The Salvation Army in Horsham and Crawley

THE WEEKEND VISIT OF SALVATION BRASS got our anniversary year off to a great start. Our hall was packed throughout the weekend with visitors from our town and communities, and friends from other local Corps. The musicians totally gave everything of themselves throughout the weekend, and reflected their own love for Jesus Christ. Their music expressed their faith and their experience of Him, and the way in which GOD was so much a part of their life. They brought us encouragement and blessing, and beyond that much to reflect on and be challenged through. The band arrived at 12noon on the Saturday and started with practising music for that weekend. At 4.30pm we shared in a joint tea, and then an evening musical festival, which was great. Everyone very much enjoyed it - but it was beyond that. There was a very real presence of joy and peace in His Spirit, and that was clearly reflected into the lives of those gathered. Major Richard Mingay, who with his wife leads The Salvation Army community in Sutton, accompanied the band, and brought it all together with reflection and narrative. He shared words from the Scriptures and God moved through this and brought people forward to pray.

Our own MAD group took part on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, and our music groups sang throughout the Sunday. All were great contributions and we are grateful to our own people for their support in this and many other ways.

After Sunday morning worship, the band with our own people went into the local streets to invite people to come to our meeting in the afternoon, and indeed some people did. We then shared a meal together and over 90 people sat and shared in a roast turkey meal. Thank you to all involved in this.

So, our first weekend has come and gone. Thank you to everyone for making this possible, but above that, thank you to all involved in SALVATION BRASS for making this possible. Special thanks to Major Mingay, and DEAN JONES the band leader who made this weekend possible.