CONGRESS EDITION TELLING THE SALVATION ARMY STORY FOR 41 YEARS • 1983–2024
TESTIFY NEWS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY USA WEST • JULY/AUGUST 2024 • VOL. 42, NO. 4
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GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS ON THE MOVE IN THE SALVATION ARMY AND HERE IS THE PROOF. —General Lyndon Buckingham
G
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eneral Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham made their first visit to the USA Western Territory for the 2024 Testify Congress June 14-16 at the Pasadena (California) Convention Center, featuring the commissioning of the Defenders of Justice. The event challenged some 3,300 people to: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). The General enrolled 177 new junior and senior soldiers in the first main session, and territorial leaders Commissioners Douglas and Colleen Riley affirmed and commissioned 14 officers. “God, the Holy Spirit, is on the move in The Salvation Army and here is the proof,”
Jason Lee, Los Angeles Korean Corps Singing Company leader, leads the massed singing companies in "I'll Stand for Christ" at the "Celebrate Our Stories" main session of the 2024 Testify Congress. |PHOTO BY JOY YI
the General said. He shared a four-part formula for the movement: Connect with God, share the good news, demonstrate care and concern, and pursue holiness. “We are not satisfied merely telling people about God’s love,” Buckingham said. “We
bring love and hope and joy and promise and grace, copious amounts of grace.” The following day, simultaneous kids’, men’s and women’s rallies respectively featured an orange mascot telling the gospel story, an interview-style conversation with
Bronwyn Buc king ha m a nd an NBA -themed free-throw contest and message from Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill. The 13th annual ENCORE! Territorial Music and Arts Celeb rat io n f e a t ur e d t he creativity of 500 youth, and
28 youth competed in Bible Bowl, a competition capping a year of Scripture memorization. “The story of Jesus is absolutely timeless and changeless,” Bronwyn Buckingham said in the second main session, TESTIFY PAGE 12
2024 Testify Congress: Celebrate Our Stories!
The competition may have been wordless, but it was fierce.
BY KAREN GLEASON Delegates gathered for the second main session of the 2024 Testify Congress June 15 at the Pasadena (California) Convention Center Civic Auditorium to “Celebrate Our Stories” through testimonies and music. Western Salvationists shared stories of deliverance, homecoming and inclusion—all possible thanks to God’s amazing grace. A massed songster group began the celebration with the triumphant “I Will Proclaim.” The Congress praise team set the stage for what was to come with “I Thank God,” acknowledging him for our testimonies, for how he has turned our lives around. Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham speaks to atIn a vi deo testimony, Env oy Kev in tendees during the Saturday night meeting. |PHOTO BY JOY YI CELEBRATE PAGE 6
BY EMILY ANDERSON Just after 3:30 p.m. June 15, 28 youth ages 12-18 representing five divisions from across the Western Territory stood on a low stage, their heads bent over their phones. A crowd of Salvationists and friends watched quietly, puncturing the silence with occasional cheers. The competition may have been wordless, but it was fierce, with each team member answering rapid-fire questions about the New Testament on Kahoot!, an online quizzing platform. At stake? Victory in Bible Bowl 2024. BIBLE BOWL PAGE 12
Youth compete in Bible Bowl
E X PA N D E D C O N G R E S S C O V E R AG E I N S I D E DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE RECEIVE APPOINTMENTS
Lieutenants get marching orders. PAGE 3
COMMENCEMENT HELD IN PASADENA
Thirteen recieve AA degrees. PAGE 4
WEST SUMMONED AT TESTIFY CONGRESS 177 new soldiers enrolled. PAGE 5
ENCORE! SHOWCASES YOUTH TALENT 500 perfomers compete. PAGE 7
See more about the impact of The Salvation Army and how you can help Do Good today at
WHAT WE SAW THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND Photos capture Congress events. PAGES 8–9
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