New Frontier Publications » Profile

A New Frontier Special Feature “John Gowans_ Remembering the 16th General of The Salvation Army”

AdrianaRivera — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:53:42 +0000

Homecoming

By James Knaggs, Commissioner

Imagine the homecoming in heaven on the day General John Gowans arrived. It must have been amazing. Like the crossing of a marathon finish line or the moment when someone receives a diploma, or perhaps the moment when the person you’re praying with at the mercy seat accepts the love of God for the salvation of his or her soul. I see fireworks, dancing, banners, confetti and more as everyone from the Lord to the Founder, William Booth, along with children and senior saints express excitement that John Gowans is in the glory parade.

Who is this man of God with the dynamic, creative edge that captivated persons and crowds of all cultures and backgrounds? He is legendary. Controversial yet compassionate, imaginative and inspirational, extraordinary and extravagant, divinely discerning and humanly holy. He is my friend as he is a leader with distinction.

Shall we be like him? I don’t doubt that he would say, “don’t do it.” And he would be right, as there is the one and only John Gowans. He would bid us be like Jesus. That’s what he was doing, and showing. He demonstrated that it’s absolutely possible “to be like Jesus.” We can even do it in the context of our own lives, just like John.

The homecoming in heaven for General John Gowans has just begun. It will go on forever. Whatever hope that rascal, Satan, had for claiming his soul for evil, was lost long ago on the cross of Calvary. We should plan to join the parade some day, just like John. It will be our joy if we’re just like Jesus.

Thank you Lord, for our General John Gowans.

Tribute to General John Gowans

By Linda Bond, General

What an honor it is to pay tribute to an exceptional leader whom I came to deeply respect!

Several times in my travels I have told the story of Hazel, a Salvationist whose testimony I heard in Australia. Her plans to commit suicide were frustrated at every turn. Falling in tears on her bed, she woke in the morning to find herself on the floor with her head resting on the bed. Reaching out to the bedside cabinet for a tissue her hand touched her Salvation Army song book. She pulled it down, and it opened at Song 238.

“Do you sometimes feel that

no one really knows you,

And that no one understands

or really cares?

Through his people, God

himself is close beside you,

And through them he plans

to answer all your prayers.

Someone cares, someone

cares,

Someone knows your deepest

need, your burden shares;

Someone cares, someone

cares,

God himself will hear the

whisper of your prayers.”

There on her knees she prayed to God for forgiveness and, believing he saved her for a purpose, handed her life totally to him. The Lord used that song [by Gowans] as the turning point. She not only lives but lives abundantly with a ministry that is making a difference to a whole community.

Several books could be written on how John Gowans impacted individuals through his songs, poems, preaching and personal engagement. I want to thank God for the man he used to such a high degree to influence The Salvation Army.

There is nowhere I have traveled that his missional statement—saving souls, growing saints, serving suffering humanity—is not woven into the fabric of the territory. It was not a new mission direction but a brilliant yet simple restatement that captured our essence and purpose. And if ever we thought that they were three missions assigned to specific Army groupings, he dispelled that at the International Congress in Atlanta with his imagery of the three-legged stool. Ours is not only a balanced mission but an integrated one. This was not just the poet at work with clever words, this was the seasoned Salvationist whose grasp of God’s mandate, Army history and experience reminded us of our essential calling.

Like Charles Wesley, John Gowans had a gift for communicating the deep things of God, sound theology, in a language that we could all understand. But even more than this, he called us to a fresh perspective on what we believe. How easy it is for any church to slip into a rules and regulation mode and convince itself that God shouts from a distance with displeasure at our weakness. Yet John saw him differently: “Ours is not a distant God, remote unfeeling.”

Human vulnerability was never denied, nor failure excused. His theology rose from our own statements of faith that call us to a Lord who hears the penitent cry and receives, restores and recommissions.

Who of us has not sung “Knowing my failings, knowing my fears…Jesus, recall me, me re-ordain; You know I love you, use me again” and made it a personal confession and prayer? John Gowans’ understanding of the human condition with its weakness and its high aspirations was expressed with the poignant prayer: “Holy Spirit, promised presence fall on me. Holy Spirit make me all I long to be.” This was no wishful thinking. This was strong faith in an amazing God of grace.

Read the full tribute at salvationarmy.org/thegeneral/tributejohngowans.

Former Generals salute a dynamic leader

I first met John in 1970 when I was vice principal of the International College for Officers in London, having recently come from many years in Zimbabwe. John was a delegate, and I soon discovered his warm, exuberant, fun-loving personality. On the other hand, he was a serious, perceptive officer who challenged many of the lecturers with his unconventional ideas. He loved the Army and was totally sure about God’s call to him to be an officer. He could be critical, though wise, about faults in the Army—its culture, administration and procedures, even its principles. Never was he “politically correct,” nor seeking to protect his reputation. I admired his forthrightness and thought, “That is the kind of gifted young officer the Army needs today.”

So I watched his service in the following years, and saw those same qualities in his increasing leadership positions. We had occasional contact. I heard him preach many times, and what a dynamic preacher! Relevant, challenging, ardent and very human. He never failed to “hit the spot”! His gifts were not only in the spoken word; his writings provided the Army wonderful lyrics in the great musicals written with John Larsson, and those insightful poems. A rich legacy.

He was a charismatic leader, and never more so than in the role of General. He was unafraid to introduce measures for the Army’s benefit, but prepared also to change his mind on occasion. For example, as a young officer, he often proposed short-term officership instead of a life covenant. This shocked many Salvationists. However, when General, he did not change the lifelong covenant, but introduced the idea of short-term warranted lieutenancy. That move was productive later in bringing many young people into full-time officership.

He wanted to give Salvationists, both officers and soldiers, the right to be heard, and encouraged them to speak up (e.g. the Mori Poll for all officers worldwide, both active and retired, to express their views on a number of significant policy questions).

Although never having served in a missionary appointment, he was sensitive to the feelings of our people in the developing territories, and appointed many African and Indian leaders as commissioners.

I have always loved the scene in the musical “Blood of the Lamb” when William Booth enters heaven and comes face to face with the Savior. Then the story moves to all the people the Founder had brought to the Lord through his powerful life and service. I can imagine the same scene of rejoicing when John Gowans met his Lord and Savior face to face.

—Eva Burrows

SERVED AS GENERAL 1986-93

Unique is certainly an understatement in reference to the personality and ministry of John Gowans.

From his cadet days to his term as General his officership was marked by creativity and vision. His almost theatrical personality marked his poetry and writings. This was clearly evident in the contemporary musicals of Gowans and Larsson.

