The mission of The Salvation Army is singular in purpose, yet expressed in multiple forms and functions. The Salvation Army provides over 300 unique and beneficial services in thousands of cities across the United States. Singular in purpose is the motivation to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Much of the motivation for the Social Services programs of The Salvation Army arise from our founder William Booth's "Cart Horse Theory", that people were more concerned with the well-being of a fallen cart horse than the extreme poverty, drunkenness, and human need in nineteenth century England.
"During this time I am thankful that I have been able, by the good hand of God upon me, to do something in mitigation of the miseries of this class, and to bring not
only heavenly hopes and earthly gladness to the hearts of multitudes of
these wretched crowds, but also many material blessings, including such
commonplace things as food, raiment, home, and work, the parent of so
many other temporal benefits. And thus many poor creatures have proved
Godliness to be profitable unto all things, having the promise of the
life that now is as well as of that which is to come," wrote William Booth.
Realizing that empty stomachs being filled helped a lost soul find the love of Christ, Willaim Booth began The Salvation Army as the East End Mission in London, England in 1865. The Salvation Army ALM Division now serves every zip code in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi. Please browse this site for more information on how The Salvation Army is Doing The Most Good in a community near you.