The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by the Reverend William Booth, who felt called to leave his  ministry in the Methodist Church to minister to the poor in the East End of London, England. Originally called the Christian Mission, the movement was renamed The Salvation Army in 1878 when a military form of organization was adopted to facilitate its progress.

Today, The Salvation Army is one of the largest non-profit Christian humanitarian organizations in the world with permanent centers of operation in 131 countries. Founded in 1865, its objectives have remained constant and are emphasized in its purpose and mission.

Purpose of The Salvation Army
The purpose of The Salvation Army is to love God and man, preach the gospel, and express a practical concern for the needs of humanity. This is referred to as having a, “Blood and Fire” spirit for the mission of The Salvation Army.

Mission of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.


Military language, dress, and organization were adopted early on to encourage discipline, stewardship, and commitment to the mission. Members of Salvation Army congregations were called soldiers and ministers/pastors were called officers. Like military corps, local Salvation Army churches were identified as a corps and Salvation Army soldiers who were studying to become officers were referred to as cadets in training. This terminology is still in use today.


For more information, click on the following links:
The beginnings of The Salvation Army
More on The Salvation Army
Salvation Army Doctrine