Throughout his years of ministry his humor was infectious and so often brought an up-to-the-minute application of God’s Word.

John made an outstanding contribution to the work of the kingdom in general and the Army in particular. We thank God for his life.

I count it a privilege to be numbered among the many friends of John Gowans.

—Bramwell Tillsley

SERVED AS GENERAL 1993-94

General John Gowans was surely one of the most creatively gifted and passionately committed Salvationists ever to heft the Army banner. His transparency, humanity, and unique capacity to articulate the heart of the gospel and the essentials of Salvationism, both in his poetry and preaching, set him apart.

He was a daring leader. He was an Army original who, while totally committed to our mission and appreciative of its classic expression, resisted to the end being trammeled by tradition. There poured from his full heart a lasting legacy of song that will stir the hearts of Salvationists for generations to come.

One day some will ask, “Who was this man who understood us so well—our soul struggles and aspirations and who breathed our hearts’ desires so compellingly?”

“You should have known him,” will come the reply. “John Gowans, Salvationist extraordinaire!”

—Paul Rader

SERVED AS GENERAL 1994-99

My first contact with John Gowans was when I was drafting the legal constitution for the new European Training College in Basle, Switzerland. The General selected one of three territorial commanders as first chairman of the corporate governing council. Gowans was chosen. I liked his relaxed way with me in those days. He offered encouragement.

The Gowans came to us in Pakistan when Helen and I were the territorial leaders. Gisele was warm and gracious. John was brisk and very focused on the next duty in the schedule. He poured huge energy into preaching and coped well with the impact of being translated into Urdu. Later we welcomed them to the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory during their final overseas tour as our leaders. We were glad they came.

I have been deeply grateful to have verses/music from Gowans/Larsson to use in meetings. The Army has been able to sing truths expressed in modern, accessible language. These songs will live on.

—Shaw Clifton

SERVED AS GENERAL 2006-11

BY JOHN LARSSON, GENERAL (Ret.)

“These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” asked the elder. And the author of Revelation replied that he didn’t know. So the elder answered his own question: “These are they,” he said, “who have come out of great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14 NIV).

Well, you’re one of them now, John. The elder was speaking about you when he answered his own question with those words.

Out of great tribulation

You have come out of great tribulation, John. Gisèle and John-Marc and Christophe and others of us here this afternoon have watched as you have gone through tribulation in recent years. The whole Salvation Army family has been saddened—and thousands have been praying for you, John.

We thank God that you have been at peace in yourself during these years. And though we are now saddened by your leaving and wish you were still with us, we are comforted by the knowledge that you are now free from the earthly limitations of mind and body. The perishable has been clothed with the imperishable (1 Cor. 15:54). And for that we can only thank God.

Now, if the elder asked me that same question—“These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I would say: “Sir, I don’t know them all, but I know the one standing over there just in front of the throne of God. His name is John Gowans, and I know who he is and where he has come from.” And I would tell the elder all about you, John.

I would tell him how loved you were here on earth and how greatly you are already missed. I don’t think you can imagine how many people in the Army world feel a sense of loss at your going. A great crowd of them are here today.

Why we will miss you

I would tell the elder that you are going to be missed for your laughter, John. It symbolizes that cheerfulness and positive attitude that characterized you. Do you remember when you used to come to our home when our two boys were very young? When you laughed out loud they would be so frightened they would go and hide! But their reaction was not typical, let me add—everyone loved you for your laughter. How often when you walked into a room you lifted the spirit of those who were there. The sun came out.

I would tell the elder that you’re going to be missed for your creativity, John. Your songs are sung around the world—and are blessing people, lifting their spirits, and helping them to know God better. And they will be for years and years to come.

I’m going to miss those times we spent together when creative ideas just flowed. Do you remember that day in Cleveland, Ohio, when the musical “Spirit!” was born? We had set the day aside to try to get ideas for a new musical. We were staying in someone’s home. I can still see the sun streaming in. And then the ideas began to flow—and they just kept on flowing. We felt excited as one idea gave birth to another. We laughed—we almost cried.

When talking to audiences about our musicals, you and I have often said that when we arrive in heaven and the Book of Life is opened, we will find that we have influenced more people through our songs than through our main appointments. You have arrived there now, John. Have you had a chance yet to look in the Book of Life? When you do it will warm your heart, of that I am absolutely sure.

I would tell the elder that you’re going to be missed for your courage, John. Do you remember that we followed you as the corps officers of Bromley Temple? Terry Reardon, one of the older saints of the corps, used to say to us with a smile when we visited them: “John Gowans—the breaker up of concrete”—and he would tell us how you had brought new thinking and change to the corps.

You remained a “breaker up of concrete” through the years. When I was your Chief of the Staff, we would be discussing some proposal that was likely to please some but upset others: “Let’s do it!” you would say. You were always ready to break some more concrete.

I suppose you know, John, that many thought you were a prophet but also a bit of a rebel. No sensible High Council would ever elect you to become General, it was said. You were too dangerous—goodness knows where you might take the Army. But the 1999 High Council took the plunge—and what a blessing for the Army that it did.

And you had the courage to be yourself, John. The Army never took you over. The rest of us dutifully wore our caps—but not you! You are going to be missed for your courage.

I would tell the elder that you’re going to be missed for so many other things, John. You are going to be missed for your preaching—that marvelous gift you had for lifting us to the heights, with humor and pathos and drama, and then reaching right into our hearts with your challenge. And you’re going to be missed for your vision for the Army and your passion for mission—you knew where we as an Army should be heading and what as an Army we should be doing.

And I would tell the elder that you are going to be missed most of all for your warmth, for your caring, and for your gift for friendship—for your humanity, John. You were a pioneer hugger! When most settled for a handshake, you didn’t. It spoke volumes. A John Gowans hug symbolized the warmth of your personality.

As your Chief I used to see you spending many hours writing by hand what seemed endless numbers of cards to people you were befriending and counseling—and they loved you for it.

Just this week someone told me that when he was young and worked at territorial headquarters you would sometimes give him a lift home. These journeys lasted an hour, and he told me of the impact your conversations together had on his thinking, his character and his spiritual sensitivity. “Every conversation with John was uplifting,” he said, and then added: “To know him was to love him.” Another emailed from Australia this week and said, “Everyone here thought of him as a personal friend.”

Speaking for myself—I am going to miss you as a creative partner and friend. Do you remember the journey home from Dallas,Texas, where we had recorded you reciting Vachel Lindsay’s poem, “General William Booth Enters into Heaven”? It was a night flight—10 hours or so—and we talked all the way home to London. We probably kept some of the other passengers awake. But it was inspirational!

