General Eva Burrows left an indelible mark on many lives through her diligent, life-long commitment to Christ and her service with the Salvation Army.
Born in Australia to parents who were Salvation Army officers, she committed her life to Christ and to service in the Salvation Army while attending Queensland University. She went on to prepare for her ministry at the William Both Memorial Training College in London and was commissioned as an officer in 1951.
Shortly after being commissioned, she sensed the Holy Spirit compelling her to serve in Africa. She followed her calling to Rhodesia (now known as Zimbabwe) where she trained other officers at the mission station, known as the Howard Institute. She served there for 14 years. Eva was particularly interested in training local residents to teach in the many Salvation Army schools scattered throughout Zimbabwe. To that in, she completed her Masters of Education at Sydney University when she was home on her first leave.
She returned to Africa and continued her work in education. After serving as head of the teacher’s college, then vice-principal of the Usher Institute (girl’s school), she went on to help establish the first Domestic Science Teacher Training College for African Girls. It became well-known throughout the country for its excellence.
In 1970, Eva returned to London. She brought all her educational training and experience into her assignment as vice-principal, then principal, of the Salvation Army’s International College for Officers. In 1975 her role changed once again when she became the leader of Women’s Social Services in Great Britain and Ireland where she developed a deeper compassion for the needs of those living in poverty in the United Kingdom’s large cities.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Public Domain.
Eva’s next role began in 1977 when she accepted a post in Sri Lanka. There she introduced programs to address the needs she saw among the Asian people with whom she lived and worked. She went on to work in Scotland and Australia, as well.
All these stepping stones led to her election as chief commander of the Salvation Army worldwide in 1986, and taking on the title General Eva Burrows. Her varied cross-cultural experiences had equipped her with a unique vision for unifying the worker and the work worldwide. Only one woman had ever served as general prior to Eva Burrows.
Perhaps her most notable achievement was reintroducing the Salvation Army in Eastern Europe after the fall of communism in that region.
General Burrows retired from her position in 1993. She returned to Australia where she actively served with her local church. She also accepted speaking engagements worldwide, continuing the work God had given her to do. The following year she was honored with a Companion of the Order of Australia Award. She passed away in 2015.
“Serenity and inner beauty come when we wait upon God. ‘Waiting’ like that is not merely wasting time.” – Eva Burrows
