New territorial leaders ‘the real deal’
- deansimpson7
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
At their first official welcome event in Australia, Colonels John and Lani Chamness have emphasised the importance of integrity, organisational honesty and faithfulness to one another and to God as they take on key territorial leadership roles.
A special Welcome Chapel and morning tea was held at Territorial Headquarters in Redfern, Sydney, earlier today for the officers of the USA Western Territory.
Amid jokes about Vegemite and Aussie colloquialisms, the Chamnesses shared personal aspects of their lives and ministry, along with the qualities they will bring to their new appointments – John as Chief Secretary and Lani as Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Officer Leader Development.
“A few things I live by,” said John after he thanked those gathered for their warm welcome, “is integrity. As a movement, we need to live up to the integrity that Christ has called us to.
“Honesty. A word that’s often lacking in our world today – to be honest, to be true. We need to be honest with each other.”
He went on to say: “Faithfulness is another important thing for me, to be faithful to one another. I didn’t grow up in the [Salvation] Army, but as a young member of The Salvation Army, I often heard my friends talk about ‘THQ’ or ‘DHQ’ or whatever, and that has continued, where we blame one another. But we have such a beautiful transforming organisation, so we should be proud of who we are, instead of pointing fingers at one another – let’s lift each other up!”
Leading courageously Major Kim Haworth, Assistant Chief Secretary (Mission), said that as she has come to know the colonels over the past few months, she has praised God for what a great ‘fit’ they are for leadership in the Australia Territory.
“They are the ‘real deal’,” she said. “They’re authentic, they are wise, loving and kind. They share a deep and beautiful faith and bring a wealth of experience to us from their officer journey.
“We have a real sense that we are in very good hands under their leadership.”
Speakers included (from left) Emily Blackstock, Major Robyn Black and Major Kim Haworth.
Major Robyn Black, NSW/ACT Divisional Commander, welcomed officers and members of The Salvation Army’s faith communities and committed to covering the new leaders in prayer: “And we especially pray for you that you will continue to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit and that you will lead courageously.”
In her welcome on behalf of employees and volunteers, People and Culture Partner Emily Blackstock thanked God for preparing the colonels to lead The Salvation Army in Australia into the years ahead: “We are excited about the ways God will use your leadership to strengthen our mission and expand our impact.”
A highlight of the meeting was when Lani brought a song that she had written, called ‘I Will Hope in My God’. As she played the guitar and sang to a packed chapel about the hope of Jesus, a beautiful sense of peace settled over those gathered.
Redfern-based The Chamnesses will live in Sydney and work from Territorial Headquarters at Redfern, the base for Executive Leadership as of January 2026.
However, they will travel throughout the country as they work alongside the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, and other key leaders to guide The Salvation Army Australia into the future.
Their next official welcome will be a chapel service at Blackburn Territorial Headquarters in Melbourne on Thursday 5 February.
This will be followed by official public Welcome Meetings at Camberwell Corps (Vic.) on Sunday 15 February and at Parramatta Corps (NSW) on Sunday 1 March.
Photos: Michelle Watts (Senior Producer - Salvos Studios)
