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“We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.” Eph. 4:3,4 (NLT)

The Salvation Army / USA Central Territory

News and Views from the Midwest

by Major Karen Johnson

The Chicago, Ill., Ray and JoanKroc Corps Community Centercelebrated itsfifth anniversary

with the theme “KrocGives Back” and a weekfilled with engaging,family-friendly activitiesto express gratitude toits employees and thecommunity.

“We were excited tooffer a week of activitiesfor our community thatwere fun and education-al, as well as fulfillingour mission as TheSalvation Army andhelping people take thenext step on their spiri-tual journey with God,”said Major Marc Johnson,

senior Kroc Center officer. “We areblessed God has helped us to reachthis milestone and we look forward to

many more years of bringing hope tothis area of the city.”

The festivities began on Mondaywith a cookout foremployees and twofree showings of thehit movie, “HiddenFigures,” whichdrew about 200 peo-ple from the neigh-borhood. OnTuesday, the KrocCenter hosted ahealth fair that pro-vided free informa-tion and was supple-mented by vendorswho offered healthand wellness prod-ucts. Wednesdayshowcased a “FitnessFun and GamesExtravaganza!”

The weekend presented moreopportunities to engage the commu-nity. On Friday, more than 300 peo-ple enjoyed barbecue, live jazz andthe movie “Lego Batman” from theirlawn chairs and blankets. Saturdaythe Kroc Center undertook serviceprojects that ranged from free docu-ment shredding by a truck in theparking lot to the beautification offive community lots. On Father’sDay everyone was invited to Sundaymorning worship and then a softballgame between area police and firedepartments.

Jesus Theatre takes center stageby Joe Caddy

The Salvation Army has longunderstood how music andfine arts can provide aneffective medium to present

the gospel in a way that resonateswith all types of audiences. Over theyears the Army also has invested ineffective summer camp ministrieswhich not only give campers anopportunity to commune with naturebut to draw closer to God.

Team (CAST). Over the past twosummers, CAST has performed anadapted version of the show as partof vacation Bible schools, daycamps and evangelistic campaignsthroughout the territory. In July2017 members of CAST and the BillBooth Theater Company combinedto present Jesus Theatre in Spanishwhile on a short-term mission tripin Argentina.

While producing a Jesus Theatrepiece requires time, effort andimagination by the cast, the key tothe presentation’s effectiveness liesin the cast’s capacity to respond tothe leading of the Holy Spirit. Eachpresentation ends with a choice toaccept God’s gift of salvation. Sofar, the response has been over-whelming.

“Jesus Theatre allowed us to setthe spiritual tone on the first nightof each camp,” explained MajorCyndi Shiels, former Kansas andWestern Missouri divisional youthsecretary. “It was effective in deliv-ering the gospel in a powerful waywhich spoke to all age groups. Ibelieve this impacted all areas of ourcamping program in a great way.”

Over the past couple of summers,these two important ministries havecombined in a new way as summercamp staffs have implemented animaginative presentation modelknown as Jesus Theatre which usesthe creative arts to present the GoodNews in a visual and creative wayleading to an invitation to acceptChrist.

Originally created for use inSalvation Army camp ministries in

the Eastern Territory, JesusTheatre utilizes a mix of the-ater and movement set tomusic. Camp staff spend time learn-ing and rehearsing the 30-minutepiece during their orientation andpresent it to campers throughout thesummer.

Whether it is the piece titled“Balloons” which was performed atcamps in summer 2016 or “UnderConstruction” which has been fea-tured this summer, each JesusTheatre presentation contains a sym-bolic representation of the entiregospel story from creation to salva-tion to regeneration.

By utilizing a cast comprised ofcamp staff members, Jesus Theatrealso provides counselors and programstaff the opportunity to take a greaterrole in the spiritual development oftheir campers. Cast members effec-tively serve as ministers of the gospeland their participation in the produc-tion often opens lines of communica-tion for them to engage in meaningfulconversations with their campersabout Christ and His teachings.

While Jesus Theatre was createdwith camp ministry in mind, it alsocan be an effective means of present-ing the gospel in corps as demon-strated by the Creative Arts Service

Volume 47, Number 8 September 2017

ChicagoKrocCenter celebrates five years

Captain Ketsia Diaz from the Metropolitan divisional youth department andLt. A.J. Zimmerman, Kroc Center officer for congregational life, presentChris Mack with the Territorial Youth Volunteer of the Year award. Continued on page 8

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My grandson’s Little LeagueAll-Star baseball teamrecently won the statechampionship for seven-

year-olds and under. During theirplayoff run, they experiencedmoments when they were over-whelmed by a few opposing teams,which shook their confidence in theirabilities and potential. During one ofthese times of doubt, at the conclu-sion of their practice, the coachinstructed the boys to surround thebatting cage and to cheer for the onewho was taking his turn at battingpractice. As each boy stepped into thecage, his teammates yelled words ofencouragement, praise and approval—

Love is the mark of authenticSalvationism and is the evidence wefollow in the footsteps of ourSavior. Receptivity to the gospel fol-lows the manifestation of genuinelove and acceptance of others. Wecare about lost people becauseJesus cares about lost people. Whois God strategically placing in ourpath to lift up, to encourage, toempower and to love in Jesus’name?

