Bwana Yesu asifiwe wana wa Mungu, Maafisa, Makadeti, na wafanyakazi, na ndugu zetu wote katika Kristo,
Kwa furaha na shukrani kuu, tunasimama mbele ya Mungu leo hii kuadhimisha miaka 25 ya chuo chetu cha maafisa tangu chuo hiki kianzishwe mwaka 2000. Ni neema kubwa na si kwa uwezo wetu, bali ni kwa mkono wa Mungu aliyetuongoza hatua kwa hatua mpaka tumefika hapa.
Kwanza, tunamshukuru Mungu Baba yetu kwa kuwa ndiye aliyepanda mbegu ya wito wa kuanzisha chuo hiki. Kupitia maono ya waanzilishi na uongozi wa Kanisa, ulikuwa kuwa ni lazima kanisa liwe na viongozi waliofundishwa vizuri ili kubeba maono ya mwokozi wetu na kufanya ukristo uwe na thamani kubwa mioyoni mwa watu wa Mungu. Na waanzilishi wetu walianzisha huduma hii
chuo hiki kimekuwa chombo cha baraka na huduma kwa teritori ya Tanzania.
Pili, napenda kutoa shukrani za dhati kwa viongozi wa Kanisa hasa Lieut-Colonel David na Jean Burrows, Major Linda Manhardt pia Commisioner Patricia Bird kwa mpango mzuri wa kuanzisha chuo hiki. Na hasa General John Gowans aliyeidhinisha uanzishwaji wa chuo hiki. Tunawashukuru maafisa walimu, wahitimu, na wadau wote walioweka nguvu, muda, na maombi kuhakikisha chuo hiki kinasimama imara kwa robo karne. Bila mshikamano huu wa kiimani, safari hii isingefanikishwa.
Katika kipindi cha miaka 25, tumeona:
Watakaji wliitika mwito kusoma Neno la Mungu na kujifunza huduma na uongozi wa kiroho.
Wahitimu wengi wakitumwa kwenye vikao na matuo mbalimbali, wakiwa mashuhuda wa Kristo. Na kwa kupitia kwao kanisa limeendelea kukua na kuimarika.
Lakini tunakumbuka pia kwamba mafanikio haya si kwa ajili ya kujivunia tu, bali ni wito wa kuendelea kuwa mwangaza wa mataifa na chumvi ya dunia. Tunaposherehekea miaka 25, tujiulize: je, tunazidi kusimama kwenye msingi wa Neno la Mungu? Je, tunazalisha wachungaji na viongozi wenye moyo wa Kristo aliye mchungaji mwema?
Tunapoitazama safari ijayo, tunahimizwa na maneno ya Mtume Paulo kwa Wafilipi 3:13-14: “Sijasahau mambo yaliyo nyuma, lakini nakaza mwendo, nikikazia shabaha ya thawabu ya mwito mkuu wa Mungu katika Kristo Yesu.”
Hivyo, safari ya miaka 25 inayofuata iwe safari ya uaminifu zaidi, unyenyekevu, matumaini, maendeleo na kujitolea kwa huduma.
Kwa Makadeti, na , kumbukeni ninyi ndio matunda ya chuo hiki. Msije kusahau kwamba elimu ya kichungaji si kwa ajili ya heshima, bali ni kwa ajili ya huduma. Mmeitwa si tu kujifunza, bali pia kuwa mifano ya maisha ya Kristo katika jamii zenu kuanzia sasa na siku zijazo.
Mwisho, napenda kusema: Jubilei hii ya miaka 25 iwe kumbukumbu kwamba “Aliyeanza kazi njema ndani yetu ataikamilisha hata siku ya Kristo Yesu” (Wafilipi 1:6). Tumsifu Mungu kwa uaminifu wake wa jana, leo, na kesho.
Tunapoanza sherehe hizi tujikumbushe maneno ya ushindi wa waisraeli na tendo kubwa lililofanyika huko Mispa wakati wa nabii Samweli.
1 Samweli 7:12
Andiko linasema:
“Ndipo Samweli akatwaa jiwe, akalisimika kati ya Mispa na Sheni, akaliita jina lake Eben-ezeri, akisema, Hata sasa Bwana ametusaidia
Its
message and the lifestyle it advocates are based on the Bible's
teaching. Its work is to make known the good news about Jesus Christ and
to persuade people to become his followers.
represents
the shield we provide to people in need of help, whether it be
spiritually, physically, financially or emotionally. At the turn of the
20th century, one of the symbols of The Salvation Army was a silver
shield with the words 'Salvation Army' emblazoned across it. The shield
was worn as a badge by many Salvation Army personnel, particularly those
serving with the Defence Forces.
crest
in 1878 and the only alteration to his original design was the addition
of the crown. Its emblems set forth the leading doctrines of The
Salvation Army as follows: The crown speaks of God's reward for His
faithful people The sun (the surround) represents the light and fire of
the Holy Spirit The 'S' stands for salvation from sin The cross of
Jesus stands at the centre of the crest and the Salvationist's faith The
swords represent the fight against sin The shots (seven dots on the
circle) stand for the truths of the Gospel 'Blood and Fire' is the motto
of The Salvation Army. This describes the blood of Jesus shed on the
cross to save all people, and the fire of the Holy Spirit which purifies
believers.
While
many denominations of the Christian Church have a distinctive form of
dress for the clergy, The Salvation Army is almost unique in its
allocation of its distinctively martial apparel for clergy and laity
alike. Salvationists advocate the priesthood of all believers, thus the
uniform (which relates to a priestly garb) is also worn by non-officers.
In a sense, a Salvation Army uniform is a Salvationist's "working
clothes" for mission. Uniforms have been worn in many forms since the
Army's earliest days. The first evangelists of the Christian Mission
(early name of The Salvation Army) wore suits of clerical cut, with
frock coats, tall hats and black ties. Women evangelists wore plain
dresses and small Quaker type bonnets. After the Mission became the Army
(1878), it was agreed that a military type uniform should be adopted.
The
movement, founded in 1865 by William Booth, has spread from London,
England, to many parts of the world. The rapid deployment of the first
Salvationists was aided by the adoption of a quasi-military command
structure in 1878 when the title, ‘The Salvation Army’, was brought into
use. A similarly practical organisation today enables resources to be
equally flexible. Responding to a recurrent theme in Christianity which
sees the Church engaged in spiritual warfare, the Salvation Army
continues to use soldier’s features such as uniforms, flags and ranks to
identify, inspire and regulate the ministry.
The
Salvation Army began its work in the former Tanganyika in November
1933, in the town of Tabora, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel
Francis and Mrs. Jessie Dare whom came from the United Kingdom.
Matumaini
is the largest school of its kind in the country. Nearly 200 children
are attending the school from communities around the Tanzania.
advantage of the pastoral care from the matron and officers that
