Casting a Vision for the Future
“This has the potential to change the trajectory for this territory and The Salvation Army world,” Southern Territorial Commander Commissioner Kelly Igleheart pronounced to a group of around 40 officers, employees, and Salvationists gathered on Monday, September 30, 2024. “You don’t know yet how important it is that you’re in this room.”
The eclectic group included published book authors, renowned songwriters, brilliant college students, experienced officers, powerful prayer warriors, and many people in between. They were all brought together for a singular purpose: to cast a vision for how the Southern Territory can lead the Army world in creative thinking and expression through songwriting, writers and authors, and corps planting and growth.
“I’m interested in planting seeds that will grow saplings and strong trees. I’m interested in planting trees today, looking farther out, and I think the right people are here tonight to really do that,” Commissioner Kelly explained. “I cannot do any of the things you’re doing, but I can create space, and I can create resources to help soldier forward your dreams and your visions.”
Commissioner Donna Igleheart, territorial president of women’s ministries, addressed the group saying, “We are going to wait on the Lord. We’re going to start there first, asking and believing that His will would be done.” She then began a time of prayer, seeking the Lord’s presence and guidance over the next several days.
Over the next day and a half, the three groups brought forward ideas and visions for growth and direction in each of their areas, compiling and distilling every suggestion into an actionable list of recommendations to present to territorial leadership.
On Wednesday afternoon, the leaders of each group presented these recommendations and answered questions in front of the whole assembly.
The group focusing on church planting and growth suggested several areas where the territory can support the corps in addressing community needs.
The writers and authors group recommended outlets for writers of all skill levels and styles of writing and ways to encourage a reading culture in The Salvation Army.
The songwriters group put forward several strategies to continue to purposefully grow their catalog of original works as well as their reach and impact.
Following the three presentations, Commissioner Kelly addressed the groups, thanking them for their willingness to follow the Lord’s leading and participate in this important exercise. He then asked for ideas for next year’s vision groups to focus on. “What I’m looking for are some of the topics that may resonate in your heart that we can put some of our best minds to.”
The diverse group of individuals brought forward around a dozen different ideas, areas to consider bringing before another group of prayerfully selected people next year.
“I can’t tell you how encouraged I am that you said yes,” to participating in this time of ideation and creation, Commissioner Kelly emphasized after receiving these suggestions. “This is not the end; hold me accountable.”
Commissioner Donna echoed this sentiment and encouraged, “You can be assured that movement is going to happen.”
She closed the group in prayer saying, “Father, I thank you for the conversations that have taken place. I thank you for what was shared today, all saturated in your goodness and grace. And we cannot wait to see what is going to be born from this.”
