For this year’s Father’s Day, we wanted to give our readers an unashamedly male edition of War Cry. And with this in mind, we’ve secured the writing services of more than our usual number of male writers.
So, right up front, I want to thank all those who’ve helped: Simon Barnett for letting us into his life a little (and for letting us share those amazing through-the-year haircuts); Alistair Kendrew, who reflects on the challenges and rewards of fatherhood; Che Cormack, who’s contributing a brief series over the next two months on emotional health; Karl Foreman, for giving us his very wise take on tender-hearted men; Daryl Carpenter and Martin Barratt, who present their perspectives on the Sunday church worship experience (both naturally turn to sporting analogies, no great surprise there); Ralph Hargest, who shares some home truths to encourage young men to face their fears; and 19-year-old Nathan Herbert, who tackles the important topic of sexual purity.
It’s also a pleasure to welcome a new permanent writer and ‘roving reporter’ to our magazine. Robin Raymond (who authored the article on the facing page) is a journalist who’s previously worked on papers in Christchurch and Marlborough. Having grown up as the son of missionaries in central Africa, Robin has always felt that God was calling him to use his journalism skills to help the poor and marginalised. We’re excited to have him join our team and look forward to bringing you plenty of his stories in the future.
And last, but by no means least, it’s great to introduce our new Chief Secretary and new Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, Colonels Willis and Barbara Howell, who have just arrived in New Zealand on assignment from Charlotte, North Carolina. (You can learn a little more about them on page 18.) We’re really looking forward to getting to know them and promise to be especially helpful with their Māori pronunciation as they settle in. (Although, now that I think of it, Americans struggle a little with even the good-old Kiwi greeting of ‘gidday’, don’t they?) It’s a blessing to celebrate the richness that is our international Army, which gives us the opportunity to both learn from and share with those whom God—in his often perfect timing—brings to our shores.
Christina Tyson
Editor
Proverbs 27:17 Revised Standard Version
‘Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.’
Nga Whakatauki 27:17
‘Ko te rino hei whakakoi mo te rino; waihoki ko te tangata ano hei whakakoi i te mata o tona hoa.’