‘I believe we are here today because we have a heart and a passion to reach lost souls,’ said Barbara Allen of the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps in southern California, who led the afternoon. ‘God is moving with power amongst his women!’

Opening with an explosion of colour and energy as the African Praise-Hosho Timbrel Brigade sang and played to ‘O Boundless Salvation!’, the audience whooped with joy and also welcomed performances by the Vasa Gospel Choir and Hawai’i Hula Hālau group.

A Boundless 2015 version of ABC Television’s The View panel – Commissioner Janine Donaldson (New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga), Major Maria Galinou (Italy and Greece), Dr Cathy Tsikirayi (Zimbabwe), and Captain Angelica Correa (Canada and Bermuda) – shared brief perspectives on ministry. They described some of their own ‘Catherine calls’, touching on a monologue of Catherine Booth recalling her fight against keeping quiet in church when God’s Spirit compelled her to stand and speak, played by Claire Brine.  

‘We try to follow the Holy Spirit in what he is doing – this leads to ministry everywhere!’ Major Galinou said. She talked about the Army’s work with women and their babies in Athens, noting that Greece started its first home league two months ago. ‘Maybe it’s a drop in the ocean, but drops make an ocean. And we’re going to make a difference!’  

Major Kerry Coke (United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland) said her passion for sewing turned into a ministry as she worked with women to make bunting and used it as an opportunity for people to share their stories. She thanked women’s groups from around the world that sent bunting to London for Boundless 2015, some of which were displayed at the unveiling of Catherine Booth’s statue on Founders’ Day.

The Bill Booth Theater Company explored some of the fears and anxieties of women, showing how – when these are taken to God in prayer – ‘less becomes more in the boundless love of God’.

Following a brief video of the late General Eva Burrows — a modern-day example of someone with similar courage, intellect and vision to Catherine Booth — Commissioner Silvia Cox stepped up to speak.

‘I’m so glad to see you all here!’ she said. ‘God is blessing Women’s Ministries and we can learn from each other. I celebrate you because you are faithful women, witnessing to the power of Jesus Christ in your lives.’

Commissioner Cox reminded her audience that they had been released to tell people about Jesus’ love. ‘We are Jesus’ mouthpieces,’ she said. ‘Your personal testimony is your best story, so tell people how you met God. Liberated, unrestricted, released – that’s what you are!’

Each woman secured a bracelet with the word ‘Bound-Less’ around her neighbour’s wrist, and then spent time praying for one another.

‘We have a big job ahead of us in our respective countries, but as “bound-less” women, the time is now, and the place is wherever we are,’ Dr Tsikirayi said. ‘Let’s go out there and help our sisters, our families and our communities.’

This article was included in issue four of Boundless Today. Click to read all issues of Boundless Today.