Bermuda's November congress was a homecoming, with former corps officers, family and friends returning to the island, to the Army and to God. It was a time to celebrate the past and embrace the future.

The Friday night welcome meeting at North Street Citadel buzzed with excitement. Salvationists from Cedar Hill, St. George's, North Street Citadel and West End Community Church took a walk down memory lane, coming to life with role play, PowerPoint and narrative illustrations of their history.

On Saturday morning, each corps participated in an intercessory prayer walk through its community. It was a powerful experience for the participants. One commented, “I now understand God's transforming power in my life.”

One of the groups stopped at the location of a shooting that had taken place the day before. Area residents approached the group and thanked them for praying for them.

The women's rally on Saturday afternoon featured Commissioner Marilyn D. Francis, territorial president for women's ministries, who made a presentation to Marion Knight, who has touched many lives throughout the years. She sang Wither Thou Goest I Will Go, in keeping with the theme of Naomi and Ruth.

On Sunday morning, Gary Panistan, a graduate of the Harbour Light program, gave an inspiring testimony about the changes in his life and his two and a half years of sobriety. The territorial commander, Commissioner William W. Francis, challenged Bermuda Salvationists not to look for the signs of this world, but rather look for Jesus. “When we look for the wrong sign, we miss the victory,” he told them.

“The motivational words of the commissioners and the events of the Homecoming Congress have reminded us that The Salvation Army in Bermuda must rise up and become the giant we are perceived to be in our communities,” said Rosemary Phillips, corps sergeant major at North Street Citadel. “We must become the spiritual centres in our communities as we meet human need.”