The Salvation Army: History and Beginnings

The Salvation Army traces its colorful beginnings from July 2, 1865, when a Methodist minister started work in East London that would spawn a massive movement before the 19th century ends. Founder William Booth preached the Gospel to the poor, and by 1867, the ministry had been offering reading rooms, basic schooling, soup kitchens, penny banks, and relief aid to the needy and underprivileged.

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Booth and his wife, Catherine, trained evangelists throughout England, and within a decade, their organization had more than 1,000 volunteers and evangelists. Among their first converts to Christianity were thieves, prostitutes, drunkards, and gamblers, and soon they were preaching the Word of God on the streets. Here, women were also given ranks equal with men as the couple launched their programs into London’s more destitute neighborhoods.
In 1878, Booth was looking at a printer’s proof that referred to their group Christian Mission as a “volunteer army.” He was quick to change it into Salvation Army, proclaimed in succeeding meetings as such. The Salvation Army responded to a call from America in early 1880, followed by the call to commence operations in Australia.
From there, it has grown into an international evangelical movement with an array of social services, now based in 106 countries and reaching 160 languages. The Salvation Army provides not only different forms of support to the poor and disenfranchised, but also offers spiritual counsel and a sense of community to them regardless of their race, creed, or conviction.

Image source: SalvationArmyNorth.org

A car dealership owner, Robert Bassam is a staunch supporter of Salvation Army as well as other organizations. Learn more about his passion for philanthropy on this blog.

Volunteering Since 1865: a Brief History Of The Salvation Army

Image source: salvationarmyaustin.org

During the middle of the 19th century, Christian minister William Booth ministered to people in an unconventional manner – by stepping away from the pulpit and out of the four walls of the church. He took the message of the Gospel to the streets of London and throughout England as an independent traveling evangelist.

In 1865, Booth was asked to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings in London’s East End. That year, his time as a wandering minister came to an end as the success of the event allowed Booth and his wife, Catherine, to start the Christian Mission, which would later become known as The Salvation Army.

Booth modeled the organization after the British military to make sure that they emulate the efficiency by which the army was known back then. The group even designed its own flag, created hymns, wore military-like uniforms, and labeled leaders and members with “ranks.”

Image source: ctri.salvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army had an organized approach to reaching out to the most forsaken neighborhoods in London. Booth summarized it with “first, soup; second, soap; and finally, salvation.” The organization would set up soup kitchens to feed the destitute, then provide them physical and spiritual assistance.

About 15 years later, the organization branched out to three other countries, namely, Australia, Ireland, and the U.S. And 150 years, The Salvation Army has become one of the largest international charitable organization in the world, with over 1.5 million members from 127 countries, who are also known as Salvationists.

Robert Bassam has contributed to many charitable organizations, including the Prince George’s Salvation Army. Check this website to read more about his philanthropic works.