The Salvation Army

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Jim Garrett
Email: jim_garrett@uss.salvationarmy.org
P. O. Box 2229
216 West Chestnut Street
Louisville KY 40201-2229
Office: 357-8533
Fax: 625-1189

Marilyn Markwell
Email: marilyn_markwell@uss.salvationarmy.org
P. O. Box 2229
216 West Chestnut Street
Louisville KY 40201-2229
Office: 357-8530
Fax: 625-1189

The Salvation Army

The Mission Statement

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.

The History & Structure

In 1865, William Booth, an ordained minister with the Methodist New Connexion, aided by his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group dedicated to preaching among the unchurched people living in the midst of appalling poverty in London's East End.

Booth's ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the Gospel, Booth became involved in the feeding and sheltering of the hungry and homeless and in alcohol rehabilitation.

Booth and his followers originally know as the Christian Mission, became The Salvation Army in 1878, when that organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern. Booth became ''the General'' and officers' ranks were given to his ministers.

The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. Its outreach has expanded to include 84 countries and the Gospel is preached by its officers in 114 languages.

The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army's strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, hospitals and medical facilities, shelters for battered wives and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services and drug rehabilitation.

For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into four territories: East, Central, South and West. Each territory is under the leadership of a territorial commander.

Territories are made up of smaller units known as divisions. There are 38 in the US and a divisional commander heads each. Divisions consist of corps community centers and various specialized centers. The functions of each corps include religious and social services which are adapted to local needs. Each corps is under the supervision of a commanding officer, ranging in rank from captain to major.

Salvation Army fund-raising campaigns are conducted on a local and regional basis. There is no fundraising at the national level. The most widely used practices are the traditional Christmas kettle campaign, direct mail appeals and planned giving. In most areas, The Salvation Army is also a partner with the Metro United Way.

The Salvation Army is a member of many religious and social welfare agencies and associations.

Legally, each of the four Salvation Army territories in the US functions as a tax-exempt corporation with the National Commander as president.

The Salvation Army's membership consists of adherents, soldiers and officers. Adherents are persons who consider The Salvation Army to be their place of worship. Soldiers are required to sign a declaration of faith and practice known as Articles of War and must give volunteer service to the Army. Soldiers who have served for more than six months may apply to the School for Officer's Training and enroll as cadets. The Army operates four two-year, in-residence training facilities in Suffern, NY; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; and Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Upon graduation from these schools, cadets become fully ordained ministers and receive the rank of captain.

With this religious heritage and motivation, The Salvation Army continues its unique service to all people in the name of Christ.

The Doctrines

1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

2. We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in poser and glory.

4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocence, by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and this in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

7. We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believe hath the witness in himself.

9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless into the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

11. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.