The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton Meet Former President During Visit to Texas, USA

THE General and Commissioner Helen Clifton met former President George W. Bush and his wife Mrs Laura Bush in Dallas, Texas, during a visit to The Salvation Army's USA Southern Territory. The meeting took place in the library of the home of Dee and Charles Wyly before a black-tie dinner attended by 62 guests. Mr Wyly is a member of The Salvation Army's Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Advisory Board. The General and Commissioner Clifton sat with the Bushes at dinner.

The international leaders' visit began with a soldiers rally at Dallas Temple Corps. The hall was filled to capacity and a video screen was set up in the fellowship hall so more people could participate in what turned out to be a powerful night.

Commissioner Clifton told the soldiers present: 'We thank God for his hand on your lives and for every sign of his grace. You have been through things in Texas – big things, like Hurricane Katrina and now the oil spill. We feel the fragility of human life.'
 
General Clifton encouraged soldiers and officers to examine how their corps and The Salvation Army are acting as a Christlike example. 'Be a letter written by your Heavenly Father which communicates the love of Jesus Christ and the effectiveness of Calvary’s cross to all around you,' he said.

After prayers were lifted and hearts were renewed with Christ, Salvationists left the meeting ready to represent their state and territory in the global fight for souls.

Next morning the international leaders attended the advisory board meeting of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Command. Again, the General shared information about The Salvation Army’s work throughout the world, emphasising the priority of soul-saving – an emphasis that was warmly received by the board members.

Following the advisory board meeting the Cliftons travelled 30 miles west to Fort Worth for the 20th anniversary celebration of The Salvation Army Mabee Social Services Center. The facility includes a men’s shelter, women’s shelter, three transitional programmes and a food pantry. It also provides emergency financial assistance and three free daily meals.

Delivering the keynote address the General said: 'This facility shines as a beacon in this community. A beacon for Christ. A beacon for compassion. A beacon for reaching out without discrimination to all who need a helping hand and who can be restored to a life of total dignity for the sake of the gospel.'

Afterwards General and Commissioner Clifton joined several residents from the centre and other distinguished guests for an unusual 'ribbon'-cutting ceremony. Instead of cutting a ribbon they cut a paper chain made of links with words such as 'homelessness,' 'hunger,' or 'poverty' printed on them. Cutting the chain symbolised liberating people from the real-life chains that bind them, which is what The Salvation Army has done at the Mabee Social Service Center over the past 20 years.