My Dad finished up his work at the Booth College of Mission today, which is the Salvation Army’s Bible College in New Zealand. I attended his farewell.

Welcome
Major Donaldson (the current head of the Booth College of Mission) welcomed everyone who came to the event, including a special welcome to the Brengle course (for Officers who have graduated and are in the field, for further studies and re-learning). He also welcomed the special guests to the farewall to Major Kingsley Sampson (that would be my father).

Donaldson said that he was a young new officer on the campus in 1991 when my Dad and Mum joined the staff. One of the themes being discussed from then was how to enhance the effectiveness of Officer training in the days and years ahead. Donaldson commented that Kingsley has made a significant contribution to that over the subsequent years.

Farewell #1. Colonel Wilfrid Arnold, Secretary of Personnel for The Salvation Army in New Zealand
There are many people here at this farewell who have seen Kingsley grow and develop over many years. Wilfrid recollected that when he started his first appointment at Gore, Kingsley was in charge of young people’s work. He spoke about the dedicated that Kingsley showed with his work, and then his ongoing learning and development as a Salvation Army Officer. He has watched the development over time.

When Wilfrid took his most recent appointment (7 years ago), he found a group of people who wanted to bring together all of the ongoing educational efforts within The Salvation Army. The vision was for an integrated, competent educational system … and Kingsley was on that committee … and that vision became the “Booth College of Mission” a few years later.

Wilfrid thinks that the transition of Kingsley out of the College is going to be somewhat challenging for him. Kingsley has sat in charge of a number of things within the Salvation Army and within the wider tertiary sector in New Zealand, and there has been a sense that as long as Kingsley had his hands on it, it would be okay.

“Kingsley, bless you in this time of transition”.

Farewell #2. David Wells
In recent weeks, the College staff went out for dinner and asked Kingsley what his plans were for his life. He didn’t (a) want to be a teacher, (b) a Salvation Army Officer, or (c) a missionary. However, God had other plans, and all of those things happened. David recollected that he was with Kingsley in Zambia at the Missionary School.

What kind of title could we give to Major Kingsley Sampson? Thought of four:

1. “Setter of the Highest Standards”. He has very high standards, and encourages other to have and maintain them. Kingsley was meticulous about ensuring various things were “just right”.
2. “Protector of Details”. Has an eye for detail that is amazing. Whenever work is produced, however perfect others thought something was, Kingsley would pick up the errors and missing elements.
3. “Chief Architect of the Diplomas Courses”. He wanted to get everything just right. When the College had its audit of tertiary educational institutions in New Zealand, the College got within the top 10% … much kudos to Kingsley.
4. “Equipper of the Saints for Ministry”. This has been a key focus of Kingsley for decades, for equipping people for the work of the ministry.

And of course, all of this has been done with gentleness and a good sense of humour.

Going back to the original questions, “what else did he want to do?” He always wanted to be a disc jockey. David, “instead of that, we have been gifted with someone who has made a huge contribution to the body of Christ here in New Zealand and around the world.”

Response from Kingsley
Re the “disc jockey”, that was the visions of a 13 year old. I’m allowed to grow up …

Some recollections:

• This is the time of celebration and thanksgiving. Thank you to Wilfrid and David for comments and remarks. Thanks for the opportunity to work with you.
• Thanks to the 190 cadets in 18 sessions, and all of the colleagues that I’ve worked with. Three of the people here today were in his first session at 1991.
• Since 1965 there have been 8 educational officers, and 6 of them are here. One is overseas, and one is now with the Lord.
• Thanks to family.
• Thanks to God for the pleasure that this appointment has given me; I couldn’t have asked for more.

He definitely had some other dreams and ideals for his life, but at age 14, sensed God’s calling to Officership. It also led to missionary work and teaching. For Kingsley, he says clearly that “God knew best”. He knew what would bring satisfaction and meaning in his work and life, and He figured it out.

Kingsley noted that half of his Officership was spent at the College, and in recent times, has been involved in educational administration and compliance. Some of this can be thought of as being boring, but Kingsley said that he saw it as prayer. Eg, a compliance document isn’t just a compliance document, but rather a prayer.

Serving at the College has been a great appointment. Couldn’t have imagined a better thing. Thanks …

To finish … a grace … “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all forevermore.”

Conclusion
Donaldson provided a small gift from the colleagues and staff at the College, and then concluded with prayer.