Southern Spirit

A publication of

The Salvation Army

USA Southern

Territory

Volume 27, No. 12August 5, 2010

J

SPIRITS O U T H E R N

DOING THE

MOSTGOOD

PAGE TWO:Digging inin El Paso

PAGE THREE:Delayed delivery

PAGE FOUR:Making inroads

at the outpost

PAGE FIVE:World YouthConvention

By Major Frank DuracherSOUTHERN SPIRIT STAFF

ustin Fennell will present yarn-spinning stories, props, audience participation,

funny music and stand-up comedy for Southern Bible Conference delegates to enjoy. He will appear during the opening session on Sunday evening, Aug. 22.

“You know, it just doesn’t have to be filthy to be funny,” Fennell said. “My performances

Fennell to weigh in on lighter side of life at SBC

are rated “E” for everyone!”Fennell’s professional experience includes

working as the director of institutional advancement of a private college in Florida and serving as an associate pastor. He has toured professionally for over 20 years as a humorist speaking primarily to non-profit Christ-centered organizations.

“From the moment Justin hits the stage you know you are in for more than just another ‘talking head’ guest speaker,” said Major Ray

Cooper, SBC director. “Justin takes you on a hilarious journey through the ordinaries of life. He specializes in clean, ‘slice-of-life’ humor that sees ‘the funny’ in everyday situations, especially those involving the family.”

“The family is still our most important institution,” Fennell added. “We can all identify with the family in some way or another.”

Fennell tailors each performance uniquely to the audience leaving them entertained, informed and encouraged.

“I call it ‘Edutainment’...a guaranteed laugh ‘n learn experience,” he said.

delegates to enjoy. He will appear during the

Southern Bible ConferenceAugust 22-29, 2010

The 4 Priorities• EFFECTIVE PRAYER • DISCIPLESHIP • VISITATION • DYNAMIC WORSHIP

Major Frank Duracher


n June 2007, Captains Donald and Paulette Marvels and their children stood before Commissioner Max Feener in breathless anticipation of where their

first appointment would be. They were stunned to hear their destination: “El Dorado, Arkansas.”“All I could reply to the territorial commander was a feeble ‘thank you, sir!’ Captain Donnie Marvels said.

As soon as they could get a road atlas, the shocked family, who had expected to return to the Texas Division, now looked feverishly to see where El Dorado was located.

“From that moment on, we began praying that God would allow us to make a difference in this corps he is entrusting to our care,” Captain Paulette Marvels said.

God is certainly answering those prayers through a series of events that has put the El Dorado Corps “on the map” – not the least of which is a radical outdoor ministry in Rock Island, the roughest neighborhood in the city.

“We have 10 corps cadets who were touched by God at youth councils,” Captain Paulette Marvels said. “Major (Willis) Howell preached on making a disturbance in our hometowns, and when our young people got back home, that’s exactly what they wanted to do!”

The “Disturbance” ministry is a Friday night event, and the corps cadets have been joined by several soldiers and even an advisory board member who have caught the vision of “taking Jesus to the streets.” Rock Island residents have come to expect the weekly appearance of the Salvation Army canteen, and the charismatic Salvationists who bring with them grocery bags, hot meals,

Creating a disturbance in El Dorado, Ark.

Christian rap music and the gospel of Christ through songs, Scripture, prayers and one-on-one encounters.

“You wouldn’t believe how our youth and soldiers have caught this vision. What is Please see CORPS, page 7

El Dorado, Ark., soldiers pack food bags for Rock Island residents during a Friday night ‘Disturbance’ outreach ministry by the corps cadets and other volunteers.

n June 2007, Captains Donald and Paulette Marvels and their children stood before Commissioner Max Feener in breathless anticipation of where their

first appointment would be. They were

I

August 5, 20102

M A J O R F R A N K D U R A C H E R

Rays ofHopeRays ofMAJORMAJOR David AtkinsNot the joyful noise

Alright, I know that Joshua was just following instructions when he marched his army around the wall of Jericho for seven days before the thing gave way. But after watching the World Cup soccer matches, I’m convinced he could have bivouacked for just about six of those days, brought out the vuvuzelas on signal and dispatched the embattlements to a pile of rubble in a matter of minutes. If you watched the World Cup, you heard the thousands of fans, the “vuvuzealots,” blowing numbingly on those plastic horns making the stadium rock like swarms of angry bees. And just because the hype and excitement of the games is fast fading, that deafening noise will reverberate in our ears for days, maybe weeks, to come.

