Salvation Army Elects New Leader
Commissioner John Gowan, 64, has been elected general of the Salvation Army, succeeding Gen. Paul A. Rader as the worldwide leader of the Christian evangelical and social services organization.
Gowan, a native of Yorkshire, England, who grew up in the Salvation Army, served as division commander in Southern California from April 1985 to September 1986. Just before his election May 15, he served as territorial commander of the army in Britain.
Rader, 65, was the first American to command the 134-year-old organization when he was elected five years ago. Gowan will assume his new duties July 23 at the organization’s international headquarters in London. He was elected by the 74-member High Council in London.
The Salvation Army is a 1.2-million-member church.
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