THREE QUESTIONS WITH THE GENERAL

1. What is your preferred social media app? 

• TikTok 
• Facebook 
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 

2. What is your favorite sport and your favorite sports team?

• Football, Dallas Cowboys  
• Basketball, Lakers 
• Rugby Union, New Zealand All Blacks 
• Rugby Union, South Africa Springboks  

3. You’re the first general ever to play on the SA Gaming Network. Do you have a favorite video game? 

• Pokémon GO  
• The Legend of Zelda  
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle 
• Mario Kart

Going Deeper with the General

For young people who are interested in marriage, any relationship advice? Any advice to people looking for a future husband or wife? 

Take your time. You will know when you know when you know, right? I know that with my own daughter growing up, I was always keen to reinforce to her how she should be treated and what she should be looking for in a man: honor, integrity, honesty and all these sorts of things. Seek the Lord for wisdom and strength to move beyond physical attraction and take your time to understand a person, what makes them tick, what motivates them, who they answer to, what their goals in life are — these are really important things to explore.

Q&A with General Lyndon Buckingham

National Headquarters Goes On Mission 

Earlier this year, employees and interns at National Headquarters came together to visit Turning Point, a women’s shelter in Washington D.C. 

Employees toured the facility, listened to testimonials from residents and lent their time painting hallways. 

Abigail Mohler, who recently completed a media and marketing internship in the Publications department this past summer, remarks on the volunteer day. “Mission day at Turning Point gave me insight to the valuable work that The Salvation Army does serving women and children! It was so rewarding to be able to help out at Turning Point by painting their hallways. Their mission is impactful, and I enjoyed helping out!”

Inviting New Voices to a Youth Arts Advisory Board

Anyone who spends time around The Salvation Army can tell music and the arts are important to our ministry. It can be a way to connect with people, share the gospel, and most importantly, worship.

And through a new Youth Arts Advisory Board (YAAB) in the Central Territory, it is providing a place for young adults to belong, to be heard, and to speak into decisions that impact them.

Working in collaboration with the Territorial Music and Creative Arts Ministries department, YAAB consists of nine young adults from five divisions who meet four times a year to discuss music programs throughout the territory. Their goal is to contribute to decisions made about music and creative arts programs on behalf of youth and young adults who participate in events like Central Music Institute (CMI) and the Resonate Worship Arts Conservatory. 

YAAB discusses a variety of topics, such as how to make CMI better and more accessible, how to engage with music programs within the divisions, and how to further develop the musical influence across the Midwest. The board members feel empowered to lead and represent their divisions to the best of their ability.

In the last two years, YAAB has become more student led. Members have brought creative ideas to the conversation, led meetings, and expressed the desire to take on more active leadership roles in territorial music events. YAAB strives to make positive changes to these kinds of programs, to bring more people into these spaces and to create a better environment for community building and spiritual development.

By Natalie Shiels

Did You Know?

Did you know that The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program began in Lynchburg, VA? 

The year was 1979. Majors Charles and Shirley White had a mission in mind: to provide Christmas gifts to children in the community who were in need. They began an initiative where an “angel,” or a child in need, makes wishlists of their wants and needs — like toys, clothes, etc. Community members shop for the children, marking an indirect way to give during the holidays. Then the local Salvation Army organizes the gifts and distributes the wrapped presents to the families. 

Since its inception, the program has spread around the country, helping millions of children and their families to have a joyful Christmas. Many businesses and organizations host Angel Tree programs in their offices or stores, encouraging both employees and customers to participate. 

Interested in volunteering or applying for the Angel Tree? Visit salvationarmyusa.org/angel-tree. 

Shelf Life: Crest Books

Looking for an informative and engaging book to read? Curious about the Army’s history? Want to dive deeper into your faith? Peruse some of these titles below. 

The Sanctified Salvationist Showman by Eddie Hobgood: A biography of Captain Joseph “Joe the Turk” Garabed, Lt. Colonel Eddie Hobgood paints a descriptive picture of the life of one of the Army’s most celebrated officers.  

Conversations About Holiness by Bill and Diane Ury: Interested in learning more about holiness and particularly God’s holy love? Bill and Diane Ury share about holy living and the Triune God of Holy Love in this approachable Q+A-style book. 

Holiness Revealed: A Devotional Study in Hebrews by Amy Reardon: This study pulls back the curtain on Hebrews, particularly the ancient Jewish culture and tradition, allowing us to come face-to-face with Jesus. Pick this book up for individual or group Bible study.