WHERE WE WORSHIP
Salvation Army better known for social work
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor
 |
| Capt. Kyle Smith is the leader of the Salvation Army Leeward Corps in 'Aiea. Although the church is better know for social work, it is like any other evangelical Christian church.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Our denomination: The Salvation Army.
While most people equate the name with a not-for-profit organization, the Salvation Army church has its own separate Christian denomination with its base of global operations in London.
The Leeward corps is the largest of O'ahu's three corps.
Where we are: 98-612 Moanalua Loop in 'Aiea.
Our numbers: On a typical Sunday, about 100 to 120 people attend the morning service, another 70 (mostly Chuukese, or people from Chuuk, one of the four states that make up the Federated States of Micronesia) attend the 1 p.m. service, and about 100 to 150 attend the 6:30 p.m. Sunday service.
Our leader: Capt. Kyle Smith.
What's special about us: The church is based on the military structure of the Army.
"We don't have a pope, we have a general," said Smith.
His wife, Lisa, is a captain as well. She heads up the congregation on an equal footing with her husband.
Though it is a church, the Salvation Army is better known for its social work. It provides thrift shops that benefit the poor and addicts; out-patient and in-patient drug treatment programs; holiday programs, such as the Angel Tree, a gift-distribution program; and myriad other projects.
Though the Salvation Army is organized as a tax-exempt not-for-profit organization, the basis of the belief system comes from love for God, said Smith.
What we believe: "The concept is: There's a war between good and evil, and we're on God's side," said Smith.
As evangelical Christians, he explained, the concept leading them is "heart to God, hand to man."
If Jesus were walking the Earth today, he would do the work the Salvation Army is doing, Smith said.
"No matter how far a man has fallen, we believe God can take that person, transform him into the man of God that he wants to be," he said, adding that "whosoever will, may be saved."
A morning Sunday service is like any other evangelical Christian service: They sing praise songs (contemporary Christian music); congregants or special visitors share their testimonies; Scripture is read, and a leader gives a sermon.
They not only don't have communion services but also don't practice any sacraments.
"We did in the beginning," he said. "We don't have any problem with ... people going to other churches to practice the sacraments, if they feel they have to. We believe God looks at the heart of man, and that's what counts."
Salvationists, as they call themselves, are not trying to seek salvation through good works, he added, but "we should be living the sacraments out in our lives."
As for other beliefs, they believe in the trinity of the father, son and holy spirit, and that the Bible is the literal word of God.
They allow married and women clergy. A woman has served as general. Practicing homosexuals do not become leaders in the church.
Our history: The Salvation Army was started in 1865 by William Booth, a Methodist minister who took to London's streets to get the poor and the unemployed, drunkards and petty criminals to come to church. Working with volunteers from different congregations, the movement became "The Christian Mission," and in 1878, Booth coined the term "Salvation Army." The group adopted a military structure during its 1904 congress.
According to the Web site www.salvationarmyhawaii.org, the first contingent of Salvationists came to Hawai'i in 1894 at the request of Central Union Church. The group of five was led by Staff Capt.John Milsaps. The first hall was at 1680 S. King St. By November 1894, it had established its work in Hilo and, three years later, on Maui and Kaua'i, as well.
What we're excited about: Tomorrow there's a free family carnival from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church. A 50-member Youth With a Mission team, including 35 from Minnesota, will run not only the carnival, but also the day's services. A Sunday school rally follows the carnival, ending with a noon barbecue/potluck.
Contact: 487-1636 or 387-4710.
If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
