- Jun 9, 2023
- 2 min read

• Chief of the Staff announced

Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill will take up their new leadership roles in early August.

General-elect Commissioner Lyndon Buckingham has appointed Commissioner Edward Hill as Chief of the Staff and Commissioner Shelley Hill as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries, effective from 3 August 2023.

“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,” General-elect Buckingham said.

The General appoints the Chief of the Staff as second-in-command of the international Salvation Army. The first Chief was Bramwell Booth, eldest son of The Salvation Army Founders William and Catherine Booth. Commissioner Edward Hill will be the 28th Chief of the Staff.

Commissioned in June 1993 in the USA Western Territory, Edward and Shelley Hill began their shared ministry as officers in Hawaii. 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 experience was theirs at Pasadena Tabernacle Corps from February 2002. In June 2008, Majors Hill were appointed to lead the Hawaii/Pacific Division as Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries. They were subsequently appointed to THQ in June 2012 – Major Edward Hill as Secretary for Programme and Major Shelley as Women’s Ministries Secretary. In July 2016, their first experience of international service came to them as they were appointed to the Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. Further international service opportunities came in November 2018 with their appointments to the Canada and Bermuda Territory as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries. May 2021 saw the Hills, promoted to commissioner, assuming responsibility as Zonal Leaders for the Americas and Caribbean Zone, based at International Headquarters in London. In these roles, they have served in various capacities: Edward Hill is a SAITCo Director as well as a member of The General’s Council and International Appointments Board, and Shelley Hill 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. Commissioner Edward Hill holds a Master of Christian Education and a Master of Divinity, and Commissioner Shelley Hill is an Arrow Executive Leadership Course graduate.