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The Salvation Army / USA Central Territory

News and Views from the Midwest

“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.” Eph. 4:3,4 (NLT)

ties to learn, discover and practicelove for God and neighbors; and toobtain needed skills to participatein family life, corps, neighborhood,state and country.GSI will provide for youth devel-

opment coordinators to beresourced and developed throughongoing training and support at theannual Developing Youth LeadersSeminar in February which also isopen to all fulltime youth workersin the territory.

The first four coordinators select-ed to participate in the Good SoilInitiative are Courtney Grau at theCedar Rapids, Iowa, Corps(Heartland Division), Ryan Read atthe Racine, Wis., Corps (Wisconsinand Upper Michigan Division),Kelly Summit at the North Platte,Neb., Corps (Western Division) andMelinda Willenborg at the Mattoon,Ill., Corps (Midland Division).The initial training includes youth

development principles and prac-tice, mentoring practices, faithdevelopment, quality youth pro-gram elements, and youth culture.“The Good Soil Initiative

appealed to me for so many rea-sons, but most importantly it is myheart, my passion to be an effectiveyouth leader for Christ,” said RyanRead. “The training has given menumerous tools to obtain that goal.Jesus commanded us ‘Go thereforeand make disciples of all thenations,’ (Matthew 28:19, NAS).Youth are a nation, correct?”Persons interested in becoming a

youth development coordinatormust have a bachelor’s or associ-ate’s degree with a minimum oftwo years experience in progressive-ly responsible youth developmentwork, or an equivalent combinationof education, training or experience.They may apply for the Good SoilInitiative through their corps offi-cer.Corps interested in having a

youth development coordinatorshould contact their divisionalyouth secretary.

by Captain Willie DeJesus

The territorial youthdepartment has launchedThe Good Soil Initiative(GSI), a new program to

deploy youth development coor-dinators in select corps through-out the Midwest. The goal is tohave 60 youth development coor-

dinators trained and placed instrategic locations in the next sixyears to work with youth in theirdevelopment and service to theircommunities.Youth development coordinators

will work with youth, neighbor-hood organizations, parents, teach-ers, corps leaders and other inter-ested individuals to provide healthyand safe communities; opportuni-

by Lt. Colonel Marlene Chase

Enthusiasm mounted as morethan 1,000 people joinedtogether for the Rockford,Ill., Salvation Army’s annual

civic luncheon featuring AstronautBuzz Aldrin. Elected officials, localcelebrities, advisory board members,Salvationists and friends gathered tocelebrate advances in the communityand to “Reach for the Stars” in ser-vice and innovation.Rockford Alderman Franklin C.

Beach was master of ceremonies, andMajor Randy Hellstrom, Winnebagocounty coordinator, thanked the com-munity for its outstanding support.“There is tremendous power in acommunity that cares and rallies

around its friends and neighbors,” hesaid. “We need you, and we needeach other.”The Honorable Judge Rosemary

Collins of the 17th judicial circuit

court thanked theArmy for itsWomen’sRestorative JusticeProgram and intro-duced the newestgraduate, FeliciaMeyers. “With thehelp of the Army,Felicia and othersagain become con-tributing membersof our society,” saidthe judge.Service awards

were presented by Advisory BoardChair Helen Hill and Vice ChairGreg Graber. The CommunityService Award was given to theRockford Woman’s Club for theirsupport of the Restorative Justice

Program over the last decade.Slumberland Furniture received theCorporate Award for donating mat-tresses and box springs to deservingfamilies in the community, and vol-unteer Steve Polaski was given the

Continued on page 2

Central cultivatesGoodSoilVolume 42, Number 11 November 2012

BuzzAldrin inspires Rockfordto reach for the stars

PhotosbyErikHanson

Courtney Grau

Captain Willie DeJesus and Ryan Read

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by Colonel Dawn HeatwoleTerritorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries

This past summer I tunedinto the Olympics nightafter night. I just lovedwatching the athletes give

their very best and go for the gold.Often their stories were even betterthan the competition. I am amazedby the sacrifices they and their fam-ilies made to bring them to thepoint of even competing in theOlympics.The athletes train hard, many in

difficult circumstances. They put allother pursuits aside to concentrateon their mission: being the best intheir sport. They eat certain foodsand avoid others, confer with

afterschool and literacy programs,and so much more.But how do we, as individuals,

pursue mission? We need soldierswho’ll come to the corps during theweek and make contact with thosewho come for assistance but don’tknow the corps is a place of wor-ship. We need advisory board mem-bers who are willing to teach thema class on budgeting or personalfinance.Is pursuing mission just the offi-

cers’ fight? No! Each and every oneof us is needed. Just as it takes awhole team of people to get an ath-

lete to the Olympics, it takes all ofus to accomplish our mission and tohelp people see The Salvation Armyis more than a social serviceagency. We are that, but so muchmore. We have the privilege to offerthe Living Bread with our food bas-kets. We have the opportunity tointroduce people to the LivingWater when we are out on the can-teen.Don’t allow busy schedules or

other obstacles to keep you frombecoming involved in pursuing mis-sion. You’re needed to accomplishwhat Christ has set out for TheSalvation Army.

Together, awinning team

coaches and watch film, and prac-tice relentlessly. They have a teamof doctors, trainers, coaches andfamily who help to get them totheir goal.One of the key points our territo-

rial leaders, Commissioners Paul R.and Carol Seiler, have shared is thatas Salvationists we should be pursu-ing mission. What does this looklike? I believe many corps acrossthe territory are pursuing missionlocally. They are finding uniqueways to reach out to people in theircommunities through backpackgiveaways, Christmas toy shops,feeding programs and shelters,

CentralConnectionTHE SALVATION ARMY10 W. Algonquin Road • Des Plaines, Illinois 60016847-294-2000WILLIAM BOOTHFounder

LINDA BONDGeneral

COMMISSIONER PAUL R. SEILERTerritorial CommanderMAJOR JOHN WILKINSCommunity Relations and Development SecretaryELIZABETH KINZIEEditorial DirectorANNE URBANEditor/WriterJACQUELYN BENTSONCommunications SpecialistFERN CALDWELLCirculation ManagerKENNETH ROMINGraphic Design and Production

VISIT OUR WEBSITE—www.usc.salvationarmy.org1-800-SALARMY

GetConnected!Check out our complementary material on the web.www.usc.salvationarmy.org/getconnected

Resources/LinksCitizens Soldiers Facebook page

World missions web pages

Officer Candidates web page

Multicultural ministries web page

Disciples of the Cross welcome video

Web exclusivesChild sponsorship fundraising ideas

Excerpt from Advent materials

Women’s ministries ideas from Captain RuthGibbons

How to set up a Christmas corps post office

Contact information for Centralites overseas

Individual Service Awardfor decades of service inthe Night Patrol mobilefeeding program for thehomeless.Keynote speaker Buzz

Aldrin brought the crowdto its feet in sustainedapplause before his firstword was spoken. Aldrinrecounted how he and NeilArmstrong made their his-toric Apollo 11 moonwalk,becoming the first humansto set foot on anotherworld. They spent 21 hourson the lunar surface,proudly planted the flag ofthe United States, andreturned to document their unprece-dented findings.

Award winners (l to r) Steve Polaski, Nancy Whitlock, presi-dent of the Rockford Woman’s Club and Wade Kemmet,manager of Slumberland Furniture.

Saturday, November 24, 2012 – 7:00 pmEdman Chapel, Wheaton, IllinoisFor FREE tickets contact The Salvation Army, Music and Gospel Arts Dept.

(847) 294-2134 e-mail: CSB_tickets@usc.salvationarmy.orgThis concert will be recorded. Pre-school children not admitted.

