Ministry

Volunteers of America is an established Christian church founded in 1896, with a core set of beliefs (Cardinal Doctrines), sacraments, prescribed forms of worship, an organized clergy and a unique human service ministry based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Many of Volunteers of America's beliefs and practices can be traced in a direct line to the Methodist reforms of the 18th century, and the social gospel movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

More immediately, the church of Volunteers of America is an outgrowth of Salvationism, founded in England in 1878 by William Booth, an evangelical Methodist minister and father of Ballington Booth, co-founder of Volunteers of America.

Volunteers of America has been ecumenical from the beginning. Its ministers have always come from all Christian faith traditions. In fact, ministers are encouraged to be active in other Christian churches for worship, service to others and continued spiritual growth – we are a church and an auxiliary to churches.

Volunteers of America's ministry is unique among churches.