The Salvation Army USA / National Headquarters

Summary

The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals. The structure of The Salvation Army is worldwide in scope. The International Headquarters establishes general policies and is located in London, England. In the United States, the functions of The Salvation Army are coordinated under the direction of a National Commander. The financial information for this profile includes the programs and operations of The Salvation Army National Corporation (National Headquarters) only. National Headquarters provides administrative services to four Territorial Headquarters (Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Territories) of The Salvation Army in the United States. In the United States, The Salvation Army also comprises of a sixth major organization: "Salvation Army World Service Office" (SAWSO). SAWSO promotes community-based initiatives that improve living conditions and increase skills in poor communities. William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.

Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Salvation Army is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability(ECFA).

Contact Information: [ Back to top ]

Organization Details [ Back to top ]

Purpose [ Back to top ]

The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals.

The structure of The Salvation Army is worldwide in scope. The International Headquarters establishes general policies and is located in London, England. In the United States, the functions of The Salvation Army are coordinated under the direction of a National Commander. Headquarters are located in Alexandria, Virginia. The financial information for this profile includes the programs and operations of The Salvation Army National Corporation (National Headquarters) only.

National Headquarters provides administrative services to four Territorial Headquarters (Territories) of The Salvation Army in the United States. In the United States, The Salvation Army also comprises of a sixth major organization: "Salvation Army World Service Office" (SAWSO). SAWSO promotes community-based initiatives that improve living conditions and increase skills in poor communities, focusing on four areas: (1) Village-based health care projects (including HIV/AIDS) providing education and treatment; (2) Community development programs provide counseling, literacy education, leadership development, elderly programs, and women's support groups; (3) Income generation program includes skills training and small loan programs; and (4) Relief and reconstruction aid is provided to those affected by disasters.

For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into four territories:
West, with headquarters in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Central, with headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois.
East, with headquarters in West Nyack, New York.
South, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Territories are made up of smaller units known as divisions. There are 40 in the United States and each is headed by a divisional commander. Divisions are made up of corps community centers. The functions of each corps include religious and social services that are adapted to local needs. Each corps is under the supervision of a commanding officer who is responsible for the administration of Army services in his or her command.

Nationwide uniformity of policy is the responsibility of the Commissioners’ Conference whose membership includes the national commander, the four territorial commanders, the national chief secretary and the four territorial chief secretaries. Standing commissions study Salvation Army programs and procedures and then make recommendations to the Commissioner’s Conference.

Advisory organizations comprised of lay business people and civic leaders perform a valuable service by providing advice, support, and acting as liaison between The Salvation Army and the community. A National Advisory Board of prominent Americans makes its recommendations to the Commissioners’ Conference.

The Salvation Army is a member of many religious and social welfare agencies and associations. Legally, each of the four Salvation Army territories in the United States functions as a tax-exempt corporation with the national commander as president.

William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.

Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Salvation Army is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability(ECFA).

Mission Statement [ Back to top ]

The Salvation Army expresses its mission statement as follows:

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.

Program Accomplishments [ Back to top ]

Statistical Highlights for fiscal year ended September 30,2002

Centers of Operation:

Corps 1,355
Outposts and Service Center 15
Rehabilitation Centers 162
Thrift Stores 1,697
Community Centers & Clubs 351
Day-Care Centers 212
Senior Citizen Centers 327
Group Homes/Temporary Housing 554
Permanent Residences 90
Medical Facilities 55
Service Units 3,784
Camps 51
Other 478
Total Centers of Operations 9,314

Personnel:

Officers 5,450
Cadets 328
Soldiers 118,270
Members 472,871
Employees 46,145
Volunteers 4,670,450
Advisory Organization Members 63,592

Group Meeting Attendance:

Outdoor Meetings 338,531
Sunday School 2,859,147
Sunday Meetings 5,612,828
Weekday Public Meetings 2,326,868
Soldier Development 641,155
Group Activities 12,256,251
Music Organizations 905,565
Other 6,967,201
Total Group Meeting Attendance 31,957,541

People Served:

Basic Social Services 21,626,320
Holiday Assistance 5,897,922
Summer & Day Camps 186,467
Disaster Assistance 5,733,394
Persons Visited in Institution 4,322,527
Job Referrals 61,837
Correctional Services 488,589
Community Centers 1,199,891
Day-Care Persons Served 58,897
Activities for Senior Citizens 514,897
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation 220,111
Persons served in Salvation Army Insti. 1,132,872
Medical Care 83,491
Institutional Care 4,322,527
Missing Persons 209,104
Total Persons Assisted 42,250,740

Services:

Meals Served 60,620,697
Lodgings Supplied 10,246,371
Welfare Orders--Cash Grants 6,286,202

Statement of Faith [ Back to top ]

The Salvation Army expresses its statement of faith as follows:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost who are undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

4. 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.

5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency. 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.

6. 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.

7. We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.

8. 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.

9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

10. 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.

11. We believe in the immortality of the soul, in 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.

History [ Back to top ]

In 1865, William Booth, an ordained minister with the Methodist New Connection, along with his wife Catherine, formed an evangelical group which preached to unchurched people living in appalling poverty within London's East End.

Booth's ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the Gospel, Booth became involved in the feeding and shelter of the hungry and homeless and in alcohol rehabilitation.

Booth's ministry, originally known as the Christian Mission, became The Salvation Army in 1878 when that organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern. Booth became "the General" and officers' ranks were given to ministers.

The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. Its outreach has been expanded to include 103 countries and the Gospel is preached by its officers and soldiers in 160 languages.

The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army's strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs have been established. Among these are disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for senior citizens, hospitals and medical facilities, shelters for battered wives and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correctional services, and drug rehabilitation.

Ministry Needs [ Back to top ]

This organization has not offered MinistryWatch.com with specific needs to be posted on the profile. At such a time that MinistryWatch.com receives a response from the ministry, it will be posted immediately.

Research Analysis

Transparency Grade [ Back to top ]

MinistryWatch.com 5 Star Financial Efficiency Ratings [ Back to top ]

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