The Salvation Army
Helping Others Without Discrimination
The Salvation Army: Basic Facts
The Salvation Army is a Christian denominational church and an international charitable organization structured in a quasi-military fashion. The organization reports a worldwide membership of over 1.5 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and adherents known as Salvationists. Its founders Catherine and William Booth sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs. It is present in 127 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and providing disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries.
What is the Salvation Army?
Origin of the Salvation Army
In 1865, a man named William Booth, with the help of his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group dedicated to preaching to the "unchurched" people in the slums of London, England. Booth then put these men and women to work to save others who were like them. The next year, Booth had hired 10 full-time workers, and by 1874, he had hired 1000 volunteers and 42 evangelists. Thus the creation of the Salvation Army.
Need the Salvation Army Saw
When William Booth created the Salvation Army, he saw people in need of help and in need of guidance, in which he provided this help and guidance with the teachings of Christ.
Impact of The Salvation Army
With the help of 3,600 officers, 64,000 employees, and 3.3 million volunteers, The Salvation Army has changed the lives of 30 million Americans.
Testimonials
Tom Canfield
Tom Canfield grew up in a small town in Minnesota. His parents divorced when he was little. By the time he was in high school, he found it hard to go the entire day without getting high and/or drunk. After his time in high school, he went to college and brought a new meaning to the phrase "higher learning". He was addicted to alcohol, marijuana, meth, cocaine, etc. He then graduated college and straight to work... selling drugs. A year after he graduated he got busted with 7 pounds of marijuana and 60,000 dollars worth of LSD. His parents gathered their money and got him released on bail. He promptly thanked his parents by fleeing Minnesota and changing his identity. He moved to Vermont, where he and his girlfriend made a living by growing and selling drugs. Shortly thereafter, he began to lose his sanity. He decided that enough was enough and moved back in with his mother to make an effort to become sober. He managed to stay sober for 3 years, but that attempt fell flat when he reverted back to drugs and alcohol. Soon thereafter, he got busted again. He spent 3 months in jail begging for mercy, asking to go to rehab before his sentencing. His attorney agreed. Canfield enrolled in the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center where he spent the next nine months getting sober, attending counseling and spiritual classes, developing lifelong relationships, and surrendering his life to Christ.
Salvation Army Testimonial
Salvation Army's Mission
The Salvation Army's Mission is to preach the gospel of Christ and to meet the needs of people who are in desperate need of help without discrimination.
Donuts Anyone?
It may be surprising, but there is a rich history between donuts and the Salvation Army. During the first world war, the Salvation Army Donut Lassies (aka Donut Girls) baked fresh donuts for the American soldiers fighting in France. In 1938, National Donut Day was created by the Salvation Army to honor the donut girls' kind act.