The long-awaited event materialized when the International Leaders of The Salvation Army General Brain Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, WPWM paid a visit from 16th January to 22nd January 2023. It brought great joy and spiritual renovation to the Territory.
Golden Jubilee:
On 16th January 2023 General and WPWM joined in the Golden jubilee celebration of ISET. There were 4800 soldiers, junior soldiers, officers, and friends gathered from the different parts of the Territory at Booth Tucker Memorial church premise. To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Territory a new historical book “Sweat Shed” was dedicated and released by the blissful hands of the General and “Order of the Founder” was awarded to Major Dr. Ruby Samuel who did profound service in Medical and Social. The General focused the message based on Colossians 3:1-17 and emphasized about “Privileges in the family of God”. There were 1255 people who sought Holiness and conformed.
Men & Women Congress:
The Salvation Army Booth Tucker memorial Church was fully packed with the men troops of the ISET, there were 774 men presented in this men's congress on 17th Jan 2023 at 10:00 am. General challenged the men in the congress with the word of God based on Ephesians 3:1-13 focused on the 'life in the midst of storms. Finally, 238 men presented their life in the mercy seat to move the spirit of God in their hearts. Meanwhile, the integrated community empowerment program was initiated based on General William booth's concept of “BANKING FOR THE POOR” women's self-help groups (Mela) Festivals were held at Perumal Private Hall, there where 1500 women participated. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle (WPWM) shared the word of God from Matthew 12:28-34. And focused on “Re -decision, Re – commit, Reconnect, and resolve”, which refreshed the mind of the women who gathered at the festival. As a community development support, WPWM presented 4 sewing machines, 9 plants, 500 spectacles 11 self-help groups received 70,00,000. rupees as a loan from the blessed hands of WPWM.
Officers Council:
It was a spectacular gathering of Officers at BTMC, Nagercoil on 18th January 2023 at 9:00 am 425 active and 192 retired officers from the different parts of the Territory came together to celebrate the officer's council with The General and WPWM. They encouraged personal development; it energized the officers to the spirit of internationalism. WPWM shared the word of God emphasized “Keep your faith fresh, keep your love sincere and keep your joy contagious which refreshed the mind of every officer. In the second session, the General commenced the sermon with his life testimony with spiritual warfare. His words challenged the officers based on Isaiah 41: 10, “I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you. Finally, all the officers came to the mercy seat and rededicated their life.
Institutional Visit:
On 19th January 2023 at 10:00 am General and WPWM visited the Catherin Booth hospital, school of Nursing and College of Nursing, and Community Health Development program, a new X-Ray unit was dedicated for the elevation of hospital ministry, and Administrative, Academic, and hostel buildings foundation stone was unveiled by the General and WPWM, which makes the vision to be fulfilled for the development of the Catherin Booth College of Nursing. 625 people were blessed through the spiritual meeting and 52 people dedicated their lives to the faithful medical work for God.
New Prayer Hall Dedication- Gnaniahapuram Corps:
General and WPWM dedicated the new prayer hall at Gnaniahapuram Corps, in Azhagai Division on 20th Jan 2023 at 9.30 am and followed the spiritual meeting. The General shared the word of God based on Matthew 10:1-10, and he focused on two things, God wanted “Gathered for His Blessings and send his people for the Blessings” which makes the people to be mission-minded. There were 1103 people blessed through the meeting among them 135 surrendered their life at the mercy seat.
Youth Congress:
There was 1600 youth who attended in youth congress in BTMC on 21st January 2023 at 10:00 am. They were motivated by the General and WPWM through “How to Face the Challenges?” And they interacted with the youth to have self-confidence and commitment and courage. 424 young people came before the mercy seat and prayed and 47 young people committed their lives to the service of the Lord in The Salvation Army. The special seminar on “Youth and Media” made the young people to be aware of social media and the use of social media in the mission of God. Colorful cultural events made the congress delighted.
New Prayer Hall Dedication-Kannanoor Corps:
General and WPWM dedicated the new prayer hall at Kannanoor Corps, in Thuckalay Division on 22nd January 2023 at 9:30 am and followed by the spiritual meeting. The General preached from the word of God, based on “How the salvationist should live in such a world, what is our responsibility people who believe in Jesus, what does it mean to be holy people in this kind of world” based on Matthew 28:16-20. It made a vibrant spiritual incentive to the people to surrender their lives. There were 1525 people blessed through the meeting among them 150 people surrendered their life at the mercy sheet.
The Territorial Leaders Commissioners John Kumar and Mani Kumari Dasari arranged all the meetings in a proper manner. The General's visit made the spiritual wave throughout the Territory.
