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So spacious is he [Jesus], so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe–people and things, animals and atoms–get properly fixed and fit to-gether in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20, The Message
Easter in the West
Easter was a special day at the Auburn, Calif. corps as Major Mick Souders enrolled three new senior soldiers—Mark and Jan Bergendahl and LaVerne Gautier. Flag bearers were soldiers O’Neil Cochran and Richard Bresett. After the new soldiers shared their testimonies, Major Leslie Souders offered prayer for them, as well as for the church body itself.
In Maui, Captain Marcey Hoffschneider reports the Kahului, Corps singing company performed at the community Easter sunrise service. The 43 youth started the day at 3:15 a.m., joining for practice with four local churches. The young people sang about the love of Jesus and how “sharing” his love changes the hearts of people.
In Ketchikan, Alaska, a locked building led to the Gateway Corps’ band playing outside for the sunrise service. Fortunately, it was an unusually warm day, reports Paul Bentley. Pictured are: Mary Davey, Mark Philip Davey, Jessica Bentley, Paul Bentley and Major Mark Davey.
Boulder expands outreach
The Boulder, Colo. outpost is expanding its ministerial horizons, and recently conducted a sidewalk Sunday school at one of the city’s largest low-income housing projects. Youth leader/social worker Mercedes Weeks led 13 children and one adult in an hour filled with songs, games and Bible lessons; there was also a surprise visit by Sally Bear, played by Captain Lisa Smith. During the meeting, all of the children and one adult came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! The outpost has been in operation since June 2003, prior to which it was a service center.
Del Oro trains soldiers
“I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery, I may never zoom over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s Army—yes, sir!” Twenty-seven newly-trained junior soldiers shouted these words recently at Camp Del Oro, at an all day intensive learning session about our founder and why we become soldiers, reports Divisional Youth & Candidates’ Secretary Major Guy Hawk. The youth will be enrolled when General John Larsson comes to the division on June 14. While the children were preparing, 40 adults attended the Youth Leadership Training.
Young Salvationist winners
The 2004 Young Salvationist Creativity Contest award winners have been announced. Winners from the Western Territory are: Genah Redding (Torrance, Calif.), 2nd—Fiction, ages 16 and under; Angie Flaherty (Honolulu, Hawaii), 1st—Poetry, ages 17-22; Cherie Currie (Ash Fork, Alas.), 2nd—Non-fiction, ages 17-22; Michael Butterworth (Overgaard, Ariz.), 1st—Non-fiction, ages 16 and under; and Joey Dickinson (Phoenix, Ariz.), 3rd—Non-fiction, ages 16 and under. Check out the winning entries in the May issue of YS. Ask your corps officer or youth pastor for a copy.
Champions on ice
Captain Raymond-Erickson King reports KNDU-TV donated 10 tickets to the Army, so disadvantaged youth from the Mid-Columbia, Wash., Corps could attend Champions on Ice. Skating stars Michelle Kwan, Elvis Stojko, and Victor Petrenko dazzled the crowd at the Tri-Cities Coliseum.
Territory’s Top Ten
For the fiscal year 2003 (Oct. 2002-Sept. 2003) the following corps are the territory’s ten highest in average weekly attendance at Sunday morning worship: Santa Ana Temple, Calif., 329 (average attendance); Las Vegas, Nev., 318; Pasadena Tabernacle, Calif., 274; Tustin Ranch, Calif., 270; Los Angeles Central, Calif., 240; Tulare, Calif., 232; El Paso Temple, Tex., 230; Rita, Marshall Islands, 211; and El Cajon, Calif., 196.
SALVATION ARMY CONTINUES TO AID STORM SURVIVORS IN ILLINOIS
Salvation Army emergency disaster services personnel continue to aid storm survivors in north central Illinois. Salvation Army emergency disaster services vehicles (canteens) have been on the scene since Tuesday night when tornadoes and strong thunderstorms ripped through the area killing eight and causing severe structural damage.
Salvation Army personnel from across Illinois and Iowa have been assisting residents and local emergency response personnel in Utica and Joliet, Ill., two of the hardest hit areas, by serving meals, helping with damage assessment, assisting in clean-up and providing physical, emotional and spiritual support. The Salvation Army will continue its efforts in those locations for at least another two weeks.
With 80 percent of Utica’s downtown badly damaged and over 200 homes destroyed in Joliet, The Salvation Army is partnering with Home Depot to help these communities. Home Depot has agreed to provide clean-up materials and volunteers to help residents with temporary repairs to their homes and businesses.
