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By Makoto Yamaya, Major –
International leaders Commissioners Brian and Rosalie Peddle, chief of the staff and world secretary for women’s ministries, respectively, recently installed new Japan territorial leaders Colonels Kenneth and Cheryl Maynor during an installation meeting in the Japan territorial headquarters in Tokyo.
Under the tricolor Salvation Army flag, the Maynors were charged to carry out their sacred task of leadership. The congregation was surprised when the new leaders responded with a clear “itashimasu,” Japanese for “I do” or “we do.”
Commissioner Rosalie Peddle offered a dedication prayer during which the Maynors knelt at the mercy seat.
Introducing the Japan Staff Band, Kenneth Maynor ceremoniously removed his New York Staff Band tiepin, saying: “For many years as executive leader, I proudly put on this pin. But from this day, I will not wear it again. Goodbye, New York Staff Band, hello, Japan Staff Band!”
In his message, Brian Peddle said, “Today, a new chapter of this territory starts.” Referring to the apostle Paul’s writings about finding hope in Christ, he challenged: “Our hope is not in history, our hope is not in our program, our hope is not in centers. But our hope is in Christ, the living hope.”
The next day, the Peddles and Maynors toured The Salvation Army Suginami Complex, which includes the training college, a women’s home, a senior citizen care home, a hospital that offers terminal care, a corps and a thrift store.
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