Salvation Army world leader to speak at North Scotland Divisional Congress

[International leader General André Cox and wife Commissioner Silvia Cox]

Our international leader will touch down in Inverness this weekend to celebrate one of the biggest ever gathering of Salvationists in the north of Scotland.

General André Cox and wife Commissioner Silvia Cox will be the guest speakers at the Holy Spirit Congress on Saturday and Sunday .

We are celebrating 150th year of mission work and to mark the milestone, hundreds of Salvationists, supporters and friends of The Salvation Army will gather in Inverness for the two-day event at Eden Court Theatre.

The congress gets underway on Saturday afternoon with special events for children and families followed by an evening of music and celebration at Eden Court Theatre. There will be performances from The Salvation Army’s iconic Coventry City Band and Salvationist Marjory Watson, a singer who has performed at many of the UK's top concert venues. Second Mile, a group of contemporary musicians will also take part.

[General André Cox speaking at Ireland Congress 2015]

On Sunday two worship meetings will be led by the General at 10:30am and 3:30pm, supported by the musicians and Salvationists and friends from North Scotland. There is also an open-air meeting in the city centre. 

Major Brian Slinn, leader of the Salvation Army's North Scotland Division, said: “We’re excited to be able to have our congress in this great city of Inverness. It’s a special time for Salvationists, which will be made extra special by the visit of General Cox.

“We pray that God will guide and bless us as we continue to make connections with the local community and that there may be many opportunities to speak about what God is doing in our lives and how He can make an impact on theirs.

“The date of our congress is especially significant in that this Sunday is Pentecost, which in the Christian calendar celebrates the Holy Spirit being given to the first Christians. Our congress will focus on this celebration and hope to gain energy from it.”

The Salvation Army’s work in what is now its North Scotland Division began in Aberdeen in 1880. Local businessman George Rose heard of the work that had been started in Glasgow a year earlier and wrote to founder General William Booth asking him to send officers and offering the use of an old kirk he owned. The building was perfect and Booth accepted the proposal, sending Captain Fanny Smith, promoted from Rotherham and assisted by Lieutenant Jane Gardiner, to begin operations there on Sunday February 29 1880.

The Salvation Army now has 19 community churches and two social centres in its North Scotland Division. These churches and centres help vulnerable and disadvantaged people by running a range of initiatives, such as Christmas present appeal, befriending services, drug and alcohol drop-ins and children’s ministry.