Salvationist Podcast

It's been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a war that has torn the country apart and forced millions of Ukrainians to flee.  For The Salvation Army, the past year has been a time of intense ministry in action, especially in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. Debbie Clarke is one of many Salvationists serving on the front lines. She is a senior soldier at Winnipeg’s Heritage...

As the corps officer in a small town in Newfoundland, Lieutenant April Ward was looking for ways The Salvation Army could better serve her community. Some brainstorming led her to a brilliant idea, and in this episode of the podcast, Lieutenant April shares how “family night theme bags” have transformed youth ministry at her corps—and sparked a new ministry to seniors, too.

When The Salvation Army began in London, England, Salvationists faced opposition from various groups—including one called the Skeleton Army.  The dramatic true story of the conflict between the Skeletons and the Salvationists comes to life in a new musical called "Skeleton Army," which will make its Canadian debut at The Salvation Army’s INSPIRE Conference and Congress this summer.  On t...

When hurricane Fiona ripped through eastern Canada last September, causing widespread devastation, The Salvation Army stepped in, offering assistance in several provinces.  One of the hardest-hit communities was Port Aux Basques, N.L., where Dave and Bev Harvey are corps leaders. In this episode of the podcast, Dave and Bev share how the storm impacted the town and their corps, and how the Army re...

Fabio Russo has been clean and sober for five years, since he came to The Salvation Army’s Harbour Light facility in Vancouver. Now a friendly employee at the facility's front desk, Fabio reflects on his recovery journey and how Harbour Light's "play" program played a crucial role.  On this episode of the podcast, we're also joined by Harbour Light employees Cindy Cheung,...

Brass banding is one of The Salvation Army’s most iconic and beloved ministries. But like so many things, it faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. For two years, many of us missed out on banding as groups were forced to stop meeting in person. What kind of future does banding have, now that we can rehearse and perform again?  We asked Matt Barby for his thoughts on these quest...

The world of health care has been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. But for The Salvation Army’s Toronto Grace Health Centre, it has provided opportunities for innovation and creativity. Just as the pandemic was beginning, the centre launched a pilot project called the Remote Care Monitoring Program. Using a pendant and the power of technology, the program allows elderly and at-risk pat...

This week, leaders of The Salvation Army’s 58 territories and commands have gathered in Vancouver for the International Conference of Leaders (ICL). This is the first in-person gathering of leaders since 2017, and the first under the leadership of General Brian Peddle. In this episode, General Peddle gives us a behind the scenes look at the ICL—what’s on the agenda, how decisions are made and how...

In Maple Ridge, B.C., The Salvation Army recently launched a program called UpCycle. Every Tuesday and Thursday, members of the community can come to the UpCycle trailer and trade in their old items for gently used ones. No money required. Richard McAfee, Genesis caseworker at The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries, shares how the program came about and how it's helping people recovering...

In this episode of the Salvationist podcast, new Cadet Gladis Koshkarian shares her journey to Salvation Army officership—a journey that spans the globe, from Syria to Lebanon, to Canada and Calgary. She shares what she’s enjoyed most about working for The Salvation Army so far and why she’s excited to take the next step into full-time ministry.

In episode 7 of the Salvationist Podcast, host Brandon Laird speaks with Captain Crystal Porter, assistant territorial Indigenous ministries consultant and divisional youth secretary, Prairie Division, about her journey to reclaim her Indigenous identity, and how the craft of beading has connected her to the land and to her Indigenous community.

As of May 1, Colonel Evie Diaz takes up her new appointment as the chief secretary of the Canada and Bermuda Territory. She most recently served as the chief secretary for The Salvation Army at International Headquarters. In this podcast, shares her personal story, her perspective on leadership and her hopes for the future of the Army.

Today we are going to talk with Dr. Joel Thiessen, Professor of Sociology, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute at Ambrose University, and Dr. James Pedlar, Donald N. and Kathleen G. Bastian Chair of Wesley Studies, Associate Professor of Theology, Tyndale Seminary about the upcoming 2021 Wesley Studies Symposium that is online this year.  Link to: 2021 Wesley Symposium Signs of Lif...

In this episode, Colonel (Dr.) Wendy Swan speaks with Salvationist podcast about her experience in international service, from Hong Kong to Zambia. Touching on The Salvation Army's mission to "live right while righting wrongs," she explores her calling to officership, the empowerment of women in her territory, and how to build true partnerships across international borders. Salvatio...

Today we are going to talk with Claire Dunmore, territorial community engagement secretary, Lemoy Whilby, Pathway of Hope regional co-ordinator, Lieutenant Renée McFadden, corps officer at The Willows Church and Family Life Centre, Andrea Petkau, caseworker, Pathway of Hope at The Willows Church and Family Life Centre, all of whom participated in the February online town hall entitled “My communit...

Welcome to season 3, episode 2 of the Salvationist podcast. Today we're talking with Captain Jason Dockeray, executive officer to the territorial commander, and project manager for governance, and Sharon Jones-Ryan, who is the change management lead for the Mobilize 2.0 initiative. They're going to share about the new territorial vision statement and the upcoming online events for the en...

Welcome to season 3 of the Salvationist Podcast. Our first episode talks about the new strategic priorities for the Candidates Department and their new Candidates Connect initiative. Today we interview Major Jennifer Hale, secretary for candidates, and Jeff Robertson, accepted candidate and corps leader at Fenlon Falls, Ontario. Road Map for Recruitment Article https://salvationist.ca/articles/roa...

Tharwat Eskander is the generosity and stewardship consultant at territorial headquarters, corps missions resource department. He believes that as Christ-followers, we are called to live generously in all aspects of life and to model God's generosity to others. Major Wendy Mouland is corps officer at Southlands Community Church in Winnipeg. Links from this episode: Generous Living salvationar...

In episode six, Major Heather and Captain Nicholas Samuel, corps officers at London Citadel in London, Ont. uncover how they're using innovation to continue their ministry of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Today we're going to talk with Major Terence Hale, territorial youth secretary, and Major Carson Decker, Maritime division youth secretary, who will offer a perspective on youth ministries in the pandemic.

Today we are talking with Tracy Fattore, chief risk officer for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory, who offers insights on how we have been managing risk during the pandemic. Learn about the process that the territory is using to make decisions about what should be open or stay closed, innovative initiatives in churches and social services, and what the "new normal" will loo...

Today, we are talking with Craig Lewis, territorial secretary for music and gospel arts, who will offer a perspective on worship. He touches on the decline of singing in worship, and offers strategies on how we can increase worship effectiveness. Here is the link to the article mentioned in the episode, https://salvationist.ca/articles/how-can-i-keep-from-singing Here is a link to the territorial...

Welcome to our second episode of "Mission in a Pandemic," a six-episode podcast that will feature insights into how The Salvation Army is adapting as we reopen during the pandemic. Today we're talking with Claire Dunmore, Territorial Integrated Mission Secretary, who will offer a perspective on integrated mission within the social services ministry of The Salvation Army.

Welcome to our second season, this new set of episodes will offer insights into how The Salvation Army is adapting as we reopen during the pandemic. In the coming weeks we have corps officers, youth secretaries, our territorial music secretary, our integrated mission secretary and our chief risk officer all talking about how they have pivoted and continued to serve out The Salvation Army mission d...

Glenn van Gulik is a dedicated leader and strategic thinker. He currently is the Director for Public Relations for Eastern Ontario for The Salvation Army, based out of Ottawa.