general-enrols-soldiersGeneral Shaw Clifton lifted the spirits of Italian Salvationists during a Palm Sunday weekend visit to Rome that he termed a 'tour of encouragement'. Even a large earthquake on the Monday morning could not shake the resolve of new soldiers who were enrolled during a visit that gave local Salvationists and members of other churches a taste of The Salvation Army's internationalism.

The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton met with national church leaders and representatives, and the Italy Command's consultants, at a meal held in their honour on Saturday evening. This setting allowed the international leaders to understand more of the context in which the Italian Salvationists live, work and witness. Brothers and sisters from Pentecostal, Valdensian, Methodist, Baptist, Church of Scotland, Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions enjoyed fellowship together and learned something of the international Salvation Army from the General, who gave words of greetings. Professor Domenico Maselli, President of the Federation of Evangelical Churches, spoke on behalf of all in welcoming the international leaders.

On Palm Sunday morning, the Rome Corps hall was packed to capacity to celebrate the Lord's entry into Jerusalem and also to witness the enrolment of six new senior soldiers: three Italians and three from Kenya, who make up the increasingly international corps family. Rome young people participated by leading a moment of adoration, praise and prayer. The international content was further noted later in the meeting with prayers offered in Japanese and Greek (the new work in Greece is overseen by the Italy Command).

soldierskneelingThe General enrolled the six soldiers, asking that the congregation be involved in this solemn moment. Following the enrolment beneath the Army flag the new soldiers knelt at the mercy seat to sign their Soldiers' Covenants. The General welcomed the new soldiers as important members of the global Salvation Army.

In his Bible message the General challenged everyone to follow the example of Jesus, who entered Jerusalem knowing what was before him yet never turned back.

Young people were present throughout the day. In the afternoon meeting a singing group from Naples Corps took part, accompanied by accordion, guitar and drums. The group started as a girls' singing group, but has grown to include husbands and fiancés, who have been brought to the Lord through the women's witness and nurture of the corps folk.

naples-singing-groupTestimonies were given by two of the new soldiers before the General spoke about the origins of the mercy seat and its centrality in Salvationist ministry. At the conclusion of his message there was a free movement to the place of prayer in response to the Holy Spirit's moving among the congregation. Afterwards, the united bands of Naples and Rome Corps accompanied the singing of 'Love Divine'.

At 3.30 am on Monday an earthquake of 5.8 on the Richter Scale, with its epicentre in L'Aquila (around 100 kilometres from Rome), was felt by those who later gathered for officers councils the following day. One of the newly-enrolled soldiers, who had returned to the police training school in L'Aquila, escaped unhurt and offered help with the first phase of the emergency operation.

Officers from across Italy and Greece met with the General and Commissioner Clifton for two sessions of councils. These were enhanced by testimonies from Captain Polis Pantelidis (Thessalonica, Greece) and Major Febe Pipe (Torre Pellice).

Top photo: The General enrols six senior soldiers; middle: New soldiers kneel at the mercy seat to sign their Soldier's Covenants; bottom: A singing group from Naples

Comment

On Friday, May 8, 2009, Lt.-Col. Bob Chapman said:

Praise God for what the Army is doing in Italy. The report and pictures were a source of inspiration and we believe the Army is still marching forward, upward and onward.

On Friday, April 24, 2009, Major Gerald Lacey, Canada said:

God bless The Salvation Army in Italy! Our Army certainly is an international Army! Praise the Lord!

On Wednesday, April 22, 2009, Rob Jeffery said:

I think it's really neat (to say the least) that we have the Salvation Army in Rome. When one thinks of Rome, one thinks of the pantheon, the coliseum, the land of Julius Caesar, and not least of all, the addressee of one of the greatest books of the Bible - Paul's Letter to the Romans. Many images are conjured up in my mind when I hear "Rome Corps" or Rome Citadel. My prayer is that God will use The Salvation Army to show a new generation of Romans that the Gospel of Christ is "...the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Rom 1:16)."

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