"going To The Army!" - Marc Harry's Podcast

Gowans and Larsson SpecialThis week's Salvation Meeting - the 25th in the series of meetings prepared since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic - uses songs and other music written by (or based on songs by) Generals John Gowans and John Larsson. Young composer/officer John Larsson was teamed with another poet/officer John Gowans in the 1960s to work together on a 'new venture' for The Salvation Army: they were asked to write a stage musical.  The result was 'Take Over Bid' - a greatsuccess.The rest, as they say, is history! TEN very successful musicals later and many, many songs added to the Army's songbooks both young officers rose through the ranks eventually to the top rank of all - and their music and lyrics have become an intrinsic part of every Salvationist's life.This evening all the music featured in the meeting is from their pens - but there is more than that...much of the spoken content of the meeting is also directly from the 'Two Johns'.Music used in this meeting include Hundreds and Thousands -

"Going to the Army!" is a podcast series featuring Salvation Army music. This 37th Episode is for October 2020 and continues the "Going to the Army!" ministry, which is now in its 7th year of broadcasting. My sincere apologies to any listeners who may think the GttA podcast has taken a bit of a 'back seat' this year as I have found and been developing a new ministry through the Salvation Meetings produced in partnership with Fortress Radio. Hopefully, as time goes by, we can continue to produce both.This episode (bringing the total number of podcasts produced to over 60 in total, including the Salvation Meetings and seasonal specials) features bands, songsters, Youth Choruses, a massed item from the Royal Albert Hall, and soloists including Susan Turner and Al Avery - all sharing with us music from the vast Salvation Army repertoire.There is no overall theme for this episode but a reminder of how, why and when "Going to the Army!" first began back in 2013.Composers featured include Arthur Gullidge, Joy Webb

Always Shine For HimThis week's Salvation Meeting - the 24th in the series of meetings prepared since the start of the Caronavirus Pandemic - has a rather 'celebratory' feel about it.  we are celebrating LOVE - not just the wonderful, life-changing love of God for us but also various aspects of our own 'human love'.  This week our family has marked birthdays and anniversaries (including my own and that of my youngest daughter) and it has also been the 40th wedding anniversary of two of our most loyal listeners - one of whom reads the bible for us this week. We concentrate on 1 Corinthians 13 - the 'love chapter', as it is often known...in a week of birthdays and anniversaries we celebrate the love of a family - as well as the love of God - and how we need to shine for Him in this world of darkness.With music from the ISB and ISS as well as the Sunbury Junior Singers, we have guest contributors:Estelle Blake andJeannine Ridha (who is celebrating her own 40th Wedding Anniversary today!) and solo items from:Ba

Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 4th October, 2020.It's the SIMPLEST thing in the whole world!Receiving Salvation!Just say to Jesus "I love You. I trust you."Objective achieved.Yet, we seem to overcomplicate everything...the old acronym was K I S S - Keep It Simple, Stupid!Songs this evening include 'Hallelujah to the Lamb', 'Since Jesus Came Into My Heart' and 'Just as I Am'. Musical items are provided by ther International Staff Band and Songsters, Chicago Staff and Chalk Farm Bands (soloist: Ray Todd), Southampton Shirley Singing Company and Jude Gotrich."Enter - Enter - Right into my heart, Lord - Enter now..."

Harvest Festival - Songs of PraiseWelcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 20th September, 2020.This week's service is part of a day of celebration on Fortress Radio marking the Harvest Festival - as we thank God for all His goodness to us throughout the yearIt features music by Kettering Citadel Singing Company, the Enfield Citadel Band, Canadian Massed Bands and Choir, United Youth Choruses of the UK Territory, The London Singers, John Gowans, The Melbourne Veterans Band and more. There are also powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs of praise to our wonderful Lord and Creator. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps.

CONQUERING DEATH!Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 13th September, 2020.This week's service continues the short series of meetings based on the miracles of Jesus - this week - Conquering Death (The Widow of Nain)It features music by the International Staff Band, The International Staff Songsters, Norridge Citadel Band with vocal group Onward, Pendleton Band and the Portsmouth Citadel Songsters, The Sunbury Junior Singers and the Norfolk Fellowship Brass. There are also powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to provide two 'meetings' each S

Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 6th September, 2020.This week's service continues the short series of meetings based on the miracles of Jesus - this week - Stilling the StormIt features music by the Wellington Citadel Band, The Amsterdam Staff Band, The International Staff Songsters, The USA Western Territory Songsters and the Portsmouth Citadel Songsters, The London Singers and the Former Students of the National Music School at Cobham Hall. There are also powerful prayers - including almost 40 prayer requests, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to p

This week's 19th Salvation Meeting for Fortress Radio.Continuing the series on Jesus' miracles tonight we look at the healing of the leper and 2 blind men - and at what may seem a strange instruction to the healed men!As usual, the chance to hear some great SA music and sing along with some great hymns/songs!

Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 9th August, 2020.This week's service marks the start of a short series of meetings based on the miracles of Jesus - this week - Water into Wine It features music by the Mont Clair, and The Bristol Easton Band, The International Staff Songsters and The Male Voices of the Norwich Citadel Band, The Exeter Temple Singing Company and as there is a wonderful testimony by Ruth Dutfield - who reflects on the 30th anniversary of the sudden Promotion to Glory of her brother Gareth who was such a loved salvation Army character. There are also powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our chu

Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, PRAISE, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 2nd August, 2020.This week - in response to requests from listeners we are enjoying a good Salvation Army Praise Meeting - such as we used to enjoy on a Sunday between our roast dinners and granny's great Sunday tea!It features music by the International Staff Band, Birmingham Citadel Young Peoples Band and Songsters, Wood Green and Portsmouth singing companies, Norwich Citadel & Portsmouth Citadel bands as well as the Norfolk Fellowship Band and Kenya East Ladies band who have aided our congregational singing – and, in addition, the Solid Rock Band. There are also powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot,

Welcome to another hour of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 26th July, 2020.The theme of this week's service is 'Banners Floating High! It features music by the Melbourne Staff Band, and The Norfolk Fellowship Band, The Agincourt Temple Songsters and The Hammond Family Band, The Boscombe Singing Company and as well as Tristan and Mandy Lanceley, who also testify. There are also powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to provide two 'meetings' each Sunday at least for the duration of the curfews and lockdowns. I am pleased to be preparing the evening - or Salvation

"Going to the Army!" is a podcast series featuring Salvation Army music. This 36th Episode is for April 2020 and continues the "Going to the Army!" ministry, which is now in its 7th year of broadcasting. This episode is the second of a 2-part special tribute to Lt Colonel Norman Bearcroft who was Promoted to Glory last week from his home in New Jersey at the age of 94. Norman was a very special man - a great musicians in his own right then composer and arranger of several hundred pieces of music. In the UK he served as both national Bandmaster and National Secretary for Bands and Songster Brigades. In addition he brought into being two Staff Sections - firstly, the Canadian Staff Band (55 years after the previous band had largely been lost in a tragic sea accident) and then the International Staff Songsters who have recently celbrated their 40th anniversary.The 2 episodes contain over 3 1/2 hours of Norman's best music for bands, songsters and soloists with many recollections of of his life, his infectious

Welcome to another 65 minutes of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 5th July, 2020.The theme of this week's service is 'JESUS - the Lamb of God' - what a subject! It features music by the Chicago Staff Band, and The Egon Virtuoso Bands, The International Staff Songsters and Pasadena Songsters, The Sunbury Junior Singers and a the Southern Singers as well as powerful prayers, bible teaching and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to provide two 'meetings' each Sunday at least for the duration of the curfews and lockdowns. I am pleased to be preparing the evening - or Salvation Meeting each week and th

"Going to the Army!" is a podcast series featuring Salvation Army music. This 35th Episode is for April 2020 and continues the "Going to the Army!" ministry, which is now in its 7th year of broadcasting. This episode is the first of a 2-part special tribute to Lt Colonel Norman Bearcroft who was Promoted to Glory last week from his home in New Jersey at the age of 94. Norman was a very special man - a great musicians in his own right then composer and arranger of several hundred pieces of music. In the UK he served as both national Bandmaster and National Secretary for Bands and Songster Brigades. In addition he brought into being two Staff Sections - firstly, the Canadian Staff Band (55 years after the previous band had largely been lost in a tragic sea accident) and then the International Staff Songsters who have recently celbrated their 40th anniversary.The 2 episodes contain over 3 1/2 hours of Norman's best music for bands, songsters and soloists with many recollections of of his life, his infectious

Welcome to another 75 minutes of fellowship, worship, music and bible teaching as heard on Fortress Radio - Sunday 21st June, 2020.The theme of this week's service is 'GRACE' - what a subject! God's grace is the basis of SO MUCH for a Christian - our salvation - our ability to grow in our experience and personal holiness and the basis of our ability to 'love the unloved' and 'serve suffering humanity'.It features music by the Canadian Staff Band, and "Butlins" Citadel Bands, Portsmouth Citadel and Brisbane City temple Songsters, Bromley Temple Singing Company and a fine array of soloists this evening: Bob Merritt, and Ian Johnston. This with powerful prayers, vivid testimonies and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in

As each day goes by at the moment we see new pictures of a world in utter turmoil...the amount of hatred and mistrust around the globe right now is both sad and frightening. The ANSWER to the world's problems, we know, is JESUS - yet it seems so reluctant to accept the only solution there will ever be.Jesus told the disciples that the harvest was ready - but workers were needed to go out into the fields and gather that harvest. The situation remains the same today. Let us all LISTEN to Jesus' call on our lives and time - and let us respond by doing all we can to let the world know the good news of the Gospel - Jesus Saves! Someone Cares!The Christian life is a life of MISSION - we MUST be God's voice in the moral and ethical wilderness that is the world in 2020. If we don't tell people - then WHO WILL?This meeting celebrates the peace that only Jesus can give us.It features music by the Hendon, Boscombe and Enfield Citadel Bands, Portsmouth Citadel and Kettering Songsters, and a fine array of soloists thi

"Peace of mind and heart" is a quality many in the world are searching for - often quite desperately - in these days. yet God is waiting to meet that very need right now - and all we have to do is ask Him for it!Now, that's great for us, as Christians, to know - but how much use it that to our neighbour, our workmate, someone in our family - if none of US have ever TOLD them?The Christian life is a life of MISSION - we MUST be God's voice in the moral and ethical wilderness that is the world in 2020. If we don't tell people - then WHO WILL?This meeting celebrates the peace that only Jesus can give us.It features music by the International Staff Band and Songsters, the Amsterdam Staff Band, Brisbane City Temple Songsters and the Boxhill Singing Company - plus another new recording of my own. This with powerful prayers, vivid testimonies and some truly fabulous songs. Join us and enjoy taking part in this hour of fellowship!Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus i

This week we celebrated Pentecost - we used to call it Whit Sunday! Remember all the children having new clothes and the marches around the neighbourhood?This is the eleventh in the series of Salvation Meetings prepared for Fortress Radio. Music featured is by the ISB and ISS, London Ontario Band, Leigh-On-Sea Singing Company and the Melbourne Staff Band - and aalso the Howard family from Lewisville Corps, Texas. The speaker is Commissioner Keith Banks and the bible is read by Emma McCutcheon.Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to provide two 'meetings' each Sunday at least for the duration of the curfews and lockdowns. I am pleased to be preparing the evening - or Salvation Meeting each week and the tenth of these has just been

Every year for decades The salvation Army has held a big music festival at this time of year. For many years this was held at the Royal Albert Hall and called either The Bandmasters' (or Songster Leaders') Councils Festival.The concert was then followed by a series of three more devotional/instructional meetings held the next day at a different venue - making this a very special annual weekend for hundreds of Army music leaders but also bandsmen and songsters from the entire Territory - as Corps Bands and Songster Brigades were often invited to be 'solo' guest bands/choirs for the evening alongside The International Staff band and Songsters.There was usually also a 'visiting' band from elsewhere in the world plus vocal and instrumental soloists of the highest calibre.Around 2000 these festivals became known as 'Gospel Arts' festivals as the SA tried to incorporate more modern ensembles and groups. Dance, drama and even rock groups were added to the evening and the popularity of the events continued.The even

This week we celebrated Ascension Day - 40 days since Easter and commemorating the day Jesus returned to His Father's side in Heaven. Having worked for the Church of England for many years I often wondered why they made quite a big deal of Ascension Day yet we in the Army didn't make such a fuss. We used to have a big, church assembly in the morning at school then had a half-day holiday! This is the tenth in the series of Salvation Meetings prepared for Fortress Radio. Music featured is by Chalk Farm Band, the ISB and ISS, London Ontario Band, Len Ballantine and The Canadian Festival Chorus. The speaker is Major Brian Slinn, Divisional Commander of the E Midlands Division in the UK.Throughout the world we are in the grip of a dreadful pandemic. The COVID-19 virus is wreaking havoc with the day to lives of countless millions of people. One of the consequences is the fact that we cannot, for the time being, meet in worship in our churches and Salvation Army corps. So FORTRESS RADIO has stepped in to provid