GENERAL André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox (World President of Women's Ministries) joined in Chinese New Year celebrations when they visited the Hong Kong and Macau Command to lead meetings that recognised God’s faithfulness across 100 years of Salvation Army ministry to Chinese people.
Following officers councils, which included the presence of former command leaders, the General and Commissioner Cox met with junior soldiers and corps cadets – the ‘now’ generation – who posed questions of significance, including ‘what does a General actually do?’ The day concluded with a harmonica symphony and barbecue, highlights of the command’s inaugural men’s fellowship.
At a women's ministries celebration, women from the command presented a drama portraying female voices throughout the past 100 years. It was capped by a dynamic testimony from 86-year-old Major Elaine Lo, who reflected the theme of the meeting in her witness that she is ‘Joyfully His’.
Hidden talents became apparent during the educational services celebration, with both the General and Commissioner Cox wholeheartedly joining with 1,500 Salvation Army students in a number of presentations – including Cantonese language lessons, juggling and handbells.
More than 1,000 people gathered for the ‘One Mission’ Sunday morning meeting, which included participation from a number of Salvation Army ministry units. The General’s call for purity of heart for mission culminated in many corps (church) fellowships meeting at the mercy seat for prayer and reconsecration.
Twenty-two Salvation Army family members from Beijing and Shanghai, in mainland China, met with the international leaders on Sunday evening. While they were sharing photos, the General and Brother Yin, Yi-Qun discovered a picture of their respective fathers (Commissioner Ron Cox, then Chief of the Staff, and Major Yin, Hong-shum, a retired officer who had served in mainland China) when they had met many years ago.
These historic celebrations coincided with the start of the Chinese ‘Year of the Monkey’, with the General and Commissioner Cox joining social services units in their annual Chinese New Year festivities.
During the visit, meetings of significance were held with C. Y. Leung (Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region), Sir David K. P. Li (Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank of East Asia) and the Hong Kong Christian Council.
Report by Lieut-Colonel Wendy Swan