Territory Welcomes ‘Rescued’ Cadets

On Saturday, August 15, at Lake Junaluska, Bible Conference 2026 concluded with the public welcome of the “Rescued” session of cadets from the Evangeline Booth College (EBC). The 18-member session is beginning its two-year journey of study and training to become Salvation Army officers, and Colonel Brian Saunders, chief secretary, described the evening as a “sacred celebration.”

“We gather tonight under the banner of ‘Rescued to Rescue.’ It is a nod both to the session’s name and to their mission. To their position and to their purpose. For indeed, these fine men and women of God have been rescued from the depths of sin and the darkness of desperation,” Colonel Saunders shared. “And they have been brought into the light of God Himself, safe on the shores of God’s Kingdom. We are thrilled that they have answered God’s call to serve in the light of God and for the rescue of humanity.”

The Rescued session scripture is Colossians 1:13. “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son that He loves.”

Major Ashish Pawar, territorial candidate’s secretary, introduced the session and spoke of the diversity of the incoming cadets. The youngest cadet entering the EBC is 22 years old, the oldest arriving at 54 years old, with an average age of 33. The Rescued session has an average age of conversion of 14.5 years old. Six are corps cadet graduates. Eight are children of Salvation Army soldiers, and six are children of Salvation Army officers. The Rescued session has members with educational backgrounds in architecture, criminal justice, elementary education, English, finance, literature, psychology, and more.

“Tonight, I want to begin with a truth that belongs to every follower of Jesus,” said Major Pawar. “We did not rescue ourselves; God found us in darkness. God reached us in mercy, and God brought us out into His Kingdom and into the presence of His beloved Son… He does not leave us unchanged. The rescued becomes a witness. The rescued becomes a servant. We are rescued, by God’s power, to rescue others.”

Commissioner Kelly Igleheart, territorial commander, and Major Zach Bell, president and principal of Evangeline Booth College, presented the flag of the Rescued session. Major Bell noted that this flag should serve as a constant reminder of both the session and the group’s collective faith. “My hope is that each and every day, you live these colors. First and foremost, you are men and women who have been rescued, and you have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Territorial Sergeant Major Salomon Elias and Territorial Youth Sergeant Major Danielle Delaney offered an inspiring challenge to the Rescued session on behalf of the soldiers of the USA Southern Territory. Moments later, Commissioner Donna Igleheart, territorial president of women’s ministries, recognized those who have poured into the cadets of the Rescued session leading up to this moment.

“Lord, bless your holy people who have invested in these 18 men and women,” Commissioner Donna said. “From our hearts to yours, thank you… Because they have been rescued, may their lives become instruments through which others are rescued.”

After an offertory collected to benefit the international Officers’ Support Endowment Fund (see more on this initiative on page 5) accompanied by the Territorial Youth Band, Commissioner Kelly Igleheart offered a stirring message. He used the visual of a life-saving floatation device and spoke from Mark 1, stating that “if you’ve been rescued, if you’ve been saved, then your responsibility is to rescue and save others.”

Commissioner Igleheart also revealed what he described as a “discovery” in that The Salvation Army is not necessarily in need of more buildings or studies or pews or material things, instead pointing to the need for “people on fire, people who love Jesus with all their heart, and those who see souls that are lost.”

“I wonder sometimes if my ears have gotten dull to the crying of people lost on the sea,” he continued. “Salvation Army, can you still hear the cries of the desperate on the seas of your community? Do you care anymore? Are we so concerned with our emails and the trappings of the world that we have forgotten our middle name? The Salvation Army.”

Commissioner Kelly then challenged everyone, in person and online, sharing his hope that there would be a “holy stirring” in each heart and a keen awareness of the stakes.

“I hope there is an awareness that people still perish. Men and women still go in and out of prison. In and out. In and out. Children still cry. Drunkards and people with addiction still suffer,” Commissioner Igleheart said. “Since Booth’s days to this day, a lot of things really haven’t changed. So, I wonder, Salvationists. I wonder, cadets. How long will you tarry in the comfort of the seashore? Or will you join me in launching to the deep?”

Major Pawar led a call for future officership, with dozens making their way to the stage in a powerful and hopeful display for the future of the Army and God’s Kingdom. The closing song was an upbeat rendition of “I’ll Stand for Christ,” accompanied by both the Territorial Youth Band and TAM, an appropriate “sending out” for each individual and family.

The evening, and the week of Bible Conference, concluded with a benediction from Major Israel Roseno, assistant principal for training and director of business administration for the EBC. “Father, we are thankful for this week to see your goodness, your faithfulness, your mercy, and your love towards us. We’re thankful because you have been and will continue to be in the business of rescuing us… Help us to be an Army of forward thinking, an Army of urgency to reach and rescue those that are right now in darkness.”