for a five day international congress recently.

They came from all parts of the globe, from India, Africa, China, Japan, Korea, Russia and most of the 107 countries in which The Salvation Army has active ministry.

In attendance were 105 delegates from the Bermuda Division of The Salvation Army.

Mrs. Carmalita Ingham of St. George's Church said: "I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of the International Millennium Congress.

"As a Bermuda delegate, it was a time to experience the world-wide reach of God through The Salvation Army. I met fellow Salvationists from so many different parts of the world, and experienced a kinship with people I did not know before who have a similar passion for extending our hearts to God and our hands to man.'' It was the first time in the history of the Army that an International Congress convened outside of London, England.

The event was convened in the Georgia World Conference Centre.

Thousands of Salvationists viewed the event as one of the most significant in the history of the Army world.

The outlook of the Congress was fixed on the future, but deeply rooted in the Army's tradition as reflected in the theme "The Army Next -- Carrying the Flame Into The Future'', said the local delegates.

General John Gowans, the international leader of the Salvation Army, gave most main addresses, but there were also a number of other internationally known speakers such as Charles Coulson, Dr. Bill Hybils, Joni Eareckson Tada, and the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Dr. Bernice King.

Dr. King actually proclaimed a new kind of Salvation Army.

She referred to The Salvation Army for the new millennium as "God's Star Trek Army,'' and she challenged Salvationists to examine their hearts to make sure they are anointed by God: "You may be working, but you won't be doing God's work if it is not under His anointing.

"God is going to release you from this place to go forth into the world, into the stinky, smelly, funky stuff of this world.

"You are going to be called on to bring life where there is death, to bring hope where there is only hopelessness.'' The congregation and Philips Arena was spellbound by Dr. King's address, and at the conclusion, thousands from the grandstands responded to the invitation for prayer and commitment.

Major Woody Hale, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Bermuda, led the Bermuda delegation to Atlanta.

He said: "I sincerely believe that as a result of this International Millennium Congress, there will be significant deep changes that will take place in The Salvation Army that will indeed balance what The Army's mission has ever been.

"I wholeheartedly agree with our General's comments: The Salvation Army was invented to save souls, to grow saints, and to serve suffering humanity.'' When questioned about kinds of change that might be expected within the army's structure, Major Hale said: "I expect that we will see some departure from the military type structure that the Army has known for 135 years.

"There will be greater empowerment with considerable diversity within respective church congregations, while at the same time maintaining loyalty to the Army doctrinal position.

"The Army of the future will adapt itself to the particular culture in which it serves, and what doesn't work, will be thrown out in favour of more relevant approaches to ministry.'' The Millennium Congress paves the way for a new kind of Salvation Army that we need to fight today's war against sin and social evils.