Being a Sunday morning, the ten lane grand prix track outside our hotel was a little quieter than normal as the band gathered for the bus. This morning’s destination was the Jang Chung Gymnasium for the united Sunday service and the bus trip only took 10 minutes. The Gymnasium was set out with the approximately 7000 capacity seating looking down on a circular centerpiece stage. By the time the meeting began, it was packed well over capacity, with many people having to sit on the floor around the stage and in the aisles.

The MSB began proceeding with a musical prelude of ‘Amazing Love’ and ‘Saviour Like A Shepherd’ before the Korean Staff Band played ‘Lord, with my all I part’. The Korean group ‘Sally’ then led the congregation in a time of praise and worship singing, which consisted of a band, singers and dancers.

The MSB had an important role to play in this meeting by presenting Leslie Condon’s ‘Faith Reborn’. This piece tells the story of the Koreans who were marched out of a Salvation Army Boys Home by the communists during the Korean War, never to be seen again. It was a strong reminder of the type of hardships the people of this territory have had to endure during their 100 years of service. The band was accompanied by dance and movement to help paint the picture more vividly.

General Shaw Clifton and his wife Helen Clifton were warmly welcomed by marching out on to stage, followed by the flag of each division in the Korean territory. Officers from overseas who had previously served in the territory were then marched out behind the flag of their country of origin and these included Australia, Great Britain, Sweden, Russia, Zimbabwe, and the USA. A centennial song was sung by the congregation and a massed chorus presented ‘Storm the Forts’, accompanied by the Korean Staff Band.

In his message, General Clifton spoke of the holy courage displayed by so many Korean Salvationists over the past 100 years and the need to continue to do so, comparing it to the holy courage David had in his battle with Goliath. He also spoke of the need to be the people God called us to be, not to try to be someone else and that God always supplies us with more than we need, just as David had 5 stones, although he only needed one. The response was quite amazing, as people of all ages filled the centre stage to pray and dedicate their lives to God. In difference to what we are usually used to in Australia, most of the prayers were said out loud, so a huge noise soon filled the hall.

To finish the meeting, two Korean officers were presented to the General and congregation as they were being sent to start the Salvation Army’s work in Mongolia. Many people again spoke prayers of protection and courage for these officers, before Retired General Paul Rader closed.

Lunch was back near our hotel at MadDogs restaurant and opposite the Seoul Plaza where the rest of the day’s activities would be held. We joined with the Box Hill Big Band, the Korean Staff Band, and the international officers here. Our afternoon concert at the plaza coincided with a march by the Korean Salvationists around the city.

That evening was the climax to the week’s events, which was a Peace Concert held under the night sky and a large crowd gathered on the grass. The plaza was right in the middle of Seoul so it was a great opportunity for the Salvation Army to contact with people walking around the streets. They had also set up stalls promoting the Army’s work.

The Box Hill Big Band kicked off proceedings and the MSB were pleased to be able to listen to them for the first time that week. A Korean tv newsreader and personality was compere for the night and the night included some excellent performances from a couple of singing groups from outside the Salvation Army. A highlight for the MSB was listening to the HandBit Blind Brass Band, who performed at a very high standard. A fantastic kit player and earpieces connected to the conductor helped them keep time.

After a couple of numbers from the Korean Staff Band, the MSB came on stage to play Mark Bearcroft’s composition for the week’s celebration, ‘Korea Centennial’, which was very well received by the large crowd in attendance. We then joined with the blind band to play the march ‘South Coast’, before presenting ‘Almighty’ ourselves. A large group of young brass musicians from around the Korea territory joined with the two staff bands to play ‘Walking with Him’ and ‘Peace for our Land’. The finale had the MSB combining with one of the singing groups and a children’s choir for the song ‘A Beautiful World’. A wonderful night of music making had proved to be a fitting ending for a week of celebration of 100 years of faithful service by the people of Korea.