Many people think they know The Salvation Army. They’ve seen the red kettles and been to the thrift stores. But those are just a few pieces that speak to the reach of this international, social services and church-based organization.
Commissioner David Hudson joins Today’s Conversation with Leith Anderson to explain:
What most people don’t understand about The Salvation Army;
How an organization that was started in the 1800s has adapted and remained relevant today;
What the Army has learned about poverty through its enhanced case management program; and
How the organization functions as a Christian denomination while operating significant social services.
Read a Portion of the Transcript
Leith: The Salvation Army has maintained a strong evangelical, biblical commitment and a strong commitment to the poor and social justice since the 1800s. During that time period, there was a reaction among many who are committed Christians to the social gospel. A lot of them said, “You shouldn’t be doing this. Just do the message and not address the poor and social justice issues.” Has that been a challenge for the Army to face some of those criticisms and disagreements and differences on this?
David: Yeah, it certainly has. First of all, I articulated our mission earlier, and so I simply say our mission demands that we respond. When I look to our true founder — William Booth got us going and everything, and God used him — but I say our true founder is Jesus himself. When Jesus was walking the earth, time and time again he met human need when he saw suffering. He went and he met that [need], and he showed care and compassion. The one thing that I marvel at Jesus is that he never asked for pre-qualifiers before he healed or he served. He saw a need and he went. I think Jesus being the role model of what we do, we have to respond to these needs. You know people say, “Miracles are in the past. We don’t see the miracles like we used to.” But you know what? When I go down to some of our centers, and I hear the life stories of people and I see the transformation in people’s lives, I say this is where we have to be. Our mission absolutely demands it.
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Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Belhaven University.
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Commissioner David Hudson serves as national commander of The Salvation Army U.S. He has been an officer in The Salvation Army for over 40 years, serving in various roles across the country. In his current role, Hudson leads a network of over 3,500 offices, 65,000 employees and 3.2 million volunteers, serving across 7,500 centers of operation throughout the United States. He also acts as chairman of the national board of trustees. Hudson has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Leith Anderson is president emeritus of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. He served as NAE president from 2007–2019, after twice serving as interim president. He served as senior pastor of Wooddale Church for 35 years before retiring in 2011. He has been published in many periodicals and has written over 20 books. Anderson has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Bradley University and Denver Seminary.
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