NEW FRONTIER CHRONICLE Reflectors of Holiness receive first appointments

BY CHRISTIN THIEME

The afternoon Service of Appointments June 11 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California, began with the celebratory entrance of the Territorial Executive Council, previous session flags, Service Corps, and the Territorial Youth Chorus, which sang “Jesus Give Me A Song” before the entrance of the Long Service Order recipients, the now second-year cadets and the Reflectors of Holiness, in red trim, signifying their transition from cadet to officer. Each was also draped in a Salvation Army flag sash with their session name and met the cheers of the crowd.

After a time of worship, Territorial Secretary for Personnel Lt. Colonel Stephen Smith presented six Divine Servant Awards to officers and soldiers whose conduct and ministry best exemplifies the selfless service of Christ at the front line of Salvation Army ministry, including: Captains Timothy and Tanya Pemberton from the Santa Monica Adult Rehabilitation Center, Peggy Birkinbine from the Boise Corps in Idaho, Captains Edith and Richard Mabie from the Roseburg Corps in Oregon, Ryan Shanahan from Great Falls, Montana, Captain Shawn Keoho from the Lihue Corps in Hawaii and Holly White from the Mesa Citadel Corps in Arizona.

The Staff Songsters then sang “Psalm 145” before session speaker Lt. Adelza Da Silva gave her testimony.

“With the grace of God and dependence on the Holy Spirit, without whom we can do nothing, I am fully convinced that my session and I are ready to put into practice and reflect the holiness of God through our lives,” she said. “For I know that he who called us has also equipped us, and our duty is to be ready to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and obey his leading.”

The Staff Band presented “To God Be The Glory” before Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley called Alaska divisional leaders Lt. Colonels Doug and Sheryl Tollerud to the stage, noting they retire in July after 40 years of officership. Doug Tollerud led the congregation in singing “Tell Them In The East And In The West” before Sheryl Tollerud gave a charge to the new officers.

She challenged the session to love God, love God’s people, and teach and preach God’s truth.

“Fuel your souls with the clarity of Scripture, maintain a light of integrity, polish your heart with mercy, align your ambitions on the horizon of humility, and reflect the love, sacrifice and grace of Jesus Christ—which only comes from spending time in the presence and glory of God,” she said.

“You will hopefully develop to give wise counsel, compassionate support and sacrificial love, but it is God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit that saves, guides, helps and transforms the lives of the people entrusted to you,” Tollerud said, noting Psalm 119:105— Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path—and Philippians 2:15-16—Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. “So hold out the word of life. Teach and preach God’s truth.”

Then, in the moment all attendees were waiting for, Riley turned to the crowd: “Are you ready? Ok, let’s do this.” And with that he appointed each of the Reflectors of Holiness to serve in their first ministry as Salvation Army officers across the Western Territory.

In a time of thanks, Riley offered words of gratitude to the weekend’s special guests, along with retiring divisional leaders and the 28 officers of the Western Territory serving around the world. He asked Colonel Genevera Vincent to pray over Southern California divisional leaders Lt. Colonels John and Lani Chamness, who take up appointments Aug. 1 as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, respectively, in the Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Finally, Stephen Smith led the song “Joy, Joy, Joy!” before Major Stacy Cross, Director of CFOT Education and Continuing Education, closed the event in prayer. NFC