Intercultural Ministries boosts ranks with four enrolments
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
BY DEAN SIMPSON
The Salvation Army Intercultural Ministries (ICM) community in Melbourne recently gathered to celebrate the enrolment of four new senior soldiers.
The four new soldiers – Bhaskar Areti, Raja Mera, Ameen Jamali, Reza Jahanian – were enrolled on Friday 8 May.
Major Manikya Mera is the leader of the ICM corps that meets each Friday in the hall of the former Thornbury Corps. The ICM corps has been operating since 2020.
“It was a meaningful and memorable occasion, celebrating faith, belonging and the continued connections of the ICM community,” Manikya said.
“The enrolment service was enriched by heartfelt testimonies of faith and personal journeys, highlighting God’s faithfulness and the strength found in shared discipleship.
“A key moment of the service was the signing of the Soldier’s Covenants, affirming the new soldiers’ commitment to live out their calling in Christ.”
After Manikya conducted the enrolment ceremony, Area Officer Major Wendy Hateley presented the four soldiers with their Soldier’s Covenant certificates.
“The celebration brought our community together in a spirit of unity and thanksgiving,” Manikya continued. “And it was followed by a shared community meal that fostered more fellowship and connection.”
All four shared personal testimonies during the enrolment service, reflecting on their faith journeys and what becoming Salvation Army soldiers means for them.
The soldiers’ personal journeys
Major Manikya Mera has put together the following information on each of the four men who were enrolled as senior soldiers:
Bhaskar Areti
Bhaskar has been connected with the Intercultural Ministries (ICM) community through faith formation and fellowship for some time. He is from a Hindu background and migrated to Australia with his family from southern India as a skilled IT professional.
While seeking connection and community, Bhaskar was introduced to ICM, where he encountered Jesus and began to follow Christ’s way of living. He committed his life to Jesus and has since continued to serve and volunteer within the ICM community.
Bhaskar and his family regularly attend ICM and describe The Salvation Army as a place where they feel safe, welcomed, and deeply supported. His journey reflects a growing commitment to Christ and an increasing sense of calling to serve God and others through The Salvation Army.
Raja Mera
Raja’s journey with The Salvation Army began 10 years ago when he first volunteered during the Red Shield Appeal while visiting family in Australia.
Originally from central India, Raja comes from a Christian background and has worked with numerous organisations over the past 20 years as a gospel musician in India and Kuwait. His encounter with The Salvation Army left a strong impression on him, and he describes the movement as “salvation in action”.
Raja moved to Australia two years ago and has since been consistently involved in Bible studies, fellowship groups, and volunteering opportunities. Through steady discipleship and engagement within the ICM community, his faith has deepened, and he has developed a strong connection to the mission and values of The Salvation Army.
His enrolment as a soldier was a joyful affirmation of his personal faith journey and ongoing commitment to service.
Ameen Jamali
Ameen first connected with The Salvation Army through Intercultural Ministries when a friend invited him to attend an English‑speaking Bible study group at ICM.
Coming from a Muslim background, Ameen arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker in 2010 and continued attending ICM, where he found a strong community connection. He became a Salvation Army adherent in 2015, and over time, his journey led him to make a personal decision to follow Jesus.
Ameen has been an active part of the ICM community, volunteering and supporting others, particularly through using his carpentry skills. In recent years, his faith has grown significantly, and he personally approached leadership to inquire about becoming a Salvation Army soldier.
His testimony shared how the ICM community nurtured his relationship with Jesus and strengthened his desire to publicly commit himself as a soldier.
WATCH MORE: Ameen shares his story here
Reza Jahanian
Reza’s faith journey is one of transformation and perseverance. Originally from Iran, Reza previously identified as having no religious faith. About a year ago, a friend invited him to attend an ICM community Bible study and fellowship gathering.
Through his involvement with Intercultural Ministries and The Salvation Army, Reza began exploring faith and encountered Jesus in a personal way. He later shared his desire to become a Christian and to follow the teachings of Jesus in his life.
Through consistent participation in ICM, Reza has grown in faith and understanding of Salvation Army life. His enrolment as a soldier marked a significant milestone in his journey with Christ and his commitment to serving within The Salvation Army’s mission.
