The Salvation Army to Expand into 127th Country

The work of The Salvation Army to be officially commenced in Slovakia, with effect from 1 September 2015
Slovakia flag

Slovakia flagGENERAL André Cox has announced that he has given approval for the work of The Salvation Army to be officially commenced in Slovakia, with effect from 1 September 2015, making it the 127th country in which The Salvation Army has a recognised legal presence.

Interest was first shown in having The Salvation Army work in Slovakia 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 programmes 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 programme 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 in Slovakia. 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 Commissioner Nancy Roberts (World Secretary for Women’s Ministries).

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 from the Office of the General
International Headquarters

Discover more

Compass
Strategy and impact

Compass

The Salvation Army's global strategic framework.

Adults and children sing in a family choir
Denmark and Greenland
The General

Guided by God’s compass

A festival of faith, family and forward movement in Denmark

Faith-Based Facilitation
Strategy and impact

Faith-Based Facilitation

Faith-Based Facilitation is a way of helping people think, talk, explore and respond to issues in the light of faith.

Volunteers unload supplies from a Salvation Army emergency vehicle
Emergency response
USA Southern

The Salvation Army responds to catastrophic Texas floods

Emergency Disaster Services teams are working around the clock to provide meals, drinks and emotional and spiritual care to communities in Central Texas, USA, following the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River.

World map with countries highlighted in different colours
Strategy and impact

World Map

A downloadable map showing countries in which The Salvation Army is at work.

A group of young Salvationists in front of the exhibition 'Transforming lives for 160 years'
International Headquarters

Salvation Army celebrates 160 years; anticipates powerful future

Transforming lives and communities since 1865