Atlanta greets General Shaw Clifton,
Commissioner Helen Clifton as international leaders tour city
General Shaw Clifton called on Salvationists to seek out and rely on the
guidance of the Holy Spirit in an Oct. 14-16 visit to Atlanta.
The General and Commissioner Helen Clifton were welcomed as they made their
first visit to territorial headquarters as the international leaders of The
Salvation Army.
The Cliftons previously visited the territory in August 2008 as speakers at
the Southern Bible Conference and as delegates to the Pan American Conference
in Dallas in 2006. This time, in addition to their stop at THQ, they toured the
Evangeline Booth College, the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and the
Atlanta Adult Rehabilitation Center. They were accompanied by Commissioners
Israel L. and Eva D. Gaither, USA national leaders, and Commissioners Max and
Lennie Feener, Southern territorial leaders.
Southern Salvationists from across the territory had the opportunity to
greet the Cliftons in a welcome meeting at the Atlanta Temple Corps that was
webcast to an audience of nearly 3,000. A large assemblage of songsters from
the Atlanta area opened the meeting with the rousing "Come, Join Our Army!" and
prayer in a variety of languages and cultural expressions was offered. The
Atlanta Peachcrest Praise Dancers performed a swirling, colorful dance that
brought the congregation to its feet and Commissioner Israel Gaither introduced
the Cliftons. Commissioner Helen Clifton brought the Scripture from John
1:19-34. After The Redeemed Men of the ARC sang a powerful rendition of
"Amazing Grace," the General came to the podium. His message focused on the
need to abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit, whether we are avoiding
pitfalls in our daily walk or venturing out further in our ministry to take the
gospel into distant corners of the world. "The Holy Spirit is there to help us
be sure-footed in the dangerous places," General Clifton said. At the
conclusion of his message the altar was lined with seekers. Earlier that
day, the Cliftons and Gaithers were greeted by THQ staff at a morning
devotional time. During the gathering, the General accepted from Commissioner
Max Feener the first installment toward a pledge made by the territory to
support the Centralized Pension Fund for Grant-aided Territories.
In a luncheon with territorial department heads, General Clifton thanked the
USA South for its faithful financial support of The Salvation Army's work
around the world, as well as the work of its overseas officers. He noted that
with Army ministry now ongoing in 118 countries, steadfast commitment to and
support of that work is required.
"If we are faithful, the Lord will entrust us with new responsibilities,"
General Clifton said. "He is opening some doors for us, and we are humbled by
it. We need your prayers. There's a certain amount of risk in some of the
work we are undertaking."