The Salvation Army adapts to transform lives

The territorial congress for France and Belgium will take place in a few days. Why this union between France and Belgium?

The Salvation Army is present in 134 countries. But in terms of management and operations, it functions on a country-by-country or territorial basis. There can also be parts of countries involved. A team manages operations in France and Belgium. The territorial leader, for France, is the couple Jacques and Claude-Évelyne Donzé. The colonel presides over the foundation and is also the head of the congregation. Belgium follows a similar model, but with different statutes. In France, the focus is more on the foundation’s work in social and medical-social fields. But there is also a congregation that takes care of the religious aspects.

At what frequency is the congress held? Why is its holding important?

It takes place every four or five years. We try to organize it to bring together all the collaborators of the territory, as well as the people welcomed in our establishments and the volunteers of the Salvation Army.

It is a rare opportunity for the employees and beneficiaries of the territory to come together. This is the primary goal of the congress. But it also serves to nurture or strengthen a sense of belonging. Most of the time, everyone does their job or ministry on their own and may not necessarily realize the size of the organization. At the same time, the congress allows us to meet our international leaders. General Lyndon Buckingham will be there, along with his wife Bronwyn. This will be an opportunity to hear a clear message about the direction the Salvation Army is called to take in the coming years. Therefore, the congress is also a moment of mobilization.

In this regard, opening the congress to the public allows us to present our ecclesiastical and social partners with our objectives and the broad outlines that will guide the Salvation Army in the coming years.

Have these broad guidelines evolved since the creation of the Salvation Army?

The way of operating today has changed and must continue to evolve. However, our motivation, the call that gave birth to the international movement, remains the same. The different generations of leaders, whether international or national, are very attached to our message of unconditional welcome and the way it is transmitted. The new international strategic plan that has been laid out does not call this into question at all.

On the other hand, there are now focus areas on how to address economic crises, migratory crises, and changes in our countries such as care for the elderly, everything related to protecting people on the streets. There is a clear evolution in the number of children and seniors on the streets. Therefore, our response to this situation will have to adapt, as well as our mobilization. But the Salvation Army must remain faithful to its core values.

This edition of the congress will have as its theme “Transformed Lives”. Can you explain this choice?

By choosing the theme “Transformed Lives”, the idea is to say: regardless of the challenges, our goal remains to transform lives. The congress gives us the opportunity to testify to transformed lives and explain how, at a given moment, the Salvation Army was able to be a companion to a particular person. It is also important to clarify what we mean by transforming lives in the context of our missions among migrants, substance abusers, etc. and what it means today to engage. In any case, the Salvation Army is taking a stand. A global note has been shared with us, emphasizing that we must see transformation in the lives of the people who make up the Salvation Army or who are welcomed there.

Discover the program of the congress by clicking here. Everything is free, but registration is required.

Read also:

– A more women-friendly Sharing House – La Cocotte, more than a shared kitchen – Domestic violence: The Salvation Army works with perpetrators to prevent reoffending.