Recapping Together 2024: A story to tell

Ivan Radford offers an overview of Saturday at Together 2024.

Salvationists from across the territory gathered in Newport for Together 2024.

The event began on Saturday morning with prayer at Newport Citadel, before a prayer walk led by Major Stephen Wilson (Wales DHQ) set out to pray for and witness to the community. On the riverfront, a group enthusiastically took part in a Parkrun.

These set the tone for a weekend that called everyone present to take a stand and tell God’s story where they are.

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In the year the Army celebrates 150 years of work and ministry in Wales, the weekend celebrated God’s faithfulness.

This was expressed creatively through an energetic MACA Dance workshop and a reflective art gallery, which featured work from people across the territory as they transformed second-hand books into brave, honest depictions of their life stories.

It was enjoyed through fellowship and fun in the weekend’s Engagement Space. While a marketplace introduced people to resources and opportunities, people of all ages delighted in Defenders of Justice-inspired inflatables.

It was shared during a lively community café church hosted by Major Mark Sawyer (William Booth College) and Major Kerry Coke (THQ), which included Territorial Leaders Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main being interviewed by junior solders Olivia and Owen (Newport Citadel) and Taffy Bizure (Derby Central).

It was proclaimed in music, including a joyous atrium concert by the South and Mid Wales Fellowship Band, and performances from the International Staff Band and International Staff Songsters, as well as vocal soloists.

At the heart of this central hub was Stori Duw, Ein Stori, Eich Stori (God’s Story, Our Story, Your Story), an exhibition about the history of the Army in Wales, including a stunning display knitted by Cardiff Canton members and people from the division.

God’s story and the Army’s story were brought to life during Saturday evening’s worship in John Allen – The Salvationist Navvy, written by Steph Lamplough and Paul Sharman (Music and Creative Arts).

The heartfelt 15-minute musical captured the remarkable story of Allen, a converted labourer who became a pioneer in Wales. Played by Rob Moye (THQ), Allen’s dedication to give everything he had to share the good news resonated more than a century later. ‘I’ll take a stand and do God’s will,’ he declared with passion.

The evening included more uplifting music, including ‘Cerddoriaeth Cymru (The Music of Wales)’ from the ISB, ‘I’ve Just Seen Jesus’ by the ISS and ‘God Is in This Story’, presented by the worship band and MACA Dance. Wrexham Community Brass encouraged the congregation with the playful ‘La Bamba’, before the 130-strong Wales Chorus sang ‘Here Is Love’ in moving harmony.

The multi-generational choir, which overflowed from the stage into the auditorium, also presented ‘Dyma Gariad’, a song by Jonathan and Stephanie Mead (Morriston) commissioned for the event.

‘Dyma gariad, love that sets us free,’ they repeated powerfully, reinforcing the truth that God’s story continues today.

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Commissioners Jenine and Paul recognised the part that Major David Emery has played in that story, presenting him with a certificate of exceptional service for dedicating his gifts and commitment to the gospel in Wales.

Commissioner Jenine’s message invited everyone present to be inspired by the faithful words, loving deeds and enduring hope of the people whose stories had been shared.

Quoting 1 Thessalonians 1, she called everyone to follow the example of the early Church, so that ‘the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere’.

‘It’s time to go public with our love for Jesus,’ she declared, ‘the reason for our faithfulness and love and hope.’

It was a rousing conclusion to the celebration of a story that, 150 years on, is still being told by the Army in Wales and beyond.