Townsville’s two corps unite for greater impact
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Two Salvation Army corps in the north Queensland city of Townsville have come together under the one flag and a new Salvation Army expression – Townsville Corps - has been born.
Townsville’s Riverway Corps and Faithworks Corps have been working together for a year on the formation of a united Townsville Corps which will worship from the city’s Beck Drive, Condon site (formerly Riverway Corps) and continue to deliver corps-based social mission from its Madden Street, Aitkenvale site (formerly Faithworks Corps).
Area Officer, Major Michelle Oliver, said having one united Salvation Army faith expression in Townsville was important for sustainability into the future, and allowed for a “merging of the strengths of each place, in order to make a bigger impact for Jesus in the community.”
On the morning of Sunday 8 September, members of each corps gathered with a sense of anticipation and excitement and marched under each corps’ flag towards the large wooden cross that stands at the front of The Salvation Army’s Beck Drive location in Condon. At that point, Australia Territory Commander, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas received each flag, and issued the new Townsville Corps flag. It was under this banner that the united corps members marched into the hall for the new corps’ first Sunday meeting.
For former Townsville Faithworks Corps soldier (now soldier of the new Townsville Corps), Diana O’Sullivan, the moment when the two corps met at the cross, and physically merged under the banner of the new flag, was the most powerful for her.
“It was a really significant day … there’s feeling that together we can do more.”
She acknowledged that there have been plenty of mixed emotions as the two corps have worked together on the process of becoming one. “For me personally, I found it a very exciting journey … It wasn’t just a rushed thing. That benefited both corps up here. Being able to take nearly 12 months to go through the process.
“There’s a feeling, definitely, that each corps has different strengths and weaknesses and now, being able to pool our resources and pool our congregation, we can do so much more!”
One of the flagbearers, former Townsville Riverway Corps soldier (now soldier of the new Townsville Corps), Grant Garvie, said it was an honour to carry the flag and describes the moment of coming together as significant: “The nervous energy and the excitement for being able to come together as one was palpable,” he said.
“I understand that there is a certain amount of sadness and heartache, but this is about what God has called us to do, which is to be the footprint of The Salvation Army here in Townsville.”
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander, said the weekend was “a very beautiful and meaningful time” and that the coming together of two corps signified, “not less – much, much more!
“We are advancing in Townsville,” she said. “There is such a good culture in this place of people being Jesus centred and Spirit led, and so much hope being revealed! May God bless Townville Corps, there are great days ahead.”
