Recent national and world events with respect to social, racial, and political unrest have in some ways hindered and in other ways helped the spirit of reconciliation among our diverse populations. So, a burning question is, “How do we actually rekindle a sense of hope and restoration among people and rise from the ashes of pain and suffering in a post–COVID–19 world?”
"Actions speak louder than words,” is a familiar adage. In police work, actions can mean everything when the stakes are a matter of life and death. In such a demanding world, how does an officer, clad in blue, effectively share the gospel of Christ?
Rehabilitation has always been the goal of the Salvation Army’s ministry to people who are tempted to misuse substances. From its inception in 1881 when William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, opened shelters in England for the homeless and alcohol abusers, to the 1900s in the United States where men who suffered from similar social and spiritual handicaps collected discarded cardboard and metal scraps to make ends meet.
From 2000–2001, Dimas Salaberrios worked as a crisis intervention counselor at the Salvation Army’s Wayside Home for Girls in Valley Stream, Long Island. His experience there helped show him what commitment to people in need really looks like. “I remember Major Lois Rader,” he says. “She was one of the most incredible models of a Christian woman I have come across.
Conversation has always been the key to connecting people. Since the early days of the Christian church, religious leaders delivered heartfelt impromptu talks. They also responded to numerous queries from their casual and intimate audiences. Down through the ages, Baroque and Renaissance painters have imagined them in long robes as they sat on marble stoops in ancient middle eastern temples.
In response to the challenges of this tumultuous year 2020, Daniel N. Diakanwa, a retired Salvation Army captain (pictured above with his daughter Danielle), has written a second edition of his book Key to Intercultural Ministries: A biblical perspective on human reconciliation, which was first published in 2000. In an interview with SACONNECTS magazine, he explains why this topic is relevant today more than ever in the midst of recent social unrest, racial and political strife, and the COVID–19 pandemic.
El silencio puede ser ensordecedor. Solo pregúntele a un especialista de Cuidados Emocionales y Espirituales (ESC, por sus siglas en inglés) tratando de conectarse con un desconocido que llamó a la línea HOPEline.
A few years ago, Worth magazine did a study on wealthy families in the United States and concluded that something other than money was primarily responsible for making them well–off. Extensive research revealed a surprising pattern; it was actually a family member’s personal dream that had made the difference. Even in the midst of what might have been dire circumstances, the vision of that person had become the family’s “constitution” as each succeeding generation inherited their “mission statement.”
September 4, 2020—during a Facebook Live event via Zoom, the Commissioners Joe and Doris Noland, retired territorial leaders who have served the USA Eastern and Western territories, received an eBook compilation of essays from a representative panel of distinguished Salvation Army officers and friends. Each panelist had contributed an essay to the book and expressed his or her high regard for these iconic Salvation Army leaders.
On the eve of their release, Dr. Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and founder of The Urban Alternative, paid tribute to Lois Evans, his wife of 50 years. Her final desire was to see these books come to fruition. She recently passed away after a long and courageous fight against cancer.
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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