• What lessons will I be able to take from this field placement to my future ministry?
• What has working in this field placement taught me about myself?
• How has my work in this ministry impacted my relationship with God?
• What has this field placement taught/shown me about other people?

I have realized that I cannot do this alone and that I have to rely on God’s strength and grace. I am only a sinful man with human frailties and I cannot even begin to speak hope into a hopeless life on my own.

Because of this, I have had to turn to God for everything. I seek Him in all I do. I see that God is the power source of any ministry and because of this I have to surrender everything to Him.

Since coming here I have seen that there are many people that are loving and compassionate. It is not as hopeless as it seems. Where there is a need, there are people trying to assist in any way they can. They are driven by a love for their fellow man. I have also seen that people are longing for God, whether they realize it or not. Everyone, from the saint that sits in our Sunday morning service to the young man that is caught in the cycle of substance abuse and endless jail sentences, all are longing for something that only God can provide. I am in a very privileged position where I am able to show God’s love to both ends of the spectrum of human nature.

Cadet Lance Gillard shares his musical talent with the good folks at Chatham-Kent in Ontario. 

.

.

.

.

The College for Officer Training is happy to announce the names of The Proclaimers of Resurrection Session (2011-2013).  With no further ado they are:

Peter and Ruth Hickman and their children Levi and Vivian

Randy and Anne Holden

David and Laura Hickman

Joshua and Tina Howard and their children Abigail and Julian

Dusty and Laurie Sauder and their children Elaina and Ayrton

Ricaurte and Vilma Velasquez and their children Bryan and Cristian

Justin and Colleen Gleadall and their children Malakai and Payton

Please join us in praying for each of them and their families as they make their final preparations for Training College.

On Good Friday we attended and participated in the community-wide service in remembrance of the great sacrifice given at Calvary.  The community came together to sing songs of thanksgiving and to offer prayers of praise and hear the Word of God.

On Saturday, the Cadets were able to help with renovations to the youth room at the Corps.  We spent the day sharing with YP leaders and several young people as we worked on the floor and shared in a great time of fellowship.  It was so great to see the youth of the Corps come and invest their time and energies in preparation of a room that would be designated for them.  It was amazing to see the involvement of the youth in Swift Current and their desire for ministry and their passion for Christ and for each other was very evident.

Easter Sunday was a great day of celebrating the resurrection of Christ.  The day began with a Son Rise Service held outside the Corps where we joined together to sing praise to and worship our Risen Lord.  I had the great privilege of sharing a devotional with those who gathered and I spoke about the living hope that we have because of Christ’s resurrection. After this service, the Corps family came together for a breakfast and the time spent together was well enjoyed.  A time of sharing with each other in stories, laughter, and fellowship was certainly a blessing and the people in Swift Current made us feel welcomed and accepted us into their Corps family.

The morning worship service was an exciting time of celebration of our faith.  There was a band for this service which was comprised of youth, their leaders, and Cadets.  The band played for a prelude and the offertory which was a testament of how the youth of the Corps are dedicated to ministry. Cadet Kristen expounded the Word of God and shared with us how “It All Matters”.  She challenged us to live lives worthy of the sacrifice that was made on Calvary and how we should be thankful for the debt that was paid for us.

This weekend in Swift Current was a great time for us, as Cadets, to share with the Corps people and with each other.  We enjoyed every aspect of the weekend from the travel to and from Swift Current and certainly, the time in the city.  We were blessed over and over but none more than by the involvement of the youth in the Corps.

We pray God’s blessing upon the Corps in Swift Current and we will remember this weekend as an enriching ministry opportunity.

Cadet Kim Chan is a member of the Friends of Christ session.  Kim gave up M & M’s for Lent.  We understand that the company almost went under in that time period.  Fortunately, for them (and Kim) Lent is over.

This was a wonderful weekend with Captain George Katchanov, as well as the Corps and community.  I feel it was an educational opportunity to observe another perspective of the work of the Salvation Army in different context.

