Dealing with grief from the loss of loved ones or broken dreams. The pulpits of Salvation Army churches are not silent on the subject. They thunder the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:13, urging parishioners to grieve with hope of the eternal life to come in Heaven. See what other Bible verses and advice are shared by officers throughout the USA Eastern Territory at this time of year.
Christians should make a statement not only in the way they live, but also in how they die. That was the case for Alba Talavera, who was sure she was headed to Heaven but made it her business to tell others about Christ so they could join her. A former single mother with a heart for youth ministries, this longtime Salvation Army officer inspired her family and everyone around her with her steadfast faith and the way she handled her battle with cancer.
The Salvation Army helped Mark Shapp’s family when he was young, and he never forgot that generosity. Today, donning a penguin costume, he stands kettles for The Salvation Army and helps many other organizations with his time and talent. His story dovetails nicely with The Salvation Army’s “Give with Joy” campaign based on 2 Corinthians 9:7, which teaches Christian believers that “each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Jonathan Torres, who has spent roughly half his life in prison, faced a near-death experience and lived. He has literally overcome his demons with the help of The Salvation Army and now serves with the men’s ministry in York, Pa., helping homeless individuals overcome their challenges and pointing them to Jesus Christ.
Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the crux of the Christian faith. You can find a lot of hints about its truthfulness from the Scriptures — from the dramatic change in the apostles to the eyewitness testimony of those who saw him alive. Celebrate the Resurrection, knowing it’s a fact.
The Salvation Army Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory Headquarters
Serving communities in Connecticut, Delaware, Northeast Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.
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