General Brian Peddle and his wife, Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women's Ministries arrived in Aizawl on 30th January 2023 for a week-long visit to the India Eastern Territory.
During the visit, General Brian Peddle held a press conference for the local media which was widely publicised by both print and electronic media of the State. General Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle also gave an interview to the IET's media unit, Salvation Army Communication Network (SACNET) which has a YouTube channel.
The Officers' Council held on 1st February 2023, was well-attended by Officers and Cadets of India Eastern Territory coming from its seven Divisions and one District. It was a mutual spiritual upliftment for the International Leaders and the India Eastern Territories Officers and Cadets.
During their visit, the General and World President of Women's Ministries opened and dedicated prayer halls of three Corps - Vaivakawn, Hunthar, and Phunchawng. The members of these Corps considered it a great blessing that their prayer halls were opened and dedicated to God by the Salvation Army's Spiritual Leaders.
Congress for Women, Corps Cadets and Young People, and a Joint Congress of male Local Officers and Men's Fellowship were held during the visit. At the Joint L.O. and MF Congress, General Brian Peddle was given a customary welcome reserved only for chiefs and great warriors in olden times when he was carried on a bamboo chair and lifted and taken for some distance by several members of the Congress' venue Bethlehem Corps' Men's Fellowship.
At the Women's Congress, held at the same time as the Joint L.O. and MF Congress but at a different venue, WPWM Commissioner Rosalie Peddle was also entertained with several traditional and ethnic dances that are found within the Territory's Divisions and District.
During the Congress for Corps Cadets and Young People, members of the Young People's Corps displayed their talents in various ways such as skits, music, and timbrel displays. The General and World President of Women's Ministries awarded 438 Corps Cadet Merit Badges to the Territory's Corps Cadets who had completed their six-year Corps Cadetship.
The Youth Meeting, held on the night of 3rd February 2023, was a sight to behold as the Holy Spirit touched and dwelled amongst those attending the meeting. The General's Bible message inspired many of the youth to come to the altar to re-dedicate themselves to God.
The Holiness Meeting on Sunday, 5th February 2023 saw nearly 4000 people attending it. The Salvation Meeting at night saw a little less attendance. However, the call for re-dedication by the General was answered by hundreds of people at both meetings and the presence of the Holy Spirit could not be denied.
The International Leaders repeatedly said how blessed they were through their visit to the Territory. Officers and soldiers of the Territory also expressed again and again how re-invigorated and blessed they were by the Holy Spirit through the Leaders' visit.
Reported by Major Reuben Lalnunthara, Editor, India Eastern Territory
