The Army’s 150th Anniversary Congress is almost here. It was on 2 July 1865 that William Booth held his first open-air campaign at the old Quaker burial ground on the Mile End waste in Whitechapel. 150 years on and the movement that was formed on that day has spread to over 129 countries throughout the world. Even if we cannot be in London for the celebrations this week we can still be part of the excitement and joy that this significant anniversary represents.
I was very fortunate to be at the last International Congress in Atlanta in 2000. As Aide-de-Camp to General John Gowans it was a busy time and a most unique experience. That said, it didn’t get off to the best of starts! Our plane touched down at Atlanta International Airport and we were met by a representative of British Airways who escorted us through customs. Once through, we were expecting to be met by senior Salvation Army officers, however, as we came through the doors there was no-one there to meet us. We waited for a few minutes but as no-one seemed to be coming we boarded the train and headed off to reclaim our bags. Again, there was no official party to greet the General and Commissioner in that part of the airport. There were plenty of smartly dressed cadets from the college all with banners to greet and help international delegates but no-one to greet the General. I could see anxious looks on the faces of the cadets at the unexpected sight of the General in the baggage hall. One of them made a hasty phone call and then tentatively made his way to speak to me. “Captain, you’re not supposed to be here!” he said. “I’ve been asked to keep you here as others are on the way.” Ten minutes later a car arrived to take us to the VIP suite where the General was met by a number of red-faced senior officers. Somehow communication had got mixed up that day and there was no-one to meet us. Thankfully, a quick thinking cadet and his mobile phone saved the day.
For the Army every day is a ‘saving’ day; that’s what the Army is all about. In 1879, Booth summed up the purpose of the Army in a simple way: "We are a salvation people - this is our specialty - getting saved and keeping saved, and then getting somebody else saved.” Responding to the grace of God through an act of faith in order to restore our broken relationship with God and helping others to do the same has been our objective from day one. The Army’s methods and the way we present ourselves has changed a lot since 1865 and will continue to do so. It has to if it is to remain relevant. It was Catherine Booth who said, “The principle is laid down that you are to adapt your measures to the necessity of the people to whom you minister … you are to preach to them in such a way as will cause them to look and listen.” The methods and the look of the Army may change but its purpose does not – we are still a salvation people! Let’s rejoice in our 150th birthday and let’s make sure we use it to inspire us to be salvation people for the next generation.
Every blessing,
Major Adrian