News feature 12 and

Officers sent out to where God wants them to go

ICC HALL 1

The TC

ALL Together, the final meeting of Together 2022, featured the sending out of the newly commissioned officers. It started with a joyful rendition of ‘Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)’, which includes the lyrics: ‘Come have your way among us,/ We welcome you here, Lord Jesus.’

After a presentation from youth and children on percussion instruments, featuring some Maca dancers and music from the ISB, the band played ‘Marching Onward’ as the lieutenants entered to enthusiastic congregational applause.

The lieutenants sang their sessional song with the ISS before a video of Lieutenant Wendy Verheij (Consett) and her family was played. It featured them talking about what they had enjoyed about college life, and what they were looking forward to in their new appointment in northeast England.

An innovative prayer session was then held using interactive technology. Members of the congregation – both present and online – were asked to go to menti.com and enter a code shown on the screen. As people submitted specific words and phrases in prayer, a word cloud was built under the heading ‘God, we pray you make a difference…’, highlighting the most commonly entered prayer words, such as ‘community’, ‘family’ and ‘love’. The time was brought to an end with a prayer from Lieutenant Chelsea Huddlestone (Longton).

Lieutenant Emily Hague

Territorial Candidates Director Major Janet Robson welcomed some new territorial envoys to the platform and encouraged those who might want to join their ranks or apply for officership.

After a video clip, a line of people assembled across the platform, from a young child to older Salvationists. Each stepped forward to say ‘God’s not done with me yet’, before Major Janet said that God has a purpose for each believer, and that everyone is called to some form of ministry.

A congregational song and Bible reading led to Colonel Jenine Main providing the message for the afternoon. She spoke of God’s wonderful creation in Eden and the introduction of sin, largely due to humanity’s own freedom of choice and, sadly, some poor choices.

Colonel Jenine said that God now had to send us into the world to aid with its reconciliation to a right relationship with him and she read John 20:21, where Jesus said: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’

The theme from Mission: Impossible was then played as Colonel Jenine spoke of the ways that Christians can go and make a difference in the world; these ways can sometimes seem impossible but ‘with God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).

She implored listeners: ‘Go where God wants you to go, do what God wants you to do and be who God wants you to be.’

Chief Secretary Colonel Paul Main led a period of response and invited people to pray at the mercy seat, write a prayer on the graffiti wall or take a red heart from the stage and write a prayer on it. As the ISS sang, people came forward until the mercy seat was lined with people of all ages responding.

Before the meeting came to a close, a video showed some examples of ministry around the territory: Lieutenant Joanna Morgan (Aberystwyth) presented her testimony; video clips showed something of the Army’s work in Rhyl, Wales, and Shetland, Scotland; and Sports Mission Specialist Rob Moye led an interactive segment that got the congregation moving.

A benediction from the ISB and ISS was followed by a final congregational song – and Together 2022 was all over. – MD l Watch the livestream recordings of Together in Covenant and All Together at youtube.com

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TOGETHER CHILDREN

WHILE Commissioning took place 60 children attended the Together Children workshop, reports Editorial Assistant George Tanton. The focus was on Love God, Love Others, as expressed by the teaching of Matthew 22:39: ‘Love your neighbour.’ A team of four hosted a range of activities teaching about the Army’s work helping others. Story boards illustrated real-life examples of human-trafficking and the experiences of refugees. One board revealed how a mother and son – ‘Natalia’ and ‘Pietro’ – fled Ukraine and were assisted by the Army, which provided clothing and accommodation. Other activities included planting cress seeds to signify the Army’s work feeding people who are hungry and building shelters to illustrate the Army’s work with people who are experiencing homelessness. Children’s Specialist (Leader Development) Tracy Wood explained that the workshop’s aim was to teach the children that Jesus promises he will always be there when people experience crises in their lives.

Together 2022

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