Buckle Up Folks!
On Monday 3 November, a mihi whakatau took place at Territorial Headquarters in Wellington for Colonel Jennifer Groves, as she takes up her new appointment as chief secretary of The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Extended family and officers from across the territory and around the Wellington region travelled to support Jennifer, as well as staff based at Territorial Headquarters.
Commissioner Janine Donaldson prayed a powerful blessing over Jennifer: ‘As Jennifer steps into this new role may Your wisdom guide her, Your peace sustain her, and Your aroha flow through every decision she makes. Let Jennifer’s leadership spark change, build community and bring hope where it’s needed most … May Jennifer lead with humility, courage and grace, always leading in Your strength. Walk beside her, Lord, through every challenge and every joy—in the quiet moments and the crowded rooms, in decisions that come easily and the ones that will weigh heavily on her heart. May she feel Your steady presence. Let your Spirit whisper peace when the path is unclear and the road is difficult. Remind her again and again that she is never alone—that You go before her, stand beside and dwell within her. Surround her with people who uplift and protect her heart from discouragement and renew her strength daily.’
Jennifer responded by expressing how much she is looking forward to serving with Janine. ‘It won’t always be easy,’ she said, ‘but God’s given us wisdom and joy and humour and together we can do this!’
Words of acknowledgement and appreciation were offered to family in attendance by Jennifer, including her older sister Susan Howan, who is the Education Officer at Booth College of Mission. ‘I also want to acknowledge my sister, Susan, and her husband, Graeme, who are my greatest fan club,’ she said. ‘In the many years I have been serving overseas they have kept me grounded.’
Jennifer took care to thank Major Susan Goldsack who has been her line manager since her return to Aotearoa, providing support, practical advice, prayer and friendship. Furthermore, Jennifer honoured her predecessor Colonel Gerry Walker who is now retired, declaring that while she has ‘big shoes to fill’, she hopes Gerry has his feet up!
Concluding with a word of encouragement, Jennifer urged listeners to ‘please continue to be open to what God wants to do through you, because we are all workers together and we all work for God. So, maybe sometimes we just have to put our ego aside and let God do his thing through us.’ With great enthusiasm Jennifer declared, ‘Buckle up folks, cause it’s going to be a blast!’
A poignant part of the ceremony took place as six officers representing the Wellington Area Leadership Teams (ALT) handed Jennifer over to the wider territory. This was symbolised by the physical movement away from ALT members towards Territorial Commander Commissioner Janine Donaldson and representative senior leaders, including governance board members.
