Keepers of the Covenant – Commissioning testimony

6 hours ago
3 min read

From: Pine Rivers Corps (Qld)

Session: Keepers of the Covenant

Appointment: Corps Officer – Pine Rivers (Qld)

Silver Star recipients: Majors Topher Holland and San Holland (parents)

This Sunday, Auxiliary-Lieutenants Alli and Liam Holland will be commissioned as Salvation Army officers, with the rank of lieutenant. The Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremony for the couple will be held at Pine Rivers Corps in South East Queensland. They are being commissioned as part of the Keepers of the Covenant session. The other seven members of this session were commissioned late last year*. This afternoon, we share the testimony of Auxiliary-Lieutenant Liam Holland.

Liam’s testimony

First and foremost, I recognise that I am an imperfect man, an imperfect leader, and an imperfect follower of Jesus. Still, I recognise God’s grace and redemptive work in my life every day and knowing this, God continues to use me in ministry for Him.

Over the past 18-plus years, I’ve been able to participate, partner and lead in ministry across varied roles.

Through challenges, hurts, failures, and celebrations of where God has moved, I’ve experienced significant personal development and spiritual growth. During this time, I have spent more time in His Word, developing a closer, daily walking relationship with God.

My ministry experiences and personal faith journey have grounded my understanding of God’s calling. I feel I am becoming more attuned to His leading, not only in my day-to-day walk, but also in the bigger picture of what He is asking of me.

Over the last two to three years, I have been stretched in my trust, learning to surrender every part of my life to Him, and each day I discover there is still more to surrender.

I’ve always believed that God calls me to serve and make disciples wherever I find myself, the workplace, church teams, community spaces, and my local neighbourhood.

I have sought to follow Him in this, and more recently, I have sensed a shift, a call to step out further in His leading, much like Isaiah’s call to “stretch out your tent, make room, lengthen the ropes, and strengthen the pegs”.

As I’ve prayed and considered the reasons why not, I have been drawn to 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” When He calls, He does the work through me as a willing participant.

I have felt God say, “Give yourself fully to this. Surrender it all to Me. Step into officership, not as part of your life, but as your life, set apart for My purpose.”

This was further confirmed when my wife, Alli, and I realised we had both heard God say, “Step out into this.”

So, I hold to the hope we profess (Hebrews 10:23). I pursue officership not out of ambition, but out of obedience, trusting not in my strength, but in His faithfulness.

Covenant Day

The Hollands will have their Covenant Day tomorrow (Saturday 2pm) at Pine Rivers Corps.

“Covenant Day is a sacred occasion when each cadet signs their Officers Covenant before God,” said Kylie Herring, Leader of Officer Formation at Eva Burrows College.

“In this moment, cadets are making a sacred agreement with God – they are accepting God’s call on their life, they are accepting a life of sacred service as a minister of the gospel in The Salvation Army.”

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas will officiate at both Covenant Day and the Commissioning, Ordination and Sending Out ceremonies over the weekend.