This week, we mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. We remember the collective horror we all felt as the world watched the events unfold, seeing the destruction and lives lost in real time. And in The Salvation Army, we remember the collective action that took place in the days and months that followed—the thousands of officers, employees and volunteers who stepped in to help. 

On this episode of the podcast, we’re going across Canada—from Newfoundland and Labrador to Vancouver—and to the heart of Ground Zero in New York City, for an inside look at the Army’s 9/11 response. We’ll hear the stories of four people who were part of that response:

• Claude Elliott, mayor of Gander, N.L., at the time, who was instrumental in the town's response when 38 planes were grounded there;
• John Maxwell, a passenger whose plane was grounded in Gander, who spent several days at the Salvation Army church in nearby Lewisporte, N.L.;
• Major Lynn Cummings, a Canadian Salvation Army officer who served at Ground Zero in October 2001; and 
• John McEwan, a Salvationist who assisted grounded passengers in Vancouver and later led the Army's relief efforts at the "Taj Mahal" at Ground Zero when operations concluded in May 2002.

More 9/11 Coverage:

Extended Q&A with Claude Elliott

9/11 Memories from Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis

Artifacts from Ground Zero

Salvation Army Participates in 9/11 Heritage Minute

Last month, Peter Noteboom retired from his position as General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, after 27 years with the organization, including nine years in that leading role. 

The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) is a broad and inclusive ecumenical body, representing 26-member churches from various Christian traditions. The Salvation Army is a founding member of the CCC, which has been around since 1944. 

As he looks back on his years with the council, Peter shares his thoughts on why Christian unity matters so much and how the church can better use its voice in society, plus personal highlights from his tenure, reflections on The Salvation Army’s contributions to ecumenism and more.

Learn more about the Canadian Council of Churches

Across Canada, about 27 percent of people aged 15 and older live with a disability. In a country of 41 million, that translates to about 11 million people—including many people in our Salvation Army context. So, how is our territory working to improve accessibility, to ensure everyone belongs? 

On this episode, we’re joined by Colonel Margaret McLeod, chief secretary, and Major Christine Johnston, territorial disabilities consultant, who share their perspectives on how the territory is progressing in this area, and why accessibility is not an add-on, but is an essential part of the gospel and our mission. 

Resources and Further Reading:

Everybody Belongs, Serving Together – Inclusive church ministry with people with disabilities - a collaborative guide by Disability Concerns, Christian Horizons and Elim. Available is booklet form and on line at Introduction | Everybody Belongs, Serving Together | Faithward.org

From Longing to Belonging – A Practical (Steven Shakespeare, 2006) Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community – book authored by Shelly Christensen, MA FAAIDD 

Our Doors Are Open – Guide for Accessible Congregations  - an EnAbling Change Project with the Government of Ontario Our Doors Are Open – Nos portes sont ouvertes – Welcoming People with Disabilities in Places of Worship

Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities – A Guide for Service Providers, Families and Congregations- book authored by Erik W. Carter

The 5 Stages: Changing Attitudes About Disability by Daniel Kyle Vander Plaats  Stages of Attitudes - Wheaton College, IL

Karis Disability Services Equipping Churches

Disability and Accessibility - The Salvation Army Ethics Centre

Accessibility Statement and Plan - The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory

Disability, Accessibility and Belonging - Community Mission, Canada and Bermuda Territory

From April 17 to May 4, the Canada and Bermuda Territory was honoured to host General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. During their tour, The Salvation Army’s international leaders travelled from coast to coast, from St. John’s to Vancouver, encouraging Salvationists to keep Jesus at the centre of all we do. 

On their final day in Canada, they joined the Salvationist podcast to talk about the Jesus Our Compass tour. 

But the conversation covered a number of subjects: their time as corps officers in Windsor, Ontario, the General’s health crisis last October—and the dark nights of the soul that followed—and how their own family’s legacy of Salvationism still inspires them today. 

Pick up the July/August issue of Salvationist and read the highlights from the tour. 

Watch all the live streams from the tour here.

