NEW YEAR 2017

The General's New Year Message 2017 from Salvation Army IHQ on Vimeo.

Transcript

Happy New Year!

It’s hard for me to believe that two years have passed since 2015, when we celebrated The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary. What a year that was, with more than 15,000 Salvationists and friends gathering in London for an unforgettable, inspiring, Spirit-filled congress in July, along with the powerful waves of prayer and Bible reading.

Today my prayer is that, where 2015 brought The Salvation Army together under God as never before, 2017 will see this great Army take God out into the world, under the theme The Whole World Mobilising.

When I became General, I shared my vision that The Salvation Army would be characterised as a force for good, a force for change and a force that lives by the values it proclaims.

So today I ask: What lasting impact in the world are we making, as Salvationists, as volunteers and employees, as advisory board members and friends of The Salvation Army?

What will your answer be?

We are confronted daily by the reality of a world mired in sin, injustice, suffering and poverty. God is clearly calling us, I believe, to total mobilisation. Every corps, every social centre, every Salvation Army programme must be salt and light to the communities and people that we serve.

A new website and mobile app have been developed to support you, enabling people and groups around the world to share how they are being mobilised by God to make a difference in the world.

As the year progresses, each of you will have the opportunity to be encouraged but also to be the source of encouragement to others.

It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, old or young. Your rank, position, nationality, financial situation and culture are no barriers to taking part. Indeed, it is only through the diverse lens of our presence in 128 countries that The Whole World Mobilising becomes a reality.

Please pray – right now – about how you will get involved.

Friends, we need to move out of our buildings and into our neighbourhoods. We need to be active in mission, and to be bold in sharing the Good News of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We are a Salvation Army. Let’s rise, each one of us, to this holy challenge.

Commissioner Silvia and I pray blessings upon you in this coming year, and eagerly look forward to witnessing the many amazing things that God will do through his people.