THE Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Brian Peddle) and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle (World Secretary for Women's Ministries) shared with Christians in China, led a service of thanksgiving, visited a family centre and witnessed The Salvation Army's schools ministry during a packed visit to the Hong Kong and Macau Command.
At a service of thanksgiving in the city of Hong Kong the commissioners shared worship with close to 1,000 believers. The Chief encouraged Salvationists to share their testimonies with their communities and to have obedient hearts. Many people were led by the Holy Spirit to respond by recommitting their lives in service to God.
A luncheon with the command's advisory board members provided an opportunity for the Chief to meet with community leaders and to better understand their views on the strategic development of the command.
The Salvation Army's Lam Butt Chung Memorial Primary School is located in one of Hong Kong’s latest generations of new suburbs which accommodate a large number of underprivileged families. A visit to the school allowed the leaders to visualise the Pearl River Delta initiative (the creation of a mega-city that will include both Hong Kong and Macau) and to meet students who are encouraged to be proud of and have confidence in themselves because they are special individuals created by God.
Moving on to Macau, the commissioners visited The Salvation Army Joy Family Service Centre and dedicated to God a new Macau SEN (Special Educational Needs) Learning Centre – supported by 10 of Macau’s religious leaders – which focuses on children and families with special needs.
In Guangzhou, mainland China, the Chief and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle joined command leaders at important partnership-affirming meetings – regarding Pearl River Delta plans – with the Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches and Guangzhou Christian Council.
The finale to the commissioners' visit was a ‘Women of Influence’ luncheon attended by professional women from and associated with The Salvation Army. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle encouraged participants to maximise their influence to transform the world with courage, confidence and commitment. The launch of a new 'Women for Christ' (基督的婦女) logo was presided over by Commissioner Rosalie, who congratulated the women of the command for their relevant communication of the gospel to 21st-century women.
Report by Christine Mui