In recent months, our team in the mission department at territorial headquarters (THQ)—which includes corps mission, community mission and social mission—has been hearing me chant the phrase, “We Are Mission!” as a rallying cry. While also trying to have a bit of fun, my hope is that this powerful mantra captures The Salvation Army’s unwavering dedication to serving humanity with love, compassion and integrity, empowering individuals and communities to overcome adversity and build a brighter future together, throughout Canada and Bermuda.

Our mission, rooted in God’s love for all people, motivates and guides our beliefs and values. It is founded on our faith in Jesus and his transformative power within us, extended to others through our network of ministries and services, such as our churches, shelters, food banks, long-term care facilities and community centres. 

It is our hope that our churches, with open doors and open hearts, serve as spiritual sanctuaries where individuals from all walks of life can come together to find solace, support and guidance in their faith journeys. Through uplifting sermons, engaging programs and compassionate outreach, we hope to empower individuals to cultivate a deeper connection with Jesus and with one another, igniting a sense of purpose and belonging that transcends barriers and unites hearts in love and service to all people.

While providing spiritual, physical and emotional support, our community and social mission efforts work toward systemic change to address the root causes of poverty and injustice. The belief in the inherent worth of every individual and Christ’s call to love God and love your neighbour as yourself (see Mark 12:30-31) are the bedrock of The Salvation Army’s efforts in this regard. The rallying cry, “We Are Mission!” has become both a fun and sacred reminder that stirs us toward our commitments to share the love of Jesus, meet human need and be a transforming influence in our communities.

“We Are Mission!” is true to the ethos of The Salvation Army. As we strive to be part of God’s mission in the world, we are committed to transformative change in people and communities. Our movement adopts an individualized, comprehensive approach to community development. Through initiatives, such as job training programs, educational support and Pathway of Hope, we empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for themselves and their families. Moreover, by fostering a sense of solidarity and mutual support, our mission endeavours cultivate resilient communities capable of weathering adversity and effecting positive change.

This call is for everyone connected to The Salvation Army to embrace and live out “We Are Mission!” with an unwavering dedication and fervent zeal. Motivated by our faith in Jesus and driven by compassion for the marginalized, let’s stand together as a beacon of hope in a world laden with challenges, through the transformative power of Jesus and our collective action. God calls us to this! We are not to be merely passive observers of a broken world but rather active participants in the mission of love, justice and redemption (see Micah 6:8).

Good news—you don’t have to do it on your own. The mission team at THQ is here to help. Over the last couple of years, our team has grown and worked diligently behind the scenes developing new tools and streamlining approaches so that our mission resourcing, training and delivery will be meaningful, cutting edge and effective for you. Momentum is building and it brings us joy to hear more people are using these resources, and that God is using them to bring about change in the lives of people throughout the territory. We are here to serve you to the best of our ability.

The communities that form our territory need to know about Jesus and his love, and The Salvation Army is well positioned throughout Canada and Bermuda to share this good news. Friends, it’s time to try new things, be innovative partners, continue to share hope where there is hardship and build communities that are just and know the love of Jesus. In so doing, we can all embody and live out the phrase, “We Are Mission!” 

Lt-Colonel Les Marshall is the territorial secretary for mission.

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