Salvation Army

Founded by William and Catherine Booth in 1865, the Salvation Army began as a Methodist ministry in London’s East End. From the beginning, the Booths dedicated their outreach to the city’s most vulnerable populations, preaching the Gospel to people experiencing poverty or homelessness, those affected by alcohol addiction, individuals with criminal records and sex workers. Believing that spiritual health relies on physical well-being, the Booths also offered material support to their growing congregation, operating soup kitchens and distributing clothing and other necessities. As William Booth famously remarked: “You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.”

The Booths’ ministry quickly attracted new converts to the Christian faith. Within a decade, the organization had gained more than 1,000 recruits – led by General William and the mission’s Army Mother, Catherine. Calling themselves Salvationists, the soldiers fanned out across London, preaching and singing the ministry’s evangelical message. In 1878, the Booths renamed the organization the Salvation Army.

Although the ministry’s soldiers encountered frequent harassment -- and occasional legal prosecution – in their proselytizing efforts, the organization continued to expand rapidly. In 1880, the Salvation Army established its first mission in the United States; other branches soon emerged in Canada, India, South Africa and across Europe. Between 1881 and 1885, the mission added more than 250,000 members to its ranks.

The Salvation Army annual holiday campaign originated in 1891, when a member in Oakland, California, used a red kettle to collect donations for a Christmas dinner. By decade’s end the fundraising method had spread across the United States, and the red kettle soon became an internationally recognizable symbol.

Over the years, the Salvation Army’s evangelical beliefs have alienated some social activists. The mission staunchly opposes abortion and has campaigned against the repeal of anti-LGBTQ laws. Spokespeople for the organization have countered criticism by asserting that it provides services to all people who need them and does not discriminate against any particular group.

Despite these controversies, the Salvation Army exerts a profound impact on the global philanthropic landscape. The mission has grown into one of the largest nonprofits in the world, with a vast network of schools, hospitals, shelters, rehabilitation centers and other community resources spread across six continents. In applying Christian ideals to modern charity, the Salvation Army has built a model of giving that is both durable and sustainable.

Contributor: Stephen Meyer