Vol. #28

Grace Uncovered

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Future officers meet at CFOT

February 10, 2017
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Territory welcomes 155 individuals interested in officership to Future Officers Fellowship.

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Chief Secretary Colonel Doug Riley gives the opening keynote address of the 2017 Future Officers Fellowship. | Photo by Sean O’Brien
The Western Territory welcomed 155 individuals interested in Salvation Army officership to the Future Officers Fellowship conference Feb. 3-5 at the College for Officers Training (CFOT) at Crestmont.
“The weekend was definitely challenging, even to myself, to stand undaunted wherever I am called to minister,” said Captain Joanne Louangamath, Territorial Candidates’ and Recruitment Secretary with Major Bob Louangamath. “For those attending, it was an opportunity for self-examination.”
Speakers throughout the weekend prompted much of that reflection.
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Training Principal Major Brian Saunders talks with prospective candidates for Salvation Army officership about the application process at the Future Officers Fellowship. | Photo by Sean O’Brien
Chief Secretary Colonel Doug Riley wondered with attendees whether we are following Christ or the world. “What are you filling your garage with?” he asked. Major James Sullivan, Del Oro Divisional Youth and Candidates’ Secretary, challenged delegates to be different, determined and delivered as one walks with Christ and follows his call. Personnel Secretary Lt. Colonel Stephen Smith gave the Sunday morning message, emphasizing the importance of living a holy life each day with Jesus Christ, focusing on 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
“I had already made the decision to answer God’s call to be an officer in The Salvation Army, yet, for this weekend, I was not sure what to expect,” said Amy Hudson, an accepted candidate. “It turned out to be a weekend full of information for everyone present, whether they were an accepted candidate like me, or someone who is just searching for their next step.”
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Future Officers Fellowship attendees, dressed in their western gear, enjoy an evening of barbecue, line-dancing and worship. | Photo by Sean O’Brien
Saturday classes at CFOT covered topics from The Salvation Army’s doctrines, to how to study the Bible or what’s involved in the daily life of a cadet, plus tours of the various CFOT facilities. An evening “Western Roundup” included a barbecue, line-dancing, a karaoke sing-off, worship and a devotional from Captain Jay Koebel, Sierra del Mar Divisional Youth and Candidates’ Secretary.
“Training school and officership is something that I take very seriously. Some might say that being an officer’s kid, I have a certain advantage,” said Hudson, who grew up in The Salvation Army but said she stepped away from it for about 10 years. “However, I feel that there is so much I need to learn through God’s word, the courses at Crestmont, the field training, and my future classmates. I can say with confidence that after leaving FOF, I am excited about my calling and I look forward to being a Messenger of Compassion this fall.”  

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