‘WELCOME in the name of the risen Christ!’ With these words General Shaw Clifton greeted the congregation which had gathered for the funeral of Colonel Bo Brekke on 9 October 2007 at 11 a.m. in the Oslo Temple Corps, Norway. ‘We are people who know about resurrection, about Heaven and eternity with Christ,’ he continued, adding: ‘It is a beautiful death to die in Christ.’

Moments earlier, some 450 Salvationists and friends from the four corners of the world and Norway itself had quietly filled the hall as the territorial band sensitively played ‘I Have Not Much to Give Thee, Lord, but All I Have is Thine'. This was followed by ‘Amazing Grace’ as the Salvation Army flag and the guard of honour entered and took their places by the flag-draped coffin standing amidst dozens of floral tributes. The packed congregation looked on in total silence, sharing the shock and grief of Colonel Birgitte Brekke and her loved ones following the shooting of Colonel Bo Brekke at territorial headquarters in Lahore, Pakistan, 12 days earlier.

The martial tones of the opening song - not normally associated with a funeral - were a powerful message to those gathered to honour the memory of an officer who had given most of his service in countries far from home: ‘See, the fields are white unto harvest,' the congregation sang. 'The Lord of mission is waiting for those who will go, risking their own lives ... who will take the gospel of Jesus where God leads. God give us grace to fight with passion and love for the Kingdom, for Jesus, until death.’ As in 1987, when Captains Bo and Birgitte Brekke were dedicated for service in South Asia, the challenging chorus resounded four times: ‘Join the ranks! Join the fight! Today when Jesus calls you, say yes and go!'

‘We are gathered to say a final thank you to a comrade and brother in Christ,' the General said, as he greeted Colonel Birgitte Brekke, sons Benjamin and Bo Christoffer, father Lieut-Colonel Otto Brekke (Rtd) and their families.

As the beautiful harmonies of the male voice party’s reminder that ‘the peace of God ... will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus’ died out, the General rose to give his tribute. He shared how he first met the Brekkes while serving, like them, in South Asia. When visiting from Pakistan he had seen the fruits of their leadership in Bangladesh, their clarity about the gospel and Salvationism, and their passion for the poor. He had commented then that they one day would be ‘a good fit’ for Pakistan, a country whose rich culture, generosity and hospitality he had come to appreciate.

Very forcefully, the General added that we must not judge that country, its peoples or its faithful Salvationists by the evil act of one person. He said he had been so pleased when the Brekkes accepted the appointment as territorial leaders of the Pakistan Territory, which was to last just one year and 12 days. The General then made respectful reference to the courage and dignity shown by Colonel Birgitte Brekke when, in his office at International Headquarters, he had broken the news of her husband’s murder.

Stating that the entire Army world was mourning this faithful officer, husband, father and grandfather, the General revealed that simultaneous gatherings were taking place at International Headquarters and in the six territories where Colonel Bo Brekke had served: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan in South Asia; Denmark, Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom in Europe. Other territories had also signalled their intention to meet for prayer at that time, and a number of representatives from other territories were present in Oslo.

‘We see the Army at its best at moments like these,' the General added. ‘There has been an upsurge of prayerfulness following the untimely and violent death of an officer who showed courage, vision, compassion, strength and mercy, who was clear-headed and tender-hearted, ready for self-sacrifice. Colonel Bo Brekke is now listed among Salvation Army martyrs, and will hear his Master say: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome home.”’

Colonel Birgitte Brekke, wearing her graceful Pakistani shalwar kamiz uniform, expressed her deep gratitude for the overwhelming support she had received and was especially grateful for the presence of the General and Commissioner Helen Clifton. Reflecting on their happy life together, she paid tribute to her husband as a genuine and true person - true to his loved ones, to his faith, to his officership. She said he loved and believed in the Army and in its holistic mission, and was convinced of his calling. Their 'yes' to the Lord had taken them to Pakistan, where they had felt confident, respected and appreciated. Her thoughts, the colonel revealed, were very much with their friends and comrades in that territory, who were as horrified as others by what had happened.

Colonel Brekke told the congregation that, on their wedding anniversary in September, which coincided with the first anniversary of the date they had arrived in Lahore, they had talked about how privileged they were in having each other, their family and a great arena for service. Gripped by emotion, she spoke of the moments just a few days later when her whole world collapsed and seemed to be lost for ever. Then she saw a verse in the General’s office which gave her reassurance: ‘I can do everything through him who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4:13).

It was fitting that the territorial band should then play ‘Grace Alone’, the vocal soloist emphasising that everything we do, every difference we can make, is only by his grace.