This is a clarion call for us,Salvationists in the CentralTerritory, to encourage and moti-vate each other to reach out withthe love of Jesus to the whosoeverwithout discrimination and to standin the gap as Christ’s messengers ofcompassion.

“So speak encouraging words toone another. Build up hope soyou’ll all be together in this, no oneleft out, no one left behind. I knowyou’re already doing this; just keepon doing it.” (I Thessalonians 5:11,The Message)

Salvationists, let’s meet at thecages. Together, we can do this!

a cacophony of attaboys, if you will.The coaches noticed as each boyreceived this unexpected encourage-ment from his peers, he began tostand taller, concentrate better andhit the ball farther.

One of the greatest thrills of being afollower of Jesus is seeing others growin their relationship with Christ andbeing part of their effective spiritualdevelopment. In the New Testament,the apostle Barnabas is referred to asthe “Son of Encouragement.” He wascommitted to empowering andencouraging others, and his encour-agement catapulted people to anotherlevel of Christian maturity and effec-tive service.

CentralConnectionTHE SALVATION ARMY5550 Prairie Stone Pkwy • Hoffman Estates, IL 60192847-294-2000WILLIAM AND CATHERINE BOOTHFounder

ANDRÉ COXGeneral

COMMISSIONER BRAD BAILEYTerritorial CommanderDOUGLAS McDANIELExecutive Director of DevelopmentELIZABETH KINZIEEditorial DirectorANNE URBANEditor/WriterTWYLA STEINSLANDCommunications SpecialistBRITTANY CHINNCirculation ManagerKENNETH ROMINGraphic Design and Production

VISIT OUR WEBSITE—www.salarmycentral.org1-800-SALARMY

by Commissioner Brad BaileyTerritorial Commander

Encouraging and empowering oth-ers in the name of Jesus is what weSalvationists want to be about. Ourpriority is to be present for others,placing their needs ahead of our ownand encouraging them to engage inthe vision God has given them. Theessence of a Barnabas ministry ofencouragement is putting one’s per-sonal agenda aside and encouragingothers to be effective in service tothe least, lost, last, left out andlooked over.

With so many things to do, it’seasy to lose this focus. But when weshortchange our relationship withGod and others, our Christ-inspiredinfluence begins to break down.Consequently, we shortchange our-selves and the effectiveness of themission. But when we add value toothers, we make a significant impact.

Apassion for produce

Fun, foamy fundraising!

Let’smeet at the cages

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Log on to salarmycentral.org

lies after the 2008 flood.Held each August, the fun-filled

course, which is suitable for allages and skill levels, meanders foralmost three miles through a largepark along the Cedar River andends on a 100-foot-long “slip-n-slide” followed by a picnic. Therace starts at 8:00 a.m. with therelease of the first wave of partici-pants; subsequent waves arereleased every 10 minutes.

Attracting more than 1,000 run-ners and walkers each year, theamount of funds raised also hasgrown. The Salvation Army andMatthew 25 equally shared the$26,000 raised last year, reportedLia Pontarelli, director of develop-

ment and communi-cations for TheSalvation Army inCedar Rapids,which is led byMajors Alan andKimberleyHellstrom, corpsofficers.

“This popularevent has given TheSalvation Armygreat exposure tomany people in theregion who may nothave been aware ofall the services itoffers,” said Lia.

How many run/walkfundraising events feature ahuman car wash, foam-filled inflatable slides, a

rain tunnel, fire-truck hosings, waterballoons and bucket dumps? “Runthe Flood” does because it’s rooted inwater.

The first annual event raised sup-port for those affected by the 2008flood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, theworst in the city’s history. Therun/walk eventually evolved into“Flood the Run,” a family-friendlyouting to raise funds and awarenessfor The Salvation Army and Matthew25, a local charity founded in 2006 tostrengthen the city’s west side thathelped rebuild housing for 250 fami-

food pantry and provide freshoptions for program meals. Herenthusiasm spread.

Makayla grew up eating vegeta-bles out of her family’s garden. Asan adult, she’s passionate aboutpeople having access to fresh,healthy produce—something thatisn’t available in many urban areas.

While spending a week serving atthe Urban Mission Center in St.Louis, Mo., Makayla was inspiredby the community garden theystarted in their inner-city neighbor-hood. It opened her eyes to the pos-sibility for fresh food to grow in theleast likely places.

The first year, with a budget of$100, Makayla and Captain Chrissybuilt two raised garden beds, filledthem with soil, and planted a vari-ety of vegetables. They gave out 60bags of produce in the food pantryand used the rest to add freshnessto their weekly supper club meal.

The next year Turner Constructiondonated the supplies and labor tobuild four more raised beds. Thegarden flourished as volunteersassisted with weeding, wateringand harvesting the vegetables.

Although Makayla has been awayfrom the corps for a year, havingentered the College for OfficerTraining last fall, she left a legacythat continues to grow.

