Salvation Army gets new chief secretary

Religion Writer
Reliant soldiers and hard-working officers paint a bright picture of The Salvation Army’s future in Zimbabwe, says the church’s new chief secretary, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Kasuso. Speaking to thousands of congregants gathered for a welcome service for him and his wife Lt-Col Tracey Kasuso at Kwekwe Corps on August 7, the chief secretary said by remaining focused on prayer and faith, Zimbabwe would sail through its present economic difficulties.
“My vision for the Zimbabwe territory is to see a wave of the Word and Spirit brought together in our church and to see the power of God. The Lord assures His people that if they pray and look up to Him, He will heal the wounds of the nation and deliver His people.
“We have the young people and officers to drive the Army ahead. Our soldiers are resilient and hard-working. That alone, throws a brighter picture of the Army in Zimbabwe,” said Lt-Col Kasuso.
The Kasusos have been commissioned officers of the church for 30 years and served outside Zimbabwe for the past decade.
They served in South Africa as divisional leaders of the Eastern Cape division, and were appointed to work at the church’s International College for Officers in the United Kingdom, where he served as the business secretary while his wife was the secretary for personnel.
He was then appointed to serve as undersecretary and assistant undersecretary for Africa at the International Headquarters, while his wife was the chaplain and liaison officer for the City of London.
As Zimbabwe’s chief secretary, Lt-Col Kasuso carries the responsibilities of the second-in-command in a territory with more than 450 000 members.
“I am expected to assist the territorial commander with efficient oversight and direction of the Army’s work through-out the Zimbabwe territory that includes Botswana and Madagascar.
“While I am answerable to the territorial commander, I am also directly accountable to our international headquarters in London,” he said.
He is also expected to give oversight to all branches of the church’s work in the territory, including field, social, medical, training and educational, ensuring that relevant orders and regulations are applied.
Lt-Col Tracey said the church’s role was to provide hope and cushion the vulnerable through provision of physical and spiritual needs.
“In times of challenges like the ones being faced, the role of the church becomes critical in providing a cushion to the less privileged and vulnerable. The Salvation Army runs homes for the elderly like Bumhudzo in Chitungwiza, where society’s abandoned elderly people are being looked after.
“The church also complements Government’s efforts in the provision of schools and hospitals. Howard, Bradley, Usher and Mazowe High Schools and others remain the beacons of the educational service offered to the people.
“Howard Mission Hospital in Chiweshe, has not only provided affordable healthcare service to its local community, it has provided the service to the whole country,” she said.