The Canada and Bermuda Territory currently has about 9,300 employees spread across hundreds of ministry units, making up a significant amount of the leadership in the Army today. So how is our territory equipping our employees for success? And how can we better harness the skills and diversity in our ranks? On this episode of the podcast we’re sitting down with Paul Carew, who is the leadership development secretary for Canada and Bermuda, and a lifelong Salvationist. We look at h...

For Women’s History Month, Salvationist is spotlighting inspiring Salvationist women from across Canada and Bermuda, so we're delighted to welcome Dr. Lucinda McQuarrie to the podcast. Dr. Lucinda is a lifelong Salvationist and a medical doctor in Langley, B.C. On this episode we talk about her faith journey—from being an officers’ kid, to her current ministry as a lay leader at The Salvation Army’s Willows Church and Family Life Centre. And we explore how she lives out her faith in her...

As we prepare to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we sit down with Corinne Peterkin, who is the Indigenous liaison at The Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in Winnipeg. Corinne shares some of her own personal story as a Sixties Scoop survivor, and she walks us through the many ways the Centre of Hope is living the journey of reconciliation today. As she notes, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is not a one-day thing, and she offers some really helpful, pr...

What started as a fun hobby for Captain Matthew Trottier has become a meaningful ministry as he uses his magical talents to share the gospel message. As "Major Magic," Captain Matt proves that anything can be used for God’s glory—even a rabbit in a hat. Major Magic will be performing at Oakville Community Church's Fall Family Carnival this Saturday, September 13, 2025. Visit their Facebook page for more information: Facebook Page

This summer, John Lam retires after 30 years of ministry with the Canadian Staff Band, including 17 years as bandmaster. As he wraps up his time with the band, Lam reflects on his life and faith, from his life-transforming experience at National Music Camp, to a time of personal tragedy and how God has been faithful to him, to some of his most memorable experiences with the staff band, and why music is still critical to the Army’s mission today. Canadian Staff Band website This episode feat...

In The Salvation Army, it’s common to have specific appointments for women’s ministries, as well as for children and youth. But in many places, there is no equivalent position for men’s ministries. Not so in the Ontario Division, where Captain Josh Howard is the divisional men’s ministry resource officer, along with his appointment as corps officer in Orillia. On this episode of the podcast we talk about the importance—and uniqueness—of men’s ministries, the male loneliness crisis, and ...

About 50 percent of Gen Z in North America identify as "nones," meaning they don’t have any religious affiliation. The big question is: why? Why have so many left the church? And for those who haven’t, why have they stayed? This episode features a roundtable discussion with Major April McNeilly, who has been researching Gen Z and Jesus for her master’s degree; and her daughter Rebekah McNeilly, a Gen Z Salvationist who works in the corps mission department at territorial headquarters an...

In Uniacke Square, a public housing neighbourhood in Halifax, you’ll find a Salvation Army centre that doesn’t look much like a Salvation Army centre, aside from the sign out front and the bright Red Shield. Occupying three adjoining rowhouses, Open Arms Halifax offers a second home for many residents. It’s a place to belong, to receive support, and to experience the love of Jesus in practical ways. And given that two-thirds of the population of Uniacke Square are under the age of 25, it shou...

"Together we can move mountains, one hill at a time." That's the motto of Pink Days, a new program at The Salvation Army in Surrey, B.C. Through Pink Days, the Army supports women of all ages and stages, with a particular focus on mothers and newcomers who may not have established networks in their new home. Major Diane Cross, corps officer at Surrey Ministries, gives us an overview of the program and why it fills an important need in their local context. And Xiomara shares her personal...

The Salvation Army has always had a flair for the dramatic. Drama, in its various forms, has been a part of our ministry since the beginning. But why? What did the Founders and Salvationists since then understand about the power of this art form that has kept it alive in the Army for more than 150 years? How did we get from Evangeline Booth’s pop-up street performances to modern-day musicals and TikToks? For this episode, we sit down with Wendy Woodland, a Salvationist from Corner Brook, N.L....

