Covenant, Ordination, Commissioning, Graduation and Appointments
INDIA SOUTH-EASTERN TERRITORY
USA Central Territorial Leaders Commissioners Paul & Carol Seller's visit turned as history in the Salvation Army India South Eastern Territory on the occasion of Joyful Intercessors session Cadets' Commissioning, Ordination, Graduation and Appointment service. In the presence of Colonels Edwin & Sumita Masih, Territorial Leaders of ISET the service was beautified on 29 April 2017 at Historical Booth Tucker memorial Church at Nagercoil where the hall was packed with hundreds of Salvationist, Officers, Divisional Leaders and Cabinet secretaries.
Commissioning service was held into two phases in morning 9.00 a.m. and evening 4. p.m. Territorial Leaders of both USA and ISET, Chief Secretary, TSWM and Cabinet secretaries entered the prayer hall and cadets and CFOT Staff gave Official salute to the Leaders. Colonel Gabriel commenced the program with the word of prayer and led first song. Major Y. Joseph, Training Principal handed over the Cadets who successfully completed their two years residential training to the blissful hand of the Territorial Commander and Territorial Commander received the cadets and greeted them. The colonel introduced the Guest of Honour Commissioners Paul & carol Seiler, and CFOT Staff welcomed the Guest with Tamil Nadu culture. After the sectional report which was read by Training Principal, Cadets Paldurai and Paul Evanchal shared their training experiences. Major M. Stalin, Secretary for Business Administration read General's message to the cadets.
After the cadets' sectional song and public acknowledgment of affirmation of faith, the Territorial Commander ordained the Joyful Intercessors as the ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and commissioned them as the Officers of the Salvation Army by reading the promises and 24 Cadets obediently acknowledged "WE DO". Then the Colonel promoted them as Lieutenants. Commissioner Paul preached an inspiring sermon and challenged the new lieutenants for Isaiah 6:1-8. Colonel Sumita led the concluding song and when Commissioner Paul offered prayer and benediction the new lieutenants engulfed the mercy and beseeched God Almighty to lead them as they are going to trod the new path and begin life long journey in the Salvation Army.
Again evening 3.30 p.m. while Major Suresh and Edwin played the marching prelude, the congregation stood up and welcomed the Leaders and new Lieutenants with CFOT Staff. Colonel Sumita, Commissioner Carol Seiler and Lieut. Colonel Indumati presented Silver Stars to parents of new lieutenants in which Majors Y. Manoharan and A. Vethamany, HRDI Secretary were one of them who send their daughter to do ministry in the Salvation Army. After the special song of the newly commissioned Officers, graduation service was held and all the new Lieutenants were conferred with B. Th. Degree. Major Y. Manoharan, HRDI explained the value of the degree certificates and Leaders and HRDI issued degree certificates to all the Lieutenants. Colonel Edwin Masih charged the newly commissioned Officers from Matthew 10:16, So, I Send You. Lieut. Colonel P. Suthanantha dhas, Secretary for Personnel read the names of the 12 families and Territorial Commander gave the appointments. During the closing song, all the new Lieutenants and few candidates knelt at the mercy seat, Commissioner Paul R. Seiler prayed and pronounced Benediction.
We are greatly indebted to our Territorial Leaders for their spiritual guidance and financial support throughout the training of Joyful Intercessors session.
Reported by Major Y. Joseph, Training Principal, India South Eastern Territory
