International literary conference inspires delegates from around the Army world
A total of 149 delegates from 29 countries and representing 39 Salvation Army territories attended the week-long International Literary and Publications Conference in Alexandria, Virginia, USA. Under the leadership of Commissioner William Francis (International Secretary for the Americas and Caribbean) and Lieut-Colonel Marlene Chase (National Editor-in-Chief and Literary Secretary, USA) the delegates shared in unique fellowship and engaged in activities which exploited to the full the week’s valuable opportunities to network and learn from each other and from world-class visiting speakers.
In a written message commending the occasion, General John Larsson spoke of the ‘myriad of voices competing for attention in today’s high-tech world’, declaring ‘Salvationist voices must rise above the mass communication so readily available and point to the One who is the truth.’ For the delegates – Salvation Army editors and writers and would-be writers – the conference proved an invaluable experience which both equipped and motivated to this end.
Special guest speakers included the author Philip Yancey and creativity specialist C. McNair Wilson and USA Southern Territorial Commander Commissioner Philip Needham. All were inspirational.
In addition, delegates were able to take their pick of 34 different workshops in which skilled practitioners offered advice on everything from devotional writing to faith, film and pop culture.
Plenary sessions tackled such specialist subjects as ‘The intellectual appeal of The Salvation Army’ (addressed by Salvationist Dr Roger Green, Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies at Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts, USA) and a photographic review of the worldwide Salvation Army by the UK Territory’s Chief Photographer and Director of Exhibitions, Robin Bryant.
Glowing tributes were paid to Robin – due to enter retirement shortly after the conference – for his 28 years of service to The Salvation Army as a photographer, which included a long spell on the staff of International Headquarters.
At the end of the conference, a number of recommendations agreed by the conference – aimed at strengthening the Army’s publishing ministry – were forwarded to the Army’s international leadership for consideration.
Communications Secretary, IHQ
