General Lyndon Buckingham has called Salvationists and friends in the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory, and worldwide, to make sure they are fully immersed in the river of God’s love, grace and Holy Spirit refreshing. The powerful message was given at The Salvation Army’s Together 2025 gathering in Birmingham, England, following the ordination and commissioning of the Champions of the Mission cadets on Sunday 13 July.
‘There’s this beautiful picture that comes to us in an Old Testament book from long ago,’ the General shared. ‘The prophet Ezekiel [sees] a river flowing from the throne of God… and where this river flows, it brings healing, it brings restoration, it brings life, it brings transformation (Ezekiel 47: 1-12). Wherever the river flows, there is evidence of God’s love, of God’s grace, of God’s renewing, of God’s creativity…
‘This is the river of the Holy Spirit,’ preached the General with mounting conviction, ‘the “living water”! (John 7:37-39). It is the very presence of God infilling and indwelling the believer so they might be fully alive to his work in the world, released to participate in his work of redemption, renewal, grace, love, mercy and forgiveness…
‘Salvation Army, we’re supposed to be in this river. This is our river. This is the river we belong to… This is the invitation to us, as a movement, as we march into the next however many years. I want us to catch hold of this vision: that we are the people of God who gather and who flow out into the world, empowered by the very presence of God, bringing hope and healing and love right where we’ve been planted, right where we are. To his honour and to his glory.
‘We need to be in the river. We need to be in the river individually to experience all that God has for us, because of his love. We need to be in the river corporately so that we’re surrendered to the leadership and the direction of the King from whom the river comes. We need to be in. Are you in the river?’
Celebrating the past, called to the future
From 11 to 13 July, in the year that the worldwide Salvation Army marked 160 years of mission, more than 1,000 Salvationists celebrated God’s work through The Salvation Army in the past and were called to contribute to the movement’s mission in the future. General Buckingham and World President of Women’s Ministries Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham were present throughout the weekend, their ministry inspiring and uplifting people of all ages and generations.
Themed Mission 160: From Generation to Generation, the weekend began on the Friday evening with a sold-out concert at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The International Staff Songsters and the International Staff Band presented music alongside the Canadian Staff Songsters, led by Cathie Koehnen and Executive Officer Lieut-Colonel John Murray.
Before the concert, the Buckinghams met with spiritual leaders from across the territory for a spiritual leaders’ meeting at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre.
During the Saturday, at the city’s International Convention Centre, the General and Commissioner Buckingham engaged with teams and departments from Territorial Headquarters at an interactive marketplace, enjoyed sports mission outreach in the city centre and visited an art exhibition showcasing a vibrant collection of Salvationists’ creative expressions of faith.
On the Saturday evening, the General and Territorial Leader Commissioner Jenine Main led the first of three intergenerational worship sessions, which included a family sharing about their faith journey together. Inspired by the feeding of the five thousand, the General gave a rousing address, calling everyone not to watch from the sidelines but to be engaged in their faith and in God’s mission.
‘This is the bit that I love about generation to generation,’ he said. ‘You don’t have to wait until you’re old: you can start when you’re young!’
Commissioner Buckingham and Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main led the second session, which featured the International Staff Songsters, the International Staff Band, musical guests from multiple generations and powerful testimonies.
The Canadian Staff Songsters participated in the third session, which included dance from young people and a stirring Bible message from Commissioner Buckingham that called everyone to a genuine commitment to Christ and to live out an authentic, Christlike love.
‘Jesus’ metaphor of a vine and branches...illustrates the essential truth that connection produces freshness and life,’ she said. ‘A branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must remain connected to the vine. When our battery gets low on our phone, we plug it in. We don’t just think about charging it, we actually connect it to the power source.’
In response, many came to the front of the auditorium for prayer, while others prayed in groups where they were, as every seat in the Spirit-filled hall became a mercy seat.
On the Sunday morning, the nine Champions of the Mission were ordained and commissioned, with junior soldier Alfie joining Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main on the platform to participate in the ceremony. As the congregation sang ‘The Goodness of God’ over the newly commissioned officers, the international leaders and territorial leaders moved between them, greeting and blessing them individually.
The General’s rousing Bible message on Matthew 9:35-38 and Ezekiel’s river of life challenged everyone in the packed hall and all those watching online to put their faith into practice, first with each other, and then by being intentional and innovative in participating in God’s work in the world.
A joyful Sunday afternoon, including a virtual tour through 160 years of Salvation Army history and interviews with new candidates accepted for officer training, concluded the celebrations. The weekend saw the Holy Spirit move powerfully among all present, and sent the new lieutenants and everyone else out into their communities with passion, intention and purpose.
