GENERAL
André Cox has announced that he has given approval for the work of The
Salvation Army to be officially commenced in Slovakia, with effect from 1
September 2015, making it the 127th country in which The Salvation Army has a
recognised legal presence.
Interest
was first shown in having The Salvation Army work in Slovakia in the summer of
2013 when it became evident that there was a great need for a ministry among
the Roma communities – very much the marginalised people of Slovakia. Some
existing Christian congregations were already undertaking extensive community
programmes and expressed an interest in being aligned with The Salvation Army,
as their forms of worship and doctrines are akin to the Army's.
The
Salvation Army was registered as a Civic Association in Slovakia in August
2014, and its work began to develop under the supervision of The Netherlands
and Czech Republic Territory, with emphasis on ministry within the Roma
community and a learning programme to integrate three existing church
congregations into a Salvation Army structure.
Eleven
soldiers have been enrolled already, and all three outposts have recruits
undergoing preparation to be enrolled during the official opening weekend on
5-6 September. Four candidates have been accepted for officer training.
Captains
Vitaly and Inna Chiriac, officers from the Eastern Europe Territory, have been
identified to give leadership to the fledgling work in Slovakia. They will take
up residence in the Slovakian capital, Bratislava, at the beginning of August
to make final preparations for the official opening of the work in September,
which will be conducted by the Chief of the Staff (Commissioner William
Roberts) and Commissioner Nancy Roberts (World Secretary for Women’s
Ministries).
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