And of course, the people who will miss you most will be Gisèle and John-Marc and Christophe. To them you were not only a loved husband and a father. You were their best friend.

There is so much I could tell the elder about you, John, and where you have come from—but I can imagine him saying to me “Enough, enough—we will get to know John for ourselves up here—he has already made an impact.” And I can hear you laughing out aloud at that up in heaven.

A white robe

But I am reminded that when the elder asked, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” he himself answered the question in two ways: He said, firstly, that you had come out of great tribulation, and then, secondly, that you had washed your robe and made it white in the blood of the Lamb.

That was your testimony here on earth, John. There was no doubt about it. You had been to Jesus for the cleansing power; you were washed in the blood of the Lamb. We praise God for that.

But what was it like to receive your new white robe in heaven? Was it like Vachel Lindsay describes?

“Jesus came from out the court-house door,

Stretched his hands above the passing poor.

And in an instant all that blear review

Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.

The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled,

And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world.”

Is that how it was for you, John? It must have been! The John Gowans we always knew—released from all earthly limitations—standing clad in raiment new in the glorious presence of God.

Never again will you hunger;

never again will you thirst.

The sun will not beat upon you,

nor any scorching heat.

For the Lamb at the center of the throne

will be your shepherd:

He will lead you to springs of living water.

And God will wipe away every tear

from your eyes (Rev. 7:16-17).

We are so glad for you, John. Thank you, Lord!

A personal Remembrance

By George Church, Colonel

Much has been written about General John Gowans, but everyone seems to agree that he was certainly not a typical Salvation Army officer!

I met John for the first time 60 years ago while visiting my officer parents in Bielefeld, West Germany, where he was doing his mandatory national service. I was stationed nearby in the Royal Air Force.

To quote from John’s book: “Among the discoveries I made as an 18-year-old lad…was the Red Shield Club for military personnel. It was a beautiful center led by Majors George and Florence Church, whom I learned to know and love.”

John volunteered to assist my mother with teaching Sunday school. Later, he mentioned that it was my parents who backed him for Salvation Army training college in London, and that my mother measured him for his first Salvation Army uniform.

In 1968, while my wife and I were stationed at Los Angeles Congress Hall, John and Gisele visited us and conducted various meetings around the territory. Again John caught our attention with his “flamboyant style of dress” and dynamic preaching that could get across a point in a shorter time than anyone I know. John and Gisele also participated in music camp that year at Mt. Crags and presented the first part of the (then) unfinished musical, “Take Over Bid.”

Most of the musicals were presented by the Southern and Northern California divisions, and John returned several times to participate in productions. He appeared in “Glory” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and “Blood of the Lamb” at the 1980 National Congress in Kansas City.

After the Gowans were appointed to the Western Territory, a new musical was commissioned in 1983, our centennial year. “Son of Man!” was a great success, as well as “Man Mark II,” which premiered at the 1985 International Youth Congress in Macomb, Ill.

We became near neighbors again during one of our sojourns at territorial headquarters and spent many hours on numerous boards—John’s explosive laughter still echoes through the corridors and board rooms of Crestmont.

Commissioner Norman Howe intersperses some personal reflections into Gowans’ poem “Prospects”

O Lord…for my friend John…

I’m not afraid to die,

Why should I be?

This body’s not imortal,

Not like me!

The fabric must wear out

For sure some day,

Without regret

I’ll throw the thing away.

There’ll come a time,

This “house” beyond repair,

You’ll find me better

Lodgings, Lord, elsewhere.

I might wish I had fuller information

About the coming life’s accommodation!

But death’s my friend, why greet him with a frown?

He’s only Life dressed in another gown!

The authentic voice of John Gowans! I first heard it in the old Camberwell Citadel on Good Friday 1956—full-throated, enjoying the moment, even then challenging the status quo—as Cadet Sergeant Gowans recited, “O glory of the lighted mind.” It has been resounding in my ears ever since through well over 50 years of close personal friendship. In public he always sounded confident yet never lacking in humanity…

You let some funny people work for You!

And your disciples are a motley crew!

The limited, the damaged and the lame

Do daily wonders in your holy Name.

They’re far from perfect; You don’t seem to mind.

They’re far from worthy and You’re far too kind!

You still prefer, I note with glad surprise,

To use the weak things to confound the wise!

Whilst we value John’s skill with words, his verse (and the musicals which it enlivened) are just a small part of his impact on The Salvation Army. When I traveled the world for him (defending his policies!) again and again I heard the words, “He gave me permission to be myself.” That is the true estimate of his Christian leadership. But if you want to capture the very heart of him…

Please let me be extravagant in what I give or do.

I want to spend my everything and all my time for You.

Not penny-pinching, miserly,

Not keeping strict account;

Investing all I have and then

Forgetting the amount!

If, feeling sorry for myself

I start to count the cost,

Then I shall be the poorer—

What I’ve gained will all be lost.

O Lord when I begin to stray

From dedication’s track,

Remind me of the way You gave

And I’ll hold nothing back!

That’s how he lived…until he had nothing left to give…and all we could do was to care for the husk that remained. Of course there is a price to pay for such intensity, and a darker side known only to the closest family and friend. Underneath there was a deep and continuing vulnerability, a need for reassurance, understanding and affirmation…

Thank You for love,

For it makes sense of life

And gives it meaning.

Without it life is pointless pain and

Senseless scheming.

A Man unloved is not worth very much.

He hobbles through life on a broken crutch.

But when he knows that someone really cares,

He holds himself erect, he acts, he dares!

Thank You for Your love

It brings me hope again;

Makes beaten cripple

Into noble men!

Thank you for loving him, Giselle. And how much loved he was…dear John, General John…this much-loved, most-loved leader…John the Beloved…I love you mate, always have, always will…

O Lord

Is this the end?

Should I be scared of my friend Death?

No! I’m prepared,

I’m quite at peace,

From fear set free,

Convinced of continuity

In Christ…In Christ…In Christ!

See you soon…Norman

—Commissioner Norman Howe

A Prescott soldier’s life of service

AdrianaRivera — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 22:05:19 +0000

Earl Melvin Richwine Photo by Les Stukenberg (The Daily Courier)

By Sandy Moss

Eighty-nine-year-old Earl Melvin Richwine has a bad knee, one hearing aid and walks with a cane, but otherwise, he’s in good shape. He remembers with crystal clarity things decades in the past and his eyes light up with genuine good humor as he tells his stories.

