General Shaw Clifton announced that the Army has added the Arabic Gulf State of Kuwait to its list of nations in the Army world.

According to the official bulletin issued by International Headquarters, this decision was reached following intensive research and visits to the country in 2007 by Colonel Dick Krommenhoek, the General’s representative for global evangelization, and Commissioner Lalkiamlova, the international secretary for South Asia.

The General has appointed Majors Michael and Teresa Hawley, officers of the USA Southern Territory, to lead the Army in this bold step of faith.

Within Kuwait, authorities officially recognize three principal churches—Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Coptic—and provide three separate compounds for these groups to conduct worship, teach, and preach.

The Army will be located in the Protestant compound, which is officially known as the National Evangelical Church of Kuwait. Within the compound, the Army has been allocated accommodation for meetings, administration, and a residence for the officers.

Among the large immigrant population, estimates are that there could be up to 350 Salvationists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka who could join together for worship and other activities.

The leaders of the Protestant compound believe The Salvation Army can add an important dimension to the development of the Church in Kuwait.

All Salvationists are encouraged to pray for this new venture, which is within the “10/40 window,” a geographic band around the earth that includes the largest number of people who have not heard the Gospel. “Pray for Majors Michael and Teresa Hawley and other officers who may join them in the future,” wrote General Clifton.