Hundreds of Salvationists greeted General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton when they arrived at Lusaka International Airport in Zambia. The scale of the welcome was all the more remarkable because the territorial congress was already in progress 130 kilometres away at Chikankata. The welcome party included traditional dancers and the territorial band, songsters and singing company.

In a press conference the General urged Zambian leaders to put God first, saying that a nation which loses sight of the one who created it is heading for problems. He challenged Salvationists: 'Are you ready to be blessed?'

Chikankata High School hall was not big enough to contain all those who wished to attend the congress men's rally. Many listened from outside as Territorial Commander Colonel John Wainwright urged men to find new converts as women outnumber men in the territory.

The General challenged the men to have holy courage. Music support came from Zambian hosho and vocal groups and the male voices of Soweto Songsters from the Southern Africa Territory.

Four thousand women from different parts of Zambia attended the home league rally – many of them dressed in traditional chitenge attire. The territorial home league singers and timbrelists took part, as well as the women of Soweto Songsters. Territorial President of Women's Ministries Colonel Dorita Wainwright reported a 47 per cent increase in giving to the helping-hand scheme.

The women were very happy to receive the World President of Women's Ministries, Commissioner Helen Clifton, who encouraged them to serve the Lord and seek God's peace and justice. She urged them to be 'women who fear the Lord'. The commissioner presented Territorial Home League and Junior Home League banners. The rally was also blessed by the presence of traditional leader Her Royal Highness Chieftainess Mweenda from Chikankata, who is a Salvationist. She encouraged women to pray for each other.

At the congress praise meeting the General gave information about new Salvation Army openings in places such as Namibia, Mali and Burundi in Africa, and Greece, Kuwait and Outer Mongolia. Music was provided by timbrelists, songsters and hosho groups from all divisions and districts and the Soweto Songsters under the leadership of Professor Mizilikazi Khumalo.

Sunday morning started with thousands of Salvationists of all ages marching to the main arena. The congress holiness meeting was attended by a large number of national and district leaders. Commissioner Clifton called the congress 'a foretaste of Heaven' and urged Salvationists to give their children a better world than the one they had inherited, a world in which purity and holiness prevailed. She spoke about the prayers for peace which, following the call by the General for prayer for peace throughout the world on this day, had been an important part of the holiness meeting.

Fifty new soldiers from all parts of Zambia were enrolled by the General who also prayed a dedicatory prayer for the 20 delegates chosen to represent Zambia at the International Youth Convention to be held in Stockholm, Sweden, in July 2010.

The music traditions of The Salvation Army in Zambia and South Africa were given expression during the worship, bringing inspiration and blessing.

The General's final Bible message at the congress challenged all present to answer the question: 'Am I like Christ?' The response to the invitation to kneel at the mercy seat in rededication was enormous.

Following the congress the international leaders toured The Salvation Army's Chikankata Hospital before returning to Lusaka where, on their final day in Zambia, they visited territorial headquarters and the officers' training college before attending a service of thanksgiving at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This service was preceded by a march of witness through the city.

Also in attendance at the service were Government officials, church leaders, officers, cadets, soldiers and other invited guests including high commissioners from Britain and Zimbabwe. The beautiful acoustics of the cathedral greatly enhanced the music contributions by Soweto Songsters, Chikankata High School Choir, the territorial band, and the territorial youth songsters (who will be attending the World Youth Convention). The cadets of the Prayer Warriors Session recited the doctrines of The Salvation Army.

Addressing the congregation, Commissioner Clifton referred to the United Nations Day of Peace which was being marked that day around the world. She encouraged the congregation to continue praying for world peace.

The Minister of Defence, the Hon Dr Kalombo Mwansa, read a message on behalf of His Honour the Vice-President of Zambia, Mr George Kunda SC, who urged The Salvation Army to continue to preach the gospel. He expressed the Government's pleasure at The Salvation Army's work in Zambia and looked forward to continuing cooperation in days to come.

In his response the General gave words of affirmation and strong encouragement, saying that he had met a beautiful part of the people of God in Zambia. He thanked them for the good work they are doing for the Lord and said he was happy to hear that the next intake of cadets would be the largest yet. He exhorted all present to call upon the name of the Lord.

The visit of the Army's world leaders attracted wide media interest and was featured on national television. The estimated 10,000 Salvationists who attended the congress returned to their various centres – some more than 1,000 kilometres away – inspired and ready to take the Army forward under the territorial theme of 'Now is the Time'.

Top photo: The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton at the march-past; bottom: Commissioner Helen Clifton preaches wearing traditional Zambian costume