Graduation and Commissioning of the Keepers of the Covenant, Ngā Kaipupuru i te Kawenata session
Commissioning weekend began on Friday 12 December with a graduation ceremony held at Hutt City Corps. Hosted by Booth College of Mission (BCM), friends and whānau came together to celebrate the academic achievement of thirteen graduands.
As the graduands entered the auditorium, their joy was plain to see as they danced down the aisle toward the stage, accompanied by the thunderous applause and loud cheering of friends and family.
From the Keepers of the Covenant, Ngā Kaipupuru i te Kawenata session of Salvation Army officers in training, Cadets ‘Elina and Sateki Palu and Cadet Rose Hotene received the New Zealand (NZ) Diploma in Christian Studies (Theology, Level 5), NZ Diploma in Christian Studies (Leadership, Level 6) and the Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training.
Graduating alongside the cadets were three students from the School of Bible and Mission (SBM)—Anna Christensen (BCM), Sara Eglington (Wellington South Corps) and Ben Edwards (Gateway Baptist)—who each received the Diploma in Christian Studies.
Receiving the Certificate in Youth Worker Training were Salvation Army Youth Work LAB (Living and Breathing) apprentices Molly Sheriden (Palmerston North Corps), Palu Meni and Sentila Tokelau (Roskill South Youth Development Team).
Further education awards were received by Major Helen Knowles (Post-graduate Diploma in Chaplaincy), Major Katherine Sonntag (Diploma in Adult Education and Teaching), Captain Lynda Pitcher (Master of Social Work) and Greg Jennings (Master of Information Studies).
In absentia were Captain Emma Frunt, Captain Ted Kim, Lieutenant Barry Kirby (Bachelor of Theology) and Bryan Thomson (New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching).
Seen and heard
BCM Education Officer and SBM Dean of Studies Susan Howan introduced the cadet speaker for the evening, Rose Hotene, who took great care to thank friends and family—as well as BCM staff and tutors—for their support.
‘Each of you holds a significant place in our hearts. You are the people who are our encouragers, our prayer warriors, our grace growers, our safe spaces, the rest for our hearts, and we truly thank each and every one of you,’ she said.
Pondering what academic success looks like, Rose asked, ‘I can’t help but wonder what success really is. And what is our measurement of such a thing? We have come to learn that two years of training not only shapes the mind, but, more importantly, our hearts. Perhaps the true measure of success is that we would behold Him—the King of kings. The One who whispers, “I see you. And there is a seat at my table if you will come.” In the end, it’s not actually about us. It’s all about Him and what He can do with the fragments of our lives if we lay it all at His feet. Our brokenness is His canvas and our surrender is His masterpiece.’
SBM student speaker for the evening was Ben Edwards, who serves as children, families and youth pastor at Gateway Baptist Church. Ben had been studying online but needed the personal interaction of other students for his third year of study. Ben spoke highly of the BCM team and fondly of the Salvationists he had studied with.
Representing the LAB students was Sentila Tokelau from the Roskill South Youth Development Team, who shared the life-changing influence of a youth worker who saw the potential she hadn’t recognised in herself.
‘For the first time, I felt truly seen, heard and that I belonged,’ explains Tila. ‘That sense of belonging became the foundation for my growth, both personally and professionally.’
Keep it simple
Guest speaker for the evening was Major David Noakes—beloved for both his pastoral heart and learned mind. Over the past 20 years, David has served as adjunct tutor, senior tutor, dean of studies, education officer, assistant principal and principal of BCM.
‘David is somewhat of an institution at BCM, having spent numerous years and multiple appointments there,’ explains current BCM principal, Major Chris Collings. ‘It would be fair to say that very few officers in the territory haven’t been influenced by David’s leadership and tutorship in some way.’
In his keynote address, David drew from the biblical story of Job, the teaching of Jesus and the message of Ecclesiastes, to remind the graduates to keep it simple.
‘While learning is good, there are some things that are meant to be beyond us,’ he said. ‘God is great and beyond our comprehension and understanding—except for what has been revealed to us in Christ. We are invited to know Him, not just about Him. We are to fear Him, serve Him and love Him. And Jesus, I would like to propose, never meant this to be complicated. Tough? Yes. Hard? Yes. Challenging? Absolutely! But never complicated.’
David concluded by affirming the need for balance, ‘Celebrate your academic achievements—you deserve it. Apply the knowledge, the skills, the spirit and the character you have learned and absorbed. Build on and develop what you have learnt. In this secular world that is placing so many demands and questions upon Christians and the Church, you also need to be innovative in your ministries. But always, always remember to keep it simple.’
