Entries by j_massey

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How William and Catherine Booth started The Salvation Army

William and Catherine Booth build a movement by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the destitute in London’s East End.

William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.

Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings.

In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls..

May 11, 2020by
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Pathway of Hope families see success in self-reliance

Pathway of Hope families see success in self-reliance By: Brad Rowland
The Pathway of Hope initiative, launched by The Salvation Army in 2011, arrived in the Southern Territory in 2015 with the goal of providing targeted services to families to take action in breaking the generational cycle of crisis and enabling a path out of poverty.
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, Pathway of Hope is in its infancy, existing for less than one year, but the early returns are strong and inspiring.
“Pathway in Lake Charles has been a wonderful way for our social work to move beyond a band-aid approach to poverty for our clients and into a long-term relationship with a case manager, who is able to meet clients where they are to provide ongoing support and services,” said Lieutenant LeAnna Marion, corps officer.
“We are able through this program to connect our clients with other community resources that fill a gap in our own for a more holistic program,” Lieutenant Marion said. “We have seen success in so..

May 9, 2020by
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Self-Care: Finding Rhythm

During this difficult period, it may be more necessary than ever to practice a little self-care.

Find a quiet place to pause and reflect:

What rhythms of rest and work have you found to sustain yourself?
What practices, rhythms, or patterns have you adopted to root yourself into the foundation of Christ’s love?
Are their friends and colleagues who have expressed subtle or overt fears, anxieties, or cries of lament and doubt? How can you respond?
Have you found resources for expressing your own pain, doubt, or limitations?
What habits do you have ready-to-hand that can help draw you out of these dark places?
Now ask yourself, am I practicing these?

These are not simply questions; they are lifelines.

To read more about establishing sacred rhythms during a difficult time, click HERE.

April 14, 2020by
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Healed and Made Whole: An Easter Message from The Salvation Army’s International Leader

Healed and made whole: An Easter message from General Brian Peddle Surely he took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:4-6 Berean Study Bible)
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The Easter message is the most profound, true, life-changing, life-giving message we can ever hear, respond to and participate in. In short, the Easter story is the culmination of God’s plan of salvation for the redemption and restoration of humanity. Such unconditional sacrificial love unleashes the mercy, grace and forgiveness of God. We should be experiencing boundless joy, caught up in awe and wonder, celebrating our new-found freedom and living in a new dynamic re..

April 10, 2020by
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Salvation Army International Leader Calls for Prayer Against Injustice to Women

General Brian Peddle has issued a global call to pray for women and girls in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which identified 12 critical areas of concern for women and girls.

“I’m asking you to join me in a cry for justice,” said Peddle in a special video message. “A heartfelt longing to deal with the wrongs of this world.”

The message comes on the heels of a pivotal “Reimagining” of The Salvation Army’s International Women’s Ministries earlier this month, which encouraged every part of the worldwide church and charity to re-examine how to best meet the needs of women and girls in a relevant and culturally appropriate manner.

In the video, Peddle describes “probably the greatest injustice of our age”: the fact that half the world’s population start life at a disadvantage simply because they are female.

In his call to prayer, Peddle cites up-to-date statistics which illustrate the scale of the issue: 71 perc..

March 16, 2020by
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The Salvation Army Seeks to End Generational Poverty Through Pathway of Hope Initiative

“Pathway of Hope is the evolution of what The Salvation Army has provided since its creation,” says Cheryl Wilson, case manager at the Army’s Buffalo, N.Y., Area Services Center.
“The Salvation Army has existed for over 150 years as an organization that serves basic emergency needs. But today, we know that we can address the root causes of what keeps a person in need,” says Wilson. “Transactional provision of food and resources are great, but the change that Pathway of Hope can offer is goal and action oriented; it’s made to impact this and future generations.”
Wilson gets to know the people she helps and addresses the root causes of what keeps them from achieving stability and self–sufficiency. Housing, childcare, reliable transportation, and gainful employment are all part of a stable living situation. “Every part impacts the others,” explains Wilson. “If your car breaks down or you don’t have someone to watch your kids, you might not be able to work.”
The most common aspect of g..

March 9, 2020by
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For 27 years, Key Largo family store has benefited from volunteer’s efforts

For 27 years, Key Largo family store has benefited from volunteer’s efforts By: Rebecca Corum
A few months before Fidel Castro took control of Cuba in the 1950s, Olga Lastra, her husband and two young sons left the country with the notion they would return shortly. However, time passed, and Lastra discovered her home had been taken over by the Castro-led government. By that time, her husband was working on an assignment as a civil engineer in the United States, and that positive fortune allowed for a smoother transition to a new place to call home.
Adjusting to the United States as the new home base for her family, Lastra decided to take a chance that a local boutique would hire her for work. She was, in fact, hired and quickly became a top salesperson. Her exceptional personality and passion for fashion fueled her work.
Lastra and her husband eventually retired in the Florida Keys, settling into yet another new home. Initially, she volunteered for the local animal shelter and was a..

March 2, 2020by
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The Salvation Army is responding to Coronavirus in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan

Salvation Army members and staff in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are continuing to provide assistance in the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak despite restrictions that have been put in place to slow the spread of the virus.

“Even with the anxiety surrounding the Novel Coronavirus here in Hong Kong and Macau, we are very proud of the corps officers, soldiers and staff from our social services who brave the uncertainties and visit many families in their communities – especially the elderly and house-bound – to provide them with essential foodstuffs, meals and masks for their protection,” said Major Eva Chow, Corporate Communications Director for The Salvation Army’s Hong Kong and Macau Command.

The Hong Kong and Macau governments have implemented enhanced disease prevention and control measures to reduce the flow of people between the mainland and Hong Kong-Macau borders.

Hong Kong has already suspended passenger clearance services in 10 control points and plans are in place for a 14-..

February 26, 2020by
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Heroes with Hammers

“What is the use of preaching the gospel to men whose whole attention is concentrated upon a mad, desperate struggle to keep themselves alive?” General William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, posed this question in the late 1800s; over 100 years later the question is as relevant today as it was when he presented this challenge to the world.

February 21, 2020by
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Immigrant family finds a home through youth music programs

Immigrant woman finds a home for her family with The Salvation Army of Clearwater, Fla. By: Libia Socorro
Gladys Aboude came to this country from Venezuela in 2015, accompanied by her two children. A woman of Hispanic origin, Aboude knew little about life in the U.S. and had to find her own way.
She did not know what The Salvation Army was, and she knew nothing of its mission and work. When she saw a flyer advertising Salvation Army music classes, she checked into it. When she realized that the classes were free, she decided to register her children.
As her children became involved in the music classes, her awareness of the Army began to grow. She learned it had nothing to do with the military and was actually a non-profit Christian organization. She wanted to know more about The Salvation Army, and that’s how Aboude began attending the Clearwater, Florida, Corps and became part of that beautiful family of Salvationists.
Meanwhile, her children were not only receiving music lessons..

February 3, 2020by