'Being there' is what matters

Founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, the Salvation Army has never been afraid to reach into people's daily lives to demonstrate God's love. Husband and wife Salvationists, Majors Sandra and Tony Frost, from the High Wycombe Corps, tell Sally Jarman how this approach continues to win souls today.

MEETING Sandra and Tony I confess a comfortable familiarity when I think of the Salvation Army (SA). One of my earliest Christmas memories was the sound of an SA band playing carols in the street outside my house, and  I've noted the work of famous fictional Salvationists in the 1950s musical Guys and Dolls and even in television soap Neighbours.

They smile - I’m not unusual. In fact it fits well with the ethos of this International Church and social welfare movement. The SA aims to be 'Your Church in Your Community’ and states its motivation as the love of God shown through a practical, caring concern for people, regardless of race, colour, creed, gender or age. A Christian church for anybody.

 'We believe we should be wherever people might need us and be there for them,' says Tony. 'That in itself communicates the Christian Gospel to a secular world.'

‘Being there’ could be providing tea and comfort to the injured after the London bombings earlier this year (The SA were one of the few bodies allowed into the immediate rescue area), or sitting in the coffee room as we did on my visit, providing a friendly ear for anyone who cared to drop in.

Tony says: 'We might not always have the answer but being accessible means people can turn to us when they  feel they can’t turn elsewhere.’

He tells the story of an alcoholic woman last year about to start on a rehabilitation programme but fearful about aspects of her life she might be forced to face. Tony listened and prayed for her:

'A few months later she contacted me and said our meeting had been a turning point.  After talking through her fears she felt strong enough to go through it. She was now dry and was also rediscovering her faith.
'That’s my motivation for being here - when I see God working in people's lives and making a difference.'

Sandra agrees. Although the SA has always been part of her life - her parents were Salvationists - she says her ideal place would be in the congregation: 'I was in my middle teens when I felt God calling me to be a minister.  I didn't want to listen.  It doesn't sit easily with me. But every time I've thrown obstacles in the way, God has cleared them.'
He even provided support in the form of Tony who, after growing up in a Catholic family then losing touch with his faith, became a Salvationist after meeting Sandra on a blind date in Northampton: 'It was the girl I wanted to get to know, not her beliefs.  I knew she belonged to the SA but never thought of becoming part of it myself.  God had his own ideas... After I became a Christian and a Salvationist He decided to take it one step further.'

The couple heeded a calling to ministry while doubting their suitability, and were surprised to be accepted.
It has been literally been a  journey of faith ever since.  Commissioned as officers in 1984, they have worked in Tyne and Wear, Lancashire, Surrey and Scotland before arriving in High Wycombe about 18 months ago.
Says Sandra, some problems are universal today: 'The expectation that money and possessions will make us happy and fulfilled cause so much pressure.

'People can feel isolated and alone when things go wrong, wondering who they can confide in.’
Enter the SA. As well as  worship, Gospel meetings and Bible study, the High Wycombe Corp's hall in Frogmoor runs a children's club, an over-60’s club, lunch and a space to just meet, chat and find a listening ear.
They are also collecting toys this Christmas for men at a local prison to give their visiting children as presents.
'It's just a toy,' says Tony; 'But it's more. It's keeping up the relationship of those men with their children and the belief of those children  that Dad might not be there but he still loves them.’

The couple would like to increase the outreach of the Corps further, spreading the word to win souls: 'We want to welcome more people to meet here, build relationships and develop their belonging and ownership. And through that to disciple those who are here and encourage their spiritual journey.

As we talk a volunteer shows us a community newspaper complete with advert proclaiming a visit to the local shopping centre: 'the best reason to get up on a Sunday morning'.

'Another challenge on the Church's bid for people's time and priorities,’ says Tony;  ‘But we have to keep standing up and saying this is what we believe and it's an important truth to convey.'

Sandra agrees: 'Whether it's standing in the shopping centre with the band, or whatever else we do as Salvationists, if people see us trying to live the Gospel and see the changes it can make to people's lives around them then that motivates us to keep going.’