Officers celebrate 20 years of faithful ministry and service
Forty-one Salvation Army officers of the Australia Territory representing seven sessions of officer graduates gathered in Mooroolbark, Victoria, in late August to celebrate completing 20 years of faithful ministry and service.
The 20-Year Officer Service Seminar, hosted by Colonel Lani Chamness (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Leader Development), offered a powerful three-day retreat. Officers were deeply refreshed and strengthened through a meaningful time of fellowship, prayer, testimonies, teaching, and worship.
Major Jo Brookshaw, Corps Officer at Waverley Temple, painted a stunning landscape mural for the seminar that sparked deep conversations and allowed officers to creatively articulate the highs and lows of their unique ministry journey in Spirit-led ways.
Joining the participants were Colonel John Chamness (Chief Secretary), Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary – Mission) and Major Stuart Glover (Assistant Chief Secretary – Strategy, Performance and Projects).
They shared their experiences of serving God in ministry, along with stories of encouragement, and their joint vision and hopes for the newly launched national strategy for transformation: Holistic Integrated Mission.
The keynote speaker, Reverend Joel Mestry (Associate Pastor at Donvale Presbyterian Church), offered further wisdom and insight as he spoke candidly and compassionately about the joys and challenges of pastoral ministry.
Feedback received from participants about the event was very encouraging:
“It was a blessing to come together and look back on our last 20 years and see the amazing faithfulness of our God.”
“It was a blessing to be with sessional mates: good food and spiritual renewal.”
“Your prayers and preparation that went into this were very evident. This has been just right!”
It is hoped that the next 20-Year Officer Service Seminar will take place in 2028.
(From top) Arseny Ermakov (Eva Burrows College lecturer), a gift presented to participants on the last day of the conference as a memento of their service achievement and time together, Reverend Joel Mestry (keynote speaker) chatting with officers, Colonel Lani Chamness and Darlene Murray (Officer Personnel Secretary - Qld).
