The commissioning and ordination of new lieutenants is one of the most exciting events on the Salvation Army calendar. But what happens after our new officers march out of the sanctuary and into their first appointments?

Lieutenant Krishna McFarlane was commissioned in 2023, and is now the corps officer at Living Hope Community Church in Winnipeg. In this episode, she talks about her first year of officership—how she and her son have navigated the transition; how the church has welcomed her and grown, more than tripling attendance since her appointment; and what she would say to other Salvationists who might be considering officership.

Though Colonel Wendy is a Canadian officer, she is a true citizen of the world, having spent most of her officership in appointments around the globe. And she’s a passionate advocate for social justice, drawing on years of front-line experience, as well as her own theological studies.

Colonel Wendy is currently the director of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission, along with her husband, Colonel Ian. She’s also a member of the Army’s International Theological Council and chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council.

On this episode, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Army’s work at the United Nations; she talks about why it’s important to be an informed advocate—to understand the “why” behind what we do; and she shares some of her own spiritual journey and how God is moving her life today.

International Social Justice Commission website

Whether hurricanes or wildfires, floods or other crises, The Salvation Army has a robust emergency disaster services (EDS) ministry across the Canada and Bermuda Territory and beyond.

As the EDS director for the British Columbia Division, Ian Pollard has responded to emergencies large and small. And for his service following the massive floods in B.C. back in 2021, he received an Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award from the Government of Canada. On this episode, he shares not only about his EDS work, but also about his deep faith as a lifelong Salvationist and his commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army.

Learn more about the Army's EDS ministry, including volunteer opportunities, at SalvationArmy.ca/EDS.

On October 15, people around the world will observe Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. While pregnancy and infant loss (PAIL) is often considered a taboo topic, the experience is relatively common. About 1 in 5 pregnancies in Canada ends in miscarriage. And around the world, approximately 1 in 6 people, women and men, experience infertility.

There is a great pastoral need to support those experiencing PAIL and childlessness. So, how can we respond?

In this episode, Captain Tinisha Reid, corps officer at Edmonton Temple, shares about her own experience of pregnancy loss and infertility, and Captain Laura van Schaick, divisional director of women’s ministries in Ontario, walks us through a Salvation Army resource for hosting a "Hannah Service."

Hannah Service Resources

When you look at trends in the church today, the news isn’t always encouraging. Attendance has declined in recent years, and many churches have struggled to find their footing again following the pandemic.

But the big trends don't tell the whole story. In this episode, we are looking at a new, exciting movement towards church revitalization in The Salvation Army. Majors Bill and Debra Blackman share their hands-on experience with corps revitalization at Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. And Major Everett Barrow of the territorial corps mission department talks about a new corps revitalization guide that is being rolled out, and how the Army can embrace what God is doing in Canada and Bermuda today.

Links:

Corps mission website
Cariboo Hill Temple website

There are two important days of remembrance and action this month: the Salvation Army's International Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking on September 22, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

These two issues are not unrelated. Indigenous women and girls make up about 50 percent of trafficking victims in Canada, despite only being about 5% of the country’s population. Why is this happening? And how can we stop it?

In this episode, Major Ray Lamont (territorial modern slavery and human trafficking response co-ordinator for Canada and Bermuda) and Captain Crystal Porter (territorial Indigenous ministries consultant) talk about the why behind this staggering statistic. And we look at how the Army is currently fighting modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) in our territory, and how Salvationists can walk the road of justice and reconciliation year round.

MSHT Info and Resources

Salvation Army MSHT Response Website
Resources for the Day of Prayer for Victims of MSHT
MSHT Training

Indigenous Ministries

Salvation Army Indigenous Ministries Website
Resources for Truth and Reconciliation Sunday (Orange Shirt Day)
General Resources

What place does The Salvation Army have in the halls of government? Aren't we supposed to be "apolitical"?

On this episode, we get political with Major Rick Zelinsky, territorial director of public affairs. Major Zelinsky gives us an inside look at the recent Salvation Army Week on the Hill, which brought 60 Army representatives to Ottawa to influence and inform lawmakers and politicians on behalf of the people we serve.

And we look at the "how" and "why" behind events like Hill Week—how the Army uses its voice to address issues such as poverty and gender-based violence; and why public affairs is kingdom work, going all the way back to the Founder himself.

What's cooking at the Salvation Army corps in Lewisporte, N.L.? A fun new program for youth—the junior chef academy! 

Major Darlene Burt, corps officer, and Lorelei Cole, children and youth ministries director, share how these cooking classes for kids and teens are building relationships with families and raising the profile of the Army in this small town.

Many places in The Salvation Army have a staff band or a staff songsters brigade. But how many have a staff worship team? Here in the Canada and Bermuda Territory, we have NEON. This territorial worship group made its debut back in 2016. But last November marked the beginning of a new era for the group, as NEON became an official staff section—the only worship team to have this designation anywhere in the Army world.

In this episode, we sit down with Simon Gough, the leader of NEON, to talk about the group’s mission and how it can support worship teams across the territory. And we discuss broader issues facing worship leaders today, and how Salvation Army song writing builds up our movement.

Visit NEON's website

Find NEON on social: Facebook / Instagram

Listen to NEON on Spotify

Italy and Greece are known for being popular tourist destinations. But did you know that The Salvation Army has been ministering in Italy since 1887? Greece is a more recent addition to the Army world, with work commencing in 2007. 

Today, the Italy and Greece Territory is headed up by Lt-Colonels Andrew and Darlene Morgan, Canadian officers who are no strangers to international service. In fact, they have spent more of their officership serving outside Canada than in their home country.

In this episode of the podcast, they give us a non-tourist look at these countries—the pressing social issues they face and how the Army is responding. They also talk about the Army’s long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church, and how God is at work and changing lives in this territory.