Brisbane ‘congress’ gathering hears the message: ‘know and go’
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
Colonels John and Lani Chamness were special guests at the Disciples in Mission gathering in Brisbane on Sunday 16 August.
Approximately 760 people from Salvation Army corps around South East Queensland, as far north as Cairns and down to Northern New South Wales, attended each session at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event was described as a congress to “worship, and become equipped for mission in everyday life”. More than 320 people watched the livestream.
Colonel John Chamness, Chief Secretary, challenged Queensland Salvationists to embrace God’s call to ‘go’ and share the gospel, drawing on the example of the early church in Acts 18 and the witness of the woman at the well.
He said the Church and The Salvation Army were never meant to remain comfortable and inward-focused. Instead, they were ‘born’ to take the message of Jesus into communities, workplaces, neighbourhoods and families.
He urged Salvationists to follow the example of the first Christians, who believed every person mattered and actively shared their faith.
Praise, worship, mission and discipleship were featured across both sessions of the Disciples in Mission gathering in Brisbane last weekend. Photos: Daryl Whitecross
Through his morning and afternoon messages – ‘Drawn to holiness’ and ‘A movement at the crossroads’ – Colonel John emphasised that, before people can ‘go’, they must first ‘know’ Jesus personally.
He invited anyone who had never truly surrendered their life to Christ to respond to God’s call, explaining that Jesus offers forgiveness, hope, freedom and a fresh start to all who come to him.
“Friends, our responsibility is not to save people,” he said. “Our responsibility is simply to tell the story, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest ... There are people in your workplace, your neighbourhood, your family and your circle of friends who may never hear a sermon. But God has placed you in their lives.”
Colonel Lani Chamness (Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Territorial Secretary for Leader Development) added to the worship focus of the event, presenting a solo in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Worship also included band messages, Scripture readings, congregational singing, testimonials and prayer.
WATCH MORE
To watch the morning session of the gathering, click here.
To watch the afternoon session, click here.
