Commissioner Brian Peddle Named New General of the Salvation Army

LONDON – Commissioner Brian Peddle was elected as the 21^st General of the Salvation Army in a solemn, prayerful occasion at the Army’s international headquarters in London. Peddle succeeds outgoing General André Cox who has held the office since August 2013.

Following the announcement of his election, Mr. Peddle proclaimed, “We are overwhelmed to say the least, but deeply honoured and feeling somewhat unworthy of the momentous task ahead of us. We stand so eager for God to move in a new way among us … We pray that The Salvation Army internationally will now move from strength to strength and that God almighty will bless us in an incredible way as we move forward into the future.”

Recognizing the solemnity of the occasion, the members of the High Council met in a season of prayer for specific needs of each of the Salvation Army’s five administrative zones. Fellow officers gathered around representatives of each zone as prayers for their zones were offered.

President-elect Peddle will assume his new responsibilities on 03 August 2018. Currently, the 60-year-old Canadian serves as Chief of Staff at Salvation Army headquarters.

Peddle received his first commission as a Salvation Army officer in 1977. Following Training College, he served at the Division Headquarters of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, assuming the role of Divisional Commander in 2001.

In 2007, he became Divisional Commander of the New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga Territory. In 2011, he returned to the Canada and Bermuda territory as Territorial Commander. He began his service at the international headquarters as the International Secretary for the Americas and Caribbean in 2014 before advancing to Chief of Staff in 2015.

The vision of the Salvation Army is to go “Into the world of hurting, broken, lonely, dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means . . . with the transforming message of Jesus, bringing freedom, hope and life.”

Officers commit to deepen their spiritual lives, unite in prayer, increase self-support and self-denial, communicate Christ unashamedly, reaffirm their belief in transformation, and evangelize and disciple effectively, whilst standing for and serving the marginalized, reaching youth and children, and encouraging innovation in mission work.

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. It’s mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

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