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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #18
William Booth: Soup, Soap, and Salvation
Horrified by the poverty and suffering most people took for granted in industrial England, William Booth dedicated his life to bringing the gospel to the outcasts of society who would never enter a church and weren't welcome there. At age fifteen William vowed, "God shall have all there is of William Booth," and not even resistance from the church and government, lack of financial support, or vicious attacks by angry mobs could stop him from spreading the light of the gospel through the streets of England.
Today, all around the world, general William Booth's Salvation Army operates thousands of evangelistic and social service centers, changing countless lives with the love of God and the courage of their convictions (1829-1912).
Today, all around the world, general William Booth's Salvation Army operates thousands of evangelistic and social service centers, changing countless lives with the love of God and the courage of their convictions (1829-1912).
199 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Janet Benge
142 books262 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 1, 2022
I was unaware that William Booth was the one to start the Salvation Army. How cool! This was a fascinating book and a wonderful reminder to all that the Lord can do in a person's life as well as how He provides. A wonderful reminder indeed.
April 27, 2017
The book starts by relating the life of a boy, who knew how "to take the best opportunity and use it" and how William Booth finds the lost money his friend is searching for. He offers to help him by giving him money from his friend's own money without telling him where the money came from. At a very young age, William started working for a pawnbroker and he saw how many people were taken advantage of and how poor people were. At the age of 15 William felt the call of God on his life while he saw how one man was being hanged. Pondering about his life, he surrendered to God and his life started to become different from that moment on. He started preaching in the fields and was able to do some real evangelism work with other boys in his Bible study class. Seeing the poverty of people they went into the slums of Nottingham to share the gospel. Many people got saved and he wanted to connect those people with their "fellow brothers and sisters", so he lead them to church, where he witnessed disgust, arrogance and banning of the newcomers. What disturbed me was how church members had rented pews in the front and some other odd religious things. William wanted to be a preacher but he couldn't support himself like that. After some doors being opened William found his wife, Catherine. This was the beginning of the most awesome marriage I've read about. They worked hand-in-hand throughout their lives and that meant that Catherine also started preaching, which lead to a lot of offenses from the church, but not from God. Because in those times women weren't aloud to preach from the pulpit. I liked reading about their partnership, especially when they were summoned to a meeting with religious leaders, who escorted Catherine out, because they wanted to speak only with William, who took his hat and just walked out of the meeting after seeing this. I even liked how they raised the family without lecturing their children about God's way, but they just lived a wholehearted and abandoned life to God, which impacted their family and then the whole country. They had eight children and all were very passionate about doing God's work and helping people however they could around the world.
How God can use one man to change history is amazing and how William Booth never stopped loving God even though he faced persecution, bullying, fights and fame, wellness, wealth. He sacrificed everything to see poor lives changed, first through salvation and second through social help. This story is amazingly written and easy to read.
How God can use one man to change history is amazing and how William Booth never stopped loving God even though he faced persecution, bullying, fights and fame, wellness, wealth. He sacrificed everything to see poor lives changed, first through salvation and second through social help. This story is amazingly written and easy to read.
March 3, 2021
William Booth’s passion for the poor and the homeless, led him to create an aggressive campaign to change society. His ambitions through social reforms led him to create the Salvation Army. Very interesting account.
April 30, 2024
This is one of our favorites! William Booth profoundly changed life for the better for countless people. So inspiring!!
November 21, 2020
I found this book very inspiring. I was amazed how many trials that he and his army faced are being repeated now. The skeleton army of thugs in his time reminded me of the mobs of unhappy, fearful thugs demonstrating in our day. Politicians and newspapermen attacked his work at times. William Booth and his army also fought human trafficking (successfully!) in London and Tokyo. Amazing courage.
February 3, 2016
Loved this book and cried through the last few chapters. Such a great reminder of the impact one can have on the world. Truly inspired by William Booth's life!
September 26, 2021
Ahh. Where oh where to begin with the life and fight of General William Booth. This book powerfully yet simply encapsulates the simple yet vast early history of the Salvation Army and personal upbringing of the man who founded it. The story is told in a way that inspires like a good sermon or speach and reads like a wonderful novel. I feel myself strongly linked to William Booth as I have a similar calling of reaching and helping the lost outside of church and this book helped to inspire and lead me in taking some steps towards that kind of ministry!
When faced with opposition from the devil and the world, I will always remember the fighting spirit and great exploits of the early Salvation Army Officers and their dauntless general as described in this book. Regardless of how anyone feels about the Salvation Army now, its important for every christian, minister, missionary, pastor, and non-profit founder to know about this man and walk in his footsteps. This book will make your jaw drop and spur you to consider what kinds of services the Kingdom of God can meet in your area... and how you can be a part of it. Lastly, the book is a superior example of my favorite Bible verse Daniel 11:32 which states that “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” Praise the Lord!
