The Salvation Army’s international leaders taught and preached on living by the principles of the Kingdom of God and awakening hope, alongside guest speakers Jeniffer Dake and Dr Matt Ayars. They delved deeply into God’s Word and the Spirit of God moved powerfully through their messages and ministry.
‘The world that you and I are living in, the world that we’re making our way through as we head to Glory, it’s hopeless. And we are the agents of hope,’ the General explained in his Monday-morning session. ‘Let your life be the story by putting [Jesus] right in the centre of who you are. Jesus, be the centre, the foundation of our hope.’
Commissioner Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) challenged everyone to ‘put to death’ the destructive patterns that can tear relationships apart, focusing instead on compassion, love and humility. ‘Hope says that God is creating a new kind of community, where the things that threaten to divide us no longer need to define us.’
The General encouraged all to be ‘Kingdom influencers’ in their corps (churches) and communities. ‘Remind yourself the King of kings goes with you. He’s in you, not just for your benefit as we’ve been reminded, but that you might walk him into the various spaces that you occupy...
‘Be incredibly intentional about seeking the Lord for fresh winds of fire through our gathered communities of faith… that pulsate with the love of God in such a way that the place itself becomes attractive.’
Bringing hundreds to their feet, the General reflected the feeling of all: ‘Count me in. I’m in all the way. I’m not holding back. Count me in – an influencer for the Kingdom, in my home, in my corps, in the world.’
General Lyndon Buckingham leads a morning devotional for delegates from the USA South’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers (photo credit Jon Avery).
The Buckinghams also visited the youth conference, spending time with every child from infancy to age 17, giving hugs and high fives, hearing memorised Scriptures, marvelling at crafts and artwork, and making sure every child felt seen and loved. The General informed a class of pre-teens that the reason we gather as fellow believers is ‘to remind each other that we belong to God, that he loves us and that he cares about us’.
On the final day of the conference, the territory welcomed the newest session of cadets, the members of the Proclaimers of Transformation, to training. ‘Thank you for every “yes” to God,’ Commissioner Buckingham told the cadets. ‘He alone knows the future purposes he has in store for each of you, but as you continue to offer your daily surrendered “yes”, he will continue to unfold his plans for each and every one of you.’
The General affirmed their calling, declaring, ‘You sit here as a testimony that God still has work for this part of the Body of Christ.’ Drawing from the account of the four friends who carried a man that could not walk to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12), he urged persistence in pursuing people for Christ: ‘We’re going to do what it takes. We’re going to ensure that others at least get the opportunity to encounter the Master.’
The Buckinghams’ visit was more than an event; it was a spiritual catalyst, leaving the territory inspired, challenged and renewed in its mission to bring the hope of Christ to a waiting world.
