Keepers of the Covenant Commissioned

Commissioning Weekend for The Salvation Army is often a solemn, distinguished, and holy experience. Amid all the significant yet somber tradition and ceremony, we can sometimes lose sight of the celebratory aspect of the event — a group of dedicated individuals have completed two years of training and finally get to go live out their calling to serve Jesus and others! God is faithful!

During this year’s Commissioning, the Evangeline Booth College (EBC) and territorial leadership ensured that the Southern Territory did not skip the celebration for the Keepers of the Covenant session of cadets.

Friday Morning Commencement

Entering the Atlanta Temple Corps on Friday, June 5, Commencement attendees were given foam fingers and Fatheads (larger-than-life photos of each cadet) to get the spirit of celebration started.

“Today is not a quiet day,” Chief Secretary Colonel Deb Sedlar said. “We’ve got hearts that are full of gratitude and excitement, so don’t hold back.”

“Today we celebrate men and women who have heard the voice of God, responded to His call, and faithfully walked through the journey of training at the Evangeline Booth College,” she continued. “And through it all, God has been faithful.”

Special guest speaker Dr. Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals and a USA Salvation Army National Advisory Board member, gave the Commencement address, encouraging the cadets to “Begin with the ending in mind.”

“What will transform stories of brokenness into stories of beauty? What will reverse the curse that has fallen upon us and bring redemption? It is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is what the world began with. It is what it will end with… Thank you for being part of the river of the water of life.”

With that, the raucous celebration began as Major Claudia Roseno, assistant principal for the EBC School for Leadership and Educational Development, announced the officers, sergeant, and employees who completed continuing education programs over the past year.

Then Captains Nathan and Kelsey Bridges, EBC directors of curriculum, got things truly kicked off. “We’re giving you permission to be proud,” Captain Kelsey pronounced. “We want you to cheer and let the foam fingers fly.” Captain Nathan continued, saying, “This is your moment to let these cadets know just how proud you are of each and every one of them.”

One by one, the cadets crossed the stage to wild applause, received a foam-finger salute from Territorial Commander Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, and collected their diploma from Captain Nathan Bridges. From high-five gauntlets to silly walks and fist pumps, the cadets leaned into the festive atmosphere, accepting the spirited congratulations for all their hard work.

In her address, class speaker Cadet Aniyah Downey encouraged her fellow Keepers, “We need to make sure that our love is unforgettable… We don’t have to have it all figured out because we serve a God that does.”

Cadets Anthony and Jessica Shaw both received the Principal’s Award, recognizing their excellent spirit, faithfulness, consistency, and modeling of the servant attitude of Jesus. The Commissioners’ Award was given to Cadet Chanhyung Chang for exemplifying the high ideal of Salvationism, exerting a positive influence on campus, demonstrating effective leadership, being committed to the mission, showing maturity and self-discipline, working well with others, and being in good academic standing.

In benediction, Major Israel Roseno, EBC assistant principal for training and director of business administration, prayed, “We thank you for the Keepers of the Covenant, for their perseverance, their sacrifices, and the calling that you placed in their lives… we trust you for what you’re going to do through their lives.”

Friday Evening Session

Leaning into this year’s Territorial Priority of LOVE, the overall theme for Commissioning Weekend was “Loving Like Jesus.”

To kick off Friday night’s main session, the Southern Staff Band (SSB), Southern Staff Songsters (SSS), Territorial Arts Ministries team (TAM), the territorial worship team transMission, and all first- and second-year cadets presented a joint call to worship with the well-known song, “What the World Needs Now.” Together they declared that our world needs love more than ever right now. Territorial Program Secretary Lt. Colonel Allan Hofer echoed this sentiment in his welcome, saying, “What the world needs now is love. Real love. God’s love.”

Throughout all the sessions, testimonies were given of witnessing, experiencing, and sharing the love of Jesus around the Southern Territory. Prayer was also intentionally woven through each session, ensuring that everything said and done remained focused on true worship.

In her message on the inclusive love of Jesus, Commissioner Donna Igleheart, territorial president of women’s ministries, said, “Restoration is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and that true repentance leads to real change. And that is what happens when Jesus enters your story.”

“Loving like Jesus is not comfortable. Loving like Jesus is not safe. Loving like Jesus will absolutely cost you something. It cannot be sacrifice without costing you something,” Commissioner Donna continued. “Selfless love is the heartbeat of holiness. And holiness must lead us somewhere. It must lead us to love in action.”

Saturday Morning Session

Following a recognition of long services for Salvation Army officers and a moving tribute to those who passed away over the last year, the territorial music and arts groups set the tone Saturday morning with a beautiful call to worship. This was followed by the dedication of the 24/7 Prayer flag given to the Alabama-Louisiana- Mississippi Division as the first command to take the torch of prayer in what will be a yearlong initiative.

“This year of prayer that we are embarking on has already begun,” said Major Anne Westmoreland, territorial ministries to women secretary. “Voices from around the territory are already praying for us, praying for one another. This is where it begins. A year of prayer. Not a minute, or even a second, without someone praying that we would be holy and that we would grow closer to God in this territory and in this world.”

