New global leader for Salvation Army
New global leader for Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army has elected a new international leader.
Commissioner Linda Bond (64) will be the 19th General and third woman to hold the office since The Salvation Army was founded 146 years ago.
The Canadian-born commissioner has 42 years’ experience in Christian ministry and leadership in Canada, the US and the UK and currently heads the Salvation Army in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales.
Commissioner Bond was elected in the UK this week by the High Council of The Salvation Army. The council comprises senior Army leaders from around the world, including leaders of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, Commissioners Don and Debi Bell.
Commissioner Bond will take over from General Shaw Clifton on his retirement in April. General Clifton served as leader of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory between 2002 and 2004.
Once in office, Commissioner Bond will lead more than one million Salvationists and 100,000 employees in 123 countries.
She says: “I love the Lord Jesus Christ and pledge my utmost obedience to him. I am absolutely committed to a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. We, The Salvation Army, need to be an Army of praise and thanksgiving to God and we must place our trust in God.”
The Salvation Army is an international Christian denomination and registered charity, and is one of the largest providers of social welfare services in the world. The General directs Salvation Army operations throughout the world from International Headquarters in London.
ENDS