In an unprecedented afternoon of thanksgiving and jubilation, the Golden State Division opened five corps and outposts recently and commissioned seven envoys and officers in a single Victory Celebration.
Led by territorial leaders Commissioners Peter and Grace Chang and divisional leaders Majors Jerry and Jeanine Gaines, more than 350 adults, youth and children squeezed together at the San Jose Temple Corps in worship and praise to God for the growth in the division and the furthering of God’s kingdom.
Celebrating victory through expansion and growth, Chang opened the Kings River Corps, Salinas Temple Corps (Lts. Sergio and Rosa Estrada, in charge), and Turlock Corps (A/Captains David and Diane Ebel, in charge), as well as the Clovis Hmong Outpost and the Selma Outpost.
He also commissioned as envoys Mr. David Rosales (Kings River and Selma), Mr. and Mrs. Xia Xiong (Clovis), Dr. Caesar Miani (Redwood City Hispanic), as auxiliary captains Envoys Patrick and Kitty Granat (Turk Street), and as captain, A/Captain Lanell Washington (East Palo Alto Outpost).
Speaking of the need to “commit to the Kingdom of God,” Chang challenged those present to trust and obey, and to heed Christ’s words to “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me!”