Emmanuel: God with us
This year we have been excited to visit many corps and centres across our four nations. We have heard the joys, challenges and stories of the transforming love of Jesus through the diversity of our mission centres.
We have been encouraged by your commitment to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all who come in contact with The Salvation Army.
During a recent visit to Samoa, we spoke to a man who has found a place to belong and serve God and
his community.
In his younger life, he experienced many difficulties that led to time in jail. However, during this time someone showed him kindness and helped him to work through some of his hurts and anger. He has also discovered the love and forgiveness of Jesus and is now an adherent of The Salvation Army and helps others to find hope, purpose, and fullness of life in Jesus, through the Alcohol and other Drugs Addictions Programme.
This is a demonstration of the healing and transformation that comes from your commitment to working together to reach people in our four nations with the joy from that first Christmas.
In Luke 2:10–12 it says: ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Our prayer for you all this Christmas is that you will pause from the busyness and the festivities of the season to consider the joy of the message brought to each one of us down through the centuries: Emmanuel, God with us.
It has been our privilege to serve alongside you all this year. We are grateful for everyone who belongs, works, worships and serves the Lord and has a found a place to belong in The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
We wish you a happy and restful Christmas and New Year.
Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell
Territorial Leaders
