‘We will follow Jesus’, declare newly commissioned Hollands
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
BY MAJOR MAL DAVIES
Sunday saw a morning of celebration at Pine Rivers Corps in the Queensland Division with the ordination and commissioning of Alli and Liam Holland.
The Hollands were part of the Keepers of the Covenant session, with their other seven session-mates commissioned late last year.
On the previous day, they had attended a small but holy gathering to sign their officer covenants. The gathering included the participation of Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Colonels John and Lani Chamness, Lieut-Colonel Brenda Young and Majors Mark Everitt, Tracey Davies and Neil and Sharon Clanfield, as they each led brief sections of the service.
Sunday, however, had a different feel, as the Pine Rivers Corps band provided some rousing prelude music, and there was laughter and chatter in the room as folks arrived.
Queensland Divisional Commander Major Mark Everitt welcomed everyone and provided both the Acknowledgement of Country and call to worship, and we moved into some singing, including the very apt, ‘Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus’.
Commissioner Miriam Gluyas commissions Alli and Liam as officers of The Salvation Army.
Alli and Liam then had the opportunity to share their testimonies. Alli spoke of her journey to leadership and said that for the past year she has “intentionally stepped out in faith and experienced God’s faithfulness”. She added that “God has sustained me in the past and I trust him for my future.”
Liam commented on how God had worked in and challenged him: “I’m not a perfect person, I’m very imperfect, but still God’s grace is on my life and he can use me in ministry”, and he spoke of how he pursued officership, “not out of ambition but out of obedience to God”.
Major Tracey Davies, from the Officer Formation team, spoke of the training and development plans Alli and Liam had worked on as they progressed from being auxiliary-lieutenants to ordained officers with the rank of lieutenant.
“They’ve worked really hard,” Tracey said, “and their commitment has been wonderful to see.” Addressing them directly, she said, “I pray that as you make this next step, you will enjoy living out the privilege of serving God.”
After the declaration of the doctrines, the Territorial Commander led Alli and Liam through their ordination and commissioning as officers and then provided the ‘surprise’ of the day that was no surprise at all and yet prompted a cheer from the congregation: “You have been serving in leadership as auxiliary-lieutenants here at Pine Rivers Corps and you are now appointed to … Pine Rivers Corps!”
Colonel Lani Chamness offered a prayer of dedication, then led the Silver Star presentation to their parents, before the Chief Secretary delivered the message.
Colonel John Chamness spoke on Jeremiah 31:31-34 and how God’s covenant is ‘written on our hearts’.
“This is the covenant of mission and transformation that The Salvation Army lives by,” he stated.
The Colonel then focused on the territorial rally cry – ‘Jesus-centred, Spirit-led, hope revealed’ – and how Alli and Liam could live out each part of that call. He said, “Your calling is not to be impressive but to be faithful. The Spirit of God gives us a holy boldness that can only come from God.”
During the response time, Alli and Liam were invited to stand at the front of the hall as people came, prayed over them, and greeted them.
As morning tea was shared, Alli and Liam had placed a Bible in the foyer and asked people to highlight verses for them. A lovely way to conclude a morning of celebration and praise.
Click through the slideshow below for more photos: (All photos by Dale Wallace)
