Date Founded: 1865 in England, established in the U.S. in 1880
Membership/Number of Clergy: 450,000/5,237 as of 2010
Headquarters: 615 Slaters Ln., Alexandria, VA 22313
Schools & Seminaries: College for Officer Training-New York, College for Officer Training-Central, Evangeline Booth College, College For Officer Training At Crestmont
Publications: War Cry, Young Salvationist,
Website: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter
Core Beliefs: They have eleven Articles of Faith
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 power and glory.
- 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.
- We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocence, but by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall, all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
- We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.
- We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
- We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
- 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 unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the immortality of the soul, 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.
Short History: Founded by evangelist William Booth in London, England. He worked in the poorest parts of London bringing people to Christ and trying to match them with churches to attend. The churches often would not accept these new members and Booth continued to minister to them. The movement grew and was unofficially known as the Hallelujah Army. Booth coined the phrase Salvation Army, and the members became known as Salvationists. The movement came to America in 1880 with the arrival of 8 members of an official delegation to New York City, although a female member had held meetings in Philadelphia the prior year.
The Salvation Army is run under a paramilitary structure with the head being an elected General and other members holding ranks akin to a regular army. The organization in the U.S. is headed by a National Commander, officers are administrators and ministers, and lay members are called soldiers. "Salvation Army officers must devote full time to Army work. An officer who marries must marry another Salvation Army officer or leave his or her officer status. Married captains and majors will individually carry the rank applicable to their own length of service, not that of their spouse. In case of married officers, the conferred ranks of lieutenant colonel, colonel and commissioner will be held jointly. As ordained ministers of the gospel, they are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, funeral services, and infant dedications. They also provide counseling and consolation to the bereaved."
"Soldiers abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, and tobacco. Trained and qualified soldiers are appointed as "local officers." This corresponds to a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces. Other members of the congregation are adherents who participate in church activities but have not signed on as soldiers. Adherents may take on some lay responsibilities, such as teaching Sunday School classes."
Local Churches: There are three Corp Community Centers (churches) in Louisville and one in New Albany. The closest one to campus is the Sanders Mission Corps, 911 South Brook Street, Louisville, KY 40203. Use the Find a Location search box on any page of the main website to find other Corps locations.