The Territorial Commander for the Norway, Iceland and The Faeroes Territory, Commissioner Carl Lydholm, paid tribute to a son of the territory who had been asked to go further than most in following Jesus. Christ-centred mission, he said, has its own cost. In the midst of sorrow, however, it was a blessing to know that the colonel’s life touched many who had never even met him. To honour Bo Brekke’s memory, the commissioner pledged that the territory would continue to be actively engaged in the Army’s work in other territories through what it has to give of financial and personnel resources.

It was a touching moment when Commissioner Helen Clifton stepped down from the platform and presented Lieut-Colonel Otto Brekke with a gold star, given to parents of officers who are promoted to Glory while on active service. She assured the elderly officer that he too was surrounded by love and prayers, and gave thanks for a life lived to the glory of God.

‘When we run out of words we turn to Scripture,’ said the General, wanting God’s Word to be foremost on this occasion. He quoted Matthew 10:28: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.’ He told the congregation: ‘Do not be afraid! We need to take this to heart. We have no guarantee of tomorrow, but Revelation 2:10 tells us that, if faithful, even to the point of death, God will give us the crown of life.’

The beautiful description of the great multitude in white robes (Revelation 7:9-17) was read in Norwegian and English. The General then had a special verse from John 14 for Colonel Birgitte and the close family. ‘It is God’s provision to have many rooms,' he said. 'Jesus is there, and we are there with him. We cannot even begin to imagine what it will be like, but he wants us all to be there.' He continued with a direct call to salvation: 'Colonel Bo Brekke was ready - are you?’

He continued: ‘I have one more question. There is now a gap in the ranks of soldiers, officers and senior leaders. The Army is hurting. Which of you will step forward, ready to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice: “You must stand in the gap”? Out of evil, ugliness, sin and cruelty it is God’s nature to bring something of surpassing beauty that today we cannot see. Unmatched beauty will come from all of this. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.’

A poignant song by the male voice party to one who is embarking on the final journey to reach eternity's safe harbour included the words: ‘To thank you for what you were, and to thank you for what you gave, we are gathered to say farewell. Our faith and hope is that we shall meet again.’

In her closing prayer, Commissioner Clifton simply placed all grief and sorrow in the Lord’s hands, committing the family, the congregation and the people of Pakistan to his care.

As the flag, the General and the guard of honour moved down the centre aisle, the coffin was carried from the hall by the sons and other relatives on its way to its final resting place.

The burial
At Vestre Cemetery, with the sun shining gloriously on the autumn leaves and flowers, the funeral cortege of several hundred people, headed by the band, processed to The Salvation Army’s officer burial ground. Looking round at the many officer-graves, the General reminded all of the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ surrounding them. Turning to God’s Word again, he quoted Isaiah 25: ‘He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces.’

After the singing of two verses of ‘Abide With Me’, the General led the service of committal, concluding with the benediction from Numbers 6:24-26. After two more verses, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, clutching her five-year-old granddaughter Amanda’s hand, helped the little girl to place a red rose on the casket before adding her own. In silence, other close family members also expressed their love with a red rose. The floral tributes from IHQ, THQ, corps, family and friends had been placed all around the grave.

The territorial band had quietly moved further away as the family said goodbye. Suddenly Lina Sandell's evening prayer, well loved by generations of Scandinavians, sounded from a distance: ‘Thy holy wings, dear Saviour, spread gently over me; and through the long night watches, I’ll rest secure in thee.’

The memorial service
After the burial service, there was a time of thanksgiving and remembrance led by Lieut-Colonel Harald Pettersen in Oslo Temple hall, which had been swiftly transformed to accommodate 250 people seated at tables for refreshments. Personal, loving, humorous and sorrowful memories were shared by Colonel Bo Brekke's son, father, sister, nephew and close personal friends. Tributes were given by Commissioner Hasse Kjellgren, representing the Europe Zone, IHQ, and Major Martin Hill (North Scotland Division), representing the UK Territory. Also present throughout was Lieut-Colonel John Dyall, representing the South Asia Zone, IHQ. The territorial band and the male voice party continued to give their support.

Rising to conclude the day almost seven hours after the funeral service had begun, the General said: ‘It has been a difficult day, but a day that God has blessed. God takes all our confused emotions and thoughts and blends them together in a divine way. Birgitte, Benjamin and Bo Christoffer, we want to thank you for the privilege of being with you today. You’ve opened windows into your family life and we have shared intimate things. So we are blessed, our faith is deepened, our hope is higher and we have tasted Heaven.’

Report by Lieut-Colonel Miriam Frederiksen