Launch of Territorial 2023 Theme

The Solomon Islands District launched the PNGSI Territorial 2023 theme ‘A Year of Regeneration’ on Sunday, 5th February, starting at Honiara Corps. Major Robert preached from Titus 3:4-7, reminding the congregation that we are made clean “through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” which is God’s work in us and through us. This divine process of regeneration was then applied to the outworking of local mission that engages in “Urban regeneration [as] a deliberate process that seeks toreverse urban decay or urban degeneration … [by] infusing ‘life’ into ‘dying’ neighbourhoods, or

District Officer’s Extension of Service

On the 14th December 2017, Majors Robert and Vanessa embarked on a two year appointment to the Solomon Islands as the Officers in Charge of a relatively new ministry of The Salvation Army. This initial term was extended to three years, in line with IHQ changes to international appointments, at which time they were appointed by the PNGSI Territorial Leaders as the District Officers of Solomon Islands. A second term of three years was accepted and approved, which is due to conclude on December 13th this year. During discussions with the Territorial Leaders in October last year,

Malaita Combined Youth Event

Over the weekend of the 11th and 12th February, Salvation Army youth from Rauai Fellowship in West Kwara’ae and Gateway Corps in North Malaita join with 700 young people from other churches around Malaita Province for an interdenominational youth event at the Assemblies of God (AOG) church in Kakara Village, Kwara’ae. The theme for the event was ‘One New Man in Christ’ which was summarized by one of the leaders at the event, “we have one heart and pursue only one purpose and that is to see that Christ’s glory reveals in and through His church and that God’s reconstructing what is broken” (Stephan De Beer, Faith-Based Action & Urban Regeneration). Variations of this opening message have been shared throughout February by other leaders on the District Team and will be preached by local leaders at each of The Salvation Army village churches between now and Easter. This is a timely and applicable theme for Solomon Islands at a time when there are many spiritual and social challenges manifesting in civil unrest, political instability, and community and environmental degeneration. Solomon Islands need visions of regeneration that arebirthedfromwithincommunities. kingdom and Gospel is preached and demonstrated in these last days” (Charles P. Tena, Solomon Islands Interdenomination Youth Combine). The District Team is excited to see Salvation Army young people from our village churches taking the initiative to engage with the other churches at such events. It was also great to see some of the boys from Gateway Corps participating in the event through the performance of a cultural dance from North Malaita. The Salvation Army youth ministry in Malaita Province continues to grow in numbers andmissionengagement.

Majors Robert and Vanessa expressed their strong desire to continue on for a third term in their appointment, which was enthusiastically endorsed by THQ. With the support of their home Territory in Australia and approval by IHQ, an extension to their service in the PNGSI Territory has been granted until December 2026, bringing their time in the Solomon Islands to a total of nine years. This further extension will allow time for the completion of a number of key projects, training of local leaders through the Officer Training College and theadvancementofnewministries.