Live updates from Saturday at Together 2025

Bethany Gibson shares live updates from Birmingham on the second day of Together 2025.

9.30pm

What a night!

This evening has been such a celebration of what God is doing across the territory from generation to generation – of the lives still being transformed by God's love 160 years after The Salvation Army was born in the East End of London.

There were joyful moments of worship, personal stories of faith from all ages, MACA Dance, the International Staff Band, International Staff Songsters, Canadian Staff Songsters and powerful words from General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham – see a clip from the General's message on our Facebook page.

As the Holy Spirit moved, people came forwards for prayer and others prayed with those around them – every seat's a mercy seat!

One of the people who shared their testimony tonight was Michael Gwazai from Bexleyheath. Michael went on to perform 'You Say' by Lauren Daigle. If you want to hear more from Michael, check out his episode of Me and My Playlist – a monthly podcast featuring young people from the territory.

That's it for today. Be sure to come back tomorrow!

If you can, tune in to the livestream at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo:

10:30am: Session 4, Ordination and Commissioning of the Champions of the Mission, with a message from General Lyndon Buckingham.
3pm: Session 5, From Generation to Generation – an immersive exploration of our legacy through song and drama, with music from the international staff sections, the sending out of our newest lieutenants, and a message from Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main.

Good night and God bless!

6pm

Session 1 has started! The party has started!

Before the Canadian Staff Songsters warmed up the audience in the main auditorium, attendees took part in an art workshop, which offered a space and different pace to connect with God and one another.

Head over to youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo to join us for this evening’s sessions. Coming up:

6pm: Welcome to the Party with General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Jenine Main.
7pm: My Story, My Song with Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham and Commissioner Paul Main.
8pm: Praise Party with our in-house worship group, MACA Dance, the Canadian Staff Songsters, plus a Bible message from Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham.

5.15pm

It's time to catch our breath before this evening's main sessions.

There's been volleyball in Brindleyplace, a Come and Sing with the ISS workshop and a Bible study with Major Kerry and Lieut-Colonel Nick Coke. And, if that wasn’t enough, a children's session with special guests Catherine and William Booth, plus Bible celebrities Abraham and Mary Magdalene. What a quartet!

Discover more:

If you're tuning in to Together 2025 with children at home or at your corps tomorrow, download the Kids Alive! Together 2025 activity pack from salvationist.org.uk/together-home.
This week's Salvationist Bible study is written by Kerry and Nick and is based on the session they led this afternoon. It's available to read now at salvationist.org.uk/devotions.

Don't forget to join us on the livestream on YouTube for tonight's main sessions. Tune in from 5.40pm for music from the Canadian Staff Songsters. Session 1 starts at 6pm. Visit youtube.come/salvationarmyvideo.

2.30pm

It's been a hot and busy lunchtime at Together 2025!

Following this morning's Parkrun and prayer walk, community engagement continues in Brindleyplace, just round the corner from the ICC in the city centre.

Next to a big screen broadcasting the Wimbledon tennis championships is a Salvation Army pop-up. So far, we've had music from Birmingham Citadel young people and interactive art. We'll be back later for sports!

Meanwhile, back at the ICC, the art gallery is open and MACA Dance has led a workshop and worship session.

Discover more:

Check out our Artists' Corner in this week's Salvationist magazine (12 July) for an in-depth look at one of the items featured in the Together 2025 art gallery – if you have a piece of art inspired by your faith that you'd like to share, contact us at salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk.
Contact MACA Dance to enquire about a corps visit – head to salvationist.org.uk/maca-dance for more information.

12.30pm

The doors to the ICC, our home for the rest of the weekend, are open, and the Canadian Staff Songsters were ready to welcome the crowds.

Before the venue opened, Salvationists walked through Birmingham city centre to pray for the community that is our home for the weekend. Prayers were led by Captain Richard Weston (West Midlands DHQ). You can go on a virtual prayer walk on the Together at Home page and join in wherever you are.

Teams from Territorial Headquarters, William Booth College and more are ready connect with people in the Engagement Space, promoting the mission resources and support on offer for corps and individuals across the territory.

Browse the Resource Centre and Territorial Directory on salvationist.org.uk to find out more about what's on offer.

10.30am

Good morning!

I’m Beth and, with the help of my Salvationist colleagues, I’m bringing you updates from Together 2025.

It’s a beautiful day here in Birmingham and The Salvation Army is already out and about!

A large group of Salvationists joined the local Parkrun, some running and others simply available to chat.

Runners included Captain Michael Hutchings (Southport), who completed his 50th Parkrun, and Captain Callum McKenna (William Booth College), who completed his first after starting Couch to 5k in March.

Special Salvation Army water bottles were given away with a QR code to a podcast reflection and upbeat playlist of Christian music. If you're off on a run, jog or walk today, check out the podcast and playlist at salvationist.org.uk/sport-faith.