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First ever event fulfills a dream originally conceived in 1996.
By Annie Carter with Karen Gleason
The first ever International College for Soldiers (ICS), held Sept. 10-24 at the International College for Officers and Centre for Spiritual Life Development (ICO/CSLD) in London, included 25 young adult delegates from around The Salvation Army world for an intensive two weeks of study, worship, evangelism and ministry.
“The ICS had a sense of history-in-the-making, with a long awaited dream realized,” said Colonel Janet Munn, international secretary for spiritual life development and associate principal ICO. “Every one of us present to participate in this first ICS had an understanding by the Spirit, that this was both a privilege and responsibility—to move forward in the world and announce the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Fulfilling a 1996 International Spiritual Life Commission recommendation, the ICS included selected delegates nominated by his or her territory for exemplary soldiership, leadership potential and English-language proficiency. Delegates represented all five Salvation Army zones: Africa, Americas and Caribbean, Europe, South Asia and South Pacific and East Asia.
The curriculum—taught by General Linda Bond, Commissioner Sue Swanson, Commissioner Lalkiamlova, Colonels Richard and Janet Munn, Dr. Roger Green, Phil Wall (UKI) and others from the ICO/CSLD—followed the framework of “Knowing,” “Being” and “Doing.”
Green, long-time visionary for this event, was the main guest lecturer. A recent recipient of the Order of the Founder, he is professor and chair of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries at Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. Green taught on the kingdom of God from the New Testament and on the theology of Catherine Booth.
“The ICS was way beyond my expectations,” Green said. “The thoughtful and careful planning, the detailed programming, the staff assembled for the ICS, and the caliber of soldiers who were people of vibrant faith, great intelligence, and ever aware that they were soldiers in an Army serving Christ and his kingdom.”
Swanson led delegates in a Bible study focused on David and Saul, and Richard Munn lectured on the Army’s 10th doctrine and personal holiness. Lt. Colonel Eddie Hobgood presented his one-man show on Joe the Turk; Lalkiamlova described his pioneering work for The Salvation Army in his home of Mizoram, India, and Wall challenged delegates to take their leadership seriously and decide how they want to be known.
“ICS reminded us what it means being a soldier in The Salvation Army,” said Rasmus Ljungberg, a delegate from the Sweden and Latvia Territory. “We must give ourselves to God and to his kingdom; it can’t stop at words–we need actions. ICS was about nailing our colors to the mast.”
With clarity and conviction, the General described her vision of a Spirit-filled Army, active on a worldwide front, to win the world for Jesus. Referring to Acts 2, she reminded delegates to be Jesus-centred, personally as well as corporately, to study the Bible for wisdom, guidance and examples of faith in action and to be on their knees as an army of prayer.
Studying personal holiness, practicing spiritual disciplines and new methods of prayer, delegates and staff participated in the Worldwide Prayer Meeting on Thursdays, led by Janet Munn. They explored new “rhythms” of prayer, including praying the Bible, circles of influence and listening prayer.
The group set up The Cedars (home of the ICO/CSLD) as a House of Prayer, creating prayer rooms centered on the kingdom of God and the General’s vision plan. Delegates were able to visit each prayer room, and corporately engaged in a half-night of prayer.
Munn and Major Janet Robson explored the theme of “Warfare,” and challenged delegates to share their “I’ll fight…” promises and prayers, while Major Miriam Oskarsdottir (Sweden and Latvia) directed them in a time of listening to God and speaking words of affirmation and blessing to each other.
Finally, delegates implemented knowledge of social holiness with missional opportunities in Salvation Army centers and the streets of London. Major Hannelise Tvedt (UKI) issued a call to social holiness, noting that the ongoing pilgrimage for holiness affects the call to “rescue the perishing [and] care for the dying.”
Tvedt organized an outreach day on the streets at three Army centers in London—the Stepney, Clapton, and Notting Hill corps—where each group evangelized.
Delegates spent the final Sunday morning in worship with the Regent Hall Corps, where they joined in a march of witness followed by a short open-air meeting.
“ICS resulted in life-changing experiences,” said Janelle Morris, delegate from the Caribbean Territory. “We have been empowered by the Word of God and have fostered wonderful relationships with people from all around the world.”
For more on the ICS, visit salvationarmy.org/csld/ics.
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