Commissioning 2023: Defenders of Justice WORDS Jules Badger, Kelly Cooper, Holly Morton-Chong PHOTOS Ben Mack, Major Mat Badger, Jules Badger
Graduation Service for Defenders of Justice | Ngā Kaiwawao i Te Tika | Kau Taukapo ‘O E Fakamaau Totonū
gratitude to people from around the territory for their prayers, messages of encouragement, and love and support since coming into his new role in August.
The weekend of official public events celebrating the commissioning and ordination of the Defenders of Justice session of cadets began with a graduation ceremony on the evening of Friday 8 December at The Street Church in Hania Street, Wellington. Hosted by Booth College of Mission (BCM), family and friends gathered to witness and support Cadets Andy and Tamsyn Connor, Cadets Amelia and Mosese Kava, Cadet Naomi Tong and Cadet Initi Tuiono.
Graduating cadets received certificates, including the BCM Diploma in Christian Studies (Theology, Level 5), BCM Diploma in Christian Studies (Leadership, Level 6), and the Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training. Alongside the cadets, Salvation Army Youth Work LAB Apprentice Sarah O’Brien (Manukau Central Corps) received the Certificate of Salvation Army Youth Work Training, having previously completed a Bachelor of Ministries (Laidlaw College) and Diploma in Youth Work (Praxis). Salvationist Soora Lee also received the Diploma in Christian Studies.
In attendance were Salvation Army senior leaders, BCM staff and the academic board, as well as Dr Stephen Garner, the academic dean of Laidlaw College (BCM’s key training partner). Special mention was made of those watching online, especially Lt-Colonels Garth and Suzanne Stevenson, the previous training principal and assistant training principal, now serving in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory. A pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony) took place at the beginning to welcome special guests for the weekend, particularly international Salvation Army leaders General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. Rūnanga Kaumatua Rangi McLean (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Waikato-Ngāti Maniapoto) spoke warmly to the leaders and welcomed them home to Aotearoa New Zealand. Cloaked in a korowai (Māori cloak), the General responded in te reo Māori, giving thanks and expressing
Six officers also received awards for completing further education studies during officership. Captain Andrew Wilson (Queenstown Corps) received the Postgraduate Diploma in Faith-Based Leadership and Management (University of Otago); the Bachelor of Theology (Laidlaw College) was received by Captain Veronica Rivett (Hastings Corps), Captain Bevan Reddish (Albany Bays Corps), Captain Rochelle Reddish (Albany Bays Corps) and Captain Cameron Millar (Hutt City Corps). Major Bronwyn Aldersley (national mission director for ASARS) received the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management (Open Polytechnic). BCM’s Education Officer Susan Howan introduced each of the graduating cadets before they received their certificates, drawing attention to their individual strengths and their unique passions. Susan spoke of saltmagazine.org.nz
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