The 4th Territorial Council comprising of all Officers and Division/ District Council members, was conducted successfully at Bethlehem Corps. The attendance was satisfactory as 400 members. And as per arrangements made by India National Office, we were delighted to have in our midst 18 delegates headed by the National Executive Officer comprising of 5 Chief Secretaries, and other distinguished guests.
The Council was presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Simon S. P., Chief Secretary. and Lieutenant Colonel Annamma Simon, TSWM who extended a warm welcome to the congregation. Commissioner Lalzamlova, Territorial Commander chaired the Council released the 2nd edition of Brigadier Ngurliana's "The history of The Salvation Army, Mizoram." And he delivered keynote address, reporting the progress of the territory. He then revealed the chalked-out 5-year plan for IET which interested the congregation greatly and also motivated everyone to put in their best for the achievement of the set goals. The rest of the day was spent in discussing 10 Agenda as well as the newly formed CO Bial (command area), revising it where necessary. It was also passed that Tripura District be upgraded to a Division.
Commissioner Lalzamlova presided over the Budget Session and Major V. L. Sawmthanga rendered his Finance Report admirably in simple terms so that the whole congregation could grasp it. He reported the monetary progress of IET especially the progress of Self Denial and Rice Collection. He reported that IET was marching steadily forward without any need of foreign aid. He then laid the proposed budget for 2020-2021 along with the proposal to raise the remuneration of Officers, Employees, Outreach workers, and the scope for progress in all ecclesiastical fields. The Council unanimously passed ₹.208,822,902 for 2020-2021, the increase over the previous budget being ₹. 3,490,3,902.
Later, in our Prayer Meeting, Lieutenant Colonel Vanlalthanga SPA, delivered a very impressive sermon on "The importance of the Good News in bringing about God's Kingdom".
Holiness Meeting: Territorial Commander released Major J. Thanruma's "Prayer Mountain" which was sponsored by Mr. F. Kapsanga, CT Temple Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Davidson Varghese, also rendered an address expressing joy at IET's progress and declared that it was exemplary for other Territories. A delightful Sermon was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Simon SP, Chief Secretary on "The importance of the individual and the family in bringing about God's Kingdom"
Commissioner Nui, TPWM led our Final Meeting and said that she was happy to see so much progress through being led by the Holy Spirit and that she felt that IET was truly singled out to be blessed and that she was certain that the Holy Spirit would continue to bless us. Colonel John Kumar Dasari, National Executive Officer delivered his greetings to the congregation.
Commissioner Lalzamlova, Territorial Commander then delivered a very spirit-filled sermon on "The importance of Offering in bringing about God's Kingdom". Some excerpts of this sermon are: God Himself offered us His Son to save us from our fallen state. The offering of a boy's lunch to Jesus appeased the hunger of 5000 men. When Booth Tucker and his followers were at their west end in India, they prayed all night and the next day received an inheritance of £. 5,000/- from CT Studd which God used greatly to establish the Salvation Army in India. In the same way, the founder of the Salvation Army in Mizoram Mr. Kawlkhuma was given ₹. 60/- by Mr. Vanhlira with which the Salvation Army had its beginnings in Mizoram. He pleaded the congregation to be willing their best to God just as Abraham was willing to give his only son to God. The meeting ended with a Mercy Seat Appeal and many penitent soldiers bowed down before it. During all of these services Territorial Songsters, CSD Songsters, Bethlem Corps Songsters, Territorial and Bethlehem Corps Bands greatly enriched our services with their songs and music. And Bethlehem Corps Women Ministry performed a beautiful Timbrel drill.
Vote of thanks: The huge success of the Council cum Congress is due mainly to God, and secondly to our host Corps for their excellent reception preparation. The Commanding Officers of the host Corps are praiseworthy for all their efforts toward the hosting of the Council. Special mention may be made of the Men Fellowship Bethlem Corps for their exceptional handling of refreshments and traffic control. Last but not least, credit goes to our TC for his amazing time management, for everything was done right on time, without any time wasted. All this is another great progress, and the co-operation and oneness deeply impressed the congregation.
Major Reuben Lalnunthare Hnamte, Editor in Chief, India Eastern Territory
