Over the past several months, we have been introducing and reflecting on the territorial strategy through the theme: Forward Together: Christ-centred, Others-focused. This theme is more than a tagline. It expresses who we are as a territory and how we believe God is calling us to move forward together as one Army.

“Forward Together” reminds us that we are united in mission and purpose. Across corps and community ministries, social services, camps, thrift stores, divisional and territorial headquarters, we are all part of something larger than ourselves. Though our roles and contexts may differ, we are moving in the same direction—together.

“Christ-centred, Others-focused” keeps us grounded in what matters most. Jesus Christ remains at the centre of everything we believe, every decision we make and every act of service we offer. At the same time, we remain focused outward—meeting human needs, walking alongside people in hardship and sharing hope in practical and transformative ways. To quote General Lyndon Buckingham, “We are a Jesus people.”

The four strategic pillars that guide our journey are: Strengthen Spiritual Health, Design for People, Forge Innovative Partnerships and Optimize Mission Impact.

Together, these pillars identify the areas where focused effort is needed across the territory to make sure we are relevant and position us for the future.

Together, the work being done in these pillars is helping us strengthen discipleship, invest in our people, expand collaboration and ensure that our resources are aligned to support mission for years to come. 

STRENGTHEN SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Everything begins with Christ. At the heart of The Salvation Army is our calling to share the love of Jesus Christ. As we move forward together, this pillar focuses on deepening spiritual life, strengthening discipleship and creating welcoming environments where people can encounter Christ and grow in faith.

This includes strengthening our culture of welcome and discipleship. We’re exploring new and innovative approaches to outreach and continuing to build strong biblical foundations grounded in Scripture and Salvation Army doctrine. The goal is not simply to increase activity, but to foster meaningful spiritual growth and help people become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.

There is also growing recognition that ministry must continue to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our efforts will focus on building relationships across cultures and communities with greater understanding, sensitivity and intentionality. The goal is to strengthen our ability to share hope and serve others in ways that are welcoming, respectful and responsive to the realities people face.

Another focus is creating stronger connections between corps, community ministries and social services. Across the territory, many people are already serving faithfully in ways that reflect Christ’s love every day. We are seeking to build greater alignment and shared understanding across ministries so that spiritual care, mission and service are more intentionally connected. For Commissioner Debbie Graves, territorial leader for spiritual life development, integrated mission begins with the example of Christ himself: “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood” (John 1:14 The Message).

“We must be practising the presence of God in our neighbourhoods and communities,” she observes. “This is integrated mission—not a program, but a way of life.”

Investing in children, youth and young adults is essential to strengthening spiritual health across the territory. Young people want to explore their faith, and we can create opportunities for younger generations to build strong spiritual foundations, develop meaningful mentoring relationships and actively participate in the life and mission of The Salvation Army. Through worship, service, leadership opportunities and multigenerational connections, we want young people to know they are valued, heard and needed—not simply as the futureof the church, but as an important part of God’s work today.

In a Salvationist podcast interview following the Jesus Our Compass tour, General Buckingham reflected on the importance of investing in younger generations: “The Lord is speaking to this emerging generation. He’s making himself known to them.” We are committed to creating space for young people to grow in faith, discover their calling and recognize that they have a vital place within The Salvation Army.

Ultimately, this pillar is about helping more people encounter Christ, deepen their faith and discover their place in our mission as we move Forward Together: Christ-centred and Others-focused.

DESIGN FOR PEOPLE

Healthy ministry depends on healthy, equipped and supported people. Whether serving as officers, employees, volunteers or lay leaders, people are at the heart of everything The Salvation Army does. As communities change and the world in which we serve becomes more complex, there is a growing recognition that investing in our people is essential to sustaining our mission.

As part of developing our leadership capacity, we will continue to enhance programs that prepare our people for the future. To attract people who understand who we are and are committed to furthering our mission, we will enhance our recruitment practices and develop mission-oriented onboarding.

We are creating clearer pathways for lay leadership. Across many ministries, dedicated lay leaders already play vital roles in worship, discipleship, pastoral care, administration and community engagement. Equipping and empowering these individuals is critical to future ministry effectiveness.

To ensure strategic continuity and sustain mission impact, we will develop approaches to retain critical knowledge and expertise through change, and build leadership practices that develop our future leaders for key roles and the complexity in which we serve.

Ultimately, this pillar recognizes that when people are equipped, supported and empowered, mission flourishes.

FORGE INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Impact often happens through collaboration. Communities today are facing increasingly complex challenges, such as food insecurity, mental-health challenges and addiction, lack of affordable housing, and other growing social needs. No single organization can address these realities alone. Collaboration is becoming increasingly important.

We are continuing to forge innovative partnerships and exploring new opportunities to work alongside others in ways that expand mission impact.

Partnerships may look different across communities and ministries. In some places, this may involve collaboration with local agencies or municipalities. In others, it may involve faith-based organizations, charities, community groups, funders and businesses. These partnerships help expand our reach, increase our effectiveness and create new opportunities to share hope in practical ways.

Greater collaboration between corps, community and social services, thrift stores and emergency disaster services, brings us together in a community for more integrated and holistic ministry to serve as one Army. It means finding better ways to listen, collaborate and respond to changing needs while remaining faithful to our mission and values.

Ultimately, this pillar is about multiplying impact through relationships and collaboration.

OPTIMIZE MISSION IMPACT

Transformative mission delivery means that we are positioned where we can share the love of Jesus to make the greatest difference and meet changing community needs. We are working hard to understand our communities, so we provide programs and services that are aligned to their needs. We will identify new opportunities for mission delivery by embracing the mosaic of our country. We will ensure that our many diverse resources are allocated in ways that prioritize mission-critical programs and services.

With our modernized systems and access to better information, our leaders can make informed decisions and improve efficiency and reporting capabilities.

Ultimately, this pillar is about making sure we are at the heart of where we are needed and where our mission can be a transformative influence—today and into the future.

"Forward Together" reminds us that we are united in mission and purpose.

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

This work belongs to all of us. Not every area of work will affect every person in the same way. Some efforts will take place at the local level, others at divisional or territorial levels. Some changes will be visible quickly, while others will take shape over time. What connects them all is a shared purpose: strengthening our ability to serve, disciple, lead, support communities and advance the mission.

Forward Together is about moving with greater clarity, unity and intentionality toward the vision God has placed beforeus. It is about ensuring that Christ remains at the centre of all we do, while keeping our focus firmly on others.

As we continue this journey together, may we remain rooted in faith, encouraged by hope and committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ wherever there is hardship.

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