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CAMP WALTER JOHNSON CELEBRATES 50 YEARS BY MA JOR FR ANK DUR ACHER With a half-century of memories and spiritual victories, Camp Walter Johnson (CWJ) drew former campers, staff, and divisional leaders together for a Labor Day weekend celebration in the North & South Carolina (NSC) Division. Divisional Sergeant Major Ed Laity got the party started by welcoming the capacity crowd and introduced a roll call of flags brought forward by each corps as delegates stood and cheered wildly. Presenting her camp testimony, Abbie Aguilar explained to those present she attended her first year of camp as a Sunbeam, later joining the staff at age 15. She has been devoted to this special ministry every summer since. “You don’t work at camp for the money but for the chance to pour back into children and adults what was shared with you,” Abbie said. She even met her future husband while on camp staff, but that was a bonus! Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, territorial commander, then made a surprise announcement, presenting the Others Award to David Appleby of the Columbia, South Carolina Corps, a longtime mentor to hundreds of converts to Christ. The territorial commander shared about David’s extraordinary mentorship of others, providing transportation to corps meetings, and even driving them to the Trade department in Atlanta to get their own Salvation Army uniforms. Commissioner Donna Igleheart, territorial president of women’s ministries, drew her sermon from Numbers 13, comparing the positive
vision of Caleb and Joshua who returned from spying on the challenging but fruitful conditions in the land which God promised to the Israelites. Their report was the opposite of the lack of faith evident in the other ten spies. “Let’s go!” Commissioner Donna pleaded, citing the insights the two spies discovered: Have eyes to see the goodness of God. Be courageous in the face of challenges. Don’t wait for history to be written; start today. And trust in God’s faithfulness in every circumstance. One of the most poignant moments came Saturday morning when Commissioner John Busby explained how Walter Johnson came to donate 800 acres of prime timberland to The Salvation Army. As a captain and NSC divisional youth secretary in the early 1970s, he shared from a unique perspective the obstacles and miracles that resulted in CWJ opening in the summer of 1974 (see “The Ripple Effect of Helping Others” on page 6 for this incredible story). Another sacred period came with the inauguration of the “Carolinas Heroes of the Faith,” a sort of hall of fame for Salvationists who have gone above and beyond in their service to others for the Lord. The first honored inductees are: Major Cecil Brown, Brigadier James Henry, Bobby and Mary Sue Baker, Major Al Smith, and Major John White. Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Ronnie Raymer then presented “Where Are We Going?” a comprehensive plan for CWJ that will prepare this holy place for another half century. Photo Credit: Major Frank Duracher
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Tulsa Triumph B Y LT. C O L O N E L A L L E N S AT T E R L E E From its corps and Boys & Girls Clubs to its vibrant advisory board and councils and through its vital social services, The Salvation Army in Tulsa has a long history of missional vision and outreach. But none is a stronger expression of how The Salvation Army operates at its best than the ministry and mission working in tandem between the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and the Tulsa Citadel Corps. The cooperation between the Citadel Corps and the ARC stretches back many years. Soldiers from the Citadel have traditionally assisted with helping teach Bible and other classes, serving at ARC banquets, as well as many other ways. ARC beneficiaries have attended the Citadel as part of their program, and from that over the years, some have become adherents or soldiers. Isaiah and Corina Stegall, soldiers at the Citadel and now cadets in the Keepers of the Covenant session, began to form a greater vision for what could be. Both struggled with substance abuse in their past, from which the Lord gloriously delivered them. With hearts for others facing these struggles, the Stegalls made an extra effort to befriend the men of the ARC. They volunteered at the center, invited men over to their home after meetings at the corps, or took them along with them when they went out to eat. As time went on, the men were invited to
join in even more of the activities at the Citadel and the Broken Arrow Corps. Several of the men became soldiers. That arrangement was starting to take on greater traction until everything came to a screeching halt when the pandemic hit. “For a couple of years I took a break,” Isaiah remembers. “But in ’22 I saw they needed help again.” Then came the moment of truth. “I came home one day and told Corina they needed an intake coordinator [at the ARC].” Corina recalls saying, “That’s going to be less pay.” And Isaiah responded, “I know, I know. But you’ve got to think what’s going to happen.” “I was just so excited.” Isaiah continues. “There’s something so much bigger here. So, [Corina] okayed me. They hired me and now I was really able to pour into these men. At devotions each morning, I’m the first person they see. The first person they see when they want to check into the ARC is a Salvationist. Because of what happened to me, I can tell them about the transformation that can take place.” With this new involvement, the ties between the Citadel and the ARC grew even closer. Captain Erik Henry, administrator of the ARC, explains, “When our men come in, many have lost everything and feel useless. As they find Christ and find their purpose, they also begin to see they can make a difference in someone else’s
Captain Erik Henry, Tulsa ARC Administrator
life as well. They relate to the other men in the center, but through the corps, they find ways that they can relate to the wider world. They will leave here eventually, so if they can discover they can connect in their service through Christ, as they do through the corps, they have a greater chance of standing tall in the long run.” Major Carlyle Gargis, who is the area commander and the corps officer for Citadel, echoes those sentiments. “The men have burned a lot of bridges, but now they want to be about Kingdom work, advancing the good news of Jesus and helping others get set free. So, what we want is not only building them up as great soldiers but folks really investing in their communities and getting their families involved. The ARC and the corps have the common goal of leading people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “Tulsa Triumph...” continued on page 4