The Chicago Staff Band presents

Sounds of the Seasonwith pianist Richard Phillips

Richard has always had a flair for music. In 1984 afterhis formal training as a pianist and trumpeter at theUnited Kingdom’s Royal College of music, he wasemployed by the United Kingdom Territory’s MusicEditorial Department. In 1994 he was promoted to thedepartment’s head and was responsible for all of theArmy’s music publications in the U.K.

Richard has toured the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden,Australia and New Zealand as a pianist and conductorand for 13 years was the accompanist for the acclaimedInternational Staff Songsters. He and his wife, Lyn, aremembers of the Kettering Corps where he serves asbandmaster.

Bandmaster Phillips has many published compositions and arrangements to his credit, includ-ing several band and choral works published by The Salvation Army. Since 2004 he has beena music teacher and is presently the head of music performance at the Thomas DeaconAcademy, one of England’s largest, in Peterborough. He has recorded five solo piano CDs,including his most recent release, The Sound of Inspiration.

Upon his return, Aldrin was deco-rated with the Presidential Medal ofFreedom, the highest American peace-time award, and in 2011 was awardedthe Congressional Gold Medal, the

nation’s high-est civilianhonor.“We came in

peace for allmankind. Thatwas the spiritof the Apolloventure,” hesaid, reflectingon the amazingteamwork thatovercameobstacles inreaching themoon.“Everyone onearth felt like they had contributed,and that holds a value beyond mea-sure. We were welcomed back asheroes, not just as three guys, butfor what we represented. TheUnited States had accomplished theimpossible.”Expressing admiration for The

Salvation Army’s work, Aldrin said,

“They do so much for people, espe-cially those in great need.”He gave candid testimony to his

own struggles with alcoholism anddepression, which plagued him afterreturning from his historic moonwalk. Like Felicia Meyers, who wit-nessed to healing through theRestorative Justice Program, Aldrinchose the road to recovery. “Givingmyself in service set me on the path-way to my own recovery,” he said.As one of the leading space explo-

ration advocates, Buzz Aldrin contin-ues to chart a course for future spacetravel from earth to the moon and onto the stars. “We can do these thingsagain,” Aldrin said. “You, too, canaccomplish great things as you reachfor the stars.”

BuzzAldrin at Rockford luncheonContinued from page 1

Majors Randy and Kathleen Hellstrom with Buzz Aldrin.

I’m challenged by this opportuni-ty and am grateful for thevisionary leadership ofCommissioners Paul R. and

Carol Seiler. As a married womanofficer, I am concerned the gifts,skills and abilities present in mar-ried women officers be recognizedand celebrated and that the Armywould be creative in the delegationof appointments.While we are part of a ministry

couple, we also have our own call-ing, commission, ordination and

and counselors. We sit on FederalEmergency Management Agency(FEMA) boards and are members ofthe Ministerial Association. But inthe Army are we accuratelyacknowledging the work and contri-bution women make as individualofficers, married or not?We have great examples in our

recent past of married women offi-cers receiving non-traditional

appointments. May I use ourFounder’s quote appropriately?“That and better will do.” Our com-mittee work will include proposingways to prepare married womenofficers for leadership opportuni-ties, suggesting ways for appoint-ments to reflect this reality, andoffering options that acknowledgethe varying interests and skills ofmarried women officers. These areexciting days.

Committee addressesmarriedwomenofficers in leadership

rank. We should not have to searchfor our “niche” as we serve along-side our husbands. For decades, wehave been proactive in honing ourskills, increasing our education cre-dentials, and developing as leaders.I have been blessed to know mar-

ried women officers from my moth-er’s generation to my generationand beyond whose ministry has dis-tinguished The Salvation Army inhundreds of communities in theCentral Territory. We are businessadministrators, preachers, writers

by Major Rachel Klammer

Irecently completeda 5k run/walk forParkinson’sresearch. I have had

the disease for eightyears and have familyand friends who’vebeen recently diag-nosed.Joining me in the

race was Aux. CaptainDana Cook, corps offi-cer in St. Joseph, Mo.She had been wantingto run a 5k when wemet at a women’sgroup and decided tojoin me. Together weraised $2,000! TheKansas City AdultRehabilitation Center beneficiariesand staff donated $255; I am thechaplain there.On race day instead of wearing

the t-shirt that had been given out,Dana showed up in one she’d madethat said, “Running for Rachel.” Therunners group started, and Danawas off running her first 5k. Thewalk began. I was an untimedwalker. I wasn’t in it for the timebut to raise money and to scratchanother thing from my “bucketlist.”I was last as people passed me.

My husband, John, rode my scooterjust in case I got tired. But I comefrom a family where we weretaught “can’t never do anythingwithout trying.” Though the quoteis terrible grammar, I still hear my

mother say it when I want to quit.As people passed they’d say

“good job” to encourage me. Those“God moments” provided the ener-gy I needed to continue. During thelast half mile Dana came to walkwith me. This was another Godmoment. So tired, I asked her topray, and John quoted every “race”scripture he could think of.Applause greeted us as we crossedthe finish line and the announcertold those gathered I hadParkinson’s and was the topfundraiser.During that race I saw the trials

of staying on course and wanting toquit, but I believe that when I getto heaven there will be a crowd ofpeople applauding me and saying,“Well done.”

Des Plaines, Ill., Corps Officer Lt. David Martinez recently enrolled 18 senior and two juniorsoldiers from the corps’ dynamic Hispanic ministry. The new recruits entered the chapelwhile the band played a rousing processional. All three of the corps’ congregations (Hispanic,English and Russian) joined together for this special occasion, proclaiming their unity inChrist as they sang “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The lines “We are not divided, all one bodywe, one in hope, in doctrine, one in charity” took on even greater meaning.

GatewayCity calls

Staying the course

Soldiership skyrockets

Captains Patrick and KarenHolness are back in theCentral Territory servingas the St. Louis Euclid,

Mo., corps officers after a three-year appointment in their nativeJamaica.Patrick and Karen most recently

were corps officers for the HavendaleCorps in Kingston, Jamaica’s capitalcity. They not only ministered to thecommunity but to the residents ofthe Army’s School for the Blind andVisually Impaired, The Nest chil-dren’s home and the Francis Hamhome for retired officers.“Busy days lie ahead,” said Karen

of their new appointment at thisvibrant urban corps. Over the pastcouple of years the St. Louis EuclidCorps has experienced a growthspurt in attendance and soldierenrollments. The congregation isdedicated to evangelistic outreachand discipleship.

Raised as Salvationists in Jamaica,Karen and Patrick interned at theChicago Midwest, Ill., Corps beforeentering the College for OfficerTraining in 2005. Their firstappointment was to lead the DetroitTemple, Mich., Corps. Two yearslater they received the overseasappointment to their homeland.

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A territorial ad hoc committee on married women officers inleadership has been formed to develop a strategy to be moresuccessful in recognizing, developing and utilizing the gifts andskills of women in leadership. Lt. Colonel Susan Bukiewicz,Metropolitan divisional director of women’s ministries andofficer development secretary, has been asked to serve aschairperson of the group. Here she shares her perspective:

At their first meeting last month, members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Married WomenOfficers in Leadership include: (front row, l to r) Captain Heather Holman, Lt. ShannonMartinez, Colonel Dawn Heatwole; (back row, l to r) Major Julie Aren, Major Evie Diaz,Lt. Colonel Susan Bukiewicz (chair), Lt. Colonel Renea Smith, Captain Nancy Azuaje, andCaptain Rebecca Simmons.

