War Cry - January, 2013 Page 7

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF its Executive Director, Lt. Colonel
Joan Canning, The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) re-
cently completed a comprehensive analysis of its mission and methods.
As SAWSO launches a dynamic new strategic plan, Lt. Colonel Canning
spoke with Managing Editor Jeff McDonald about the organization's call
to respond to the world's neediest, and to the objectives of the Creator.

What is your vision for SAWSO?

JC:

We reach some of the poorest of the poor through The Salvation Army

in 126 countries. We want to build the kind of relationships that will have
long�term impact in the lives of those people. We also want to build the
kinds of relationships with U.S. territories so that we can support their
fundraising for World Services. We're piloting something with the Cen-
tral Territory on how we can connect SAWSO's goals with theirs.

.......................

What in your experience has prepared you for your current position as

SAWSO's Executive Director and for revitalizing it's mission?

JC:

The first thing is my calling to officership. God has been faithful

through the years by opening doors so I could pursue studies focusing on
Scripture. And I spent four years at International Headquarters (IHQ)
where I learned about the work of The Salvation Army internationally
and some of its development goals. I have read quite a lot about develop-
mental approach to service internationally.

.......................

What books and authors have been helpful?

JC:

One is Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton, also When Helping Hurts by

Steve Corbett, which deals with the welfare approach and how it creates
a dependency and ultimately an entitlement to services. Our approach
is to have people help themselves. Often our response to something is

FOR THE WORLD'S NEEDIEST

NTERMEDIARY

The War Cry | JANUARY 2013

A Salvation Army school in Africa. One of SAWSO's goals for expansion is to support educational programs around the world.

"This is God's
mission. It's not
mine. It's not The
Salvation Army's.

It's God's."

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