A congress, open to all, will take place from May 20 to 24 in Brussels and Paris. While the mission of the international movement remains unchanged, the means to achieve it are evolving. The various events scheduled in the context of the territorial congress France-Belgium will allow participants to discover how the teams of the Salvation Army work to help the less fortunate. We spoke with Joël Etcheverry, Chief Secretary of the France and Belgium Territory of the Salvation Army.
The territorial congress France-Belgium will be held in a few days. Why this union between France and Belgium?
The Salvation Army is present in 134 countries. However, in terms of management and operations, it functions by country or by territories of two or three countries. It can also involve parts of countries. A staff manages operations in France and Belgium. The territory leader, in France, is the couple Jacques and Claude-Evelyne Donzé. The colonel presides over the foundation and is also the superior of the congregation. Belgium follows the same model, but with different statutes. In France, the foundation that intervenes in the social and medico-social field is much more well-known. But there is also a congregation that takes care of all the worship-related aspects.
How often does the congress take place? Why is its significance important?
It is held 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 facilities and the volunteers of the Salvation Army. It is a rare opportunity for the collaborators and beneficiaries of the territory to come together. It is the primary objective of the congress. It also serves to nurture or strengthen a sense of belonging.
In this regard, opening the congress to the public allows us to present our ecclesial and social partners our objectives and the main guidelines that will guide the Salvation Army in the coming years.
Have these main 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 to convey it.
Regarding this, the opening of the congress to the public allows us to present our ecclesial and social partners our objectives and the main guidelines that will guide the Salvation Army in the coming years.
