On July 13, 20 Canadian Salvationists head off to Stockholm, Sweden, for the “Raised Up” World Youth Convention. One other delegate, Natalie Adams, 22, a soldier at St John's Citadel, N.L., will join them there—she was chosen to participate in the two-week pre-congress “Time to Be Holy” event in London, England. The main convention starts on July 15.

In Stockholm, the 17 youth and four officers will be part of the thousand Salvationist delegates who will spend four days praying, praising God and listening to talks by prominent Salvation Army members, including General Shaw Clifton. Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, Director of the International Social Justice Committee, and Major Sandra Ryan, corps officer of 614 Regent Park in Toronto, both of whom are Canadian officers, will be speaking at the event.

The delegates are excited to meet with fellow young Salvationists from all over the world. Pearlanne Gray, 22, a soldier at Nanaimo Corps, B.C., says, “I think especially for youth, it's cool to have something like this because we're being taken more seriously. We're learning that what we have to say matters and that we can contribute to the Army in our own personal ways.”

Fraser Baguma, 20, a soldier at Halifax Citadel, agrees. “In Halifax, when our youth get together, it strengthens the bond of the city, so I can't even imagine a thousand people from around the world, all our age. A lot of us have the same thoughts, the same feelings towards the Army and sometimes we don't get to hear people who necessarily share our opinions because a lot of the people are older in our corps.”

The delegates all anticipate valuable learning experiences from the convention. “I have a passion for missions, so I'm really excited to see what the Army is doing in other countries and get a first-hand perspective from the people there,” says Erin Hardman, 20, a soldier at Suncoast Citadel in Goderich, Ont.

Courtney Woodford, 18, a soldier at Triton-Brighton Corps, N.L., feels called to work with younger children. “I'm excited because I think that going to this youth conference is going to help give me a set of skills that I can use for that work.”

The main convention starts on 15 July in Stockholm, Sweden, when 1,000 delegates will meet together for four days of worship, fellowship and teaching.

The latest information on the convention can be found on the World Youth Convention website, www.raisedup.org.

The Canadian delegates are: Pearlanne Gray, Nanaimo, B.C.; Nicole Brindle, 614 Vancouver; Steven Homewood, Glenmore Temple, Alta.; Stephanie Robinson, Saskatoon Temple; Victoria Morris, Kingston Citadel; Kevin Johnston, Kingston Citadel; Megan Smith, 614 Regent Park, Toronto; Joanna Braund, London Citadel; Erin Hardman, Suncoast Citadel, Ont.; Becky Puddicombe, Niagara Orchard CC, Ont.; Amanda Baldwin, Fairview/Moncton, N.B.; Fraser Baguma, Halifax Citadel; Courtney Woodford, Triton/Brighton, N.L.; Meagan White, Corner Brook Temple, N.L.; Natalie Adams, St John's Citadel, N.L.; David Purdy, St John's Temple, N.L.; Stephanie Hung, 614 Regent Park, Toronto; Captain Mark Hall, Territorial Youth Secretary; Clint Houlbrook, THQ Youth Consultant; Captain Julia Butler, St John's Citadel, N.L.; Major Denise Walker, Territorial Children and Family Ministries Secretary.