General Andre Cox (R) Supports Leesburg, FL World Services Weekend
Considerable planning, lots of prayer, and a great deal of excitement surrounded the long-anticipated arrival of General André Cox (R) and Commissioner Silvia Cox as special leaders for the Leesburg (Florida) Corps World Services Weekend. The 20th elected international leaders of The Salvation Army were heavily engaged over a four-day period in every aspect of The Salvation Army’s presence and outreach in Lake and Sumter Counties. Lt. Colonels Kent and Melody Davis, Florida divisional leaders, provided their gracious support to the weekend of celebration and community outreach.
The weekend began with an ecumenical event on Thursday in The Villages, a significant area of accountability for the corps, recognized as the fastest-growing senior community in the nation. In front of a congregation of senior citizens, the General engaged in lively discussion with Pastor James Armstrong, newly installed lead pastor of Live Oaks Community Church in The Villages. Pastor Armstrong thoughtfully posed questions to General Cox about the beginnings of the Army and delved into his own personal faith journey. The Live Oaks praise & worship team even led a spirited rendition of William Booth’s “Send the Fire.” Following a benediction by Commissioner Silvia Cox, the crowd generously donated toward the Leesburg Corps’ World Services goal.
Civic leaders, dignitaries, community partners, donors, and volunteers gathered midday Friday for the corps’ first Civic Luncheon. Highlights included the sharing of an Impact Report, a speech from Advisory Board Chair Margarite McCartney, and a global glimpse of The Salvation Army across the world from General Cox. The theme of the event was Love in Action, and an appeal to finance programs for children and teens resulted in donations and pledges to send several community youths to camp this year.
Over 150 gathered on Saturday evening in the corps gymnasium for an International Celebration supper. All proceeds from tickets sold went toward the corps’ World Services goal. Approximately 75% of those in attendance were new to the Army, thanks to corps people inviting neighbors and friends, including The Villages Friends of The Salvation Army. Members of the corps cooked an Italian meal, while local ethnic restaurants donated a “taste” of their country’s food. A surprise item for General and Commissioner Cox, who have retired to Switzerland, was a proficient Swiss Alphorn player.
General and Commissioner Cox took everyone on a round-the-world visit to the five main Salvation Army Zones with an emphasis on the unusual and significant, highlighting how God is using The Salvation Army to reach people with the gospel. Lt. Colonel Eddie Hobgood’s performance of the “Sanctified Salvationist – Joe the Turk” concluded the evening with much spectacle and flare. The audience was captivated by the enthusiasm and extraordinary flamboyance of this larger-than-life character who found the Lord during a Salvation Army open-air service in the early days of the Army in the United States.
The culmination of this “mini congress” weekend was the Pentecost Sunday morning service at the Leesburg Corps. General Cox preached from Isaiah 52:7-10, urging the congregation not to dwell on church attendance alone, but to share the gospel with all, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through them in everyday life. During the service, the General enrolled six junior soldiers, five adherents, and 14 senior soldiers, all as members of the Leesburg Corps and nearby Bushnell Service Center. The annual World Services Ingathering was held, supported by the music of the corps’ community choir and band, the latter premiering a new march written by Christopher Priest to commemorate the weekend: “Leesburg 24.”