adminFreedom Mutanda
FROM August 27 to August 30, hundreds of Salvation Army congregants praised the Lord and celebrated 30 years of church activity in Manicaland at Chancellor Primary School under the theme: ‘Arise and depart.’ Captain Simon Bernard Chigiya is the Salvation Army District Officer responsible for Manicaland Province and he was naturally delighted with the turnout and felt that the congress was a resounding success.
‘’The congress started on August 27 running under the theme: ‘Arise and depart’ and Friday was packed with Bible studies and teaching sessions. Corps displays were done whereby each assembly would give a salute. Basically, the salute means: ‘you and me are together on the way to heaven.’ In other words, the salute means the delegates are together on their way to heaven,’’ he explained.
Having been founded by General Booth 150 years ago, the Salvation Army is still marching like soldiers of Christ. 1891 marked its entry into Zimbabwe and it has a huge foothold in Mashonaland Central where schools such as Howard and Bradley have made a name for themselves in the arena of academics. Nevertheless, in Manicaland, no school has been built thus far though plans are underway to build one in Hobhouse, a high-density suburb close to the sprawling Chikanga high-density suburb.
‘’I can confirm that Mutare City Council has availed a stand for us in Hobhouse where we hope to build a school. Once all the logistics are in place, commencement of the building will be done. In our quest to lighten the load of schools in Mutare as students continue to flood our over-loaded school system, we continue to pray to the Almighty to provide us with the necessary spiritual support just as he has done over the years to finish the job at hand,’’ Cpt Chigiya said.
Leaders’ delegates were smartly dressed in their traditional cream uniforms. One of the delegates, Mr Sydney Togara, was effusive. He enjoyed every minute of the congress and he felt that it came at an opportune time to revive his spiritual domain. ‘’The congress came at the right time to help me realign myself with Bible principles. These are dangerous times. Read 2Timothy 3:1-5 and you will realise that God foretold dangerous times for the family and the world at large. To counter the various ills that buffet us, we have to attend church meetings and the congress is the mother of all meetings. I am truly blessed. My family and I bonded more as we got involved in the proceedings,’’ said Mr Togara.
As soldiers of Christ, the delegates marched in the city centre last Saturday. Hundreds of onlookers perceived the spectacle and applauded the marchers. ‘’On Saturday, we marched in town to provide awareness of the church to the community. It was a humbling experience to some of the delegates. The march was led by Majors Patrick and Evernice Chirandu. It was spiritually enervating and a joyous celebration,’’ said Cpt Chigiya.Prominent gospel musician, Baba MachanicManyeruke graced the congress during the celebration meeting. He is a member of The Salvation Army Church.
‘’We are evangelicals and believe in the Holy Spirit’s power. There is nothing less and nothing more. We had a prayer room for deliverance. Evangelism is taking the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ through preaching. The Salvation Army took its name from the fact that many lost souls had been won for Christ and that salvation made the movement to be called thus,’’ Cpt Chigiya explained.
Until next year, The Salvation Army that celebrated 150 years of existence in July, through prayer and supplication, will hold weekly meetings in hundreds of places dotted around Manicaland where General Booth’s dream of saving lost souls will continue to be pursued by the church’s adherents.
The Salvation Army is not divorced from the community and its efforts to uplift itself. Education is where it is well known but there are other areas where its footprints are found. ‘’We reach the community through The League of Mercy where we provide food, clothes and other help. We look forward to grow numerically and establish social centres through- out the province for the benefit of the people. In our outreach programmes, we don’t discriminate along religious or any other grounds. We are non-partisan. Jesus Christ was never prejudicial in his dealings with humankind when he traversed this earth,’’ Cpt Chigiya elaborated.Currently, General André Cox and Commissioner Silvia Cox are the world commanders of The Salvation Army.
Online Reporter