Our corps youth band in San Antonio could have brought Jericho down in a matter of hours, too, not days. Mr. Fayetta, our long-suffering bandmaster, strained even our credulity when he prayed before rehearsals that our music would drive people to the foot of the cross. That may have worked had we removed the cross in the chapel to the basement where most of the soldiery was already gathered for consolation and escape. They were huddled below like the English during an air raid over London, while we, the band, poured out a brazen, wrenching, “joyful noise” in the hall, bringing it to a whole new level.

You can’t support it scripturally, but the idea that it will be Gabriel himself blowing his horn to announce the end of time has become fixed in our thoughts ever since John Milton trumpeted the idea in “Paradise Lost.”

In the 1930 play, “The Green Pastures,” Gabriel constantly keeps his horn with him and is repeatedly admonished by the Lord not to blow it too soon. The play is a collection of Bible stories set in the rural black South, and as such is replete with colloquialisms of the time. In the rough beauty of a homespun context and irresistibly simple faith, we are reminded that the end of time, our day of reckoning, will come quickly. Gabriel dogs “de Lawd’s” footsteps everywhere he goes, ready for his five minutes of fame.

In one exquisite scene in the play, Mr. Deshee tells his young Sunday school class, “You gotta git your minds fixed.” How perfectly true it is for us, too.

Salvationists believe in the doctrine of imminence, that Christ will return as recorded in Matthew 24:31: And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

“His elect” is an interesting term. John Wesley defines in his notes that the elect are “all that have endured to the end in the faith which works by love.” That’s been the theme of centuries of theological discussion, but I buy into the thinking that the elect are those who elect by their free choice to serve Christ, the “whosoever will” of John’s gospel. They are those who would sing, as a popular praise song asserts, “I’ve got a made up mind.”

Even so, there are certain signs that are aligning themselves and marching unmistakably to the imminent hour of the Savior’s return. I’m betting against the pronouncement being made on the vuvuzela, which is decidedly not from heaven, but from the other camp.

I beg you, please, not a word about them to the community relations director, nor to the trade secretary. They’ll be marketing them in no time, emblazoned with our branding slogan. I do hope the Lord comes before that.

I have played the foolNear the end of his life, King Saul finally realized

the tragedy that was his life: a life gone entirely wrong and counter to the perfect will of God (see 1 Samuel 26:21). Saul was hand-picked by God, yet he lived his life as though God didn’t exist. I imagine pathetic Saul finally saying: “People look at me and say, ‘My, what a king!’ But God sees me from deep within and he says of me, ‘My, what a fool!’”

I, too, have played the fool – although sometimes by intent. Nevertheless, whether my stupidity was on purpose, or not, I am just as guilty. I have neglected godly friends, as Saul neglected Samuel. I have gone on enterprises before God sent me, disobeyed God in even small matters and covered my disobedience to God by using futile religious excuses – all as Saul did.

On many occasions, I allowed some jealousy or hatred to enslave or master me, as Saul did with David. I’ve grieved God by seeking an alternative in spiritualism, again as Saul did with the witch of Endor. I have played the fool.

But no more. I want to “be changed into another

man” – words spoken of Saul by Samuel in the beginning, before Saul messed up so badly (1 Samuel 10:1).

At Calvary, a whole new operation moved into action, set into motion our great salvation and ushered into the world the work of the Holy Spirit. What Christ did for us makes it certain that we all can be mighty men and women after God’s own heart. And not a fool.

What role are you playing today? Have you been playing the fool when it comes to the things of God – weighty matters extending into eternity?

That can stop. Right now. At the Cross.

Youthful outlook in ClarksburgThe Clarksburg, W. Va., Corps recently enrolled 11 new junior soldiers and renewed one. Corps officers Lieutenants Erik and Mechelle Henry have placed a special focus on young people over the past year and are excited about the new additions to the roll. (Rear L-R) Shirley Smith, YPSM; Amanda Keaton, Sunbeams leader; Lieutenant Mechelle Henry, Ashley Kimble, David Kimble, Josh Keaton, SAMS coordinator; Lieutenant Erik Henry.(Middle L-R): Jaime Vanscoy, Deanna Ash, Megan Ash, Hunter Wisman. (Front L-R): Brittney Vanscoy, Samuel Henry, John Vanscoy, Jacob Henry, Mike Nice, Josh Kimble and Mick Nice.