From its beginning, The Salvation Army has been committed to gender equality. And in many ways, we have lived up to this commitment, and our women officers have flourished as ministers and leaders. But in some areas, gender inequity persists and there is more work to be done. On this episode, Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander for Canada and Bermuda, and Lt-Colonel Wanda Vincent, gender equity officer, have an honest conversation about where we’ve succeeded with gender equity and ...

Today's kids and teens have never known a world without the internet or smartphones. And while there are many benefits to online life, there are also risks. Kids who spend more time on screens are more likely to show symptoms of anxiety and depression. And a recent study of Ontario teens found that one in five had experienced cyberbullying. So, there are many reasons for parents, youth leaders and pastors to be concerned. But there’s a lot we can do to keep kids safe online. On th...

As executive director of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in Winnipeg, Greg Kyllo leads by example. He has experienced addiction first-hand, having struggled with alcoholism for many years. Now sober for 19 years and a member of The Salvation Army's Heritage Park Temple, Greg shares his personal journey, his professional insights into sobriety and an encouraging message for those who might be struggling. "Recovery isn't just possible," says Greg. "It's probable." Listen to our previous episode ...

Every year, many people participate in something called “Dry January,” a recent trend where people give up drinking for the month. For some, it’s a kind of post-holiday detox; for others, it’s an opportunity to rethink their relationship with alcohol generally. The Salvation Army has long held a sober stance on alcohol. But where does that position come from? And how is it still relevant today? In this episode, two Salvationists share their perspectives on the topic. The first is Dr. Ad...

Located on the outskirts of St. John’s, N.L., on the east coast of Canada, Conception Bay South is a small town of about 27,000 people. But thanks to a thriving live-stream ministry, the reach of the local Salvation Army corps goes far beyond the bounds of the town, as tens of thousands of people tune into their Sunday services each week. The reach is enormous—and so is the impact. Majors Chris and Claudette Pilgrim, the CBS corps officers, and Lindsey Andrews, live-stream ministry co-ordin...

The commissioning and ordination of new lieutenants is one of the most exciting events on the Salvation Army calendar. But what happens after our new officers march out of the sanctuary and into their first appointments? Lieutenant Krishna McFarlane was commissioned in 2023, and is now the corps officer at Living Hope Community Church in Winnipeg. In this episode, she talks about her first year of officership—how she and her son have navigated the transition; how the church has welcomed her ...

Though Colonel Wendy is a Canadian officer, she is a true citizen of the world, having spent most of her officership in appointments around the globe. And she’s a passionate advocate for social justice, drawing on years of front-line experience, as well as her own theological studies. Colonel Wendy is currently the director of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission, along with her husband, Colonel Ian. She’s also a member of the Army’s International Theological Council...

Whether hurricanes or wildfires, floods or other crises, The Salvation Army has a robust emergency disaster services (EDS) ministry across the Canada and Bermuda Territory and beyond. As the EDS director for the British Columbia Division, Ian Pollard has responded to emergencies large and small. And for his service following the massive floods in B.C. back in 2021, he received an Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award from the Government of Canada. On this episode, he shares not only ...

On October 15, people around the world will observe Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. While pregnancy and infant loss (PAIL) is often considered a taboo topic, the experience is relatively common. About 1 in 5 pregnancies in Canada ends in miscarriage. And around the world, approximately 1 in 6 people, women and men, experience infertility. There is a great pastoral need to support those experiencing PAIL and childlessness. So, how can we respond? In this episode, Captain Tinisha ...

When you look at trends in the church today, the news isn’t always encouraging. Attendance has declined in recent years, and many churches have struggled to find their footing again following the pandemic. But the big trends don't tell the whole story. In this episode, we are looking at a new, exciting movement towards church revitalization in The Salvation Army. Majors Bill and Debra Blackman share their hands-on experience with corps revitalization at Cariboo Hill Temple in Burnaby, B.C. A...