Guarding the Young
When SAGALA turned 100 in 2013, three participants and two leaders from Dubbo were selected to fly thousands of kilometres to London to take part in the worldwide anniversary celebration called Jamboree.
These SAGALA participants are a testament to the success of guarding and legion programs that are happening across The Salvation Army world.
From 3-10 August 2013, The Salvation Army worldwide celebrated a century of operating guarding and legion activities at their anniversary celebration called Jamboree.
Jamboree was a monumental occasion for teenagers, Meg Fenton, James Young and Nicholas Powell who had never travelled overseas.
The then Dubbo Salvation Army Officer, Major Colin Young, firmly asserted the SAGALA program to be pivotal in helping young people becoming skilled for life – practically, relationally and spiritually.
“It’s about setting kids on life courses,” he explained, “The kids can develop leadership skills but it also allow us to invest into the spiritual side of these young people.”
Meg’s mother and SAGALA leader, Melissa Fenton attended Jamboree and believes the program provided her daughter with opportunities to connect with people her own age.
When Meg was attending public school, she struggled to make friends but found plenty of friendships at SAGALA. Now she says she just loves meeting new people.
Alan Powell who also accompanied his son Nicholas to London, speaks highly of the SAGALA program.
A SAGALA leader and father of 10 children, Alan says SAGALA is an excellent social outlet for his children who are home-schooled. The most important factor for Alan and his family, however, is spiritual development.
“I just enjoy getting in there with the fellas and sharing God with them. That’s one of the biggest things. Our main objective is to allow them to develop a good relationship with God.”
SAGALA is a popular program with approximately 1100 children and teenagers who participate across The Salvation Army’s churches in NSW, ACT and Queensland. A large percentage of these young people come from programs located in rural parts of Australia.
For roughly 25 years, Dubbo has a run a SAGALA program from its church. In more recent years it has seen immense growth in the number of the program’s attendees.
While Dubbo Salvation Army does not usually cater for children under five years old, an extra group was created for these children due to increased interest from the community.
“We’re investing in the community as a whole, not just this little corner [referring to The Salvation Army church],” said Major Young.
