International Leadership & Structure

The General

The General is The Salvation Army's world leader and highest-ranked officer. 

The office is currently held by General Brian Peddle, who has been serving in the role since August 3, 2018. Brian Peddle is The Salvation Army's 21st General.

General Brian Peddle was born in the Canadian province of Newfoundland on 9 August, 1957.

General Peddle completed his training as a Salvation Army Officer with the Companions of Christ Session (1975-1977). Along with his wife, Commissioner Rosalie Peddle,they shared ministry in various appointments in corps, divisional headquarters and training college in their homeland of Canada.

Their first international service came in 2007 when the then-Majors Peddle were appointed to the Northern Division of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. Promotion to colonel and a change of country came in 2009 as the Peddles were appointed as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland.

July 2011 provided an opportunity to return to Canada, as territorial leaders. Commissioner Brian Peddle was appointed as Territorial Commander, and Commissioner Rosalie held simultaneous appointments as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries and Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development.

A first opportunity to serve at International Headquarters (IHQ) came in September 2014, with Commissioner Brian Peddle appointed as International Secretary for the Americas and Caribbean Zone and Commissioner Rosalie as Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries. On 1 November 2015 Commissioner Brian Peddle was appointed as Chief of the Staff, with Commissioner Rosalie serving as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Such international service has helped prepare them for the international leadership of The Salvation Army.

Commissioner Peddle received a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies in October 2007 from the William and Catherine Booth Bible College in Winnipeg, Canada. Both the General and Commissioner Peddle are graduates of The Salvation Army’s Executive Leadership Programme from Simon Fraser University in Canada.

Outside of their ministry, the international leaders have a variety of interests. The General enjoys kayaking, cycling, hiking and fishing, while Commissioner Peddle enjoys reading, cycling and hiking. Personal conversation with family and friends remains a priority, even in the midst of busy lives.

Fuelled by their conviction that God continues to use The Salvation Army to impact our world, the General and Commissioner Peddle share a strong sense of calling as Salvation Army officers. They are convinced of their responsibility to preach the gospel, encourage the saints and serve those in need. They fully embrace and celebrate the diversity of The Salvation Army, while sensing deeply the joy of leading an international Army that is unified through its calling to mission.

The General and Commissioner Peddle have two daughters, Stephanie and Krista. Stephanie and her husband, Adam, are actively involved in the Sauble Christian Fellowship Community Church in Ontario. Krista and her husband, Tim, are Salvation Army officers, currently serving in Australia. The General and Commissioner Peddle have five grandchildren.

Administrative Structure

International level

The General directs Salvation Army operations throughout over 128 countries of the world in collaboration with the administrative departments of International Headquarters (IHQ) in London, which are headed by International Secretaries.

The Chief of the Staff, a commissioner appointed by the General to be second-in-command, is the Army’s chief executive whose function is to implement the General’s policy decisions and effect liaison between departments. As well as the handling of day-to-day business and the allocation of resources, IHQ is concerned with strategic, long range planning and acts as a resource centre for the worldwide Army and as a facilitator of ideas and policies.

Territorial level

For administrative purposes, The Salvation Army is split into Territories. Usually each country forms a single Salvation Army Territory, but some where the Army is strong numerically are divided into two or more Territories.

Territorial leaders are called Territorial Commanders (usually Commissioners in rank, sometimes Colonels) and they are responsible either to a National Commander or directly to International Headquarters.

Territorial Commanders are based at Territorial Headquarters (THQ), where they are assisted by a Chief Secretary and various other Secretaries (departmental heads) responsible for overseeing the various branches of Army activity.

There are currently 56 Salvation Army Territories in the world. Australia has two: the Australia Eastern Territory (NSW, ACT and Qld) has headquarters in Sydney, and the Australia Southern Territory (Vic., Tas., SA, WA, NT) has headquarters in Melbourne. The Salvation Army in Australia does not have a National Commander, but rather, each of the Territories is responsible to International Headquarters.

The Australia Eastern Territory of The Salvation Army operates under a Cabinet Administrative System. The five member Administrative Cabinet – similar to a Board – determines policy and strategy for the Territory, particularly as it relates to the future.

Divisional level

Each Territory throughout The Salvation Army world is divided into Divisions, which are administered by Divisional Commanders, who are responsible to the Territorial Commander.

A Division is a grouping of districts, similar to a diocese in the Anglican Church. Each Division consists of a number of Corps and social centres which are mostly run by officers of varying rank.

In the Australia Eastern Territory there are two Divisions

• Queensland Division
• New South Wales & ACT Division

Corps / Centre level

A Corps is The Salvation Army equivalent of a church, and often acts as a community centre.

Each Corps is led by a Corps Officer who is responsible to the Divisional Commander. There are around 350 Corps in Australia.

Contact

The Salvation Army International Headquarters
101 Queen Victoria St London EC4P 4EP England

Visit the International Headquarters website