News feature 10 and

George Scott Railton’s birthplace, Arbroath Open-air at Arbroath harbour Major Lisa Hanover

Adherent Norma McGovern

division was shown, accompanied by the tune ‘Highland Cathedral’.

Picking up the theme for the campaign, the TC encouraged the congregation to receive the living water available in Jesus.

The next day the campaign remained in the city for a meeting at Inverness Corps, including visitors from other corps in the division and other parts of the territory.

Major Lisa Hanover, recently appointed with her husband Nick to pioneer the Army’s work in Elgin, gave an honest testimony. It was evident that this had a significant impact upon the congregation. The band, formed especially for the day, provided the prayer for the day with the piece ‘Move, Holy Spirit’.

A four-part men’s vocal group from Kirkwall sang ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’, which set the scene for a powerful message by Commissioner Gill, who linked Isaiah 44:3 with the familiar verses of Psalm 23, encouraging everyone to come to the still waters. At the conclusion of the message a number of people knelt at the mercy seat. BUCKIE Sunday evening was a particularly significant event for the commissioners as they returned to the corps where their officer ministry started 38 years ago. The hall was packed with people from Buckie and Findochty as well as Salvationists from other corps and colleagues from other expressions of the Army – including people who had been in the community when the commissioners were stationed there.

With the help of Fraserburgh Band the capacity congregation enjoyed worship together. The TC’s message focused on the man who had been at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, unable to walk, but when Jesus called him to get up, he was immediately healed and followed him. He reminded everyone present that this call is just as relevant today and that, as they allow the Holy Spirit to reign in their lives, they too can live a full life in Jesus.

The day of commitment and celebration concluded in fellowship.

ARBROATH The penultimate day saw the territorial leaders return to the location of their second appointment. As they arrived at the corps a weekly music afternoon was in progress featuring a local fiddle and accordion group. Following this the territorial leaders and divisional leaders were taken on a tour of the town, including the birthplace of George Scott Railton.

Salvationists and friends from nearby corps and other expressions of Salvation Army work in Angus and Dundee gathered for a tea, where food from the places visited on the campaign was available.

During this informal gathering Norma McGovern was welcomed as an adherent. She testified to how God had been with her throughout her life as a nurse in a number of countries. She spoke of how she had been welcomed back into the Army and was now taking this step into membership of the corps.

Commissioner Gill shared a message reminding people that God can meet with anyone, regardless of their circumstances.

For the first time in many years an evening open-air meeting was held at Arbroath harbour. A band accompanied the singing and a good crowd of Salvationists and friends from other churches in the town gathered. The TC shared a message based on Isaiah 44:3.

ABERDEEN The final day saw civic leaders and guests from local churches – together with soldiers and friends from Aberdeen and other corps – gather at Aberdeen Citadel for a reception followed by a Summer Songs of Praise.

This featured contributions from a combined band and songster brigade as well as from Castlegate Chorus, a group that meets in the hall every week.

Divisional Commander Major Gillian Jackson acknowledged the presentation of a replica foundation stone, which had been prepared for the building’s 125th anniversary. As part of the inscription on the stone, it states that the building was erected ‘to the glory of God and the good of the people’. The TC referenced this as he shared his final message, encouraging people to reflect the glory of God and to receive that glory for themselves. He reminded his listeners that everything that they do is for the good of the people: loving God and loving others.

Being churches together

Salvationist asks Mike Royal about himself and his new role as general secretary of Churches Together in England

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

My parents came to the UK in the late 1950s, as many people from the Caribbean did, to help rebuild the country after the Second World War. I was born and brought up in Purley, near Croydon, and came to personal faith aged 14.

I trained as an urban planner and worked in that sector for about three years before being called into church ministry. I spent 10 years in Keighley, West Yorkshire, as a district pastor of two churches. During that time I served for four years as the national youth leader of the Apostolic Church UK and started a charity called Transforming Lives for Good.