Canadian Salvation Army Members Recognized for Their Work in the Caribbean

On Saturday, December 4, at Christmas with The Salvation Army, held at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall, Robert (well-known as Bob) and Shirley McArthur were presented with The Salvation Army’s Order of the Founder, the highest Salvation Army honour for distinguished service.

The Order of the Founder was established by General Bramwell Booth in 1917 and first presented in 1920. In the 90 years since, there have been 241 recipients. The award is given to those officers/pastors and soldiers/members whose skilful and passionate work would have merited the attention and approval of The Salvation Army’s Founder General William Booth.

Members of The Salvation Army North York Temple, Ontario, the McArthurs interest in the Caribbean territory began when they heard Caribbean missionaries explain the challenging and worsening conditions of Salvation Army facilities.

For 25 years, the McArthurs and their teams (of approximately 35 members) engaged in many mission trips to the Caribbean—restoring, renovating and building Salvation Army facilities. Thirty-five units throughout the Caribbean are standing testimonies to the quiet, patient, love and joy brought to that land by Bob and Shirley McArthur. Over and above the team members’ financial contributions, the McArthur’s self-financed all projects from their own resources.