THE SALVATION ARMY APPOINTS NEW NATIONAL LEADERS
Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts Bring Domestic, International Experience to Position
ALEXANDRIA, VA (July 13, 2010) - The Salvation Army USA announced today that Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts will serve as the new National Commander and National President of Women's Ministries respectively, effective November 1. As Ministers of the Gospel, the Roberts have been appointed by General Shaw Clifton, world leader of The Salvation Army and will replace Commissioners Israel and Eva Gaither who retire from active service after more than four years as The Salvation Army's national leaders, and 47 years as Salvation Army officers.
In his new role, Commissioner William Roberts will lead a vast network of 3,600 officers, 63,000 employees and 3.4 million volunteers operating in more than 5,000 communities throughout the United States. Each year, The Salvation Army serves some 30 million Americans facing a variety of needs from drug and alcohol rehabilitation to rent and utility assistance to disaster response. Commissioner Roberts will act as the chairman of the national board of trustees and he will be responsible for presiding over tri-annual commissioners conferences, which bring together the key executive leaders of The Salvation Army's four territories in the United States.
In her role, Commissioner Nancy Roberts will lead the national women's ministries to empower women to deeper faith and service to others. She will partner with leaders from the four territories of The Salvation Army to combat common issues that affect women throughout America.
Since 2008, Commissioners Roberts have led The Salvation Army in Kenya (West). Prior to this, they served in a variety of roles throughout the organization including leadership roles in Argentina, Chicago, Grand Rapids, MI and at International Headquarters in London, England. The Roberts were commissioned and ordained as officers in The Salvation Army in 1970.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.