Investing in the Leaders Who Will Follow
by Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz
Every Salvationist can point to someone whose leadership shaped their spiritual journey.
Perhaps it was an officer who preached the gospel with conviction, stood beside a family in a moment of crisis, led a corps through challenging times, or helped someone discover God’s calling on their life. Behind countless stories of transformed lives stands a common foundation: the College for Officer Training (CFOT).
For generations, the CFOT has prepared men and women to serve as Salvation Army officers through rigorous biblical instruction, spiritual formation, leadership development, and practical ministry experience. It is where future leaders are equipped to preach Christ, shepherd God’s people, and meet human need in His name.
The CFOT’s impact extends far beyond the training campus. Every corps, social service center, emergency disaster response, youth ministry, and community program is strengthened by officers whose lives and leadership were shaped through this sacred process of formation.
Today, however, the CFOT faces a significant funding challenge that threatens its long-term sustainability and its ability to continue providing the depth of training and formation that future leaders will require. In response, the USA Eastern Territory has established the Legacy of Leadership Fund, a permanent endowment created to secure the future of officer training for generations to come.
This initiative is about much more than meeting current financial needs. It is about preserving and strengthening the formation of future officers who will carry The Salvation Army’s mission into the decades ahead. It is about ensuring that those whom God is calling tomorrow will receive the same spiritual mentoring, practical preparation, and leadership development that have served the Army so faithfully throughout its history.
The Legacy of Leadership Fund invites every member of the Salvation Army family to participate. Whether you are an officer, employee, soldier, board member, volunteer, donor, or friend of the Army, you have a stake in the leadership of the next generation. The officers trained today will influence the people we serve, the communities we impact, and the future effectiveness of our mission.
In the coming weeks, we will share additional information about opportunities to support the fund through one-time gifts, recurring contributions, payroll deductions, and multi-year pledges. As you learn more, we invite you to pray, reflect, and consider how God may lead you to invest in those who have yet to answer His call.
Together, we can help ensure that the College for Officer Training continues to prepare, equip, and send forth Christ-centered leaders who will faithfully advance the mission of The Salvation Army for future generations.
PRAY. REFLECT. INVEST IN THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW.
