Ever since coming home to Canada from London, England, in April and taking up my new role in mission services, I have been hearing the phrase: “We Are Mission!” In fact, it’s on the wall of the mission services department at territorial headquarters. There’s a lot of excitement in a statement like that, knowing that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves. In fact, everyone involved in service in The Salvation Army—officers, soldiers, adherents, employees and volunteers—are part of that exciting mission.

There are days, I’m sure, that many of us wonder if we’re making any progress in furthering the mission of the Army. The world seems to be getting itself into all kinds of trouble, and the more we strive, the more there are people who need our help and support. This is not a reason to be discouraged; rather, it is a reason to be even more diligent in our work. We should be excited when we hear stories of people whose lives have been changed because of the work we have done. Salvationist magazine and Salvationist.ca often include those testimonials, and they are inspiring, encouraging and help us to keep on striving.

Across the territory, we have hundreds of people working in direct contact with people: corps officers, chaplains, social workers, health-care workers, volunteers serving at food banks, professors teaching at Booth University College, food servers, Sunday school teachers and group leaders of the many different types of groups that offer support, learning and spiritual  care. We are so grateful for your selfless service to people in accordance with The Salvation Army’s mission.

Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I didn’t state that front-line ministry is often difficult. Working directly with people who have varied needs and personalities, as well as family and economic situations, is hard. Every single day our front-line workers summon the courage to encounter the unknown, the unloved and the almost unreachable. They work in neighbourhoods and environments that are, at times, challenging. They work with people in distress, in critical financial situations, struggling with addiction or distancing themselves from abusive or dangerous circumstances. They see suffering daily, and they see progress and victory as well. They are encouraged at times and disappointed at others, but they show up day after day to carry out the mission.

We also have many people serving the mission behind the scenes. Accountants, auditors, planners, consultants, managers, administrators, board members and advisors. The mission couldn’t happen without accountability, funding, planning, building maintenance and cleaning, and administration.

The mission of The Salvation Army is stated clearly on our website: “The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.”

This is the essence of our movement and should be top-of-mind for all of us involved in The Salvation Army. It’s a seamless mission—a whole not to be divided. We share the love of Christ by meeting the needs of people, and by our work and influence we strive to build strong communities, where everyone is respected, treated with dignity and where hope is alive. We serve people without discrimination, and we do so while being good stewards of the resources we have been provided. We share the good news of the gospel of Jesus and do our very best to represent him to the world.

So, whether you are a shelter worker, a bandmaster, a bookkeeper or a pastor; if you work with youth in your corps or lead the Over-60 Club; if your office is in a headquarters or in a canteen on the street; if your clientele are hungry and poor, or wealthy and ready to donate; if your work involves sorting clothes in the thrift store, or finding homes for families in need—you are mission. I pray that we all can grasp the full meaning of what it means to be a part of something so grand! In the words of Thou Hast Called Me From the Byway (SASB 682):

There is mission in my living,
There is meaning in my word;
Saviour, in my daily striving
May this message yet be heard.

Commissioner Susan McMillan is the assistant territorial secretary for mission in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Prior to her tenure at International Headquarters in London, England, she served five years as the territorial commander in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Photo: Jerimi Jones