Salvation Army High Council Appoints Commissioner André Cox as New International Leader

TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - The Salvation Army's highest court appointed Commissioner André Cox as the 20^th General for the organization on August 3, 2013. General Cox, a Swiss-British officer was elected by the High Council and sworn in as the new international leader for The Salvation Army. The High Council consisted of 117 senior leaders of The Salvation Army from around the world, making it the largest in the history of the organization.

As the new international leader of The Salvation Army, General Cox will lead The Salvation Army in its Mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet the needs of suffering humanity. In his role at the organization's International Headquarters in London, General Cox will be joined by his wife, Commissioner Silvia Cox, who is the World President of Women's Ministries. Together, General and Commissioner Cox will direct the 1.5 million strong world-wide church of The Salvation Army.

"This is truly a memorable moment for The Salvation Army world-wide," said Commissioner Brian Peddle, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. "General Cox is fulfilling his calling as an officer and servant of God, to guide the ministry of The Salvation Army."

General Cox was born in Harare, Zimbabwe to an English father and Swiss mother, and spent his childhood in Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. He eventually moved to Switzerland, where he met his wife. From there they entered training to become Salvation Army officers, taking up their first appointments in 1979.

The 59-year-old General has vast experience of the international ministry of The Salvation Army. In the early years of his Salvation Army officership, General Cox held appointments in Switzerland and Zimbabwe. More recently, General Cox has served as the Territorial Commander in the Southern Africa Territory, the Finland and Estonia Territory and the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland. In February 2013 he was appointed as Chief of the Staff - second in command of the international Salvation Army.

On being announced as The Salvation Army's 20th General, the new international leader told more than 10,000 people from around the world watching via a live webcast that he was thankful to God, but aware of the 'awesome task that has been placed upon our shoulders'. He continued: 'I pray that The Salvation Army will be known for being a force for good in the world ... that The Salvation Army will be a force for positive change and transformation in the communities in which we serve ... [and] that Salvationists will live up to the spiritual values we proclaim.' He was welcomed to International Headquarters on Monday, August 5.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

SOURCE: THE SALVATION ARMY