Belonging - the William Booth way!

This week has been full of experiences. Last night I travelled with the delegates of the Emergency Services training course to have a meal and look around the Army's 'Street Level' programme here in Sydney, Australia. It was an experience I will not forget for a long time. For some years the Army has been providing accommodation in down town Sydney for street sleepers and vulnerable young adults. About 10 years ago an opportunity arose to expand the programme when a building became vacant a couple of streets away and so the 'Street Level' ministry was born.
Led by a dynamic officer couple (he runs the accommodation and she runs the drop in centre) the programme now includes a drop in centre complete with cafe, Internet room and welfare centre. In order to maximise the welfare support and give the clients dignity through choosing their own assistance, a fully stocked supermarket has been opened. Goods are exchanged at cost price and the range is augmented from stock donated through the city's Food Bank programme. A daily meal programme provides food for vulnerable people, heroin addicts, alcoholics and many others with chaotic life styles.
We were there for the highlight of the week - Friday night worship. Robyn (the Officer in charge) gave us a tour around the building. As we went, she explained in a rapid, non-stop line of patter, the dynamics of the ministry. You don't need many minutes with her to realsie that she and her husband are true visionaries. They believe in 'community', offering those who come for help a 'hand up' and not just a 'hand out'. They are passionate about the gospel's power to change, transform and recreate. During the last few years around 20 clients who have been saved have progressed through to soldiership and now proudly wear their uniform and help staff the programme.
Preparing us for what was to come during worship, Robyn warned us that the last few weeks had been a bit hairy, with a number of addicts now using the new ICE drug which is sweeping the city's drug addict community. Fights had broken out in the services. 'If a fight starts, please leave it to me to sort out - don't be tempted to try and step in - I'll get it under control', Robyn warned the 15 male officers in our group!
Robyn informed us that worship always followed the same pattern, deliberately to give the clients a sense of routine, something often lacking in their lives.
With this intro we made our way from the reception area to the upstairs hall where a meals was being served. We all took our bowl (with a menu made up of whatever is donated from the Food Bank that day) and a cup of weak orange quash. The hall began to fill. Some were drunk, others high on drugs, but every new attender was greeted by name with hugs and waves. Here was a very special family - the likes of which I hadn't seen before.
Worship, led by a small worship band, was followed by the 'Care and Share' time - or testimony period as we would call it. Around the room hands shot up in the air asking to be allowed to step forward and tell their story. One by one members of this rag tag group of worshippers were chosen and stepped up to the mic, called up by name by Robyn and greeted with a hug as they stood at the rostrum. Scripture quotes flowed (their knowledge and familiarity with the Bible astounded me) - prayers were requested. One heroin user proudly shared that he had been clean for 7 days. Others jubilantly told how they hadn't touched a cigarette for ages - each proud story greeted with cheers from the congregation and all pleading for God's help and asking their friends for their prayer support.
The preacher for the night was giving his first sermon. A drug addict, saved just a few years ago and now transformed from his habit and lifestyle, stood proudly at the rostrum in his uniform. His startling appearance with long beard and shaven head accentuated by the piercings in his nose, ears and lips. He spoke simply but powerfully about the power of the gospel. He and his wife enter training college in a few months to prepare to become SA Officers. As I looked at this new creation in the pulpit I found myself thinking just how much the Army of today needs transformed lives and powerful testimony like theirs.
I came home humbled to have seen God at work; and to witness this ministry of 'belonging' modelled through the commitment of Robyn, her team of helpers and the open arms extended to every one who passed through that centre tonight.
How William Booth would smile if he could see the fruits of his vision still being harvested in Sydney today. How Jesus must laugh with joy at the work being done in the lives of those the devil has tried his best to destroy. Some days I'm so proud to be a Salvationist!