We had an opportunity to visit the Community Food Bank which is not operated by The Salvation Army but works in partnership with the Army, and to participate in an ecumenical Good Friday Service, in which we had the opportunity to visit the community and observe the importance of engaging and being present in the community beyond the walls of The Salvation Army building. 

To further emphasize going outside the boundaries of the Church building, we were also involved in a service at Parkview Lodge, where we joined with the residents, who represented many different denominations, and  where we felt at home with their welcoming presence and lunch afterwards. 

While Easter Sunday focused on celebrating Christ’s resurrection, we also had reason to celebrate for the congregation made up of men, women and children who came out to worship and stay for the potluck dinner following the service.

From conversations around the table with these friendly folk, to joining in with the children and playing trucks on the floor, we thoroughly enjoyed our ministry opportunity.  Every time we enter into a new ministry unit, we gain new insights and this will impact our development as effective Officers in The Salvation Army.

As we look forward to our first appointment and summer assignment, we pray God’s Blessing upon the Dauphin Corps, Captain George Katchanov and Major’s Grayling & Jacqui Crites as they each face the transition of appointment changes in the next little while.

Cadet Tonia Street, along with her husband Chris, is a part of the Ambassadors of Holiness session and is just 39 days (not that she is counting!) away from being commissioned. 

Tonia is an avid scrapbooker, makes beautiful greeting cards and has been known to snap a candid picture (or two).  We expect some of those pictures will be making it into the Ambassadors of Holiness yearbook.

Cadets Brian & June Bobolo - Corner Brook Temple – Newfoundland and Labrador Division

Cadet Kim Chan - Hamilton – Meadowlands – Ontario Great Lakes Division

Cadets Jason Dockeray & Kristen Jackson-Dockeray – Niagara Orchard Community Church – Ontario Great Lakes Division

Cadets Cory & Kelly Fifield - Melfort – Circuit with Nipawin & Tisdale – Prairie Division

Cadets Lance & Monika Gillard - Chatham-Kent Ministries – Ontario Great Lakes Division

Cadet Bethany Howard - Quesnel – British Columbia Division

Cadets Joshua & Jennifer Ivany - Cranbrook-Kootenay Valley Community Church – British Columbia Division

Cadets Dennis & Mary Maybury - Parry Sound – Rainbow Country Church – Ontario Central – East Division

Cadets Tina & Keesom Phanthaamath - Toronto – Cedarbrae Community Church – Ontario Central – East Division

Cadets Stefan & Laura Van Schaick - Kitchener Community Church – Ontario Great Lakes Division

Congratulations and Happy Trails!

Cadet Chalrimawia – Ebenezer Corps, Central South Division (India) and Children’s Officer (Part time at Youth Department, THQ) Aizawl

Cadets Joshua Downer and Joyce Wilson (soon to be wed!) – Glace Bay Circuit with New Waterford – Maritime Division

Cadets Peter & Grace Kim – St. Albert Church & Community Centre – Alberta & Northern Territories Division

Cadet Kyla McKenzie – Fernie – British Columbia Division

Cadet Lalrengpuii Hmar Sungte – Vengthar Corps Kolasib, Western Division (India) and Assistant Training Officer, Officer Traning College, Kolasib

Cadets Chris & Tonia Street – Eastside Citadel – Newfoundland & Labrador Division

Cadet Jaclyn Wynne – Glover’s Harbour – Newfoundland & Labrador Division

Cadet Darren Woods – London Hillcrest Community Church – Ontario Great Lakes Division

Congratulations to all the Ambassadors and to the lucky Corps that will be receiving them!

“Where would you be if you didn’t know the Lord?” was asked by Major Donna Bond. A response came through the testimonies of two Friends of Christ. Cadet Bethany Howard, Chatham-Kent Ministries, Ontario, a spinal cancer survivor, spoke of God’s miraculous healing in her life, “If I can get through that, surgery & recovery, I can get through anything, claiming Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything though Him who gives me strength,” Cadet Dennis Maybury, West End Community Church, Bermuda, thanked God for the opportunity he has had to know Jesus and spoke knowingly of what God can do in people’s lives, claiming the promise of Philippians 2:20, “I have no one else like Him, who takes a genuine interest in me.”

