Brengle institute for Soldiers was organized by South Asia Zone, International Headquarters in a very beautiful place called The Surrenden, Coonoor in the southern part of India. The Brengle institute took place during 27th June to 2nd July 2017, where soldiers from seven Indian territories of The Salvation Army took active participation to learn about Holiness. This program was well supported by India National Secretariat, Kolkata. Resource persons Majors Melvyn and Kathleen Jones from United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Territory facilitated Brengle Institute with support and guidance of Lieut. Colonel Daniel Raju Dasari, National Secretary.
Short background of Brengle Institute: Samuel Logan Brengle (1 June 1860 – 19 May 1936) was a Commissioner in The Salvation Army and a leading author, teacher and preacher on the doctrine of Holiness. Commissioner Brengle went on to become The Salvation Army's leading teacher on holiness. Samuel Brengle institute course explores the spirit of Brengle's teachings, in which he saw holiness as intertwined with God's love for us.
During this course, delegates received in-depth teaching on what holiness can look like for soldiers. The entire course covered: Holiness in the Old and New Testament, The person and work of the Holy Spirit, Holiness as a fruit of the Spirit, Samuel Brengle and the development of holiness in The Salvation Army and Leadership in light of holiness.
The programme was commenced with keynote address of Colonel Nihal Hettiarachchi, Territorial Commander, India South Western Territory; he mentioned that, ‘it is high time we should have strong Christian preachers and teachers and Brengle Institute will fulfill such requirement.’
Second day started with excellent devotion from Colonel Nihal Hettiarchchi who asked each participant to pray for their mobile phones so that they can communicate peacefully, pray for wallets/purses so that they will earn by legal means and provide financial aid to needy ones and pray for their watch so they can use time wisely for kingdom of God. Further, participants introduced themselves enthusiastically and found to be from mixed professional background such as teachers, staff nurses, businessmen and IT professionals.
Majors Melvyn and Kathleen Jones shared the sessions about Trinity, presence of the Holy Spirit in Old and New Testaments, different gifts of the Holy Spirit, different types of prayers and how an ideal prayer of believer should be in aligned with Lord's prayer, history of churches and how The Salvation Army was founded from The Methodist Church, history of Pentecostalism and factors affecting our prayer life and how do we overcome it.
On 2nd July, the Founder’s Day was celebrated. Major Melvyn Jones hoisted the Salvation Army flag and National Secretary share the word of God.
At the end of every session, delegates were encouraged by the resource person to ask questions that would make every doubt clear and provide clear understanding of the subject. Likewise, open forum also widened their knowledge. Quite time and Thursday World Wide prayers were played an important role to strengthen everyone spiritually and helped to spend blessed time with God. Moreover, the cultural night and Ooty tour refreshed and relaxed participants as well as resource persons physically and mentally.
Participants discussed several kinds of pictures that portrayed in their minds when they prayed and saw some real images created by people in the history.
Final day was more of submission to God through covenant service where each participants signed covenant service card and offered themselves to lord with a new hope and faith. It was emotional moment where participants greeted last time with each other before they could leave for their home.
Reported by Mr. Charles Waghmare, India Western Territory
