Dan Elson is currently the Outreach Mission Partner for Music and Creative Arts in the UK & Republic of Ireland (UKI) Territory.

PEER Can you tell me about your role as Outreach Mission Partner for Music and Creative Arts in the UKI Territory? 

Dan Elson My role was brand new in 2021—I cover the entire UKI Territory and am responsible for advising, training and resourcing those who want to use music or the arts as a tool to reach out into their communities to tell people about God’s love. Traditionally in The Salvation Army, that may have meant performing to others, but we’re getting increasingly creative about using participatory programs to “come alongside” those who don’t yet know about Jesus.

P How do you serve those in need with your role specifically in The Salvation Army? 

DE Everyone is in need of Jesus, so really everything I do is about helping those in need. My role is a little more indirect, as largely I’m focused on supporting those who are on the frontline carrying our God’s Mission where they are. We offer programs that reach out to people living with dementia, suffering from homelessness or who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

P How did you get into music? 

DE I grew up in The Salvation Army and learned to play the cornet at age six. I’ve been involved in music making both within The Salvation Army and beyond my whole life. I’ve been the singer in a gigging rock band, a published composer, a music teacher, a jazz band leader and a singer-songwriter in my varied music “career.” I didn’t get into music—it was already in me. I can feel it in my bones!  

P What was the idea behind using music to reach out to people in the local communities? 

DE The Salvation Army has been using music to reach out to people since the 1800s. What we’re doing is nothing new—but we know that participating in music making, or any other arts activity, gives people an opportunity to engage with The Salvation Army, to develop relationships, to express themselves and to explore new ideas without feeling brow-beaten.

How Can Youth Engage in Outreach In Local Communities?

“I’d encourage anyone, of any age, who has a passion for letting people know about God to use whatever talent they have to do so,” says Dan Elson. “If you can be a part of a community choir, play guitar for a dementia-friendly singing group, host a Bible-themed art group, lead a dance-based fitness class or teach children to play the cornet, then do it! Be prepared to talk about what you believe when people ask questions.”

Words of Life

Looking for a new podcast and to dive deeper in your faith in the New Year? Check out a new series from the “Words of Life” podcast, a podcast hosted by Soundcast, a network of shows from The Salvation Army.  This new series, hosted by Lt. Colonel Dan Starrett, explores the 10 doctrines of The Salvation Army in light of our culture today.  

Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and follow on Instagram @salvationsoundcast.

The Three Shields Boxing Academy

Captains Cristian and Brook Lopez, when appointed in June 2019 to the Topeka Citadel Kansas Corps, saw a need for youth outreach in the surrounding neighborhood. In partnership with the city’s police and fire departments, Captains Lopezes opened The Three Shields Boxing Academy in September 2020, inviting youth ages 5-18 to learn the sport’s fundamentals for free, taught by local adult police and other first responders. 

“Boxing has been shown to increase self-confidence, curb aggression and help an individual focus,” said Captain Cristian Lopez, Topeka Corps Officer. “The Three Shields Boxing Academy serves as a platform to teach participants self-control, management of emotions and aggression, the importance of physical fitness and the basic skills of boxing.” The academy resides in a transformed garage next to the corps with two boxing rings and 19 punching bags, all donated by the community, and large enough for social distancing. 

At time of writing (January 2022), 52 children and teenagers have joined. “This is wonderful, I am very blessed,” said Captain Cristian at the launch event in September 2020. “First of all, I want to give God the glory and thank this community for their support. This is how we make change!” This program helps improve the relationship between first responders and the neighborhood youth and allows local leaders to pray and create deeper relationships with them and their parents. For more information, follow @salarmytopeka on Facebook.

Pathway of Hope

The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program was launched in 2011 to provide targeted services to families wanting to break the generational cycle of poverty and enable a path out of constant crisis. This program aims to have an impact on how poverty affects multiple generations and create better lives of parents and children.  

 To learn more about Pathway of Hope, visit bit.ly/salarmyhope.

The Salvation Army Worship Leaders Conference 2022

This past January, The Salvation Army held the second annual Salvation Army Worship Leader Conference in West Nyack, New York. This conference featured and gathered worship leaders of The Salvation Army across the U.S. and Canada for the purpose of honing their craft and networking with likeminded music ministers. Artists included Outside Worship, Unbound, Erin Morgan, Shalini Danielson and Felipe Concha. Breakout workshops included leading vocals for worship, equipping and expanding your worship team and congregation focus. 

To stay up to date on next year’s conference, visit bit.ly/sawlc.

Northwest Arkansas Echelon Adult Spelling Bee

In early November, with the support of the local Salvation Army, the Northwest Arkansas Echelon chapter (NWA) hosted their first group event: an Adult Spelling Bee!

The event aimed to bring awareness to Echelon NWA. Echelon NWA booked local comedian Raj Suresh to help elevate the event as well as to use his platform for expanding the chapter’s reach. The event was topped off with a giveaway of four tickets to an Arkansas Razorback Football game. 

The event was a success with over 40 in attendance and 11 new members joining Echelon as a result. The group looks forward to making this an annual event of fun in the community. By Luke Brausell and Joey Jackson 

Follow the Echelon Northwest Arkansas chapter @echelonnwa on Instagram for more updates.