Commissioning weekend

A flurry of activity consumed the cadets of the Preparers of the Way Session as they polished off last minute tasks before their big day. Following two years of flexible training (group classes in Moscow combined with service in their own individual corps back home) the Preparers would soon become Captains in The Salvation Army, one couple in Poland. The other captins would spread themselves throughout Romania, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

A full day of worship and reflection was given to signing personal covenants of service as future officers. Many responded to the messages of our Territorial leaders by praying at a makeshift altar in the meetings' rented hall.

Members of the USA South Summer Service Team played in the small but spirited brass band which marched cadets up to the platform and into their futures of ministry and witness for Jesus Christ.

Anita and Brad with two of their three sons at the commissioning service in the Izmahlova Complex. 

Cadets saw wood for the barbeque fire during the final celebration picnic during a trip well outside the urban boundaries of Moscow. 

Anita performs a duet with Captain Pasha Gorbunov during the post-commissioning concert. 

New Salvation Army Captains Beso Niberdze and Andre Inutochikin place their second year cadet bars on newly promoted second year cadet Kostya Jmakin during commissioning weekend in Moscow. 

Anita helps commission Cadet Maureen Diffley, a USA Southern Territory cadet who completed her training in Russia. 

Summer service members perform at Eastern Europe Territory Comissioning. 

Our sons await instructions at our Mission Training and Education Center lobby. We are so glad to see them face to face!

Cadets covenant day

Today our second-year cadets--so near their ordination through comissioning--sign their covenants of service in a day-long series of worship meetings to celebrate their dedication.

The Preparers of The Way sang songs, gave testimonies of their feelings about becoming officers, and signed a unique document in which they pledge their life's service to God. Their faces reflected excitement and accomplishment as two years of training, both on the field and intensive united classes in Moscow, come to an end...or to a new beginning!

Colonel Barry Pobjie, our Territorial Commander, recalled his early days of success and sacrifice as a young officer. Chief Secretary Lt. Colonel Bo Brekke recalled how he signed his application to become an officer by travelling to a darkened Divisional Headquarters, only to meet the Chief Secretary coming to building--at 10:30 at night!

Tomorrow is Commissioning--13 new Captains on the planet, and in God's Kingdom.