Introducing the next Chief of the Staff

General Brian Peddle has announced Commissioner Edward Hill as the next Chief of the Staff.

Following conversation with General-elect Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham, General Brian Peddle has announced that Commissioner Lyndon has appointed Commissioner Edward Hill to be Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Shelley Hill to be World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, effective from 3 August 2023.

Commissioned in June 1993, in the USA Western Territory, Edward and Shelley began their shared ministry as officers in the beautiful island of Hawaii at Leeward. Two years later they were appointed to divisional headquarters as divisional youth leaders, where they served until July 1995, when they were appointed to training college work.

Further corps leadership followed at Pasadena Tabernacle Corps from February 2002. In June 2008, they were appointed to lead the Hawaii/Pacific Division, as divisional commander and divisional director of women’s ministries. They were appointed to THQ in June 2012 – Major Edward as secretary for programme and Major Shelley as women’s ministries secretary.

In July 2016, they were appointed to the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory as chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries. In November 2018, they were appointed to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries.

May 2021 saw the Hills, with the rank of commissioner, assume responsibility as Zonal Leaders for the Americas and Caribbean Zone, based at IHQ. In these roles, Commissioner Edward is a SAITCo Director as well as a member of the General’s Council and International Appointments Board, and Commissioner Shelley is a member of the International Finance Board, the General’s Council and International Appointments Board as well as taking the lead in the zonal department on all mission and community projects and modern slavery and human trafficking response.

The Chief of the Staff is second-in-command of the international Salvation Army. Commissioner Edward will be the 28th Chief of the Staff.

The General said: ‘I know you will join me in assuring Commissioners Hill of thoughts and prayers as they prepare themselves in heart and mind to take on the onerous duties that will be theirs in support of our new international leaders.’