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“Mailman!” FiveDaysUntil Christmasby Captain Rachel Stouder

It’s five days until ChristmasAccording to my daughter’s paper

rings;Every Sunday I say something trite,like “Wow, can you believe it’salready almost Christmas?”

When really, I feel like Christmas hasbeen dragging me through its fa lala la la.

For weeks now I have felt the seeds ofcynicism, watered by a desert ofexhaustion, growing and stretchinglike tiny vines through all themerry places of my spirit.

I’ve never been the kind to have tosing through gritted, angry teeth,

But getting through the line, “It’s theMost Wonderful Time of the Year”was like swallowing glass.

My children are starving for myattention—no, not just myattention;my presence.

My volunteers are either driving mecrazy or making me feel bad forall the work they are doing.

It feels good just to sit next to myhusbandin the vanfor five minutes.

The corps has felt like a graveyardtoo many funerals,and so many buried under theirown struggles.

My decorations are up.The parties are done (praise God).My gifts are wrapped.Topsy’s popcorn sits in my living

room.I went to a holiday concert

—a great one, even.And yet I find this war within me.We’re giving away all of the Adopt-a-

Family presentsAnd our huge distribution is tomorrow.But I feel utterly disconnected.Completely.Entirely.Detached.It’s a strange feeling, really,

to be so thoroughly for everythingChristmas is about

but to feel so far from havingrepresented even an ounce of it.

Christmas is coming.In five days, as a matter of fact.And I’m terrified of missing it.

Do I want to start this season over?My weary body screams,

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!”But in my spirit,

I would love a do-over.What happened?I prayed in the beginning that I would

be one among a flock of trueworshippers this season.

I don’t know about the rest of theflock,but I failed.

Failed.You didn’t fail.I did.For a girl whose supposed favorite

word is“INTENTIONAL,”

Why theNativity?

The “Why the Nativity?” worship series contains high-quality, ready-to-use Sunday worship outlines and sermons, as well as programideas for activities throughout each week of the Advent season.

See your corps officer for more information.

Enrich your corps’ worship this Advent by findingthe answers to questions like this:

During theadvent season,there’s anextra flurry of

excitement at theNorridge Citadel, Ill.,Corps after each Sundaymorning worship ser-vice. That’s whenChristmas cards are dis-tributed by the NorridgePost Office!This highly successful

fundraiser not only hasraised more than $6,000for World Services/Self-Denial since 2008, it’sbeen a contributing fac-tor to the ever-deepen-ing love and care foreach other in theNorridge Corps family,a large number ofwhom are relativelynew to Christ and theArmy.The post office is just

one of several creativeideas Blythe Marinelli,the corps’ missionarysergeant, has devised forraising World Services funds.“Postage stamps” are sold in a

choice of designs for five dollarsper sheet of 30. Cards are “posted”in a decorative mailbox in the corpslobby, then sorted for delivery dur-ing the worship service by juniorchurch members as a communityservice project.After the service, Blythe’s fifth-

and sixth-grade Sunday school classserve as postal elves to help distrib-ute the cards, which aids the chil-dren in learning names and faces.“Sending and receiving cards has

been transformative for many at thecorps,” said Blythe. Several peoplenow sit down each year with acopy of the corps directory andaddress cards to everyone in it,even if they barely know them.Blythe has learned effective World

Services/Self-Denial fundraisingneeds continued momentum through-out the year. “People are most respon-sive when they get something tangi-ble in return,” she added, such as thepopular “Norridgian” hoodies,Dominus Providebit (“God Provides”)t-shirts, a corps cookbook loadedwith great recipes or even tubes ofM&Ms to be returned full of quar-ters.Major Lesa Davis, corps officer,

concurred with Blythe’s observa-tions about keeping the momentumgoing.“When you have only one or two

emphases per year, people writetheir checks then don’t give WorldServices another thought, she said.Successive campaign ideas keep theexcitement—and commitment—highthroughout the year!”

Blythe Marinelli and the seasonal Norridge Post Office!

Season’s greetingsIt’s easier than ever to send Christmas greetingsto Centralites serving in overseas appointments!Email an encouraging word or send a card,not only at Christmas but throughout the year!

See our “Get Connected” website for email and postaladdresses. www.usc.salvationarmy.org/getconnected

…I’ve been anything but.Wow. How did this happen?Should I have had a special Christmas

devotional book?Should I have listened to moreChristmas music?No (although not a bad idea, either of

them).Classic: I got caught up in doing.I abandoned being.

I don’t even know when it happened.I’m not confident at all that I even

started out right.Drat.Drat a whole lot, and deep, deep sigh.So now what?It’s five days until ChristmasAccording to my daughter’s paper

rings.I’m terrified it’s too late.Do I harden up?Callous up?Prepare myself to ignore the

disappointment?Or is it yet redeemable?I want to write something eloquent

and picturesqueabout bringing my broken andmangledor torn and shriveledor dirty and scragglyChristmas pieces to Youfor Your repair.

But I don’t even know at this pointwhat it would or should look like.

SoI just bring YouMe.I’m sorry.Please forgive my foolishness.I know better.But I wasn’t better.Father, will you restore me to my right

mindand also to a heart overflowinggushingall messy (yet organized andintentional)with worship?

Nothing is impossible with You.Nothing.It’s five days until Christmas,According to my daughter’s paper

chain.And I desire to relish every single one.To worship—to be a worshipper

in everything I do.O come, let me adore You,

Christ my Lord.

corps officers and divisionalcandidates’ secretaries escortedtheir cadets to the platform.This enthusiasm was capturedin a rousing rendition of "Spiritof the West" (Dudley Bright) bythe Chicago Staff Band, whichenriched the program throughthe night.

The Disciples of the Crosssession of first-year cadetsreceived a hearty publicwelcome by the territory at

the Chicago Mayfair, Ill.,Community Church.Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Smith, territor-

ial secretary for personnel, greetedthe Friday evening audience ofsupportive friends, family andofficers. In a video, members ofthe “Disciples of the Cross” ses-sion gave their thoughts onwhat the session name meant

to each of them and during theservice shared what they’d leftbehind to follow Christ.Colonel Dawn Heatwole, ter-

ritorial candidates’ secretary,presented the individual mem-bers of the session, adding thatmany had overcome obstaclesto be obedient to God’s call.The joy was contagious as

First-year Cadets Megan Hartleyand Cristian Lopez prayed theirsessionmates would never losetheir focus on Christ, and second-year Cadet Tonia Collins askedGod to shape and use theDisciples of the Cross.The session flag was presented

to Cadet Jonathan Tamayo byMajors Paul and Paula Fleeman,who’d led the College for OfficerTraining for the last four years.(They now lead the WesternDivision).Commissioner Paul R. Seiler,

territorial commander, empha-sized discipleship in the evening’smessage. He encouraged cadets to

Acadet’s Christmas practicumby Cadet Carolina Yanez

On Christmas Eve as weleft for our winter breakfrom the College forOfficer Training (CFOT),

we stopped and rang bells as a fam-ily at the kettle where my husbandand I had rung during the season.It might seem surprising since we’dbeen out in the cold ringing bellsfor over a month, but we thought itwould help our girls understandwhy we’d been so busy and wouldprepare them for the reality offuture Christmases in our belovedArmy.For the past two years, first-year

cadets have participated in theChristmas season in a more variedway through Christmas Practicum 1(CP1). Last year our CP1 team wasassigned to the Chicago Lawn, Ill.,

Corps, led by Captains Luis andRaisi Zambrano. FromThanksgiving to Christmas Eve, we

were given manyopportunities to serve.We became familiarwith Christmas soft-ware, toy and fooddistribution, drivingroutes, counting kettlefunds, bellringing andleading Sunday pro-grams. DuringDecember we also vis-ited schools to bringjoy to children withsongs, puppets andsmall gifts and the

