About Us
The first efforts in theological education for The Salvation Army in Australia began in 1883, only two years after the first leaders had arrived from England to take charge of the fledgling Army. This training was exclusive to its officers [ministers], to give them some preparation for ministry. In 1921 the Eastern Territory Training College was opened at 55 Livingstone Rd, Petersham and the Cadets [ministers-in-training] undertook a ten month residential course. Time in training was extended for cadets in 1965 to two years.
Between 1932 and 1935, because of the Great Depression and the need to economise, the college in Sydney was closed and all officer training was carried out in Melbourne.
1980 saw the Sydney Officer Training College, [now The School for Officer Training], move from Petersham to its present location at Bexley North. In 1996 The Salvation Army introduced a training program at the Lake Munmorah Campus with emphasis on Leadership & Discipleship for young adults within The Salvation Army.
February 1997 saw the commencement of theological education for Christians who wished to study, but were not looking at becoming an officer. This was the first semester of classes through the now School For Christian Studies and in June 1999 the new College of Further Education (now Booth College) building was opened on the site at Bexley North with modern classrooms and an updated library.
This inaugurated a unique program designed to bring the existing training programs:
- The School For Christian Studies,
- The School for Officer Training,
- The School for Youth Leadership and
- The School for Leadership Training (Stanmore)
under one umbrella.
This facilitated an integrated approach which features two defining objectives:
- to harmonise curricula, and
- to rationalise resources.
Booth College provides a wide range of accredited and non-accredited courses in ministry, theology, leadership and management, counselling and pastoral care.
Booth College currently has students enrolled in their Schools from all around the world.