Captain Chrissy Cooperanticipates a full harvestfrom the community gar-den at the Indianapolis

Eagle Creek, Ind., Corps thissummer and autumn. She hopesto provide more than 200 bags offresh food to those in need inIndianapolis. Last year the corpspantry gave out 180 bags of pro-duce to clients.

Although she now oversees theproject, the captain credits CadetMakayla (Broer) Parnell for mak-ing it a reality. When Makaylabecame an intern at the corps in2014 she had a vision for a com-munity garden to supplement the

Makayla gets her hands dirty with Lydia Cooper.

Of particular importance to themen is setting aside time to helpother men who are in tough situa-tions. One Thursday evening amonth they volunteer to host din-ner and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meetings forHarbor Hall, a local rehabilitationcenter. Because several of the groupare familiar with the struggles ofaddiction, they feel compelled tobefriend and minister to this popu-

lation.In preparation to

engage others with thegospel, the men meetregularly for Biblestudy, “sharpening” oneanother as their scrip-tural motto says. As themen study the scripturethey are challenged togrow in faith and live insuch a way as to glorifyGod. At the end of eachmeeting the group praysindividually for themembers of their“brother” group, theLakewood Temple,Minn., Corps Men’sClub.

“It’s a way for us tolook beyond ourselvesand our immediate com-munity,” said EnvoyGreg.

Discipleship, outreach, fel-lowship—these are thethree aims of the Petoskey,Mich., Corps Men’s Club,

this year’s recipient of the TerritorialMen’s Fellowship Club of the Yearaward.

Led by Envoy Greg Irwin, thegroup spent the last program year indedicated service to their corps andcommunity. The members raised$1,000 for World Services/Self-Denialthrough a hotdog cookout held at thethrift store combined with personalstewardship and donations. They alsodonated their time and talent volun-teering in a variety of capacities,including yard and handyman work,taking the afterschool program kidsfishing, and ringing bells at kettlesduring the holidays.

Also during the Christmas season,the club adopted a family and raised$500 to provide Christmas dinnerand gifts. In the spring, they assistedwith cleaning the thrift store. Theyalso donated their time to assist anelderly woman from the corps’ con-gregation with yard work and out-door projects. In the coming year, themen plan to continue providing freeservices to the community.

Iron sharpening iron

Bandmaster Peggy Thomashas received the BeaconAward from theInternational Women’s

Brass Conference. Introduced justthree years ago, the award is given to“women who have been beacons oflight for those around them, both inthe fields of performance and educa-tion. These women influence somany generations of musiciansthroughout their careers sharing theart of performance, and standing forthe values of equity, perseverance,and excellence.”

From a young age, Peggy wasintent on developing and using herGod-given talents to further God’sKingdom. She graduated from theEastman School of Music in 1975with a bachelor’s of music in trum-pet performance and from theNorthwestern University School ofMusic in 1977 with a master’s ofmusic in trumpet performance.

In 1976 she became the firstwoman in the world to gain member-ship in a Salvation Army staff band.As a member of the Chicago StaffBand (CSB), she served as principal

cornet for almost 40 years and ispresently its deputy bandmaster.She has recorded extensively withthe CSB, plus has recorded two soloalbums, Songs in the Heart andPerspectives. She has appeared assoloist, clinician and conductorthroughout the United States,Canada, Korea, the Netherlands,England, New Zealand andAustralia.

She also has served as the band-master of the Norridge Citadel, Ill.,

Corps Band since 1983. Underher leadership, the band notonly has supported the corps’mission and worship but hastraveled ministering extensive-ly and has recorded more than50 CDs.

“Peggy’s outstanding musi-cianship goes without saying;however, her quiet and hum-ble leadership is what sets herapart,” said Beth Cooper,music teacher and currentlyprincipal cornet in the CSB.“She has paved the way for somany women musicians whowould have never had thechance to play in a staff bandwithout her. Peggy hasalways been an inspirationfor me and is a true beacon.”

Thomas a beacon to others

Petoskey men’s fellowship membersprepare a community meal.

Participating in worship

by Craig Dirkes

The afterschool and summeryouth programs at the St.Paul Eastside, Minn., Corpsare a safe haven for dozens

of elementary-age children, some ofwhom live where gangs, drugs, pros-titution and gunfire are a part ofeveryday life.

Eighteen teenagers who graduatedfrom these programs are now givingback as volunteers, teaching the nextgeneration of kindergarten throughsixth-grade kids how to stay out oftrouble, make good choices and leadpositive lives. In 2016, they logged anastounding 5,400 volunteer hours!

“I love working with the kids,” saidBritney, adding that serving youngchildren gives her purpose. “You’renot out on the street, you’re notroaming around. Here you’re safe.You don’t have to worry about gettingshot or having bad things happen.”

During the school year she and fel-low volunteers come to the corpsevery Monday through Thursdayafternoon to help kids with theirschool work, reading skills throughMission: Literacy, play with them inthe gym, help the girls earn badges insunbeams and the boys learn “tools ofthe trade” in boys group and servemeals, snacks and more.

