भारत - India
In September 1882, Major Frederick Booth-Tucker landed in Bombay (now known as Mumbai) with a small group tasked with the work of establishing Salvation Army ministry in India. Indian authorities, expecting an 'Army' to land, sent police who were surprised to find a peaceful party of four.
General William Booth had instructed ‘to the Indians you must be Indians’, and so the group wore traditional dress and adopted Indian names. They faced opposition, with meetings forbidden and some officers imprisoned. However, they developed medical, educational and employment services, and established weaving schools and silk farms. Despite great challenges, the work continued to grow. Today there are six territories with nearly half a million Salvationists and meeting a wide range of human needs in this diverse and populous country.
During the church and charity's 150th anniversary year, a small team from the movement's communications team based at international headquarters in London is retracing the steps of the early pioneers and investigating how The Salvation Army remains relevant meeting human needs in 21st century India.
Follow this blog throughout May, and look out for the documentary film that will be premiered at Boundless – The Whole World Redeeming in July.
Tags: India NO_PROPERTY_FOUND ('translate')