New Members 100 Percent All In
On Sunday 22 June, four new members were enrolled at The Salvation Army Oamaru. Tina and Paul Toschi (previously adherents) were enrolled as soldiers of The Salvation Army, and Bruce Paton and Eleanor Collier were enrolled as local adherent members, having recently made Oamaru Salvation Army their spiritual home.
Captain Jocelyn Smith explains, ‘We were blessed to have Commissioner Janine Donaldson with us sharing the Word. She also signed the soldiers’ covenants as the witness. We thought that would be a special touch for our soldiers—not many can say they’ve had the Commissioner sign their soldiership enrolment papers. That made it doubly special!’
Tina and Paul were previously adherents but were eager to step up. The couple live in Palmerston, where a burgeoning Salvation Army expression is emerging. With a weekly Bible study and intermittent café church supported by Oamaru Salvation Army leadership, Tina and Paul know that God is at work in and through their lives.
‘They are full-on for God and wanting to get some witness-branded wear and keep following God’s lead. It’s great to have them with us on Sundays and to spearhead what is happening down the road in Palmerston,’ says Jocelyn.
Adherent Eleanor Collier is ‘100 percent boots in’, reports Jocelyn. Brand new to The Salvation Army, Eleanor came to church through a mutual contact and has never left. ‘She wants to fully invest in kingdom ministry and be available to help the mission however she can. She has a real heart to go to Africa and take some resources with her. Eleanor has said to me, “Well, I’m retired, so I can—and why not?”’
Bruce Paton came to church through the monthly services the corps holds at a local rest home. ‘Bev Sherwood was with us in support that day and began chatting with Bruce,’ says Jocelyn. ‘Bev invited him to church, and he now also attends a weekly Bible study. Bruce was very proud to officially become a member of the church family.’
After the service, around 70 people remained for a shared lunch. ‘There were lots of supporters and first-time visitors. It was a truly blessed day!’
Jocelyn explains that the enrolment was part of a larger weekend of special activities.
‘Our Matariki gathering saw 50 people join us for dinner and crafts. The key message was that our Heavenly Father, who knows the names of the stars, also knows and cares for us. It was such a wonderful weekend packed with blessings!’
