A resounding chorus of ‘Hallelujahs’ and ‘Amens’ reverberated throughout the Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory as General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham commenced their much-awaited ‘homecoming’ this past week.
The General and Commissioner Buckingham, who were previously the territorial leaders here, expressed their joy at returning to familiar sights, sounds and faces.
Beginning with a Sunday meeting at Singapore Central Corps, and a Special Night at the Army on 14 April to welcome the international leaders, followed by a Spirit-filled series of gatherings in Chiang Mai, Thailand – for officers’ councils, the Ordination and Commissioning of the Defenders of Justice Session, and the Opening and Dedication of the Chiang Mai Central Corps – it was a week of witnessing the moving of God’s hand in this territory.
The General reminded Salvationists to continue to praise, pray and proclaim the message of salvation, to be a people of the Word, to be a holy and serving generation. Commissioner Buckingham shared how we can build hope through our relationship with God, the Scriptures and our life experiences.
Pure and faithful witnesses
A total of 10 cadets, including our very first officers from Thailand, were commissioned in what was a powerful celebration of God’s calling upon their lives. The General challenged the newly appointed lieutenants to be pure and faithful witnesses of God.
Speaking on behalf of his session-mates, Lieutenant Ebenezer Thavan from Myanmar expressed his appreciation at the presence of the General at the commissioning and said that they are truly excited for God’s plans for their lives.
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham shares a word of encouragement with Salvationists gathered in Singapore
Tears flowed freely and the moving of the Holy Spirit was evident as scores of officers and Salvationists responded to the General and Commissioner Buckingham’s Bible messages by kneeling at the mercy seat to rededicate their lives to God at every meeting held throughout the week.
Celebrating God's work together
Salvationists of the territory were greatly blessed and renewed in their covenant by the visit of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham. Jasinta Lim from Penang Corps in Malaysia said that the presence of the General and Commissioner Buckingham touched her heart, and that she was blessed to be a part of the celebrations in Thailand as Salvationists honoured God and celebrated his work together.