Commissioning at Together 2025: Champions of God's mission!

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Ivan Radford reports on this year’s Commissioning meetings.

‘To be a champion of God’s mission means actively participating in, witnessing to and contributing to his work in the world.’ Those were the words of Cadet Cat Brown, one of the Champions of the Mission ordained and commissioned during the Sunday morning session of Together 2025. 

Other cadets in the session defined it as ‘loving people just as they are’, ‘being an example of his transformational love’ and ‘standing for justice, showing compassion and helping others encounter the life-changing hope of Jesus Christ’.

All these definitions were embodied by the passionate cohort as they boldly declared their faith, led by Major Stephen Oliver (William Booth College), and were charged to keep their commitments by Territorial Secretary for Leader Development Colonel Julie Forrest.

After a welcome by William Booth College Principal Lieut-Colonel Mark Herbert, officers who had just retired or were about to retire read out personal verses of Scripture as the cadets walked on to the platform. 

That passing of the leadership baton, from generation to generation, was echoed in the ordination and commissioning, which was conducted – in an inspired move – by Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main, accompanied by junior soldier Alfie (Sunderland Millfield) issuing each new lieutenant with their charge.

Lieut-Colonel Judith Payne, former principal of William Booth College, and International Staff Songster Elliott Chappell prayed for the Champions of the Mission, thanking God for them and for his love.

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The International Staff Band (ISB) played ‘The Goodness of God’ and the territorial leaders and international leaders greeted the newly commissioned officers, as the congregation sang the words over them.

In a stirring message, General Lyndon Buckingham challenged everyone across the territory. Speaking on Matthew 9:35–38, he emphasised the need for everyone to contribute to God’s mission.

‘We’re living in a world that desperately needs you,’ he told the Champions of the Mission. He highlighted how the verses in Matthew describe both the ‘in’ and ‘out’ ministry of Jesus.

‘It’s really good when the people of God come together to encourage one another, to love each other, to practise their faith on each other,’ he celebrated. ‘This is what it should be like in the place where you gather. It makes these places attractive because these places smell of the presence of God.’

‘As much as Jesus was in those spaces, he was also out,’ the General added. ‘He did not stay away from the difficult places or the hard to reach. He was out amongst it. I love that because it so resembles the history and the DNA of The Salvation Army.’

‘Don’t be satisfied just with the in,’ he challenged. ‘Go for the out.’

He emphasised that faith isn’t a theory, but something to be practised intentionally: ‘The river flowing from the throne of God is a river of God’s people who have been transformed by the love of God and who see their mission in the world to be his agents.

'Allow the Holy Spirit to do a check on you. Am I in the river? Am I fully there? Am I holding back? Am I just dipping my toes? Let’s get ourselves in that river. Let’s go deep in the river of God’s grace.’

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Congregational songs led by the worship team invited everyone to ‘Hear the Call of the Kingdom’ and called for God to ‘Send the Fire’, before the International Staff Songsters (ISS) captured ‘The Hand of Our God’ moving in the charged room.

The congregation also joined together for ‘Holy Forever’, led by World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, singing of ‘a thousand generations falling down in worship’. 

That song, also featured on Friday and Saturday, became an anthem for the weekend, resonating with ‘He Will Hold Me Fast’ – presented by the ISS – and testifying to God’s enduring, eternal faithfulness.

The afternoon’s joyous sending out of the newly commissioned officers – accompanied by cheers and homemade banners – was celebrated as a testament to God moving through his people today.

Captains Lizette and Paul Williams (Felixstowe) took the congregation on a virtual tour through 160 years of Army history, accompanied by the ISB. They thanked God for his work through the Movement since the days of Founders Catherine and William Booth.

The congregation sang ‘To God Be the Glory!’ and ‘O Boundless Salvation’, two rousing classics from the Army’s vibrant musical heritage, while ‘This Is the Day’ encouraged us to ‘leave behind what happened yesterday, ’cause today there’s a new thing happening’.

Interactive polls asked people how they share the good news and serve others. Videos shared two exciting examples: Core Recovery Church at Boscombe and youth street outreach in Lochgelly, both initiatives introducing God’s love to a world where people are hungry for authenticity and purpose.

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‘Passing on faith has to be intentional,’ encouraged Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main in a joint message, based on Acts 2.

The territorial leaders dug into the weekend’s intergenerational theme. Reflecting on parenting and how God’s promise of salvation is true for every age, they highlighted the need to have a visible faith that is passed to the next generation, leaving a mark in our homes and families as well as our communities.

To cheers and applause, Commissioner Jenine emphasised: ‘Young people are not just our future; they’re our present.’

The importance of being intentional in discipleship and sharing the good news was underscored by outgoing Territorial Candidates Director Major Mark Sawyer, who interviewed candidates recently accepted for officer training about saying yes to God’s call on their lives.

It was brought home by the Champions of the Mission themselves, when they presented their sessional song and dedication song over Sunday’s two sessions.

‘Telling Your Story’ saw them pledge to ‘make new disciples in your name … in all we do and all we say’. ‘Your Mission’, by Anais and Khaim Spencer, went further, inviting us all to ‘be a witness, living out your truth, love without agenda’. ‘This is your mission,’ they stated. ‘Go with grace.’

The weekend reached a moving, intimate conclusion as everyone sang ‘The Blessing’ over the new lieutenants, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn, and the international Salvation Army.

‘May his favour be upon you,’ the congregation prayed, ‘and a thousand generations, and your family and your children, and their children.’

‘O, Church Arise and Put Your Armour On’ sent everyone out fired up to be champions of the mission where they are.