Three thousand people have gathered in the territorial HQ of The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea to celebrate the 50th anniversary congress.

Gathering in Boroko, The Salvation Army's General Shaw Clifton and Helen Clifton led proceedings, supported by Territorial Commander Colonel Andrew Kalai and members of the THQ staff. The Salvation Army reported that a total of 19,142 attended 12 public events over the extended weekend celebrations.

Up to 200 Salvationists joined a welcome party at the airport at 5.30am to greet the General, and an extravagant welcome included national dancers and official greetings from the Papua New Guinea government via Dame Carol Kidu, Minister for Community Development.

Traditional themes of the Papua New Guinea culture were featured throughout the gathering, and a particular highlight was the various presentations of 'prophet songs', a traditional means used by the first missionaries to tell Bible stories in the local language when people could not read.

Various activities included a men's prayer rally, as well as a "stirring testimony" by Benny Wasu, whose past included drunkenness and criminal activity, even the burning down of a nightclub.