Texas and AOK THRIVE at Local Leaders Training Summit
In early February, The Salvation Army Camp Hoblitzelle hosted the THRIVE Key Local Leaders Training Summit for Salvationist soldiers and corps officers from around the Texas and Arkansas- Oklahoma Divisions. Around 225 delegates made the journey to Midlothian, Texas for a joint weekend focused on developing local leaders and spiritual growth. A diverse and lively group spanning multiple generations arrived eager to celebrate the work of God, led by a beautiful worship team that brought everybody into a spirit of anticipation for what was to come.
Dr. David Overholt was the guest preacher for the opening two sessions, and his infectious joy spread throughout the room as he shared stories from his own experience of how God was teaching him to reach out to others around him. “If you only remember one thing from this weekend, it’s that I want you to be ten percent nicer to everyone you meet!” It may take 25 encounters for an unbeliever to make a journey to God, and a simple act of kindness can be the way God works in that person’s life.
Saturday held a full schedule with multiple workshop options to enjoy. Special guests from around the country led breakout sessions on evangelism, corps leadership and outreach, building discipling relationships, program resources and ideas, and spiritual formation. Each delegate could only attend three workshops, but everyone agreed that all five were excellent, providing practical steps for each leader to implement at the local level.
Saturday evening brought all the delegates together again, where Major Philip Lloyd, general secretary for the Western Pennsylvania Division in the Eastern Territory, delivered an impactful sermon on the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. He urged each delegate to focus on their personal walk with God and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill them with the presence of God. A powerful time of response followed, with many rededicating themselves at the altar. As the worship team led “Holy Spirit, Come,” the room came alive with the presence of God.
After a full weekend of education and fellowship, Sunday’s worship service was marked with positivity. Lt. Colonel Dean Hinson, divisional commander for the Arkansas-Oklahoma Division, brought the sermon, and delegates dedicated themselves to return home and begin sharing the lessons learned so their corps could also THRIVE.