Since Alpha Canada was established in 1998, more than 1.4 million people in Canada have experienced Alpha. It’s a great tool for churches to introduce people to Jesus and also help believers deepen their faith. 

Many ministry units in the Canada and Bermuda Territory are running Alpha, including Moncton Citadel Community Church in New Brunswick. On this episode, we hear from Moncton’s corps officer, Major James Anderson, and Marie Caillouette, a member of the church who is also the administrative assistant there. Marie has her own incredible story of transformation through Alpha, having taken the program while she was in prison. She shares her journey, and they talk about how Alpha has had a major impact on their church. 

Explore Alpha resources for Salvation Army ministry units

Read how Alpha is changing lives in other ministry units in our territory

It was nicknamed “The Beast”—the massive wildfire that ripped through Fort McMurray, Alberta, in May 2016. It forced the entire city of almost 90,000 people to evacuate and spread across approximately 590,000 hectares—an area larger than Prince Edward Island. 

For this episode, we’re marking the 10-year anniversary of the fire by talking to officers and Salvationists who were there in Fort McMurray when it happened; people who experienced the evacuation and the pain of loss firsthand; people who were part of the Army’s emergency disaster services response, both during the fire and long after it ended. How did they experience that fire, as individuals and as a church? What has been the key to healing after this devastating event, and what is the legacy of the fire today?

This episode features:

• Verna Thomas-Winsor, a member of the Salvation Army church in Fort McMurray, who lost her home and more;
• Major Steve Hibbs, corps officer in Fort McMurray in 2016, now retired and still living there; 
• Majors Bond and Marina Jennings, assistant corps officers in 2016; and
• Captain Ian Scott, who led the Salvation Army EDS team during re-entry following the evacuation.

At The Salvation Army's New Hope Leslieville shelter in Toronto, a monthly jam session gives residents an opportunity to experience the joy of music, thanks to Harmonies for Hope.

The program is led by a volunteer, Rob Dixon, who shares how an encounter with a man experiencing homelessness inspired Harmonies for Hope, and how the program creates moments of beauty and dignity for people who otherwise would not have access to music.

On this episode, Rob takes us behind the scenes at one of the sessions, and we meet Tony, who shares his musical gifts and his story.

On this past Christmas Day, a fire broke out at The Salvation Army in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, completely destroying the building. It was a devastating blow for Salvation Army ministry in the community. But with the support of the town and its people, the Army is still giving hope amid the ashes, ensuring the mission continues even without the home base of a building. On this episode, we are joined by Prince Albert’s corps officer, Major Ed Dean, who tells us about the fire and its aftermath, how The Salvation Army has pivoted to ensure its corps and community services continue, and how Salvationists and friends in Prince Albert and beyond can support the mission. 

The Salvation Army is deeply grateful to our matching sponsors, the Murray & Audrey Neufeld Charitable Foundation and the Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation Inc., and all of the generous donors who have contributed to the Plates of Hope Campaign to date. Together we have raised more than $220,000 toward our goal of $250,000. Help us reach our goal by donating before March 31.

For Captains Chris and Nichole Maxwell, two Salvation Army officers from Australia, moving to Canada was a leap of faith. They had never visited the country prior to moving here, they'd be bringing three young children with them, and it was in the middle of a pandemic. But trusting in God’s calling to overseas service has been an immense blessing for the Maxwells and for their church, Kingston Citadel in Ontario, where they have been corps officers since January 2022. 

On this episode, we talk about their calling; about some of the biggest and most surprising differences between The Salvation Army in Australia and Canada; and about their church’s process of rebuilding after Covid and how Kingston Citadel has a renewed vision and is thriving today.

Today, Auxiliary-Captain Matthew Pittman is the corps officer at Robert's Arm-Pilley's Island Corps—back at the very church where he grew up in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. But 10 years ago, he couldn't have been further away from a life of ministry.

On this episode of the Salvationist podcast, Auxiliary-Captain Matthew shares his journey, from addiction and depression to salvation and Salvation Army officership. 

Interested in officership? Visit Salvationist.ca/candidates for more information.