Love God, Love Others

Self-Denial 2025

Rooted in community – growing in faith and service

Give

Go without something to support the work of the international Salvation Army.

Self-Denial gives us a valuable opportunity to unite with Salvationists around the world, share the love of Jesus and care for people who are disadvantaged and in need.

The appeal takes place in 134 countries and involves thousands of Salvationists. Last year, our UK appeal ‘Called by God, Supported by you’ raised over £1 million to bring real change into communities around the world.

Salvationists are rooted in communities all around the globe. This year our focus is on growing our worldwide mission, with an emphasis on the life-changing work in the Indonesian territory. You can enable Salvationists to build on the good work, help them grow their skills and have the tools they need to serve their communities into the future.

To order resources, email territorial.appeals@salvationarmy.org.uk

What will you give up?

Deny yourself something for a month and give the money it would have cost to the Self-Denial Appeal instead.

Here are some ideas:

1. A daily offering

Give up something that you do every day. For example, instead of paying to take the bus you could walk or cycle. Or you could cut out a simple treat like a takeaway coffee or a chocolate bar.

2. A specific sacrifice

Go without a specific treat or luxury. It could be a trip to the cinema or a meal out, or perhaps a new pair of trainers or clothes you don’t really need.

3. One week’s salary

Some people feel called to give back to the Lord in thanks to what he has given them. To donate in this special way, please talk to your corps officer or treasurer to find the simplest way to do so.

Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalm 92:13

As Salvationists, our lives are nourished by our love for God. When our faith flourishes, we can do more for others. Self-Denial is our opportunity to join with others to put our faith into action.

Together our sacrifices can enable Salvationists to grow in faith and service. We can help fund the places where they worship and work – such as schools, hospitals and training colleges.

In countries where resources are not so plentiful, every pound is hugely important.

Growing skills to serve

Dita came from her small town of Palolo to Palu to train at The Salvation Army nursing school. Today she is a nurse at The Salvation Army hospital which she proudly calls, ‘the best hospital’.

Her journey, from a small town to adapting to life in a big city, reflects how she has grown in her faith and her service. The thread of The Salvation Army is woven into her life as a soldier and nurse, enabling her to serve her community.

Dita says, 'I am a soldier who dedicates myself to the place where my church originates from.'

You can:

Use the appeal envelope and hand it in during your local altar service on Sunday 2 March, or hand it to a corps leader any time during or after the appeal
Save as you go with a collection box - ask your corps leader for a box and save up for your gift as you go
Give online
Make a one-off payment if you already have a standing order with your corps – speak with your corps leader or treasurer for more information

Local altar services

While corps will hold altar services on a specific date, people can give at any time during or after the appeal.

If you prefer to give online, you are still encouraged to sign your appeal envelope and hand it in during the altar service as a way to participate in corporate worship – you could include a note inside or write on the back to state you have given online.

For more information about how to support your corps appeal, please speak to your corps leader or treasurer.

Collection boxes and envelopes are available from your corps leader.

People use the boxes to save up their gift throughout the month and the appeal envelopes are used during local altar services, although people can hand them in to corps leaders at any time during or after the appeal.

For more information about your local altar service, please speak with your corps leader. You can also contact territorial.appeals@salvationarmy.org.uk.

The Self-Denial Appeal encourages our congregations to give sacrificially towards the international work of The Salvation Army.

Corps across the world get involved and money raised by each territory is redistributed by International Headquarters to the places that need it most. The appeal helps fund essential support services such as administration, IT and other operational costs that enable Salvation Army ministry.

Each year we focus on a difference area of ministry to help people engage with the appeal and pray about our international Army.

In 1884 we put down roots in Indonesia, from where we share stories for this year’s Self-Denial Appeal. Here we have over 300 corps with around 70,000 soldiers and adherents. We run 103 schools, 6 hospitals, social service centres and more.

In 2025 our sacrificial gifts can help long-established work like this to continue and flourish. Together we can enable generations of Salvationists to transform lives into the future.

In 1886, when General William Booth was trying to raise funds for The Salvation Army's international work, an officer pledged to go without pudding for a whole year and give the money to the fund.

Booth liked the idea of people uniting together, challenging themselves to live sacrificially for period of time and then donating the money saved to The Salvation Army. Thus, Self-Denial was born.