Commissioners Garth and Patti Niemand have been welcomed into their new roles as The Salvation Army's Chief of the Staff and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, with a call to lead with courage, unity and continued dependence on God.

The commissioners were welcomed and installed in their new responsibilities during a meeting at International Headquarters (IHQ) in London on October 1. 

Speaking on behalf of the worldwide Salvation Army, General Lyndon Buckingham described Commissioners Niemand as people of “character, integrity and passion for the Lord,” with extensive international experience and a deep commitment to the mission of The Salvation Army.

He also recognized them as strong champions of the Compass Global Strategic Framework, with its focus on People, Mission and Legacy, while acknowledging the scale of the task ahead. “We recognize that we’re asking you to embrace the worldwide Salvation Army and to show an interest and a concern for all of the activities, the people and the resources that are at our disposal to advance the mission entrusted to our care,” he said.

Prayers of dedication reflected on the commissioners’ journey of service from South Africa to Singapore, Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom, asking that they would continue to experience God’s guidance, strength and wisdom as they take on their new appointments.

“We’ll do it together”

Responding to the welcome, the new Chief of the Staff described his appointment as both “an incredible privilege” and deeply humbling.

Reflecting on his own calling to officership, he recalled how an initial reluctance to consider full-time service gradually became a conviction that God was asking for “more” from him. The Niemands entered the College for Officer Training in Johannesburg in 1998.

Looking ahead, he said his responsibility as Chief of the Staff would be to serve the General and help ensure IHQ provides the strongest possible oversight, support and leadership to the worldwide Salvation Army. “We will continue breaking down silos and building stronger collaboration across departments,” he said. “We will continue finding better ways of working. We will continue striving for excellence in our people, our mission and our legacy and, perhaps more importantly, we’ll do it together.”

Commissioner Patti drew on Joshua 3 in her devotional, reflecting on the Israelites preparing to cross the river Jordan into unfamiliar territory.

“The answer is not found in having it all mapped out for us,” she said. “It’s in keeping our eyes on the one who leads us.” Her message offered a simple challenge for the new season of leadership: “Keep your eyes on the Ark and follow it.”

Another highlight of the meeting was the presence of Commissioners Alistair and Marieke Venter, long-time friends and mentors of the Niemands going back to their pre-officership days in South Africa. The Venters were flag-bearers during the installation segment.

The service concluded with prayer that Commissioners Garth and Patti would be given wisdom, courage, discernment and humility as they support the General and share in the leadership of the worldwide Salvation Army.

Commissioner Garth concluded: “May God grant us wisdom, may God grant us courage, may God grant us unity and may God use us to advance the kingdom throughout the world.”

Photo: IHQ Communications