Centennial Celebration: 'All For Jesus'
Centennial. One hundred years. A hundred years of serving, of helping those in need. A hundred years of loving, of giving of ourselves to others. A hundred years of discipling, of showing people who God is through the witness of our words, actions, and lives. One hundred years of doing the most good to the most people in the most need in the Southeastern United States, of giving our all for Jesus.
Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, territorial commander for the Southern Territory, describes the upcoming Centennial Celebration perfectly: “It’s the celebration of 100 years of God’s faithfulness to Salvationists and the mission of the USA Southern Territory.”
In June 2027, the USA Salvation Army Southern Territory reaches a milestone anniversary: 100 years of being incorporated in the state of Georgia. “The fact the territory is turning 100 years old is, in itself, a cause for celebration. And we just cannot pass that up,” Commissioner Igleheart says. “There are milestones even on a personal journey that you want to celebrate. You do that in your family, why wouldn’t you do that in the family of God?”
The Centennial Celebration, “All for Jesus,” will be held June 4-6, 2027, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Territorial Active Officer Councils will be held on Wednesday, June 2, and exciting pre-events, including Spotlight, Bible Bowl, and a variety of community engagement opportunities, will take place on Thursday, June 3. General Lyndon Buckingham, the international leader for The Salvation Army will be in attendance, special events will be held for youth, men, and women, and there will be an event exposition from the Southern Territorial Historical Center showcasing the Southern Territory’s 100 years of service.
“It’s a huge family celebration,” Commissioner Igleheart explains. “We want to do something that’s worthy of God and His faithfulness.”
But first and foremost, Commissioner Igleheart says, “A driving reason for us to gather is the ordination and commissioning of cadets. We never want to lose sight of that.”
Sunday, June 6, 2027, will center on launching the Proclaimers of Transformation session of cadets as the newest officers of the Southern Territory. Leading up to these sacred moments, a large focus of the weekend will be for Salvationists to recommit: “A recommitment to our covenant, a recommitment to mission, and recommitting to our relationship with Christ,” Commissioner Igleheart explains. In this way, everyone in attendance will become proclaimers of the complete transformation found in Jesus.
From this recommitment, Commissioner Igleheart expects to see Salvationists reinvigorated to engage in their communities in a deeper way and to be inspired to share their Jesus story with others. He prays “that people would be inspired to go back into their local community, to see the Kingdom grow, and to see their corps grow and make an impact.”
You are invited to come celebrate the amazing things God has done through The Salvation Army Southern Territory for the past 100 years, recommit to serving Him through our ministry today, and anticipate the great things He has in store for us next.
“We are believing for a future, and though it’s not here yet, even now, it’s worthy of praise,” Commissioner Igleheart says. “God has been faithful before. We believe He’s going to be faithful going forward, and that’s cause for celebration.”
Mark your calendar for June 4-6, 2027. We’ll see you next year!