Youthful outlook in Clarksburg

The Salvation Army observes this year the 150th anniversary of the birth of Commissioner Samuel L. Brengle, who was born June 1, 1860, and became a voice for the importance of sanctification in the life of the believer.

In the words of

From little thingsbig things grow

Renewal among God’s people and awak-enings among the unsaved never begin in a great way. They begin the same way oak trees begin. There is nothing startling and spec-tacular about the beginning of an oak tree. In darkness, in loneliness, an acorn gives up its life, and the oak, at first only a tiny root and a tiny stem of green, is born out of the death of the acorn. In a similar way revivals are born, souls are won, the Kingdom of God comes.

Someone dies – dies to self interest, to the praise of men, to ambition – and lives for Christ, lives to save others. And then – souls are born into the kingdom of God, Christians are renewed and want to tell others about Jesus. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain,” said Jesus, “but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)

Brengle

August 5, 2010 3

John R. JonesLT. COLONEL

The signature of JesusWe recently celebrated America’s Independence

Day. Having an interest in American history, I especially enjoy being inspired by America’s pursuit of independence as well as the events that have transpired throughout our history to guarantee those freedoms.

I am particularly intrigued by that line in the Declaration of Independence that says, “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Those 56 men who signed that declaration had a tremendous amount to lose. They were not destitute rebels who were tired of being poor. They were men of means – jurists, property owners, merchants – who valued freedom more than anything else. They knew that by signing this document they would be hanged if they lost the

struggle. Most would spend the next several years in hiding,

separated from family and suffering devastating personal property loss. Some lived at times in woods and caves. Some would invest their personal fortunes in the war never to be reimbursed by their government. Some would die in rags and be buried in unmarked graves. We remember John Hancock for his large signature on the declaration so that King George could easily read it. But it was also John Hancock who looked out over Boston as the British bombarded his town and said, “Burn, Boston. Though it make John Hancock a beggar, burn.” Freedom came, and still comes, with great sacrifice.

It is the same with the spiritual freedom we enjoy. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2 of Jesus who

was himself God, but he gave up that privilege, humbled himself, took on the form of a servant and was obedient unto death. Long before there was an America, Jesus became the Word made flesh, our declaration of freedom from all that enslaves. He, before anyone else, committed his life, his fortune and his sacred honor to defeat the tyranny of evil. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. (Revelation 1:5)

Taking commandin El Paso

Lieutenants Luis and Selena Valdes recently were installed as the new corps officers at the El Paso Temple Corps by Majors Edward and Delia Alonzo. The El Paso Salvation Army was recently transferred to the USA Southern Territory after 90 years in the USA Western Territory.


The remarkable journey of a simple letter between sisters continues to bring glory to God even after 60 years.

David Barratt is a student at the University of Dundee, studying geography. While conducting glacial research in the Italian Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc, Barratt made a remarkable discovery.

“On the Miage Glacier it is common to find debris of the Malabar Princess, an Air India plane which crashed into the side of Mont Blanc in November 1950,” Barratt said.

During their research of the crash site, Barratt came across a substantial collection of mail preserved since the crash, all of which was sent from India to various locations in America.

One of the letters was addressed to: Captain and Mrs. H.M. Cleveland, The Salvation Army, 710 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. The letter was written by Captain Dorothy Jones, a missionary from the USA Southern Territory serving in Bombay, India.

Captain Ethel Cleveland and Captain Jones were sisters. They are both now with the Lord. However, Lt. Colonel Harlan Cleveland is still alive, though in failing health. Much of the letter is about family, but one section thanks the Shreveport Corps members for a collection of money they took and sent to Jones’s ministry in Bombay. The captain expressed her thanks for the needed funds, and among other needs explained that a certain girl in the Army’s care was in particular need of clothes and school supplies, for which some of the money would be used.

“There’s no telling what became of that little girl, but we believe in faith that God used the money for his glory because of the generosity of this congregation,” Major Mark Smith told his Shreveport Corps gathering during a midweek prayer meeting. Smith explained how he learned of the discovery from David Barratt, and the subsequent events that forwarded the actual letter to Major Georgia Henderson, the daughter of Harlan and Ethel Cleveland.

