The Salvation Army Church
Our history, mission and message
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.
Mission
To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Ministry
The Salvation Army's ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Message
The Salvation Army's message is based on the Bible.
History of the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army was founded in London more than 150 years ago.
The Methodist preacher William Booth and his wife, Catherine Booth, felt compelled to take action to support the poor and those in need. Leaving the traditional church, William Booth began preaching on the streets, reaching out to the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
At first, he encouraged new believers to attend existing churches, but he soon realized that these impoverished individuals were not welcomed in the chapels and congregations of Victorian England.
Many churchgoers were uncomfortable when poorly dressed and unwashed individuals sought to worship alongside them. Seeing this, Booth decided to establish a church specifically for them – the East London Christian Mission.
In May 1878, William Booth gathered his son Bramwell and his close associate, George Railton, Secretary of the Mission, to review a draft of the annual report. Within the text, the mission was described as “an army of volunteers.” Booth firmly objected: “No, we are not volunteers, because we know our mission and carry it out with full dedication.” He then replaced “volunteers” with “salvation,” and from that moment, the name “The Salvation Army” was born.
That same year, Booth outlined the core doctrines of The Salvation Army. He also established 11 guiding principles for its members, including abstaining from alcohol, smoking, and drug use. Over time, the movement grew rapidly, expanding beyond England’s borders and reaching communities worldwide.
Today, The Salvation Army is active in over 130 countries, with more than 14,000 churches that adapt their services to local languages and cultures. The organization also runs a wide range of social programs tailored to the needs of each community, all aimed at promoting justice and improving lives.
“… while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight—I’ll fight to the very end!”
— William Booth
The Salvation Army in Bulgaria
The Salvation Army in Bulgaria was officially registered on May 2, 2019.
The first officers, Captains Eric and Caitlin Johansson, arrived in Sofia in September 2020. A few months later, in January 2021, Captains Edward and Inna Lebedev, along with their five children, moved to Sofia to take on the leadership of The Salvation Army’s ministry in Bulgaria. On March 9, 2021, General Brian Peddle officially announced the beginning of The Salvation Army’s work in the country.
As of 2025, The Salvation Army operates in Sofia, in the Ovcha Kupel district, where it holds meetings open to people of all ages and nationalities. In October 2023, 8 new soldiers were welcomed into the church, both young and old. The Lebedevs continue to lead the ministry in Bulgaria. Over the past 3 years, The Salvation Army has provided support to more than 105,000 people in need, including many refugees from Ukraine.
The Salvation Army also offers programs for children aged 0 to 16, where they can learn about God every Saturday. New children regularly join, making new friends and becoming part of the church community. During the spring and summer, The Salvation Army organizes camps for children of various ages.
We are deeply grateful to God for His love and the many blessings we have witnessed in Bulgaria throughout these years.
We eagerly anticipate 2026, when we will celebrate our five-year anniversary!
