New lieutenants sent out to proclaim
New lieutenants’ representative speaker Sean Everitt speaks during the Commissioning meeting. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
Twenty-four new officers have been commissioned at the annual Australia Eastern Territory Ordination and Commissioning service in Sydney. They consist of 18 cadets of the Proclaimers of the Resurrection session, one from the Bridgebuilderssession and five envoys.
Territorial Commander Commissioner James Condon commissioned the new lieutenants at the Sydney Convention Centre on Sunday morning, 2 December. They were officially sent to their roles in an afternoon Sending out to Proclaim service.
From the Proclaimers of the Resurrection session, Cassie and Sean Everitt were appointed to Tuggerah Lakes Corps, Beth and Christian White (Glebe), Kate and Matthew Ryan (Queanbeyan), Darryn Lloyd (Cessnock), Bronwyn Burnett (Campsie), Leisa and John Humbly (Nambour), Lesley Newton (Bega), Lydia and Steven Spencer (Warwick), Samantha and Dominic Wallis (Shoalhaven), Myfanwy and Peter Evans (Oasis Youth Support Network), and Debra and Rodney Parsons (Albury).
Wesley Bust, of the Bridgebuilders session, was appointed, with his wife, Captain Debbie Bust, to Ballina.
Among the envoys, Thellie Gunder continues as chaplain at Riverview Gardens Aged Care Services, Natalie and Simon Steele with the Outback Flying Service, and Karen and John Jackson as Corps Officers of Blackwater Corps.
Presenting the new officers to Commissioner Condon for commissioning, School for Officer Training Principal Major Stuart Evans said: “In each of the cadets that are before you today, I have found them to have a raging fire in their belly to proclaim the gospel, win souls and make their salvation the first purpose in their life.”
New lieutenant, Debra Parsons, delivered a lively testimony and then Commissioner Condon, in his Bible message, challenged the new officers - and all Salvationists – to be serious about showing Jesus to the world.
The morning session concluded with a responsive appeal for more people to offer for Salvation Army officership and commitment of their lives to the Lord, and signing of a Soldier’s Covenant.
The afternoon Sending out to Proclaim session was a more informal – and colourful – affair, with music, drama and involvement of children.
New lieutenants’ representative speaker Sean Everitt continued the “Jesus is Alive” and “Go Tell” themes during the session, challenging Salvationists to take advantage of new technology, including Facebook and Twitter, to share the story of Jesus’ redeeming power.
Lieutenant Dominic Wallis testified to the value of a Christian upbringing and determination to serve God in his own way until his reluctance to become an officer was challenged.
In his Bible message based on Luke 7:11-18, Chief Secretary Colonel Wayne Maxwell told of a personal visit to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and how he had missed out on the one thing he went for – to see Michelangelo’s painting The Hand of God.
“I missed it because I didn’t look up [it was on the ceiling],” he said. “Don’t miss the invitation from Jesus to experience his compassion.”
Colonel Maxwell said the miracle recorded in Luke 7: 11-18 of Jesus raising to life the only son of a widow, revealed Jesus’ compassion for people’s needs. Again, there was a considerable response to his public invitation for people to seek Jesus and his compassion.
The afternoon session included a farewell to Territorial Program Secretary Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, who takes up a new appointment next month as chief secretary of the Papua New Guinea Territory.
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