More than 1,000 people – the largest number for several years – attended The Salvation Army's Ireland Congress in Belfast. Guest speaker for the event was the Chief of the Staff, Commissioner Robin Dunster. She shared that she was no stranger to Northern Ireland, having visited as a backpacking Australian tourist some 50 years ago. The Chief gave glory to God for the intervening years of dedication and service which had brought her back.

The congress began with a men's fellowship breakfast at Belfast Temple Salvation Army hall. The Chief of the Staff challenged all present to be God's agents and ambassadors in the world, sharing the gospel with everyone.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Hartley, celebrated his last official engagement as mayor of the city by hosting a reception for the Chief of the Staff, members of The Northern Ireland Advisory Board, church leaders and Salvation Army representatives. The building where the gathering took place was in the docks where the SS Titanic had been built. Significantly, it was the anniversary of the doomed ship's departure and – later in the day – the last survivor of the disaster died.

Councillor Hartley said he recalled The Salvation Army helping during times of 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland, 'with their laid-back, sophisticated elegance, helping people in need, dishing out tea and empathy to people on all sides [of the community] – acts they continue to do today'.

In her reply Commissioner Dunster referred to The Salvation Army's mottos 'Heart to God and hand to man' and 'Belief in action', both of which she said remain at the centre of The Salvation Army's work in troubled situations.

In Belfast city centre, young Salvationists from around the division led an outdoor meeting on Saturday afternoon. Hundreds of shoppers and passers-by stopped to enjoy music from a brass ensemble, timbrel displays, drama, testimony and song.

'Kids@Congress' was the theme for a two-day children's programme which included an action-packed and inspiring programme of worship, games, crafts, 3-D films and discussion groups.

Congress officially commenced on Saturday evening at the King's Hall Conference Centre, Belfast, with the Chief of the Staff taking the salute as flags of each of the 20 corps and eight social centres of the Ireland Division were marched in while Lurgan Band played 'Flag of Freedom'.

The song 'All Over the World (the Spirit is Moving)' was used as an effective backdrop to Commissioner Dunster's Bible reading and message. She used many examples from her recent travels to Asia and Africa to illustrate how God's Spirit continues to work and promote spiritual growth; especially when the response to serve Jesus is made willingly.

Worship was enhanced throughout the evening by contributions from the divisional youth chorus, Lurgan Band and the combined singing companies of Belfast Temple and Belfast Sydenham. A Powerpoint display provided an image-based journey through the current work taking place in the division. The Army flag re-appeared in the form of yellow, red and blue clad timbrelists, from a number of corps, who gave an energetic display to the march 'Celebration'.

The Chief of the Staff started the next day – Pentecost Sunday – with a live interview on BBC Radio Ulster's main Sunday morning programme, Sunday Sequence, and then rejoined local Salvationists at the congress venue for a prayer meeting.

Pre-meeting contributions from the divisional fellowship band and Bangor Songsters helped set the scene for worship.

Sue Whitla (Belfast North), soon to be appointed as a territorial envoy, spoke with conviction and assurance of how God had had a hand in her life, using all that had transpired since she had been an officer about 20 years ago to bring her to a new and challenging responsibility.

The Chief of the Staff, with her support officer, Lieut-Colonel Edna Williams, challenged and directed the congregation of almost 400 people to do as Jesus had instructed the first disciples – wait and then obey once the Spirit has come. The Chief reinforced the message that 'what God promised is happening'.

Between meetings many people took advantage of the sunshine and enjoyed catching up with family and friends in the surrounding showgrounds at the King's Hall complex. They returned to pre-meeting music from Belfast Temple Band and Sydenham Songsters.

The final meeting commenced with the contemporary arrangement of 'Send the Fire'. Musical contributions from Belfast Temple Band included a setting of Psalm 100 based on the song 'Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven', which could be heard resonating well beyond the confines of the hall. The children from Kids@Congress livened up proceedings by ensuring that parents, family and friends joined with them to declare 'I Will Follow You', complete with energetic actions.

During the afternoon the Chief of the Staff and Lieut-Colonel Williams presented an update of the international work of The Salvation Army.

The Swindells family from Bangor Corps was publicly recognised for its tireless work to raise £67,000 for the work of The Salvation Army's Usher Institute in Zimbabwe. The money was raised in memory of Salvation Army teacher Sharon Swindells who, with an officer colleague, was killed in 1978 while working at the institute.

In her closing words the Chief of the Staff charged all present to be reliant on the Spirit and to rely on Jesus for everything in life, taking hold of his power to witness and to serve in every setting represented.

Ireland Divisional Commander Major David Jackson said: 'Salvationists and friends across Ireland have thoroughly enjoyed congress weekend. It's been an opportunity to renew friendships and enjoy worship and fellowship together. The Chief of The Staff has encouraged and renewed our faith, challenging us to receive God's power and to allow the Holy Spirit to use us in every situation of life.'

Top photo: The Chief of the Staff with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Hartley, and Divisional Commander Major David Jackson; bottom: Young people from the combined singing companies of Belfast Temple and Belfast Sydenham took an active part during congregational singing