From September 6-9, 2007, open air meetings were held across the beautiful island of Bermuda. From Somerset to St. Georges soldiers in the division joined forces to ‘tell them in the east and in the west’ with the flag unfurled.

Like salvationists of ‘old’ three open airs were held at Warwick, Somerset and St. Georges, and on the Sunday the division was called to ‘Worship in Victoria Park’ in Hamilton.

People still look to The Salvation Army for hope, to save souls and to care for the suffering.

Meetings began Thursday, September 6 underneath the Rubber Tree in Warwick, one of the most densely populated areas in Bermuda.

Friday we went to Somerset in the west-end of the island and Saturday night we travelled to the east end of the Island to St. Georges Square.

The Meetings were full of vibrant singing, personal testimonies, dance, mime and drama.

At the Rubber Tree open air a young man found refuge in a young salvationist, Mark Phillips. Mark was led by the Holy Spirit to sit on the wall instead joining the open air circle. He was approached by a young man who was visibly distressed and on the run. Mark had some soul searching conversation with the young man and he was taken by car to a safer place.

At the west end, onlookers were invited to stop and enjoy a cup of home-made soup. Over 150 people attended this open air meeting.

The Town Square in St.Georges was the perfect stage for a powerful drama by Major Suzanne Fisher and Major Alf Wilson, which ended with the ‘burdened woman’ accepting the invitation to lay her burdens down at the cross and kneel at the altar - the drum that traveled across the island as the open air altar.

On Sunday Salvationists from across the island united with the North Street Citadel in their annual ‘Worship in Victoria Park’. Among the flowers and under the shade of the trees we sat and worshipped with street people and others who frequent the park. More than 300 people were in the park.

A professional woman working in one of the near-by office blocks heard the music and singing and joined us for the day.

After the morning worship some enjoyed a catered lunch by North Street Citadel and some ate from their own picnic baskets.
The homeless mingled and chatted with salvationists and friends in the lunch line. People even walked in off the street and sat and enjoyed lunch with us.

During the afternoon praise Steve Bean shared his testimony. He and God sat at the Holiness table and had a chat. Steve illustrated how easy it is to sit and talk to God, who listens and is concerned about every detail of our lives.

“It was a great opportunity for Salvationists in Bermuda to come together for the sole purpose of outreach,” says Major Doug Lewis, divisional commander. “We had the old fashioned open Air, to a contemporary open air, to worship in the park.

“For four days the name of Jesus was shared across the island. It was a great way to launch into the fall schedule.”

By Rosemary Phillips
Divisional Editorial Representative