On July 1, the cadets of the Joyful Intercessors Session will be commissioned and ordained as Salvation Army officers. As they prepare for a new chapter in their ministry, these 19 Salvationists share their journey to officership.

Ahead of his visit to the Canada and Bermuda Territory, General André Cox shares the importance of getting out of our corps halls, and how the Army is responding to difficult issues facing the church today.

"I used to feel that my dancing and my faith were separate, that one was my job and the other my religion, that they rarely intersected or affected the other,” says Alex Woodley. “But I’ve come to recognize that the Lord has made the two readily accessible to me. Both my ability to dance and to have a relationship with God are blessings that make up a huge part of my identity.”

Wade, Derrick and Albert share how The Salvation Army's corrections residence in Moncton, N.B., made reintegration possible after many years served in prison.

This year's commissioning event in The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Slovakia Territory included the commissioning of the first officers from Slovakia.

This month, The Salvation Army’s Foothills Church in High River, Alta., celebrated its 110th anniversary. Proudly in attendance was 94-year-old Edith Burke, Foothills’ oldest soldier and one of the territory’s oldest living uniformed Salvationists.

How do you measure influence? Is it tangible or theoretical? In my opinion, it is measured by visibly changed lives, especially when they span family and community, generations and geography. My father-in-law, Bert Vincent, had this kind of influence. From within the family circle and beyond, his legacy is one of evangelism, encouragement, passion and prayer. He inspired many to be active in the kingdom of God.

In March 2009, I sat in a doctor's office to learn the results of an MRI, and heard the words, "We found a large mass growing inside the walls of your spine."

Recording artist, worship leader and The Voice alumnus Anthony Evans had just finished performing in New York City when one of his fans
approached him during the post-show meet-and-greet. The man extended his forearm to reveal a tattoo that read, “Could It Be?” Anthony’s eyebrows raised, shocked to see the title of one of his songs permanently inked on someone.

My mother’s passion as a corps officer was the home league, and I grew up seeing how vital this ministry was in the life of the corps, as a way to reach out to the community. The annual tea and sale was always a huge event, and I was happy to serve tables and wash dishes. As a teenager, I was part of the junior miss home league, and it was an important part of my development as a young woman.