Territory Embraces ‘Radical Faith’ At Bible Conference

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Lake Junaluska provides a picturesque scene and, more importantly, a place of spiritual renewal for Salvationists of the USA Southern Territory each summer. The 2026 Southern Territorial Bible Conference took place from August 9-15, with a focus on Radical Faith.

Following a three-year series on what Kingdom living looks like in our everyday lives, the 2026 edition began a new three-year journey centered on Zechariah 4:6b, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” During the opening night concert on Sunday, August 9, Commissioners Kelly and Donna Igleheart, territorial leaders, struck an encouraging tone for what would take place over the next week.

“All of us can find peace this week, trusting that the Almighty is alive and active in every area of our lives,” Commissioner Kelly shared. “Radical faith is layered within the mission statement of the Southern Territory, which says that the Salvationists of the Southern Territory are answering God’s call to make radical followers of Jesus Christ who love inclusively, serve helpfully, and disciple effectively in the communities where they live.”

“Our prayer is that each one of us would experience a fresh outpouring of God’s spirit in our lives on these sacred grounds,” Commissioner Donna added.

The centerpiece of the week’s opening session was a concert of worship and praise featuring Leeland, a Texas-based, GRAMMYnominated group shaped by the local church with songs born out of shared worship experiences. Leeland shared popular songs including “Lion and the Lamb” and “Waymaker,” the night setting a reflective and unifying tone for what was to come.

Each day of Bible Conference features powerful biblical teaching, as well as an assortment of worship-supporting songs, hymns, and other presentations. Thursday morning’s gathering included a time of prayer and recognition of The Salvation Army’s work around the globe, and Friday morning featured a scripture presentation from Territorial Arts Ministries (TAM) from the book of Daniel. Throughout the week, dynamic musical worship was led by Karl and Lauren Westwood, Salvationists from the United Kingdom and Ireland Territory who work at International Headquarters.

On the morning of Monday, August 10, Bible Conference settled into its daily schedule, but not before a public welcome to newly appointed Chief Secretary Colonel Brian Saunders. Commissioner Kelly Igleheart noted that Colonel Saunders “loves Jesus and is a student of the Word of God,” while expressing joy at welcoming him to the Southern Territory.

“The reputation for southern hospitality is well deserved,” Colonel Saunders said. “I’ve been welcomed and loved and smothered with attention, and it’s been a beautiful experience. It already feels like home for me… For officers, it can be hard to define where home is, but the Word reminds us that our citizenship is in Heaven. That is truly our home, our heavenly, eternal home. But in the meantime, I’m glad to call the Southern Territory home.”

Three guest speakers rightly divided the Word of Truth at this year’s Bible Conference. Commissioner Israel Gaither, former Chief of the Staff at International Headquarters and former USA National Commander, poignantly shared from the week’s theme while also leaning into the book of Daniel and speaking on Babylon.

“Radical faith begins with the knowledge that Christ dominates everything,” Commissioner Gaither said. “Christ is supreme. Discipleship is not an add-on to your life. Discipleship means that your life has been completely reordered.”

“In the midst of your Babylon, don’t fix your eyes on the sin, on the problem, on the circumstance. Look over it.”

Commissioner Gaither also mentioned Daniel’s experience as it reflects on the dilemma of the modern world, vulnerably asking if any of the assembled were “concerned about our culture and what we see and hear around us” before expressing that he is personally “sick and tired of what I see and feel and hear every day.”

“We are called to defend faith with boldness and in what many might consider to be radical [ways]. Good news is on the way,” Commissioner Gaither continued. “The Kingdom of God is coming to reign over every Babylon, in every city, every village, in every neighborhood, in every household, and in every heart. The Kingdom of God is coming.

“Your enemy is not flesh and blood, captive to culture… Don’t be tricked into misidentifying who or what or where the enemy of God seeks to take down believers. You’re in the wrong Army if you think the fight is against a person or a group of people. This is spiritual warfare. Satan is determined, by any means, to impede and ultimately destroy the Kingdom, but the good news is that His Kingdom will reign with power and authority. His Kingdom will know no end.”

Commissioner Gaither also artfully intertwined Salvation Army doctrine throughout the week, and his Tuesday morning message, titled “Still Standing in Babylon,” helped to shepherd a time of prayer over the gathered pastors and leaders of The Salvation Army.

Dr. Ellen Marmon, professor of Christian discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary, set the table for her teaching in simple terms.

“We live in a ‘just do it’ culture,” Dr. Marmon said. “So, to hear that it is not by our own might can be tough… Everything in our culture seems to point against it, but we will trace through and watch how God continually teaches His people that being a part of His Kingdom means living not by might, not by power, but His spirit.”

