Q & As for “Our People”

Dean Feener- William Booth or ‘Will’

(Territorial Mission Information Systems Director)

1. What one thing do you want an audience member to walk away with after seeing the musical?
A sense that they are part of an amazing organization that was brought to life for a singular purpose, to bring hope and light to the lost through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. How do you foresee the musical changing the landscape of what the next generation of Salvationists understands about The Salvation Army?
The musical has the potential to foster a deeper connection with the mission of The Salvation Army and bring about a renewed sense of commitment to doing the work that God has called us to do.  That mission can easily be lost as we travel to our nice corps buildings and hear our fantastic music, but the reason that William and Catherine formed this ‘Army’ was to be on the front lines, in the midst of the battle and literally waging war with Satan for the souls of the lost and condemned.  The message in the Musical is that, our response to it is ours.

3. What did you learn while preparing your role and preforming in the musical?
William Booth was a man of singular purpose and intent, focused on winning souls directly from Satan’s grasp in the places where no others would dare to tread.  He was a man of unbending will and determination who understood God’s calling in his life and refused to let anything stand in the way of his pursuit of that calling.  He was a  man of deep compassion who physically felt the hurt and pain of the people he ministered to and served with.  And finally, he was a man of uncommon valor, a hero who  put the well being of others above his own, their needs above his needs, and their Salvation above his own safety.

From: Laura Boutchyard/USS/SArmy
To: Roberta Simmons-Smith/USS/SArmy@USS, Dean Feener/USS/SArmy@USS
Date: 05/10/2011 02:53 PM
Subject: Questions

Hello, there!

I am finally sending you all the Q& A’s for the musical.  Would you both be so kind and fill these out.  I want to post them on the SS Online on 5/23, but if I can get them sooner that would be so wonderful!!!  Thanks!

Roberta Simmons-Smith-Catherine Booth aka ‘Kate’

(Territorial Creative Arts Director)

1. What one thing do you want an audience member to walk away with after seeing the musical? A renewed sense of vision as Soldier’s of the Salvation Army. Just by studying Catherine’s life and history, a fire has been lit under my passion and vision in ministry as I am reminded of how the mission of the Army came to be.

2. How do you foresee the musical changing the landscape of what the next generation of Salvationists understands about The Salvation Army? The details and passion behind the origin of The Salvation Army are somewhat lost in THIS generation, let alone the NEXT! This musical illustrates the deep need the world has for our mission. A world which may ‘look’ a little different then in the Booth’s era, but a world where the need is just as desparate!

3. What did you learn while preparing your role and preforming in the musical? ALOT!! I learned that ‘Kate’ had a HUGE impact on how the Salvation Army came to be, and the reasons behind much of what it stands for! She was the ‘intellectual’ in her marriage, and studied the word inside out; which is rather ironic since she lived in a time where women were looked at as the caregivers, and not the ones with learned knowledge. Kate was a powerhouse of an influence in her time and in the Army world!