“Volunteering gives them some-thing to do and a sense of worth,”said Wanda Sue Fleur, Eastside’syouth program coordinator. “Theysee the difference they are making. Ican see the joy on their faces whenthey’re helping the younger kids.”

The childrenbecome joyful aswell. Thatincludes Jakyla,an afterschoolparticipant whoenjoys interact-ing with the teenvolunteers. “It’sgreat! They liketo play with usand help us withour homework,”she said.

Jakyla wantsto be just likethe youngwomen who’vetaken her under their wing. “I can’twait to be a volunteer here,” shesaid. “I will get to help kids andtell them I’ve actually grown uphere, too.”

That’s exactly what Wanda Sue

wants to encourage. She concluded,“Watching the kids come back,watching them grow…It just makesme very, very proud.”

The St. Paul Eastside Corps is ledby Envoy Donald LaMar.

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Taking the next generation under theirwing

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17, NIV

4

WhereHe leadsme, I will follow

Bill and Deb Middendorp are out oftheir comfort zone. Along with theirfour children, the Middendorps havebeen on a journey to discover God’s

place for them.

Early in 2010, with Bill attending Sioux FallsSeminary fulltime and Deb working in a nurs-ing home facility, the family had everythingthey could have wanted: a big home, a close-knit community and family nearby. But theyweren’t at peace, so they began to pray forGod’s leading.

“For many years we tried our own way ofbeing where we thought we wanted to be andwe didn’t have peace,” said Deb. “Throughoutour praying we told God, whatever You ask ofus, we’re a ‘yes.’”

But God didn’t just ask them to step out infaith. It was more like taking a leap. The firstthing they felt Him ask them to do was to sellthe big, beautiful home they loved. Obediently,though hopeful for a slow process, they put iton the market. One showing and less than amonth later, the house was sold. Bill and Debwere flabbergasted. Although they had no ideawhat God had in store for them, they began todownsize, selling or giving away over half of

their belongings as they waited on God to pro-vide direction.

A few months later, still not knowing whatGod was going to ask, Deb set aside time forprayer and fasting. She went to the chapel ofthe First Baptist Church in George, Iowa,where they were members, and began to prayand search the Bible. Every verse or passageshe landed on shared one theme: do not beafraid. Meanwhile, Bill was at home studyingand praying.

The message was clear. Sitting in the pres-ence of God in two separate places, they’d eachfelt the same leading—Chicago—and they wereterrified! They didn’t understand how Godcould use small-town people in a big city.

“We were not sure how it was going to work,”said Bill. “It made no sense.”

Bill and Deb had never lived in a big city, norhad they wanted to. It was a struggle to acceptGod would want to use them so far outsidetheir comfort zone. Yet even before they toldanyone about it, affirmation of their callingcame in unexpected ways.

A resident at Deb’s workplace offhandedlycommented, “You’re not going to up and moveto Chicago on us, are you?”

As if that weren’t enough, “A friend remindedme the safest place to be is in the center ofGod’s will,” Deb recalled.

It was still a struggle, but they kept movingforward believing God had called them andwould show them the way.

The family closed on their house and, havingnowhere yet to live, moved in with Deb’s par-ents. They continued to pray for direction anddownsized even more, eventually fitting every-thing they owned into one trailer.

Bill took a student internship with a churchplanting group in Chicago and began makingconnections. They found an apartment inChicago’s west suburbs, but with no proof ofincome there was no chance of a lease. A friendheard about the situation and offered to co-signthe lease and cover rent for the first year,telling them, “God wants you there.”

With all of their belongings packed into thetrailer hitched to the farm truck they’d boughtfor the exact amount for which they’d soldtheir riding mower, boat and other equipment,the family was ready to move. Then, the nightbefore their departure, a huge storm blewthrough the area. They woke to find a tree hadfallen on the truck, crushing it. Neighbors hadsuffered damage to their property as well.

The Middendorps make their rounds in a Salvation Army van.

A homeless man selects fresh food.

Middendorp children Brandi, Bobbi Jo, Darien, and Billi Jo

Deb instructs a young student on piano.

Bill and Deb minister to the homeless in the Des Plaines, Ill., area.

5

Undeterred, the Middendorps put in a call totheir insurance agent and got to work helpingwith the community’s cleanup efforts. Within24 hours the insurance company totaled outtheir truck and they were able to purchase anicer vehicle—and it was even Deb’s favoritecolor! Soon, they were on their way to theirnew home.

“God provided the way again and again andagain. In ways we never could have imagined,”Deb said.

For the first six months, the family traveledinto the city to worship with friends. But whenwinter hit and the drive became more difficult,they began to visit other churches closer totheir home. Nothing seemed the right fit, sothey continued to search, visiting different con-gregations in the area.

When the lease was up on their apartmentthe family moved into a small mobile home.Bill was still a fulltime student and Deb wasteaching piano lessons, but with no otherincome, money was tight and their savingsbegan to dwindle. Then, out of the blue, wordcame from the small, rural First BaptistChurch. The Middendorps were being added tothe missionary roll and would receive a month-ly stipend to assist them with the cost of livingand to support them in ministry opportunitiesfor which God had prepared them!

