THE youngest person to be elected general of the Salvation Army today becomes the first leader of a Christian church to visit China at the invitation of the China Church Council.
General Eva Burrows, who is also the longest-serving international leader of the Salvation Army, is looking forward to the China visit in what she describes as ''the post-denominational era''.
Another highlight of the visit will be her speech to the youth group at the Chong Wen Mun Church, the largest in Beijing.
The 62-year-old Australian is the Salvation Army's 13th general and only the second woman to hold the post. The last woman was the daughter of the founder of the army, Eva Booth.
All generals in the Salvation Army serve five-year terms on election. General Burrows was asked and agreed to a two-year extension when her term expired in 1991. She retires in July.
One of nine children, General Burrows says her inspiration comes from her parents, who were both with the Salvation Army.
''We learned very early in life that God came first, other people second and ourselves last.'' But that sort of upbringing did not stop her becoming a ''very rebellious teenager'', resentful of the sacrifices the family made.