Timing of New Lieutenants’ 2025 Appointments

Dear Friends,

While each officer’s calling is unique, their journey follows a well-established path:

  • Accepting Christ and beginning their transformational journey
  • Being discipled into a deeper faith
  • Using their spiritual gifts as Soldiers and Local Officers
  • Recognizing and accepting their Call to Officership
  • Preparing as a Candidate for greater ministry
  • Training at the CFOT
  • Signing their Officer Covenant
  • Being Commissioned and Ordained
  • Receiving their first appointment

Each step of this path is essential. Beginning this year though, the Eastern Territory will adjust the timing of first appointments. After careful consideration with the Territorial Executive Council and CFOT Executive Council, we will now announce appointments earlier—on May 4, 2025, at a special Service of Appointments at CFOT.

This “early announcement” ensures that new Lieutenants:

  • Build relationships with divisional leaders/command heads
  • Transition smoothly by working with predecessors
  • Research and prepare for their new communities
  • Understand strategic plans and key events
  • Complete necessary administrative tasks before arrival
  • Review statistical trends, budgets, and property needs
  • Engage with future congregants appropriately
  • Develop multitasking skills for ministry transitions
  • Ease family anxieties about relocation and schooling
  • Secure essential services like healthcare and summer programs

Yes, this is a change from tradition. Adjusting will take time, but we believe it will lead to better-equipped Lieutenants and stronger corps. It also allows Commissioning and Ordination to remain the sacred focus of Commissioning Sunday.

Key Details:                       

  • When? Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM
  • Where? Lecture Hall, CFOT, 201 Lafayette Ave, Suffern, NY 10901
  • Who Can Attend? Cadets (and their children), CFOT faculty, TEC members. Champions of the Mission will receive a limited number of tickets for family and friends.
  • Live-streamed? Yes! A link will be widely shared—consider hosting a Corps Watch Party!
  • Open to the Public? No.

More details will follow. In the meantime, we ask for your help:

  • Share this update with Soldiers, employees, and volunteers.
  • Pray for our Champions of the Mission as they complete training.
  • Anticipate how God will work through our new Lieutenants and all who surrender to His calling.

Thank you for your faithful ministry. May God bless you abundantly!

Commissioners Ralph & Susan Bukiewicz
USA Eastern Territorial Leaders