MESSENGERS OF RECONCILIATION 2020-2022
It was a blessed time for the Indian Central Territory, to have a large number of candidates for Officer Training. Every year passionate and committed Candidates are entering in the Training College to undergo Officer Training and to minister to the people of India Central Territory. The Messengers of Reconciliation Session commenced with 27 cadets with a Welcome meeting on 06th December 2020, after one year 2 cadets added from the previous session, they dropped by their personal reasons from Messengers of the Kingdom session, and after their personal request, they are reaccepted to this session and the Commissioning of these 29 Cadets was held on 08th May 2022, at the Central Corps Prayer Hall, Nellore, under the leadership of Colonel Yaqoob Masih, Territorial Commander & Colonel Sumitra Masih, Territorial President of Women's Ministries and supported by Lt. Colonel M. Stalin, Chief Secretary and Lt. Colonel Kezial Stalin, Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries and Cabinet Secretaries. All the events in the program inspired the cadets and staff and brought blessings to the newly commissioned Officers.
THE EVENTS:
Covenant:
The Covenant service was held on 7th May 2022, central Corps, Nellore. Covenant is signed by a cadet about to be Ordained and Commissioned. The Covenant is made between that cadet and God. It is the means whereby a cadet binds himself or herself to God in making solemn vows. It is entering into a deeply spiritual relationship with God for sacred service of a specific nature. In the presence of the Leadership, Cabinet Secretaries and Training College staff, each cadet offered prayer and signed with their own free will, in the clear understanding that the commitment is intended to be life-long: 'Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as an officer of the Salvation Army and to love and serve Him supremely all his/her days.
Ordination:
The cadets are ordained as the ministers of God and the officers of the Salvation Army, to perform the religious rituals of the communities and as the authoritative representatives of God; they were given ordination to represent The Salvation Army.
Commissioning:
As the prime aspect of the Officers' Training, the Cadets were commissioned to proclaim the Gospel, look after the needs of the people and release them from all sorts of bondage of sin as well as social evils. The Cadets sang a melodious sessional song composed and tuned by Major D. Latha, TDWM. The Territorial Commander commissioned them and then gave an inspiring message. They were given certificates as a mark of completion of their training. Colonel Sumitra Masih, Territorial President of Women's Ministries distributed Silver Star Certificates and badges to the parents with the support of Lt. Colonel Kezial Stalin, TSWM and Major G. Param Jyothi, Silver Star Secretary.
Graduation:
Graduation is a part of the Commissioning Program. It is the award of an academic degree or the ceremony that is associated with it. Messengers of Reconciliation 2020-2022 cadets completed their B.Th. (Bachelor of Theology) and received B.Th. certificates and marks memos by Asia Theological Association through Colonel S.P. Simon, National Executive Officer and Major Samson Macwan, Secretary for HRDI.
Appointments Service:
Following the Graduation Program, Appointment Orders were given to the newly commissioned Lieutenants. The Territorial Commander elucidated the role and responsibility of the officer in the Salvation Army in the community and the 29 new Lieutenants received Appointment Orders as Corps Commanding Officers for men and Community Development Officers for women in various Corps in the Territory.
The program was a blessing to the entire gathering. The newly Commissioned Lieutenants were touched by the inspirational sermon which is delivered from the scripture portion Luke 6:12-16 by Territorial Commander, and the Holy Spirit touched the mind, soul and body and are refreshed for the mission of God. The 29 cadets of Messengers of Reconciliation would certainly fulfil the vision of our Founder William Booth in carrying the flame of the Salvation Army towards the next generation. Readers are requested to uphold the newly commissioned Officers in your prayers. Hallelujah!
As reported by Major D. Yesurajyam, Training Principal, India Central Territory
