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Mission Statement
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
While women weep as they do now,
I'll fight:
While little children go hungry as they do now,
I'll fight;
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out,
I'll fight;
While there yet remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight..
I'll fight to the very end.
-- General William Booth
Organizational Info
How is The Salvation Army leadership structured?
- The General, with headquarters in London, is the international leader of The Salvation Army.
- In the United States, the National Commander coordinates the functions of The Salvation Army with headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Salvation Army organization is managed within a quasi-military pattern. Therefore, officer leadership rank is named similar to that of military positions versus the corporate leadership positions.
Nationwide uniformity of policy is the responsibility of the 10 top officer leaders of The Salvation Army. This group is comprised of the National Commander (i.e., The CEO of the national company with his office at the company's corporate headquarters) the four Territorial Commanders, (i.e., Regional President's of the same national company) the national Chief Secretary (i.e., The Vice-President of the national company with his office at the company's corporate headquarters) and the four Territorial Chief Secretaries (i.e., The Regional Vice Presidents). After studying Salvation Army programs and procedures, they make policy for follow-up by The Salvation Army in the United States.
For more information about the International Salvation Army organization click here
For more information about the National Salvation Army organization click here
There is a Territorial Commander who serves as the administrative head for each of the four United States territories. The four territories are
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CENTRAL
with headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois
States in the Central Territory are:
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Wisconsin
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EAST
with headquarters in West Nyack, New York
States in the Eastern Territory are:
Connecticut
Maine
Massachussetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
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SOUTH
with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia
States in the Southern Territory are:
Alabama
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
North Carolina
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
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WEST
with headquarters in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
States in the Western Territory are:
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
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There are 40 Divisional Commanders who head up the smaller United States units known as divisions. The Tulsa Salvation Army is in the ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA division. In this division there are over 100 centers of operation providing year round social services to people of all ages who are in need.
Under the Divisional Commander are the Area Commands and Service Locations. The Area Command functions as the Administration for the overall community. The functions of the other locations include religious opportunities, youth programs and social services that are adapted to local needs.
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History
In 1865, William Booth, an ordained Methodist minister, aided by his wife, Catherine, formed an evangelical group, the Christian Mission; it was dedicated to preaching among the unchurched people living in the midst of poverty and despair in London's East End. Booth's ministry recognized the interdependence of material, emotional and spiritual needs. In addition to preaching the Gospel, he began to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and help victims of alcohol abuse.
In 1878, when Booth's son, Bramwell asked his father why he was using the name of Volunteer Army for his Christian Mission, it made William Booth realize that the intense dedication of his followers exemplified their SALVATION…their only hope for a new life…and changed the name to The Salvation Army!
On March 10, 1880, a group of Salvationists consisting of Commissioner George Scott Railton and seven women officers called the Hallelujah Lassies, arrived in New York City. The first meeting was held in a variety-hall theatre where the first American convert was a Bowery drunk. His dramatic conversion attracted great attention and new missions quickly started in the eastern area. National headquarters were established and a Salvation Army weekly paper, The War Cry published its first American edition. Commissioner Railton returned to London in 1881. He had helped establish a solid foundation for the American Salvation Army.
The organization evolved on a quasi-military pattern and Booth became "the General" and officers' ranks were given to his ministers. The Salvation Army has functioned successfully within that unusual structure for more than a century. The outreach has been expanded to more than 100 countries, the Gospel is preached by its officers in 160 languages and about 24,000 religious and charitable locations are continuing to address the needs of the less fortunate.
The basic social services developed by William Booth have remained an outward visible expression of the Army's strong religious principles. In addition, new programs that address contemporary needs are established as needed…Find the need and fill it…A slogan that continues today.
The Bonnet - An International Symbol
During the 1900s it was customary for women to wear hats in public. Mrs. Booth wanted an inexpensive, durable hat that would be distinctive from other fashion for Salvation Army women to wear. She and her daughter, Emma, created a straw "Hallejuah Bonnet" that was traditional in the Victorian period. As Salvation Army lassies walked the streets of London preaching the Word of God and offering indulgers an alternative to drinking, protesters threw rotten tomatoes, spoiled eggs and rocks to drive them away. This wide brimmed bonnet helped to protect their faces as they continued to persevere in their mission of caring for others.
Cadet, Amy Lockwood, who was a milliner, added a pleated band, a black silk crown and a large black ribbon string to be tied into a bow to make the original design more attractive. While the integrity of the design was always maintained, it received various modifications throughout the years. The bonnets were always made in London with a special straw. Because of the unavailability of the straw and knowledgeable seamstresses, this international symbol ceased to be a part of the uniform in 1981.
