Category Archives: Social Justice

2017 Summer Mission Team Apps

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The World Missions Department is pleased to share that the applications for Summer Mission Team (SMT) 2017 are now available.

  • SMT is a leadership development program which invites young people into a deeper relationship with the Lord through participation in a seven-week team missions experience.
  • SMT is available to applicants ages 18-28. Applicants must be 18 by June 12, 2017.
  • All applications and endorsements/recommendations will be completed online this year at centralmissions.org/smt2017. A completed application will include:
    • Online application
    • Corps Officer Endorsement
    • DYS Endorsement & DC (or Divisional Representative) Endorsement
    • Recommendation #1 – completed by a Teacher or Employer
    • Recommendation #2 – completed by a Spiritual Mentor
    • Recommendation #3 – completed by an adult non-relative who can comment on the applicant’s character, spiritual life and work ethic.
  • It is the responsibility of each applicant to distribute endorsement/recommendation forms and follow up with the World Missions Department to make sure all application materials have been received by the February 22, 2017 deadline.
  • The SMT announcement will be made by Friday, March 3. Team members will need to report for SMT March orientation at THQ in Hoffman Estates from March 17-19.

Happy applying!

Lt. Betsy Clark and the Tri-Cities CROP Hunger Walk

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Hunger is an issue that is very important to Lt. Betsy Clark. She’s walking in the Tri-Cities CROP Hunger Walk and needs your help.

Your donations will provide assistance for hungry people in the St. Charles community through The Salvation Army Food Pantry and around the world by supporting Church World Service’s life-saving programs. Join with her to work together to solve this global challenge.

You – yes you! – can make a BIG difference. Visit Lt. Clark’s personal page where you can make a secure online donation. Your gift can help save a life! Her personal goal is $200, and her team, The Salvation Army, hopes to raise $2,000!

To visit her personal page, and to make a donation, click here.

Major Merill Powers on the Today Show!

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Get ready to pull out the tissues! A few days ago, Major Nancy Powers (Program Development Officer at the Freedom Center) surprised her husband in a huge way. Her husband, Major Merrill, thought they were throwing one of their delicious BBQ open houses for the neighborhood. In reality, the get together was to honor him and his life of service to the broken. The surprise included visits from Hoda from the Today Show, and chef Bobby Flay – one of his heroes – and much more.

After watching that, you have to ask yourself. No matter where you are in life, are you living for the glory of God and the service of others?

To read the original article from the people at the Today Show, click here.

Dr. Soong-Chan Rah at DHQ

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soong chan rah

The Family Services ministry of the Metropolitan Division is hosting a workshop with Dr. Soong-Chan Rah of North Park University entitled “Many Colors: The Need For Culture Intelligence In Social Service Ministry”. Here’s why:

The United States is currently undergoing the most rapid demographic shift in its history. By 2050, white Americans will no longer comprise a majority of the population. Instead, they’ll be the largest minority group in a country made up entirely of minorities, followed by Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans. Past shifts in America’s demographics always reshaped the county’s religious landscape. This shift will be no different. In this workshop, Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will explore how God’s people can become more multi-culturally adept. From discussions about cultural and racial histories, to reviews of case-study churches and Christian groups that are succeeding in bridging ethnic divides, Rah provides a practical and hopeful guidebook for those wanting to minister more effectively in diverse settings.

Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah is Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL and the author of The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP Books, 2009); Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church (Moody, 2010); and co-editor of Honoring the Generations: Learning with Asian North American Congregations (Judson, 2012).

Soong-Chan received his B.A. in Political Science and History/Sociology from Columbia University; his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; his Th.M. from Harvard University; his D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and is currently in the Th.D. program at Duke University.

He serves on the boards of World Vision, Sojourners, the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Evangelicals 4 Justice and the Catalyst Leadership Center.

Rah is formerly the founding Senior Pastor of the Cambridge Community Fellowship Church (CCFC), a multi-ethnic, urban ministry-focused church committed to living out the values of racial reconciliation and social justice in the urban context. Soong-Chan has previously been part of a church planting team in the Washington DC area, worked for a number of years with IVCF in Boston (specifically at MIT), and had mobilized CCFC to plant two additional churches.

