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“All over the world” kicks off commissioning meetings.
by Christin Davis –
“All over the world” ushered in a weekend of festivities as the West celebrated the commissioning of the God’s Fellow Workers Session of cadets.
Following a dinner featuring food from around the world, the evening program began with a parade of country flags carried by the Espíritu! cast and Service Corps team members while the visiting Brazilian national band played the hymn, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.”
Focusing on The Salvation Army’s world zones, the presentations included a great deal of pageantry, costumes and color.
“We’re an Army of peace,” said Territorial Commander Commissioner Philip Swyers in his introduction of the meeting. “We’re diversified, which gives us the opportunity to declare the message of Christ in many languages.”
A video introduced Western officers serving overseasnearly 30 officers in all.
Between performances by the Brazilian national band and songsters, the Latino chorus from Espíritu! performed the musical’s final number.
A group from the San Francisco Korean Corps performed a traditional fan dance in vibrant neon-colored dresses and glittering, gold headdresses.
General John Larsson (Ret.) gave the message, encouraging attendees to become citizens of the world. “Our destiny is to give our hearts and win the world for God,” he said. “We must do our partthe world stands right outside our front door.”
Swyers announced the Western Territory’s 2008 World Services donation and presented the $6.5 million check to Larsson.
“The soldiers all across this territory want to help,” Swyers said. “We give this lovingly because we’re part of the whole.”
Larsson accepted the check and said, “The international heart beats very strongly in the USA Western Territory. The heart of this territory has spread out to the world and we salute your generosity.”
A concluding video introduced this summer’s Service Corps teams, which are serving in Argentina, Chile, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Washington D.C., and throughout the Western Territory.
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