Conference addresses urban mission
issues
Gwendolyn Carter, a delegate to this
year's Urban Mission Forum, summed it up succinctly. Ministering at
Dallas' Carr P. Collins Harbor Light Corps, she reminded the delegates of
Jesus' words: "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father."
She then related what He told us, His followers - "We make an invisible
God visible!"
Eighty-nine delegates gathered at the Continuing Education Center
at Evangeline Booth College under the theme "Race and Reconciliation:
Melting Pot or Mosaic?" The Southern Territory was well-represented as
delegates from 19 corps in eight of the nine divisions participated.
The forum was launched by the founder of FCS Ministries, Robert
Lupton, who spoke on the current trend of gentrification and its impact on
ministry in the inner city.
Ray Aldred of My People
International, a ministry to aboriginal tribes in North America, was equally
challenging, pointing out that ministry to poor people is about sharing the
gospel story with them - proclaiming the gospel story and receiving from them
the gospel within them. Shane Claiborne, author of "The Irresistible
Revolution," spoke on "The Economics of Prosperity: Rebirth and
Redistribution." He alluded to John the Baptist's message that, if you
want to demonstrate your repentance to God, give one of your coats to someone
who has none, don't collect more than you need, and be content with your
pay (Luke 3:10-14). He then called for a theology not only of belief but of
practice. Simplicity is a part of the theology of what we believe and live out
of our love for our neighbor.
The forum allowed delegates
free exchange of ideas and the rare chance to hear what other frontline
soldiers were seeing God do in their communities. There was open time when new
initiatives were shared for discussion and awareness. Everything from community
capacity building projects to Recreate Cafés were presented.
Two NFL moms love the action
at Home League
In
college and pro football circles, the names Freddie Gilbert and Jesse Tuggle
are well-known for their defensive play on some pretty good teams. But in
Griffin, Ga., at the Salvation Army Home League, their moms are well-known and
valued members of a group of ladies that support each other in good times and
bad.
And they know how to have fun.
"My sister invited me to come to the Salvation Army Home
League just after my husband passed away a few years ago," said Ada
Tuggle, Jesse's mother. "Being with these ladies every week helped me
cope with my grief and gave me something fun to look forward to every
Tuesday."
Jesse Tuggle played middle linebacker at
Valdosta State University before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 1987. He played
for 14 seasons, and was a five-time NFL All-Pro player. His jersey is one of
four retired by the Falcons, and his name is one of five displayed in the Ring
of Honor at the Georgia Dome.
"The Salvation Army has
always been a big part of the Griffin community," he said. "The
passing of my dad was toughest on my mom. Coming here and making many friends
has been very good for her and I am so grateful for that."
Another NFL mom, Dorothy Gilbert, is currently in the midst of
crisis - having lost her home and most of her possessions in a house fire in
early December.
The 98 members of the Griffin Home League
(also calling themselves "the Lunch Bunch") brought household and
clothing items for Gilbert, instead of the regular exchange of gifts for their
Christmas party.
Dorothy's son, Freddie, played
defensive end at the University of Georgia in the early 1980s. He was a
two-time All-American and a three-time All-Southeastern Conference honoree. He
was drafted by the Denver Broncos and played in two Super Bowls, before ending
his career with the Arizona Cardinals.
"My mom has been coming to The
Salvation Army's ladies group for four years now, and I'm glad she has
so much fun here. She also loves to help serve others and at times like this
(the house fire) it is good to get her mind on something fun," Freddie
Gilbert said
. Major Frank Duracher
Majors Cecil and Elma
Brogden
Majors Cecil and Elma Brogden celebrated 44
years of service as Salvation Army 
officers, joined by family,
friends and fellow officers at a retirement dinner and ceremony. Commissioners
Willard and Marie Evans conducted the ceremony and presented the certificates
of retirement. Their retirement became official Oct. 1, 2006.
Jim Wise gave a spoken tribute representing advisory organization
members who have worked with the Brogdens over the years. Majors Leonard and
Dolores Taylor spoke on behalf of friends, and Pamela Brogden Morgan
represented the family.
The Brogdens served in the Adult
Rehabilitation Centers Command for the last 15 years of their careers. They
were assistant administrators in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Dallas, then they
were appointed to lead the ARCs in Baltimore, Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.,
and Houston. They also served in a special pro-tem ARC Command appointment in
the three months preceding their retirement from active service.
Prior to their work in the ARCs, the Brogdens served for 29 years
as corps officers. They were commissioned in 1962 with the Soldiers of Christ
session. Cecil was appointed to assist in Kinston, N.C., and Elma to assist in
Wilmington, N.C. Cecil was subsequently appointed to command the Mount Airy,
N.C., Corps, and Elma joined him there after their wedding in June 1963. Later
corps appointments were to Hickory, Reidsville, Concord and Washington, N.C.;
Bristol, Tenn.; and Greenville, S.C.
Cecil and Elma both
grew up in Goldsboro, N.C., and lived in a neighborhood close to the corps.
Cecil began attending Sunday school at the corps when he was 5 and was enrolled
as a junior soldier two years later. During his early years, Cecil's focus
was on sports, but he gave his heart to Jesus when he was 16. Elma began going
to the corps a year later. She accepted Christ when she was 7 and became very
active in corps youth programs and activities.
They have made Gaffney,
S.C., their home in retirement. Their daughter, Pamela, and her family live in
Gaffney, and their sons Steve and Michael and their families live in
Greenville.