World leaders complete whirlwind trip of vast Australia Territory

05 September 2024

General Lyndon Buckingham speaks to staff during a chapel service at Territorial Headquarters (photo: Steve Haworth)

General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham have circumnavigated Australia, touring six states in seven days, delivering a message of revival and starting within the heart of the movement - our people.

In a series of inspiring messages to thousands of people across the Australia Territory, The Salvation Army's world leader said he believed a 'new wave' of the Holy Spirit was poised to be unleashed upon the movement.

He challenged people attending rallies to consider where Jesus stood in their lives - is he 'present', 'prominent' or 'pre-eminent'?

'If God is hovering over the movement because he's preparing us for the next chapter, he's going to be looking for men and women who are not content with "present", not content with "prominent", but are all-in with the pre-eminence of the King in their lives.'

He said he sees evidence that The Salvation Army is entering a new chapter of mission and ministry.

'God the Holy Spirit is on the move within the movement. There's a hovering, there's a stirring, there's a dissatisfaction, there's a hunger for a new wave, and that's a beautiful thing. And there's a sense in which God is calling us as his people to position ourselves to be ready for what it is that he needs us to be and to do in the world in these days.'

Salvationists from Perth to Hobart, Brisbane to Adelaide and from Sydney to Melbourne responded by kneeling in worship.

Next-generation impact

Children and young people took part in each rally, with a prayer from 11-year-old Bella Stobie in Perth speaking a powerful word over the Australian Salvation Army and over the General and Commissioner Buckingham.

'We pray that everywhere there is a red shield, that they would brightly shine the love of Jesus. We want everyone in Western Australia to know Jesus as their Saviour and best friend,' she said.

Her prayers didn't stop at her divisional border. Bella prayed that The Salvation Army in Australia would be a 'mighty Jesus army': 'Give us courage, give us boldness and give us a big faith to turn this country upside down with the love of Jesus', to which those gathered added a resounding 'Amen'.

General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham stand with Bella, 11, as she prays during the Western Australia Division rally in Perth (Photo: Peter Mazanec)

At many rallies, Commissioner Bronwyn shared her passion for the next generation of The Salvation Army rising up and being given the opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit in authentic ways. She told of her own salvation experience - the first time she gave her life to Christ, at the mercy seat, during a Salvation Army meeting when she was a child. 'I was only eight years old, but that was real for me because I can take myself back to that moment right now and feel those feelings, and it tells me that the decision of a child for Jesus is real. And we must never, ever underestimate what the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of children, and that they have so much to teach us who are older.'

Celebrating people

A highlight of the world leaders' visit was the opportunity to celebrate people within the movement. A new Australia Territory award - the 'Cutmore Award' - was introduced at the first rally in Sydney. At rallies during the week, 17 Salvation Army officers, auxiliary-lieutenants and mission leaders were surprised with the award, which honours pioneers of new faith expressions.

The award is named after Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore, Australian officers who helped to pioneer The Salvation Army's work in Papua New Guinea more than 60 years ago.

The first recipients were the Cutmores themselves, who were surprised and delighted when the Australian Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, visited their home and presented them with the award - personally named the 'Pioneering Award'.

'Commissioners Ian and Nancy Cutmore are heroes of the faith,' Commissioner Gluyas said.

At the final rally, the 'Regeneration Award' was also introduced and presented to Lieutenant Paul Trotter, who has 'reimagined' the work of Colac Corps in southern Victoria.

The Buckinghams also participated in a series of officers councils in each state throughout their tour.

Worship during the South Australia/Northern Territory rally in Adelaide (Photo: Duan Kereru)

Staff encouraged

And it wasn't just faith movement leaders who were honoured. At a staff gathering in Sydney, the General described everyone who worked for The Salvation Army as 'game-changers', saying they played a significant role in the Army's mission.

'I want you to understand how important you are. You are a significant part of enabling The Salvation Army to do what it is doing. You are game-changers!' he said.

'You are bringing salt and light and aroma and hope and life around the planet because of the commitment that you're making to do the job you're doing to the very best of your ability.

'God is honoured by it. The Bible suggests that your work is an act of worship that blesses the heart of God. Think about that.

'When God sees you doing your stuff, he sees you contributing to the work of The Salvation Army.'

Written by Lauren Martin, a reporter with the Australia Territory's website, Salvos Online.
She travelled with the General's entourage around the territory and filed daily reports for salvosonline.org.au and its Facebook site, salvosonline.

Tags: South Pacific and East Asia, The General, News

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