John Larsson
Encyclopedia
John Larsson is the Swedish
-born 17th General
of The Salvation Army
(2002–2006).
The son of officer parents, he spent his early years in Sweden
, Denmark
, Chile
and Argentina
. Even his grandparents were officers in The Salvation Army, and his grandfather on his father's side, commissioner Karl Larsson, is known in the Army's history as the one who "opened fire" in Russia the first time (1914). John Larsson became an officer in 1957 from the Upper Norwood
Corps, London
, England
. He graduated from the University of London
with a BD
degree.
After a year as a corps officer in the north of England, he served on the staff of the International Training College in London for seven years before returning to corps appointments.
He and Captain Freda Turner were married in 1969 while John was stationed at the corps in Ealing
. They have two sons, Karl Larsson and Kevin Larsson, who are both members of The Salvation Army.
John Larsson and his wife were appointed to the South America West Territory in 1980, he as chief secretary and she as Territorial Home League secretary. In 1984, they were appointed to the International Training College as principal and librarian, respectively. They were appointed to International Headquarters
in London in 1988. John Larsson, as assistant to the chief of the staff for United Kingdom administrative planning, was given the task of researching and planning for the separation of the international and national administrations. Freda Larsson served as coordinator for married women officers.
The Larssons were then appointed territorial commander and territorial president of Women’s Organisations for the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
in 1990]. In 1993, they were appointed territorial leaders for the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory; and in 1996, they received similar appointments for the Sweden and Latvia Territory.
John Larsson is the author
of Doctrine Without Tears, The Man Perfectly Filled with the Spirit, Spiritual Breakthrough and How Your Corps Can Grow. He is also the author of "1929", a history of the events that took place that year in The Salvation Army.
He is also a composer
and, together with John Gowans
, co-authored ten full-length stage
musicals, Take-Over Bid (1967), Hosea (1969), Jesus Folk (1972), Spirit (1973), Glory (1975), White Rose (1977), The Blood Of The Lamb (1978), Son Of Man (1983), Man Mark II (1985), and The Meeting (1990).
In 1999, Commissioner John Larsson became chief of the staff
, second in command of The Salvation Army worldwide. His wife, Commissioner Freda Larsson, became World Secretary for Women’s Organisations (later Women's Ministries).
Larsson was elected General on September 6, 2002, and assumed the office following the retirement of his predecessor, General John Gowans. Shaw Clifton
succeeded to the office of general when Larsson retired at midnight on April 1, 2006.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
-born 17th General
Generals of The Salvation Army
thumbnail|left|1st General, William BoothGeneral is the title of the international leader of The Salvation Army, a Christian denomination with extensive charitable social services that gives quasi-military rank to its ministers .Usage of the term General began with the Founder of The Salvation...
of The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
(2002–2006).
The son of officer parents, he spent his early years in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. Even his grandparents were officers in The Salvation Army, and his grandfather on his father's side, commissioner Karl Larsson, is known in the Army's history as the one who "opened fire" in Russia the first time (1914). John Larsson became an officer in 1957 from the Upper Norwood
Upper Norwood
Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. It is a residential district largely in the London Borough of Croydon although some parts extend into the London Borough of Lambeth, London Borough of Southwark and the London Borough of Bromley. Upper Norwood...
Corps, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He graduated from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
with a BD
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
degree.
After a year as a corps officer in the north of England, he served on the staff of the International Training College in London for seven years before returning to corps appointments.
He and Captain Freda Turner were married in 1969 while John was stationed at the corps in Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
. They have two sons, Karl Larsson and Kevin Larsson, who are both members of The Salvation Army.
John Larsson and his wife were appointed to the South America West Territory in 1980, he as chief secretary and she as Territorial Home League secretary. In 1984, they were appointed to the International Training College as principal and librarian, respectively. They were appointed to International Headquarters
International Headquarters of The Salvation Army
The International Headquarters of the Salvation Army is located in London at 101 Queen Victoria Street, EC4P 4EP.This is a modern building on a site used by the Army for its headquarters since 1881.-External links:*...
in London in 1988. John Larsson, as assistant to the chief of the staff for United Kingdom administrative planning, was given the task of researching and planning for the separation of the international and national administrations. Freda Larsson served as coordinator for married women officers.
The Larssons were then appointed territorial commander and territorial president of Women’s Organisations for the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
in 1990]. In 1993, they were appointed territorial leaders for the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory; and in 1996, they received similar appointments for the Sweden and Latvia Territory.
John Larsson is the author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of Doctrine Without Tears, The Man Perfectly Filled with the Spirit, Spiritual Breakthrough and How Your Corps Can Grow. He is also the author of "1929", a history of the events that took place that year in The Salvation Army.
He is also a composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and, together with John Gowans
John Gowans
John Gowans was the sixteenth General of the Salvation Army from 1999–2002, succeeding General Paul Rader. He is also notable for pairing with General John Larsson in the composition of many songs and musicals....
, co-authored ten full-length stage
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
musicals, Take-Over Bid (1967), Hosea (1969), Jesus Folk (1972), Spirit (1973), Glory (1975), White Rose (1977), The Blood Of The Lamb (1978), Son Of Man (1983), Man Mark II (1985), and The Meeting (1990).
In 1999, Commissioner John Larsson became chief of the staff
Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army
The Chief of the Staff of The Salvation Army is the officer who is second in command of the Army internationally, only behind the General, and is stationed at International Headquarters in London....
, second in command of The Salvation Army worldwide. His wife, Commissioner Freda Larsson, became World Secretary for Women’s Organisations (later Women's Ministries).
Larsson was elected General on September 6, 2002, and assumed the office following the retirement of his predecessor, General John Gowans. Shaw Clifton
Shaw Clifton
Shaw Clifton is a former General of The Salvation Army. He succeeded John Larsson as the 18th General on 2 April 2006.-Career:Shaw Clifton was born on 21 September 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
succeeded to the office of general when Larsson retired at midnight on April 1, 2006.