More than 25,000 people from all around the world gathered in Toronto, Canada, from 13-18 August, 2006, to attend the international conference on HIV/Aids.
Among the Salvationist delegates was a group led by Dr Ian Campbell, the Army's International Health Programme Consultant. Its members were drawn from regional facilitation teams as well as from International Headquarters in London, England, and SAWSO (Salvation Army World Services Organization) in the USA. This group held an awareness session Wednesday, 16 August, in the community room of The Salvation Army's Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor. Those present included the Territorial Commander, Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan, Retired General and Mrs Bram Tillsley, Ontario Central Divisional Commander, Lt-Col Don Copple, other divisional and territorial staff, and registered guests.
Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan introduced Dr Ian Campbell as someone who had not only challenged the Army to develop its worldwide mission but had also challenged her to develop herself, and invited those present to welcome him as someone who would do the same for them.
Dr Campbell spoke about the ways in which Salvationists are helping those who live with Aids, as well as their families and communities, through an approach known as 'community capacity development' (although he stated that he now prefers to say 'human capacity development'). No soft option, community capacity development through integrated mission calls for those who engage in it to walk alongside the suffering, learn from them their hopes and dreams, and become channels of the grace that will empower them. Dr Campbell spoke of the God of Grace, recognized by all adherents of the great faiths of the world - Hindu, Muslim and Christian alike, and said that such engagement leads into a journey of encounter into a God of Grace: one that resonates with the person of Christ. He went on to say that the Holy Spirit is a guiding presence, leading people to make healthy choices in their lives. (His entire presentation may be heard here.)
Others told of the growing influence that The Salvation Army has among the victims of Aids and their communities in various parts of the world. Ricardo Walters (Capetown, South Africa) spoke about sub-Saharan and Southern Africa; Major Martha Morales (Chile) of integrated mission in Latin America. Jerry Mua (Papua New Guinea) described the Asia Pacific region's facilitation team and its expanding sphere, as did Matthew Campbell (Melbourne, Australia), with a special emphasis on young people. Alison Rader Campbell spoke about Europe, especially advances made in Scandinavia and the Eastern Europe Territory, while Bram Bailey (SAWSO) added his observations of post-tsunami community capacity development in India, where he has recently travelled. All spoke with optimism and hope, describing ways in which The Salvation Army is enabling people to discover and develop the capacity they have within themselves to heal, and move beyond disaster and destruction to hope and life-affirming faith.
In thanking Dr Campbell and his associates, Lt-Col Copple said that they had allowed the Holy Spirit to 'reinvent their Salvationism' and prayed that Holy Spirit would lead us all into lives that He had reinvented for us wherever we live.
(left) Commissioner M. Christine MacMillan in conversation with Dr. Ian Campbell, the Army's International Health Programme Consultant (right) Major Martha Morales (Chile) speaks to her break-out group, which included Mrs General Tillsley