Soong-Chan, his wife, Sue, who teaches special education, and their two children, Annah and Elijah live in Chicago.

WHAT
Family Services workshop: Many Colors (The Need For Cultural Intelligence In Social Service Ministry)

WHEN
Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (CDT) – Add to Calendar

WHERE
The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division – 5040 North Pulaski Road Chapel, Chicago, IL 60630 – View Map

Registration is $30; 3 CEU’s also available. Salvation Army employees are free, but must register. To register, click here.

Rio 2016 Recap Video

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During the Rio Olympics, the Central Territory sent a missions team down to run VBS’s, build relationships, and spread the Gospel. Since the team has been state side, someone created a recap video, and it’s a good 5 minute watch. You’ll recognize some friendly faces from Metro, and see the other teams that were sent from New Zeeland, Australia, and Canada. Enjoy!

Mayfair P&PN Podcast + Photos

Events, God, Nate's Blog, Prayer & Praise Night, Social Justice, Teens, Young Adults, Youth Leaders

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (56.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

On Friday, January 15, 2016, Justin Rose (Youth Pastor at Mayfair Community Church) spoke a powerful word on faith and justice from Numbers 27:1-11.  The whole focus of the night was exploring the connection between faith and justice, and how justice is ultimately an act of faith because we’re living into a reality that isn’t 100% realized.  Weren’t able to be there in person?  Stream or download the podcast here in this post, or search Metro Youth Network on the podcast app.  You can also check out the photos from the night at Flickr or by using the slideshow below:

Share Your Christmas Joy!

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Share Your Christmas Joy from Salvation Army Media on Vimeo.

The Salvation Army Central Territory Sponsorship Program provides the opportunity for YOU to participate in a different Christmas Tradition this year:

Many children in Salvation Army children’s homes, schools and centers around the world have never experienced the JOY that Christmas can bring. The SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY campaign is designed to give these children that unique feeling of excitement, love and joy that only happens at Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We invite YOU to take part in the JOY that will be experienced by children in need by contributing to SHARE YOUR CHRISTMAS JOY.

For this 13th annual campaign, the goal is to raise $15,000. With these funds, 150 overseas children’s homes, schools and centers will receive $100 each to help celebrate Christmas.

To follow the campaign online and donate now, head to their website today!

General Cox Responds to Paris Attacks

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Following Friday evening’s terrorist attacks in Paris, The Salvation Army’s world leader General André Cox has written these words to Salvationists and friends. One of the most forceful statements comes at the 2:49 mark:

“There will possibly be strong voices within the public sphere calling for vengeful retribution against those who had nothing to do with these atrocities. In some small way the voice of the Church, of you and I, can call for added grace and care in these days. We can bring light into the gloom.”

In keeping with the prayers we offer at Prayer & Praise Night as a body, let us pray “Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.”

Apply for Summer Mission Team 2016

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We are pleased to share that applications are now available for Summer Mission Team 2016! SMT is a leadership development program which invites young people into a deeper relationship with the Lord through participation in an eight-week team missions experience.

Please see below for more information, including qualifications, requirements and deadlines.

  • SMT is available to applicants ages 18-28. Applicants must be 18 by June 13, 2016
  • All applications will be completed online 
  • In addition to the online application, applicants must distribute the following endorsement/recommendation forms, available on the application website (as pdfs or electronic/online forms):
    • Corps Officer Endorsement
    • DYS Endorsement & DC (or Divisional Representative) Endorsement
    • Recommendation #1 – completed by a Teacher or Employer
    • Recommendation #2 – completed by a Spiritual Mentor
    • Recommendation #3 – completed by an adult non-relative who can comment on the applicant’s character, spiritual life and work ethic.
  • It is the responsibility of each applicant to distribute endorsement/recommendation forms and follow up with the World Missions Department to make sure all application materials have been received by the February 17, 2016 deadline.
  • This year we will have 5 Summer Mission Teams – 3 overseas teams, 1 Central Territory Team, and 1 CAST (Creative Arts Service Team). CAST will be organized in cooperation with the Territorial Music & Gospel Arts Department.
  • All applicants will complete the same application, but those interested in CAST will be required to submit additional application materials and a video audition at a later date.
  • The deadline for all application materials is February 17, 2016.