Greymouth Corps Celebrates Opening
The relocation of The Salvation Army in Greymouth has been many years in the making. With a recent history of change and uncertainty, things came to a head a few years back with a reconsideration of the land lease and an earthquake-prone building notice.
In response to the burgeoning issues, the officers and congregation marched and prayed around both the inside and outside of the building, with an answer to prayer being granted: an extension of time.
In God’s perfect timing, late last year a freehold earthquake-strong building became available and our journey to relocate began. The corps is now located in the oldest church building in Greymouth, originally opened in 1936 as a Baptist church, then latterly used as a funeral home. The retiring funeral director was very happy to have the building revert back to church use to continue as a place of ministry to those in need.
We are blessed to have a designated worship space, office, foyer-lounge and community hall, which with some adaptation, we look forward to using for the various ministries here in Greymouth. Recent signage on the building—The Army that brings life—is highly visible, drawing people to the building and, we pray, through our ministry drawing people to the one who is the Giver of Life.
Saturday’s formalities began with a whakawātea (cleansing and blessing) ceremony supported by local iwi and led by the Rt Reverend Bishop Richard Wallace, QSM, Pihopa o Te Waipounamu. Also in attendance were Member of Parliament (MP) Hon Damien O’Connor, West Coast-Tasman (Labour); MP Maureen Pugh, (National Party); Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson; local church ministers and our Divisional Commander Major Susan Goldsack.
We enjoyed the ministry of the Nelson Tasman Bays Corps band under the leadership of David Moreton, both before and during the events. As part of the official opening, contributions and greetings were brought by the political dignitaries, the mayor, Baptist pastor Lachlan Bull as chair of the Mawhera (Greymouth) Ministers’ Association and the bishop. Our corps folk were represented with a prayer by Recruiting Sergeant Captain Michael McAuliffe and sharing of our history by Corps Sergeant Major Stephenie MacKenna.
Salt, Light and Hope were recurring themes in this God-glorifying occasion. Susan shared some thoughts before concluding our time with prayer and grace, prior to great fellowship over a finger-food tea.
Sunday’s ministry began with the band playing outside the house of Mrs Shirley Ross. The morning meeting was under the leadership of corps officer Major Gavin Baxter and both the band and music team ministered to the congregation throughout. Other meeting contributions included Jim Vince from Christchurch reading a poem reflecting memories of his time in the Greymouth Corps Band in the late 1950s, and Major Bev Baxter who was acknowledged and installed as the Senior Ministries leader for Greymouth.
Susan brought an encouraging and challenging message based on 1 Kings 8:61 both to Greymouth Corps in their new environment and to all present. ‘May your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands…’
A rousing concluding song, ‘I’ll go in the strength of the Lord’ (SASB 734), prompted a flag-led glory march around the worship area during the singing.
Fellowship over a light lunch was shared before the weekend ended and people returned to their home locations. To God be the glory for all he has done and is going to do.
By Major Bev Baxter. Photos by Bob McAuliffe
