Colonel Bo Brekke

Colonel Bo Brekke, Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory, was shot and killed Thursday 27 September. The incident occurred in the THQ compound shortly after the colonel had presided over the retirement and farewell meeting to the Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries. Information to date points to an individual act of criminality. There is nothing to suggest that this is related in any way to terrorism. The incident occurred at about 6.30 p.m. local time while Colonel Brekke was working alone in his office. Our hearts reach out to Colonel Birgitte Brekke and her family at this tragic time.

A Norwegian by birth, Bo Brekke was a cadet in the 'Proclaimers of Salvation' session, being commissioned as an officer in May 1980 and appointed as corps officer to Brevik, in Norway. The following year he transferred to corps leadership in the Denmark Territory, the home territory of Birgitte. After two years in Denmark Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway and continued in service in corps appointments until their transfer to the Sri Lanka Territory at the beginning of 1987.

In Sri Lanka, a short period as Manager of Hope House preceded an appointment as Acting Property Secretary in July 1987, and then as Property and Special Efforts Secretary from November 1988. As Community Services Secretary from 1991, the then Captain Brekke also undertook management of Hope House once again.

Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway from 1993 to 1995, giving leadership to the Fredrikstad Corps during that time.

Having developed a deep love for South Asia and its people, it was a personal joy for Bo and Birgitte Brekke when, in August 1995 they were appointed as regional leaders to Bangladesh. Under their leadership the work of the Army flourished and in 1997 the Bangladesh Region was granted command status, and Major Bo Brekke was appointed as Officer Commanding, with Birgitte serving alongside him as Command President of Women's Ministries and Command Youth Officer.

The late summer of 2002 saw a further change of culture and working environment as Bo and Birgitte were appointed as divisional leaders of the North Scotland Division in the United Kingdom Territory, followed by service respectively as Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mission Development in the Eastern Europe Territory. It was from there that, almost exactly one year ago (15 September 2006) Colonel Bo Brekke was appointed as Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory, and Colonel Birgitte Brekke as Territorial President of Women's Ministries.

At the time of her husband's promotion to Glory Colonel Birgitte Brekke was attending meetings at International Headquarters in London. Arrangements were made immediately for her to fly to Norway to be with her two sons and other family members. She was accompanied by her sister who had come to London to see Birgitte while she was visiting IHQ.

We thank God for the commitment that Bo Brekke demonstrated through 27 years of faithful and effective service as a Salvation Army officer, and I know you will join me in prayer on behalf of Birgitte, her sons Benjamin and Bo Christoffer and other members of the family who, whilst encouraged by the hope that we have in the Risen Christ, nevertheless are understandably devastated by the tragic and untimely promotion to Glory of a loving husband, father and friend.

Psalms 46:1 (NIV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.