The world's second largest provider of social aid welcomed its new international leaders Wednesday to their first day at its headquarters in London.

On “a day of new beginnings,” General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton arrived at The Salvation Army's International Headquarters (IHQ) after the evangelical organisation’s former international leaders, retired General John Larsson and Commissioner Freda Larsson, stepped down from their positions over the weekend. Upon the Larssons’ retirement at midnight on Apr. 1, 2006 – the date of the general’s 68th birthday - Shaw Clifton became the 18th general of The Salvation Army.

After being greeted by the IHQ Commissioners, representatives from the various headquarters departments and a group of officer-cadets, General Clifton admitted that he felt “a little strange” to have moved from being General-elect to actually taking up his new role, according to The Salvation Army. The organisation's 2006 High Council had elected the former territorial commander for the United Kingdom and Ireland to be the organisation’s next general on Jan. 28, 2006 – the ninth day of the High Council’s election meeting.

Clifton described the transition as “not a little daunting” and told his listeners that he needed their love, their prayers and their patience.