You are here: Home › News › 2015 › 07 › 24 › The Salvation Army To Expand Into 127th Country

The Salvation Army to expand into 127th country

24 July 2015
The Salvation Army to expand into 127th country

Slovakia (stock image)

General André Cox has announced that he has given official approval for the work of The Salvation Army to start in Slovakia from 1 September. It will be the 127th country in which The Salvation Army has a recognised legal presence.

Interest in Slovakia was first raised in the summer of 2013 when it became evident that there was a great need for a ministry among the Roma communities – very much the marginalised people of Slovakia. Some existing Christian congregations were already undertaking extensive community programs and expressed an interest in being aligned with The Salvation Army, as their forms of worship and doctrines are akin to the Army's.

The Salvation Army was registered as a Civic Association in Slovakia in August 2014, and its work began to develop under the supervision of The Netherlands and Czech Republic Territory, with emphasis on ministry within the Roma community and a learning program to integrate three existing church congregations into a Salvation Army structure.

Eleven soldiers have been enrolled already, and all three outposts have recruits undergoing preparation to be enrolled during the official opening weekend on 5-6 September. Four candidates have been accepted for officer training.

Captains Vitaly and Inna Chiriac, officers from the Eastern Europe Territory, have been identified to give leadership to the fledgling work. They will take up residence in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, at the beginning of August to make final preparations for the official opening of the work in September, which will be conducted by the Chief of the Staff Commissioner William Roberts and World Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Nancy Roberts.

The work in Slovakia will be given oversight from The Netherlands, and the name of The Netherlands and Czech Republic Territory will therefore be changed, with effect from 1 September 2015, to The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory.

Report courtesy of IHQ.

Comments

No comments yet - be the first.

Leave a Comment


- Will not be published

Email me follow-up comments

Note: Your comment requires approval before being published.

Default avatarWould you like to add a personal image? Visit gravatar.com to get your own free gravatar, a globally-recognized avatar. Once setup, your personal image will be attached every time you comment.

The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.