Texting for Good
Each year, an estimated 18.7 billion text messages are sent and received worldwide. Studies show that an average adult sends or receives approximately 10 text messages daily, with the average teenager sending or receiving approximately 50 text messages and the average young adult transmitting up to 100 text messages per day. With that as the backdrop, The Salvation Army is aiming to meet individuals and families where they are with the “Texting for Good” initiative this holiday season.
The Southern Territorial Mission, Evangelism, and Cultural Ministries Department recently created and developed a quarterly evangelism card, the most recent released on November 1, 2024. This quarter’s focus is a texting challenge, delivered via a customizable card that can be distributed locally through targeted channels in each community across the Southeast.
“The aim is to have these cards distributed throughout the year,” says Major Lynda Thornhill, territorial mission, evangelism, and cultural ministries secretary. “They can be given to donors, clients, the general public, even soldiers and local officers. And it is aimed at keeping The Salvation Army in their mind and to remind them of what we’re doing.”
Each card is fully customizable through The Salvation Army’s Canva partnership, with corps able to format and print the card to preferred specifications. This initiative is also designed to ease the burden of outreach at the local level. Major Thornhill shares that the goal is to provide a “springboard to bringing families into our programs,” while also keeping things simple and providing resources that can be utilized practically.
The recommendation is a 4x6 card, but the size can be changed to as small as a business card or as large as a flyer. The template will be housed on Ministry Toolkit, and each card will feature a dedicated QR code that leads directly to a video on the Texting for Good challenge during this holiday season.
This video features a focus on Christmas and a challenge to do something good through technology for one week.
“Looking at the video people will see when they scan the QR code in November or December, there is reference to the joy that young people feel when they see Santa Claus,” says Major Thornhill. “It’s the same in our spiritual walk with Jesus. You may read your Bible from your phone. You may watch church virtually. But there’s no replacement for spending that time with the Lord. Part of our relationship with Him is doing. It’s both faith and works. Here is a way that you can put your faith to work in this ‘Texting for Good’ challenge.”
The seven-day text challenge begins with a prompt on day one to text the first person in an individual’s camera roll who is wearing a green shirt and ends with a charge on day seven to give back in some way within a community. The asks are practical, but the message that each of us can make a difference is resonant.
“If we can get this card in someone’s hand, it has the potential to do good,” Major Thornhill says. “We want there to be an application to any story, and that is definitely there in our holiday card.”
“You may not have money. You may not have resources. But you can do this, and share this card, and perhaps make a difference in someone’s life,” she continues. “And you also do not have to be a member or a soldier of The Salvation Army to make a clear, tangible impact.”