Faith and Action: The Salvation Army

Words by Laura Becker

Research and interview translation by Namhee Cho

Especially around the holidays, the Salvation Army is recognizable by its red donation kettles and bell-ringing volunteers. Many people are also familiar with the thrift stores and disaster relief programs but do not know that many Salvation Army centers hold weekly worship services. The Salvation Army considers itself part of the universal Christian Church, although distinctive in its quasi-military structure, and its doctrine is typical of Protestant evangelical denominations.

The Salvation Army follows the tradition of its founding father, a Methodist minister named William Booth, who in 1865 left his pulpit to establish a mission in the streets of London. Originally intending to bring people into established churches, Booth quickly realized that the poor did not feel comfortable or welcome in the pews of Victorian England churches, and he founded a church to serve them. Today, the Salvation Army operates in 127 countries around the world.

The Salvation Army came to Korea in 1908, where it is known as Gusaegun, and it conducts various social welfare projects through its 158 centers around the country. The Gwangju branch was established on June 20, 1938. Gwangju News spoke with Mr. Cha Hong Gi, Gwangju PR coordinator, to learn how the Salvation Army is meeting the needs of people.

For children and youth living in welfare facilities, coins and bills dropped into the Salvation Army’s familiar donation kettles help provide opportunities to practice hobbies, such as musical instruments or baking. Teenagers can access counseling and preparatory classes for tertiary education. For children with health issues, the Salvation Army provides funding for medical bills, cognitive development programs and counseling for the child’s parents or guardians to help them navigate the unfamiliar territories of raising a child with special needs.

In order to combat social isolation of senior citizens, the Salvation Army offers education and social activities, including cultural events and digital education, to help elders adapt to the rapidly-changing society. Because about half of the elderly population in Korea lives below the poverty line, the Salvation Army is committed to helping seniors both socially and financially.

In addition to caring for the young and the elderly, the Salvation Army recognizes the potential vulnerability of marriage migrants. The Army aims to support these women and their families by reinforcing cultural competency in Korean society. The organization provides classes for marriage migrants to learn Korean language and culture, which is necessary for their adaptation to Korean society and smooth communication with Korean in-laws. For victims of domestic violence, the Salvation Army runs women’s shelters for immediate physical protection and counseling and education and training for long-term independence.

The Salvation Army offers programs to help social minorities, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for those struggling with addictions, along with providing medical checks and job search support for homeless people. People who are HIV-positive have access to counseling, special housing facilities and rehabilitative programs such as art therapy.

In addition they also provide food and laundry services for 1,000 people in case of an emergency. According to the most recent annual report, the Salvation Army provided samgyetang to 600 people nationwide during the hottest days of summer and gave 1,400 relief kits to families during the Chuseok holiday. The Salvation Army operates through other regional social welfare facilities to distribute relief kits and necessities.

All welfare projects are funded from citizen donations, government funds and project donations from major corporations. For example, KB Bank and Lotte Home Shopping supported a project to build 12 small libraries across the country and provide personal study rooms for underprivileged children from 100 families. Standard Chartered Bank supported the Dream House project to design and build 20 specialized houses for the blind.

Even with a full-time staff of two Christian pastors working at the Gwangju branch, volunteers are still needed in four different areas: administrative, telephone, translation and events. Prospective volunteers must complete an application and attend an orientation by appointment. For foreign residents not proficient in Korean, applying with a Korean friend is a good way to participate in this community with an established and respected organization.