Letter of thanks to Shreveport Corpsarrives after 60 years

“Major Henderson took the letter during her regular visit to her father’s bedside and read the letter to him. No doubt it was a very emotional experience,” Major Smith told his corps. By the way, Smith observed, two members of the corps are still

around and remember the collection taking place so many years ago.

“This is yet another evidence that nothing done for Christ will ever return void. Glory to God!” Smith said.

Major Mark Smith, current Shreveport corps officer, shows a black and white photo of (then) Captains Harlan and Ethel Cleveland, Shreveport corps officers from 1949-54.


August 5, 20104 August 5, 2010

Richmond soldier returns to Gilpin Court to bring hope

By Brooke TurbyfillSOUTHERN SPIRIT STAFF

When Church Hill soldier and YPSM Bridgette Whitaker walks into a room, her smile is warm and friendly; you’d never guess her story: She grew up not far from the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Va., and although she was taken to church by her grandmother as a child, she struggled to maintain her faith.

After a series of failed relationships and unsuccessful jobs, Whitaker came across The Salvation Army through a temporary job posting. She was hired for seasonal work and in October 2008 was given a full-time position at area command. Every day, Whitaker came and went, not sharing the details of her situation. She was a single mother of six kids – they’re 4, 7, 12, 13, 18 and 21 – and she had no car, no home and was struggling to make ends meet. For a while she and her family lived in a hotel room, but her funds quickly ran dry. According to Whitaker, she swallowed her pride and told The Salvation Army shelter director about her need of permanent housing.

Even though she was an employee, Whitaker went through all the traditional steps by registering with social services, etc. She and her children moved into the shelter and stayed three months while she continued to work for area command. Through a partnership with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, The Salvation Army was able to find Whitaker an apartment on Gilpin Court – a public housing district known for its high crime rate. While it wasn’t ideal, it was what she could afford and it would allow her to save money for her kids’ future.

Still, the year or so she lived on Gilpin Court amid shootings and drug deals, Whitaker made herself a promise: She would give it one year and make a way out of the neighborhood, only to return and give others hope that they too can rise above their circumstances with God’s help.

Rife with drug-related violence and generations living in poverty, the Gilpin Court housing district

By Brooke TurbyfillSOUTHERN SPIRIT STAFF

Richmond, Va., has long known the ministry of The Salvation Army, and in the Church Hill neighborhood The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club hosts an outpost with a big presence. In 2008 a vision that began with Major Dan Proctor and Captain Ray Jackson was realized – the grand opening of the Church Hill Outpost.

A small but determined group of soldiers serves the community’s expansive makeup of generations, and there are grand visions for the future.

Meeting weekly in the multi-purpose room of the Boys and Girls Club, the outpost has three senior soldiers, three junior soldiers and a host of programs ranging from the School for Performing Arts under the leadership of Matt Sims to youth

August 5, 2010

was subsidized by the government and it’s that subsidization, said Whitaker, that kept many families living in an unsafe area year after year. “It tends to be a generational cycle because people are afraid. It’s based on fear of stepping out of the security of subsidized housing,” she said. And even though neighbors keep their kids close by so that when shots ring out, they can shuffle them quickly inside, many residents don’t have hope or dreams of moving on.

“A lot of residents don’t get together and try to get things changed within because they’re afraid they’ll get thrown out. There’s not a lot of community here, so it’s up to outside organizations to get things done,” she said.

That’s where The Salvation Army comes in. When Whitaker was able to save enough for a rental home in a different neighborhood, she moved to a more rural area with grass, local shopping malls and now lives on a quiet street safe enough to let her kids ride their bikes up and down. She enjoys the peace of it, but remembers the discord of daily life in a high-crime neighborhood.

It fuels her determination to reach out to the kids on Gilpin Court in hopes of giving their parents hope for a better future. Along with Lieutenant Sheed

Tarnue (who was just transferred to the Harbor Light Corps in Washington, D.C.), Whitaker picks up children every Sunday for programs at the Church Hill Outpost. In fact, the Adventure Corps, Girl Guards and Sunbeams activities are scheduled on Sundays after the holiness meeting largely to benefit the Gilpin Court kids – it makes it easier logistically to transport them one day a week rather than multiple days. The average number of kids is 13, but it changes from week to week. Whitaker said the activities they’re doing through the traditional programs are geared toward the urban culture in which these children live – upbeat music and hands-on activities help the kids focus on tasks at hand.

