Seven hundred tickets have already been sold for The Salvation Army's celebration 'The Main Event' at Cressing Temple in Essex this weekend.

The Christian event will include music, guest speakers, magic, youth and children's activities and a hog roast.

Six Salvation Army choirs and five brass bands from across Essex and Hertfordshire will be leading worship, and an extensive children's programme will include crafts, puppets, singing, fun and games and a visit by the cartoon character Patch the Dog, the mascot of The Salvation Army's weekly kids comic Kids Alive!

Speakers during the weekend will include 'Tough Talk', a group of former East End 'hard men', who now talk about their Christian faith, do weightlifting, and invite members of the audience to lift weights themselves. In his seminar, the Rev Carl Beech will be asking 'Why has the Church turned off men?'

The Salvation Army's Emergency Services Co-ordinator, Major Muriel McClenahan OBE, will also be at The Main Event.

The Main Event is the first such gathering in the region for Salvation Army members and people who have regular contact with the church and charity, including those who attend Salvation Army church services or clubs and social groups run by the organisation.

The Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in the region, Major Mike Highton, said:

'We're looking forward to hundreds of people coming; anyone who wants to find out more about The Salvation Army is welcome to attend The Main Event'.

More information about 'The Main Event' is available by calling 01245 383000, or by visiting www.salvationarmy.org.uk.




[Re-printed in Christian Today with the kind permission of The Salvation Army]