Solomon Islands Ministries
NEWSLETTER March 2018 Volume 1, Issue 4
International Women’s Day Thursday, 8th March was International Women's Day to promote equal rights for women and raise awareness of continued gender inequality that causes discrimination, exploitation and abuse. In the Solomon Islands such a day has particular relevance with 64% of women aged 15-49 reporting physical and/or sexual abuse by their partner, girls as young as 12 years old being forced into prostitution, and only one woman holding a government ministry position. The Australian High Commission in Honiara has prioritised gender equality by committing to support the work of the Ministry of Women, Children, Youth and Family Affairs in achieving their five priority outcomes for women: “improve and ensure equitability in health and education, improve economic status, equal participation in decision making and leadership, elimination of violence against women, and increase the nation’s capacities for gender mainstreaming.” The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries joined forces with a variety of government and non-government groups on this day to march in solidarity for gender equality. The march commenced behind the
Honiara City Council building and proceeded down the main street of Honiara to the National Museum, where a large crowd gathered to hear a number of inspiring speeches, including one from the Prime Minister's wife Madam Rachel Houenipwela who shared her personal story. As The Salvation Army builds it's ministry presence and mission impact in the Solomon Islands, it is clear that they have a key role in empowering women and addressing some of the ongoing issues in this space. Major Vanessa Evans has recently met with a number of community leaders in Honiara to discuss issues of prostitution, human trafficking and domestic violence. Each of these leaders expressed a strong desire for the churches
Inside this issue:
to be more proactive in promoting a healthy biblical framework for equality. More than ever before, the famous words from William Booth's final speech, "While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight!" continue to echo as a pertinent call to action for all Salvationists to fight all forms of injustice until equality is finally achieved.
EQUIP Training
2
Mission to Auki
2
Red Shield Appeal
2
Youth Vulnerability Workshop
3
Youth Leadership Program
3
Donation from NZ
3
A Personal Note
4
Special points of interest: Gender Equality Equipping the Saints Mission Opportunities Fundraising Events Youth Development God’s Provision! Chosen by God
EQUIP Training One of the priorities for Majors Robert and Vanessa is to raise up and train local Salvationists in the Solomon Islands. To this end EQUIP has been developed as a training program to equip local Salvationists to grow in their faith and discover God’s purpose and plan for their lives. Twelve members of the
Honiara Corps participated in the first unit of EQUIP to explore “A Pathway to Spirituality.” It was encouraging to see their enthusiasm and desire to learn. Future units of EQUIP will explore further pathways to Evangelism, Discipleship and Leadership. The courses utilise a variety of resources from successful church leaders in
a workshop format to engage participants in an interactive learning environment. The Sunday following EQUIP, Major Robert had the privilege of presenting five of the twelve participants who were in church that morning with certificates to acknowledge and celebrate their personal investment in their own growth and development. Certificates will be presented to the other participants in due course. EQUIP will be expanded to include “A Pathway to Officership” to prepare those called to full-time ministry through The Salvation Army.
Mission to Auki The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries is currently exploring a number of ministry opportunities in Auki in the Malaita Province. Auki is a strategic port providing a gateway to North and South Malaita where we already have two congregations. It is the second largest town in the Solomon Islands with limited infrastructure to support the large population of Malaita. Major Robert and Wency travelled to Auki to scope out the potential market for a Salvos Store or Thrift Shop in Auki with the intention of this store also supplying clothing to our Fellowships in
North and South Malaita to resource a market stall in each location. This space looks promising with limited competition in the town and a high demand for secondhand clothing.
potential for the commencement of one or more new Fellowships in Auki.
It was also an opportunity to follow-up the progress of discussions between one of our soldiers Joshua Henry and a congregation in Auki who expressed interest in joining The Salvation Army. As it turns out, Joshua met with 7 local church pastors connected with this congregation, where he has been doing itinerant ministry upon request from their elders for a number of years. This is an exciting opportunity that has the
Red Shield Appeal One of the early benefits of community networking is the recruitment and appointment of Sergeant Darren McClelland from the AFP as the new Red
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Shield Appeal Chairperson for the Solomon Islands. Darren is the team leader of the Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP). He and some of his colleagues are forming a Red Shield Appeal Committee, as a community development project outside of their regular duties, to organize two events this year to raise money from the business and expat community in Honiara to support the growing mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.
Darren brings to the role a great deal of enthusiasm, organizational skills, and a friendly personality, that is sure to evoke much support. The first event planned is a Fundraising Dinner in June to develop a supporter base and cast vision about the planned mission and ministry of The Salvation Army. This will be followed up later in the year with a Trivia Night.