When she can, Whitaker stops by on her own during the week to drop off treats for the neighborhood families, anything from donated bread and bananas to doughnuts – just something to help them get by and know they’re loved. She wants to set an example of hope to offset the pervasive attitude of hopelessness in the neighborhood, which she said fuels much of the surrounding crime.

“I’m passionate about being in a position to make a change because I’ve lived it, and these families are the people who suffer,” she said.

Bible studies and women’s ministry.Sundays are full with the holiness

meeting and other activities going from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; many children from the Gilpin Court housing district come to join the Sunbeams, Girl Guards and Adventure Corps. (See related article.) The outpost also reaches out during the week to the elderly by doing community care visits and to youth at the Boys and Girls Club by providing a devotional.

With the support of divisional headquarters, Richmond Area Command, Church Hill community leaders, local residents and schools, the outpost ministry is on its way to becoming a corps. Next year there are plans for developing an Adventure Corps Singing Company, Friday Night Fellowship and canteen ministry.

Bridgette Whitaker makes sure the kids of Gilpin Court have transportation to the

Church Hill Outpost in Richmond.

Small outpost making its markin Church Hill neighborhood

s

The Church Hill Outpost has a strong outreach to neighborhood youth through its location at the Richmond Boys and Girls Club.

5August 5, 2010

Raised up: A world gathering of Salvationist youth

Small outpost making its markin Church Hill neighborhood

One of the most significant moments at The Salvation Army’s “Raised Up” World Youth Convention, in Stockholm, Sweden, took place during the final meeting when more than 200 of the 1,100 delegates moved to the platform in response to General Shaw Clifton’s call to officership.

As well as those who went to the platform signifying that they had a definite call to officership – including 80 who had not applied for full-time ministry before the convention – at least 60 delegates stood where they were in the of the Aula Magna auditorium on the Stockholm University campus, indicating that they had not yet made a decision but were prayerfully considering if officership was for them.

In the days and hours leading to the final meeting of the convention, 129 delegates filled in the preliminary officership form in the candidates information tent. Captains Craig and Donna Todd (Australia Eastern) coordinated the ministry within the tent, where hundreds of delegates visited and discussed the possibility of officership being for them.

After a brief opening ceremony on Thursday, the convention commenced in earnest with a vibrant indoor meeting Friday night. “This place has been rocking and pulsating with holy energy,” said General Clifton. The General urged the young Salvationists to stress spiritual cleanliness in their lives and to keep their hearts pure that they could “stand in the presence of God.” Also on Friday, Lt. Colonels Richard

and Janet Munn outlined the importance of maintaining a strong sense of spiritual discipline in order to remain in fellowship with God over the long haul. Major Sandra Ryan examined the reality of sin and its devastating consequences.

Saturday’s programming was dominated by the issues of social justice and evangelism. The morning’s addresses were delivered by Commissioner Helen Clifton and Commissioner Christine McMillan and related that although we live in a fallen world, hope and redemption are at hand.

Major Laurie Robertson

What the southern delegates were saying:“I was equipped and ignited to do more in my

own community and the world around me. Ignited to forsake complacency and win souls for Christ.”

Kevin Affum, NCV

“This experience has raised up my awareness of the vastness of The Salvation Army, and my family within it, for proudly wearing my uniform and being unapologetic about being a soldier in this magnificent army that the sovereign Lord has raised up!”

Sabrina Borum, NSC

“Once again, the Holy Spirit has confirmed within me the calling I first felt a few years ago to be an officer in his Army. He has further given me inspiration and encouragement in this calling through the example of numerous officers. I feel that the results of this conference will have a lasting impact on me and the future of my ministry as I am motivated and drawn to a deeper life of holiness.”

