General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton celebrated Chile's National Centennial Congress in Santiago with officers, soldiers and friends of The Salvation Army. The visit was the international leaders' first to the South America West Territory.

In October 1909, Brigadiers William and Raquel Bonnett walked the streets of the port city of Valparaiso, Chile, pioneering the work of The Salvation Army in the country and boldly proclaiming the gospel of Christ. One hundred years later, in November 2009, the General and Commissioner Clifton walked the same streets of Valparaiso, boldly proclaiming the same message. And then the celebration began.

Following gracious words of appreciation from local authorities in Valparaiso, General Shaw Clifton affirmed the Army's continued commitment to its spiritual presence and community service in Valparaiso. A crowd of nearly 300 people applauded the unveiling of a 'plaque of recognition' given to the men's home by the city for its 100 years of faithful service to the homeless.

With flags waving, drums beating, timbrel ribbons flying and 40 bandsmen leading the way, more than 1,200 Salvationists made their way through the crooked cobbled streets of downtown Valparaiso as The Salvation Army in Chile returned to its roots. The 'March of Testimony' culminated with a salute to the General and territorial leaders, and a lively open-air meeting in the central plaza of the city.

The General told those present: 'The Salvation Army in Chile was born on the streets of Valparaiso and now, 100 years later, we are still preaching the gospel and serving people on the same streets as well as the streets of 118 countries around the world.'

Later, in the Friday evening welcome meeting, more than 1,000 Salvationists – along with dignitaries and Government representatives – warmly welcomed the international leaders to the South America West Territory as they walked with the territorial leaders alongside a 13-metre-long mercy seat, formed in the shape of Chile. This altar became the sacred focal point for the congress weekend, receiving more than 200 seekers throughout the celebration.

General Clifton's sermon emphasized the importance and significance of the mercy seat in The Salvation Army. After the mercy seat was dedicated to the glory of God it was immediately lined with seekers.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Enrique Lalut's new book, The Path of Glory, which describes The Salvation Army's first 100 years in Chile.

In a family rally on Saturday morning, junior soldiers and younger children were invited to unite with their parents around the mercy seat, after Commissioner Helen Clifton spoke about the importance of families being united in Christ.

The varied and energetic festival of music on Saturday evening was called 'Celebrating the Past'. The centennial music forces – including a 40-piece brass band, interpretive dance troop, timbrelists and praise and worship group – thrilled the 1,200-plus members of the congregation and an additional 600 who followed the weekend's proceedings via a webcast. Members of the three Chilean divisions delighted the crowd with exquisitely prepared regional dances in colourful costumes.

Following the General's challenge to be 'set apart for Christ, with clean hands and a pure heart', the festival continued with the first performance of a new march written for the occasion by 21-year-old Sebastian Espinoza from Antofagasta, Chile. Congress delegates identified with the march and sang along with old choruses and Chilean folk tunes which were woven into the music.

At the conclusion of the meeting pioneer musicians from Chile were publicly recognized and invited to play in the centennial band for the final song, 'I'll Go in the Strength of the Lord'. The festival concluded with a joyful 'hallelujah wind-up' led by Territorial Commander Colonel Jorge Ferreira, with more and more soldiers joining the celebration as he made his way through the auditorium, proudly waving a large Salvation Army flag.

The Sunday morning holiness meeting focused on the theme 'Sanctifying the Present'

The General highlighted the Chile-shaped mercy seat, encouraging the congregation to envision the country – 2,500 miles long and 200 miles wide – as a mercy seat, praying that it could be won for Christ. Again, the mercy seat was lined with seekers.

Around 1,500 congress delegates gathered for praise and worship in the salvation meeting on Sunday evening, concentrating on 'Prophesying the Future'.

Faithful local officers and soldiers were publicly recognized for their commitment and dedication to God and the Army, and a chorus of 130 Salvationists challenged the congregation through the words of the song 'What Does the Spirit Say to the Churches?'

Then, in his final Bible message of the congress, the General spoke of God's provision for his people, using an Old Testament story to demonstrate that God always gives his people more than they need.

The General and Commissioner Clifton knelt at the mercy seat and many people joined them there, responding to the call to rededicate their lives to the Lord. Twenty-three young people committed themselves to full-time ministry as Salvation Army officers.

The congress ended with the congregation passionately singing 'O Boundless Salvation' as red, yellow and blue balloons fell from the ceiling, creating a festive ending to a powerful weekend of celebration.