As the family began to settle into the mobilehome community, the children were invited bymembers of the DesPlaines, Ill., Corps toparticipate in a trav-eling vacation Bibleschool being held inthe neighborhood. Atthe end of the week,the leaders invited thefamily to worship ser-vices at the corps.

Surprised, Bill andDeb responded the waymany people do at first:“You’re a church?”

But when they walkedinto the corps that firstSunday morning, theyknew they were home.The more they learnedabout The SalvationArmy and its mission,the more convincedthey became of God’shand in bringing themto Chicago.

Slowly, the familystarted getting

involved at the corps. Bill rang bells at thekettle the next Christmas season, and Godopened his eyes to the ministry that lay beforehim. Several of the other bellringers werehomeless. As Bill listened to their stories, hispurpose emerged.

“I just listened to their needs,” he said.“They needed personal hygiene items, back-packs, blankets—things most of us don’t haveto worry about.”

With the blessing of Captains David andShannon Martinez, at that time the corps offi-cers, Bill and Deb started reaching out to thehomeless community in and around DesPlaines on behalf of The Salvation Army. Billvolunteered to serve as chaplain in the foodpantry and collected unused food and toiletryitems to give out during their weekly visits totheir homeless friends.

Meanwhile, the Middendorp children becameactive in youth programs and Sunday school.They attended summer camps at WonderlandCamp with other corps kids. The oldest two,Darien and Brandi, attended teen Bible studyand corps cadet classes while the younger two,twins Billi Jo and Bobbi Jo, participated insunbeams, youth music programs and juniorsoldiers.

Deb started volunteering with the corps’youth programs, joined the praise team andbuilt relationships through women’s min-istries. Bill joined the men’s Bible study.Together, they attended soldiership classesand made the decision to enroll as seniorsoldiers. Shortly thereafter, the kids wereenrolled as well.

When Bill finished seminary in 2015, hestarted working at the corps fulltime as thejobs program and street ministry coordinator.He continues to work with the homeless,hitting the streets twice a week to providenecessities and to offer support and spiritualguidance.

Deb volunteers at the corps wherever she isneeded, often joining Bill in street outreachministry, and teaches piano lessons part-timeto supplement their income. Through it all,God has been incredibly faithful. TheMiddendorps are now at peace, knowing thisis right where God wants them to be.

Deb concluded, “We learned to trust inGod’s provision when humanly speaking itmakes no sense.”

Bill and Deb with their children at the Des Plaines, Ill., Corps

Deb sings with Emily Proccichiani and Jill Romin during Sunday worship.

Bill and Deb gather backpacks to distribute to homelessindividuals.

by Evie PolsleyI was a stranger and you invited mein. (Matthew 25:35, NLT)

For Majors Jim and JudyGarrington there are nostrangers, only people withwhom to share Christ’s love

and saving power. This was evidentas friends and family from aroundthe world gathered at WonderlandCamp to thank them for their love,service and passion for Christ andHis people for more than 40 years asofficers.

Their session name, “Overcom-ers,” was apropos as they surmount-ed road blocks and carried people’sburdens to proclaim the love andgoodness of God. Their retirementservice, like their ministry, was filledwith joy, laughter, family, friends andcelebrated God’s faithfulness.

The Garringtons’ officership wasanything but ordinary. Serving inGermany for 23 years, they minis-tered in a nation of families dividedby political strife. Through Judy’ssacrificial acts of service and Jim’s giftof evangelism, they saw God breakdown walls of anger, grief and unbe-lief in the hearts of men and women.Their ministry not only encompassedthose on the west side of the Berlin

Extraordinary service toa faithful God

Wall but those in East Germany asthey risked their safety to sneakBibles across the border. When com-munism collapsed and the wall fell,the Garringtons were some of thefirst officers to preach and live outthe love of Christ to people who formore than a generation were noteven allowed to say His name.

After returning to the CentralTerritory, their ministry didn’twaver. For 18 years they showedChrist’s compassion to lost and hurt-ing people in corps, officers whoneeded a champion or someone tolisten and countless others.

During an open mic at the retire-ment, streams of people shared howthe Garringtons opened their homeand hearts to others, whether ahitchhiker, a family fleeing religiouspersecution or someone who justneeded a listening ear.

Majors Beat and Annette Rieder,who had ministered with theGarringtons in Germany, conductedthe official retirement ceremony inwhich Major Beat relayed, “I sawfirsthand their integrity and obedi-ence to do what God had called themto do. In all things—calling, faith, per-sonal testimony—their lives reflectedGod’s love and faithfulness.”

by Major Lee AnnThompson

The phone rang. Seeing it wasGreg Johnson, our construc-tion site project manager, Iwas pretty sure he was call-

ing to give me an update. Instead, hesaid, “I have something I need to tellyou. I have a brain tumor, and I needto have surgery and treatment after-ward. But don’t worry about the pro-ject, I’ve got it covered.”

“Once you said the words ‘braintumor,’ the project was the last thingon my mind,” I assured him.