Born Oct. 20, 1922, in Prescott [Ariz.], Richwine has spent the bulk of his years serving the local Salvation Army.

“Mother took me to the corps when I was 3 weeks old and I just kept going,” he says.

In 1929, at age 7, Richwine enrolled as a junior soldier. That year, his mother also taught him to play the cornet. When he was a senior soldier in 1939, he went to the World’s Fair in San Francisco with The Salvation Army’s Border Divisional Band.

Music has been as constant as the Army for Richwine. In sixth grade at Washington School some students persuaded him to come play at the high school across the street, as they needed more band members.

“So there I was at 13, playing with the regular Prescott High School Band,” Richwine says, still seeming a bit surprised.

At almost 90, he still plays in The Salvation Army band every Sunday.

“It would probably fold if I didn’t,” he says, laughing.

When World War II came along, Richwine attended an aircraft mechanic school at Prescott’s Love airport, where he earned a Class A airframe mechanic’s certification. He soon got a job at an aircraft plant in San Diego building wings for B-24s and PBY water-capable planes.

While there, Richwine joined with a six-piece Salvation Army band.

“They needed a drummer, so that’s what I played,” he said, along with the baritone, E-flat bass, and a gigantic sousaphone.

“I’d be completely exhausted (carrying the tuba) by the time we’d march eight blocks to the San Diego plaza,” Richwine recalled, where they played for the thousands of soldiers milling about.

In 1944, Richwine was drafted into another army: the U.S. Army Infantry. He reported to San Pedro, Calif., and was inducted at the same time as actor Mickey Rooney and comedian Red Skelton.

On Christmas Day, the U.S. Army sent him to war in the Philippines.

Even during the war, Richwine was reminded of his Salvation Army roots. Every evening aboard a ship heading to Okinawa, the soldiers would gather on the fantail and sing hymns—from Salvation Army song books.

Immediately after arriving in Okinawa, Richwine and his unit were engaged in heavy combat. One day, a mortar hit close by. It knocked him out and when he regained consciousness, his helmet was lying some distance away with a silver-dollar-size hole drilled out of its side.

Not long afterward, Richwine was looking for enemy troops on a small rise when an artillery shell landed behind him, throwing him into a nearby hole. Reaching to pull himself out, he found that only a portion of his right hand remained.

Hauled back to a field hospital tent, Richwine missed the boat that took the wounded soldiers out to sea at night for safety, leaving him and a nurse behind. When an air raid siren screeched in the night, she took Richwine to a safe place nearby and lay over him to protect him.

“I’ve always had a soft place in my heart for nurses,” he said, tearing up at the memory.

Years later that experience served as the impetus for his weekly social calls to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Prescott. For more than 20 years, at 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of every month, Richwine would visit every single hospitalized GI there and take them cookies.

“That’s why I liked to go to the VA,” he said. “I’d been in a hospital and knew what it was like.”

Upon arriving home after the war, Richwine found his mother had used the money he’d sent to support her to set up a self-serve Laundromat. Alice eventually moved it to Granite Street as a full-service laundry where her son settled in to work.

In 1952, he married a friend of his sister’s named Alma. They had two children, Leah and Arthur. Alma died in 1979 from multiple sclerosis.

Richwine owned and ran the Prescott Laundry for 56 years until he had triple bypass surgery in 2000 and closed the laundry for good.

During all those years, he continued to volunteer at The Salvation Army.

In 1951, he was commissioned as Prescott’s corps treasurer. In 1955, he became the young peoples’ sergeant-major.

“My favorite job was working with the young people,” he said. “I like kids. I wore out three of my own vans picking them up to take them to church or outings.”

In 1966, The Salvation Army gave Richwine the William Booth Award for his service with the youth. In 1972, he was commissioned as the corps sergeant-major, a position in which his mother had served. It’s still Richwine’s job at the corps.

“I’ve been doing it for 40 years. Mother did it for 50. I’m running out of time to catch up,” he said, jokingly. “I’m the oldest person at the corps and people know it. That carries a certain distinction.”

In 1986, Richwine received his 50-year pin for half a century of Salvation Army service.

“I like being around people and working with them,” he said. “It’s a great way of helping people.”

The biggest thrill of his life, though, Richwine confides, was at that 1986 event when he bore his testimony.

“A thousand people gave me a standing ovation,” he recalled—a standing ovation for a life of service.

Richwine is known as a devoted soldier. That’s quite a legacy, he thinks.

And what is this good soldier’s philosophy?

“Live how God wants you to,” he says. “Depend on him and he’ll take care of you. He does a good job.”

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier

My first year as an officer “One year down, 38 more to go”

AdrianaRivera — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:01:25 +0000

Lts. Matthew and Vanessa Jensen

By Matthew and Vanessa

Jensen, Lts.

Lts. Matt and Vanessa Jensen are corps officers in Ventura, Calif. Their first assignment was in Santa Maria, Calif., as assistant corps officers.

Matt: They want us to write about our first year as an officer. Man, what a ride!

Vanessa: Where do we even begin? We could start with the vacation Bible school (VBS) story or that gang leader of yours.

Matt: VBS story? Do you mean the fact that 30 kids gave their lives to Christ that day?

Vanessa: Well, yeah, there’s that, but I mean when that homeless man came in with a huge gash in his leg while we were decorating. We stopped everything to search for our first aid kit. I remember kneeling on the floor, wiping away massive amounts of blood, all while hugely pregnant and highly nauseated!

Matt: That pretty much sums up officersOctoberhip doesn’t it? One of the biggest ways I saw God move in my first year was when I made friends with a local gang leader. After talking with him throughout the course of a few months, he decided to leave the life and get right with Christ, eventually becoming a godly father to his kids. It’s so awesome the Lord allowed me to be a part of that.

Vanessa: God really let us be a part of a lot of things, though personally I don’t think I was prepared for most of them. Like Praise Team, for example. I had never led praise and worship and yet when the team leader went off to college, there I was! I was scared out of my mind because I’m not a musical person, but it was so fulfilling to help mold the group and then train a leader after me. I really miss that now.

Matt: You had me at “prepared.” Being prepared for officership is like being prepared to wrestle a hungry lion while wearing a steak suit! I must have missed the Crestmont class “How to talk someone out of suicide,” and yet one month in and there I am doing exactly that.

Then because the Holy Spirit likes to show off, I ended up leading that wonderful man to Christ an hour later. Can we really be prepared for stuff like that, which seems to happen over and over again? Definitely not. But it’s an awesome ride that continues to humble me like nobody’s business.