A new dawn
On Saturday 13 December, also at Hutt City Corps, the Keepers of the Covenant, Ngā Kaipupuru i te Kawenata session of cadets, were ordained and commissioned. Joy and celebration filled the room as the cadets were welcomed to the stage, accompanied by the Territorial Youth Band.
Major Bryant Richards opened the service with a mihi whakatau, acknowledging the many friends and family gathered for the special occasion, as well as those watching online. Bryant shared an appropriate whakatauki (proverb), ‘He ata anō tō muri i te pō roa—There is a new day after a long night’, acknowledging the dedication and effort cadets had invested in their training, encouraging them to embrace the promise of a new dawn.
Major Chris Collings congratulated and encouraged the soon-to-be-ordained cadets on completing two years of officer training. He acknowledged that all three cadets had faced significant personal loss during their time at BCM and commended the way they had deepened their resilience and reliance on God through these challenges. He thanked them for their wisdom and humility and urged them to remain mindful of their sessional name and the profound significance of the covenant they were making as officers in The Salvation Army.
Territorial Commander Commissioner Janine Donaldson ordained and commissioned the three cadets as lieutenants, alongside Envoys Collette and Stew Irwin who were also ordained and commissioned, with the rank of captain.
Imitating God
Rose, ‘Elina and Sateki’s children joined them on stage as the new lieutenants formally received their appointments. Rose was appointed mission officer, Flat Bush Plant and chaplain, Flat Bush Kaitiakitanga, Auckland Social Housing; and ‘Elina and Sateki were appointed as the corps officers of Ashburton Corps.
As Commissioner Janine dedicated the newly appointed officers, she prayed for strength and wisdom as they took their place as leaders within The Salvation Army.
Sateki then shared his testimony, reflecting on his 26-year journey to officership and proclaiming God’s goodness that empowered him to serve. With a broad smile, he declared, ‘God is good, all the time, big time—hoo-ha!’
As part of the service, Commissioner Janine officially installed Colonel Jennifer Groves as the new chief secretary, affirming, ‘You don’t carry this responsibility alone. You carry it with God and with us.’ In response, Jennifer expressed her gratitude, sharing a passage from Ephesians 5:1–2, stating her desire to imitate God in everything she does and be a pleasing aroma to God.
Janine preached an inspiring message, reminding the newly commissioned officers that, ‘covenant is not abstract, it is lived—it makes the gospel visible’, adding her encouragement to be covenant keepers for generations to come.
Family and friends gathered around the new commissioned officers for a Spirit-filled time of prayer, with celebrations aptly concluding with the soul-stirring Salvation Army haka, Te Haka Ate Pōti; a demonstration of pride, strength and unity.
Long service awards
During the commissioning and ordination service, 12 officers received their long service awards. Recipients of 25 years of service awards were Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford and Lt-Colonels Allan and Debbie Clark (all from the Forward 2000 session). Those receiving awards for 30 years of service were Major Alister Irwin, Majors Brenda and Nigel Luscombe, Lt-Colonel Russell Malcolm, Major Joanne Wardle and Major Asinate (Litiana) Cola (all from the Messengers of Hope session). Majors Julie and Robert Cope and Lt-Colonel Garth Stevenson from the Witnesses for Jesus session received awards for 35 years of service.
Major Pauleen Richards presented the awards, recognising the officers as exemplary role models and thanking them for, ‘the many lives impacted by your service and your legacy’. A celebration dinner for the award recipients and their families was held the same evening.
Silver Star family service
On Sunday 14 December, BCM hosted a special in-Sunday for the new lieutenants’ extended families. Silver Stars and certificates were presented to parents and spiritual mentors during a fun, interactive, family-friendly service.
Admittance to the Fellowship of the Silver Star honours the support of parents and spiritual mentors. Each new officer presented their chosen recipient with a Silver Star badge in acknowledgement of their contribution.
Major Kylie Tong spoke about the importance of being open to those who offer support and remembering that we are always stronger together. Kylie’s own grandmother, Mrs Cresswell, has three Silver Stars, symbolising three generations of officers within her family.
On behalf of the session, ‘Elina expressed heartfelt gratitude for the influence, input and prayers given over the past two years and throughout their lives. Sateki paid tribute to his sister, who had travelled from Tonga to be with him, acknowledging her as a major influence in his life. Rose chose to honour her children, Tane and Maia, presenting them with special certificates that recognised their shared journey to officership.
‘It was a relaxed and emotional celebration,’ says Lt-Colonel Margaret Bateman, secretary for retired officers, with responsibility for Silver Star. ‘It was a privilege to be present and to witness families being honoured in such a special way.’
