New cadets are welcomed as officer training officially transfers to Winnipeg.

To the upbeat music of Southdown, played by Heritage Park Band, the 11 cadets of the God’s Fellow Workers Session marched with flags flying through the cheering crowd at Southlands Community Church, to be greeted by second-year cadets of the Heralds of the Good News Session. Receiving the salute were Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd, chief secretary and territorial secretary for women’s ministries, with Major Sandra Rice, training principal. A special welcome was extended to Cadets (Dr.) Paul and Pedrinah Thistle from Zimbabwe, who were on hand to receive some in-college training for several weeks.

The welcome meeting was an enthusiastic yet reverent amalgam of traditional Salvation Army songs, worship choruses, video clips, humour, testimony and challenge. United songster brigades joined the cadets in the first public rendition of the God’s Fellow Workers’ sessional song, written by Major Julie Slous. “We have seen the world’s great need ... There’s a work that must be done ... We’ll work to show you Jesus,” sang the fervent cadets and songsters.

Following an introduction of the new session by the training principal, two second-year cadets unexpectedly donned Army bonnets and read training college regulations from 1925, much to the enjoyment of the congregation. In his welcoming remarks, the chief secretary reminisced that he and his wife left Winnipeg 27 years earlier to train as officers. He also announced a new territorial initiative that will allow lieutenants (there are 17 in the territory) to undertake individualized training toward becoming commissioned officers.

There was another special welcome, this time a highly entertaining video clip of CFOT “kidettes,” who in their inimitable way greeted the new cadet children recently arrived at the college. Interspersed throughout the two-hour service was a variety of inspirational and challenging vocal music by the college worship team. In an interview conducted by Captain Deana Zelinsky, CFOT personnel officer, Cadet Amanda Swartz, a former fashion designer, told how she had come to the Army through a friend and how God had led her to this moment. Cadet Edi Matondo, an Angolan who entered training from Toronto Harbour Light, shared his conviction of God’s miraculous guidance in bringing him to college. He indicated that he was moved at being selected as sessional flagbearer because his father, an officer in Angola, had been flagbearer for his session.

In a thoughtful yet challenging exposition of scriptural truths, linked with compelling anecdotes, Colonels Glen and Eleanor Shepherd teamed up to talk about the “transforming influence of the gospel in this complex yet magnificent undertaking” of officership training in obedience to Jesus. Following the message, the congregation was invited to come forward to receive bookmarks that encouraged prayer for both sessions of cadets, for next year’s 125-year anniversary celebrations, for the Army’s mission in Winnipeg and for God’s blessing on the city. Colonel Eleanor Shepherd then shared in a prayer of dedication. The meeting then concluded with a lively “war song” reminiscent of the early Salvation Army.

Earlier in the day a private devotional meeting and welcome dinner for cadets and their visiting relatives had been held at the CFOT and Booth College respectively.

by Lt-Colonel Maxwell Ryan; Photos: Bramwell Ryan

Update: Click here for a photo slideshow.