Emerging CALD leaders commissioned at Eva Burrows College
BY LAUREN MARTIN
A nine-month Salvation Army online training program for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) emerging leaders has culminated in a Celebration and Commissioning weekend at Eva Burrows College in Melbourne.
Twenty participants representing various nations of origin, including Ghana, Nigeria, India, New Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Iran, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, came from 12 different corps across five states.
The online training program is an initiative of The Salvation Army’s Intercultural and Disability Inclusion team within the Mission Support Department.
Each participant had been earmarked by their corps leader as an emerging leader and invited to participate in the course, which took in the foundational values and mission of The Salvation Army. Topics included intercultural communication and engagement, servant-hearted leadership, discipleship and the godly character of a leader.
Saupriya Solanki arrived in Australia from India in 2006. He is a fifth-generation member of the Salvation Army family with a distinguished heritage.
Saupriya is actively involved with the Orana Corps in Dubbo (NSW). He volunteers in numerous corps activities and says Salvation Army evangelism and community engagement here are quite different from what he experienced in his home country.
He said he was thrilled when his corps officer nominated him to participate in the training, strengthening his passion for mission and ministry in Australia.
One of the highlights for Saupriya was the Celebration and Commissioning weekend in Melbourne. On the Sunday, each CALD emerging leader went to a different corps to serve.
“We prayed, gave messages to the congregation, shared testimonies, reaffirmed our faith and deepened our commitment to serve,” he said. “We witnessed a glimpse of the heavenly vision described in Revelation 7:9: ‘A multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language stood before the throne and the lamb, united in worship and service.’ It was a powerful reminder of the diversity and unity within the body of Christ.”
The weekend was also a time of learning and sharing. Officer Recruitment Secretary Major Gavin Watts spoke on ‘The Call, The Conversation and The Answer’. Head of Mission Support Major Matt Reeve and Chief Secretary Lieutenant-Colonel Winsome Merrett gave leadership advice.
Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas commissioned each of those who completed the training as lay leaders in their ministry contexts.
Saupriya returned to Orana Corps filled afresh with the Holy Spirit and gave his testimony to his corps, asking them to pray for each participant as they start their new roles within The Salvation Army, whether in full-time ministry or other capacities (such as the way that he serves his corps).
“Please pray that God may guide us, shine a light on our paths, and empower us to serve others. For in your prayers lies the strength that sustains us and the grace that pushes us forward on this journey of faith.”
