Leaders from all divisions within the Eastern Europe Territory, along with officers and other Salvationists, gathered in Chisinau, Moldova, for the visit of the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner Edward Hill) and Commissioner Shelley Hill (World Secretary for Women’s Ministries) in February 2024, which commenced with the installation of new territorial leaders, Colonels Ann and Richard Borrett.
After an introduction by Colonel Richard Borrett, the Chief of the Staff was warmly welcomed to the territory with a traditional greeting of bread and grape juice. During the meeting, the Moldova worship band provided music and a singing group, also from Moldova, sang ‘I am Gonna See a Victory’ in Ukrainian.
Joyful expectation
Acknowledging the warm welcome and offering words of encouragement to the congregation, Commissioner Edward Hill conducted the installation ceremony of the territorial leaders. Commissioner Shelley Hill read a letter from General Lyndon Buckingham, and in a moving time of prayer divisional leaders and executives from territorial headquarters surrounded the new territorial leaders as Commissioner Shelley Hill prayed. Colonel Ann Borrett (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) spoke about the faithfulness of God throughout her life and ministry before Territorial Commander Colonel Richard Borrett expressed his ‘joyful expectation’ of what God will do in the territory – an expectation of growth, both spiritually and numerically.
During the meeting the new territorial commander welcomed Lieut-Colonels João-Paulo and Karin Ramos to the territory as the new Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries respectively.
Captain Rezo Bakhtadze (Divisional Commander, Georgia), representing officers and other members of The Salvation Army, thanked the new leaders for their previous work in the territory during the past three years and expressed great hope that by God’s grace and inspiration the territory will see transformation of people through his power.
The hand of assurance
On Sunday, Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill, accompanied by territorial and divisional leaders, lead worship at Ialoveni Corps (church), Moldova, in which the corps music team lead worship and junior soldiers danced. Commissioner Shelley Hill reminded the congregation to look up and set their eyes on Jesus, before the Chief of the Staff spoke on Psalm 25:4-11, encouraging listeners to see Christ as their ‘pilot’. The Chief described the storms of life and reminded the congregation that there is always hope and the hand of assurance as Jesus points the way. He also reminded everyone that when God gives us something to do, it becomes our responsibility.
At the beginning of the subsequent Territorial Executive conference, the Chief of the Staff shared the purpose and structure of International Headquarters and explained the challenges facing the global Salvation Army.
Later, accompanied by territorial leaders, the Chief visited Ungheni Corps (Moldova) where they considered the different programmes being operated, including the work with Ukrainian refugees now residing in Moldova.
During the weekend people came to worship God, pray for the new leaders and look forward to a Spirit-lead future through the grace and power of God.