In August of 2022, I attended a week-long conference called Western Youth Institute. I didn’t want to go and made up many excuses to get out of it. Looking back now, I’m grateful that I went. For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I was at a place where I did not feel judged but welcomed. My cabin leader, a Revolution Hawaii (RevHi) alumnus, radiated Jesus’s love—which made me want to seek her source of happiness. Towards the end of this conference, someone mentioned a year-long mission trip to Hawaii called Revolution Hawaii. Then, it was on the ride back home when I accepted Christ into my life. 

When I got home, I told my parents about RevHi. I wasn’t sure what the RevHi program was even about. But after seeking attention in the wrong places to experience a sense of peace, I found all that with God in just seconds. Because of this, I knew that God was calling to not go back to my old lifestyle but to go to RevHi. 

The first six weeks in the first semester of RevHi were tough. Being away from home was very difficult. But as time went on, I began to enjoy spending time with God and letting others know how great He is. My prayer life began to feel so intimate and rich. For the first time in my life, I can confidently say that I felt happy. In the second semester, I continued to become more confident.

Around the same time, I was a counselor for a weekend youth conference. On the last day, one of the other RevHi girls and I took the local kids home from the conference. I asked one of them if they wanted to connect their phone and play music. When he connected his phone, it felt like he looked up one of my playlists from my old life. As I spent time with these kids and observed the way they acted and spoke, it reminded me of myself before I accepted Christ. I realized that if God can change my heart in just seconds, He can do that for those kids as well. 

Imagine the change that He can make in a year! All the questions that the kids had asked me were the same questions I asked at the beginning of the year. Now I could answer those tough questions, but I also wanted them to experience the answers for themselves. I wanted them to feel the same peace that I felt. 

Every day (at RevHi), there is something new that happens. Though sharing all my stories is fun and a great way to spread the gospel, I wish everyone could experience it for themselves. I have recently come to understand that people can tell me Bible stories and try to explain them to me, but nothing beats me just reading the story for myself (Galatians 3:2).

By Sthefania Mihilli, Revolution Hawaii alum

What is Revolution Hawaii?

Revolution Hawaii is a one-year community mission and discipleship program. According to their website, it “is designed to encourage, equip and engage Christ followers to get into the fight and win the world for Jesus.” The 360 program trains young adult Christians to live like Jesus and serve those around them. The program includes Bible study, evangelism training, serving Hawaii’s homeless communities and more. 

“For the last 17 years, Revolution Hawaii has been taking inexperienced young people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds and bringing them to Hawaii to be trained and deployed to love their neighbors and grow in their love for God,” explains Rob Noland, Director of Camp Homelani & Revolution Hawaii. “Through this, we have seen lives miraculously transformed, not only in our community, but also in those young adults who attend RevHI.”

To learn more about RevHi, visit revolutionhawaii.org and follow on Instagram @revolutionhawaii.

Behind The Shield Podcast

Want to know what’s happening in The Salvation Army in local communities across the United States? The “Behind the Shield” podcast recently re-launched as part of Soundcast, the USA Southern Territory’s network, “highlighting the work The Salvation Army is doing in communities throughout the USA,” per the website.  

The show, hosted by Ron Day, features interviews with local government officials and pastors, and then concludes with a 10-minute devotional. Recent episodes have included a conversation with a resident of a men’s shelter in Knoxville, TN, an episode with Knoxville City Mayor Indya Kincannon and an episode with Dr. David Crocker. 

Ron Day is the Development Director for The Salvation Army in Knoxville, TN. 

To learn more and listen, visit salvationarmysoundcast.org/bts.

Serving Humanity and Delivering Hope

You probably already know about The Salvation Army Thrift Stores and red kettles, but did you know that the Army provides relief when natural disasters strike? When hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other major disasters hit, the Emergency Disaster Services team is there to provide immediate assistance with food, clothing, shelter and medical services.  

Volunteers also play a crucial role in response efforts by offering basic needs to those who may have lost everything in natural disasters. When a disaster occurs, The Salvation Army sends trained disaster workers to meet the immediate needs of the survivors in the area. “I served on a disaster and have seen how grateful people are to receive aid,” said Marinda Popp, Program Specialist for Emergency Disaster Services.  

Volunteering during emergency situations is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others. By lending a helping hand, you can uplift individuals and families by offering hope and resources. “It’s rewarding to see how much of an impact you can have when you volunteer,” Marinda said. Join The Salvation Army’s volunteer force and become an integral part of the response team dedicated to serving humanity and delivering hope.

By Astrid Gutierrez-Vargas, Digital Communications Intern

We Are Better Together

Salvationists and Army employees from across the country’s four territories gathered in April in Dallas for the Better Together conference. Delegates from Emergency Disaster Services, Social Services and Community Relations and Development came together to learn how to collaborate and be better together. The week-long conference had over 1,800 people in attendance, as well as sponsors, special guests and Salvation Army officers (pastors). There were also Salvationists from more than 20 countries present. At the opening plenary session, Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder had everyone turn to each other and say, “We are better together this week because you are here.” Gen Z was at the forefront of everyone’s minds during the conference because they are vital to the future of The Salvation Army. It was noted that during the pandemic, Gen Z engagement in the Army’s volunteer opportunities skyrocketed, oftentimes topping that of older generations. 

Between the community, the workshops and the spirit-filled atmosphere, Better Together 2023 served as a refreshing retreat, and a reminder of the purpose behind The Salvation Army’s mission and goals.

By David Reardon