Asbury University Hosts Salvation Army General Brian Peddle

October 24, 2019

Asbury University constituents were excited to welcome General Brian Peddle to campus this week. Peddle, the CEO and 21^st General of the Salvation Army, has served in his role since August 2018. 

During his visit, Peddle met with students, faculty and staff at an informal reception Tuesday afternoon. He also spoke in Chapel on Wednesday morning in Hughes Auditorium and toured campus following the service. View a photo gallery below! 

“I have heard about Asbury for years and it is neat to be speaking at Chapel,” Peddle said. “I am excited to be experiencing Asbury for myself after hearing many wonderful stories from Asbury graduates and students.”

Peddle was accompanied by his wife Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, who serves as the world secretary of women’s ministries for the Salvation Army. The couple serves internationally and is currently based in London, England.

Several other distinguished international and national guests from the Salvation Army were also on campus this week. They include:

• Commissioner David Hudson, national commander (USA), and his wife Commissioner Sharron Hudson, national president of women’s ministries
• Colonel Jeffrey Smith, national chief secretary, and his wife Colonel Dorothy Smith, national secretary for women’s ministries
• Lt. Colonel Dean Hinson, national secretary for program, and his wife Lt. Colonel Pam Hinson, national secretary for spiritual life development
• Major David Williamson, private secretary to The General

Asbury President Kevin J. Brown was glad to have these esteemed guests on campus.

“At Asbury, we talk about academic excellence,” Dr. Brown said. “We are indeed an academic institution and we value and prioritize it as a school in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition. But our DNA is mission and its purpose and its service. For those of you who want to bend the universe in favor of the common good and your neighbor and the widow and the orphan and the ailing, I will tell you there is not a more reputable and functional and faithful partner to join in this than the Salvation Army. Today we are blessed to have their leadership with us.”

During his Chapel sermon, Peddle focused on the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which states, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

“We are His called people, separated for a purpose by holy intention, having a dynamic that is divine and not simply human,” Peddle said in Chapel. “What would I say to the students of Asbury today? Give me men and women who know they are redeemed for a reason, committed to the cause of Christ Jesus and who are willing to be sent into the chaos of life by the Savior.”

Asbury has a longstanding relationship with the Salvation Army and has partnered with the institution for over 90 years, working together to impact the world for Christ. Asbury also offers unique online degree programs for Salvation Army officers.

“Thank God for this long, beautiful relationship with this institution,” Peddle said of the University’s partnership with the Salvation Army. “It’s about time that I finally show up here. Thank you very, very much.”

Learn more about Asbury University’s relationship with the Salvation Army by visiting www.asbury.edu/thesalvationarmy.