Dr. Marmon spoke on what she described as “potentially familiar topics” while also stressing the importance of reflection in our lives. She urged attendees to settle in and search for God, rediscovering the boundless love that He has for us. On Tuesday, August 11, she shared three tenets of “not-by-might leadership,” including humility, listening intently, and sacrificial love, before an invitation to come forward and be anointed with oil as a reminder of His presence and His power in our lives. “This is humility, releasing privilege, releasing position, all to be in a saving, loving relationship with us,” she said. “This is radical faith.”

Dr. Thomas McCall, chair of theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, also inspirationally shared on radical faith, saying that “radical” sometimes refers to “going all the way to the roots, all the way to the deepest parts. Radical faith is faith in the work of the Holy Spirit.” He shared from Colossians 1, John 16, and Hebrews 12 during the week, consistently encouraging those gathered to keep their eyes fixed on the Lord.

“Do you wonder who God is? Look to Christ,” Dr. McCall said. “Do you want to know God’s heart? Look to Jesus...Do you want to know if there is any meaning to this crazy, confusing mess we call life? Again, look to Christ.”

“Brothers and sisters, some of you have to be exhausted. I have no doubt that some of you are just tired. Maybe you’re wrestling with the past and fighting demons. And maybe there is a voice telling you that you can’t make it… With your eyes fixed on Jesus, run. Keep running. Run with endurance. Run with patience. Run for the prize. Run to our Lord.”

The week was also jam-packed with noteworthy events outside of the main general sessions. The annual International Service Fellowship Breakfast was well-attended and inspirational, the annual “Singing on the Mountain” event was a big hit as a pre-conference gathering, and the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) hosted early morning devotions filled with praise and energy.

The ARC led the evening general session on Thursday, August 13, and it was an inspirational time of testimony and praise. Major Greg Davis, general secretary for ARC Command, offered a stirring message, and beneficiaries shared testimonies of how the Lord has delivered them. One of the memorable moments of the evening came with the ARC United Choir boisterously singing “Made for More” with the words to the chorus resounding through Lake Junaluska.

I wasn’t made to be tending a grave

I was called by name Born and raised back to life again

I was made for more

So why would I make a bed in my shame

When a fountain of grace is running my way

I know I am yours

And I was made for more

Bible Conference 2026 also included targeted programming for young people of all ages. Young adults came together for myriad events during the week, and a dedicated Youth Conference ran alongside the main sessions, focused on children from birth up to 17 years of age. The Youth Conference gathered under the banner of “Unlikely: Not By Might” and culminated in an upbeat, pep rally-themed finale on Saturday morning that showcased special presentations from each class. Major Jay Spalding, who helped lead the Youth Conference, spoke on the overarching focus of the week’s events for young people. “We’ve been studying some of the underdogs in scripture,” Major Spalding shared. “Maybe some of us in this room can relate to them this morning. Some thought they were too small, too weak, too young, too lost, or too invisible. But God shows us time and time again that He can do mighty things through unlikely people. And it’s not by our might, but by His spirit that we can claim the victory.”

In a new offering at Bible Conference, Wednesday morning began with the inaugural Bible Conference 5K Walk/Run: Race for the Nations. In addition to the 5K itself, a one mile “fun run” was offered, and the event raised approximately $4,000 for World Services.

“I believe the Bible Conference 5K was a tremendous success because it combined fellowship, wellness, and mission in a meaningful way,” says Ed Escobar, territorial events management specialist and coordinator for the 5K. “While participants enjoyed the race experience, the true impact came through the support it provided for World Services. It was inspiring to see people come together around a shared purpose, knowing that their participation would help further The Salvation Army’s ministry beyond our own communities. Events like this remind us that even small acts of generosity, when multiplied across the territory, can have a significant impact on the lives of others.”

Friday evening featured a unique theatrical production that heartened and invigorated Bible Conference attendees. “This Is Our Story,” presented by Theater for the Thirsty, TAM, the Southern Territorial Youth Band, and a string ensemble, proved to be a one-of-a-kind worship experience.

Led by Jeremiah and Vanessa Gamble, the presentation aimed to rediscover the great hymns of faith and the stories behind them. Near the conclusion of the musical, Vanessa Gamble offered a reminder of why we, as the Body of Christ, must sing.

“Why do we sing? We sing when words aren’t enough. When our joy is too great to contain. When we need to give voice to our deep, deep sorrow,” she said. “We sing because there is something about what we believe that can’t just be contained in words and books and sermons. So, sing, because there are some things worth singing about forever.”

Following the “This Is Our Story” presentation, Lt. Colonel Allan Hofer, territorial secretary for program, closed the evening saying, “All week, we have been on a journey together. A journey of faith, fellowship, worship, laughter, learning, and remembering… We’ve been reminded of God’s faithfulness, of where we have come from, and of the ways He has met us along the way.”

The week concluded in celebration with the Welcome of Cadets on Saturday evening, August 15, officially introducing the Rescued session to the Southern Territory