Cadet Cory Fifield, New West Minister Citadel, offered a musical item, with heartfelt words, “I need you more, more than yesterday, more than words can ever say, more than ever before.” The sung words offered a bridge into the message, ‘Quest….To Know Him,’  by the Territorial Commander Commissioner William Francis.  The Commissioner declared that for the Friends of Christ this weekend marks a watershed in their lives and the future of The Salvation Army.  Each cadet has chosen a journey leading to Salvation Army Officership which will take them in a new direction for their lives. “While in training you will be prepared to minister to a dark world, to a pessimistic world, to a world that hasn’t heard the message of Jesus Christ.  You will be proclaiming new life to those who have not heard the Good News before.”  “Friends of Christ, to proclaim this message you will need to know Christ intimately.  You will need to claim the words of Paul the Apostle, found in Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings becoming like him in his death.” Responding to the message of ‘Knowing Him’ women and men knelt at the Mercy Seat with the desire to have Christ radiate in their lives and to have a renewed desire to be like Jesus in every thought and deed.

Following the Family Worship Service a luncheon had been prepared as part of the celebration events.  2^nd Year Cadet Kyla McKenzie, an Ambassador of Holiness, spoke official words of welcome to the Friends of Christ, assuring them of prayer, support, and fellowship during the upcoming year.

A public welcome to the Friends of Christ commenced at 4:00pm at Southlands Community Church where a crowd of 250 gathered to join in the excitement of the event.  Friends, family, and leaders of The Salvation Army who entered the sanctuary were greeted by a prelude of music offered by the Winnipeg East Corps Band. Commissioners William and Marilyn Francis, Colonels Floyd and Tracey Tidd, and Majors Eric and Donna Bond marched into the sanctuary and the band played.  2^nd year flag bearer Cadet Joshua Downer proudly entered the sanctuary carrying the College For Officer Training flag, immediately followed by the Friends of Christ flag carried by Cadet Kim Chan, (St. John’s Citadel, NL).  As the music played and excitement mounted each Friend of Christ’s picture was displayed on the screen as they marched into sanctuary.  Enthusiasm mounted as was evident by smiles on the faces of the Friends of Christ. Following introductory remarks by Major Eric Bond worship continued under the leadership of the CFOT worship team, Cadets, Jenn & Josh Ivany, Kyla McKenzie, Jason Dockery, and Joshua Downer.  Words of praise were sung to ‘the King who is coming to reign’, ‘a song declaring we belong to Jesus.’  Appropriately offered for this public welcome to the Friends of Christ were the words to the chorus, “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend.”  The sung praises were followed by a Prayer of Thanksgiving offered by Lt. Colonel Sandra Rice, Secretary for Personnel, for the session and for what God continues to do in the lives of His people.

The sessional song, ‘Friends of Christ,’ was appropriately named, written and lead by Cadet Josh Ivany, which when sung, declared  ‘We are Friends of Christ, we are friends of the lost, we will fight for justice, we will serve you Lord, we will trust you Lord, we will be happy in Jesus.”  To listen to the song click the play button below Josh’s photo. 

“The Friends of Christ,” Major Bond introduced, ‘have come to Winnipeg to train as Salvation Army Officers.  They have left work as chaplains, labourers, IT trainers, teachers, taxi drivers, community youth workers, and other jobs to follow God’s call on their lives.” Continuing with introductions, Major Keith Pike, Director of Field, interviewed Cadet Jason Dockeray (Hamilton-Freeway Community Church).  Cadet Dockeray summarized how his training as a church planter and experience as a Emergency Youth Worker had prepared him for accepting God’s call on his life for Salvation Army Officership.

Cadet Laura Van Schaick, (St. Albert Church and Community Center) enhanced the worship atmosphere through offering a violin solo of “All That I Am.”  As a hush came over the congregation, Cadet Kim Chan proudly displayed the Friends of Christ flag while Commissioner William Francis, dedicated the flag reminding listeners of the meaning of the colors of the flag, yellow which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, red which symbolizes the blood of Christ and blue which symbolizes holiness.

