17 August 2024
The Big Connection: New opportunities
Salvationist introduces the new name and opportunity behind the territory's annual appeal.
When was the last time you really connected with someone? This year, the annual appeal encourages us all to do just that: to reach out to our communities and engage with them.
Raising funds to support our mission may be part of the result, but the engagement itself is the real gift: it's an opportunity to build relationships, to invite people to be part of God's mission in their neighbourhoods and experience the impact of a relationship with both us and God. Which is why the Big Collection is now called the Big Connection.
The Army in this territory provides support, a listening ear and practical help to vulnerable or marginalised people through more than 600 corps and community centres.
Now imagine an Army where we have built connections in every one of those communities, where we have invited people to be a part of making those communities better. The Big Connection is an opportunity to share that vision and ask others to join in that mission. As we offer our time, energy, prayers and any money we raise to God, we use those funds to show God's love to people in need.
All the money raised through the Big Connection goes to the Army’s Social Work Trust, although it's possible to name a specific part of the Army's social work for it to go towards.
It might be supporting people experiencing homelessness, facilitating the Family Tracing Service, equipping Employment Plus or aiding survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. That can also include Army services near you, such as a Lifehouse or care home, helping you to build connections locally.
This flexibility extends through to the timing of what you do: the Big Connection runs through the year, so you can build those relationships whenever best suits you. That can include door-to-door collecting in September, if you believe that's what will build bridges with your neighbours, but like in any relationship, it's about meeting people where they're at.
When they invest in being part of our story and God's story, the Big Connection stops being just an appeal - it becomes the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Making local connections
Discover more
Fundraise for our social work in Lifehouses, care homes, day centres and safe houses.
Video and resources to support this year's appeal previously known as Big Collection
