The Salvation Army’s newly elected International leader, Commissioner Shaw Clifton has humbly stated that he is “unworthy” for this position, but simultaneously expressed his excitement and hopes for this new journey with God.
“I come to it very aware of my frailties, but equally aware of God’s rich grace. The scripture promised that when I am weak, then He is strong,” he shared.In a recent interview with Christian Today, Commissioner Clifton briefly reflected on his past journey with God.
In his mid-twenties he changed his vocation from a university professor at a law faculty, to a full-time Salvationist at the Salvation Army, according to God’s calling.
Looking back and looking at where he stands today, he expressed that it’s “a humbling and deeply moving experience.”
“I marvel and wonder at God’s planning and the way He guides you throughout the years,” he added.
During the interview, Commissioner Clifton also talked about the commitment to aid that the Salvation Army will continue to provide “without discrimination or strings attached.”
“The army never said we will help if you believe- we simply say ‘we will help you.’”I come to it very aware of my frailties, but equally aware of God’s rich grace. The scripture promised that when I am weak, then He is strong.
Commissioner Shaw Clifton, Salvation Army
In addition, Commissioner Clifton expressed his hopes “to win men and women, boys and girls to Christ and meet human needs.”
“I want to be the kind of world leader of the Salvation Army that will help Salvationists in every corner of the globe to capture a new vision- of a needy world, where although sin is always rampant, the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ is even more powerful,” he shared.
(To view the full interview with Commissioner Clifton, click here.)
Clifton was elected by the High Council of The Salvation Army, which is made up of senior Salvation Army leaders from across the world, last week in Sunbury-on-Thames.
Current leader General John Larsson will step down from his position when he retires in April 2006. The move will now see Commissioner Clifton become head of the international evangelical church, which has 1.5 million members in 111 countries across the globe.
Commissioner Clifton will become the General-elect and will be the ninth British General of the Salvation Army.Previous to his current position as the head of the UK and Republic of Ireland, Clifton used to be in charge of Salvation Army work in New Zealand and Fiji and prior to that in Pakistan.
During his Christian ministry, Clifton has also led work for the Salvation Army in Massachusetts, USA, and before that he was a regional commander in the Durham and Tees area of the UK.
Commissioner Clifton has also served as Vice-Principal of a Salvation Army secondary school in former Rhodesia and has held several appointments, both in the UK and at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters, including the position of Legal and Parliamentary Secretary.
Commissioner Clifton is a Bachelor of Law graduate and holds a Bachelor of Divinity and a PhD in the History of Religion from the University of London.