Vanessa: I have so many more memories, it’s hard to pick my favorite. I loved working with the youth and the Home League. I loved communicating with those deaf ladies too.

Matt: Oh yeah! The ones that came through the lunch line every day at the corps.

Vanessa: I always wondered what God was going to do with my one sign language class that I took in college ages ago. And BAM. God says “I can use all skills for my glory.” I looked really ridiculous trying to communicate in my broken sign.

Matt: You were rockin’ it for the Lord and I was quietly hoping my gang leader friend wouldn’t think you were throwing up gang signs!

But overall, one year has passed and we’ve experienced a lot. I imagine we’ll be able to write books to fill an entire library by the time we retire.

Vanessa: When do we retire again?

Matt: Thirty-eight more years, my friend. Thirty-eight more years.

Vanessa: Awesome!

Two territories salute Griffins in retirement

AdrianaRivera — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:17:28 +0000

Western officers Colonels Terry and Linda Griffin retire from appointments in the Southern Territory.

By Dan Childs

Western Territory officers Colonels Terry and Linda Griffin recently entered honored retirement after 42 years of service in The Salvation Army. They served most of their careers in the West; however, their most recent appointments took them to the Southern Territory, where they served five years as chief secretary (Terry Griffin) and territorial women’s ministries secretary (Linda Griffin).

Family and friends from both territories joined them on June 3 to celebrate their retirement with a dinner and ceremony at the Cobb Energy Center for the Performing Arts Ballroom in Atlanta, Ga.

The Griffins received a certificate of retirement from Commissioner David Jeffrey, Southern territorial commander. Commissioner Ronald Irwin, former Western territorial commander, spoke words of tribute to the Griffins and challenged them to approach their retirement as “your next appointment,” and to continue to be active and effective Christian witnesses. Lt. Colonel John Roy Jones presided over the event.

The Griffins’ children Tim (Melissa), Todd (Lavonne), Troy (Heidi) and Melissa (Mark) shared recollections of Griffin family history in a video presentation, and the grandchildren joined in as well, expressing their own best wishes and congratulations to their grandparents. Following the video, the Griffins’ children also honored their parents in a special song.

Both Terry and Linda Griffin are the children of Salvation Army officer parents. They entered training from the Seattle Temple Corps and were commissioned with the Undaunted Session in 1970. They were corps officers for 10 years, serving in Washington and Hawaii before an appointment of four years in youth ministry in Seattle. The next phase of their service took them to Southern California, where they served at the officer training facility and on the Southern California divisional staff. They later returned to the training school as principal and director of special services and campus life.

From Southern California, they were appointed to Alaska to serve as divisional leaders and later to the Pacific Northwest as divisional leaders. Later, they returned to Southern California to serve at Western Territorial Headquarters as program secretary and corps ministries secretary for two years. They were appointed to leadership positions in the Southern Territory in 2007.

In retirement, the Griffins will reside in Castle Rock, Colo.

From Southern Spirit

• NEW FRONTIER EXCLUSIVE • An interview with the General

AdrianaRivera — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 04:05:42 +0000

By Robert Docter

Roughly 14 months since General Linda Bond became the international leader of The Salvation Army and just days following her return to the Western Territory, New Frontier sat down with Bond for a wide-ranging interview that included her deep commitment to the mission of the Army and her current role.

Elected General by the High Council in January 2011, Bond assumed responsibilities in April 2011 from her prior appointment as territorial commander of the Australia Eastern Territory. She also served as territorial commander in USA West in the early 2000s.

Before attending the High Council, Bond said she had not entertained even accepting nomination despite urging from several high-ranking officers. Bond said she spent the Sunday prior to leaving for the High Council in prayer. “God spoke clearly to me about being open to him, and not being inflexible,” she said. It was no Damascus Road experience as she had previously said she would need. “I was reminded of Samuel missing the voice of God because it was an ordinary voice and of Elijah hearing God in a whisper, not in the dramatic,” she said. “The Lord rebuked me for wanting the dramatic when his leading of me has always been by a whisper or gentle nudge.”

Bond said she received emails from around the world from people providing Scripture verses of encouragement and guidance and some of them felt an urge to pray directly for her. She said there was a sense of God’s leading throughout the High Council process, but nevertheless, she prayed: “Lord if I have this wrong, don’t let me get elected.”

“I do believe, humbly, it’s by the grace of God that I am the General,” Bond said. “He confirms this in his blessing on my ministry during these months and the joy I find in it. I continue to spend a lot of time with the Lord and the Scriptures continue to nourish me and encourage me. The Lord’s command on my life has for many years been ‘be strong and courageous.’ I am a coward at heart so I need him to ask difficult things of me. Obedience to him is the basis of everything I do. I have learned that his commands are his promises and he will give grace in every instance.”

Returning to the West, Bond said, it was heart-warming to have many say, ‘welcome home’.

“During my time here I felt very connected with the officers and soldiers of the territory,” she said. “I was born to be a Salvationist, and I love it. I love the Army because it’s his.”

In speaking of the West, Bond commended the territory for its construction of seven Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers. She recalled delivering news of the $1.5 billion bequest from Joan Kroc to the National Commander and colleagues in territorial leadership. “I’m thrilled to see reports of the progress and of our commitment to Joan’s dream,” she said.

“Upon receipt of our portion of the bequest, we put a plan in place to use the money for its intended purpose, which became the template for the entire country,” Bond said. “We were cautious and careful to fulfill that dream and get it right without being hurried.”

She said we need to continue to keep our focus on “the main thing.”

“Wherever there is a Salvation Army shield, we must take our whole mission to the whole person,” Bond said. “Every item in that mission is a must for anyone or any unit that calls itself The Salvation Army.

“If we take strands of that mission and separate them—giving ‘service to suffering humanity’ to social services, ‘saving souls’ to the ARC, and ‘growing saints’ to the corps—we split the Army,” she said. “We would have ‘salvation’ in our name, but not in our ethos, not in our souls.”

As a leader, Bond said she focuses on relationships.

“Leadership is relational—I want to have people on board with me, to hear what they have to say, to let people fill in the blind spots,” she said. “But I’m also a person who wants to see something done; a leader has to set the course.”

Bond established mission priorities for The Salvation Army from soliciting input from the territories and commands from around the Army world—“One Army, One Mission, One Message”—which she said she will work to emphasize throughout her term as General. Upon retiring in 2014, Bond said she wants to serve as a recruiting sergeant in a corps.