We talked about how he felt, howhis family was taking the news, andwhat his next steps were. He told methe tumor was actually a reoccurrence.Obviously, his wife and parents wereconcerned but hopeful. His four youngchildren only knew “daddy” was goingaway but would return soon.

I was privileged to pray with him.I prayed God would provide peacefor him, comfort for his family andwisdom for his medical team. “Idon’t think I’ve ever had a clientpray for me,” he said.

When I asked about the locationand date of his surgery, he respondedthe third week of April in Phoenix.That’s when the situation turned intoa miraculous “God moment” for me.

Only God’s timing could havematched my husband’s and my tripto Phoenix, Ariz. for the NationalAdvisory Organizations Conferencewith his surgery.

We arrived at the hospital two daysafter Greg’s surgery. His wife, Karen,and parents, Sally and Nyle, allseemed to know who we were andwelcomed us. We had a great visit,heard about the wonderful prognosisfor Greg’s recovery and ended ourvisit by praying with this family.

I’ve been an officer for more than9,600 days. Not one has been exact-ly the same, and I love it! A phonecall I thought was going to be aboutbusiness turned into unexpectedministry with a new friend and hisfamily. Moments like these aresome of the best.

9,600 days and counting

Justin TracyCape Girardeau,Mo., CorpsMidland Division

I accepted Jesusat age 6 with thehelp of my parentsafter attending aBilly Graham cru-sade in Columbus,Ohio. I grew up inchurch and servedas a leader in theyouth group dur-ing high school. Iattended IndianaWesleyanUniversity andwas introduced to

The Salvation Army through a ser-vice trip to the Harlem Temple Corpsin New York City.

I quickly began to learn about thescope of Salvation Army ministry andwas even more interested. I metCaptains Jason and Dana Bigelow dur-ing our trip and through that relation-ship learned about the MinistryDiscovery Internship. I accepted theinternship and through that experiencehave felt the call to officership strength-ened in my walk with Christ. I amexcited to serve God as an officer.Until recently Justin’s corps officers

were Captains Ronald and BridgetteAmick. His current corps officers areLts. Matthew and Virginia DeGonia.

6

At their retirement service, Majors Judy and Jim Garrington are shown with their greatniece, Ellie, and granddaughter, Lili.

Newlyacceptedcandidate

If you plan to enter

the College forOfficer Trainingin August 2018…

If you have declared

God’s calling toofficership in thefuture…

Or even if you are

wondering ifofficership is God’

s

plan for your life...

The Central Territorial Candidates’ Department invites you to be partof the 730Weekend 2017 to be held October 6-8, 2017, at CentralTerritorial Headquarters and the College for Officer Training.

Three different tracks of workshops and learning opportunitieshave been specially designed with you in mind. And there’s lots ofgreat fellowship, too!

Register today at centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/730andbeyond

For more information, contact your divisional candidates’ secretary.

October Prayer Calendar

Go to www.prayercentralusa.org for prayer updates.

If you follow the prayer calendar in the next year, you will haveread through the Bible!

Day

1 Sunday

2 Monday

3 Tuesday

4Wednesday

5 Thursday

6 Friday

7 Saturday

8 Sunday

9 Monday

10 Tuesday

11Wednesday

12 Thursday

13 Friday

14 Saturday

15 Sunday

16 Monday

17 Tuesday

18Wednesday

19 Thursday

20 Friday

21 Saturday

22 Sunday

23 Monday

24 Tuesday

25Wednesday

26 Thursday

27 Friday

28 Saturday

29 Sunday

30 Monday

31 Tuesday

Bible Reading

Numbers 22-24

2 Chronicles 11-15

Psalms 117-118

Proverbs 28

Jonah

Acts 3-4

Hebrews 5-7

Numbers 25-27

2 Chronicles 16-20

Psalms 119

Proverbs 29-30

Micah

Acts 5-6

Hebrews 8-10

Numbers 28-30

2 Chronicles 21-24

Psalms 120-121

Proverbs 31

Nahum

Acts 7-8

Hebrews 11-13

Numbers 31-33

2 Chronicles 25-28

Psalms 122-124

Ecclesiastes 1-2

Habakkuk

Acts 9-10

James 1-3

Numbers 34-36

2 Chronicles 29-32

Psalms 125-127

Pray for The Salvation Army

New life in Christ on thisDecision Sunday

Janesville, Wis., Corps

Indianapolis, Ind., ARC*

Farmington Hills, Mich., Corps

Dubuque, Iowa, Corps

Scandinavian Jubilee,Rockford,Ill.

