64 – International Leaders’ Conference, Berlin – 1984
On 28th April 1984, my wife and I left Hong Kong to attend the International Leaders’ Conference in Berlin, West Germany. When we arrived at Kai Tak Airport, much to our surprise, we were upgraded to Business class courtesy of KLM Airlines! Life is full of bonuses or unexpected blessings!
On the way to Berlin, the plane stopped at Bangkok, Dubai and Amsterdam. Here were we met by our old friend Brigadier B Tjeertes who took us to her home at Harlem and Keukenhof Flower Gardens near Amsterdam. O the beauty of the flowers – daffodils, hyacinths, narcissi and the tulips, the splendour I cannot find words to describe.
The next day we left for Berlin for the Conference which lasted ten days. What an experience to be among The Salvation Army’s World leaders. Sitting on the platform were General and Mrs. Jarl Walstrom and The Chief of Staff Commissioner Caughey Gauntlett and Mrs. Gauntlett. On the front rows were the International Secretaries and other Commissioners, followed by Lieutenant Commissioners and Colonels and finally right at the back were the two most junior couples - Lieut. Colonel and Mrs.William Bramwell Booth, Officer Commanding of Italy and ourselves from Hong Kong Taiwan.
These were the six primary topics tabled for discussion. Certain delegates were nominated to present papers on the various topics to be followed by open discussion.
1. The Army – identity, spiritual life, internationalism, ecumenical relationships, soldiers, youth.
2. Officers – recruitment and training, women officers, retirement
3. Administration, appointment and rank system, leadership.
4. Evangelism – message, objectives, methods, outreach.
5. Current concerns- Articles of War, world unemployment, moral issues, human rights, world service, genetic engineering
6. Independent subjects – divorce and remarriage, the Lima text.
Other items were added. Throughout the ten-day conference we could sense the unity and international spirit of the Army. And we met in a divided Berlin and Germany – east and west!
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North,
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth. (John Oxenham)
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform! Permission was granted for the Army delegates to visit Communist East Berlin! Through the auspices of Bishop of the Evangelical Church of East Berlin, General and Mrs. Jarl Walstrom with 116 conferees in full Salvation Army uniform of the different countries (navy blue, white, grey, Indian ladies in saris) were permitted to cross the border into East Germany! However, before we left the conference hall, we were told to keep strictly to the allocated seats in the coach – no changing of seats allowed! The security check was very strict.
What an international group of officers from 84 different countries; different races, cultures, languages and political systems, yet one Salvation Army under one banner! East Berliners gazed in wonder at the uniformed Salvationists. The older ones showed instant signs of recognition. Someone shouted, “Die Heilsarmee!” (German for Salvation Army). She said to one of our officers, “O I remember you well, how we loved you.”
General Jarl Walstrom said, “Berlin has a special place in the hearts of Salvationists. We cannot forget that we are in Martin Luther country, a fact of immense significance to all evangelicals. We cannot forget that the Army once operated in East Berlin. For such reasons Salvationists love all Germany and we will not forget to pray for it. The Salvation Army is committed to build bridges and not walls.”
How could we ever forget “Checkpoint Charlie” the spot we crossed into East Berlin. The Berlin Wall built in 1961 to stop East Germans fleeing to the West, was torn down in 1989. It symbolised division and separation. Here we were standing in the East Berlin Cathedral, we all prayed The Lord’s Prayer in different languages. Suddenly and spontaneously the whole group burst forth into singing the Founder’s Song, “O boundless salvation, deep ocean of love.” Many of us were choked with emotion. To me that scene remains vividly in my memory. Finally before we left, the Bishop prayed for the Army and pronounced the benediction. The last verse of that song says,
And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise
Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation, of boundless salvation,
Of boundless salvation for you and for me. (William Booth)
So The Salvation Army keeps marching on to save souls, grow saints and care for suffering humanity.
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