As executive director of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in Winnipeg, Greg Kyllo leads by example. He has experienced addiction first-hand, having struggled with alcoholism for many years. Now sober for 19 years and a member of The Salvation Army's Heritage Park Temple, Greg shares his personal journey, his professional insights into sobriety and an encouraging message for those who might be struggling. "Recovery isn't just possible," says Greg. "It's probable."

Listen to our previous episode on alcohol and society.

Learn more about the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.

Every year, many people participate in something called “Dry January,” a recent trend where people give up drinking for the month. For some, it’s a kind of post-holiday detox; for others, it’s an opportunity to rethink their relationship with alcohol generally.

The Salvation Army has long held a sober stance on alcohol. But where does that position come from? And how is it still relevant today? 

In this episode, two Salvationists share their perspectives on the topic. The first is Dr. Adrian Bonner, who joins us from the United Kingdom, where he is a professor and long-term academic researcher into alcohol and society. Along with his academic work, Adrian is a consultant providing health-related support for The Salvation Army’s social services in the UK.

We also chat with Canadian Salvationist Dr. Jim Read, who will offer his perspective on the Army’s International Positional Statement on Alcohol in Society. Jim was part of the group that created this statement in 2015, and he shares how it came together—and what he hopes other Salvationists will take away from it.

Further Reading and Resources:

The Army's International Positional Statement on Alcohol in Society

Articles and book chapters on this topic by Professor Adrian Bonner

In Darkest England, and the Way Out by William Booth

Located on the outskirts of St. John’s, N.L., on the east coast of Canada, Conception Bay South is a small town of about 27,000 people. But thanks to a thriving live-stream ministry, the reach of the local Salvation Army corps goes far beyond the bounds of the town, as tens of thousands of people tune into their Sunday services each week. The reach is enormous—and so is the impact.

Majors Chris and Claudette Pilgrim, the CBS corps officers, and Lindsey Andrews, live-stream ministry co-ordinator, share how the ministry works and has grown over the years—especially since the pandemic. And most importantly, they share real stories of how the ministry is changing lives in Newfoundland and Labrador  and around the world.

Conception Bay South Corps YouTube Channel

Conception Bay South Corps Facebook Page (NEW)

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

**Guide now available for download here.

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.