When faced with opposition from the devil and the world, I will always remember the fighting spirit and great exploits of the early Salvation Army Officers and their dauntless general as described in this book. Regardless of how anyone feels about the Salvation Army now, its important for every christian, minister, missionary, pastor, and non-profit founder to know about this man and walk in his footsteps. This book will make your jaw drop and spur you to consider what kinds of services the Kingdom of God can meet in your area... and how you can be a part of it. Lastly, the book is a superior example of my favorite Bible verse Daniel 11:32 which states that “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” Praise the Lord!
July 19, 2022
This is a biography of William Booth, the man who started the Salvation Army. William was born in England in the 1800s. He had to quit school at age 13 to help provide for his poor family. As he grew older, he strongly desired to teach people about God. His heart was for the poorest of the poor. First he began meeting their spiritual needs, but also found ways to meet their physical needs.
William Booth opened factories to give work to the unemployed. Government leaders toured his facilities and created laws for 'safer working conditions' once they saw how well his factory was run compared to others. Booth published articles, books, and traveled the worlds to teach and inspire others to help the poor.
Thousands of people, throughout the world, became part of the "Salvation Army" who's mission was to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the poor. Some of his work still continues to this day.
Though he started with nothing, he later earned an honorary doctorate from Oxford, was lauded by Winston Church, and had friendships with two US presidents.
I was inspired by this book and the positive impact that one person can make in the world.
William Booth opened factories to give work to the unemployed. Government leaders toured his facilities and created laws for 'safer working conditions' once they saw how well his factory was run compared to others. Booth published articles, books, and traveled the worlds to teach and inspire others to help the poor.
Thousands of people, throughout the world, became part of the "Salvation Army" who's mission was to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the poor. Some of his work still continues to this day.
Though he started with nothing, he later earned an honorary doctorate from Oxford, was lauded by Winston Church, and had friendships with two US presidents.
I was inspired by this book and the positive impact that one person can make in the world.
August 30, 2020
Audiobook Review:
I think the reason I loved this book is because William Booth saw the bottom rung of society and his heart was moved with Father’s heart of compassion.
He saw the challenges of the poor and he did something about it. He helped so many people, who were stuck in a cycle of dreadful poverty, and gave them that lift to stand on their feet! He gave them recognition as humans - personhood! And gave them dignity and sense of belonging.
And in his pursuit of “social justice”, which I am going to rename social challenges, he endured, even when the “world” scorned his efforts! He didn’t stop, wallow in complaining and self-pity, but found his purpose in God, and in leaning on and trusting God, he went on doing what he knew was his calling!
Out of all the books by these authors, this one is my favorite so far!
Thank you to both the authors and narrator for bringing this life-story to life!
I think the reason I loved this book is because William Booth saw the bottom rung of society and his heart was moved with Father’s heart of compassion.
He saw the challenges of the poor and he did something about it. He helped so many people, who were stuck in a cycle of dreadful poverty, and gave them that lift to stand on their feet! He gave them recognition as humans - personhood! And gave them dignity and sense of belonging.
And in his pursuit of “social justice”, which I am going to rename social challenges, he endured, even when the “world” scorned his efforts! He didn’t stop, wallow in complaining and self-pity, but found his purpose in God, and in leaning on and trusting God, he went on doing what he knew was his calling!
Out of all the books by these authors, this one is my favorite so far!
Thank you to both the authors and narrator for bringing this life-story to life!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 23, 2021An amazing man that fought against the child sex trade in Britain and Japan. Even then he faced resistance from the British Royal Family along with the Parliament. An omen of future evils by the Royal Family.
November 5, 2018
This is a fascinating account of William Booth, the starter of the Salvation Army. The biography flows well and has many interesting details of his life. What an amazing man!
January 16, 2019
Extremely interesting book about William Booth’s life and how he created The Salvation Army.
March 18, 2019
Nice story about William Booth, cause I don't know what else to say.
May 28, 2019
I learned a lot about this historical character that I'd never known. Recommend for middle school and above.
October 30, 2022
A good story about a man who cared greatly for the poor.
September 22, 2023
Wow, William Booth was an amazing man who inspired so many to turn to Christ and did so much good in the world. I'm thankful for people like these!
January 9, 2024
Enjoyed reading it. All glory be to God.
April 17, 2021
I have been a supporter of the Salvation Army for many years but never really knew the history. This was a very amazing and inspirational story. I highly recommend this book.
August 5, 2024
I knew very little about the founder of The Salvation Army before reading this book. He was a fascinating man who faced many hard challenges alongside other belivers who fought to make England a better place and to share the gospel with the people. Incredible what one man started and accomplished in his lifetime.
March 5, 2013
I couldn't decide whether to give this book 2 or 3 stars... probably my least favourite out of the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series.
February 11, 2014
One of my favorites of the the Christian Heroes : Then and Now. Really inspiring and has challenged me to do more hard things.
April 26, 2014
This is a new favorite of the YWAM biographies. It runs a very close second to George Muller. I'm very inspired by reading this book.
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September 27, 2015Top favorite
October 23, 2017
good book, other than the fact that Catherine Booth was a preacher.
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January 10, 2018vfvf
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews