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General Shaw Clifton has announced the appointment of Lt. Colonels Don and Debi Bell, for the past six years territorial chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, to comparable titles and positions in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory effective July 1, 2008.
Lt. Colonel Donald and Debora Bell to take up new appointments.
by Robert Docter –
Lt. Colonels Don and Debi Bell, shown here during commencement at Crestmont in 2007, will take up international appointments in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory.
General Shaw Clifton has announced the appointment of Lt. Colonels Don and Debi Bell, for the past six years territorial chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, to comparable titles and positions in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory effective July 1, 2008.
In an exclusive interview with New Frontier the Bells excitedly discussed the challenges and opportunities awaiting them in this new appointment.
“God has decided to change our comfort zones and has provided us with opportunities to explore new ideas with new people,” Bell said. “I feel this move is God ordained. I have had a passion for New Zealand ever since a former territorial commander, Commissioner Lawrence Smith, returned from that nation and talked about the magnificent representation the Army has there.”
“New Frontier and Caring, the Western Territory’s journal of the Army’s strong commitment to holistic ministry, have shared the essence of many of New Zealand’s social programs as well as programs for women,” Lt. Colonel Debi Bell stated. “I like their strong belief in these programs as well as what I sense is a working attitude toward social justice.”
Bell, too, has explored many facets of the Army’s work through the territory’s internet site where he discovered an extensive, broadly based visioning process and the development of a strong Territorial Strategic Mission Plan. Its focus concerns “Caring for people, transforming lives, reforming society through God in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.” From this mission plan the territory established four goals: (1) to encourage all Salvationists to become dynamic disciples; (2) to increase the number of soldiers; (3) to take significant steps towards the eradication of poverty; and (4) to be a connected, streamlined mission focused Army.
“The key,” Bell said “is the focus that this process achieves. They’ve established a direction. They know where they want to go. They are relational, and obviously, the development of the entire plan was achieved through participatory leadership at all levels. We, most assuredly, are looking forward to being part of this team.”
Bell noted that in many ways this strategic plan paralleled the actions here in the West with the development of our six mission priorities under the leadership of Commissioner Linda Bond, our territorial commander at the time. It, too, brought focused action.
One example of that is the corps snapshot—a collection of vital information and statistics concerning some essential corps standards in each corps. It provides a timely, accurate picture of each corps from week to week.
Results of the work of officers and soldiers throughout the Territory have become clearly evident as succeeding territorial commanders have maintained this focus. He said he found this activity to be one of the ‘highlights’ over the past six years.
“Another highlight, Bell stated, has been the opportunity to work with so many outstanding community leaders on our advisory boards. They add a rich source of support for the organization. It was Joan Kroc’s significant demonstration of trust in this Army that did much to change our image nationally and provide us broadened access both to community leaders and to a more extended network with other agencies exploring was to improve our relationship with people living in a culture of poverty. “That $1.5 billion dollar gift and others like it,” Bell added,“ is a direct result of the dedicated, committed and compassionate work of officers, employees and soldiers of bygone years who rolled their sleeves up and showed true Christian love to those in need.
“The success and continuity of the Army,” Bell continued, “rests in strong local officers and competent and active members on the local advisory board. They need to feel ownership of the program and growth of the ministry.”
“While we’re identifying success, let’s remind ourselves what is taking place in women’s ministries,” Debora Bell stated. “We have a measurable 5% growth in women’s programs this year, and we’ve now developed outcome indicators in relation to our specific goals. These include: (1) women knowing Jesus as Savior; (2) becoming spiritually mature; (3) with families linked to the corps; and (4) participants becoming soldiers or adherents. With heavily attended, large meetings and conferences, we have minimized any perception that our women’s ministry is in any way a marginalized or subordinate work in the total corps program. Instead, we are working to have it perceived as one of the best sources of outreach available to the corps,” she said.
Bell, the longest serving chief secretary in the last 75 years of the Territory, jokingly referred to the joy of experiencing two winters this year. Their strong commitments to the spirit of God within their lives and their joy in serving him through the Army has been readily apparent throughout his entire stay here.
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