Thousands of Salvationists and friends streamed into the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ont., for the Welcome Meeting of Territorial Congress 2014. Excitement grew as the crowd stood to welcome Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle, territorial commander and territorial president of women's ministries, and Colonels Mark and Sharon Tillsley, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women's ministries.
Two RCMP officers escort General and Commissioner Cox as they are welcomed to Congress
Escorted by two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, in their distinctive red uniforms, General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women's Ministries, entered the auditorium to enthusiastic applause as they were welcomed for their first visit to the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Moving to the platform, the international and territorial leaders stood as flags from each of the nine divisions were marched in and divisional leaders acknowledged.
The celebration continued as the London Citadel Timbrels (Ontario Great Lakes Division) thrilled the crowd with a dynamic presentation including vocals and creative choreography, as the Canadian Staff Band played Leonard Ballantine's Since Jesus. Also participating were the Ontario Central-East Youth Chorus, the Ontario Central-East Divisional Singing Company and the St. John's Temple Worship Team (Newfoundland and Labrador Division).
General Cox accepts a gift from Captain Shari Russell, territorial Aboriginal liaison, and her son
First Nations representatives, cloaked in traditional garments, spoke words of welcome to congress delegates and presented gifts to the General and territorial commander. In an expression of good will, the General and territorial commander presented each representative with a gift from The Salvation Army.
“Open your spirit to the Spirit of God so that when he speaks to us, we will be ready to respond,” said Commissioner Brian Peddle as he turned his attention to the congregation and led the singing of Crown Him With Many Crowns. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle offered a prayer of blessing on congress events and committed everything that would take place to the Lord.
In response to the introduction of the international leaders by the territorial commander, Commissioner Silvia Cox shared the story of her calling by God to be a Salvation Army officer. To the delight of the 200-strong delegation from the Quebec Division, she spoke a special greeting to them in French.
“Open your spirit to the Spirit of God so that when he speaks to us, we will be ready to respond,” says Commissioner Brian Peddle
Before sharing the Word of God, General Cox expressed how much he is looking forward to Boundless, The Salvation Army's international congress that is taking place next year in London, England, from July 1-5, and encouraged Salvationists from the Canada and Bermuda Territory to attend.
Speaking on holiness in the lives of Salvationists, the General said: “It's about a living, growing relationship with our heavenly Father…. Don't let us be a holy people with sour faces. Our faces should be radiant for what God has done for us.”
In response to the General's invitation, a large number of people moved forward in dedication of their lives. A particularly poignant moment was when Commissioner Rosalie Peddle left the platform to kneel with a group of young people who had come together to the mercy seat.
General Bramwell Tillsley (Rtd) pronounced the benediction, asking God's blessing on the remainder of the congress events.
Yes, it was a blessing to be able to sit in my home and watch the events taking place, Again I am thankful for the people who were responsible for making that available for those of us who could not attend.
Of course with any event there are a few disappointments. I was disappointment that the new Lieutenants were not give the opportunity to kneel at the cross in dedication along with their family and friends on Sunday afternoon. This maybe the last opportunity they will ever have to do that. I have know family members who accepted Jesus into their lives on such an occasion. The second year cadets were not recognized at all. Too bad!
Another disappointment was with the singing. It was said that there were 3000 people in attendance but you could not hear anyone singing only the worship team leader and the guitars playing. No doubt they could be heard in the auditorium but not online and hearing people singing makes it more enjoyable.
We have many officers who are very capable of leading a prayer meeting and why it was left up to the worship team I'll never know. We have beautiful choruses that could have been used but weren't. Not saying anything about the ones that were used but many of them are not familiar in smaller corps and we at home like to participate in worship too.
Just a few suggestions for the next time. Thanks.
On Saturday, June 21, 2014, Ira Barrow said:
Marvelous report about a meeting that must have been such a blessing and challenge to those in attendance and those able to watch it on various electronic devices. I smiled (appropriately so, I guess) at the General's suggestion that we not have sour faces, or long faces in other words.
It reminded me of an old saint in our corps when I was a boy, over 60 years ago. Uncle Henry was known for his unique testimonies. Once he was heard to say, "I don't care how long a man's face is, as long as he doesn't have two."
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”—Matthew 5:14-15 Generation Z, affectionately known as gen Z, refers to individuals born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.
In April, Canadian Salvationists Jahred and Jessica Warkentin took up roles as program co-ordinator and development officer in the Bangladesh Territory. Over the coming months, they will share their experiences and prayer requests in this blog for Salvationist.ca.
The Salvation Navy began in 1885 after General William Booth was presented with the three-masted steam yacht Iole. From this ship, meetings were conducted, and Bibles and religious books were distributed.
Two RCMP officers escort General and Commissioner Cox as they are welcomed to Congress
General Cox accepts a gift from Captain Shari Russell, territorial Aboriginal liaison, and her son
“Open your spirit to the Spirit of God so that when he speaks to us, we will be ready to respond,” says Commissioner Brian Peddle
Two RCMP officers escort General and Commissioner Cox as they are welcomed to Congress
General Cox accepts a gift from Captain Shari Russell, territorial Aboriginal liaison, and her son
“Open your spirit to the Spirit of God so that when he speaks to us, we will be ready to respond,” says Commissioner Brian Peddle
Of course with any event there are a few disappointments. I was disappointment that the new Lieutenants were not give the opportunity to kneel at the cross in dedication along with their family and friends on Sunday afternoon. This maybe the last opportunity they will ever have to do that. I have know family members who accepted Jesus into their lives on such an occasion. The second year cadets were not recognized at all. Too bad!
Another disappointment was with the singing. It was said that there were 3000 people in attendance but you could not hear anyone singing only the worship team leader and the guitars playing. No doubt they could be heard in the auditorium but not online and hearing people singing makes it more enjoyable.
We have many officers who are very capable of leading a prayer meeting and why it was left up to the worship team I'll never know. We have beautiful choruses that could have been used but weren't. Not saying anything about the ones that were used but many of them are not familiar in smaller corps and we at home like to participate in worship too.
Just a few suggestions for the next time. Thanks.