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In Summer 2009, cadets Graciela and Jeff Arkell moved to Portage La Prairie where they completed their officership training as the Ministry Leaders for that Corps and Community.  It was a flexible model which allowed the Arkells to train in the field through a training partnership with CFOT and the Prairie Division, and if you’ve been reading our website then you have no doubt been blessed by the reports of their experiences.

Beginning January 2010, CFOT is pleased to announce a new initiative we are undertaking with Corps Officers, Majors Jamie and Ann Braund, and London Citadel, in the Ontario Great Lakes Division.  Cadet Darren Woods is moving to London ON where he will complete the next phase of his training including his academic requirements through distance education.  Darren is a cadet, like the Arkells, who came to CFOT with a large proportion of his academic requirements satisfied.  Working with London Citadel allows the training college to give Darren experience in the field and allows us to receive feedback and evaluation from Mjs. Braund as Field Training Officers.  It broadens the concept of Field training beyond the close proximity of Winnipeg, and at the same time honours people’s experience in the training process.

Training Principal, Major Eric Bond writes, “Last year we began a new mode of training for cadets in this Territory with the Arkells in Portage La Prairie.  We continue to pursue Field Based Training recognizing people come to training for Officership with a wide variety of academic, ministry and life experience.   We want to thank the Divisional Leadership and London Citadel, especially Majors Jamie and Ann Braund, for entering into this partnership with CFOT.  God bless Darren as he undertakes this exciting training opportunity, and God bless The Salvation Army as we seek new opportunities for training cadets in the Field.”

London Citadel is looking forward to the partnership.  In the words of Mj. Jamie Braund,  “I’ve learned numerous times that entering into a door that God opens might be intimidating and even a bit scary, but the outcomes are always an opportunity to see God work, often in miraculous ways. A new and amazing door that God has opened for London Citadel is an opportunity to partner with CFOT in the training program for Cadets. What an incredible opportunity!! There’s a real sense of excitement and anticipation for the arrival of Cadet Darren Woods to be part of ministry and part of the community here at London Citadel. We hope it will be a great learning experience for Darren, and we’re sure that we’ll benefit in many ways as God continues to work out His will for our lives.”

This type of initiative, as with all of CFOT’s Field training, requires the input and support of Divisional Headquarters, and this situation is no exception.  Lt-Col. Lee Graves, Divisional Commander offers, “The Ontario Great Lakes Division considers it to be a privilege to be part of this creative approach to training in partnership with the College For Officer Training and the leadership of London Citadel. The Division applauds the Training College leadership for embracing this visionary step forward and is honored to be among the first to be invited to support such a model. We look forward to welcoming Cadet Darren Woods to the Division and to working alongside Majors Ann and Jamie Braund in support of this new initiative.”

Please pray for Darren and for all our cadets as well as those who are considering God’s call on their lives.  By the way…have you asked yourself if God is calling you to be an Officer in The Salvation Army?  We welcome any feedback, comments, questions or ideas you may have.  Click on comment and let us know what you think.