“Relationship building becomes the means by which mission emphasis can happen,” she said.

Ultimately, Bond said, The Salvation Army must continually ask two questions: “Do Salvationists have a heart for the lost and are people being saved?”

Photos by John Docter and Tim Schaal

Warren Johnson named Order of the Founder

AdrianaRivera — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:56:10 +0000

Western Territory Salvationist receives prestigious international award

In the second evening meeting at the Western Territory’s 2012 congress, The Gathering, General Linda Bond conferred Warren C. Johnson with the Order of the Founder award, the 247th such award to be given in the history of The Salvation Army, and the 9th in the U.S. Western Territory.

The Order of the Founder is given to recognize meritorious Christian example, witness and service.

Johnson exemplified this service as business administrator and assistant coordinator for Southern California’s Orange County Command for 33 years, retiring in 2008.

“As a Christian man, Salvation Army soldier and community servant, Warren is a living picture of a whole life devoted to God,” said Major John Van Cleef, corps officer at the Tustin Ranch Corps and Orange County coordinator. “His life is Christian mission, and he’s the kind of man I want to be.”

Johnson served as a police chaplain for the Santa Ana Police Department, representing The Salvation Army, for 13 years. He received the Chief’s Award in 2001 and 2008. He has served as the senior chaplain for the Orange County Fire Authority since May 1997 and led the planning team, which designed the chaplains’ program for the Fire Authority. Johnson retired in 2008 from his position as president of the Southern California Chaplains’ Association, a position he held for eight years. He won the prestigious “Orange County Overachievers’ Award” in 1999 for his work as a Fire Service chaplain, and the Volunteer of the Year award in 2008.

Over the years, Johnson has led the Army’s Orange County disaster response team and assisted with fire, flood and earthquake disasters throughout Southern California. He responded to national emergencies including 9/11, Midwest flooding, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2008, Johnson received the William Booth award for outstanding service to The Salvation Army in Orange County.

“The success of the corps and county operation over the past 30 years can clearly be traced, in part, to the tremendous support and commitment of Warren Johnson,” said Major Lee Lescano, commander of the Sierra Del Mar Division, former corps officer at Tustin Ranch and former Orange County coordinator.

For 21 years, Warren was on staff at The Salvation Army’s National Seminar on Evangelism, and served as a member of General Paul Rader’s (Ret.) 15-member International Spiritual Life Commission that met in London in 1996-98. While traveling throughout the four U.S. territories as an instructor and featured speaker or at weekly services at the Tustin Ranch Corps, Johnson’s lifelong Salvationism and commitment to proclaiming the gospel is clear. He currently serves as executive officer of the Tustin Ranch Band.

“Warren is a man of integrity and has dedicated his service to making his corps and the greater Salvation Army better,” said Colonel David Hudson, chief secretary in the Western Territory. “As evidence, today, Tustin Ranch Corps is one of the largest and most vibrant corps in the Western Territory.”

MEET THE CADETS OF THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST SESSION

AdrianaRivera — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:59:21 +0000

Jeremy Aird

Home Corps: Salt Lake City, Utah

Generation Salvationist: 6th

What brought you to TSA: I was born into the Army.

Ministry/Passions: Rehabilitation, those coming to know Jesus Christ as a Savior from sin

Hobbies & Interests: Chicago Cubs, movies, time with wife

Violet Aird

Home Corps: Salt Lake City, Utah

Generation Salvationist: 5th

What brought you to TSA: I was born into the Army.

Ministry/Passions: Rehabilitation, homeless community

Hobbies & Interests: Crafting, organizing, planning

Jared Arnold

Children: Raymond, Stephen “Jack”

Home Corps: Sun Cities, Ariz.

Generation Salvationist: 7th

What brought you to TSA: I grew up in the Army.

Ministry/Passions: Administration, stewardship, men’s fellowship

Hobbies & Interests: Technology, art

Christina Arnold

Children: Raymond, Stephen “Jack”

Home Corps: Sun Cities, Ariz.

Generation Salvationist: 1st

What brought you to TSA: I met the Army as a young girl through the food box program, and then troops program.

Ministry/Passions: Family programs, youth, seniors

Hobbies & Interests: Crafts, furniture restoration

Marianne Brands

Children: Kenny Keys, Morgan Keys, Noah Keys

Home Corps: Eastside/Bellingham, Wash.

Generation Salvationist: 1st

What brought you to TSA: I met the Army through a basketball program.

Ministry/Passions: Social service, especially with abused women and children; homeless

Hobbies & Interests: Spend time with my children

Javier Castro

Children: Isabel, Genesis, Robert

Home Corps: Santa Ana Temple, Calif.

Generation Salvationist: 1st

What brought you to TSA: My wife’s parents are officers.

Ministry/Passions: Areas where I can be stretched out of my comfort zone; establishing and building relationships in new communities through the gift of encouragement; preaching, singing and teaching

Hobbies & Interests: UFC, working out, reading, cleaning

Irene Castro

Children: Isabel, Genesis, Robert

Home Corps: Santa Ana Temple, Calif.

Generation Salvationist: 2nd

What brought you to TSA: I was raised in the Army.

Ministry/Passions: If I’m helping someone and they’re growing closer to God, it doesn’t matter what I do.

Hobbies & Interests: Spend time with my family and friends, watch movies, shop

Tim Danielson

Children: Timothy, Isaiah, Bradley, Alyssa, Brooke

Home Corps: Fresno Citadel, Calif.

Generation Salvationist: 6th

What brought you to TSA: I grew up in the Army.

Ministry/Passions: Building relationships with marginalized people

Hobbies & Interests: Sports, especially baseball

Diana Danielson

Children: Timothy, Isaiah, Bradley, Alyssa, Brooke

Home Corps: Fresno Citadel, Calif.

Generation Salvationist: 2nd

What brought you to TSA: I grew up in the Army.

Ministry/Passions: Building relationships with marginalized people

Hobbies & Interests: Photography, arts and crafts

Jenny Davidson

Children: Sean-Robert

Home Corps: Whittier, Calif.

Generation Salvationist: 3rd

What brought you to TSA: I grew up as an officer’s kid.

Ministry/Passions: Children, youth, young adults

Hobbies & Interests: Hip-hop music, creative arts, eating rice

*Cadet spouse: Lt. Robert Davidson

Megan DeLapp

Home Corps: McMinnville, Ore.

Generation Salvationist: 1st

What Brought You to TSA: I was invited to Sunbeams by a girl in my neighborhood.

