2 October 2009
The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton Bring Inspiration in Zambia
Released 2 October 2009
 Flags fly at the end of the march-past HUNDREDS of Salvationists greeted General
Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton when they arrived at Lusaka
International Airport in Zambia. The scale of the welcome was all the more
remarkable because the territorial congress was already in progress 130
kilometres away at Chikankata. The welcome party included traditional dancers
and the territorial band, songsters and singing company.
In
a press conference the General urged Zambian leaders to put God first, saying
that a nation which loses sight of the one who created it is heading for
problems. He challenged Salvationists: ‘Are you ready to be
blessed?’
Chikankata High School hall was not big enough to
contain all those who wished to attend the congress men’s rally. Many
listened from outside as Territorial Commander Colonel John Wainwright urged
men to find new converts as women outnumber men in the territory.
The General challenged the men to have holy courage. Music support came from
Zambian hosho and vocal groups and the male voices of Soweto Songsters from the
Southern Africa Territory.
 Happy Salvationists gather for the congress Four thousand women from different parts
of Zambia attended the home league rally – many of them dressed in
traditional chitenge attire. The territorial home league singers and
timbrelists took part, as well as the women of Soweto Songsters. Territorial
President of Women’s Ministries Colonel Dorita Wainwright reported a 47
per cent increase in giving to the helping-hand scheme.
The women
were very happy to receive the World President of Women’s Ministries,
Commissioner Helen Clifton, who encouraged them to serve the Lord and seek
God’s peace and justice. She urged them to be 'women who fear the
Lord’. The commissioner presented Territorial Home League and Junior Home
League banners. The rally was also blessed by the presence of traditional
leader Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Mweenda from Chikankata, who is a
Salvationist. She encouraged women to pray for each other.
At the
congress praise meeting the General gave information about new Salvation Army
openings in places such as Namibia, Mali and Burundi in Africa, and Greece,
Kuwait and Outer Mongolia. Music was provided by timbrelists, songsters and
hosho groups from all divisions and districts and the Soweto Songsters under
the leadership of Professor Mizilikazi Khumalo.
 Commissioner Helen Clifton preaches wearing traditional Zambian costume Sunday morning
started with thousands of Salvationists of all ages marching to the main arena.
The congress holiness meeting was attended by a large number of national and
district leaders. Commissioner Clifton called the congress ‘a foretaste
of Heaven’ and urged Salvationists to give their children a better world
than the one they had inherited, a world in which purity and holiness
prevailed. She spoke about the prayers for peace which, following the call by
the General for prayer for peace throughout the world on this day, had been an
important part of the holiness meeting.
Fifty new soldiers from all
parts of Zambia were enrolled by the General who also prayed a dedicatory
prayer for the 20 delegates chosen to represent Zambia at the International
Youth Convention to be held in Stockholm, Sweden, in July 2010.
The
music traditions of The Salvation Army in Zambia and South Africa were given
expression during the worship, bringing inspiration and blessing.
The General’s final Bible message at the congress challenged all
present to answer the question: ‘Am I like Christ?’ The response to
the invitation to kneel at the mercy seat in rededication was enormous.
 The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton at Chikankata Hospital with Zambia Territory leaders and hospital staff Following the congress the international leaders toured The Salvation
Army's Chikankata Hospital before returning to Lusaka where, on their final day
in Zambia, they visited territorial headquarters and the officers’
training college before attending a service of thanksgiving at the Anglican
Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This service was preceded by a march of witness
through the city.
Also in attendance at the service were Government
officials, church leaders, officers, cadets, soldiers and other invited guests
including high commissioners from Britain and Zimbabwe. The beautiful acoustics
of the cathedral greatly enhanced the music contributions by Soweto Songsters,
Chikankata High School Choir, the territorial band, and the territorial youth
songsters (who will be attending the World Youth Convention). The cadets of the
Prayer Warriors Session recited the doctrines of The Salvation Army.
Addressing the congregation, Commissioner Clifton referred to the United
Nations Day of Peace which was being marked that day around the world. She
encouraged the congregation to continue praying for world peace.
The
Minister of Defence, the Hon Dr Kalombo Mwansa, read a message on behalf of His
Honour the Vice-President of Zambia, Mr George Kunda SC, who urged The
Salvation Army to continue to preach the gospel. He expressed the
Government’s pleasure at The Salvation Army’s work in Zambia and
looked forward to continuing cooperation in days to come.
In his
response the General gave words of affirmation and strong encouragement, saying
that he had met a beautiful part of the people of God in Zambia. He thanked
them for the good work they are doing for the Lord and said he was happy to
hear that the next intake of cadets would be the largest yet. He exhorted all
present to call upon the name of the Lord.
The visit of the
Army’s world leaders attracted wide media interest and was featured on
national television. The estimated 10,000 Salvationists who attended the
congress returned to their various centres – some more than 1,000
kilometres away – inspired and ready to take the Army forward under the
territorial theme of ‘Now is the Time’.
Report by Lieut-Colonel Geoff Blurton and
Captain Pamela Shiridzinodya
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