The Canada and Bermuda Territory’s ministry placement program gives Salvationists an opportunity to discern God’s calling on their lives. This internship is designed to immerse participants in the life of a corps, where they can gain first-hand ministry experience, observe and learn from corps officers and discover the day-to-day life of a Salvation Army officer. There is also an intentional focus on spiritual, character and leadership development.

During their placement, participants are supported by the officers they are shadowing, their divisional candidates secretary and the territorial candidates department. They follow a plan that includes readings, learning hubs and monthly connection points to reflect on their experiences and discern God’s call with others on the same journey.

“The purpose of this internship is to offer space for thoughtful observation and experience-based learning, while discerning if God is calling them to full-time ministry,” says Major Carson Decker, territorial candidates secretary and program facilitator.

During the orientation session, Major Decker offered these words to the participants: “When God first decided that you would be given life on earth, there was a purpose in his plan. It wasn’t random. It was by design. You each have a set-apart purpose that only you can fill. My prayer for you is that this experience will confirm his set-apart purpose for your life and that you’ll obediently step into it and live it out.”

This year’s cohort consists of four individuals, serving in the Prairies and Northern Territories, Ontario and Atlantic divisions.

Riley Hobbs
Atlantic Division

I joined the ministry placement program to experience what life is like as a Salvation Army officer. During my first few months in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., I’ve been exposed to all ministry aspects of The Salvation Army. I’ve helped with the food bank, community and family services, and finances; with Sunday services, preaching and the worship team; with pastoral visits, youth group and Bible study; and any other programs or events happening at the church.

I am enjoying my time under the mentorship of Major Fred Pond and other members of the church. Their love for God and what they do shines through them and inspires me in my journey to officership. I’ve found it meaningful to connect with people from so many different journeys of life and hear their powerful stories of what God is doing for them. Coming from a small corps, I never truly understood the reach and impact of The Salvation Army’s ministry, and it has made a huge difference in my life.

As I think about how my calling has been affirmed, I am reminded of the impact we make on people. On my first Sunday at Grand Falls Citadel, I preached a sermon. I thought it was one of the worst sermons I’d ever prepared, but God showed me that it isn’t about me and what I can bring, but what he can do with what I bring. He used what I thought was a bad sermon and created a beautiful scene as a woman gave her life to the Lord at the altar, surrounded by members of the church.

I’m so grateful for the places God has brought me in this journey so far and I’m trusting that he will continue to do great things through my time with the ministry placement program.

Sandra Herrera
Atlantic Division

In my placement at Light of Hope Family Church in Greenfield Park, Que., which has been my home church for the past seven years since I came to Canada, I have the privilege of serving in different ministries, including children’s ministry as a Sunday school teacher and in our women’s ministry. I have led Bible studies, helped with settlement for women who are new to Canada and participated in activities at the Army’s women’s shelter, L’Abri d’espoir, in Montreal.

We get to be the hands of Jesus here on earth, reaching souls through our 911 Ministry, which began almost three years ago, helping newcomers to Canada who come with nothing and need a helping hand. I’m also active at the food bank, where we not only help meet basic needs for food and clothing, but also spiritual needs.

I’ve had the privilege of teaching soldiership classes and preaching during the worship service (which was new for me and has been a great blessing to my life). I’m also part of the prayer group, hospitality group and seniors’ café. I’ve gained experience with administrative management through the kettle campaign and the organization of different programs.

I’m grateful to my church and to my corps officer, Captain Aida Munoz-Perez, for being by my side teaching me, but also for being a mentor who has guided me spiritually. I recommend this program to everyone who feels called to be an officer—it is the most effective way to confirm your call.

I also want to thank Major Carson Decker, Major Louise Pond, Shona Burditt and Janah Vitalicio of the candidates department, for being there for us, encouraging us and praying for us.

Tim Kerr
Prairies and Northern Territories Division

My placement is at the Lloydminster Corps in Alberta with Majors Bond and Marina Jennings, along with the small but mighty staff and church community. Since starting this program, I’ve been exposed to many new experiences and have grown spiritually. I’ve been learning about how the church is run—the behindthe-scenes work that you might not notice from the outside looking in—and the challenges of leadership. I’ve been pushed outside my comfort zone, improving my existing skills and developing many new ones.

I have planned and led our Messy Church program, with music, a Bible lesson, activities and supper. I have supported the Red Cap anger management program for kids, helped with English conversation suppers for people who are new to Canada, and served hot meals for the student exchange program that runs once a month at one of the local colleges, to help address the financial challenges that many students face.

I’ve assisted in the food bank by handing out hampers, doing donation pickups and helping with food drives, as well as overseeing its operations for a short period of time. I’ve been exposed to planning and leading a church service and contributed by leading worship and children’s time.

Finding a community of people who can walk with me in my journey and be a support system has been such a blessing—it has helped me out a lot when I’ve been stumped with questions or needed someone to chat with. I’m sure the coming months will be filled with many more new experiences that will help me continue to grow and develop my skills. I recommend that anyone who is unsure about their calling in life check out this program.

Yuri Marin
Ontario Division

I joined the ministry placement program to discern God’s plan and direction and set aside my uncertainties and fears. I had previously dedicated my life to education as a teacher, worked and volunteered with youth and children’s ministry at Scarborough Citadel in Toronto, my home corps, and pursued a master’s degree in education. After completing my program, I was ready to start looking for a job in education, when I received an email from Major Jodi Dunstan, former divisional candidates secretary, who wrote: “As you consider next steps for your future, maybe a year to explore what it might be like to be in an officer’s shoes could be enlightening! If God is still tugging at your heart to be in ministry, this is a great way to give a year and explore this option.”

That message moved me out of my comfort zone, and I started a challenging yet amazing experience. Under the guidance of corps officers Majors Corinne and Steven Cameron, who are mentors at heart, I am currently serving in full-time ministry at Yorkminster Citadel in Toronto. They have been crucial to my spiritual development, community service and acquisition of administrative skills. The congregation at Yorkminster has welcomed me with open arms, providing affection and encouragement throughout these first months.

The program started on September 3 and, so far, I have taken part in the Sunday service by reading Scripture, leading children’s time and preaching. The corps officers have encouraged me to take part in different ministries, committees, congregational activities and meetings that have helped me understand officership from a different standpoint and to discover and develop my leadership skills.

I have had the chance to support the corps by helping in different capacities, such as community and family services, Yorkminster Music Academy, women’s sacred circle, adults fellowship, women’s breakfast, Sunday school, pastoral visits, email management and accounting.

The ministry placement program is a meaningful experience due to careful planning and clear objectives. Major Carson Decker, territorial candidates secretary, along with Shona Burditt and Janah Vitalicio, are a great team who make each participant feel valued. Everything is prepared with careful detail and, in combination with the work of the divisional candidates secretaries—in my case Lieutenants Miya Bradburn and Jeff Robertson—it makes the participant’s role easy to navigate despite the challenges. Each party involved knows their role, making me feel confident every step of the way.

Another significant experience was preparing a sermon and preaching for the first time in person. I could see God’s faithfulness and I learned so much in the process. When the four ministry placement program participants attended our orientation week in September and the Explore Your Call weekend in October, I was deeply touched by the talks, panels, prayers, meetings, conversations, music, details and people, all of which confirmed my call to full-time ministry.