Ministry/Passions: Seeing young people come to Christ, overseas missions

Hobbies & Interests: Photography, sightseeing, reading, writing

Lieutenants JASH—the first nine months

AdrianaRivera — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:59:30 +0000

Lts. Jay and Ashley Koebel at officers’ councils, October 2011.

My first year as an officer

Lts. Jay and Ashley Koebel, “JASH,” reflect on their first nine months as Salvation Army officers. They are corps officers in Oceanside, Calif.

June 2011: “Here’s your appointment. Here’s your spouse. Here’s your corps. Here’s your house…. Our prayers are with you.”

J: The month of June was a whirlwind for us. We had so many life-changing events occur at one time, but we embraced them as quickly as they came at us. Before I could even catch my breath from commissioning weekend, I found myself throwing the rest of my belongings in a box and rehearsing for a wedding—our wedding.

ASH: It was definitely a whirlwind after commissioning, but it began with what seemed like a lot of waiting. First, I waited to be accepted as a candidate. Then, I waited to finish two years of training. Finally, we waited to get married. After June 12, the turbines began turning, the engines started revving, and this machine was up and flying. In one week, we were commissioned, appointed, married and ready to go.

J: Although the honeymoon could have been longer, we were excited to start our ministry together. We wanted to do so much, but we needed to remember to sit back and observe. Meeting the people of the Oceanside Corps was great. We were welcomed and quickly became part of this diverse family.

ASH: I love what we do! This is what I know I was meant to do. There is no denying that there are parts that are not amazingly awesome, but they are usually cushioned in good things. The kids’ programs here have been a fast-paced blast. Oceanside has a great group of teens who are talented and hilarious.

J: People of all ages pull together here, which was helpful during the holidays. Christmas was a doozy! We had a fantastic time but definitely encountered some struggles. I know that we do not baptize in The Salvation Army, but this Christmas was baptism by fire. Not only did I learn a lot about other people, but I learned a lot about myself and how important it is to look at each person individually. Often I got hung up in the organized chaos and neglected to seize those moments of compassion that presented themselves. Christianity is relational—I must remember to share God’s love in all I do, no matter the level of craziness.

ASH: Fire is right! The problem I have when I reflect on Christmas is that I begin to hear and see bells, bell-ringers, vans and van problems. Overall it was a great experience, but if you really want to understand it, you should just volunteer at your corps.

J: Married life is great. I never thought I would get married—then I met Ashley. This big-haired beauty loves to laugh, is passionate about people and is following the plan that God designed for her. Really, what more could I ask for; I married my best friend! Sure, we have had some struggles, but that is bound to happen considering the tornado of momentous experiences we had in such a short time. Every day, we candidly debrief together and pray that God will continue to guide us on this roller coaster.

ASH: Married life is great. I never thought anyone could stand my gigantic hair, or that I could actually get it into a bun, but both things have happened! It is amazing to see how God uses marriage. Jay and I are a good match. We knew it when we were dating, but we depend on it in our ministry. God’s not just using Jay or Ashley—he’s making JASH his vessel.

recent retirements

AdrianaRivera — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:04:11 +0000

Major Charleen Bradley

Major Charleen Bradley entered retirement on Sept. 17, 2011, after 34 years of active duty as a Salvation Army officer. Major Ralph Hood presided at a chapel service at the College for Officer Training, and Commissioners Kurt and Alicia Burger conducted the service of retirement.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Calif., Charleen Lansing and her family were soldiers for many years at the San Francisco Citadel Corps. She received her BS degree in nursing from San Francisco State University in 1967, and an MA degree in Christian Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminar in 2002.

Charleen Lansing married Jim Bradley in 1969. They entered the Training College as part of the Companions of Christ—the first session to complete two years of training at Crestmont—and were commissioned in 1977.

After eight years of corps appointments, they spent another eight years as staff at the College for Officer Training at Crestmont, followed by a divisional appointment in the Southwest Division and then three years as youth leaders for the Western Territory.

Following Major Jim Bradley’s promotion to Glory in 1996, Charleen Bradley returned to the College for Officer Training where she served for 11 years, helping to mold and form men and women to be officers and servants of God. She retired from active officership as assistant secretary for personnel for officer development at territorial headquarters.

Bradley has two sons: Eric and his wife, Adriana, along with grandchildren Grace, Samuel, Benjamin, Joshua and Harmony, live in Murrieta, Calif. Ethan and his wife, Vivian, along with grandson Ezekiel, live in San Pedro, Calif.

Bradley’s retirement home will be in Glendale, Ariz. She gives praise to God for a wonderful journey of faith and his presence along the way.

(See Colonel Dave Hudson’s column for more on Major Bradley.)

The song, not the singer

AdrianaRivera — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:36:03 +0000

By Sharon Robertson, Lt. Colonel

Samuel Logan Brengle’s lasting impact on The Salvation Army and the kingdom of God

Years ago there was a movie based on the Audrey Erskine Lindrop novel, The Bandit and the Priest (aka The Singer Not the Song). The story focused on the reluctant but growing relationship of trust and appreciation between a priest and a young bandit who (as I remember it) in a desperate moment had been forced to accept the priest’s assistance. The priest patiently sought to bring the young man to an understanding and acceptance of the power and love of God; the young man persisted in his conviction that it was the personal qualities exhibited by the priest that made him so effective—the man, not his message; the singer, not the song.

With Samuel Logan Brengle, there can be no doubt that it was the song, not the singer: one cannot look at Brengle’s life, read his writings or the testimonies of those who knew him without coming to the realization that to Sam Brengle, young or old, he, himself, was nothing special—the power of God was.

God, working through Brengle, touched the lives of millions; according to Salvation Army records, more than 100,000 souls were won to the Lord through his ministry. What an incredible harvest! Most of us are happy to think that we may have had the privilege of touching a few lives or winning even a few souls to the Lord.

Last year the Army commemorated the 125th anniversary of that day when young Brengle knelt and accepted the gift God had been waiting to give him—the gift of the Holy Spirit. In that moment of surrender, of total consecration of body, mind and spirit, God came, entering with cleansing, sanctifying power into his life. From that time on, Brengle was God’s man, and according to those who knew him, God made himself evident in his life.

Today’s Salvation Army has been richly blessed through the heritage left by Brengle. His writings have been printed and reprinted for our study. Translations in countless languages have appeared throughout the world—in these days of worldwide digital access, probably more than even The Salvation Army itself is fully aware. Brengle Institutes on holiness are a fixture in nearly every Salvation Army territory; territorial institutes, camps and seminars are spiritual happenings designed by God and our Army leaders to perpetuate the teaching of holiness, with but one purpose: to bring officers and soldiers alike to a point of personal confrontation with the challenge of God to “Be holy, as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16 NIV).

