We dive into the rich history of this landmark building, the Centennial Memorial Temple, which has stood in the heart of New York City as a gathering place, worship space, and community hub of The Salvation Army for almost 100 years. You’ll read how this amazing concert hall also served as a sanctuary for preaching the gospel of Christ and an altar for the saving of lost souls.
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.
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.”
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.
There is nothing to fear as we ask the Holy Spirit, both personally and corporately, for a deeper infilling of Himself. For instance, on the day of Pentecost, our brothers and sisters experienced a spiritual wind and fire, but they were not knocked off their feet nor did they receive any first-degree burns. And neither will we when we come together (Acts 2:6) in the presence of an almighty God.
Some view her as the ideal to live by, but can or should every Christian woman set out to be just like this hardworking, strong, courageous, but imaginary person? That’s right: She is not real. She is make-believe. Only One sets a perfect example of godliness; only One gives us a complete picture. Let us always identify ourselves with Jesus.
To call it simply a cemetery or a graveyard feels incorrect. The size of a small town, it is a resting place for thousands of people, with many communities represented among the orderly plots. Salvationists “promoted to Glory” lay buried in countless cemeteries across the country, but the beautiful grounds of Kensico help tell the story of The Salvation Army in America.
When The Salvation Army ventured into the United States, a young woman in her teens led the way, circa 1880. Her name was Eliza Shirley, and her ministry to people of all ages lit a spiritual flame in Philadelphia that spread across the nation and still burns brightly today.
The Salvation Army is politically neutral but has long partnered with governments and civic authorities. In countless cultures and countries around the world, the Church has always had interactions with government. The early Church had a contentious relationship with authorities (particularly the Roman government), which resulted in the outright persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire until the Edict of Milan was issued in 313. During medieval times in Western Europe, the Church even took on governmental functions, crowning kings and queens to rule over the secular world according to Church dictates.
As I was enjoying scrubbing some pots lately, it made me think of the contrary ways in which we clean ourselves spiritually. If we give our lives to Jesus, we may focus more on cleaning our bodies externally than we do internally: We try to scrub off the worldly lifestyle that we’ve been living and alter our external habits so that people can notice changes in us.
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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