November 2025
Official Engagements
Commissioner Janine Donaldson (Territorial Commander)
1–14 November: Furlough
18–25 November: Fiji Division and Tonga Region visit
19 November: Spiritual Day, School for Officer Training Fiji Division and Booth College of Mission (online)
29 November: Next Gen Sports Day, Energy Events Centre Palmerston North
Colonel Jennifer Groves (Chief Secretary)
3 November: THQ Pōwhiri, Cuba Street auditorium, Wellington
5 November: Celebration dinner for Tira Tūhāhā Prison Chaplaincy’s 25th anniversary, Trentham, Upper Hutt
7 November: Territorial Online Praying Together meeting
10 November: Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal launch, North City Shopping Centre, Porirua City
Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford (Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development)
2 November: Petone Corps Plant visit
3 November: THQ Pōwhiri for Chief Secretary, Cuba Street auditorium, Wellington
6 November: Online Spiritual Retreat
7 November: Territorial Online Praying Together meeting
Gazette
Birth: Congratulations to Captain Aram Kwon who has given birth to a baby boy, Theo Haon Kim, at 8:53am on Tuesday 23 September 2025, weighing 7lb 7oz (3.375kgs). May God bless Captains Aram Kwon and Ted Kim, and big sisters Faith and Joy, as they welcome Theo into their family.
Retirement: Effective 31 October 2025, Colonel Gerald (Gerry) Walker will enter retirement having completed 17 years, 8 months and 7 days of active service. Gerry and Kristine Walker were warranted as Auxiliary Captains on 25 February 2008 when Gerry was appointed as Divisional Secretary for Community Ministries, Northern Division. On 14 January 2010, Gerry received an additional appointment as Divisional Emergency Services Coordinator, Northern Division.
On 13 January 2011 Gerry was appointed as National Manager, Addictions and Supportive Accommodation Services. He then had a change of appointment title to National Director, Addictions and Supportive Accommodation Services on 3 May 2012.
On 8 December 2012 Gerry and Kristine Walker were commissioned as Captains, as part of the ‘Prayer Warriors’ session.
With a move to THQ in Wellington, Gerry was appointed as Territorial Secretary for Personnel and Privacy Officer on 1 April 2014. This was followed by an appointment as Territorial Secretary for Social Mission on 11 January 2018. On 10 January 2019, Gerry was appointed as Assistant Territorial Secretary for Programme. A change of title to Assistant Territorial Secretary for Mission occurred on 9 January 2020.
Captain Kristine Walker retired from active service on 31 March 2020.
On 1 August 2020 Gerry was appointed as Chief Secretary, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory with the rank of Colonel. It is from this appointment that Gerry enters retirement from active service.
It is with sincere thanks and appreciation that we honour Colonel Gerry Walker for his leadership and faithful service to God through The Salvation Army. We pray God’s richest blessings on Gerry as he joins Kristine in retirement.
Effective 30 September 2025, Major Karl Saunders will enter retirement having completed 21 years, 5 months and 19 days of active officer service. Karl entered The Salvation Army Training College from Christchurch City Corps in 1983 as a cadet in the ‘Servants of God’ session. Following his commissioning on 19 January 1985, Karl was appointed as Assistant Officer, Lower Hutt Corps.
In January 1986, Karl was appointed as Corps Officer, Wainuiomata Corps, followed by an appointment as Assistant Corps Officer, Waimate Corps in January 1987.
In September 1988 Karl served in the Brazil Territory as Associate Officer, Bosque da Saūde Corps, in São Paulo, and then Corps Officer, Campina Grande Corps, in Paraiba, Brazil, until December 1989.
After a break in officer service, in January 1992 Karl was re-accepted as an officer and appointed as Corps Officer, Masterton Corps. This was followed by appointments as Corps Officer, Belfast Corps (January 1994); Corps Officer, Spreydon Corps (January 1997); and Corps Officer, Dunedin North Corps (January 1999).
