World leaders pray, preach and participate

The Salvation Army world leaders spent time with youth and children at the USA Southern Territory’s Bible Conference.

General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, world leaders of the International Salvation Army, are currently at a Bible Conference hosted by the USA Southern Territory. The theme for the week-long conference is ‘Kingdom Living: Awaken Hope'.

Both leaders have delivered messages at the conference, visited the youth and children's programs and spent time with conference participants.

General Buckingham centred his message on the reality of Christ’s indwelling presence, and his challenge was direct.

“When the King of Kings comes to dwell, the truth is, it cannot be business as usual,” he said. “We have to make adjustments. We have to put the old nature to death – not by our own strength, but by shifting our focus to things above … We need a Salvation Army that’s absolutely full of men and women whose minds and hearts are set on the King of Kings. We will turn this world upside down through that.”

In her message, Commissioner Buckingham reminded those gathered that “We’re not created to live as isolated individuals – we’re created for community.” Drawing from Colossians 3:5-17, she challenged everyone to “put to death” destructive patterns that tear apart relationships and instead clothe themselves daily with compassion, kindness, humility and love.

“When we recognise that we belong to each other in Christ, our relationships take on a deeper quality, and we commit to the work of making allowance for each other’s faults,” she shared. “It’s hard to love when there is disagreement and difference of opinion. But transformation happens individually and together when we allow God to work in those places of friction.”

The leaders also spent time at the youth and children’s programs, admiring artwork, playing games, hearing Bible stories, and listening as children recited Scripture from memory.

When asked about the most important reason for kids to be at Bible Conference this week, the General said, “To remind each other that we belong to God and that he loves us and that he cares about us.”

The visit also encouraged the 40+ dedicated youth staff members who prepared for and ran the programs all week – leading songs, organising games, teaching Bible stories, and creating countless moments of joy and learning.

General Buckingham also led devotions at the Adult Rehabilitation Centre (ARC), encouraging those who have gone through some extremely tough times.

“When everything else has failed you, when you’ve lost it all, when recovery feels impossible – God is still there,” the General said. “He knows your name. He knows your story. He walks with you. With you, in you, and through you – that’s the way he operates … He’s not tired of you. He’s not giving up. He’s just getting started.”

General Buckingham joined THQ leaders in serving lunch to the ARC residents.

The Bible Conference continues. For more information and photos, go to the USA Southern Territory Facebook page.

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General prays for EYE 2025

“Join me in praying for the 700-plus young people arriving at The Salvation Army’s European Youth Event (EYE) in the Netherlands today,” wrote General Lyndon Buckingham, world leader of The Salvation Army, on his Facebook page.

“They will be joining together under the theme ‘Look Up’. I pray for a spiritually rich time of connection as our young people look inward to rediscover who they are, look outward to see where God is at work and look up to see the new thing he is doing.”

Between 600-800 participants between the ages of 15 and 25 are expected at EYE 2025, which runs from 7-10 August.

For more information, photos and videos, go to the EYE 2025 Facebook page.