Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace prize winner and the man who kept hope alive for millions of South Africans during the apartheid era, has been announced by Church Army as its new President in the society’s 125th anniversary year.
Archbishop Tutu is the first overseas based President of the society and succeeds George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, in the role.
Mark Russell, Church Army’s Chief Executive comments; “Desmond Tutu is a true world figure and inspiration to millions of Christians as someone who lives forgiveness and grace. He is a man who is respected across people of all faiths and none and has first hand grass root experience of mission and evangelism. We are delighted to have him as our new President.”
Archbishop Tutu has set as his priority to help to raise the profile of Church Army and says, “Church Army is committed to reaching those beyond the church boundaries, and bringing the hope of the Christian gospel to the least, the last and the lost. I am pleased to do what I can to share the vision that was so clearly established back in 1882 by Wilson Carlile of helping to turn the church inside out and mobilise as many people as possible to help share the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Archbishop Tutu is only the seventh President in their 125 year history of Church Army and has made a commitment to come over to the UK during 2008 to see at first hand some of the innovative and pioneering mission work being done by some of the 330 evangelist who serve in the front-line of Church army’s work.
he announcement was warmly welcomed by Church Army members at it’s AGM and service of celebration held at St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington, London which featured a talk from the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London.