Live updates from Sunday at Together 2025

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

5pm

What an uplifting end to Together 2025 as we look forward to what God's got in store for us as individuals and a Salvation Army!

The new lieutenants were warmly welcomed to the afternoon session with cheers, shouts and banners.

The afternoon started with Captains Lizette and Paul (Felixstowe) walking us through our early history, with audience participation through digital polls, and continued to videos showing examples of our present-day work.

Outgoing Candidates Director Major Mark Sawyer introduced four candidates who are starting training to become Salvation Army officers in the autumn.

Alongside officership and territorial envoyship, spiritual leadership in The Salvation Army includes employed spiritual leadership, local officership and pioneering. Many also live out their calling and vocation through working or volunteering with The Salvation Army in other roles.

If you are interested in exploring your calling and vocation with The Salvation Army, you can:

Register for Design for Life, a weekend retreat at William Booth College that repeats throughout the year to help people explore their calling and vocation
Learn more and read stories about the different pathways to serve in The Salvation Army on salvationist.org.uk/calling
Speak to your corps leader or contact vocation@salvationarmy.org.uk

Territorial Leaders Commissioner Jenine and Paul Main challenged us to be living examples of grace and forgiveness so that people see faith as an attractive way of life – we need to find ways to make faith accessible for the next generation, while also empowering them to lead the way.

Discover more Together 2025 content:

You can watch today's meetings at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo
Listen to this week's Sunday Worship podcast for a Bible message from new lieutenant Amy Bayliss-Fox
Keep an eye on salvationist.org.uk, follow @SalvationistUKI on Facebook or pick up next week's Salvationist magazine for the official Together 2025 photos and reports

Goodbye and God bless!

2.45pm

It's nearly time for our final session.

Over the lunch break there have been activities for all ages from the youth hangout to Babysong.

It's also been the last opportunity to grab a bargain at the SP&S shop and connect with teams.

For those who need an area to get away from the crowds, there's been a quiet space available, with cushions, fidget toys and bracelet-making supplies.

A special shout-out to the Here to Help team, who have steered us all in the right direction, and to the prayer team, who have been praying over everything that's been taking place and been available to pray with and for people.

12.30pm

The Champions of the Mission are now Salvation Army officers with the rank of lieutenant!

In a powerful meeting of prayer, testimony and dedication, Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main, supported by junior soldier Alfie, conducted the ordination and commissioning of the nine cadets.

International leader General Lyndon Buckingham gave a stirring Bible message in which he called us to practise our faith on one another, showing compassion and forgiveness, so that we are ready to go out and share God's love with the world wherever we are (see Matthew 9:35–38).

He went on to call us to jump into the river of God's grace individually and corporately – not to sit on the banks watching the river flow by or be content with dipping a toe into the water – to be champions of God's mission.

Read testimonies from four of the Champions of the Mission
Read an interview with General Lyndon Buckingham
Listen to this week’s Sunday Worship Podcast, with a Bible message from new lieutenant Amy Bayliss-Fox

10.20pm

Good morning! Welcome back to the ICC in Birmingham, where the congregation is filling the auditorium ready for the ordination and commissioning of the Champions of the Mission session.

The International Staff Band and Songsters have started pre-meeting music.

Get involved at home:

Join the livestream at youtube.com/salvationarmyvideo.
Download the Kids Alive! activity pack and Commissioning brochure from salvationist.org.uk/together-home.

General Lyndon Buckingham will be sharing a Bible message based on Matthew 9:35–38:

'Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."'

As we pray for the cadets being ordained and commissioned, let us all be open to God's invitation to join in and champion his mission.