Greetings all,

As you may be aware from the August Salvationist articles and vision survey communications, The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda has launched Mobilize 2.0, a transformation project that will include the creation of a vision for our movement so that we know where we are heading, and the development of a strategy that will help us get there.

The Mobilize 2.0 program has been established to ensure that a mobilized Army is equipped with the following—the “three whys” of the project:

• A Vision-Aligned Strategy—Intentional development and implementation of a strategy to deliver a vision for the Canada and Bermuda Territory
• A Holistic Mission-Delivery Model—To ensure a consistent and shared commitment to understanding where and how we deliver Mission.
• A Mission-Fit Process—To enable effective support of our mission delivery.

As I mentioned when the project was announced on Salvationist.ca in August, we want to leverage the work done in recent years to build capacity in our territory that can take our movement to a new level. We have an obligation to inspire and, equally, we are obligated to grow. In order to inspire our territory for mission and position ourselves for growth, some changes will need to occur.

I would like to take this opportunity to share a program update with you.

The Mobilize 2.0 team has conducted social research to better understand the aspirations of The Salvation Army across Canada and Bermuda. (You may remember the survey that was distributed in August). We were excited to receive over 3,000 responses from employees, officers, volunteers, and corps members. The shared values, concerns, hopes, and dreams for our Army will all be used to inform our next steps, particularly the creation of a territorial vision statement.

The results from this survey, paired with interviews and focus groups, will culminate in a vision statement that will provide direction for our movement over the next decade. We are grateful to everyone who offered input, and we look forward to sharing this Vision with you later this year following a review by Cabinet (senior leadership) for consideration and approval by the Governing Council.

In our conversations with many across Canada and Bermuda, people have commented to Tracey and me on how they feel a stirring in the territory that this is the right time for revival.

In the October issue of Salvationist, I shared in my Onward column how, in the Book of Ezekiel, transformation begins with the heart and promotes a revived spirit. We want to inspire you in mission as you live out what it means to be part of a movement that exists to share the love of Jesus, meets human needs and strives to be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

We understand that no change happens without adjustment; however, we know that as we embark on this transformation project, these changes will help with the ultimate goal of positioning every ministry unit, team and department to be as mission-ready as they can possibly be.

As we journey through this period of transformation, we will provide frequent updates from the Mobilize 2.0 project team in addition to resources that you can access to learn more about our vision and strategy moving forward.

Over the past six months, your willingness to grow in the wake of unexpected, rapid change has moved us, particularly as the COVID-19 health crisis beckoned for us to reimagine and recreate. We hold firm to the belief that, through any change, the Spirit of God moves with us and equips us with new heart and spirit (see Ezekiel 36:26), and we cannot thank you enough for your continued commitment to pursuing and meeting mission.

Commissioners Floyd and Tracey Tidd