In 1865, William Booth spent his days and nights preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute people of London, England. In his attempt to reach these people, Booth challenged the accepted concept of church and took his preaching to the streets. Booth traveled throughout England conducting evangelistic meetings. Booth’s services were an instant success. He quickly became well known as a religious leader throughout London and attracted followers who were dedicated to fighting for the souls of men and women.
In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, Booth’s followers had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists. At this time, the group was serving under the name “The Christian Mission.” The group officially adopted the title of “The Salvation Army” in August of 1878.
The ministry migrated to America in 1879, when 17-year-old Eliza Shirley conducted The Salvation Army’s first meeting in Philadelphia. After receiving a warm welcome, The Salvation Army expanded its operation throughout the United States. Today, there are more than 9,000 Salvation Army centers and local neighborhood units in the United States.
In keeping with The Salvation Army mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to promote the alleviation of human suffering, center programs range from Sunday worship services, Bible Studies and Vacation Bible School to crisis alleviation, case management, feeding programs, and transitional housing programs. Other typical programs include activities for senior citizens, character-building recreational programs, leadership and life skills development, and much more.
Youth programs are a staple of our centers, too. Whether they are offered as an educational resource after-school or as a safe haven for families with working parents, all Salvation Army youth programs have an underlying goal to provide character development and spiritual growth for children and adolescents. Mentoring programs help enrich academic activities and build confidence within the children. While programs for at-risk youth not only provide a refuge from the streets, but also offer a positive outlook and encouragement so they are able to break the cycle of destructive lifestyles.
The Salvation Army's corps community centers enrich the quality of life and provide fellowship among members of the community, allowing individuals from different walks of life to find opportunities to learn, worship, and serve together. Our neighborhood focused activities and programs are motivated by our love of God and the desire to serve others, creating a spirit that makes everyone feel right at home.
The heart of The Army is found in its spirtual ministry. From here, we reach out to heal wounds of the soul, to share the love of Jesus Christ and to proclaim God's promise of salvation.