Nathan Bridges, KT

stockholm • July 15-18

Kevin Affum - NCVDavid Birks - AOK

Dominic Blanford - FloridaSabrina Borum - NSCNathan Bridges - KT

Alphonso Hughes Jr.- ALM

Timothy Israel - NSCAmanda Keaton - MWVStephanie Koster - AOK

Mayana Moore - KT

Caleb Nix - GAMajor Ann Penhale - THQ

Major Arthur Penhale - THQ

Sarah Raymer - TexasJessica Roberts - ALM

Elizabeth Schramm - NCVChristina Simpkins - GA

Joshua Smith - TexasJovanie Smith - Florida

southern delegates

photos by Major Mark Brown

August 5, 20106

Director of developmentCharlotte, N.C.

The Salvation Army Charlotte Area Command seeks an experienced de-velopment professional to assume responsibility for the overall fund-raising programs (individual giving, major gifts, capital campaign, special events and donor relations) while leading a development staff (special events, direct mail, data processing and public relations/marketing). A compre-hensive salary and benefits package is offered.

For more information contact: Director of Human Resources, Charlotte Area Command, P. O. Box 31128, Charlotte, NC, Fax: 704-295-4922

Christian education directorJackson, Miss.

Plans, develops, coordinates, monitors and supervises all Christian education programs, including youth programs; recruits volunteers to serve as teachers/leaders for various programs and serves as a resource to assist them in the same; ensures all programs are in compliance with The Salvation Army mission and ensures the safety of program participants; administers the day-to-day office operations to include preparation of statistics and reports, purchasing of supplies, promotion of programs and administration of de-partment budget. Minimum requirements include bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education or a related field and one year’s experience developing leading Christian education programs for The Salvation Army, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Please forward resume to Cindy Buc via e-mail: [email protected].

Director of social servicesFt. Myers, Fla.

Administer day-to-day operations of all programs in Social Services Depart-ment, ensure the successful administration of all program contracts, supervise and participate in the case work performed by program staff, prepare and administer program budgets, analyze statistical reports and ensure compli-ance with existing program policies and procedures. Ideal candidate will be able to perform the functions of the position while adhering to the mission of The Salvation Army. Minimum requirements include a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field, and a minimum of six years’ experience preferably in the non profit sector and two years’ supervisory experience. Please forward resume to Julieta Wenk Via email: [email protected], or via fax: 239-278-9028.

JobBoard

Governor Beebe visits El Dorado, Ark.Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe (at right) meets with Captain Donnie Marvels during his visit to El Dorado. Captain Marvels shared with Governor Beebe about the ongoing ministries of The Salvation Army to the people of Union and Ouachita counties. The governor’s visit included an hour-long discussion with clergy. During his introductory remarks, Gov. Beebe shared about the state’s advancements in the areas of education, attracting businesses to Arkansas and sound fiscal policy. He then fielded questions from the group.


If Dante Salgado had his way each summer, the Texas divisional youth secretary wouldn’t have to worry about keeping the salary in the camp budget for a male head counselor – Salgado is willing to do it for free!

That’s what he’s done for the past six summers. Work for free, that is. He can do it only because he works all year at his regular job, saves his money so he can survive the summer months and heads for Camp Hoblitzelle. He worked first on the music conservatory staff, then as a cabin counselor, followed by three years as head male counselor for the conservatory campers. Finally this past summer he served as head counselor for boys attending the larger divisional camps.

“This is that important to me!” Salgado, 23, said. “I volunteer because this is not a job – it’s a ministry. There’s nothing like seeing the faces of campers whose lives have been touched by Jesus Christ during the week or so they’ve been with us!”

During the year Salgado soldiers at the Houston Temple Corps. He is midway through his final year of college, having attended the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston in pursuit of a degree in education with a concentration in math studies. He has

switched to a business major in the hopes he will someday be accepted as a cadet at the Evangeline Booth College. His change in plans is because he believes a business major will serve him better as a Salvation Army officer, rather than having a teaching certificate in mathematics. Salgado is also an accomplished musician – something else he will have to offer as a lifelong Salvationist.

“I wanted to play football in high school as a sophomore, but my parents didn’t want me getting hurt, so I joined the marching band,” he said. But even then, God was at work preparing Salgado’s life for a career of service. Next to music, working at camp is closest to his heart.

“There is nothing like seeing the faces of campers who have had an encounter with Jesus Christ during there time at camp,” Salgado said. “By the time they leave to go home, you can see a definite difference in them over when they arrived.”

Salgado has many great memories of his childhood days as a camper – but he finally gave his heart to Christ at a youth councils in the Texas Division. It wasn’t long after that he realized God’s call to fulltime ministry in his life.

