Every year, The Salvation Army runs an appeal for funds to support our overseas mission work. The ‘Self Denial Appeal’ challenges us to make financial sacrifices so we have freedom to donate funds to help the Army’s mission in poorer locations around the world (you can learn more at www.selfdenial.info). Last year, The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga raised one million dollars!
This year’s Self Denial Appeal theme is ‘Love Changes Lives’, capturing the truth that when the love of God touches our lives, this translates into practical action to improve the lives of others.
We can summarise The Salvation Army’s reason for being as ‘Heart to God and Hand to Humanity’. Every positive thing the Army has done since our founding in 1865 is because God’s love has spurred people to action. In our early days, this saw us helping alcoholics, the homeless, hungry women and abused children. Today, it’s that and more.
In this edition we take a closer look at the Army’s work with refugees in Greece and Italy. Again: Heart to God and Hand to Humanity.
If you’re overawed by the deep, crisis-level needs of our land—and those beyond our shores, ask God to touch your heart and mind. Ask God to show you what to do. Let God’s love change even more lives, through you! And make giving to this year’s Self Denial Appeal part of your response.
Christina Tyson
Editor
2 Corinthians 5:14 (J.B. Phillips New Testament)
The very spring of our actions is the love of Christ …
2 Koriniti 5:14
E akiakina ana hoki mātou e te aroha o te Karaiti …