The Musical History - The Band Plays On
Brass band music is synonymous with The Salvation Army. It seems fitting that the #1 all time favorite hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" was written by George Bennard, a youthful Salvation Army officer.
When William Booth founded the Army, he admonished Salvationists to "sing" till your whole soul is lifted up to God, and then sing till you lift the eyes of those who know not God to Him who is the foundation of all our joy.
The Army's first song was published in 1880. Today, they are the largest publishers of brass band music in the world. The first staff brass band was formed in 1887 in New York and continues to this day as the New York Staff Band and Male Chorus. This band averaged four nationwide television appearances each year from 1952 to 1961 on NBC's Today Show, Gary Moore's programs, and other prime time appearances.
The Army limits their instrumental selections primarily to brass so that they can play outside and in all conditions. During the early years, Army musicians were often misunderstood, persecuted and even imprisoned, but after Salvation Army lassies had won the hearts of all America through their help in the battlefields, they began to enjoy encouragement and friendly support.
Public musical taste improved with recordings. Radio and schools were adding musical instrumental programs to their curricula. The Army added more varieties of brass instruments to its organization. Composers, arrangers and songwriters were developing within the ranks. In 1930 John Philip Sousa conducted the massed bands in his latest composition, "The Salvation Army March." He was extremely impressed with the Army's musical outreach and realized the impact it would have on Christian music for generations to come.
The New York Staff Band made history in 1960 as the first United States band to tour Britain since 1914. Since its beginning in 1921, The Salvation Army has been an annual feature in the colorful Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day.
Today, extensive music departments and summer camping programs are an integral part of this worldwide organization. There are almost 100,000 Salvationists in the United Stated alone that help make the band play on…
Tulsa History
The Tulsa Salvation Army came to Tulsey Town in 1906, one year before Oklahoma Statehood. As Oklahoma was gaining momentum for statehood recognition, The Salvation Army was busy at work among the early settlers. During these days a young officer, Captain B. F. Breeding, spent most of his time meeting the townspeople and leading street singing on the wooden boardwalks and rough muddy trails.
In 1911, the homeless and hungry were seeking The Salvation Army, but so were middle-income families. In 1912 the first City Command Headquarters opened with Administration and Social Service offices.
Social services continue to expand to meet the growing needs. Disaster services were added in 1955. A job training program for the homeless started in 1992. Medical services to the homeless began in 1991 and limited dental care in 1999.
Today the Tulsa Area Command Administration Headquarters is in a separate location at 1616 S. Main and the expanded Social Services Center and Supportive Housing Complex is located at 102 N. Denver.
The Salvation Army established the first worship center, the Citadel, in an old frame building at 120 West 2nd in 1911. The Tulsa Citadel Worship and Community Center is now located at 3901 E. 28th and is still preaching the Gospel.
Services Expand
The Salvation Army began serving Sapulpa families in 1907…west Tulsa families in 1927…provided refuge and privacy to unwed mothers in 1928…expanded into Sand Springs in 1938 and Broken Arrow in the 1950s.
The substance abuse program opened in 1957 at 601 N. Main. It continues to provide rehabilitation to men through a work-therapy program and is now known as the Adult Rehabilitation Center. The familiar trucks with the large red shield operate from this facility. It is the recycling of your pre-owned materials that enable The Salvation Army to recycle lives.
In the late 1970s The Salvation Army opened larger facilities in Broken Arrow and Sand Springs which provided educational and recreational programs for people of all ages in these communities.
The Maternity Home and Hospital for young unwed mothers was closed in 1986. Additional Salvation Army Worship Centers became available to these areas in the late 1990s. In 1997 a new Boys and Girls Club and Worship Center was opened in Sapulpa.
Youth Programs Begin
In 1946 The Salvation Army youth program began as after-school recreation in downtown Tulsa. For many families The Salvation Army was the only avenue for sports and youth activities.
In 1949, the Red Shield Boys Club became affiliated with the Boys Clubs of America. In 1959, providing educational and recreational programs to over 3,000 youth, it was relocated to larger facilities at 1231 N. Harvard and was renamed the Harvard Avenue Boys & Girls Club.
Resident camping opportunities became available at Camp Heart 0' Hills in 1954. This 100-acre campsite is located on Baron Fork Creek at the end of the Trail of Tears.
Youth programs became available to northsiders in 1973 when a new North Mabee Boys & Girls Club at 3001 N. Cincinnati was opened. It included an outdoor swimming pool.
In 1990 all Boys Clubs of America programs became co-ed and names of all locations were changed to reflect the modern approach to youth activities.
Serving Others into the 21st Century
Feeding the body, mind and spirit for a better tomorrow of those less fortunate is the continual mission of the Tulsa Salvation Army.
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at tulsa_ok@uss.salvationarmy.org, call 918-587-7801, or FAX 918-587-1273.
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