<P> The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation structured in a quasi-military fashion . Their mission statement reads: "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 ." The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and adherents collectively known as Salvationists . Its founders Catherine and William Booth sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute, and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs". It is present in 128 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless and disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries . </P> <P> The theology of the Salvation Army is derived from that of Methodism, although it is distinctive in institution and practice . It does not celebrate the divine command of Baptism and Holy Communion . The Army's doctrine is typical of evangelical Protestant churches . The Army's purposes are "the advancement of the Christian religion...of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole". </P> <P> The Army was founded in 1865 in London by one - time Methodist circuit - preacher William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission, and can trace its origins to the Blind Beggar tavern . In 1878 Booth reorganised the mission, becoming its first General and introducing the military structure which has been retained to the present day . The current international leader of The Salvation Army and chief executive officer (CEO) is General André Cox, who was elected by the High Council of The Salvation Army on 3 August 2013 and is due to retire on 2 August 2018 . </P> <P> The Salvation Army was founded in London's East End in 1865 by one - time Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission, and this name was used until 1878 . The name "The Salvation Army" developed from an incident on 19 and 20 May . William Booth was dictating a letter to his secretary George Scott Railton and said, "We are a volunteer army ." Bramwell Booth heard his father and said, "Volunteer! I'm no volunteer, I'm a regular!" Railton was instructed to cross out the word "volunteer" and substitute the word "salvation". The Salvation Army was modelled after the military, with its own flag (or colours) and its own hymns, often with words set to popular and folkloric tunes sung in the pubs . Booth and the other soldiers in "God's Army" would wear the Army's own uniform, for meetings and ministry work . He became the "General" and his other ministers were given appropriate ranks as "officers". Other members became "soldiers". </P>

Who is the head of the salvation army