Cook County Jail where eachcadet preached the Gospel.At the corps it was inspiring

to see volunteers who dailyhelped with everything fromdoing custodial work to puttingtogether food baskets to prepar-ing meals. They stood with uson distribution days, giving outhot beverages and talking withthose patiently waiting in line.These experiences helped usbecome close to volunteers andcorps members. We learnedmuch from the officers’ exam-ple of love, compassion, leader-ship and hard work. And ourChristmas practicum was the per-fect time for us to worship as afamily when our daughters joinedus on Sundays for Sunday school,worship service and Bible studies.On weekday mornings at the

corps we’d shared a cup of coffeeand a devotional with the kettleworkers and later drive to ourassigned kettle location. After a fewdays, people recognized us, andwould stop to say hello and donate.On many occasions they’d bring amuch-appreciated hot beverage orwould sing carols with us helpingthe hours pass faster.I’ll never forget the cold morning

I stood outside Macy’s when awoman approached me. Teary-eyed,

she thanked me for serving in TheSalvation Army and shared that as achild she, her siblings and their sin-gle mother were provided shelterby the Army after their housecaught fire only days beforeChristmas. It was wonderful to seeher love and trust in our organiza-tion but even more wonderful toshare Christ with her.We have so many opportunities

to touch other people’s lives, evenwith a simple “God bless you.” Thered kettle God laid on CaptainMcFee’s heart in San Franciscomore than 100 years ago bringshope to millions today, and I am soglad my family has the opportunityto be a part God’s work.

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Disciples of theCrosswelcomed

“just not bring people to the crossbut through the cross into disciple-ship and transformational living.”Citing passages from Luke and

examples of counter-culture min-istries going on today, he remindedall present of Jesus' examples ofunexpected encounters. "Sometimesin our area of expertise we maythink we know the answer—asSimon did in his response to Jesus.But in obedience, 'because you sayso, Master,' Simon put his net outagain in deeper water," said thecommissioner. "Are there discipleshere who need to be obedient indeeper water?" the commissionerasked as a final challenge.

PhotosbyAndrewGrey

The Yanez family

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Jesus, take thewheel

Early yearsTo understand their miraculous

encounter, you must first knowTom’s backstory. And it’s not pret-ty.

Tom grew up on a small farmnear New Prague, Minn. His par-ents divorced when he was a boy.By high school, he was getting highor drunk every day. He somehowmade it to college, where hebrought new meaning to the phrase“higher learning.”

“In college I was addicted to alco-hol, marijuana, cocaine, meth—any-thing I could get my hands on,” hesaid. “I had never liked myself.Alcohol and drugs helped me livein my own skin, made me feelpowerful.”

He was a functional drug abuserthroughout college, graduating in1990 with a degree in computer sci-ence. In that time, he fathered twochildren. He started working aftergraduation, though not in his fieldof study. “I was making an enor-mous amount of money sellingdrugs,” he said.

by Craig Dirkes

The odds of how TomCanfield arrived at theMinneapolis, Minn., AdultRehabilitation Center are

nothing short of mind-boggling—specifically, the odds of him meet-ing the man who brought himthere. There’s only one explanation:divine transportation.

It happened in May 2005. Tom,now 43, had just been releasedfrom a Wisconsin jail where he’darrived naked, addicted to methand weighing a paltry 115 pounds.“I wanted to die, but there wasnothing in that cell I could use tokill myself,” he said.

Upon release, Tom needed to getto the rehabilitation center, located100 miles away, but he had nomoney for a bus ride, and hisfriends and family refused to givehim a lift. His only option was anold man sitting in the jail’s lobby.Tom pleaded for a ride, and theman agreed.

They were complete strangers, orso they thought. The man hadspent years hating Tom for his partin a family tragedy. In turn, Tomhad spent years hoping he’d neverhave to meet the man.

How could two men who’d nevermet have so much history? Duringtheir drive to Minneapolis, they dis-covered each other’s identity. Whathappened next was incredible.

A year later, he was busted with$60,000 worth of LSD and sevenpounds of marijuana. His parentspooled their money and got himreleased on bail. Tom fledMinnesota with his girlfriend andchanged his identity.

FugitiveTom and his girlfriend moved to

Vermont, where they lived andmanufactured drugs for almost adecade. Along the way, they hadthree children.

“We lived north of Stowe on 200acres of land,” Tom said. “We wereself-sufficient and grew all our ownfood. We also grew psychedelicmushrooms and marijuana—twomushroom harvests a year worth$50,000 to $60,000 each, and threepot harvests worth $20,000 to$30,000 each.” The couple laun-dered their profits through theirjewelry business. But nine longyears of selling drugs took its toll.

“I got shot during a drug dealgone bad,” he said. “The bulletentered my wrist and exited myelbow. My partner at the time, hegot shot in the gut.”

7

The old manTom spent the next three months

in jail in Siren, Wis. A county attor-ney said he was looking at 12 yearsin prison. Tom begged for mercy,asking to go to rehab before hissentencing. The attorney agreed,saying he could enroll in TheSalvation Army AdultRehabilitation Center inMinneapolis.

“The problem was I had no wayof getting there,” Tom said. “I goton the phone and called everyone Iknew, but nobody would talk tome. Then I remember that big jaildoor slamming behind me.”

As he exited, one person was inthe waiting area: a scraggly oldman with long hair. “Given my hip-pie past, he looked like someone Icould relate to,” Tom said. “I toldhim I needed help. He said he wasthere visiting a friend, but when hewas finished, he’d see what hecould do.”

The wait was excruciating. Withtears streaming down his face, Tomprayed, “God, please get me to TheSalvation Army. There’s nobodyelse to help me.”

The man came back out. Turnsout he was from Fridley, Minn.,just 10 miles from the rehabilitationcenter. He told Tom to hop into hiscar. During the ride, a startling rev-elation surfaced: the man was thefather of Tom’s former drug partnerwho’d been shot in the gut inVermont five years earlier.

“It still gives me chills,” Tom said.“Of all the hundreds of thousandsof people who could have been atthe jail, on that day, during thosefew minutes, it was this guy.”

They talked and talked. Tomlearned Steve* had spent months ina hospital bed and almost died. The

man had blamed it all on one per-son—Tom—the very person he wasdriving to rehab. “Then,” Tomexplained, choking back tears, “theold man said because of the ordealwith his son, he came to know thepower of Christ. He said he learnedhow to forgive me for doing that tohis boy.”

Tom and the man became friendsand still talk to this day. Theirencounter was Tom’s first glimpseof Jesus’ love. At the rehabilitationcenter, it came into full view.

RebornWalking into the rehabilitation

center, Tom knew it was the rightspot. “Everyone there was sohappy,” he said. “I’d never seenanything like it before. It complete-ly freaked me out.”

Tom spent the next nine monthsgetting sober, attending counselingand spiritual classes, developingrelationships and surrendering hislife to Christ.

“I had an addiction to drugs andthe lifestyle of being a drug dealer,making hundreds of thousands ofdollars a year—and God washed itall away,” he said.

By the time his day of sentencingcame, December 1, 2005, Tom’sfaith was unshakeable. He prayedfor God’s will to be done, even if itmeant spending the next 12 yearsin jail. Several Salvation Army staffmembers spoke to the judge onTom’s behalf. His sentence: oneyear. In retrospect, he’s thankful

for the jail time.

“That one year in jail turned outto be a blessing,” he said. “I spentthe whole time writing letters tothe hundreds of people I’d hurt. Ittaught me the true meaning of for-giveness.”