Solomon Islands Ministries
Youth Vulnerability Workshop Major Vanessa attended a workshop that was led by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), with the assistance of the NZ Police, in response to youth vulnerability in the Honiara Botanical Gardens. The workshop came about after a letter of concern was sent by the Immigration Department to the Commissioner of Police and other relevant Agencies, Churches and NGO’s. The purpose of the workshop was to come up with a solution to a number of areas of concern relating to young people living in the Botanical Gardens. Some of these areas of concerns include: homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and prostitution.
Vanessa’s attendance at this workshop was a timely action step by The Salvation Army after a number of recent meetings with community leaders who expressed a desire to see churches do more in this space.
together to look at what resources and services each organization has as a platform to devise short term and long term solutions to the youth vulnerability concerns in the Botanical Gardens.
There is a further meeting planned for the participants of the workshop to come back
Youth Leadership Program George Fa’agolo is a New Zealand Police Officer who is currently working with the Crime Prevention unit of the RSIPF. One of the five crime prevention strategies involves working with vulnerable youth in Honiara. George is meeting with key stakeholders to develop a Youth Leadership Program for displaced youth who have become disconnected from their families and culture. The Salvation Army has connected with George to explore ways they can work together. As a result of this connection George has invited Major Robert to speak with his team about leadership as
they work towards establishing this vision of a Youth Leadership Program to empower these young people in Honiara to find meaningful employment and to reconnect with their families and culture. There are three different youth networks already functioning in Honiara - faithbased, community and special interest who have been invited to participate in this process. George hosted a workshop at the RSIPF Training Centre on the 14th March to bring representatives of these groups together to get things started! George is a follower of Jesus Christ who sees this as his mission as well as his job.
Donation from NZ One of the many challenges of leading a rapidly growing ministry is finding the resources to fund it! Therefore, mission resources is high on the strategic priorities list, alongside developing future leaders. While good stewardship and financial management plays an important part, a faith dependence upon God who ‘supplies all our needs’ is also essential. Mid way through March the quarterly allocation of funds for Solomon Islands
Volume 1, Issue 4
got very low and just at the right time, an email was received informing Majors Robert and Vanessa of a very generous donation by a Corps in New Zealand for the Solomon Islands Ministries. This was not only a significant boost to the finances but a real boost to their faith! God is continually demonstrating in tangible ways that His purposes are being fulfilled in the Solomon Islands and He will provide for the growth and development of His Army!
My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Praise the Lord!!
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Officially launched on the 4th November 2011, The Salvation Army Solomon Islands Ministries is a mission outreach of the Papua New Guinea Territory. With an established presence in the capital Honiara on Gaudalcanal and an emerging presence in North Malaita, the Holy Spirit is opening up new ministry opportunities for The Salvation Army throughout the Solomon Islands. Building upon the vision of the pioneering Officers and subsequent leaders, we intend to fully explore these new opportunities and will raise up indigenous leaders to advance the kingdom of God in the Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands Ministries PO Box 323 Honiara Solomon Islands Phone: (677) 30344 Fax: (677) 30344 Mobile: (677) 749 4524 Email: sarmy.solomons@gmail.com Website: www.png.salvationarmy.org
Prayer Points: A land proposal being presented to the Honiara City Council Mission and Ministry opportunities in Auki Youth Leadership Program and Workshops Training and Development of Salvationists through EQUIP
A Personal Note... Written by Home League Secretary
back on track. Heads up to Wency and my
He chose me to equip to help others
Elizabeth Tolilalo from Honiara Corps
lovely husband for their words.
learn and become good stewards with
after attending the Financial Capability
All through the training God teaches me
their finances.
training last month:
something. John 15:16 says ‘I chose you
Yours in Christ,
Thank God for His grace and love to
not me chose Him.’ God chooses us not us
attend the Financial Capability training.
choose God. He did choose us for two
Elizabeth Tolilalo
You know it change my life.
To be
reasons: to bless you and to make you
honest with you I didn’t want it because
blessing to others (Genesis 12:2). But you
of comparing my education background
didn’t choose God.
to others. I had a feeling of being out of
whomever He call He equip.
place on the first and second day. What
All you need to do is be open and
about finance, I have no idea?!
Well
responsive. Give yourself completely to be
thanks
their
tools in the hands of God to use for His
encouragement and helping to put me
good purpose (Romans 6:13). I know that
to
others
for
He chose you and