“Now that I’ve surrendered to God’s will for me, I’m learning more every day what his plans for me are,” he said.

Dante Salgado works all of the months of the year so that he can afford to volunteer for two summer months working at Camp Hoblitzelle, Texas.

It’s all about ministry’s rewardsfor Hoblitzelle camp counselor


Assistant emergency disaster services directorAlabama-Louisiana-Mississippi Division

Jackson, Miss.This position plans and coordinates the purchase, preparedness, mainte-nance and provision of disaster supplies, facilities, equipment and vehicles. Additionally, this person serves as the liaison to various agencies and organi-zations in the community to maximize disaster relief efforts. Requirements for the position include: bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and disaster experience as a volunteer or profes-sional staff in the area(s) of disaster social services, disaster operations or logistics or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Valid driver’s license required. Class A CDL and forklift operator’s certification preferred. Inter-ested individuals should complete an employment application at www.salvationarmycareers.org.


August 5, 2010 7

A secret source of strengthWe observe how nature grows. We see that it is as

if, in God’s presence, and in its quietness, it simply grows. Not fighting frenzied deadlines or enduring incessant noise or movement – it is still. And in its stillness and solitude, it grows. There is a lesson there.

We, in contrast, mark our stillness, our quietness, and measure it in time. But it is when our stillness before God is timeless that we fall in love with just being in his presence.

Imagine two people in love. Even when they are apart they are thinking of each other. Now imagine if one of them said, “Well, time’s up … we had 10 minutes together. Good enough. Love ya!” And they part with not another thought of their moments together. That would not be a healthy love. Agreed?

Yet when we approach prayer we make it so very linear. We have a timeframe. We have a list of “asking and getting.” We might have a “format” that we adhere to each time we voice our prayers. We end up with a very two-dimensional prayer life that is not very appealing, dismantling the idea that God wants to love you and has many aspects to demonstrate your love relationship with him.

One of these elements is found in stillness or solitude.

Have you ever had a friend that could just be with you – no conversation necessary – but the enjoyment and comfort of their presence was intimate, warm and safe. In this relationship there is no pretense: You can be yourself. Right from the start, God painted the same picture of how he wanted to be with us as Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden to be with them. Zephaniah declares that God “takes great delight” in us, quiets us “with his love,” and rejoices over us (3:17).

“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live (and grow, my emphasis) a spiritual life,” says Henri Nouwen. Richard Foster goes on to say that “by means of solitude God frees us from our bondage to people and our own inner compulsions.”

In solitude we remove ourselves not only from others but also to die to self (1 Corinthians 15:31). At first, we see quiet solitude as a way to recharge the batteries and enable us to wage our battles with new vigor. But we soon find that the solitude gives us the ability to ignore the battle altogether – maybe the battle needn’t even be fought. We gradually let go of the things that drive us: the need for more wealth, things, power, status and its symbols, and even our appearance of youth. In that quietness we expose those imposters to be what they really are – temporary and earthbound.

When we are alone with God in this type of solitude, we are more pliable, transparent and abandoned to the hands and mind of God.

We often quote Psalm 46:10 as our clarion cry for stillness – “Be still and know that I am God.” But, in Robert Alter’s “The Book of Psalms,” he points out that a closer reading of this phrase is more, “Let go, and know that I am God.” It means to relax one’s grip on something. It is to cease from armed struggle, unclenching the warrior’s fist, for the end of the thought is that the “LORD of armies is with us.” How important are your battles when you are in the presence of the ultimate warrior? It is his supremacy that is the focus of our stillness. Just like nature, we will quietly grow in the necessary solitude of our prayer life and in that stillness, we will know God and his love.

JUDE GOTRICHJUDE GOTRICH

24/7 Prayer

Captain Donnie Marvels and CSM Tony Amis ‘pray over every dime’ that comes to the Army, either through the mail, the Family Store or in the Sunday offering.


Corps createsa disturbancein El Dorado


If there’s one thing Tasha Harriel hears more as a caseworker at The Salvation Army Social Services office in Montgomery, Ala., it’s this: “Oh, you don’t know what I’m going through. You don’t know what it’s like to be homeless.”