Territorial Candidates Weekend

Harvest Festival Sunday

Huntington, Ind., Corps

Kansas CityBlueValley,Mo.,Corps

Blue Island, Ill., Corps

East St. Louis, Ill., Corps

Grand Forks, N.D., Corps

Territorial Multicultural MinistriesONE Conference

Youth character-building programs

Hastings, Neb., Corps

Kansas&WesternMissouri DHQ**

Global Mission Team

Grand Rapids Fulton HeightsCitadel, Mich., Corps

Kenosha, Wis., Corps

Kansas City, Mo., ARC*

Women’s ministries throughoutthe territory

Flint Beecher, Mich., Corps

Freeport, Ill., Corps

Chicago Temple, Ill., Corps

Granite City, Ill., Corps

Huron, S.D., Corps

Switzerland, Austria andHungary Territory PIM

Holland, Mich., Corps

National Headquarters

La Crosse, Wis., Corps

* = Adult Rehabilitation Center** = Divisional HeadquartersPIM = Partners in Mission

7

My Prayer List

by Mary Zaleski

Envoy CeliaMcDougallleft her homein Flint,

Mich., for Brest,France, on April 19,1919. She would soonreach a hut inCoblenz, Germany,where she wouldbecome part of anelite group ofSalvation Armywomen who providedfresh doughnuts andspiritual comfort to soldiers on thefrontlines during World War I andlater during occupation duty inGermany. Records show that alongwith Ensign Grace Beacraft, Celiaspent 750 days in France andGermany serving 5,000 doughnuts aday—all told, about 3.7 million!

Today, her great-nephew, ChuckMcDougall, serves doughnuts, coffeeand water, as well as other necessi-ties and meals, to people followingdisasters such as fires, tornadoes andother emergencies as EasternMichigan (EMI) divisional emergencydisaster services director.

“I’m fifth generation,” said Chuck.“I was born into a family legacy ofcaring and giving.” As accustomed,Chuck served doughnuts and coffeeto attendees at a 100th AnniversaryDoughnut Girl Celebration onNational Donut Day, June 2, at theMichigan Military Technical andHistorical Society Museum inEastpointe, Mich. He also broughtalong his niece, Cati McDougall,dressed as a doughnut girl, to be part

Keeping the legacy alive

of the historic festivities.The idea to serve the confections

was started by Adjutants HelenPurviance and Margaret Sheldonduring the fall of 1917. Assessingthe supplies on hand in the trench-es and wanting to provide spiritualand emotional comfort to the sol-

diers, they came up with theidea of frying doughnuts forthe troops. Soon, they weremaking up to 9,000 doughnutsper day.

“We wanted to keep thislegacy alive,” said EMIDivisional Commander Lt.Colonel John Turner at themuseum event. “We wantfuture generations to know justwhat these brave women did.”

Colonel Turner concluded bydonating the iconic photo ofdoughnut girl Lt. Stella Youngto the museum for its WWIexhibit.

Scandinavian Jubilee October 6-8, 2017Come celebrate a rich and godly heritage

Messages by ColonelsJan Peder and Birgit FosenChief Secretary andTerritorialSecretary forWomen’s Ministries

Norway, Iceland andFaeroesTerritory

Music by the Stavanger,Norway, Corps Band

RockfordTemple, Ill., Corps500 S. Rockford Ave.For more information, call (815) 226-4400

Chuck McDougall, Cati McDougall and Lt. Colonel John Turner

Cheryl Freismuth and Susan Kilyk of the divi-sion's development staff join Cati McDougall (cen-ter) as doughnut girls for the event.

8

A joyful offering

Major Alvin Nelson

Major AlvinNelson was pro-moted to Gloryon July 10,2017, inRockford, Ill.He was 94 yearsold.

Alvin wasborn on April 5,1923, inChicago, Ill., to Alvin and LucileNelson. He attended Wright JuniorCollege prior to entering the Collegefor Officer Training (CFOT) and wascommissioned in 1944 with the“Liberty” session.

He married Captain Elsie Mattsonon November 7, 1945. They servedfaithfully for more than 40 years incorps, divisional headquarters and atthe CFOT. Major Alvin also was thecity coordinator in St. Paul, Minn.,and Rockford, Ill. Most of theNelsons’ appointments would havebeen part the great ScandinavianDepartment (division). Upon retire-ment in 1988, the Nelsons becamecommitted, hard-working soldiers ofthe Rockford Temple Corps whichthey once led. In 2008, Elsie was pro-moted to Glory.

Alvin’s life reflected his deep devo-tion to Christ, immense love for TheSalvation Army and sincere concernfor others’ spiritual well-being. Hewas known as one of the territory’ssaints: a godly, gentle man whosepowerful prayers were legion, bless-ing others until his last days.

Alvin was preceded in death by hiswife, brother and sister. He is sur-vived by his son, David, two grand-children and four great-grandchil-dren.

Promoted toGloryMajor Jerold Johnson

Jerold LeonJohnson wasborn onDecember 17,1938, to Leonand NaomiJohnson inMoline, Ill. Hewas promotedto Glory earlySunday morn-ing, June 11, 2017.

He was saved in 1957 andreceived the blessing of a cleanheart during the Watchnight serviceon New Year’s Eve in 1958. OnJanuary 12, 1958, he became asenior soldier.

Jerold married Helen LucilleBryan on August 30, 1958. Theyentered the College for OfficerTraining and were commissioned in1962 with the “Soldiers of Christ”session.

They served in appointmentsthroughout the Midwest. Notably,Jerold was instrumental in thebuilding of four corps. In 1995 theywere appointed to the Kansas andWestern Missouri DivisionalHeadquarters where they served aschaplains in social services untiltheir retirement in 2003.