One of those letters was to anaging couple he bilked out of thou-sands. He’d used their identity tobuy a $5,000 snowmobile, then soldit to buy heroin.

“That man and his wife wereChristians, and they came to visitme. They said they forgave me anddidn’t want any restitution,” Tomsaid. “They came in every weekafter that and had Bible studieswith me.”

Tom’s time in jail was the last bitof work needed to restore his spirit.Since then, he’s never looked back.He was married in August and hasrepaired the broken relationships inhis life. Though his oldest son diedin a rock climbing accident severalyears ago, he remains close withhis four remaining kids.

Best of all Tom’s relationshipwith God gets stronger every day.

“God and His love are 100 per-cent real,” he said. “Whether you’rea drug addict or a wildly successfulperson, without Him, you’re lost. Ifyou receive Him, a light will comeon inside your head. You’ll discov-er, with great clarity, the truthabout why we’re here and what’shappening in the world. He’sknocking. Let Him in.”

*name changed

By 2000 Tom was a head case. “Iwas using so much heroin andcocaine, I turned into a monster,”he said, adding his girlfriend tooktheir three kids and left. “I wasbeing followed and watched. Thecops even had helicopters flyingover my place. I was holed up inthe house doing drugs, completelyparanoid.”

Enough was enough. In 2001Tom called his mother and said heneeded to come home and getsober. “I grabbed a few bags ofclothes, a bus ticket and moved inwith my mom,” he said.

Losing battleTom stayed sober for a few years,

worked several jobs and convincedhis ex-girlfriend to move toMinnesota with their kids. But hisattempt at sobriety fell flat. In 2003he reverted to drugs and destroyedeverything he’d worked to rebuild.

“I started dealing meth,” he said.“By 2004 I was homeless, andnobody I knew wanted anything todo with me. I spent most of mytime in casino hotel rooms makingfalse identities for Minnesotans. Iwas cooking meth, but using it allbefore I could sell it.”

In February 2005 an emaciatedTom lay naked and passed out in ascuzzy Wisconsin hotel room. Hehad just sold a few rocks of meth.Soon after, his customers got bust-ed—and sang like canaries.

“The cops found out about myoperation, came in my room andfound everything,” he said. “Whenthey hauled me off to jail, I waswearing nothing but a bed sheet. Iliterally laid there in jail, alone, as abare-naked soul. All I could thinkto do was pray. I said, ‘God, ifyou’re really out there, I needhelp.’”

88

After traveling the worldwith the U.S. Navy, single-mom Senior Chief ReginaHawley and her youngest

son, James II (J2), finally settled inthe suburbs of Chicago. Regina tooklittle notice of The Salvation Armybuilding she often passed runningerrands—until one day, three yearsago. Looking for volunteer work, shedecided to stop in.“I asked if they needed volunteers,

and Sister Gorton [Major Miriam

Gorton, then corps officer] intro-duced herself to me,” said Regina.“She told me about the worship ser-vices held there, and so I wenthome and looked it up online. I sawservices were called ‘holiness meet-ings,’ and that’s when I knew theyhad me!”Regina was born and raised in

Georgetown, Dela., and her path tosalvation wasn’t necessarily uncon-ventional. She and her seven sib-lings grew up in church, and shecame to a personal relationshipwith the Lord in her teens. God’sprovision, however, was evident.“I was an unwed teenage parent,”

Regina said. “Yet God really blessedme and my oldest son; it wasbecause of God’s help I was able toraise Antonio.”In 1987 Regina enlisted in the

U.S. Navy; Antonio traveled withher as the Navy took them all overthe globe. Later she got marriedand had J2.After meeting Miriam at the

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., Corps,Regina and J2 visited the services afew times. Regina not only wasimpressed with the people but withhow strongly she felt the presenceof God. She was going through adifficult time, and the extra supportwas needed. “Everyone was sokind, and no one was judgmental,”recalled Regina.Regina and J2 have found strong

community and support at the

Oakbrook Terrace Corps, now ledby Captains John and JohannaPook. Regina loves her women’sministries group called “Lifetime,”and J2 enjoys children’s ministriesand the Cub Scout program. “It’sbeen an incredible blessing to mein my spiritual walk,” Regina said.It feels so much like home,

Regina decided the corps would bethe perfect place to hold her retire-ment service from the U.S. Navythis year.

Buoyedby theArmy

Growth in the Cloquet,Minn., women’s min-istries group has been fastand furious; weekly atten-

dance increased from five to 20women in mere months! Earlierthis year Lt. Colonel RebeccaSjogren, Northern divisional direc-tor of women’s ministries, present-ed 15 ladies with a long stem roseas they were enrolled in the pro-gram.“We have a small corps building

in a small town, but our hearts arehuge and full of love for Jesus!”said Captain Ruth Gibbons, corpsofficer and women’s ministriesleader. “The Bible studies are the

best attended groups; these womenare very thirsty for the word.”The growth began when Ruth

and four other women started vol-unteering at the local outreach cen-ter by preparing lunch once amonth for people in the communi-ty. “We would sit down and have acup of coffee with the ladies whoshowed up and invite them to ourgroup,” said Ruth.Another reason for the increase

was moving group meetings to amore convenient time, Mondaynight right after the thrift store clos-es. Two ladies who work in thethrift store started attending and

inviting customersto join.The group fol-

lows the four-foldprogram of wor-ship, service, fel-lowship and edu-cation, and nomatter their focusRuth reports theyalways have agood time. Somuch so, in fact,that Ruth has seena few starting toattend worshipservices.

Irene Doornbos is a sprightly,charismatic and quick-wittedBritish lady with silver hair,sparkling blue eyes and a lilting,

Liverpudlian accent that onlyemphasizes the humor and dramaof her many stories. She not onlykeeps her many friends at theNorridge Citadel, Ill., Corps enter-tained with her tales but severalairline pilots who she accommo-dates in her house when they’re onlayovers at nearby O’HareInternational Airport!A native of Liverpool, England,

the aptly named Irene Jolley metAndrew, a U.S. Army soldier,devout Christian and the love ofher life, during World War II. Theymarried soon after the war endedand eventually settled in Andrew’shometown of Chicago, Ill., Afterhaving three children, the familymoved to suburban Park Ridge forits excellent schools.After Irene was widowed, she

found going to her old church inPark Ridge too painful; the memo-ries of Andrew were too pervasive.A friend encouraged her to attendThe Salvation Army in Norridge, anearby suburb. It changed her life.Irene felt embraced and loved asshe emerged from the shadow ofgrief. Her charm and friendlinessreturned to the forefront, which is

why one Sunday morning the wel-come sergeant seated a visiting air-line pilot next to Irene knowing shewould chat with him!They became fast friends. Irene

learned that when James was intown he stayed in nearby “crashpads”—apartments equipped withseveral bunk beds for pilot layovers.She invited him to stay at herhouse, instead. And, thus began along procession of referral-onlyguests who’ve not only adopted heras “family in Chicago” but who’veflown her out to meet their ownfamilies across the country!

Irene’s children, sixgrandchildren and one great-grandchild live in otherstates, so they’re gratefultheir 85-year-old mother iswell cared for by corpsmembers, Corps OfficersCaptain Brian and MajorLesa Davis and Irene’s pilotfriends. Irene views thisenterprise not only as greatfun but as ministry. Shecooks, does a bit of laundryand freely shares her faithwith her guests, as well asreads scripture and prayswith Christian pilots.Additionally, Irene volun-teers regularly at the corps.

Keepingpilots grounded! Ministry growth spurt

Irene helps repackage donated bread.

Judy Johnson, Jackie Meyer and Roxanne Laughlin.

