During the recent Aggressive Christianity Conference hosted by Box Hill Corps, the territorial commander, Commissioner James Knaggs, shared personally the following dream he has for our territory.
I Have a Dream…
That one day The Salvation Army will, in its entirety, be what God wants it to be…
…that every soldier, young and old would be sanctified through and through, and out of the passion of their love in Christ, would be an undeniable force for God's love in the world.
…that this love would be seen between each soldier to demonstrate that God has sent His Son into the world not to condemn it, but that the world through Him might be saved, and by this would all people know that we are His followers and represent Him.
…that our love would be seen through intentional and overt acts of mercy and justice, all the while in humility before God, not needing to publish our works, only doing them to glorify God.
…that our mission would have such integrity that every expression of our ministry would be marked not so much by a red shield or even a crest, but by the love of God for people.
…that every corps would embrace the gospel for everyone in their community, not discriminating by culture, language, social status, or age, and that the helping ministries would be woven into the fabric so that even under a nuclear microscope we could not distinguish between spiritual and social.
…that every social programme would be inviting to any one in need to be helped towards eternal affect, still maintaining our resolve to dispense such love indiscriminately and unconditionally, and that their connections with the corps ministries become seamless to the point that they would become a type of corps in their own right.
…that we would have effective ministries to eradicate homelessness, human trafficking, prostitution and other indecencies currently common in our society.
…that our social programme strategy will be based upon the needs of people in the context of Biblical mandate, not necessarily the offerings of government contracts.
…that headquarters support units would be understood as such, not diminishing their purposes for accountability, but wholly in the context of authentic support and encouragement.
…that programmes such as Salvo Stores and Employment plus would also become saving stations for the lost and fully integrated into the mission of the territory.
...that Salvo Stores and the Trade become responsible outlets for Fair Trade goods.
…that our commercial department at THQ become a resource and focal point for facilitating our increasing efforts in Fair Trade.
…that the Family Tracing Service be expanded to find those souls who have been lost to the Army, assisting in bringing them home, where they belong.
…that we would never have another day in our existence where someone was not brought to Christ.
…that our soldiers roll would only be an increasing reality as would our worship and discipleship meetings.
…that the proliferation of new ministry openings would be so common and normal that we would have to appoint personnel just to keep track of it, most often after the fact.
…that those gifted with creative ministry gifts would have every opportunity to employ these very skills in the work of the Army.
…that our worship would be filled with creative means to celebrate God's provisions and presence among us.
…that our 24/7 Prayer Initiatives will be adopted by individual corps throughout the territory all the time.
…that we would establish Lighthouses of Prayer to cover our neighbourhoods with grace.
…that we would have numerous prayer destinations where people could go for prayer retreats, learning opportunities and resources.
...that we would have effective ministries to eradicate homelessness, human trafficking, prostitution and other indecencies currently common in our society.
…that our social programme strategy will be based upon the needs of people in the context of Biblical mandate, not necessarily the offerings of government contracts.
…that headquarters support units would be understood as such, not diminishing their purposes for accountability, but wholly in the context of authentic support and encouragement.
…that programmes such as Salvo Stores and Employment plus would also become saving stations for the lost and fully integrated into the mission of the territory.
…that Salvo Stores and the Trade become responsible outlets for Fair Trade goods.
…that our commercial department at THQ become a resource and focal point for facilitating our increasing efforts in Fair Trade.
…that the Family Tracing Service be expanded to find those souls who have been lost to the Army, assisting in bringing them home, where they belong.
…that we would never have another day in our existence where someone was not brought to Christ.
…that our soldiers roll would only be an increasing reality as would our worship and discipleship meetings.
…that the proliferation of new ministry openings would be so common and normal that we would have to appoint personnel just to keep track of it, most often after the fact.
…that those gifted with creative ministry gifts would have every opportunity to employ these very skills in the work of the Army.
…that our worship would be filled with creative means to celebrate God's provisions and presence among us.
…that our 24/7 Prayer Initiatives will be adopted by individual corps throughout the territory all the time.
…that we would establish Lighthouses of Prayer to cover our neighbourhoods with grace.
...that we would have numerous prayer destinations where people could go for prayer retreats, learning opportunities and resources.
…that our systems would be less restrictive and more imaginative to accommodate the new things God wants to do among us.
...that as a movement, we would be marked by holiness in corporate and individual praxis.
…that there would be such an out pouring of the Spirit upon us that we would be courageous and effective witnesses in our families, communities, cities, Australia and the world.
…that our compassion would be large enough to be understood as authentically global throughout what we do at home and abroad.
...that our people would be quick to response to the voice of God for whatever He calls them to.
…that our officer training programmes would be taxed by the unusual response of the called to serve as officers in TSA.
…that our local officers would be so empowered to understand their foundational role in the corps ministries and fully embrace the priesthood of all believers.
…that our women would have appointments and responsibilities commensurate with their gifts, abilities and experience.
…that our young people would be filled with the Spirit and recognised as contributors in the fight.
…that our children would be welcomed as authentic soldiers with proper opportunities to celebrate the presence of Christ in their lives and in their environments.
...that an extraordinary forgiveness and healing of past sins and hurts would prevail upon all people victimised by our practises or inattention.
…that God would see that we love Him supremely through Christ and that our reliance on the Holy Spirit completes His hope in us.
…that God would see that we love Him absolutely and are expressing our love for Him by our active love for others.
Acts 2:17 (NIV) ~ "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."
