by Robert Mitchell

Brendy Best thought she had beaten breast cancer in 2007, but the disease returned in 2024 and got everyone she knows praying. The treatment has been exhausting, but she continues to show up to help feed the least of these at the Bushwick Corps in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she serves in the soup kitchen. Her steadfast faith and Christian example in battling cancer a second time inspires everyone, including her officers.

by Hugo Bravo

Major Gilbert Parkhurst, corps officer in Danbury, Conn., knows that a close-up view of the Army’s ministry can change a person. He has seen teens, board members, and government officials impacted just by witnessing the ministry of The Salvation Army. “Even our ministry of presence—to be there for someone in their time of need—can change hearts,” says Parkhurst. “Sometimes all it takes is seeing work done in the name of God.”

by Guest

Imagine being part of a dynamic instrumental group and playing the latest trends in music sweeping the nation. You’re also wearing clothes that make an even bolder statement, catching the attention and imagination of young people. And the year is 1887. For the past 138 years, the New York Staff Band has served as the musical cornerstone of The Salvation Army in the United States. Read how it is still going strong, not just to please the ear, but to transform the spiritual lives of young musicians, who please the heart of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

by Warren L. Maye

Read more, scroll less. Yes, great books are still within your reach, and here are three at the top of our list, suggested just for you. They explore themes including what successful leadership demands, how to take a stand against injustice, and how to navigate the ever-growing digital world of artificial intelligence.

by Hugo Bravo

In Vermont, the Burlington Corps’ Friendly Kitchen serves dinner to around 100 people six days a week. Envoy Stacy Liskey sees it as one way to give individuals who may be suffering from homelessness back the dignity they feel they’ve lost living on the streets. “There are many places that serve free breakfast and lunch,” says Liskey, “but none that serve dinner as often as us.” She wants anyone who is hungry to come, whether they are homeless or not.

by Major Lauren Hodgson

Don’t leave your mental and physical wellness to chance. Instead, be intentional about it. It’s all a balancing act where we must find stability and rest despite our busy lives. Ask yourself these thoughtful questions and follow the self-care checklist to see how you can find your way to “what is good, necessary, and true.”

by Hugo Bravo

Cold and flu season is here, and with those yearly illnesses can come another unwelcome, more dangerous viral sickness. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects the lungs and respiratory system, with symptoms that can feel like a common cold. But for infants, the elderly, or those with a history of lung disease, it can be life-threatening. Learn more about the symptoms of RSV, how it spreads, and ways to prevent and treat it.

by Guest

In August, Boston’s TD Garden hosted The Salvation Army’s annual Back-to-School celebration. Over 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were given to children as they got ready to start the new school year. Along with the bags, a local barber was on hand to give fresh haircuts, and Grace Chapel in Cambridge also donated new winter coats. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services provided drinks and snacks.

by Hugo Bravo

Anavanessa Robles comes in every day to volunteer at the busy Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps. She does everything from helping in the soup kitchen to organizing information for parents like her who take care of special needs children. “I love being a mom,” says Anavanessa. “But volunteering at The Salvation Army is something that I have just for me. I want to give something back to the world and put some good out there.”

by Hugo Bravo

When Jessica Williams went to jail, her oldest daughter, Kylie, at just 11 years old, took on the responsibilities of their home, taking care of family members younger and older than her. After having served her time, Jessica left behind her past life and addictions, hoping to reconnect with her family. But Kylie, forced to grow up quickly in her mother’s absence and having missed out on years of her own childhood, has had to readjust to a new normal.

by Robert Mitchell

The Christian faith mixes as easy as paint at this after-school arts program at The Salvation Army in Pottsville, Pa. It might never have happened without a chance meeting between Captain BettyEllen Barrett and Shelby Van Cleef, who leads the program, at a Pennsylvania street fair. The area is a rough one, and The Salvation Army provides a safe space every Thursday for kids ages 6 to high school to express their artistic sides and learn about the love of Jesus Christ.

by Warren L. Maye

Respect for the poor and downtrodden people in our society comes after we take a second and third look and keep looking until we understand and care about who we see. Reading this article will sharpen your perspective and encourage you to actively engage in ways that will give you the courage and compassion to truly see and help transform lives.

by Hugo Bravo

Need some fun decor for a child’s room, nursery, or play space? At your Salvation Army thrift store, you can find wall displays, photo frames, and even kid-friendly electronics to give any room a playful new look. This month, we found superhero art, old-school video games, and much more. Whether you want to keep to a theme or prefer to mix it all up, you can find what you need at your Salvation Army store.

