What is The Salvation Army? The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
WAR CRY Issue No 7639
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
From the editor’s desk WHEN father and family man Rich Wilson says ‘there is something very wrong with a child dying’, there will be few people, if any, who disagree with him. And yet Rich lost a son and a daughter to two different health issues. In this week’s War Cry, Rich tells us his story. But, while it is one of heartbreak, it demonstrates how support given to people who are suffering makes a difference to them. ‘When I did experience comfort, it was through church and through friendships,’ says Rich. ‘We mustn’t underestimate how much comfort we can bring to others when we choose to enter into their brokenness and pain.’ When people are going through hard times – whether because of bereavement, sickness or challenges in a relationship – it is good if they can receive support from others. This week the new football season kicks off in the EFL. While footballers may live a life very different from their supporters, in this week’s issue Leyton Orient footballer Omar Beckles reminds us that they are ‘just human beings’. ‘We have families, we go through bereavements, we suffer setbacks, just like everyone else,’ he says. ‘We have to deal with these things and yet still have to operate in a very competitive environment.’ Omar is the chair of the Professional Footballers’ Association, a union that supports players in and out of the game. In his interview Omar explains the way the association works. He also talks about the support he found from his church when he suffered a family bereavement. ‘The love that came from God was one thing, and there was also the love shown to me by the community of believers,’ he says. Both Omar and Rich found the support of other believers to be vital as they faced tough situations. That’s why, when it is possible, belonging to a church community can benefit us all.
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Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Lyndon Buckingham Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399. Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper
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INFO 15 Your local Salvation Army centre
2 • WAR CRY • 5 August 2023
CONTENTS FEATURES
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Wheelie big competition Glasgow hosts the Cycling World Championships
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‘The diagnosis was brutal’ A father’s heartbreak at losing two children
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Support for footballers The work of the players’ union explored
13 Park life Week celebrates wide open spaces REGULARS
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Team Talk and War Cry World
12 Moving Experiences 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen Front-page picture: ARMIN WEIGEL/DPA /ALAMY