bible. In fact, Jesus says, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (Matt. 16:18 NLT).
We don’t need to change the way we do church; we need to be changed. Ask God to bring us back to life, to revive us. With the psalmist we all must cry out, Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Ps. 85:6).
Doing theMost Good
RobertDocterEditor-In-Chief
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