What is Ordination and Commissioning?
The Salvation Army Ordination and Commissioning weekend is part of the high holy days and is an annual event where new officers, soldiers, and others gather to worship, celebrate and pray together. During this weekend, the cadets who have completed two years of training are ordained and commissioned to serve in various communities throughout The Salvation Army. The event is a celebration of the new officers’ commitment to serving others and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. It involves worship services, prayer, and devotion by Salvation Army leaders and special guests. The Commissioning is an essential moment in the life of The Salvation Army and serves as a reminder of its mission to “meet human needs in Christ’s name without discrimination.”
Recap:
Commissioning Weekend 2024
A bright Pennsylvania sky was no match for the exuberance felt by as many as 2,000 Salvationists inside the Hershey Lodge. Famed for its chocolate factory, Hershey is nicknamed “the sweetest place on earth.”
Videos:
Commencement
Opening Celebration featuring TAYA
Star Search Awards
Ordination, Commissioning, & Appointment Service
Special Guests:
Commissioners Edward & Shelley Hill
Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in June 1993 as part of the Heralds of Jesus Session.
Their shared service has taken them to appointments throughout the USA Western Territory, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory, the Canada and Bermuda Territory, and International Headquarters (IHQ).
Effective 3 August 2023, Commissioner Edward Hill was appointed Chief of the Staff at IHQ and Commissioner Shelley Hill as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries.
Edward and Shelley were married in 1985 and have three children – Stephanie, Samantha and Samuel.
Commissioners Hill thank God for the opportunity to be of service to God, the Army and others, recognizing that they too are a work in progress.
They celebrate the assurance of the Lord that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
TAYA
Taya Gaukrodger comes from a country town on the East Coast of Australia. In 2010, she relocated to Sydney to pursue a career in music. Soon after arriving, she got involved in a local church and began volunteering in youth and young adult ministries. The world was first introduced to TAYA on UNITED’s RIAA Certified Multi-Platinum global worship anthem, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” and since then, her voice has become an unmistakable clarion call to worship across the world. Driven by hundreds of millions of streams for “Oceans” and others like “Touch the Sky” and “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now),” tracks led and stewarded by TAYA have amassed over one billion global streams. Over the past decade, between her tours with UNITED, Hillsong Worship and Young & Free, TAYA has performed live for more than 5 million people in 30 different countries, across six continents. TAYA’s newest single “Gonna Be Good” is out now, amassing more than 1.2M global streams since release. TAYA is most passionate about worship that points people to Jesus and her hope is to lead people to worship more authentically and passionately as they discover more about Him. Taya alongside her husband Ben and their son Bo, currently reside in Southern California.
Special Guests:
Commissioners Edward & Shelley Hill
Commissioners Edward and Shelley Hill were commissioned as Salvation Army officers in June 1993 as part of the Heralds of Jesus Session.
Their shared service has taken them to appointments throughout the USA Western Territory, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory, the Canada and Bermuda Territory, and International Headquarters (IHQ).
Effective 3 August 2023, Commissioner Edward Hill was appointed Chief of the Staff at IHQ and Commissioner Shelley Hill as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries.
Edward and Shelley were married in 1985 and have three children – Stephanie, Samantha and Samuel.
Commissioners Hill thank God for the opportunity to be of service to God, the Army and others, recognizing that they too are a work in progress.
They celebrate the assurance of the Lord that “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
TAYA
Taya Gaukrodger comes from a country town on the East Coast of Australia. In 2010, she relocated to Sydney to pursue a career in music. Soon after arriving, she got involved in a local church and began volunteering in youth and young adult ministries. The world was first introduced to TAYA on UNITED’s RIAA Certified Multi-Platinum global worship anthem, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” and since then, her voice has become an unmistakable clarion call to worship across the world. Driven by hundreds of millions of streams for “Oceans” and others like “Touch the Sky” and “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now),” tracks led and stewarded by TAYA have amassed over one billion global streams. Over the past decade, between her tours with UNITED, Hillsong Worship and Young & Free, TAYA has performed live for more than 5 million people in 30 different countries, across six continents. TAYA’s newest single “Gonna Be Good” is out now, amassing more than 1.2M global streams since release. TAYA is most passionate about worship that points people to Jesus and her hope is to lead people to worship more authentically and passionately as they discover more about Him. Taya alongside her husband Ben and their son Bo, currently reside in Southern California.
Schedule
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Defenders of Justice
Holly A. Bilbay
Kenia J. Godoy
Richard Mahida
Janet Menendez Doval
Luis A. Menendez
Melvianny Matos Alba
Thomas Perez
Lisa D. Scalzitti
On Friday afternoon (2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) we will be hosting EQUIP: Older Adult Ministry.
Throughout the USA Eastern Territory, the most rapidly emerging demographic is Older Adults (65+). We invite you to come and learn new strategies and best practices for ministry and outreach to the older adult community.
PLEASE NOTE: Kids Meetings (Childcare) is available during the sessions, but you must attend the sessions to be eligible.
Salvationist Star Search is a Young People’s Music and Arts Competition. Come out on Saturday and support our young people!
