Lt. Col. Geanette Seymour appointed to The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission
An Australian Salvationist has been appointed the new Director of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission.
Lieutenant Colonel Geanette Seymour will take over from retiring Director, Commissioner Christine McMillan, at the end
of June.
The former Australia Eastern Territory Chief Secretary has welcome the appointment, which is based in New York: “God is good, the privileges are enormous and my family and friends make the distance manageable.”
As part of the new role Lt-Colonel Seymour will take part in a strategic review of the Social Justice Commission, chaired by the Chief of the Staff, that will set the body’s direction for the future.
“I am looking forward to engaging strongly to build a social justice understanding that emerges from our holiness teaching and impacts the how and why of what we do,” Lt Colonel Seymour says.
“That advocates with those who need our voice and is brave enough to face difficulty and opposition and do it all in the name of Jesus: including the excluded, challenging cultural practices, confronting the powerful, and advocating for the oppressed. Doing all this yet remembering that we are to practice grace and mercy in a world tainted by violence, arrogance, greed and hatred.”
Over the past five years since its establishment the International Social Justice Commission has engaged with Non Government Organisations in the international arena and has worked with different Salvation Army territories as they have built their responses to various social justice issues.
According to Lt Colonel Geanette Seymour, poverty remains one of the biggest social justice issues in our world today: “Lack of education, housing, medical support, trafficking, etc. can be traced back to poverty.”
Over the years the Commission has produced a number of resources that are used extensively throughout The Salvation Army. These can be found on the Commission’s website - www1.salvationarmy.org/socialjustice.
"We also have an Intern Programme," says Lt Colonel Seymour. "These well educated young Salvationists produce research that informs the work of the Commission and the broader Salvation Army.”
Some of the research includes papers on: “The impact of Salvation Army Primary School education on the alleviation of poverty.” Another on “The impact of Salvation Army micro credit programmes on the alleviation of poverty” and currently one is being developed on “The impact of the Women’s Ministries programmes on the alleviation of poverty.”
Report by Lauren Martin.
Comments
This is wonderfull news for Lt Colonial Geanette Seymour, As someone who has known Lt Colonol for many years and Seen her at work and have listen to many of her sermons...Social Justice is a real part of her very being...and always has been, with her love and care and understanding of people...Lt Colonial has always worked with the Love of God in her heart and The Salvation Army on her sleeve...I am Proud of you.
I have only known Lt. Col. Seymour for a short time, but her kindness, confidence, and leadership skills are felt instantly. She is a wonderful example of a true Christian. Congratulations and blessings on your new position.