Over 15,000 Officers And Salvationists From Around The World, Including Western Pa, Will Celebrate The Salvation Army's 150Th Anniversary With An International Congress In London
CARNEGIE, Pa., June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Salvation Army will officially be celebrating its 150th Anniversary by holding International Congress July 1st through July 5th, 2015, at The O2, a large entertainment district located on the Greenwich peninsula in East London. With a volume equivalent to ten St Paul's Cathedrals, as high as Nelson's Column and with enough space for 72 tennis courts. The O2 is a truly expansive venue that will host various seminars and events for the global attendees numbering close to 15,500. Part of that immense group will be a delegation of officers from the Western Pennsylvania Division of The Salvation Army including Majors Mark and Susan Mackneer from Divisional Headquarters; Major David Rhoads and Captain Pamela Rhoads of the Greensburg location; Major Irene Thilbault of the Butler Salvation Army; Captains Deborah and Henry Weigner representing Corry; and Major Ida Perez of the Steel Valley Worship and Service Center. Historically, the term "congress" is applied within The Salvation Army to describe any series of meetings and/or events made unique by virtue of a special occasion or purpose.
The Theme of this year's International Congress is "Boundless - The Whole World Redeeming". This theme is based on "O Boundless Salvation" – perhaps the most well-known song of The Salvation Army – that was composed by General William Booth, the Founder of The Salvation Army in 1893. "Boundless" is also quite literal in its meaning because there are no boundaries regarding those who can be touched by its message of Salvation. At the website, www.boundless2015.org Salvation Army churches around the world can participate through live and recorded video content as well as a daily live blog and social media interaction. Each of the seven main arena sessions – packed full of worship, teaching, prayer and cultural items – will be broadcast live online.
In addition, on Thursday July 2nd, a virtual 'flash mob' will take place at 1pm (British Summer Time) to publicize Founder's Day, the date 150 years ago on which William and Catherine Booth began the ministry that later became The Salvation Army. All Salvationists, supporters, donors and friends are encouraged to add their voice at sar.my/thunderclap. To create a burst of social media, people participate using their Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr accounts – or all three – to share a simple message. The texts sent will include a link to The Salvation Army's International Headquarters (IHQ) website where people can find out more about the history and current ministry of the organization. The Booths were keen advocates of early communications technology, with the Founder famously sending a one-word, Twitter-friendly telegram ('Others') as his Christmas message in the early 1900s.
Celebrating 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 126 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, log on to www.wpa.salvationarmy.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/MM81995LOGO
SOURCE The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division
Share this article