The Salvation Army Chatham

Times of rare blessing are all too infrequent in life. However, one such day occurred yesterday with the visit of 29 officers and staff attending the current session (206th) at The Salvation Army’s International College for Officers in South London.

Delegates to the 206th session sightseeing in London

137 years have passed since a Christian Mission station was opened in Chatham by Catherine Booth, wife of William, the founder of what later became The Salvation Army. At that time 15 other mission stations had already been opened although, of these, only 7 remain to this day. Nearly a century and a half later the ‘Army’ is at work in 122 countries all around the world and is recognised, in the UK, as the second largest provider of social care outside of the government.

So it was a great privilege to receive our visitors yesterday (a full list of names and countries is given at the foot of this article) together with Lt. Col. Richard Munn, college Principal. Leadership of the two meetings was in their hands and was full of interest and blessing. Also in the visiting party were Major Julie Forrest (Personnel Secretary) and Major Peter Forrest (Business Secretary). Associate Principal Lt. Col. Janet Munn and Programme Secretary Major Mildred Tourn were not able to be present.

Lt. Col. Richard Munn

The Delegates

The morning meeting was opened by Major Richard Larson, USA, who used songs 56 and 575 from the Salvation Army Song Book. Major Patricia Hangoma, Zambia, prayed in her own language and Major Roseleen Singh, India, brought scripture from Psalm 146. Major Stephen Jarvis, New Zealand, testified to God’s faithfulness. Having yesterday visited his great grandfather’s home in Bath Stephen spoke of the continuing presence of God which finds him where he is today. ‘God is alive and well today and moving within his Army’. Major Comfort Folowasho Adepoju, Nigeria, spoke with great fervour about her upbringing and how ‘I am a child of God and he has always been my sufficiency’. The Songsters brought a strong and vibrant rendering of ‘The Saviour’s Name’ which prompted an immediate invitation to Ohio!

L to R: Patricia, Roseleen, Comfort

Richard & James

Captain James Betts, USA, preached on Hebrews 9:1-10 and asked:

Is God here with us? Why are you here? Why did people go to the Temple? Because the presence of God is here/there. We are in the presence of God. This is a place of celebration and we party here. God also teaches us his ways and so we are instructed here. Other reasons we come are sometimes that we have questions for God, we want to find goodness and love, this is a place to glorify God, gaze upon his beauty, find refuge, comfort in our old age and worship. There are no barriers here and there is nothing in the way of coming to God’s temple. Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. Major James then read from Ephesians 2:1-10 and continued Jesus now dwells in the body of Christ (the entire world wide Christian church). We may be unique but we are part of that church as the Holy Spirit brings us together. We are God’s temple and that spirit lives in us. But we must also know that God lives in the individual believer. For this to happen we must be changed by the Holy Spirit so that we can be the channel that carries the gospel to the world.

Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.

The meeting concluded with song 512 from the Salvation Army Song Book.

The second meeting of the day brought more international flavour for our enjoyment. It set out to bring something of interest from each of the five zones in which The Salvation Army operates. Major Peter Forrest helped kick things off with song 824 from the Salvation Army Song Book and his wife Julie piloted the remainder of the meeting leading with an introduction to the ICO. More information about the college can be found by clicking on the link at the top of this post.

Peter & Julie

From the Americas zone Major Monica Wilson (Caribbean) introduced song 645 from the Salvation Army Song Book, Major Gilberto Trinidad (Mexico) offered prayer in his own language and Major Mark Satterlee (USA) interviewed Major Pedro Sanchez (Chile) with Captain Enrique Azuaje (USA) acting as interpreter. Chatham Band brought musical ministry with ‘Be Thou my Vision’ in this part of the meeting.

Monica

Enrique & Pedro

The Europe zone was introduced by Captain Amanda Lee (UK) with song 742 from Songs of Fellowship, Major Kjell Karlsten (Sweden) testified and sought prayer for this zone, in particular Scandinavia. Major Gunilla Johasson (Sweden & Latvia) had the congregation singing in Swedish the song ‘How Great Thou Art‘.

Amanda, Gunilla & Kjell

The Africa zone was represented by some African music sung by all the officers from that region and again involved audience participation with the swaying and dancing!

African music

Let it all go!

The South Asia zone featured Major John William Polimetla (India) with testimony which incorparated his own ‘Vision for India’ and the Songsters brought ‘One Life to Live’ as their contribution.

The final zone featured was that of South Pacific and East Asia and was the time for scripture and a thought brought by Major Sharon Clanfield (no picture – sorry!) (Australia) who said:

A slogan seen on the side of a lorry carrying apples said ‘We won’t be pipped for quality’. In other words, we’ve got the best. My heavenly father also makes this claim because he gave us the fruits of His spirit. He said ‘My children will bear fruit’. A farmer can only make that claim if it has been a good season but God says that if I abide in Him, whatever the environment, I will bear fruit. Sharon then referred to Jeremiah 17:7-8. Continuing she said in Australia drought has sometimes affected our crops but when I read this I realise that God cares for, nourishes and protects me no matter what my circumstances are.

We can all flourish in our own environment with God’s help. So what is the key? Putting our trust in God. Being planted in a relationship with God. Reaching out to a living God. If you ensure these things then your faith will grow strong and out of this relationship much fruit will grow.

Sharon then asked the congregation to listen to the words of song 458 in the Salvation Army Song Book and consider them.

A fine day was brought to an end by the singing of song 809 from the Salvation Army Song Book followed by a benediction given by Corps Officer Major Drew McCombe.

Major Drew McCombe

We end with a reminder that there will only be one meeting next Sunday (29 August) at 10am. This will be led by Divisional Leaders Lt. Cols. Anthony and Gillian Cotterill as Majors Drew and Beverley McCombe will be in Wales for the wedding of their daughter Catherine. Make a date and join us if you can. Here’s how to find us.

Click on the maps to enlarge

List of Delegates

AUSTRALIA EASTERN-Major Sharon Clanfield
AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN-Captain Michael Wright
CANADA & BERMUDA-Major Stephen Hibbs
CARIBBEAN-Major Monica Wilson
INDIA CENTRAL-Major John William Polimetla
INDIA NORTHERN-Major Roseleen Singh
INDIA SOUTH WESTERN-Major Israel Daniel
KENYA EAST-Captain Alice Barasa
MEXICO-Major Gilberto Martínez Trinidad
NIGERIA-Major Comfort Foluwasho Adepoju
NEW ZEALAND, FIJI & TONGA-Major Stephen Jarvis
SOUTH AMERICA WEST-Major Pedro Sánchez
SOUTHERN AFRICA-Major Sibongile Ivy Mntambo
SWEDEN & LATVIA-Major Kjell Karlsten
SWEDEN & LATVIA-Major Gunilla Johansson
SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA & HUNGARY-Major Jacques Donzé
UGANDA-Major Abraham Wanyonyi
UNITED KINGDOM-Major Heather Coles
UNITED KINGDOM-Captain Amanda Lee
UNITED KINGDOM-Major Dean Logan
USA CENTRAL-Captain Enrique Azuaje
USA EASTERN-Captain James Betts
USA SOUTHERN-Major Mark Satterlee
USA WESTERN-Major Richard Larson
ZAMBIA-Major Patricia Hangoma
ZIMBABWE-Major Washington Marere