Yes, she does. On three separate occasions – as a child, a teen and a young adult – Harriel found herself homeless. Each time she turned to The Salvation Army for help. In one seven-year stretch, from age 11 to 17, she, her five siblings and their mother lived entirely under the care and keeping of the Army in Montgomery. Soldiers in the corps became her mentors and “loved me into the Kingdom.”

“If it weren’t for The Salvation Army, I would have nothing. No relationship with Christ, no education, no job, nothing!” Harriel said outright.

Harriel admits that she was different than most children. “When times got tough, my siblings would act out. But I would get lost in a book, or in some program at the corps,” she said.

When she was old enough to work, she became a cashier at a Salvation Army Family Store. She later

YPSM Tasha Harriel teaches the Young Teen Bible Class at the Montgomery Citadel, Ala., Corps.


Harriel’s perspective on hard knockshelps inspire Montgomery families

moved to Ohio for a brief time and attended the University of Cincinnati. Upon returning to Alabama, she finished her bachelor of science degree at Troy University. She earned her masters degree in May 2010, as a marriage and family counselor. Her concentration is in social work and social behavior.

A born-again Christian, her motivation for all that hard work is simple. “I found the key to get out of my desperate situation of homelessness.”

She tells her clients: “I was where you are now. Have faith in God. Meanwhile, I will help you in any way I can!”

It’s all about ministry’s rewardsfor Hoblitzelle camp counselor


Continued from page 1more apparent to us is not so much the ‘disturbance’ we have caused in the neighborhood, but the change we’ve seen in our people, especially the corps cadets,” Captain Paulette said.

On the second Friday of their, she sent the corps cadets out in pairs with instructions of observing what they saw. “Don’t say anything to anyone; just open your eyes and see whatever the Lord shows you,” she told them. “When we came back to the corps, they began to tell me what they observed. They were visibly shaken by all that they took in.”

The group includes one advisory board member, Keith Morris, who in his younger days sold drugs on the very street corners where he and the Salvationists now minister. A born-again Christian and Salvation Army volunteer for several years, Morris is sold out to the Army’s mission in El Dorado.

“We give back to the community, and we want everyone to know the love of God as we do,” Morris said.

Two other stories from El Dorado will appear in future issues of Southern Spirit. “Sweet Mondays” is an extremely successful women’s ministry begun in a housing

complex. Debora Bartlett, once homeless, is a “trophy of grace” who found her niche in the corps family.

One marvels at all God has accomplished in El Dorado. The corps is out of debt, and great improvements have been made to the facilities and programs simply because the corps officers are not afraid to ask for help from supporters.

“The corps sergeant-major and I pray over every dime that comes across this desk,” Captain Donnie Marvels said.

Corps Sergeant-Major Tony Amis, who also works at the corps as bookkeeper, agrees that God is

doing a monumental work through the corps, both inside and out.

“We who are El Dorado natives already know that this is a great place to live and serve the Lord,” he said. “Now we want the rest of the territory to know that God is making a holy disturbance here!”

Captain Donnie Marvels and CSM Tony Amis “pray over every dime” that comes to the Army; either through the mail, the Family Store, or in the Sunday offering collections.

8 August 5, 2010 A publication of

The Salvation Army

USA Southern

Territory

Volume 27, No. 12August 5, 2010 SPIRITS O U T H E R N

DOING THE

MOSTGOOD

The Salvation Army1424 Northeast ExpresswayAtlanta, GA 30329www.uss.salvationarmy.org

EDITORIALCommissioner Maxwell Feener, Territorial Commander

Colonel Terry Griffin, Chief SecretaryLt. Colonel Edward Hobgood, Publisher

Dan Childs, EditorMajor Frank Duracher, Assistant Editor

Brooke Turbyfill, Publications Editorial CoordinatorKatie Tate, Circulation Manager

Published by The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory1424 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329

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SPIRITS O U T H E R N

DOING THE

MOSTGOOD

August 22-29, 2010 Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Saturday,August 28

7 p.m.Stuart

AuditoriumA musical by Lt. Colonel

Eddie Hobgood

For more informationcontact Major Ray Cooper @

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Dr. John Oswalt Justin Fennell Dr. James E. Read Lt. Colonels Jeqeza Timothy& Zakithi Mabaso

WORLD YOUTH CONVENTIONJuly 15-18, 2010Stockholm, SwedenStory insidePhoto by Major Mark Brown

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