In his acceptance speech  Banda said the ceremony today "is a clear testimony that for the first time the church in the country will be led by Malawians."

 

" We have come this far by faith. I and my wife Colonel Pamela Banda accept this responsibility with humility. Let me thank the President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Monica Chakwera for gracing the occasion. This will go down in history and will be appreciated by generations to come.

 

"It has taken us 53 years to attain this  status. It's been a tradition that territorial leaders were being assigned from outside the country. But now the church has confidence that we can take up the challenge and lead the church. I promise that we will lead the church with empathy, integrity and advance the church's mission of saving souls and sustaining all development project through 'Servant leadership' ," said Banda.

 

Major Robert Mtengowalira of Salvation Army pledged his allegiance to the new territorial leader so that the Church achieves its mission in the country.

 

He said: " Salvation of souls is not a man's responsibility it needs team effort and we pledge to support you."

 

The Salvation Army's  began operations in Malawi on November 13,  1967 and was granted official government recognition on  October 2, 1973, according to its website.

 

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