Researching this article convinced me of one thing: Brengle would have been embarrassed and humiliated to think of the Army honoring him, or even thinking of him, except in relationship to his message of holiness before the Lord.

Humility is a difficult concept to understand and accept; when one speaks of God’s having humbled one’s self, it is easy to feel that the testimony is a witness to one’s personal satisfaction in being able to testify to his own humility, and is therefore a testimony to pride rather than true humility. It is hard to accept a claim of humility at face value.

In spite of that fact, it is my belief that, great personage that he was, honored by countless Christians (and many non-Christians) throughout the world, Brengle was honest in his confession of humility, and with good reason to be so: Brengle was absolutely convinced that apart from Christ, he was a man of no great consequence. He knew he had certain personal attributes, and as a young man had hoped to do well as a lawyer; later, after his call to ministry, he had hopes of becoming a successful minister in a large church.

So he might have done, had things gone according to his own plans, but God had other ideas—and had Brengle failed to yield himself totally to God’s plan for his life, we might well have never heard of Samuel Logan Brengle, a gifted speaker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Certainly the Army world of today would not be honoring him as its most gifted proclaimer of the gospel of Christian holiness.

Which brings us to the crux of the matter: Brengle was not concerned about whether or not we respected or admired him; his greatest desire, the thing that would give him the greatest joy, would be to know that God continues to be glorified and lives continue to be changed as men, women and young people yield their own lives to cleansing and empowerment through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. Brengle knew the truth: It’s the SONG that matters, not the singer.

And we agree, don’t we?

Singing the Lord’s song in a strange land

I am reminded of the pitiful cry of the Jews in Babylonian captivity, men and women who had hung up their harps, mourning, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”

We live in a strange land, a land where holiness seems a desirable but unattainable goal, as much a dream as was the despondent Jews’ unbearable, debilitating recollections of the devastated Jerusalem. In a social, political and economic climate where the media and the worldwide web do their best to convince us that fulfillment can best be found in power, self-centeredness, humanism and indulgence, the possibility of personal holiness (or holiness of any kind) seems unthinkable, impossible.

Until we remember: “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NLT). The God who gave a child to a barren woman, the God who caused a virgin to bring forth his own son, is the same God who commanded, “Be holy, because I am holy,” the same God who caused the author of the Book of Hebrews to write, Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14-15 NIV).

A few facts for review (as I see them; I hope you agree!):

According to the Scriptures, holiness is not only possible; it is God’s will for his people.

You and I want to be obedient to God’s will in all things.

God and we want to see God’s Army marching in the strength and power of the Lord,

and in the beauty of his holiness.

Something appears to be missing—we are not seeing the power of God’s Spirit working at full potential.

With total commitment to God, and the sanctifying presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the lives of each and every officer and soldier in The Salvation Army, we, as individuals and as an Army would see victories beyond our greatest imaginings.

Brengle believed that. Through Brengle’s life and ministry God gave us an example of how it could work in today’s world. (Think about it—one man, one God—over 100,000 souls saved and innumerable men, women and children blessed!)

What we need is a battle plan—not a group of administrators of high rank telling us how to go on, but a solid, field-ready battle plan, where you and I DETERMINE to accept the commander-in chief’s challenge (that’s God, not the General, no matter how much we appreciate her) to be filled with his Spirit, and live in holiness and total submission to his will.

Let’s (you and me) declare this the YEAR OF HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. We must not be—we must refuse to be—satisfied until that has become, not just a battle cry, but also a reality. It starts here and now, with God’s people on their knees:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chron. 7:14).

And it continues to here:

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Rev. 12:10-11 RSV).

That can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe it! Receive it! Live it! Sing it out loud!

Do it, and the world will know it, because the power is in the song—the living expression of the Holy Spirit—not the singer. Do it, and to God will be the glory. (Brengle would have liked it, too.)

Samuel Logan Brengle (1860-1936)— soldier and servant

For Samuel Logan Brengle, the only religion worth having was a “red hot religion” ignited by the unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit.

Brengle was born June 1, 1860, in Fredericksburg, Ind., to William and Rebecca Brengle. When he was 2, his father left to fight for the North in the American Civil War, eventually dying from wounds sustained during battle.

His mother remarried, and despite many moves in the Midwest, church attendance was always a priority. At 13, Brengle received Christ as his savior during a series of revival meetings. He became a Bible class leader at 15, and later assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.

An excellent scholar, Brengle attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. After graduating, he briefly served as a circuit preacher of the Methodist Church before enrolling at Boston Theological Seminary.

Salvation Army Founder William Booth visited Boston in 1886. His vision and passion for saving the world inspired Brengle. Soon thereafter Brengle met and married Elizabeth Swift, a Salvationist. Elizabeth died in 1915, leaving Brengle single for the remaining 20 years of his life.

Abandoning the seminary, Brengle traveled to London to pursue officership in The Salvation Army. He joined the Army in 1897 and served for 30 years, becoming the first American born officer to reach the rank of commissioner in 1926. After retiring in 1931, he continued to preach and teach for a couple of years, until his health began to fail. In 1935, General Evangeline Booth inducted him into the Order of the Founder. Brengle was promoted to Glory on May 19, 1936.

In 1947, the first National Brengle Holiness Institute took place near Chicago, drawing Salvationists from around the United States. The gathering became an annual tradition and continues today. In fact, annual Brengle Holiness Institutes are held in many countries around the world.

Brengle wrote, “Holy fire kindles in every soul that lives with him,” believing that as we seek God’s fire we become “burning and shining lights” in a cold and dark world.

He saw The Salvation Army corps as a place where men and women, compelled by the Spirit, could gather to pray for the lost without concern for comfort or convenience, no matter the time of day or night. To Brengle, the corps was a sacred place from which the love and power of God could be communicated to all—entire cities might be energized and “lit up” by the prayer of soldiers who had “caught the flame.”

Once asked for his secret of holiness, he replied: “Keep in the will of God, obey him, seek him daily, waiting at his gates. Read the Bible regularly. Never neglect secret prayer. Keep testifying to the grace bestowed upon you. Help others.”

Books by Samuel Logan Brengle: Love-Slaves, The Soul Winner’s Secret, The Way of Holiness, Heart Talks on Holiness, Helps to Holiness, Ancient Prophets, The Guest of the Soul, Resurrection Life and Power, When the Holy Ghost is Come

—Karen Gleason