The Salvation Army was born on the streets of London, England, and urban ministry is still central to our calling. But since its founding, the Army has expanded far beyond the urban centres, and in the Canada and Bermuda Territory today, about half of our ministry units are in urban settings, while the other half are in rural areas. 

What are the different strengths and challenges in city and rural ministries? And what can those who are ministering in these different contexts learn from each other? 

Major Mike Hoeft, an area commander in the Prairies and Northern Territories Division, and Lieutenant Jeremy Thompson, a corps officer in downtown Toronto, share their thoughts on these questions and more in this urban-rural ministries roundtable. 

In The Salvation Army, we have an abundance of gifted composers and songwriters, both experienced and emerging. And that’s why Music Editorial, which is based in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, began a composition mentoring program. 

Through the year-long program, an experienced composer or songwriter meets one-on-one with a new one, giving them practical as well as spiritual support, creating a relationship that involves both teaching and sharing faith together.

On this episode, two participants in the program share their experience—Simon Gough from the Canada and Bermuda Territory, in the mentor role, and Dominique Bradley from the United Kingdom, in the emerging songwriter role.

Songs featured in this episode:

I Rest in You

Maranatha

More links:

Visit the Music Editorial Facebook page

Learn more about Salvation Worship

Find the latest volume of Salvation Worship

The Canada and Bermuda Territory currently has about 9,300 employees spread across hundreds of ministry units, making up a significant amount of the leadership in the Army today. 

So how is our territory equipping our employees for success? And how can we better harness the skills and diversity in our ranks? 

On this episode of the podcast we’re sitting down with Paul Carew, who is the leadership development secretary for Canada and Bermuda, and a lifelong Salvationist. We look at how the Army’s leadership is evolving, the importance of staying mission-focused, and what gives him hope for the Army’s future.

For Women’s History Month, Salvationist is spotlighting inspiring Salvationist women from across Canada and Bermuda, so we're delighted to welcome Dr. Lucinda McQuarrie to the podcast. 

Dr. Lucinda is a lifelong Salvationist and a medical doctor in Langley, B.C. On this episode we talk about her faith journey—from being an officers’ kid, to her current ministry as a lay leader at The Salvation Army’s Willows Church and Family Life Centre. And we explore how she lives out her faith in her medical practice, and why her own experience of miraculous healing reminds her that God is in control. 

Meet four more inspiring Salvationist women: read article.

As we prepare to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we sit down with Corinne Peterkin, who is the Indigenous liaison at The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in Winnipeg. Corinne shares some of her own personal story as a Sixties Scoop survivor, and she walks us through the many ways the Centre of Hope is living the journey of reconciliation today. As she notes, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is not a one-day thing, and she offers some really helpful, practical suggestions for how Salvationists and other ministry units can practise reconciliation as well. 

Further Reading and Resources

Who We Are by Murray Sinclair (audiobook recommended)

For Joshua by Richard Wagamese (audiobook recommended)

You Were Made for This World edited by Stephanie Sinclair and Sara Sinclair

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website

What started as a fun hobby for Captain Matthew Trottier has become a meaningful ministry as he uses his magical talents to share the gospel message. As "Major Magic," Captain Matt proves that anything can be used for God’s glory—even a rabbit in a hat. 

Major Magic will be performing at Oakville Community Church's Fall Family Carnival this Saturday, September 13, 2025. Visit their Facebook page for more information: Facebook Page

This summer, John Lam retires after 30 years of ministry with the Canadian Staff Band, including 17 years as bandmaster.

As he wraps up his time with the band, Lam reflects on his life and faith, from his life-transforming experience at National Music Camp, to a time of personal tragedy and how God has been faithful to him, to some of his most memorable experiences with the staff band, and why music is still critical to the Army’s mission today.

Canadian Staff Band website

This episode features music from two CSB albums: Undaunted and Glorified

In The Salvation Army, it’s common to have specific appointments for women’s ministries, as well as for children and youth. But in many places, there is no equivalent position for men’s ministries. 

Not so in the Ontario Division, where Captain Josh Howard is the divisional men’s ministry resource officer, along with his appointment as corps officer in Orillia. On this episode of the podcast we talk about the importance—and uniqueness—of men’s ministries, the male loneliness crisis, and how any corps can build a successful ministry for men, with all generations involved. 

About 50 percent of Gen Z in North America identify as "nones," meaning they don’t have any religious affiliation. The big question is: why? Why have so many left the church? And for those who haven’t, why have they stayed? 

This episode features a roundtable discussion with Major April McNeilly, who has been researching Gen Z and Jesus for her master’s degree; and her daughter Rebekah McNeilly, a Gen Z Salvationist who works in the corps mission department at territorial headquarters and hosts The Story We Tell Ourselves podcast.

In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, we get into the trends and data, the personal lived experiences of Gen Zs, and the heart of the gospel message that is still transforming young people today.

Read the first article in Major April's series on Generation Z and Jesus.

In Uniacke Square, a public housing neighbourhood in Halifax, you’ll find a Salvation Army centre that doesn’t look much like a Salvation Army centre, aside from the sign out front and the bright Red Shield. Occupying three adjoining rowhouses, Open Arms Halifax offers a second home for many residents. It’s a place to belong, to receive support, and to experience the love of Jesus in practical ways. And given that two-thirds of the population of Uniacke Square are under the age of 25, it should come as no surprise that much of the Army’s ministry there focuses on youth. 

Mitch Brower, the Open Arms program co-ordinator, takes us behind the scenes and shares how the centre is having a big impact in the community. And mom-of-three Kristina shares her family's experience with the centre.