Regina at her retirement service with sonsJ2 (l) and Antonio (r)

Irene Doornbos reads scripture with pilot Joe Wech,who also volunteers at the corps when he’s in town.

As an officer you can

• Help people find a personal relationship with Jesus

• Provide meals for the needy

• Comfort survivors of natural disasters

• Teach and nurture others in their faith

• Find great joy in service to others

Visit www.usc.salvationarmy.org/candidates

Are you an action-oriented leader wholoves and serves the Lord?Then perhaps it’s time to consider if Godis calling you to be an officer with itsunparalleled opportunities to accomplishwork for His Kingdom.

Looking for yourmission?

God’s faithfulness proved

Having served as offi-cers for more than 45years, Majors Robertand Alice Scott retired

from their most recent appoint-ments in the Western Michiganand Northern Indiana Division,where Robert served as divi-sional development consultantand Alice as volunteer servicesdirector with the additionalappointment of moral and ethi-cal issues secretary.The Scotts’ retirement ser-

vice, led by DivisionalCommander Major ThomasBowers, was a celebration ofGod’s faithfulness to them overthe years.Lt. Colonel Marvin Dahl per-

formed the retirement ceremo-ny, Captain Michael Wolfe readthe scripture, and Major JacalynBowers prayed. Lt. Colonel BarbaraGetz presented a glowing tribute toAlice, and Major Ralph Hansen didthe same for Robert.Both Robert and Alice are first-

generation Salvationists. Alice wascommissioned in 1967 as a lieutenantwith the “Witnesses to the Faith” ses-sion and appointed to Council Bluffs,Iowa. Robert was commissioned thefollowing year with the “Messengersof the Faith” session and appointedto Des Moines! They married in l969and served in several Iowa corps; atone point Robert also served as theQuad City coordinator.

Celebrating service

Agrace-filled journey

After starting her fulltimeservice in the Army in1992 as an envoy inDetroit, Mich., Major

Phyllis Blinks spent her ensuingyears providing meaningful min-istry in the Kansas and WesternMissouri Division.Her retirement—truly a

Celebration of Service—was held atthe Independence, Mo., Corps. Lt.Colonels Ted and Nancy Dalbergconducted the retirement ceremony,and tributes were given by Phyllis’son, Roy Johnson, Major ButchFrost and Lt. Mary Kim, among oth-ers.Mary recalled a recent divisional

headquarters devotional duringwhich Phyllis spoke. “She saidsomething that sums up her lifeand attitude: ‘I wake up for a praisemoment!’ Whatever comes her way,

praise and thanksgiving are neverfar from Phyllis’ lips because Christis always at the center of her life,”said Mary.A year after starting as the

administrator of the BagleyCommunity Service Center at theDetroit Harbor Light, Phyllisbecame an auxiliary captain. In1996, she was appointed to lead theKansas City Bellefontaine, Mo.,Corps with the additional responsi-bility of serving as the divisionalmulticultural ministries director.She became a captain in 2000.In 2003, Phyllis was appointed to

serve as the chaplain for the BoothManor senior residence, which wasfollowed by divisional appoint-ments as social services chaplain,community care ministries secre-tary and older adult ministries sec-retary until health concerns led toan early retirement.

9

After several years in Wisconsincorps, the Scotts returned to Iowawhere Robert served as the citycoordinator in Des Moines, fol-lowed by the same role in otherMichigan and Indiana cities.After serving in Southfield,

Mich., as Kresge Center directors,the Scotts were appointed to theIndiana Divisional Headquarters asdevelopment director and league ofmercy secretary, then to Lansing,Mich., where Robert was the areacommander and Alice director ofspecial services. In 2009 they wereappointed to the positions fromwhich they retired.

Major Phylllis Blinks (second from r) and Lt. Colonel Ted Dalberg with flagbearersMajors Charles and Sharon Smith.

Majors Maxim and BettyGrindle, of the“Companions of Christ”session, retired this year

after a fruitful and grace-filled 35years of officership. “The joy wasseeing people’s lives changed by thepower of Jesus Christ,” said Betty.Best friends Majors Jim and

Elizabeth Beardsley presided, whilethe retirement ceremony was con-ducted by Maxim’s brother, Lt.Colonel David Grindle. Themed“Grace Alone,” the service consistedof songs, stories and tributes frommany of the Grindle’s family mem-bers and friends.“The highlight of our service was

the friends and family who tooktime out of their busy lives to comeshare this special day with us,” saidBetty. “It was wonderful to see peo-ple from various appointments all

in one place and to have so muchof our family there was a specialblessing.”Each of the Grindle’s 11 appoint-

ments held special meaning forthem with its own set of joys andtrials. After their 1977 commission-ing as single officers Betty served asthe assistant corps officer inMishawaka, Ind., while Maximserved as the assistant corps officerin Jackson, Mich. They were mar-ried in 1978, and together served indiverse capacities from leadingcorps to administrative appoint-ments to directing social serviceprograms.In retirement the Grindles look

forward to traveling, spending timewith loved ones and becomingactive in their corps. “And this win-ter, we plan to go on a cruise!”Betty exclaimed.

Majors James and Elizabeth Beardsley congratulate Majors Maxim and Betty Grindle on 35grace-filled years of service.

10

has steadily grown. InFebruary alone, more than90 veterans or their spous-es sought help. Servicesare designed to meetneeds without duplicatingwhat is provided else-where. The program isrun totally by volunteers.“This place is really taking off,

and it is neat to see all the veteranswho are here helping,” said Bob.Indeed, on any given day the

front desk is manned by veterans.Howard Daymude, a Purple Heartrecipient and Viet Nam veteran, isone of them. “I come in mostTuesdays and Thursdays to helpout. I think these vets feel comfort-able coming here and seeing fellowveterans,” he said.As part of the offerings, a Health

Care for Homeless Veterans pro-gram coordinator helps them findpermanent housing. A counselorfrom the VA Medical Center isavailable, and there are severalcomputers with internet access toassist with resumes and job search-es. A member of the EmploymentSecurity Office also presents work-shops and provides individual assis-tance with the Illinois Job Skills

Match program. Recently, theSpringfield, Ill.,-based Honor Flightgroup began utilizing the center fortraining.“We have a vet-to-vet peer group

that meets each week and a weeklyBible study group as well,” saidRich Glavin, an outreach workeralong with Bob. “Every time Boband I can get out in the communityand speak to groups, we see anincrease in activity.”Rich shared that an elderly

woman recently stopped by lookingfor information on pensions. Theydetermined she was eligible forbenefits from her late husband’smilitary pension, and soon she’ll begetting an additional $1,100 eachmonth.He concluded, “It’s a great feeling

to be able to help these veteransand their families.”

