HISTORY
Foundation of The Salvation Army
Founder, First General
William Booth
(APR 10, 1829 - AUG 20, 1912)
It began
with the salvation
of the people
The Salvation Army began in England in 1865.
The 36-year-old Methodist pastor, William Booth, felt God’s calling to work for the salvation of the people of eastern London. In the vicinity, drunkenness, crime, immorality, poverty, unemployment, overcrowding, and many other social ills were widespread.
While working with volunteers from various denominations, he soon realized that he was responsible for a rapidly evolving movement that would eventually be called The Christian Mission. This organization and discipline became heavily influenced by military practice.
This immediately captured the hearts of his fellow workers. The movement soon became publicly known as “The Salvation Army” (in Japanese, “Kyuseigun”). William Booth, known as the "Founder," became its first General. Since then, ranks, uniforms, and insignia have been introduced. Additionally, guidelines, disciplines, and terminology for the organization were established. As the Founder explained at the 1904 International Congress, this was "not to imitate the military, but to adopt a military style."
Within two years of the name change, the movement began to expand beyond its country of origin and is currently active in 134 countries and territories worldwide (as of February 2025).
* The Salvation Army has no connection to the armed group "Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army."
Beginning of The Salvation Army in Japan
First Japanese Territorial Commander
Gunpei Yamamuro
(SEP 1, 1872 - MAR 13, 1940)
Activities in Japan began in 1895 (Meiji 28), when twelve British officers landed in Yokohama and began their work.
The first Japanese Salvation Army officer was Gunpei Yamamuro, a well-known preacher and author of the “Common People’s Gospel” (Heimin no Fukuin), which presented the gospel in a straightforward manner. He was also dedicated to the abolitionist movement, working to free women from the Yukaku (red-light districts) and to establish a tuberculosis sanatorium.
There are people
that you can save
with your support
With your little compassion, you can help people suffering from poverty and illness, help children to receive education, support disaster victims and more. You can deliver your thoughts to those who need help. Would you like to participate in this donation in the form of support?
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