Cadet Matthew Rideout, Cadet Joshua Rideout, Cadet Janelle Colbourne and Cadet Kelsie Burford have a few things in common. First, they’re all cadets at the College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Winnipeg— the first three in the Messengers of Reconciliation Session (2020-2022) and Cadet Kelsie in the Messengers of Grace Session (2019-2021). Second, Cadet Matthew and Cadet Joshua are brothers. And third, Cadet Janelle and Cadet Kelsie are their cousins.

In the first of a six-part series, Majors Rick and Deana Zelinsky share how The Salvation Army is developing a strategy to reimagine leadership and reach the emerging generation.

“I was humbled when The Salvation Army agreed to walk alongside me in my commitment to wellness and recovery again,” says Lesley, now sober and volunteering at a local mental health agency.

As The Salvation Army, yes, we strive to save souls; we cannot compromise on this point. But we also strive to save communities and to reform the world so that it more closely resembles the kingdom of God. This is the “salvation for both worlds” of which William Booth wrote in 1890 and of which Scripture speaks. That—and nothing less—is the mission of The Salvation Army.

“God has blessed me, so much more than I ever deserved,” he says. “But that can’t compare to the joy I receive when I see someone changed by the power of God.”

If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 nightmare of 2020, it’s that we can’t escape pain or suffering. This has been a year of suffering on a global scale, a year when we learned the true meaning of lament, described by theologian N.T. Wright as “asking the question ‘why’ in the midst of our suffering and not getting an answer.”

There is no greater gift than using my abilities to worship God and helping others to do the same.

Lt-Colonels Morris and Wanda Vincent have been serving internationally with The Salvation Army since January 2017, first in the Kenya West Territory and now in the Caribbean Territory. Read more about their experiences.

The Salvation Army is launching a campaign called “Stand Up, Step Up, Speak Up" for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).