On June 21, the Canada and Bermuda Territory will commission nine officers in the Champions of the Mission Session. As these Salvationists look forward to the next stage in their ministry, they reflect on The Salvation Army’s mission, their calling to officership and their most meaningful experiences during training. 

Cadet John Arndt

From a young age, I knew I was called to share the good news, but didn’t know what that looked like. It wasn’t until I joined The Salvation Army and became a soldier that I knew officership was the path God was calling me to. There were some unexpected delays but, looking back, I can see how God used that time to prepare me even more to answer the call and have the opportunity to train with such a great session of people. During my training, it has been wonderful to be in the same corps for two years and have the time to build relationships with the people there. I’ve had the opportunity to walk with people in their joyous times and their difficult times, which has been very meaningful to me.

Appointed to Carbonear, N.L.

Cadet Hannah Chaulk

The aspect of The Salvation Army’s mission that resonates most strongly with me is to share the love of Jesus and to help the whosoever. No matter who the person is, what they are going through, or what they have been through, we are called to show the love of Jesus and help one another. If we are to be like Christ, then nothing can stand between us! A champion is a person who fights for a cause. With this definition in mind, it is my prayer that as I step into officership, I will continue to fight for the souls of people; that I will not cease to show the love of Jesus and how he can and will transform you.

Cadet Peter Chaulk

I became a soldier in 2019, but even before that, I knew I wanted to be an officer. I often sat in congregations, looking up at the officers on the platform, and heard God’s voice telling me that would be me one day. One meaningful experience I had during training was volunteering at Bloor Central Corps during their Saturday evening community meal. Being from small-town Newfoundland and Labrador, I was admittedly nervous to do ministry in downtown Toronto. But what a God-driven evening that was! I had great conversations with the people I was serving, and it opened my eyes to another type of ministry. As an officer, I hope to show people the resurrecting love of Jesus Christ for the rest of my days. Through the strength God gives me, I can be a champion for him at each appointment I receive.

Appointed to Truro, N.S.

Cadet Chesney Edwards

During my teenage years, a youth pastor profoundly impacted my life by exemplifying the love of Jesus through her mentorship and compassion. Inspired by her, I wanted to do the same for others but struggled with feelings of inadequacy, doubting my ability to pursue ministry. A few years later, I met my husband, Josh, who passionately shared his calling to become an officer. His commitment reignited my inspiration, and I decided to become a senior soldier. During my first sermon, I felt a powerful realization of God’s calling on my heart. In that transformative moment, I knew I could no longer ignore it. God assured me he would equip me to serve others, and I was called to share his love and grace with those seeking hope and guidance.

Cadet Joshua Edwards

When I was in Grade 9, I shadowed my then corps officer, Major Wil Brown-Ratcliffe, as part of a “take a kid to work” day. After doing a pastoral visitation, working at community and family services and planning a Sunday morning service, I thought he had the coolest job! Even now as I reflect on that day—which was a significant moment in discerning my calling—the reason I felt that way was that there was one thing at the core of every task we did: others. It’s all about others. I think the best way to champion the mission of The Salvation Army is to teach what Jesus taught and live like Jesus did. I hope to point people to Jesus so that they can experience his goodness and then, in turn, also spend their lives pointing others to him.

Appointed to Simcoe Community Church, Ont.

Cadet Wilder Jean-Charles

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This is our goal, and it is a responsibility that we will carry until the end. The first part of The Salvation Army’s mission statement is “to share the love of Jesus Christ,” and that resonates deeply with me because, without the love of Jesus, we waste our time. It is only through his love that lives can be transformed. All the ministries we do as Salvation Army officers must have one objective: to bring people to Jesus. If I miss this opportunity, I miss the work God has called me to.

Cadet Josette Joseph

When we arrived in Canada in December 2013, someone referred us to The Salvation Army’s family services where the officer welcomed us very warmly and invited us to church. From then on, we joined the church and began to serve. For me, serving the Lord is a privilege, and when we serve him, it’s an act of gratitude for who he is and what he has done for us. My calling to officership came at an Explore Your Call event in October 2022. Commissioner Floyd Tidd was preaching on Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus calls Simon Peter. I felt God saying that, in the same way the disciples were called to leave their jobs and families to follow Jesus, God is still calling us today—he wants us to leave our comfort zones and follow him.

Appointed to Église Communautaire Nouveaux départs de l'Armée du Salut, Montreal.

Cadet Alicia McLeod

Some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during training have been building relationships with the other cadets, officers and staff at CFOT, as well as my field-based corps leaders and church family. During this process, I have learned more about community, doing life together and discipleship. I have loved watching individuals grow in their relationship with the Lord, wrestling with the things of life but continuing to seek him even in hardship. As an officer, I want to champion the Army’s mission by being a transforming influence in the communities I get to be a part of. I want to share Jesus with people, help others grow as his disciples and see lives transformed in ways that only God can do.

Appointed to Vernon Community Church, B.C.

Cadet Bobbi Oyerinde

As a teenager, I thought about becoming a missionary, and later that calling changed to pastor. The years went by and life happened, but I was still drawn to full-time ministry and eventually started working at the Salvation Army food bank in Lloydminster, Alta. A friend encouraged me by reminding me that, although working in ministry and pastoring are not quite the same, often God uses ministry as a stepping stone. I worked in community and family services for almost five years and loved it, but felt called to do even more, which led me to officership. I am grateful to the many people in my life who have prayed for me and encouraged me throughout this journey, and I am excited to see what God has in store.

Appointed to Maple Creek, Sask.

PRINCIPAL’S COMMENDATION

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory joyfully prepares to commission the Champions of the Mission Session, a dedicated group of men and women who have responded to God’s call to full-time ministry as officers. With their guiding Scripture, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), this session steps forward, ready to serve, lead and share the transformative message of Jesus Christ.

Representing the diversity of our territory, these cadets have been shaped bythe faithfulness of their local and field training corps, where leaders and congregations have played an integral role in their journey to officership. Through prayer, mentorship and practical ministry opportunities, these communities have affirmed and nurtured their calling, walking alongside them as they prepared for this significant step.

The Champions of the Mission Session is the first to complete The Salvation Army’s newly developed field-based training model, designed to integrate hands-on ministry experience with structured learning. Notably, this session also represents bilingual training, with cadets in Quebec receiving instruction in French. The College for Officer Training (CFOT) considers it a privilege to equip and develop these soon-to-be lieutenants, ensuring they are spiritually and practically prepared to minister in diverse contexts across our territory.

As we celebrate this moment, we also recognize that God may be calling others to step into full-time ministry. If you are sensing his leading, we encourage you to explore what it means to serve as an officer in The Salvation Army. The harvest is plentiful, and the need for compassionate, Christ-centred leaders has never been greater.

To the Champions of the Mission Session: we assure you of our prayers as you enter this next chapter. May you go with confidence, knowing that God, who has called you, will also equip and sustain you. We invite our entire Salvation Army family to lift these new officers and their families in prayer, asking God to bless, guide and empower them as they take the gospel into the world.

MAJOR DEANA ZELINSKY
Training Principal

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