Rodgers and Hammerstein were a part of the award-winning team during the “Golden Age” of Broadway musicals. They  produced nine well-known Broadway hits, including “Oklahoma,” “The King and I” and “The Sound of Music.” 

Generals John Gowans and John Larsson are The Salvation Army’s legendary lyricist and composer of 10 stage musicals that have permeated the Army’s culture and ministry around the world. 

Gowans was born on November 13, 1934, in Blantyre, Scotland, to Salvation Army officers (pastors). Larsson was born in Sweden in 1938 to officer parents and spent his early years in Sweden, Denmark, Chile and Argentina.

The two met in 1967 while serving on the staff of The Salvation Army International Training College in London. They were both captains at the time and were part of a small group of Salvationists who were discussing the possibility of creating a musical for the upcoming “Youth Year” theme. The youth secretary, then-Brigadier Dennis Hunter, pointed to Gowans and Larsson and said, “You and you get together and write the musical!” 

This was the beginning of a decades-long partnership that would result in the creation of 10 full-length stage musicals, including “Take-Over Bid,” “Hosea,” “Jesus Folk,” “Spirit,” “Glory,” “White Rose,” “The Blood of the Lamb,” “Son of Man,” “Man Mark II” and “The Meeting.”  

Larsson considered the musicals “Jesus Folk” and “Spirit” in his words, as the ones that “jumped all denominational barriers.” He continues, “The musicals were welcomed by churches in the early 1970s at the very time when the Holy Spirit renewal was breaking into all denominations, and therefore had a special relevance for the church as a whole.”

Both Gowans and Larsson held various leadership appointments in territories around the world. Gowans and his wife, Gisèle, served as territorial leaders in France, Australia and the United Kingdom. Gowans was elected the 16th general of The Salvation Army in 1999, serving until 2002. He appointed Larsson to be his Chief of the Staff. 

Larsson and his wife, Freda, served as territorial leaders in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Sweden. In 2002, Larsson succeeded Gowans, becoming the 17th general of The Salvation Army and serving until his retirement in 2006.

So What?

Sanctified partnerships hold considerable influence when the gifts of individuals mutually enhance one another. Whose gifts complement your ministry?

Illustration by Paul Ryding