Territory to Welcome ‘Rescued’ Session of Cadets at Bible Conference 2026
By Brad Rowland /
Each summer, hundreds of Salvation Army soldiers, officers, family, and friends convene in beautiful North Carolina for the USA Southern Territory’s Bible Conference at Lake Junaluska. From August 9-15 this year, attendees will experience a unique combination of education, fellowship, worship, and inspiration. The week of Bible teaching will conclude with the official Welcome of Cadets for the incoming “Rescued” session.
The class of cadets will begin their educational journey at the Evangeline Booth College (EBC) in July, and Salvationists are encouraged to already begin preparing the way for this dedicated group of future officers through prayer.
“The Evangeline Booth College is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Rescued session,” says Major Carey Richmond, director of personnel for the EBC. “At the School for Officer Training, they will learn the foundational competencies needed for leadership and service in The Salvation Army. While we await their arrival to the training environment this summer, we know the officers and soldiers of the Southern Territory will pray alongside us for their successful training journey.”
On Saturday, August 15, the Rescued session will be greeted, celebrated, and prayed over by the Southern Territory as the final event of Bible Conference at 7:00 pm in Stuart Auditorium. Prior to the Welcome of Cadets service, the Southern Territorial Youth Band will help to set the stage with a “concert in the tent” outside the auditorium and, earlier that morning, the annually anticipated Childcare and Youth Conference production will take place at 10:00 am.
The theme for the 2026 Bible Conference is “Radical Faith: Not By Might,” the territory embarking on the first of a three-year series focused on radical faith. While the Welcome of Cadets will wrap up the week’s events, the conference will officially begin with a concert from GRAMMY nominated and Dove Award winning Christian band Leeland on Sunday, August 9.
Each day of the conference will feature impactful teaching from this year’s special guest speakers. This includes Commissioner Israel Gaither, former International Chief of the Staff and retired USA National Commander, as well as Dr. Ellen Marmon and Dr. Thomas McCall from Asbury Theological Seminary. Karl and Lauren Westwood from The Salvation Army’s United Kingdom and Ireland Territory will lead the week’s musical worship, and Friday, August 14 will feature a unique theatrical production, “This Is Our Story,” presented by Theater for the Thirsty, Territorial Arts Ministries (TAM), the Territorial Youth Band, and a string ensemble.
Also debuting this year is the inaugural Bible Conference 5K Walk/Run: Race for the Nations, which will take place on Wednesday, August 12 at 6:00 am. This will include an optional 5K run or walk and a one mile “fun run,” with all proceeds supporting World Services.
For additional information or to register, visit southernbibleconference.org.