General presents ‘saint’ George Ellis with Lifetime Achievement Award
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Long-serving Salvationist George Ellis from Melbourne’s Project 614 Corps has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 70 years of service to the Lord and The Salvation Army.
General Lyndon Buckingham awarded George, 91, with the honour during the Sunday morning service at Project 614 on 1 September.
The General said he was reminded of the story of Caleb in the Old Testament, who, at 85 years of age, testified, “I’m as zealous for the Lord now as I was when it all began.”
“And I think that sums you up, as zealous for the Lord now as you were when you began,” the General told George. “Keep going – don’t give up!”
George has given his life in service through volunteering and collecting. He was also the founder of The Salvation Army’s territorial archives and heritage centre, the forerunner to The Salvation Army Australia Museum.
He continues to catch the train every Sunday to attend worship at Project 614 and never misses an opportunity to share his faith. Many people across the city regard him as 614’s very own ‘saint’.
The General and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham spent Sunday morning worshipping at Project 614 Corps in the heart of Melbourne in a relaxed, interactive service led by Corps Officers Majors Brendan and Sandra Nottle.
The historic corps in Bourke Street has seen every single General of The Salvation Army, bar two, preach from its platform.
In his message, General Lyndon shared his own history with the corps – a visit in 1980 when he was travelling with the New Zealand Salvation Army National Youth Band.
The General gave a Father’s Day message, telling those gathered that God knows each of them intimately and wants to bless each person who comes into his presence.
“He is the Father of the good gifts. He will supply you wisdom, he will supply you grace, he will supply you strength, he will supply you courage, he will bring people alongside you. He will bring people around you, and he will use them to reveal to you the nature and the character and the quantity of his love and his grace and his care for you.”
During the meeting, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham prayed over the Project 614 volunteers and staff, and people stood and gave testimony during the ‘Share and Care’ time. One woman who attends the Tuesday Chinese Congregation said she was a Buddhist until she met Jesus.
“After I believe in Jesus and put my trust in Jesus, I experienced God’s power, faithfulness and peace through reading the Bible, praying and worshipping. I would like to tell everyone here that Jesus is the true and living God.”
Later in the meeting, she and nine other members of the Project 614 Chinese Congregation stood as it was announced that they would soon be sworn in as senior soldiers of The Salvation Army.
The meeting concluded with a rousing rendition of Storm the Forts of Darkness , and the world leaders shared in a roast lunch at the Project 614 Magpie Nest Café.
Read more stories on the General's Melbourne Rally on Salvos Online on Monday
Click through the slideshow below to view more photos of the Project 614 Sunday morning service.