Citizen soldiers

by Rich Draeger

If you’ve ever wondered if oneperson could really make a dif-ference, meet Bob Johnson. He’sall the proof you’ll need.Bob began volunteering in 2004

with The Salvation Army in Peoria,Ill. He ran a breakfast program forhomeless men who slept each nightin the Sylvia Fites Family ServiceCenter. When Bob learned a num-ber of them were veterans, he oftenspent his own money to help them.But as a Marine Corps veteran him-self, he longed to do more.In 2005 as an employee Bob

began lobbying Norma Weaver,Heartland divisional social servicesdirector, for more veterans’ pro-grams and lining up support for aveterans’ assistance center fromeveryone from local veteransgroups to area legislators.In 2010 work began on the prop-

erty next to the family center.Volunteers, many of them veterans,began rehabbing the building.Support came from the MilitaryOrder of the Purple Heart, Habitatfor Humanity, the Kyle HarrellMemorial Fund, Sears retirees, the

Peoria Labor Temple, localbusinesses and severalanonymous donors. Theyprovided furnishings,funds, labor and supplies.Bob headed up a specialgroup of volunteers whodid much of the remodel-ing.Last November The

Salvation Army Veteran’sOutreach Center opened.Its service to veterans andtheir families and supportto other veterans groups

Asafe place for veterans

by Sgt. Jason M. Hale

Last year we began filming adocumentary about the boysof Charlie Troop, a group ofsoldiers from the Michigan

National Guard who were prepar-ing to deploy to Afghanistan. Ourgoal was to capture what it’s reallylike for these “Citizen Soldiers” andtheir families to go through a yearof war. Afghanistan was going to bea difficult assignment as the fight-ing in that country, with the brutal,mountainous terrain and tribal ten-sion, was getting worse. The fami-lies of soldiers who carry this bur-den in their daily lives back homeare often left out in the retelling ofwar, so we spent countless hoursfilming them as they prepared forthis separation and left cameraswith some to capture what life islike with their loved ones overseas.On May 20, Charlie Troop

endured one of the worst attacks onany National Guard unit during thewar in Afghanistan. Ten soldierswere medevaced off the battlefieldthat day, one with a broken back,another lost both his arms. Sgt.“Doc” Howland, a medic who wasin one of the trucks that hit an IED(improvised explosive device) dur-ing the ambush, just a few weeksearlier had watched on Skype as hiswife gave birth to their first child.By pure heroism, Doc gave medicalaid while under fire, saving one sol-dier’s life before the effects of theIED blast forced him to be air liftedout as well. It was an incredible actof bravery and selfless service.

These are the types of men whovaliantly have served our countryduring this decade of war, andthese are the stories we wantAmerica to know. You can showyour support to the soldiers andfamilies of Charlie Troop, see pic-tures and get updates about thedocumentary by “liking” and leav-ing a message on our fan page atFacebook.com/AfghanistanBound.

Sgt. Jason M. Hale has served in theNational Guard for six years, is anIraq war veteran and was deployed toAfghanistan as a sniper with CharlieTroop. The “Citizen Soldiers” film ishis first, full-length documentary andis being produced by Los Angeles-based Lamplight Entertainment.Jason’s family has been involved withThe Salvation Army for four genera-tions.

Real life stories of Charlie Troop

Mending hearts and lives

Every Thursday morning sixladies from the GrandRapids Fulton Heights,Mich., Corps’ community

care ministry converge on theGrand Rapids Home for Veterans.Needle and thread in hand, they’reready to sew their way into thehearts and lives of those who’veserved our country. The 700-bedfacility has been in operation forover eight decades, and Salvationistshave been serving them since 1948.The volunteers, led by retired

officer Major Cecil Tekautz, notonly mend holes, sew patches, alterpants and replace zippers, butthey’re a spiritual encouragement.“They offer prayer and encourage-

ment; there’s a great camaraderie inthe group,” said Major ValerieMcDowell, corps officer. “They con-sider this ministry a privilege andextend interactions beyondThursday mornings. One membercomes back on Sundays to bring aveteran to chapel.”Something that makes this min-

istry unique is its longevity. Ruth,95, started volunteering in 1952!Her daughter started helping whenshe was only 5, and now she’s 65and still volunteers!Marge and her husband, Mike,

have been volunteering for 35years. Every other week they visitnearly 200 men, initiating encourag-ing conversations and asking forprayer requests. “I didn’t ask forthe job all those years ago, but noamount of money could make mestop,” said Marge.At Christmas and Easter corps

band ensembles stroll the corridorsplaying carols and hymns; in the

summerSalvationistsserverefreshmentsat the veter-an’s carnival;and one ded-icated volun-teer, Betty,has knittedand donated35 afghans,much to thedelight of theresidents.

Captain Trevor McClintock visits a veteran.

December Prayer Calendar

Go to www.prayercentralusa.org for prayer updates.

If you follow the prayer calendar in the next year, you will haveread through the Bible!

Day

1 Saturday

2 Sunday

3 Monday

4 Tuesday

5Wednesday

6 Thursday

7 Friday

8 Saturday

9 Sunday

10 Monday

11 Tuesday

12Wednesday

13 Thursday

14 Friday

15 Saturday

16 Sunday

17 Monday

18 Tuesday

19Wednesday

20 Thursday

21 Friday

22 Saturday

23 Sunday

24 Monday

25 Tuesday

26Wednesday

27 Thursday

28 Friday

29 Saturday

30 Sunday

31 Monday

Bible Reading

Acts 19-20

1 John 3-4

Deuteronomy 13-15

Nehemiah 5-9

Psalms 140-142

Song of Songs 1-2

Revelation 1-6

Acts 21-22

1 John 5

Deuteronomy 16-18

Nehemiah 10-13

Psalms 143-145

Song of Songs 3-4

Revelation 7-11

Acts 23-24

2 John

Deuteronomy 19-21

Esther 1-5

Psalms 146-148

Song of Songs 5-6

Revelation 12-17

Acts 25-26

3 John

Deuteronomy 22-24

Esther 6-10

Psalms 149-150

Song of Songs 7-8

Revelation 18-20

Acts 27-28

Jude

Revelation 21-22

Pray for The Salvation Army

“I’ll Fight” Day

Kansas City Westport Temple,Mo., Corps

DeKalb, Ill., Corps

Jefferson City, Mo., Corps

Jamestown, N.D., Corps

Marshalltown, Iowa, Corps

Lansing Citadel, Mich., Corps

Marinette, Wis., Corps

Omaha, Neb., ARC*

Midland, Mich., Corps

Keokuk, Iowa, Corps

Kokomo, Ind., Corps

Midland DHQ**

Lawrence, Kan., Corps

Des Plaines, Ill., Corps

Joplin, Mo., Corps

Kenya East TerritoryPIM

Lakewood Temple, Minn., Corps

Mason City, Iowa, Corps

Lansing South, Mich., Corps

Majors Curtiss & Sandra Hartley(Papua New Guinea)

Marquette, Mich., Corps

Chicago Kroc Center, Ill.

Rockford, Ill., ARC*

Thank God for Jesus—the greatest gift of all!

Monroe, Mich., Corps

Macomb, Ill., Corps

Lafayette, Ind., Corps

Leavenworth, Kan., Corps

East Chicago, Ind., Corps

Kirksville, Mo., Corps

* = Adult Rehabilitation Center** = Divisional HeadquartersPIM = Partners in Mission

11

My Prayer List

Armyon its knees

ArmyLakeCampcelebrates90 years

Just southwest of Milwaukee,Wis., situated on Army Lakeand surrounded by 200 acresof trees, hills and valleys, sits

Army Lake Camp. Founded in 1922,it celebrates 90 years of operationthis year.“Our biggest goal for the year is to

raise awareness of our camp andregain some of its history,” saidStacie Farris, Army Lake Camp direc-tor. “Part of what makes camp spe-cial is the wonderful memories andexperiences of the people whoattend, and much of that history hasnot been recorded.”Army Lake Camp is a year-round

facility. During the summer it’s pri-marily used for Salvation Army kids,teen, sports, music and high adven-ture camps, but during the fall, win-ter and spring it’s rented out forretreats and other events.The grounds are beautiful with

over 30 buildings situated among thetrees. “It’s perfect for camp andretreats,” said Stacie. In total thebuildings hold up to 400 people, andthe camp offers a sports field,archery, paintball, challenge courses,pontoon boats, paddle boats, andmore! Stacie reported that charming

hayrides and a corn maze take placein the fall.Stacie, who worked at Hidden Falls

Camp in the Indiana Division manyyears prior to taking the position ascamp director in 2011, has been incamping ministries for 17 years.“Growing up I went to a lot of youth

retreats and camps, and it was duringthose times I experienced the mostgrowth in my relationship with God,”Stacie said. “It put me on the rightpath, and I love being able to offer thatopportunity to other people.”

