The Candidates' Seminar Weekend

by Hugo Bravo and Warren L. Maye  

A vital theme lay at the heart of the Candidates’ Seminar Weekend: preparing individuals for impactful ministry within The Salvation Army. This two-day event, held after a stirring “Welcome to Cadets” public meeting, was crafted to equip prospective cadets with essential knowledge of what they might expect should they choose to begin their journey at the College for Officer Training (CFOT). Those who have already accepted the call and will enroll next year were also there to dive a little deeper.

The seminar concluded with a moving Sunday morning holiness meeting. This gathering offered hope and reassurance, reminding attendees of God’s steadfast presence as they commit to deepening their understanding and application of Scripture.

Great expectations

On Saturday, October 4, Training Principal Lt. Colonel James LaBossierre welcomed all the attendees and thanked them for responding to the opportunity to explore God’s will in each of their lives.

“The No. 1 thing we do here is deepen our relationship with the Living God,” LaBossiere said. “When someone completes their journey, they will know God in a deeper way. They will know themselves and who they are in Christ. They will know that God has called them, and that the Holy Spirit has equipped them.”

LaBossiere added, “You have great expectations of what we offer, and we have great expectations for those whom God calls to this place. One expectation is that you will be prepared to serve the needs of mankind and the challenges of a complex society today.”

Salvation Army officers, he said, are not called to serve in the past, but in the present age, with the unchanged gospel of Christ.

“The foundational biblical beliefs, the doctrines of the Army: Those are things that will never change. But how we share the ministry will,” he said. “God calls us, and then we work to develop the competencies, the skills, and the experience needed to be officers, pastors, leaders, and fundraisers.”

Lifelong learners

Director of curriculum Captain Emeline Watch spoke to candidates about how the college provides an environment that is challenging but balances spiritual development and practical ministry skills.

“Our desire is to cultivate a desire for lifelong learning in you. We want you to learn here but also want you to continue learning throughout your life, your ministry, and beyond,” said Watch.

Cadets can keep up with changing technology and education methods. Watch noted that the CFOT curriculum department had just developed a policy for artificial intelligence (AI), so cadets are able to harness the tools AI provides but in an ethical way that protects privacy.

Curriculum officer Major Joshua Simpson talked about an important basis of CFOT education: the 11 doctrines of The Salvation Army, with each semester focused on learning four of the doctrines.

“These 11 doctrines,” Simpson said, “are the foundation of everything that we do. The CFOT will make you masters of the doctrine of The Salvation Army. When you have mastered this, you will have mastered far more theology and biblical knowledge than you think.”

Teachable spirits

Salvation Army officers hosted panels to explain the roles and daily responsibilities of overseeing a corps. For one of these panels, Lt. Colonels Raphael and Sandra Jackson, divisional leaders of Greater New York, and Majors Joy and Marcus Jugenheimer, divisional leaders of Western Pennsylvania, took questions from attendees about expectations that Salvation Army leadership has for new officers within their command.

Lt. Colonel Sandra told the candidates that their walk with Jesus should stay constant, daily, and up to date. “Without that,” she said, “you cannot serve as He is calling you to serve.”

“I expect someone to grow up and show up,” said Lt. Colonel Raphael. “What I mean by that, is that many of us might be used to having a boss and working nine to five. As an officer, you are your own boss. Growing into that role is not easy. You will be putting in many hours as the face of The Salvation Army in your community.”

Major Marcus said that investing in relationships with the members of your corps is the basis of true ministry. “It can become self-preservation to say, ‘I’m going to keep people at a distance.’ But in doing so, we rob ourselves and others of the blessings of building relationships, and you aren’t doing the mission of The Salvation Army.”

“Everyone who comes to the CFOT needs a teachable spirit,” said Major Joy. “Officers need skills to be social workers, pastors, and PR people, but those skills are learnable if you come with a teachable spirit.

“We also all believe that, unlike other vocational paths, this one doesn’t work unless there’s a calling directly from God. He may use other people to confirm it, but if you’re sure that the stirrings inside you are coming from God, I would encourage you to continue this path.”

Overcoming the ‘failure to launch’

During the Sunday morning holiness meeting, Cadet Yailyn Cordero of the 2024–2026 Keepers of the Covenant session shared a stirring testimony of resilience shaped by adversity. Raised in Philadelphia and Puerto Rico, she would often recite, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23), even while grappling with doubt. Bullying in both places stifled her self-expression, and her parents’ divorce left her burdened with guilt. By age 15, feelings of shame and worthlessness led her to contemplate ending her life.

In 2017, a transformative experience at The Salvation Army’s Camp Ladore introduced her to God’s unconditional acceptance. She felt a calling to officership. But even as her faith deepened through answered prayers, she sought independence and left both home and The Salvation Army to join the United States Navy.

What was meant to be a two-month boot camp extended to seven months after a serious leg injury. During this time, a revealing dream affirmed God’s plans for her, prompting her to embrace her calling. Discharged from the Navy, Cordero recommitted her life to God. Her transformation strengthened family bonds; her relationship with her mother flourished, and she reconnected with her father and siblings.

Now confident that the Lord meets her every need, she prays that her story inspires others to reflect on their own journeys. Her testimony affirms that even the most broken lives can find hope and purpose through Him.

The same — yesterday, today, and forever

Chief Secretary Colonel Ivan K. Rock reflected on a building renovation at the CFOT campus 37 years ago. Officers and cadets then worshiped in the same gymnasium where the congregation now gathered.

“We played basketball on Saturdays and worshiped on Sundays — it became our comforting home,” he recalled. Holding the same Bible he had used decades earlier, Rock emphasized the enduring relevance and stability of God’s Word amid life’s changes. He invited everyone to stand and read Romans 12:1–8 together.

A call to commitment in faith

Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz, Territorial Commander, delivered a powerful message reflecting on the weekend’s events. He urged listeners to “launch” into the divine purpose God has set before them, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation through Scripture, prayer, and the support of fellow believers.

Images of blazing rockets projected on a large screen vividly illustrated the concept of “failure to launch.” Bukiewicz drew a compelling parallel between the hesitation of young adults to embrace independence and our own reluctance to step into God’s calling.

His metaphor challenged the audience to consider what might be holding them back from fully committing to a life of purpose and obedience.

“Ephesians 6 calls us to ‘do the will of God with all your heart,’” Bukiewicz shared. “Similarly, Romans 12:1–2 urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, embracing transformation through the renewal of our minds — a vital step in aligning with God’s desires.”

He continued, “Colossians 1:9–10 emphasizes the importance of spiritual wisdom and understanding to bear fruit in every good work, showing how our relationship with God shapes our actions. Moreover, 1 John 2:17 assures us that doing the will of God grants eternal significance.”

Bukiewicz invited the congregation to trust in God and overcome any fears that hinder their spiritual journey. With outstretched arms, he called everyone to commit to active obedience, highlighting the rewarding path that awaits those who take that leap of faith.

“It all comes down, friends, to this final scripture,” he said. “I love this: 1 Thessalonians 5:24, ‘The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.’ What’s your obstacle?”

Lt. Colonel Cheriann Stoops, Territorial Candidates Secretary, reminded the congregation that preparing for Salvation Army officership begins with learning to hear and obey God’s voice. As individuals responded to the call — some looking ahead to training in 2027 and others taking their first steps as soldiers — the importance of active service, leadership in the local corps, and mentoring future officers was emphasized. Lt. Colonel Steven Ashcraft, Secretary for International Personnel, closed the meeting with a charge to remain obedient, don the armor of God, and carry forward the momentum of faith into their unique callings.