"The
Salvation Army
began as a movement of the poor for the poor. In many places
it still is, but where it is not, the poor have much to teach
us." (General John Gowans)
The
Salvation Army believes that active caring for the poor
is a natural expression of holiness and is part of our Christian
social responsibility. It is a natural expression of being
a church. We have a rich history of offering practical help
to those who need it most. God has blessed The Salvation Army,
and enriched Salvationists who have counted it a privilege
to serve the poor.
The
Social Issues Committee and The Ethics Centre's Board
of Directors have approved a positional statement on poverty
and economic justice that says: "We remain committed
to The Salvation Army's historic mission to care for the poor
and marginalized. Therefore, individually and corporately,
we will work to eliminate poverty..."
In
the words of Commissioner John Larsson: "Re-calling
the Army to its mission to serve the poor is not primarily
about establishing better programmes or getting new funding.
It is primarily about re-discovering as a burning conviction
that the relief of poverty is an essential and inescapable
part of our mission."
The
mission of The Salvation Army is to preach the gospel
of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without
discrimination. We are located in hundreds of communities
throughout the world offering a helping hand to those in need.
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