The Salvation Army Worship and Mission Centre was officially opened and dedicated by Colonel Peter Walker, Chief Secretary for the Salvation Army Southern Territory, alongside guest speakers, Alan Tudge MP, Federal Member for Aston, and Nick Wakeling MP, State Member for Ferntree Gully.
The new Centre, located at 16-18 Kingsley Place, Rowville, will be a place for worship, youth outreach, emergency services coordination and general counselling.
Welcoming the new Salvation Army Worship Centre to the Knox community, Mr Tudge commended them for their invaluable work in helping families and individuals.
“Today the Salvation Army nationally serves 80,000 meals each week and has direct contact with around 500,000 people every year. An extroadinary effort that makes a real and positive difference to the lives of others.
Mr Tudge spoke about the Salvation Army’s early beginnings in Adelaide in 1880 where at their first meeting, one of the founders John Gore said, “If there is a man who has not had a full square meal today, let him come home to tea with me”.
“It is this philosophy within the Salvation Army, that continues on today. The Salvation Army building was able to be the hub for donations and the preparation and distribution of hampers and toys to assist local people in need,” Mr Tudge said.
Mr Tudge also congratulated Cadet Judy Shaw and Lieutenant Sarah Eldridge of the Salvation Army in Rowville for their outstanding leadership of the Centre.