To share your Army Lake Camp story,contact Stacie at Stacie_Farris@usc.salvationarmy.org or 262-642-6400.

by Lt. Colonel Janet Munn andMajor Stephen CourtReviewed by Major Julie Forrest

Army on its Knees is aHoly Spirit-inspired bookfrom beginning to end! Itis very useful for personal

development and equally as usefulin a small group setting. Writtenwith passion, you can’t help butcatch the urging and focus of thewriters to engage with God.Throughout the book there is a per-sistent plea to seek God’s face, andalthough Army on its Knees is par-ticularly focused toward TheSalvation Army, it is equally rele-vant to any church seeking spiritualrenewal.A highlight is the final chapter,

“The place where God dwells: ahouse of prayer for all nations.”This chapter explores God’sdwelling place and brought freshunderstanding of God’s Word tome. Throughout the book there aremany “how to” pray explanationswhich are clearly set out, all firmlybased on Scripture, and there is abeautiful blend of ancient and mod-ern writings, bringing variety anddepth.Even the appendix makes good

reading as the General’s invitation

to the Worldwide PrayerMeeting joins with the plea of thebook itself. This book is inspirationaland compels the reader to investtime and energy to join an Army onits knees.

12

Applications being accepted now forGlobal Mission Teams

Promoted toGloryMrs. Major Bergliot Strand

Mrs. MajorBergliot (Bergie)Strand was pro-moted to Gloryon August 21,2012. She was82.Bergie was

born in St. Paul,Minn., toArthur andHilda Emilsen. Her family attendedthe Payne Avenue, Minn., Corps,where she and her sister were faith-ful soldiers. In 1947 her corps offi-cers, Brigadiers Gunnar and EstherErickson, sent Bergie to training.She was commissioned in 1948 andserved as a single officer until 1950.She married sessionmate HarlanStrand, and together they served atcorps from Holdrege, Neb., toChicago Austin, Ill., and wereblessed with three children.After leading the Irving Park, Ill.,

Corps for 13 years, they retired in1976 due to Harlan’s health. In 1981they were called to Minneapolis,Minn., to run the Booth ManorApartments and later moved back tothe Chicago area, where Bergiehelped at the territorial conferencecenter in Des Plaines.Bergie’s greatest joys were serving

God, helping people and spendingtime with her family.Bergie was preceded in death by

Harlan and survived by childrenKarl (Laurie), Rick (Ursula) andInga; nine grandchildren and fourgreat-grandchildren.

Mrs. Major Jeanne MacDonald

Mrs. MajorJeanneMacDonald waspromoted toGlory on August26, 2012. Shewas 86.Jeanne was

born toSalvation Armyofficers Oscarand Chrystial Agre in Beloit, Wis. Shereceived her call to officership duringa Sunday morning service while herfather was preaching in Saginaw,Mich. She was commissioned as anofficer in the summer of 1945.The following December she mar-

ried John MacDonald, and theirmarriage was blessed with two won-derful daughters.The MacDonalds served in both

the Southern and Central territories.Their officership consisted primarily

of corps appointments except for theNew Orleans, La., welfare servicedepartment and their final appoint-ment at the Detroit, Mich., HarborLight. At the Harbor Light Jeannesaid she felt God gave her daily con-firmation of her calling as she lis-tened to the incredible testimonies ofthe men.The MacDonalds retired in 1989.

After retirement they lived far froma corps so Jeanne continued to min-ister as the music chairman at alocal Bible church in Michigan’sUpper Peninsula.Jeanne was preceded in death by

her daughter, Joy. She is survived byher husband, daughter Barbara, fivegrandchildren and two great-grand-children.

Major Bettie A. Cedervall

Major BettieCedervall waspromoted toGlory onSeptember 10,2012, from herhome inJefferson City,Mo. She was39.Bettie was

born to William and Susan Butler inDover, Ohio, where she was broughtup and active in the Lutheranchurch, becoming a deacon, leadingthe youth group and helping withvisitation. Having such a naturalinclination to serve, she volunteeredoutside her church assisting withyouth activities at the Dover Corpswhere Kevin Cedervall attended.She was enrolled as a soldier in

1992 by General Eva Burrows andmarried Kevin a year later. DuringCongress that year their call to offi-cership was confirmed, and theCedervalls entered the College forOfficer Training in Chicago as partof the “Messengers of Truth” sessionin 1994.Commissioned in 1996 the

Cedervalls, along with their twochildren, served at corps in Illinois,Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota andMissouri.Bettie was a caring, warm-hearted

person evidenced by her love forpeople and the many hours shespent serving others. In her sparetime she enjoyed scrapbooking andcrocheting.She is survived by her husband

and children, Christina, 17, andJohnathan, 13; her parents Harryand Susan Butler; and one sister,Becky (Greg) Marsh.

Thegiftof hope

Trying to keep the“Reason for the season”this Christmas?Give the gift of hope to children at Salvation Armychildren’s home overseas. For less than $1 a day,or $25 a month, you can sponsor a children’s homeor school in a friend or family member’s name.

Trying to keep the“Reason for the season”this Christmas?Give the gift of hope to children at Salvation Armychildren’s home overseas. For less than $1 a day,or $25 a month, you can sponsor a children’s homeor school in a friend or family member’s name.

Trying to keep the“Reason for the season”this Christmas?Give the gift of hope to children at Salvation Armychildren’s home overseas. For less than $1 a day,or $25 a month, you can sponsor a children’s homeor school in a friend or family member’s name.

To donate contact Ceamona Taube at missions@usc.salvationarmy.orgor (847) 294-2065.To donate contact Ceamona Taube at missions@usc.salvationarmy.orgor (847) 294-2065.To donate contact Ceamona Taube at missions@usc.salvationarmy.orgor (847) 294-2065.

Adults (age 18+) are invited to apply for 2013 Global Mission Team projects.

Activities can range fromevangelism and programming tolight construction.

For more information visit www.centralmissions.orgor email missions@usc.salvationarmy.org

MeetCeamona

Ceamona (Mona) Taube, ter-ritorial sponsorship andmission support coordina-tor, comes to her new

position at headquarters from beingthe children’s ministries manager atthe Grand Rapids, Mich., Ray andJoan Kroc Corps CommunityCenter for two years.In her new role she’s liaison

between sponsors in the CentralTerritory and Salvation Army chil-dren’s homes overseas.“My biggest focus will be gather-

ing and communicating informationabout our sponsorship partners inpractical ways,” said Mona. “I’ll beavailable to present information tocorps, camps, Kroc Centers and otherArmy facilities to educate themabout supporting world missions.”Mona graduated from North Park

University in Chicago Ill., with adegree in education. She loves totravel and experience new cultures,having been to South Africa withsummer mission teams, Thailand incollege, and Canada with a team toshare the gospel at the 2010 WinterOlympic Games. She also led aCentral summer mission team in2008.Mona was born and raised in St.

Charles, Ill., and dedicated at the St.Charles Corps. Growing up very

involved in corps activities, Monaattended Central Bible LeadershipInstitute every summer, where shemet her future husband, Jonathan.They were only teenagers, but a trueromance blossomed. They’ve beenmarried three years and have a dognamed Wendel.It was also during a Salvation

Army camp that Mona committedher life to Christ. “I believe it wasChristy Mantel [adult friend andmentor] who prayed with me,” saidMona. “That was my point of salva-tion, but it’s been practical thingsalong the way, like missions trips,serving at my corps and being inrelationships with other believers,that have encouraged me in myChristian life.