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General leads retirement of Commissioners Paul R. and Carol Seiler
By Elizabeth Kinzie –
Other highlights included the official retirement of territorial leaders Commissioners Paul R. and Carol Seiler, officers from the USA Western Territory.
The congress was filled with music, including performances by British Salvationist Charlie Green and some of the territory’s premier groups, such as the world-renowned Chicago Staff Band (CSB), a territorial youth band and youth chorus, and the territorial praise band, The Singing Company. Some groups were formed especially for the event, including a united singing company of more than 250 children who represented every division. Many of the meetings featured the territory’s Bill Booth Theater Company which—with the CSB—gave a preview of a Broadway-style musical, A Long Way Off, being written by Joe Caddy and Phil Laeger to debut next year.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Paul R. Seiler presented two Certificates in Recognition of Exceptional Service. The first was given to David Brooksbank, long-time corps sergeant-major (CSM) at the Chicago-suburban Norridge Citadel, one of the territory’s largest and most innovative corps. He spoke of his reliance on prayer, saying: “Time spent in prayer is crucial in order to remain passionate about bringing Christ to the people and the people to Christ.” The second went to Major Richard Justvig for his post-retirement service as CSM at Gateway Citadel Corps in St. Louis, Missouri, and his role in developing a vital program of healing and restoration for former officers.
In Bible messages throughout the congress, the General urged delegates to be full participants in the great integrated mission to which God has called The Salvation Army—proclaiming the gospel and meeting human needs without discrimination. It is in this age of monumental change and political upheaval, he said, and in the reality of our everyday lives, that we are called to have faith and to boldly step out with bright hope for our world. He proclaimed: “The world needs a strong, mobilized Salvation Army.”
Sunday included the commissioning and ordination of the Joyful Intercessors Session of cadets, followed by the appointments meeting in which the new lieutenants were given their first appointments. At the end of the commissioning meeting, 120 people moved to the platform in response to the call for officership—a significant breakthrough for the territory.
The weekend also included a record World Services/Self-Denial ingathering totaling $9.1 million; an upbeat youth rally with the General and Silvia Cox; an early-morning “Run for the World” with more than 200 participants; and an afternoon replete with picnics, concerts and a colorful Global Village primarily featuring countries benefitting from the territory’s “20 New Corps” initiative to build or renovate corps around the world to better enable the mission.
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A very encouraging report. My grandparents, Louis and Laude Carl, graduated from the training college in Chicago many many years ago. God bless The Salvation Army
A very encouraging report. My grandparents, Louis and Laude Carl, graduated from the training college in Chicago many many years ago. God bless The Salvation Army