by Warren L. Maye

You’re only a click or two away from some awesome Christian shows you can check out and stream whenever you want. Series like The Chosen, House of David, Going Home, Vindication, and Bibleman: The Animated Adventures are all worth a watch. They’re not just fun to watch; they’re super inspirational and can be found on various platforms.

by Hugo Bravo

Summer is finally here, and with it come morning runs, outdoor pickup games, and lunchtime walks. But hot weather also makes our bodies work harder during exercise. You can even lose a liter of sweat or more every hour that you work out in the heat. Learn how to keep yourself hydrated during exercise, protect your skin in the sun, and recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

by Hugo Bravo

Rahna Fahringer survived 30 hours as a hostage of an ex-boyfriend, a former inmate. Rahna was shot twice during that traumatic event but survived. Unable to work and on the advice of her therapist, Rahna began giving her time to The Salvation Army Service Extension Unit in Brunswick, Ohio. Mark Fahringer, Rahna’s ex-husband, also began the 49-9 Project, an outreach program to guide soon-to-be and recently released inmates to services, resources, and more.

by Guest

What does being a Christian really mean? This piece invites you to dive in and find out. Regardless of where you stand in your relationship with Christ, you can show Jesus’ love by being patient, compassionate, and fully present for others: an example “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

by Robert Mitchell

The Salvation Army’s Learning Lighthouse, a new child care center for 112 children, is rising in Mount Vernon, Ohio. When completed, the 13,270-square-foot facility and the existing corps will take up an entire city block called “Salvation Square.” Captain Christine Moretz, the corps officer in Mount Vernon, said the new center will not only take care of children physically but also spiritually because the Holy Spirit “lives and abides in our facilities at The Salvation Army.”

by Robert Mitchell

George Boychock has had a rough life marked by drugs and alcohol, prison, and near-death experiences, but at age 72, the Carlisle, Pa., man has found peace through Jesus Christ. Once given only two hours to live, George is now sober and volunteers for the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army. He continues to grow in his faith and says the greatest desire of his heart is to start a prison ministry.

by Guest

As Salvationists, when we talk about our beliefs, we’re tapping into a vibrant tradition of faith. Even though it happened 1,700 years ago, the First Council of Nicaea still plays a key role in shaping Christian beliefs today. How does the Nicene Creed inform your faith as a Christian and a Salvationist? Rob Jeffery, director of the Eastern Territory’s Heritage Museum, explores the meaning behind this meeting of the early Church.

by Warren L. Maye

Whenever you move to a new spot, it’s a great chance to grow, try new things, and see the world in a fresh way. This story is about people who have shuffled around quite a bit in their lives. They keep it simple, pack light, and prioritize quality over quantity. And they make a huge difference in others’ lives through their work. There’s plenty we can learn from them.

by Warren L. Maye

When a flash flood hits at night, or a hurricane tears the roof off your house by day, or a plane crashes and catches fire, Emergency Disaster Services workers from The Salvation Army need to stay calm and show some real compassion. They’ve got the experience and training to handle tough situations, and they’re committed to providing not just critical supplies but emotional and spiritual support to help get through these crises.

by Hugo Bravo

Majors Annalise and Billy Francis, corps officers at The Salvation Army Ashland Kroc, are the minds behind the Kroc’s Theater Group. “Running the theater program is a herculean effort,” says Major Billy. “But everything the Kroc does is an avenue of discipleship that promotes Christ.” With a hardworking Kroc staff and young performers dedicated to the craft, the theater program has continued to change lives, becoming one of its most exciting ministries.

by Robert Mitchell

Milo Rivera, 5, meets a friendly goat during Family Fun Night at The Salvation Army’s Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings in Maine. The evening is always a hit with kids and adults alike. For the perfect ending to the day, there’s usually a short program in the Seaside Pavilion before everyone gathers for ice cream. This year’s camp meetings are July 26–29. The popular Pier Festival, which features the best of Salvation Army arts ministries, runs July 24–27. From July 28 to July 30, anyone who’s interested can attend Bible studies on the beach and inside the nearby Salvation Army church.

by Hugo Bravo

A broken bone can put many activities to a stop. But while you recover, your body is hard at work to heal the fracture and get the bone back to normal. Learn about what foods and exercises can help your body heal faster. And do broken bones heal more strongly than before, or is it a myth?