On Monday, July 1, 1867, when Queen Victoria proclaimed the Dominion of Canada, uniting Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a single nation, William Booth, future General of The Salvation Army, most likely paid little attention to the momentous occasion. As the church bells rang in the four capital cities, as brass bands played, bonfires were lit and fireworks lit the sky to celebrate the event, Booth was more concerned with getting his East London Christian Mission established, finding ways to alleviate the poverty and spiritual torpor of London, England’s “submerged 10th.” The new Canada was not, as far as we know, of much interest to the 50-year-old revivalist and social activist.

There are many things that are learned about life, success and hard work through kicking around a ball on the soccer field. Toronto's Bloor Central Soccer Club (BCSC)—with the assistance of a Salvation Army thrift store—is helping to teach those lessons to underprivileged children.

On July 1, the cadets of the Joyful Intercessors Session will be commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers. As they prepare for a new chapter in their ministry, these 19 Salvationists share their journey to officership.

Ahead of his visit to the Canada and Bermuda Territory, General André Cox shares the importance of getting out of our corps halls, and how the Army is responding to difficult issues facing the church today.

"I used to feel that my dancing and my faith were separate, that one was my job and the other my religion, that they rarely intersected or affected the other,” says Alex Woodley. “But I’ve come to recognize that the Lord has made the two readily accessible to me. Both my ability to dance and to have a relationship with God are blessings that make up a huge part of my identity.”

Wade, Derrick and Albert share how The Salvation Army's corrections residence in Moncton, N.B., made reintegration possible after many years served in prison.

This year's commissioning event in The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory included the commissioning of the first officers from Slovakia.

This month, The Salvation Army’s Foothills Church in High River, Alta., celebrated its 110th anniversary. Proudly in attendance was 94-year-old Edith Burke, Foothills’ oldest soldier and one of the territory’s oldest living uniformed Salvationists.

How do you measure influence? Is it tangible or theoretical? In my opinion, it is measured by visibly changed lives, especially when they span family and community, generations and geography. My father-in-law, Bert Vincent, had this kind of influence. From within the family circle and beyond, his legacy is one of evangelism, encouragement, passion and prayer. He inspired many to be active in the kingdom of God.

In March 2009, I sat in a doctor's office to learn the results of an MRI, and heard the words, "We found a large mass growing inside the walls of your spine."