In June, British Columbia’s front-line ministry leaders were invited to The Salvation Army’s inaugural “Design for People” training event at Cascade Community Church in Abbotsford, B.C. The first of its kind for the British Columbia Division, Design for People was a three-day event aimed at fostering collaboration, learning and spiritual rejuvenation among front-line leaders.

Corps officers, community ministry directors, executive directors, chaplains, managers and supervisors came together alongside subject-matter experts to engage in facilitated discussions and learn from one another in open dialogue.

“Our goals were that participants would have practical takeaways from the subject-matter experts and from one another for practical implementation in their ministry units,” says Lt-Colonel Wanda Vincent, then the divisional officer personnel secretary for British Columbia, who co-organized the event with Major Neil Wilkinson, area commander, alongside a planning committee.

Design for People was structured into five segments, with a mix of facilitated discussions and elective sessions meant to encourage interaction and networking among attendees. Keynote addresses from Lt-Colonel Jamie Braund, divisional commander, and Lt-Colonel Morris Vincent, then divisional secretary, set the tone for the event, grounding participants in the theme of bearing fruit, inspired by John 15.

“This is an opportunity to connect, restore hope and to inspire.”—MAJOR NEIL WILKINSON

“When I think about bearing fruit, I think of it from two different perspectives: supporting each other and collaborating, which bears fruit in our leadership and the work that we do. We also bear fruit in the services that we provide and the programs that we operate,” explains Emmy Skates, social mission regional director and Design for People delegate. “It’s a continual giving that happens not only in leadership with our employees, but with our volunteers and clients as well.”

Each day began with a segment of worship and prayer. Scheduled into each morning and afternoon were half-hour breaks and optional social events to encourage connection and fellowship.

“Incorporating worship into this was huge,” says Robbie Alberts, music coordinator and chaplain at Vancouver Harbour Light. “The fact that God designed people and that we were created for him is what helps us bear fruit. All the social connection, the gathering, people talking—I think that’s what Design for People is about. It’s about learning how to love each other better as leaders and friends.”

In the wake of Design for People, Major Wilkinson hopes that the event will create ongoing communities of practice among ministry leaders to propel continuous support and connection as they live out mission on the front lines. “This is an opportunity to connect, restore hope and to inspire, and that’s the most exciting part for me,” he says. “The best is yet to come.”

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