Prairie welcomes new Divisional Leaders
WINNIPEG, MB – The Prairie Division recently celebrated the arrival of its new Divisional Leaders, Majors Shawn and Brenda Critch. In an installation service held at picturesque Beaver Creek Camp just outside of Saskatoon, Lieutenant-Colonels Junior and Verna Hynes dedicated the Critches to service in their respective appointments.
Major Shawn Critch is the incoming Divisional Commander for the Prairie Division, which spans the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwestern region of Ontario. He was commissioned as an Officer in The Salvation Army in 1990 and is now in his 25th year of ministry. His most recent posting was as Divisional Commander for the Bermuda division. Previous to which, his leadership journey had provided him the opportunity to participate in congregational and administration ministry roles in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Ontario. Carrying the designation of Certified General Accountant (CGA), Major Shawn brings a keen knowledge of business administration to the Division. He credits his officer’s covenant as a foundation of his commitment to his ministry and to The Army.
Major Brenda Critch enjoyed a nursing career prior to her entry in the College for Officer Training in 1988. She, like her husband, has served in both congregational and administrative ministries in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Bermuda. While she has served in a variety of ministries over the years, one common focus in many of her appointments has been in the area of prayer. She has been pleased to receive her current appointments of Divisional Secretary for Spiritual Life Development and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries and is looking forward to the new opportunities of ministry that await her as she joins the divisional team in the Prairie Division.
The evening commenced with Major Mike Hoeft, Area Commander for Prairie West, introducing and leading the congregation in the singing of “Stand Up, and Bless the Lord.” Saskatoon Temple band and supporting officers became the “Prairie Divisional Staff Band” for the evening and provided rousing accompaniment as well as the moving selection “The Potter’s Hand.”
Lt-Cols Hynes installed Majors Shawn and Brenda Critch on behalf of the Territorial Commander charging them with the various responsibilities significant to the roles to which they have been called and the Majors each responded with an affirmation of acceptance and commitment. At the conclusion of the ceremony selected bible verses were showered upon Majors Shawn and Brenda in an act of support and blessing from various designated leaders from the Division.
Major Brenda gave witness to the leading of God throughout her life and continues to trust Him and His Sovereign plan as she accepts these new roles in the Prairie division. She looks forward to a shared ministry with fellow Salvationists where there is opportunity to encourage one another in the faith journey and spur one another on to deeper intimacy with God.
Major Shawn spoke on the topic of “First Things First” utilizing the text from Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” He stressed that it is essential that our motive for ministry be undergirded with trust in God and personal integrity. We must always remember that it is His ministry for which we have been called.
The evening was brought to a conclusion with Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson’s song, selected by Major Brenda entitled, “Grace Alone.” The second verse reminds us that “Every soul we long to reach, every heart we hope to teach, everywhere we share His peace, Is only by His grace” and then followed by the solemn refrain, “Grace alone which God supplies, strength unknown He will provide, Christ in us our cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone.”
Photo: (l-r) Lt-Col Verna Hynes, Major Brenda Critch, Major Shawn Critch, Lt-Col Junior Hynes