Salvation Army Convenes to Elect New General

The Salvation Army’s 17th High Council convened on Friday, January 21, at Sunbury Court, United Kingdom, to elect the 19th General of The Salvation Army. The current General, Shaw Clifton, will retire at midnight on April 1, 2011.
Commissioner William W. Francis, territorial commander of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, was elected president of this, the largest-ever, High Council with 109 members. He, along with Vice President, Commissioner Betty Matear, will guide the High Council through the procedures required to elect the Army’s new general.

Commissioner Francis noted that 65% of the High Council members; “are here for the first time.” He reminded the council members that, ‘We are here for one purpose only – to elect the next leader of The Salvation Army and we need to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.’