Colonel Floyd Tidd, Chief Secretary, spoke a powerful message taken from John 15:1-17, emphasizing the offering of an identity to be a friend of Christ. Col. Tidd articulated that in claiming the name “Friend of Christ” we are compelled to love people, and, in accepting the identity and the name “Friend of Christ” one must love as Christ has loved, one must be like Jesus.  A challenge was then given to the congregation to accept Christ’s friend request and become like Jesus.  Men and women responded to the message of identity as a friend of Jesus, and a desire to be like Jesus, dedications of lives were prayerfully made and offered to God.

Celebrations concluded through the offering of a benediction by the Divisional Commander of the Prairie Division Major Wayne Bungay.

Meet Auxiliary Captain Micheline Hardy who, along with her husband Rob, is appointed to Hope Acres Corps and Rehabilitation Center in Glencairn, Ontario. 

“I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, in a French Canadian home, the eldest of three children. I attended Catholic school and church until my early teens. My husband and I have two sons, James and Andrew, a daughter, Amanda, a son-in-law, Sunil, and our pride and joy, our grandsons, Emmanuel and Noah.

I have learned that when we are called by God He never gives up on us.  Even if we ignore his calling and walk away, He continues to prepare us and waits patiently and calls on us again. The Lord has called me three times to full time ministry and I finally surrendered my all to His will.

The Lord spoke to my heart at the age of eight and I knew the path He wanted me to take was one of full time ministry. I ignored His calling and walked away not only from His calling but from Him completely. Even though I walked away from God I never lost my faith or stopped praying but I had lost that personal relationship with Jesus so I was not living by His will but by mine.

The second time I felt God’s calling to full time ministry was a few years ago when I was 45. He was calling me to become a Salvation Army Officer and my husband Rob and I started the process but did not continue.

In the summer of 2008 we discovered that the age limit for becoming an officer had been extended. Rob asked me if I was ready to go into full time ministry and become an Officer.  I laughed and brushed it off because I believed that the door had closed for us to enter into full time ministry as officers but I felt an excitement in my heart, like my heart had skipped a beat. I prayed and began to realize that God was calling me for the third time but this time I was ready. God has given me a clear picture of how He has been preparing me all of my life for full time ministry.  He has been waiting for me to say “Yes, I will follow”.

There are no words to describe how you feel when you answer God’s calling. I often remind myself when William Booth was asked what his secret was for his success he answered “God has had all there was of me” . So I have finally, and will continue, to give Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour all there is of me. I will continue to remind myself to be thankful and to pray about everything.  Also that God gives me the eternal peace that guards my heart and mind (Philippians 4:4-7). I am excited about my  first appointment at Hope Acres and the next few years of learning ahead.”

Cadet Tonia Street has prepared an update on how their summer is progressing so far.  Click here to read what she has to say.

Cadets Chris and Tonia Street are appointed to the Moncton Citadel Community Church in the Maritime Division.  Christ and Tonia entered training out of the Green’s Harbour Corps, Newfoundland and Labrador Division.

The opportunity to form relationships has been very rich.  While the town is a good size and in close proximity to St. John’s, the people have retained the hospitality and openness that I know smaller, more isolated communities to be famous for.  Through visits in people’s homes, coffee times at Tim Horton’s, and a Bible study BBQ I have been given the opportunity to enter into people’s lives and hear about their lives and spiritual journeys.

A huge highlight of my summer so far was the week of VBS ministry.  I was able to join the team that led the week and was given responsibility for the Bible time and working with the summer student to facilitate the technical end of things.  Working within the team was a real blessing, as I was able to learn from members of the corps who have been involved in this ministry for many years, as well as catch a glimpse of the enthusiasm of new Christians for their new found ministry.  It was a real joy to watch the children learn and have fun throughout the week, culminating in a closing event on Sunday morning with the church filled with corps members as well as families who do not normally attend.

I am very excited to see what new blessings God has in store for the remaining weeks!

Cadet Jason Waters the Bay Roberts Corps in the Newfoundland and Labrador Division for his summer assignment.  Jason entered training out of the Edmonton Temple Corps in Edmonton, Alberta & Northern Territories Division.