Jerry was known as a hard work-er with great artistic talent. Hisgenuine love for people was evidentin his kind-hearted nature and inbeing a father figure to many youthin the territory.

He is survived by his wife andfour children, Major NathanJohnson, Kevin Johnson, MajorLurlene Johnson and Ivy Robertsand five grandchildren.

Continued from page 1

Arts, a senior center which enrichesthe quality of life for older adults,and family life and education classesfrom finances to gardening. Giventhe Army’s holistic mission, theKroc Center also has vibrant musicprograms, character-building pro-grams and other children’s min-istries, youth and adult Bible stud-ies, women’s ministries and men’sfellowship.

Programming and corps life forthe Chicago Kroc Center began over10 years ago with the appointmentof Majors David and DarleneHarvey as Kroc Center administra-tors, who were also responsible foroverseeing the center’s construction,program development and officialopening five years ago and then ledit until the summer of 2016.

“People wondered fiveyears ago how the KrocCenter would make a dif-ference in such a challeng-ing area of Chicago,” saidMajor David Harvey. “Withthousands of people com-ing in and out per year, acorps thriving with soldiersand volunteers, a fifth-grade class that startedwith us 10 years ago andwill be graduating collegenext year…yes, God is stillat work in our worldthrough this center.”

One of the week’s highlights wasthe presentation of the TerritorialYouth Volunteer of the Year award toChris Mack. Volunteering as the cen-ter’s costumed mascot, “RJ,” Chrishas a great way of connecting withpeople and helping them feel wel-comed. He also assists with the com-munity Thanksgiving dinner and inother areas as needed. In the last twoyears, he’s given more than 400hours of service. “I enjoy everymoment of volunteering at theChicago Kroc Center,” said Chris.

Today, the Kroc Center has almost8,000 members. In the summer thenumber of people who use the centerdaily often reaches 2,000! It offers afull and impressive range of aquatics,fitness and sports programs but alsoboasts an amazing Academy of the

ChicagoKroc

by Major Heidi Reed

During an advisory councilmeeting at the WyandotteDownriver, Mich., Corps,Judge James Kandrevas

(a council member) asked if therewas anything The Salvation Armycould do to help women goingthrough his court involved in prosti-tution. He was visibly burdened forthem. Of course, we said, “Yes!”

We began a group called “BridgingHearts.” It’s led by Janice Quick, ourcorps women’s ministries secretary,Karen Dillenbeck, a volunteertrained in prison ministry, and me.

At first, the women in the initialgroup were not thrilled to be court-mandated to come to The SalvationArmy for six weeks, but their look ofdread soon changed to excitement.They really enjoyed coming.

In March we started our secondgroup. This time there weren’t longfaces. They had been told by the pro-bation officer how the members ofthe first group loved coming andactually looked forward to it.

Each week is filled with refresh-ments, fun activities such as craftsand games (even archery), a presen-tation regarding resources they canaccess, and a DVD series titled“Unashamed” by Christine Caine.Our caseworker gets to know eachwoman and sharesabout the resourcesavailable to them fromour corps as well asfrom the community.Our energy assistancespecialist lets themknow about conservingenergy, how to get on apayment plan, and howto handle past dueaccounts. I share aboutcorps programs, includ-ing Sunday worship,for them and their chil-dren.

What an exciting timeit is when we are ableto share the gospel and

see hearts touched. What a joy it isto see changes in the women. Onebroke off a six-year relationshipthat was destructive. Another got ajob. Some of the children have got-ten to go to summer camp, andwere thrilled. One woman said,“I’ve been listening to the videos. Iknow I have a future now and Iknow that I have a lot of peoplehere that care about me.”

It has been a privilege to get toknow and love these women and topray for them and with them.

Caseworker Nancy Tsui

Captain Brian and Major Heidi Reed pictured with JudgeJames Kandrevas and the corps’ women’s ministriessecretary Janice Quick.

Majors Micheal and ShirleyMyers celebrated theirretirement earlier this yearin a farewell service led

by Lt. Colonel Norman Marshall andheld at the Bay City, Mich., Corps,where they have served since 2005.Several community leaders were inattendance to offer their support andwell wishes.

The Myers were married in 1990and began their ministry togetherwhen Micheal was commissioned in1994 with the “Crusaders for Christ”session. Shirley had been commis-sioned earlier in 1978 with the“Disciples of Jesus” session. Theyenter retirement with the joy of hav-ing served nearly 25 years together.

Throughout their officership, theMyers’ served in corps appointmentsthroughout Michigan and Indiana.Their greatest joy was building rela-tionships and loving God’s peoplethrough service to the community.

“I love seeing God change lives,”said Major Micheal. “It was a joyoffering hope to people and allow-ing God to work in every situation.”

In retirement, they plan to enjoytheir home in Howell, Mich.—dur-ing the warm months, that is. In thewinter, they hope to spend timewith their daughter in Florida andtheir son, who lives in Indiana.Major Micheal also intends to enjoythe open road on his motorcycle.

Photoby

JacobHam

ilton

Bridging heartsprogram fills gap