Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/418074
territorial newS >> SNE Family Congress Becoming 'Unshakable' LINDA D. JOHNSON "T his has not been just another divisional weekend," said Com- missioner Barry C. Swanson, territorial commander, at the end of Southern New England's Family Con- gress. "God is doing something special in His people." More than 400 Salvationists made the trek from Connecticut and Rhode Island to the Word of Life Inn and Conference Center in Schroon Lake, N.Y., on a chilly, late summer weekend, Sept. 12–14. Captain Colette Masom, in opening the first meeting on Friday night, said she had prayed about what would be a good example of something that was unshak- able and the Lord gave her the idea: "Penguins!" "They have a family congress … they wear uniforms … they care for one another … and they are unshakable, just like us!" she said. After a video showing all these characteristics of penguins, the territorial leaders, Commissioners Barry and E. Sue Swanson, and divisional lead- ers, Majors David and Eunice Champlin, came waddling out in penguin suits, to the delight of the crowd. To the strains of the divisional band, Phil Hostetler then led the weekend's theme song, "Unshakable," chosen from among several entries. Next came the first of several video testimonies, this one about Ray Sheldon, who successfully battled addiction and is now a soldier and coach at the Hartford, Conn., North End Corps. Commissioner Sue brought the first message: "Stand Strong." She spoke from the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles. God had left him because he had failed God. "But God saw some- thing in Jehoshaphat," Commissioner Sue said. After messengers told him, "a vast army is coming," he resolved to cry out to God. Then he heard through a prophet that his people would not have to fight this battle. All they had to do was to "stand firm and see the de- liverance the Lord will give you." (20:17) Then Jehoshaphat and the people bowed down with their faces to the ground in worship. "Oh, God, You rule!" Commissioner Sue pro- claimed. Earlier, she had knelt herself and said that, sometimes, the best "stand–strong" position is submissive. Throughout the weekend, song, sacred dance, and choral prayer were offered to the Lord in praise. Phil Laeger, a renowned Salvationist musician who lives in Australia, brought a spirit of humility and sensitivity as he led worship. Rallies were held on Saturday morning for chil- dren, youth, men, and women. Worship leader Anne Rich brought the women to their feet for a joyous time of praise. The divisional commander, in his mes- sage "Walk Strong," used the example of the "Shrink–a–Dink" craft and said that unlike these shapes, we should not shrink in the heat of battle and trial. On Sunday morning, the territorial commander opened his message with "Live Strong," talking about being in London in 2010 for the 70 th anniversary of the Battle of Britain during WW2 in which the RAF fought off the German air force. "This is our finest hour," Winston Churchill famously said. Swanson talked about Israel's "fin- est hour," crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. But, they learned that their leader, Moses, would stay behind. However, Swanson said that what was more important was whether God would go with them, rather than who led the Israelites. "God is moving ahead of us, and He says, 'Come on, come on!'" When Swanson issued an altar call, waves of people came forward in a sustained time of prayer. Then he issued another call for prospective candidates to come forward. Among many other seekers, Ryan Leveille of Newport, R.I., made his way to the platform, and it was the highlight of his weekend. "I felt a call," he said. "This congress was anointed by God as evidenced by the intersection of subject matters, music, and especially the response of the people to the call of God on their hearts to a deeper com- mitment," Major Eunice Champlin said. "What a blessing to be a part of this exciting stirring of the Holy Spirit!" "What a blessed and Spirit–filled weekend!" said Cadet LeNissa Rivera on Facebook. "It was truly the best divisional congress ever." Corps Sergeant–Major Carlene Wong of Hartford, Conn., Citadel is named SNE's Woman of the Year. She had recently lost her husband, and then was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Wong had faith for healing through it all and even reached out to concerned people. 22 November/December 2014