When we think of international mission work, we often think of people travelling overseas and serving in small, remote communities. But the scope of our imagination need not be so limited. In reality, we don’t need to go anywhere to make a difference in the world. The mission field—even the international mission field—begins right at your doorstep.

In October 2021, the international development department launched a new program intended to mobilize Salvationists and others to take action on international issues in their own communities. The ambassador program offers a variety of opportunities to engage with international development issues, as well as leadership development and discipleship. Ambassadors are encouraged to advocate for global issues in their communities through social media, presentations or organizing fundraisers and events.

“One of the things that interested me the most about joining the ambassador program was learning more about global issues and how they affect people,” says Valeria Ruiz, an ambassador from Scarborough Citadel in Toronto. “I want to access resources so I can spread awareness about these issues and learn how we can help and support from where we are.”

The ambassador program offers opportunities to learn about global issues and key topics such as education, health, nutrition, gender equality, sustainability, food security, income generation, emergency response and more. Webinars offer a glimpse of how The Salvation Army is addressing these issues around the world and the chance to hear from special guest speakers. The program has already hosted a number of online events about various topics.

 “You get to hear about and learn from someone else’s experience with international development and reflect on what that is speaking into your own life, and how you may be of use to support them or contribute to their efforts,” says Ruiz.

During one online event, ambassadors heard from Lieutenant (Dr.) Marco Herrera Lopizic about his time serving as a medical doctor in Papua New Guinea. In another, international development partnered with the candidates department so participants could explore God’s calling on their lives to officership and international mission within The Salvation Army by hearing from officers with extensive experience in international service. Most recently, the program offered a webinar about emergency preparedness, international disaster response and The Salvation Army’s efforts in Ukraine and surrounding countries.

This year, one of our ambassadors, Olivia Nowak-Macdonald, contributed to the Partners in Mission campaign by researching and writing an article for Salvationist about the Zambia Territory.

About future opportunities, Mary Joy Milne, an ambassador from Sudbury, Ont., says, “I am hoping that I can learn a little bit about The Salvation Army’s work in other cultures.” As pandemic restrictions lift and we see more and more of our activities returning to normal, we are excited about all the new things in store for the ambassador program in the coming months.

It is our hope to create a space for people to learn, share ideas and take action on global issues, even without leaving home.

For more information about the ambassador program or to apply, visit salvationist.ca/ ambassador or email Robyn.Goodyear@salvationarmy.ca.

Robyn Goodyear is the international project support co-ordinator in the international development department.