On Sunday afternoon, Salvationists and friends gathered at Scarborough Citadel in Toronto for the territorial welcome of five cadets and four auxiliary-captains as the newest session to enter officer training. As they begin their first steps into a sacred covenant with the Lord and a future of ministry within The Salvation Army, the Proclaimers of Transformation Session was warmly welcomed and surrounded by prayer and celebration.

The service was supported by territorial leadership, including Commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, territorial commander and territorial president of women’s ministries, and Colonels John and Lani Chamness, chief secretary and territorial secretary for spiritual life development, as well as leadership and faculty from the College for Officer Training (CFOT). The music for the afternoon was presented by the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), conducted by Bandmaster Andrew Burditt, the Canadian Staff Songsters (CSS), under the direction of Songster Leader Cathie Koehnen, and NEON led by Simon Gough.

After a dynamic prelude by the territorial staff sections, the platform party entered the sanctuary with the territorial flag, accompanied by the CSB. The congregation clapped as the Proclaimers of Transformation marched down the aisle behind their sessional flag, carried by Cadet Mariyuri Marin, and each cadet and auxiliary-captain saluted the territorial leaders.

“Today we give thanks to God as we extend a warm welcome to the Proclaimers of Transformation. We celebrate their faithful response to God’s call on their lives and look forward to walking alongside them as they grow in Christ, in character and in service,” said Lt-Colonel Roxanne Jennings, secretary for personnel, as she greeted the session and congregation. “Truly, these individuals are an answer to prayer.”

Lt-Colonel Jennings also welcomed Lt-Colonel Shona Pike, incoming assistant training principal, who shared the call to worship and reflected on the overarching theme of “transformation and growth”—a message that aptly reflects the sessional name, and what that name means for the session and for all believers of Christ. The CSB then led the congregation in song with To God Be the Glory.

Transformers of the Gospel

Major Carson Decker, territorial candidates secretary, introduced the Proclaimers of Transformation. One by one, the cadets and auxiliary-captains stood as their own stories of hope, faith and renewal in Christ were shared. Many of them come from backgrounds of hardship, change and transformation. Some have come to Canada from other countries and have found a home in The Salvation Army and are now prepared to dedicate their lives to building the kingdom.

“Through a journey of discernment, these nine individuals have responded to God’s sacred calling on their lives, giving their obedient ‘yes’ to pursue ministry as Salvation Army officers,” Major Decker said. “Today marks not just the beginning of a new chapter in their journey, but a holy commitment. They are fully committed to this spirit of training, formation and growth, prepared not only to be shaped in knowledge and skill, but in character, conviction and Christlikeness.”

Commissioner Lee Graves then gave a charge to the session, encouraging them with the words of the Apostle Paul. “At some point in your journey, you came to the foot of the cross. You and I have been crucified with Christ. It’s no longer we that live but the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He lives within us,” said Commissioner Graves. “Live boldly, dangerously, fully, courageously and bravely.  But also, be gentle, loving, compassionate and kind, as is Jesus. And in all of that, be transformers of the gospel.”

Commissioner Debbie Graves prayed with the session, and the CSS sang a soulful rendition of A Brand New Day by Major Kenneth Smith.

The Proclaimers of Transformation then stood together to recite their sessional verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17, followed by an energetic rendition of This Is Amazing Grace by NEON, who invited the congregation to join in worship.

“Lord, Take it All”

In live interviews with Cadet Michelle Wade and Aux-Captain Matthew Pittman, Lieutenant Jeff Robertson and Major Louise Pond, divisional candidates secretaries for the Ontario and Atlantic divisions, respectively, asked what transformation means to them and how they have been transformed in Christ.

“It’s so amazing how the Lord makes us new. As soon as we accept what Jesus has done for us, we’re new creations. For a long time, I thought that that was it. But that’s not it. That’s where it starts. It is a process. It is a journey of being transformed,” Cadet Wade said tearfully when asked what it means for her to step into this new journey of ministry.

Aux-Captain Pittman shared his testimony and the way that God has been present for him. As a young adult, he suffered from depression and began to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, and he hit rock bottom. “I had no idea where to turn,” he said.

“Finally, something was drawing me in. I went forward to the mercy seat and said, ‘Lord, take it all,’ ” said Aux-Captain Pittman. “I hope that through my story of transformation, people who are lost will see hope and they will come to know Christ.”

The congregation stood again as NEON invited them to join in praise, singing Trust in God.

Commissioner Lee Graves returned to the platform to extend a special thanks and words of acknowledgment to Andrew Burditt who recently assumed the role as bandmaster of the CSB, Lt-Colonel Les Marshall, former executive officer of the CSB, and Lt-Colonel Keith Pike, the new executive officer.

He then invited Colonels Chamness to join him for a heartfelt goodbye as they prepare to leave Canada and Bermuda after two years of dedicated service, to take up appointments as chief secretary and territorial secretary for spiritual life development, respectively, in the Australia Territory. Divisional leaders, Cabinet secretaries and retired international leaders joined Colonels Chamness on the platform in a time of prayer and thanksgiving.

Then, the CSB performed Let Everything Praise!, an exciting and joyful piece, followed by NEON’s Lord, I Need You.

A Daily Commitment

A highlight of the service was a solo performance by Colonel Lani Chamness, who shared One Pure and Holy Passion, delighting the congregation with her proficiency on the guitar.

In his final sermon as chief secretary of the Canada and Bermuda Territory, Colonel John Chamness addressed the Proclaimers of Transformation and the congregation: “Transformation begins with Christ. But it never stops. It goes to the very ends of our lives. It’s not just a one-time decision; it happens every day when we get up and say ‘yes’ to Jesus.

“When someone meets Jesus, something supernatural happens. The power of sin is broken. The chains of addiction are broken. Shame, fear and brokenness begin to fall away; where once there was despair, now there is hope. Where once there was confusion, there is now purpose,” he continued. “For every Christian and Salvationist, this is our calling as believers in Jesus. We are to proclaim the transformation that God can do in the lives of individuals.”

At the end of his sermon, Colonel Chamness invited NEON to lead the congregation in The Potter’s Hand as the Proclaimers of Transformation approached the mercy seat. Friends, family and officers flooded the mercy seat in support, reflection and prayer.

The service ended on a celebratory note as NEON sang Greater Things and the congregation clapped along as the Proclaimers of Transformation exited the sanctuary behind their sessional flag.

Watch the Welcome Weekend service: