Commissioning '25 – a celebration of purpose, passion and powerful faith
- deansimpson7
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
BY LERISSE SMITH
It was a Commissioning service to remember – rich with touchpoints, both profound and inspiring.
From a special video appearance by Colonels John and Lani Chamness, to moments of humour, a collective think-tank on making a covenant, and stirring speeches that lifted the soul, the Ordination, Commissioning and Sending Out service for the Keepers of the Covenant at Parramatta Corps on Sunday was a celebration of purpose, passion, and the power of faith.
Being commissioned into full-time service as Salvation Army officers were Cadets Jonathan Abdulai, Soonsun Kwon and José Porcia, and Auxiliary-Lieutenants Amanda and Matthew Pethybridge. The cadets now have the rank of Lieutenant, with the auxiliary-lieutenants assigned the rank of Captain.
Sunday’s poignant occasion filled the room with vibrant worship, deeply personal reflections and testimonies blending humour and emotion, alongside an inspiring think-tank sermon from the newly commissioned officers, led by Commissioner Miriam Gluyas.
Inspirational leadership messages and multimedia presentations also took centre stage, while family and friends filled the auditorium to celebrate their loved ones.
Infusing the event with extra energy, Auburn Corps members invited attendees to a spontaneous dance celebration as part of the vibrant worship.
The cadets and auxiliary-lieutenants with Commissioner Miriam Gluyas on receiving their Commissions and Certificates of Salvation Army Officer Training. (Bottom right) Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation.
A highlight of the celebratory occasion was Colonels John and Lani Chamness, who sent video messages of encouragement and support from the United States. (John and Lani are still awaiting their visas to enter Australia before taking up appointments as our new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leader Development).
John spoke words of encouragement to those being commissioned, while Lani led a special prayer.
“Cadets, welcome to the sacred moment in your journey,” John said.
“A moment that marks your calling to live and proclaim the covenant of our Lord. And so, as you prepare to be ordained as officers, this covenant not made of stone, but of flesh and blood, remember the words of Jeremiah 31:33 … It is to this covenant you are called, one that is not external or temporary, but eternal and transformative.
“The New Covenant is God’s promise to forgive sin and restore fellowship with all who turn their hearts towards him. It is a covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, our mediator, whose death and resurrection form the foundation of this divine promise.
“In this promise, God reveals a transformation that reshapes the very heart and soul of his people, no longer written on cold stone, his law is now inscribed within us, alive in our hearts, guiding our steps and moulding our character.”
John closed by urging the cadets to live out their renewed calling, trusting they would carry the transforming grace of the New Covenant where God led them.
Then came another big moment as Jonathan and José stepped onto the platform.
The duo inspired, delighted and entertained the congregation with passionate, stirring speeches reflecting their journeys – the highs, the lows, and the gratitude for all those who walked alongside them.
Tears were shed, too, when contemplating the amazing grace and favour of God and his faithfulness.
“Our journey involved crossing many thresholds, and in those pivotal moments, God sent people to meet us or to lead us,” reflected José.
“When I was lost in addiction, do you know what my mother was doing? She was praying, and this – right here – is what answered prayer looks like.”
José further shared his greatest challenge: something deeply personal.
“There were many mountains that needed to be moved, challenges to conquer,” he remarked.
“But my most difficult challenge, the hardest mountain that needed moving, was the mountain called ‘self’… I was always trying to qualify for the call until I realised that God qualifies the call, and God helped me move that mountain. But I had to bring the shovel. Ministry isn’t strutting around like we’ve earned it. It’s walking humbly, serving faithfully and directing every eye, every heart back to him.”
Laughter echoed through the room as José and Jonathan recounted funny and memorable moments in their journey, including their battles with grammar and vocabulary, since English was not their first language.
For Jonathan, one of his greatest challenges was writing essays, which felt like trying to solve a puzzle that has missing pieces, until a “quick call to the Holy Spirit” guided him through – and grammar!
“This journey that forced me to get to know myself, and part of knowing myself was facing my greatest fear – grammar. Grammar nearly finished me. I nearly lost the battle!”
His individual training officers became a lifeline.
“These blokes were determined to help me improve, and I’m grateful for them. At first, every page of my essays were covered in red ink, like a traffic accident! But over time, the red started to fade. I’m not perfect yet, but at least my essay no longer looks like a crime scene!”
Despite these challenges, cadetship gave Jonathan a story of genuine transformation.
“It has changed the way I see God, others and myself,” he reflected.
“Real leadership is servanthood. It is not about power, but about people. It is not about the size of the chair. It is about how far I am willing to kneel. So, here am I today … someone who is convinced that God has been forming me every single day of my journey. When I hear ‘keepers of the covenant’, I am not the hero here. I am not the one holding it together. I am the witness pointing to the One who never broke his covenant.”
Captain Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation and Senior Training Officer at Eva Burrows College in Melbourne, spoke of her excitement for the momentous occasion.
“Jonathan, José and Soonsun, this is such an exciting day for you and for the cadet formation team as we’ve had the privilege of journeying with you across your period of formation,” she said.
“We stand proudly with you today as you are commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers and become our colleagues.”
Over the past two years, the cadets have been located in the New South Wales, ACT and Victoria divisions. Kylie expressed thanks to the divisions, the local corps, social and community expressions, who welcomed the cadets during their placements.
It was back in January 2024 when Kylie shared a reflection on the sessional name at Orientation Week – Keepers of the Covenant.
She said it was a challenge – not just for the cadets, but for all those who choose to live each day in a deliberate posture of dependence, faithfulness and hopefulness.
“It is no easy task keeping covenant with God, with self and others,” she shared at the service.
“As you commence as officers in The Salvation Army, my prayer is that as Keepers of the Covenant, you would live each day aware of the Covenant engraved on your heart, that the markers of dependence, hopefulness, faithfulness would ground your identity and be evident in your practice as a minister of the gospel, partnering with God in the beautiful unfolding of Kingdom realities within and without for the sake of others, and even more expansively, for the sake of the world. May God bless and keep you each.”
Major Tracey Davies, Lead Co-ordinator – First Five Years & Auxiliary Lieutenants Programs, spoke of how Matthew and Amanda had served faithfully as Auxiliary-Lieutenants, highlighting the number of different ways officership could take place in The Salvation Army.
For Matthew and Amanda, their journey to commissioned officership followed the Auxiliary-Lieutenancy pathway, having completed two full three-year terms in a number of appointments in New South Wales, and are now in their third term.
It has been a season of ministry that has allowed them to lead and serve while engaging in learning, development, and formation on the side, Tracey remarked, along with the growth and expansion of a young and vibrant family.
“Matt and Amanda, as each one of us stands here, we are proud to share and to say that we join with you today and enjoy having you in our ranks,” she said.
“My prayer is that you will continue to live out your calling, this covenant that God has made with you each and placed deep within your hearts.”
After the official formalities ended, Miriam assembled the newly commissioned officers on the platform to reflect on what making a covenant meant for them.
For Soonsun, the corps officers at Belmore had played a significant role in her life, setting “a really good example” as a Salvation Army officer. Most of all, they were praying people: “People like them are setting fire in people’s hearts and their passion for the Lord really inspires me a lot.”
For Amanda, the covenant was about making sure that she surrendered to the Holy Spirit – being obedient to him and listening to him.
“I’m so grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit,” she emphasised. “The transformational work it’s done for my life, and so I’m not going to stop advocating for what the Holy Spirit can do.”
Matthew also shared the significance of the covenant for him.
“The covenant comes from him,” he said. “It doesn’t require anything of me. And I think that’s a beautiful picture that I’m just invited to come and sit at his table. It’s a covenant of relationship, not a covenant of doing.”
Miriam said she had every confidence the newly commissioned officers would keep their covenants.
And she concluded the discussion with an impassioned plea.
“We are all keepers of the covenant. I would want everyone to make a covenant with our beautiful God today. Is God still calling people? Absolutely!” she remarked.
“I think Jesus wants to soften the heart of The Salvation Army right now – to see again who he called us to be.”
Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremony at Parramatta Corps on Sunday 23 November:
