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What do you know about The Salvation Army?

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*Research by nfpSynergy, May 2009

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‘The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love.’ The Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:13

The Salvation Army is…• a Christian church which strongly believes in

putting its beliefs into action.• a registered charity.• the largest and most diverse provider of social

care in the UK and Ireland (after the government).

The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement

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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.

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Faith and The Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is a Christian church which strongly believes in putting faith into action. Everything The Salvation Army does is motivated by faith in God, and inspired by the message and example of Jesus.

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Churches• 700 Salvation Army churches in the UK and Ireland.• Over 15,000 in the world.• Protestant denomination. • Similar to Methodist Church but

with some unique military-style features.

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• Most Salvation Army churches are also community centres.

• Support and activities include lunch clubs for older people, parent-and-toddler groups and kids and youth clubs.

Churches

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• Worship services take place on Sundays.• Everyone is welcome.• Services can include singing, listening to

music, Bible readings and teaching, prayers, dance and drama.

• There is no set liturgy - worship can vary from church to church.

Worship

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• Similar to other mainstream Christian Churches –doctrines (statements of faith) are based on the Methodist ones.

• Strong focus on putting faith into action and on the Bible as the basis of faith.

• Belief that everyone is valuable because they are created and loved by God.

Beliefs

Hope and The Salvation Army

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Part of The Salvation Army’s mission is to try to bring hope to people and to communities. Members of The Salvation Army believe in working to make this world a better place and giving everyone a chance to live life to the full.

Support for children and families• Parent-and-toddler groups,

nurseries, parenting classes.• Breakfast clubs and after-school

clubs. • Family rehabilitation centres.• Safe houses.• Family Tracing Service.

Work with young people• Street work - reaching young people

at risk of falling into prostitution, drugs and crime.

• Youth clubs, drop-in centres and holiday schemes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-income families.

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• Biggest provider of services to homeless people in UK & Ireland.

• More than just food and shelter. • Purpose and relationships are key.• Provide training in life skills, and

support with gaining qualifications and finding work.

Tackling homelessness

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• 97 Homeless Projects including:• 58 Single Homeless Residential centres.• 11 Families and Young People centres. • 11 Day/Outreach services.• 3,500 people stay with The Salvation

Army each night.

Tackling homelessness

Hope in communities

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• Living and working in poor areas and helping to transform communities.

• Running youth clubs and mentoring programmes for young people.

International work

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• The Salvation Army works in more than 120 countries.

• Helping people to find ways out of poverty.

• Disaster relief and rehabilitation.• Fighting against human trafficking and other forms of injustice.

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Love and The Salvation ArmyMembers of The Salvation Army believe the most important thing they should do is to love God and love others, especially the least important people in society and those who have been forgotten by others.

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• Simple, practical actions and social care programmes.

• Caring for people who are on the margins of society.

• Providing places where everyone feels welcome and can belong.

Love in action

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Caring for people in need• Emergency work – providing hot

drinks, food and comfort to emergency workers and victims.

• Providing food parcels and toys at Christmas to families in need.

• Visiting prisoners and supporting their families.

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Care for older people• Lunch clubs providing meals and

friendship for those who find it difficult to cook for themselves

• Residential care homes for those who can no longer live on their own

• Christmas Day meals for people who may not have family

The Salvation Army was founded in the East End of London almost 150 years ago by William and Catherine Booth.

William was a Methodist minister who felt strongly that he should do something to help the poor and needy.

How did The Salvation Army begin?

William Booth began by preaching to people on the streets of London, but soon realised that he needed to address their physical as well as their spiritual needs. Booth and his wife, Catherine, set up soup kitchens, cheap breakfasts for children, and shelters for the homeless. Later, he developed a whole programme of social reform.

How did The Salvation Army begin?

People were inspired by Booth’s preaching and social action, and by the idea of an Army ‘fighting’ against poverty and injustice.

The Salvation Army grew rapidly, as both a church and a charity, and now works in more than 120 countries.

How did The Salvation Army begin?

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Find out more

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• Visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk to find out more about The Salvation Army’s work and motivation.

• Contact or visit your local Salvation Army to see what they do in the community.

• Email schools@salvationarmy.org.uk and request an information pack.

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