- 160 exhibition launched
- New international website launched
- Video of 160 celebration event now available
On Wednesday 2 July 2025, The Salvation Army worldwide celebrated 160 years of mission and ministry through which it has made the transformation of people’s lives and circumstances available to all.
At a gathering at The Salvation Army International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, the movement’s international leaders, United Kingdom and Ireland leaders, ecumenical guests, IHQ employees and officers, and a global youth delegation celebrated with full heart and recognition of the hand of God that has blessed the Army and multiplied its ministry.
The gathering honoured the Founders of The Salvation Army, Catherine and William Booth, and recognised the humble beginnings of the movement in contrast to today, where The Salvation Army flag flies in 134 countries around the world.
‘We thank God for the passion, the energy, the drive, the commitment to the things of God that we know to be true about our Founders,’ said General Lyndon Buckingham, international leader of The Salvation Army. ‘They each had a burning desire to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ… It drove them to be creative, to be innovative, to be risk-takers, to not take no for an answer – to respond to human need wherever they could in order that they might also have the opportunity to share the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ. We celebrate them for that today!’
General Buckingham implored: ‘God has not finished with this movement and still has work for us to do on the planet – and that we [also] celebrate!’
Chief of the Staff Commissioner Edward Hill addressed The Salvation Army of 2025, offering words of Scripture: ‘“Brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” We praise God for the fact that he’s fulfilled that promise in the past, it’s being fulfilled in the present, and it certainly will be fulfilled into the future.’
Commissioner Jane Paone, Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations, emphasised The Salvation Army’s unity and journey with Christian partners. She introduced ecumenical guests Bishop Anthony Poggo of the Anglican Communion and Revd Dr Leão Neto of the World Methodist Council. Both expressed deep admiration for The Salvation Army’s distinctive mission of Christianity with its sleeves rolled up.
‘I can give you five reasons I could be a Salvationist (Salvation Army church member),’ said Revd Dr Neto. He then listed them – ‘the uniform’ (making Christianity accessible), ‘the mercy seat’ (making forgiveness and restoration accessible), ‘the Salvation Army hall’ (making the embrace of God accessible to all), ‘the officers [and soldiers]’ (making the face of God accessible) and ‘the band’ (making the music of God, that inspires and reaches the heart, accessible). ‘My prayers,’ he said, ‘and the prayers of the World Methodist Council are with you, that the Spirit may come upon The Salvation Army.’
Bishop Poggo acknowledged the significance of Compass, The Salvation Army’s new Global Strategic Framework with its focus on People, Mission and Legacy. ‘As we seek to reach diverse international communities with the hope of the gospel,’ he said, ‘may our traditions continue to strengthen one another in mission, and may our compasses always respond to the winds of the Spirit.’
The event showcased and launched The Salvation Army’s new international website (salvationarmy.org) with its enhanced accessibility and storytelling capabilities – a sign of advance into the next 160 years. Another highlight of the event was the launch of an immersive exhibition that tells the story of The Salvation Army’s growth and diverse ministries over the past 160 years. A series of 160-anniversary short films created by the IHQ Communications team are featured in the exhibition.
Krisna Puspita, an Indonesian Salvationist and member of The Salvation Army’s International Children and Young People Advisory Group (ICYAG), spoke on behalf of the youth of The Salvation Army. She shared: ‘For too long, young people have been primarily seen as the future of The Salvation Army. While this is true, I stand here today to declare that we are also the present, the active heartbeat of our mission right now...
‘Let us together nurture an environment where every young person feels seen, valued and empowered to contribute their unique gifts to The Salvation Army’s mission... When we combine the wisdom of seasoned leaders with the passion and innovative spirit of youth, there are no limits to what we can achieve for God’s Kingdom.’
In her prayer, Commissioner Patti Niemand (World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development) thanked God for the past and sought the empowering of the Spirit of God for the future: ‘Lord, we believe you raised up The Salvation Army for a purpose, but even more, we believe you are still at work in and through us. You haven’t finished writing our story. We look to the future and we pray for bold Holy Spirit courage.’
The celebration meeting ended with the impromptu singing of ‘Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory’ by the ICYAG delegates, with others joining them as the song gathered momentum.
The 160th exhibition is on display until Thursday 17 July at Gallery 101, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Five of the eight 160 films have been released and can be viewed on our YouTube Channel. Films six, seven and eight will be released each Wednesday over the next three weeks.
A recording of the celebration gathering at International Headquarters is available to view below.
