Future-focused Sallies converge on Manukau

As The Salvation Army continues its humanitarian response following the Canterbury earthquake, an estimated 2500 church members, staff and volunteers will meet in Auckland this week to consider how best to serve their local communities.

Two Salvation Army conferences will be held at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre from 29 September to 3 October.

The ‘Just Action’ social justice conference will bring together 500 front line workers and speakers from 29-30 September.

Keynote speakers include US-based social commentator the Rev. Jim Wallis and Australian community development practitioner Dave Andrews. Workshops will cover a range of social issues including the causes and structures of poverty in New Zealand, creative ideas for caring neighbourhoods, defeating human trafficking, addressing global poverty in a world of abundance, and Fijian perspectives on finding justice and peace.

Jim Wallis will also speak at a free public rally for Aucklanders at 7:30pm on Thursday, 30 September at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre.

Around 2000 more Salvationists will then gather at the same venue from Friday to Sunday for the organisation’s ‘Mission 2010 Congress’. This will feature the launch of a three-year strategic mission plan focused on imperatives of Christian life and service, strengthening membership, and fighting poverty and injustice.

The Salvation Army has put particular emphasis over the past five years on working together across its vast network of church and social service centres. This connected, streamlined and mission-focused mindset will continue to drive its operations over the next three years.

Conference organisers say the intention of meeting together is to give further ‘flesh and vitality’ to The Salvation Army’s mission of ‘caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society’.

Issued on the Authority of Commissioner Donald Bell (Territorial Commander)
The Salvation Army, New Zealand Fiji & Tonga Territory