The Salvation Army San Rafael

NATIONAL DONUT DAY 2026! Today 5 teams of people covered Marin County with 85 dozen donuts! We visited every first responder from the firefighters at Skywalker Ranch to the Coast Guard Team of the Golden Gate. We even served the firefighters and guards at San Quentin. This 28 year tradition has brought smiles to faces and kept The Salvation Army front and center in the community.

The Call of Every Christian

In the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul uses metaphors that were a part of their culture to communicate essential truths. Paul relates the work of evangelism to a farmer's work in the field:

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
1 Corinthians 3:7

Paul's message is clear: while every Christian is empowered with the task of evangelism, it is ultimately God—the Holy Spirit, who grows the seed of faith in an unbeliever's heart. This means others' response to the gospel is not on us as believers; our responsibility is to faithfully share the good news of eternal life.

But, if we're honest, many of us Christians keep our faith to ourselves. There are people who are ready and willing to hear and respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ—the hope of eternal life. And God wants to use us. He wants to use you!

Today, right where you are—in your job, in your neighborhood, in your family, and in your friend group—everywhere you walk with others, God wants to bring the good news of Jesus Christ.
And you're never alone in this call. God promises that His Spirit will be with you and will lead you, giving you the right words to say as you step out in faith (Matthew 28:20).

Consider what next step you can take to begin sharing Jesus with others. Prepare yourself to have conversations about Christ with your neighbors, coworkers, or friends. Ask God to give you courage, so that the good work He has started in you might also take root in others.

Today in our Women’s Ministries celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day. We learned about the history and why we celebrate this day. We had a lot of pupusas and some more delicious food. Great fellowship and learned how to make crepe paper flowers too. 😃😃

“Donut Lassies” were brave female Salvation Army volunteers who risked their lives to provide comfort, care, and a taste of home to soldiers during WWI. When the U.S. joined the conflict, “Donut Lassies” were sent by The Salvation Army’s National Commander, Evangeline Booth to go overseas and help set up camps for soldiers on the front lines. These incredible women risked their lives for this work, and while they were there, they began to utilize what they had to provide soldiers with a taste of home. Each day, these women and girls made hundreds of donuts, simply to help with the soldiers' morale, and eventually led to the popularization of donuts and the annual celebration of National Donut Day to recognize their service.

The Salvation Army promoted women as preachers, officers, and leaders from the beginning.

In the late 1800s, many young women served as evangelists, preaching in streets and leading revival meetings across Britain and other countries. This was radical during the Victorian era when most churches did not allow women to preach.

Today, The Salvation Army has many influential women leading the charge to serve our most vulnerable neighbors- serving as officers and pastors, generals and divisional commanders, missionaries, social service directors; running shelters and social services, helping victims of poverty and trafficking and leading community programs. They serve on the front lines every day bringing love and compassion to those who need hope.

Did you know that on March 10, 1880, The Salvation Army officially made its way to America?

Led by George Scott Railton and sent by General William Booth, The Salvation Army arrived via a steamer ship.

However, it wasn’t the first record of The Salvation Army in America.

A few months before, 16-year-old Eliza Shirley and her parents had arrived and established themselves in Philadelphia.

For months, Eliza and her family went all over town, “spreading the faith.”

Recognizing her good work, General William Booth sent George Scott Railton to continue the mission in America.

To read more about Eliza Shirley and her commitment to the Army, visit: https://peermag.org/articles/eliza-shirley/

📷 via The Salvation Army National Archives |