William Booth – A Passion for the Poor

On Monday, August 20, 2012, The Salvation Army is marking 100 years to the day after its Founder, William Booth, died, by releasing a 30-minute film about his life – William Booth – A Passion for the Poor.

With restored film footage and specially treated photos, this 30-minute film looks at the life of William Booth, and what he called his ‘destiny’ – his calling to share the love of Jesus Christ with the poor, first in London, but then around the world.

When The Salvation Army first began and William Booth realized how many people were sleeping on the streets in London, England, he simply said to his son Bramwell, ‘Go and do something, we must do something!’ and so Bramwell set up The Salvation Army’s first hostel for homeless men in an old tram shed. Out of this beginning came The Salvation Army, with its uniforms, organization, and discipline.

Many people became Christians and were inspired by William Booth’s passion for God and for those in need. When William Booth ‘laid down his sword’ The Salvation Army was at work in 58 countries. Today that number is 124 and growing.

From the beginning, the Army in Canada adopted founder William Booth’s philosophy of ‘Go and do something’, which developed into the comprehensive social service programs The Salvation Army currently operates.

The Salvation Army is now the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country, serving 1.8 million people each year. Whether people are homeless, forgotten, rejected or facing crises, The Salvation Army is dedicated to providing innovative and effective services that give help today and hope for tomorrow.

William Booth died on August 20, 1912. The impact he had on the world was shown when 40,000 people attended his memorial service. Among the crowd were thieves, harlots, the lost and outcast to whom Booth had given his heart.

King George V of the United Kingdom wrote to the Army’s new General (William’s son, Bramwell): “The nation has lost a great organizer and the poor a whole-hearted and sincere friend, who devoted his life to helping them in a practical way.”

**********
This is the trailer for ‘William Booth – A Passion for the Poor’.