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www.thearmynext.org
by Geir Engøy –
Expected to be the largest Army congress ever, more than 15,000 Salvationists will gather in Atlanta, Ga., next year for the International Millennial Congress.
Under the theme “The Army Next,” delegates from every territory and command will come together from June 28–July 2, 2000 to celebrate who they are in Christ and where the Army is headed in the new millennium.
To ensure a hotel room, delegates should register between January 15 and June 15, 1999.
Who may attend: Representative delegates are any officers (with approved vacation time) or soldiers who are willing to pay their own expenses. Appointed delegates will already know who they are.
Why?: As an Army, we want glorify God and expand his kingdom as we move into the 21st century. In order to best accomplish this, General Paul A. Rader has set five goals for the Congress: 1. Worship (Joshua 3:5) 2. Proclaim (Acts 2:6) 3. Inspire (Ephesians 4: 12) 4. Recruit (Zech. 2:10-11) 5. Celebrate (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Registration: Inquiries and registration should be made through normal Army channels. Early bird registration fees are $55 before July 1, 1999, and $60 after. (Remember, for the best hotel selection, register between January 15 and June 15, 1999.)
Lodging: The Army has booked room-blocks at several centrally located Atlanta hotels until June 15, 1999. Ranging in price from $84 to $122 per double room, the hotels allotted to the Western Territory are: the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express. After June 15, it will be “open season,” but there is also the risk being left with fewer hotel choices or no hotel at all.
Meetings: All meetings and activities will take place in or near the new Atlanta Arena which is currently being built to house the NBA Atlanta Hawks and the NHL expansion Atlanta Thrashers. Completion is scheduled for September, 1999. The arena is adjacent to the CNN center and directly across the street from the Georgia World Congress Center, which will also house Congress activities. Centennial Olympic Park, site of open air concerts and presentations on Congress Saturday, is located one block away.
Day Care: A professional day care center will be available throughout the Congress for children 6 months to 6 years of age. The early bird registration fee is $75 before July 1, 1999, and $80 after. Please note that you must pre-register for child care service. Concurrent programs for Junior soldiers will be offered throughout the congress.
Transportation: All registered delegates will receive a special Millennial Congress MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) pass good for unlimited travel for the duration of the congress. MARTA will provide extra trains and easily identifiable personnel to assist Congress attendees’ travel between Atlanta International Airport, hotels, and Congress venues.
Media: All Congress events will be webcast over the Christian Internet Television and Radio Network (CIRnet/CITV) at www.citv.com.
Translations: Although the entire Congress will be conducted in English, all major sessions will be translated for non-English speaking Salvationists.
Music: Traditional Army songs and brass band music performed by some of the Army’s premiere bands will be featured along with concerts showcasing current contemporary Christian artists. The international flavor of the Congress will also be recognized by musical performances of Army groups from outside the western world.
Post Congress Activities: For the energy of the congress to carry through beyond the official dates, post-Congress mission teams (for young people) will fan out across the USA Territories and in visiting countries. Post-Congress sightseeing tours are also being offered to a variety of destinations including: Orlando, Florida; New York; The Holy Land, and other places.
Upon registration, delegates will received a detailed congress information packet. For additional information, you can log onto the Congress website at www.thearmynext.org.