After a further break from officer service, in January 2018 Karl took up an appointment as Assistant Officer, Invercargill Corps, with responsibility for Gore Corps. In January 2019, Karl was appointed Corps Officer, New Lynn Corps, and in January 2020 Karl was appointed as Mission Officer, Bridge and Oasis Auckland, primarily at Waitakere Bridge. It is from this appointment that Karl will enter retirement.
It is with sincere thanks and appreciation that we honour Major Karl Saunders for his sincere and faithful service to God through The Salvation Army.
We pray God’s blessing upon Major Karl Saunders as he enters retirement, and in the days ahead.
Bereavement: Reverend Eric Kearse, the father of Captain Fraser Kearse, passed away on 29 September 2025, aged 87 years. We ask you to uphold Captains Fraser and Erica Kearse, along with other extended family members in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.
Jane Kibone, the mother of Captain Betty Akoteu, was promoted to Glory on 13 September 2025 from Uganda, aged 67. Please remember Captains Betty and Samisoni Akoteu (who are currently serving in the Uganda Territory) and the extended family in prayer at this time of grief and loss.
Gwen Nelson, the mother of Major Jeannine Serevi, was promoted to Glory on 4 October 2025, from Hutt Hospital. Gwen, along with her husband Don, served as an Envoy in The Salvation Army undertaking appointments at the Invercargill Emergency Lodge, Hodderville Boys Home, The Nest in Hamilton, Wellington Bridge, Norman Kirk Eventide Home in Upper Hutt, Ohinemuri Rest Home in Taupo and Community Ministries in Whangarei.
We ask you to uphold in prayer Gwen’s husband Don Nelson and family, Majors Jeannine and Joe Serevi, along with other family members in this time of grief and loss.
Lynette Smith, the daughter of Major Gordon Smith, passed away on 14 October 2025 from New Plymouth, aged 68 years. We ask you to uphold Major Gordon Smith, along with other extended family members, in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.
Promoted to Glory: Maureen Millard was born on 1 April 1928 in Dunedin. Maureen entered The Salvation Army Training College from Palmerston North Corps as a cadet in the ‘Intercessors’ session in March 1952. Following her commissioning on 19 January 1953 Pro – Lieutenant Maureen Millard was appointed as Assistant Corps Officer to Mataura Corps. This was followed a few months later in August 1953 with an appointment to Invercargill Corps as Assistant with responsibility for Waikiwi Outpost.
Second Lieutenant Maureen Millard married Second Lieutenant Victor (Vic) Jarvis on 8 January 1955. Maureen joined Victor in his appointment as Corps Officers to Gore Corps.
In September 1957 Vic was appointed to the Territorial Headquarters Finance Department and over the next 37 years he remained in the Finance Department appointed to various positions. This came with quite a change for Maureen in an era when there were no formal appointments filled by THQ officer wives.
Maureen with a family of 5 children immersed herself in all aspects of Wellington South Corps, holding several leadership positions, especially with children and youth and Corps Bible Studies. During this time Maureen also completed a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1978 using her interest and gifting in the Arts and Music to enhance the spiritual life of the Territory.
In July 1982 Maureen was appointed as Territorial League of Mercy Secretary. In November 1983 Maureen and Vic were appointed as Divisional Leaders Central North Division, Maureen, as Divisional Secretary for Women’s Organisations. This was followed by a move to Northern Division where Maureen was appointed as Divisional Secretary for Women’s Organisations in October 1986.
Maureen and Vic returned to Palmerston North in January 1989, where Maureen was appointed as Territorial Outer Circle Home League Secretary. It is from this appointment that Maureen retired on 1 April 1993.
Lt Colonel Vic Jarvis was promoted to Glory on 16 October 1994.
We honour Lt Colonel Maureen Jarvis for her humble, dedicated service. As a writer of songs, her faith and legacy will live on. Maureen continued to contribute to the life of the Palmerston North Corps for many years in retirement including leading an Interdenominational Women’s Bible Study Group for over 20 years, oversighting Sallies Kitchen community meals for 10 years.
Please support Maureen’s children, Major Paul, Andrew, Lt Colonel Stephen, Michael, Rosemary, granddaughter Captain Rachel Montgomery and extended family members at this time of grief and loss.
Well done good and faithful Intercessor of Jesus Christ!
