Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organization.

It is closely aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The organization functions as a global provider of social services. It aims to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of people. This means they provide food and shelter alongside religious guidance. They have an official presence in 133 different countries.

The group reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million people. These members are known collectively as salvationists. This group includes soldiers, officers, and adherents.

The organization follows a unique structure inspired by the military.

This pseudo-military system was introduced by the founder. It remains a core part of their tradition today. Because of this, leaders use titles like lieutenant, captain, or major. The ministers are specifically called officers.

Officers often wear white uniform dress shirts. These shirts feature color-coded epaulettes, which are ornamental shoulder pieces. The epaulettes have a white letter "S" embroidered on them. Officers receive what are called "marching orders." These orders direct them to new ministries or posts. This reassignment usually happens every two to five years. Such moves can involve traveling great distances to serve new communities.

Salvation Army theology is rooted in Methodism and the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition.

They use the Bible as their sacred text. Their belief system is built upon eleven specific doctrines. For example, they believe in the Holy Trinity. This is the idea of one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. They also believe that Jesus Christ is both divine and human. A distinctive feature of their practice is that they do not observe sacraments. This means they do not perform rituals like Baptism or Holy Communion. Instead, they emphasize the "New Birth" and "entire sanctification." These are considered the first and second works of grace.

In their churches, known as corps, there are special features for worship.

One such feature is the mercy seat. This is a focal point in a citadel or corps building. It symbolizes God's call to His people. It provides a place for people to kneel in prayer and communion. Worship services include singing hymns and reading scripture. A sermon based on the Bible is also given. A collection, sometimes called "Tithes and Offerings," is held during the service. Members who want to become official soldiers must sign the Soldier's Covenant. This document serves as the creed of the Salvation Army.

The history of the organization began in London, England.

It was founded in 1865 by William Booth and his wife, Catherine. They originally started the group as the "East London Christian Mission." They can trace their early origins to the Blind Beggar Tavern. In 1878, William Booth reorganized the mission. He became the first "general" of the organization. This reorganization led to the military-style structure used today. The organization has grown from a local mission into a massive global entity. It continues to be led by an international leader and CEO.

The Salvation Army is a massive provider of humanitarian aid.

In the United States, it is the largest non-government provider of social services. It is also the sixth largest charity in the U.S. In 2024, the organization reported a total revenue of $4.78 billion. In 2022, its operating costs were US$3.6 billion. These funds help them assist more than 32 million people in the U.S. alone. Globally, they run many different facilities. These include homeless shelters, food pantries, and disaster relief programs. They also establish refugee camps to help displaced people in Africa.

Many practical programs help people in different stages of life.

One major part of their work is the network of thrift stores. In the UK, people call them "Sally Army" shops. In Canada and the U.S., they are known as "the Sally Ann." These stores sell donated clothing, toys, and housewares. The money raised goes toward rehabilitation programs. They also operate Adult Rehabilitation Centres (ARCs).

In an ARC, people commit to a six-month program to combat addiction. They participate in "work therapy" by working in warehouses or stores. This work helps them prepare for life after rehabilitation. Through these many different methods, the organization seeks to do the most good.