Territorial Welcome to Cadets
It was with a sense of community and excitement that cadets of the Keepers of the Covenant session were welcomed to Booth College of Mission (BCM) on Saturday 27 January. Cadets Elina Palu, Sateki Palu, Rose Hotene and their children received a warm greeting from friends, family, and fellow Salvationists as they entered the chapel. Following the presentation of The Salvation Army salute to Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell, the cadets took their seats on the platform adorned with tapa cloth.
Envoy Anihera Carroll, pou arahi (Māori cultural advisor) at BCM, opened the ceremony with karakia, praying that the new cadets would be strengthened by God and be true keepers of the covenant. Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Shane Healy then officially welcomed the cadets to the college.
Attendees enjoyed a friendly video message from the Champions of the Mission cadets in Fiji, and Emma, a daughter of Tania Viljoen, cadet in the Champions of Mission session at BCM, extended a heartfelt welcome to the cadets’ children. Elina, Sateki and Rose, along with their children, were each presented with a lolly lei by the children currently in residence at BCM.
Territorial Secretary for Personnel Captain Pauline Richards extended an invitation to the cadets to share their backgrounds, testimonies and journeys of coming to officership with the congregation. Elina and Sateki shared their stories of growing up in Tonga and the prophetic prayers of a missionary many years ago, while Rose spoke of her desire to do nothing else than to stay in the presence of God. They each expressed a hope to learn, to build a strong foundation for officership, and for God to use them in their ministry in the future.
Commissioner Mark Campbell brought the message, preaching on God’s covenants with his people and the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ. All present were urged to be keepers of this message, with specific encouragement for the cadets to embody ‘the people of God’ as referenced in the sessional verse, Jeremiah 31:33. The service concluded with worship led by the Hutt City Corps music team, followed by Lt-Colonel Ian Gainsford delivering the benediction. The new cadets and their children were then enthusiastically embraced and celebrated by friends and family members, marking the commencement of their study and life at BCM.
