Solomon Islands Ministries
NEWSLETTER December 2018 Volume 1, Issue 13
A Year in Review... As 2018 comes to a close and we prepare to launch into a new year with all it’s opportunities ahead, it is appropriate to pause and reflect back upon all the blessings that have been poured out by God over the past 12 months. It has been an extraordinary year of growth and development for The Salvation Army Solomon Islands with new leaders, new openings, new soldiers, and new ministry opportunities; so there is much to celebrate! Upon arrival on the 13th December 2017, Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans came to the Solomon Islands with a threefold mission development strategy:
1. MISSION PARTNERSHIPS Develop Future Leaders 2. MISSION RESOURCES Develop Financial Sustainability
Army in the Solomon Islands through strategic conversations with cultural insiders who have committed themselves to a covenant relationship as indigenous Salvationists.
From this platform of learning, Majors Robert and Vanessa started the year by building strong networks with local and expat leaders from a variety of churches, community groups, businesses and international NGO’s. These networks proved to be valuable in helping to identify future programs and supporters to enable The Salvation Army to appropriately engage in this emerging mission space.
3. MISSION GROWTH Develop Further Ministries This strategy emerged from the conviction that “The goal of a mission is the emergence of a church out of the soul and soil of a people” (as articulated by Missiologist Henry Venn). Such a conviction required a posture of learning to discern where God was leading The Salvation
The same question was asked of every community leader by Major Robert: “Where do you wish the churches were more active in the Solomon Islands?”
The answers to that question were remarkably consistent with every leader identifying youth vulnerability and family violence as the primary areas of concern where the churches are needed most. Armed with this knowledge and the rapid expansion of newly established congregations across Malaita and Neighbourhood Fellowship groups across Honiara this year, The Salvation Army is becoming a well positioned mission driven church to respond to these needs. The “Heart to God, Hand to Man” approach of The Salvation Army resonates strongly with Solomon Islanders and is sure to motivate local Salvationists to fully participate in proposed mission initiatives in the new year. This final newsletter for 2018 will provide an overview of the mission activities throughout this year that have fulfilled each part of the three-fold mission strategy, providing a foundation for future growth in 2019. Raising up indigenous leaders and generating sustainable income is key to resourcing the growing mission and ministry of The Salvation Army to be the church God has ordained and local leaders have imagined. As is frequently declared by Solomon Islanders, “God is good! All the time, God is good...
Inside this issue:
MISSION PARTNERSHIPS
2
Development of Future Leaders
2
MISSION RESOURCES
2
Development of Financial Sustainability
2
MISSION GROWTH
3
Development of Further Ministries
3
A Personal Note
4
Special points of interest: Candidates Applications A Pathway to Officership DME Plant Vilij Kaleko Red Shield Appeal New Congregations New Programs