Love God, Love Others

Self-Denial 2024

Called by God – supported by you

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.

This year, our focus is on the life-changing impact of officers across the globe. By supporting officers to flourish in their roles, we can help them continue to transform lives in their local communities.

Money raised by our territory will be redistributed by International Headquarters to the countries and projects that need it most.

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.

Freely you have received; freely give.

Matthew 10:8

Called to love and serve

Around the world, officers are not only sharing the gospel but living it out too.

Our sacrificial gifts can help equip officers with training, resources and infrastructure to respond to God's calling.

Transforming lives in Greenland

Captain Nathanael, his wife Ruchama and three children live in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital city. There are more homeless people here, as a proportion of the population, than any other European city. And Nathanael’s work running The Salvation Army corps is vital.

He opens early to welcome people who are homeless and others who are struggling with addiction. Nathanael says that understanding needs and difficulties is key, but it can be hard for people to talk about them. So, he runs a welcoming café where people can relax and chat. Music plays a big part in his ministry too, he said: 'Singing helps express emotions, as well as uniting people.'

Anna-Maria and Paul are drug addicts and their children are in care, and now the couple are homeless too. They desperately wanted to turn their lives around but couldn’t see how. Now they find practical help, love and hope at Nathanael’s centre.

You can:

Use the appeal envelope and hand it in during your local altar service on Sunday 3 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 2024, we are focusing on the life-changing impact of officers across the globe. By supporting officers to flourish in their roles, we can help them continue to transform lives in their local communities.

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.