The General and Commissioner Peddle Wow Them in Washington

By: Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Following lightning fast meetings in Atlanta and Chattanooga (Tennessee), the General and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle jetted to the Potomac Division, headquartered in Washington, DC. Supported by Commissioners Willis and Barbara Howell, members of the USA Southern Territory staff as well as Lt. Colonels Allan and Fiona Hoffer, divisional leaders, and members of the Potomac Division headquarters staff, the first stop was a combined meeting of the Landmark (Korean) Corps and the Fairfax Corps, both corps located in Virginia. The internationalism of the two corps was on full display as parts of the meeting were in Korean, Spanish, Gujarati and English.

In his brief remarks, the General shared, "I am often asked, ‘How is The Salvation Army doing?' My come back is, ‘How are you doing?' If our people are right, The Salvation Army is right." He then shared a brief sketch of world events including in Russia and Ukraine. He concluded, "In 132 countries, The Salvation Army understands where it fits in a chaotic world."

After musical numbers by the Landmark Songsters and the Praise Band, Commissioner Rosalie Peddle brought the morning message. "With the Holy Spirit helping us, God sends us into our neighborhoods, our workplace, our schools, our families to live as holy people in an unholy world." Speaking of the first disciples, she asked, "Why were they so different? Why are we so different? Because we have been with Jesus. We can't get enough of Him. And as we draw closer to Him, people will know we have been with Jesus." As the commissioner closed her remarks, there was an immediate response as the altar was lined again and again with those who wanted to stand more boldly for Christ.

Later that afternoon, hundreds of Salvationists crowded into Schlesinger Hall for an area wide Soldiers Rally. With the theme, "Battle Ready on Our Knees," musical groups and testimonies accentuated the theme throughout the afternoon. While all of this was excellent, the most impressive sight was 39 fully uniformed young people who were enrolled as junior soldiers by the General. That was followed by an equally impressive sight – 51 fully uniformed recruits marched on the stage to be enrolled as senior soldiers. The diversity of this group was reflective of the various races, ages and cultures that compromise the soldiers of the Potomac Division.

Clearly moved by the enrollments as well as the other events of the afternoon, when the General rose to speak, he declared that "I am anticipating a holy hangover as the blessing of the day carries me back to London." Then challenging those present, he said, "If we were truly battle ready, what could God do with the 1.3 million senior soldiers we have around the world? We need men, women, young people to hear the whisper of God's voice and then respond, ‘Here am I. Send me!' Some will go to the training college. Some will serve as soldiers right where they are. But all of us must proclaim, ‘Send me to the people!' God is calling you to the heart of the gospel – not fluttering around the edges."

The prayers of many were answered as the Mercy Seat was crowded several rows deep, with someone else coming to the fill the gap when someone left. The Southern Territory, and the Potomac Division in particular, declares that it is battle ready for the mission that lay ahead.

Photo Credit: Joseph Chang