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Disturbing The Present
by Captain Brenna Lee
One of the bold statements given by The
Salvation Army’s Co-Founder, Catherine Booth is,
“If we are to better the future, we must disturb the present.”
Historically, we witness, through
testimonies and text of the early days of The Salvation Amy,
the Booths and their soldiers disapproving of the living
conditions both physically and spiritually throughout London.
As a response, the Army’s soldiers creatively met the needs of
those who were hurting. They didn’t develop programmatically
but designed the ministry around two things:
1) Where the people were, and;
2) What the people needed, all for the
glory of God!
Early Salvationists gathered their
resources and, “preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and met
human needs without discrimination.” This ministry included
preaching the Gospel in ‘Open Air,’ feeding the hungry,
clothing the naked, befriending the friendless, cleaning
impoverished homes, and so much more.
As a result, hundreds of people who got saved through
the blood of Jesus, transformed by the Holy Spirit, joined the
fight to continue the Kingdom Advancement throughout the
England and eventually the world.
As a programmer, I understand the joys
that are experienced when our plans go well, and the woes when
they are not executed appropriately. If the year of 2020 has
taught us anything, it’s that our plans are not concrete.
I am beginning to appreciate more and more each day.
How often are we given an actual moment in time where
everything is off the table and were able to step back to
revaluate our ministry? This is our moment!
This is our moment to, “better the
future [of The Salvation Army] by disturbing the present.”
It’s our moment to revaluate and ensure that we are still an
Army firmly founded on the truth of the Old and New
Testaments, with the primary focus to preach the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, while meeting basic human needs without
discrimination (not necessarily through a required program,
but through ministry that is designed around where the people
in need are and what the people we serve need).
So, how do we allow this unusual year
to influence our focus?
I believe it’s an ample opportunity for us, The
Salvation Army, to step back, observe what is necessity and
what is not absolutely required, what has worked and what
needs to be disturbed, in order for a brighter future.
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