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.
Since its beginning, the goal of The Salvation Army has been to provide a spiritual foundation from which people could begin to build new lives. Only in that way can the cycle of crippling despair be broken. The Salvation Army's primary purpose is to bring all those within its sphere of influence to a relationship with God.
Today, all across the Territory, in corps community centers, social service programs, disaster relief efforts that focus on providing not just temporary help, but psychological, social and, most importantly, spiritual aid to those in need.... The Salvation Army offers the kind of help that makes a lasting difference.
The Salvation Army (called The Christian Mission until 1878) began as a ministry to the unchurched in 1865, when a Methodist minister named William Booth began to preach in the slums of London's East End.
When converts from these meetings were sent to established churches, they felt ill at ease. It was for these people that Booth established The Christian Mission. The Christian Mission grew beyond all expectations. The name The Salvation Army was adopted and a military form of government was established, with uniforms and other distinctive features. Military terms have been used throughout the years to designate ranks of officers and to describe the activities of the organization.
In order to attract the multitudes who would not enter a place of worship, the Army organized street meetings and marches with flags, brass bands and religious songs set to secular tunes.
Those who become soldiers (members) are required to acknowledge Jesus Christ as personal Savior from sin, and to exhibit a sense of responsibility to win others to the Christian faith.
The Salvation Army now operates in over 100 countries where it maintains religious and social service centers, schools and hospitals. Officers and soldiers preach the gospel in 136 languages (not including dialects).
Salvation Army officers are soldiers who have made a commitment to serve God and man full-time through the medium of The Salvation Army. Today's officers are required to undergo an intensive period of training for two years in Salvation Army Schools/Colleges for Officer Training located throughout the world. The Eastern Territorial School for Officer Training is located in Suffern, New York.
Women receive the same training as men and are commissioned (graduate) to positions equal to that of men. Officers may marry only other officers.
At the time of commissioning, the rank of Lieutenant is bestowed on those who have successfully completed the two years of training. After a prescribed period of service, they are promoted to the ranks of Captain and Major. The ranks of Lt.-Colonel, Colonel, and Commissioner are bestowed in recognition of the area of responsibility carried by the officer. The international leader of The Salvation Army is elected to office and holds the rank of General. All Salvation Army officers are ordained ministers.
The International Headquarters of The Salvation Army is located in London, England. This office is responsible for the administration of Salvation Army services throughout the world.
In the United States, the National Headquarters located in Alexandria, Virginia, coordinates Salvation Army services for the entire country under the leadership of the National Commander.
For administrative purposes, The Salvation Army divides the United States into four geographic Territories, each directed by a Territorial Commander, who usually holds the rank of Commissioner and is responsible to the General. The second in command of each Territory is titled the Chief Secretary.
Three other officers direct the three main sections of The Salvation Army administration: Personnel, Business and Program. Each of these sections has Departments and Bureaus under it.
Headquarters for the United States' Territories are located in: West Nyack, New York (East); Des Plaines, Illinois (Central); Atlanta, Georgia (South) and Rancho Palos Verdes, California (West).
Territories are divided into Divisions, each with its own Divisional Headquarters and its own administrator titled the Divisional Commander. Each Division is comprised of a number of Corps Community Centers and certain other Salvation Army institutions and programs, such as summer camps, youth clubs, day care centers, correctional programs, emergency disaster services, etc.
Separate from the Divisional Administration and located in key cities are Adult Rehabilitation Centers under the direction of the Territorial Adult Rehabilitation Centers Commander. The centers offer a resident substance abuse and work therapy program for men and women.
Moberly's Salvation Army Location
Missouri Regional Headquarters