The Salvation Army started in 1878, when William Booth decided to parody the Victorian ‘Volunteers Army’ with an Army of Christians compelled by God to give their time towards helping others.
Since then, the Salvation Army have built apon their roster of activity. From soup runs, housing for the homeless and helping the elderly to educational sessions… the Salvation Army covers a wide range of charitable efforts.
'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
It is Jesus’ teaching from the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats that a Christian should help those who are in need, as there is a little of Jesus in each of us, and we should treat each other as if the other were Jesus. This does not only apply to joining a charity movement such as the Salvation Army, but in our everyday lives. This was proven in Jesus’ example with the Samaritan (shown above), where even the least respected of people can show a kind heart in the Words of Jesus.
The Salvation Army are also aiming to reach out to others, in order to encourage them to do the same. The ‘community outreach team’ aims at doing just that, making people aware of the hundreds of people who are homeless in London alone!
God even asks for us to love those who hate us:
If you see the ass of one who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, you shall help him to lift it up.
Which is why the Salvation Army persist with their efforts, even when they run into difficulties with their aims.
