The Salvation Army Poland will officially launch on Sept. 24-25 to become the 111th country where the 140-year old Salvation Army International Movement is at work.

"We aim to build an Army of dedicated Salvationists, ready to move out to save souls, grow saints, and serve suffering humanity," said Major Herve Cachelin from the international headquarters in London in a statement on Sept. 22.

The installation of Captain Andrei and Olga Iniutocichin, who are newly commissioned to take charge of Salvation Army Poland, will be held during the grand opening ceremony this weekend. The first Polish soldiers are also to be enrolled on Sunday afternoon’s ceremony, according to the statement by the Salvation Army International.

Open-air meetings will be held in the capital Warsaw to attract maximum number of people.

In the run up to the opening ceremony, Colonel Vibeke Krommenhoek from France, who will support the new Polish Captains under the direction of International Headquarters, revealed the special significance of the inauguration date.

"Haggai 2:18 says that on the 24th day of the ninth month, the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. By coincidence – or not – that is the date our inauguration weekend will start," Krommenhoek said, according to the Salvation Army statement.

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Salvation Army Poland, in the statement, expressed its hope to maintain close ecumenical relationships with local churches, which have also been invited to attend the event.

"The First Baptist Church has already been very hospitable," said Major Cachelin. "The captains will be living in part of its centre and have already preached at the church, where they presented the project to the congregation."

Colonel Krommenhoek urged for prayer support by Salvationists. Specifically, she asked to pray for an encouraging start to the captains’ ministry, that the first Polish soldiers will feel their desire to serve the Lord in the Army confirmed, for the street ministry to be effective, that many young people will participate in the gospel choir and be challenged by the Salvationists’ witness, and that people will be won for Christ as God is glorified.

Many Salvationists from overseas have been invited to attend the opening event, including Exeter Band from the United Kingdom Territory will be present.

According to Salvation Army International, work in Poland has been established as a result of aid work carried out over many years by Exeter Salvationist Brian Hart.