Commissioner Kelly Igleheart put forth a challenge to the territory: “Anything significant that has happened in the Church, in The Salvation Army, started right here (in kneeling to pray). I’m not asking you to pray. I’m begging you. If you have any interest at all in the Kingdom, if you really love other people, and if you love yourself, join us,” Commissioner Igleheart said. “Whether it’s at your corps or at your home, all that matters is your heart and your willingness to call on God.”

The session’s keynote speaker, Dr. Matt Ayars, lead pastor of Wellspring Church, shared a message titled “Cleansing Love” on John 13. Dr. Ayars poignantly laid out that “the way we experience the love of God is not always what you would think.”

“We experience the love of God by entering into suffering,” he explained. “The most bold and clear declaration of the love of God is the cross. It’s a sign of suffering. How do we experience God’s love? We enter the wreckage. We don’t view it from afar. We step into it and become a part of it. If you want to feel God’s love, you have to be willing to suffer.”

Dr. Ayars also urged all to remember that “Jesus is worthy. Every crown should be cast at the feet of our King. We don’t have to be afraid. Do not fear. Fear plagues us… but because Jesus became us, we don’t have to be afraid. He stepped into the wreckage. He redeemed it, and he walked out of the grave. When you walk out of here today, do not be afraid.”

Saturday Evening Session

The call to share the love of Jesus was at the center of the weekend’s final general session on Saturday evening. This included the celebration of new Salvation Army mission openings at the Williamson County Corps (TX) and North Georgia Mission Station, as well as the sending out of the 2026 Salvationist Service Corps (SSC).

Over nearly six decades, SSC has sent young adults from the USA Southern Territory to share the gospel with others around the world, and this year takes three teams of young people to Argentina, New Zealand, and North America (focusing on the World Cup host cities of Vancouver, Seattle, and Dallas).

“We stand here tonight wholeheartedly believing that the Lord Jesus truly is the God of every nation,” said Major Matt Satterlee, territorial youth secretary. “We also stand here tonight to publicly recognize 24 young adult Salvationists who have boldly stepped out in obedience to go where He has called them.”

General Brian Peddle (R) led a powerful time of prayer, lifting up the new corps openings, Salvationist Service Corps, World Services, and the soon-to-be officers of the Keepers of the Covenant session. Lt. Colonel Allan Hofer then led a heartfelt and memorable congregational singing of “Then How Much More,” and Captain Shinyoung Kang from the Houston International Corps brought the message.

Captain Kang also brought the reminder that every individual “can become a mighty fire” through God’s love and power. “Do not worry that your flame is too small. Do not be afraid that your fire will die out. The Heavenly Father, who loved us while we were still sinners, is the one who started the fire. And He, by His ultimate power, will bring it to completion. Tonight, we only need to do one thing, and that is to obey the Father’s commands to pass this flame of love to someone else.”

Following the message, a stirring time of prayer and revival emerged, and vocal soloist Michael Harris shared an inspirational rendition of “Love Cannot Fail,” accompanied by the SSB, SSS, and TAM, that will not soon be forgotten.

Sunday Ordination and Commissioning

Sunday morning brought a return to holy solemnity as the cadets and auxiliary captains prepared to be ordained and commissioned to a lifetime of service as Salvation Army officers.

“This weekend we have centered our hearts on the call to love like Jesus, and we’re reminded that the love of God is not fleeting or conditional. It is covenantal love. It’s the kind of love that binds, that holds, that keeps,” Colonel Deb Sedlar said in welcome. “Today, these cadets step into covenant, responding to the God who has already bound Himself to them in love.”

President and Principal of the EBC Major Zach Bell presented the 24 cadets and auxiliary captains of the Keepers of the Covenant session to the territory, saying, “Over the past two years, they have sought to remain connected to Christ, the true vine, because they have learned that ministry is never sustained by talent. Ministry is not sustained by effort alone. It is sustained by a living relationship with Jesus Christ.”

“They are prepared to be blood and fire officers who will love God wholeheartedly, love people sacrificially, and will serve all of the communities they will be sent to faithfully.”

Cadet Corina Stegall recited the officer’s covenant, then all the Keepers of the Covenant declaimed the doctrines of The Salvation Army. Following their declaration of faith, the cadets knelt at the altar and individually received a scripture and prayer of blessing from Commissioners Kelly and Donna Igleheart, rising as commissioned officers of The Salvation Army.

Brand-new Lieutenant Chanhyung Chang then addressed the Keepers and the territory as his session’s speaker, giving his testimony of serving until burnout and disconnection from the Father. “I was still doing the work of God, but I was losing the heart of God. I was serving people, but I was no longer loving Jesus… When you love Him first, your service changes. It is no longer a burden; it becomes a joy.”

Commissioner Kelly Igleheart then spoke on how everyone should know that we are Christians by our love. “To love like Jesus, it’s going to cost you something. It surrenders. It puts other people before yourself… The only way we’re going to win people to the Lord is by loving them.”

After a beautiful time of prayer and commitment, Lt. Colonel Allan Hofer announced that the territory is moving from the LOVE Territorial Priority focus to “ALL FOR JESUS” for the next year leading up to the Centennial Celebration in Atlanta June 4-6, 2027. We will focus on loving, serving, and discipling in whatever ways are needed in our communities.

Then with great excitement and fanfare, the territory sent the new lieutenants and captains out to their appointments, called, prepared, and eager to love like Jesus in a world desperate for his love.