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
Our Holy Covenant General’s Congress
BY ROBERT MITCHELL, HUGO BRAVO, MINERVA COLÓN-PINO, WARREN L. MAYE, AND COLONEL RICHARD MUNN
June 11–14, 2026 — Hershey Lodge in [...]
El Congreso del General: la renovación de nuestro pacto sagrado.
POR MINERVA COLÓN-PINO
Tras mucha anticipación, el Congreso del General [...]
Thursday: Commencement
Friday: Opening Celebration
Saturday: Star Search Awards & Enrollments
Sunday: Ordination & Commissioning
Schedule
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Connection Theater
Step into the Connection Theater — a welcoming space that brings the Congress experience to life beyond the Great American Hall.
Created for those who appreciate a relaxed, fellowship‑driven setting, this room offers the ideal mix of watching, gathering, and connecting.
Catch the full live program on three large screens with crisp audio, whether you're in theater seating or enjoying coffee at a round table. It's not just another room — it's a shared community experience.
Enjoy exclusive live music moments, surprise giveaways, and special greetings from The General, keeping the atmosphere vibrant throughout Congress.
At its heart, the Connection Theater is a place of fellowship — a space to unite, reflect, and encourage one another as we live out our Holy Covenant and strengthen the bonds that connect our Mission, our People, and our shared future.
Keepers of the Covenant
Efrad Arroyo
Williana Garcia
Yailyn Cordero
Mario Dino
Raisa Santos
Mintae Hwang
Sungyeon An
Daewon Kim
Carlos Mota
Yolanda Silvestre
Luis Ortiz
Mykaella Morales
Sara Perkins
Wendell Perkins
Brandy Reese
Hector Rivera
Elizabeth Torres
Omar Rivera
Rebeca Irizarry
Delia Rojas
Yolmina Saint-Lot
Joshua Wesbee
Jack Yambo
Denise Velazquez
Code of Christian Conduct
We are guests in the City of Hershey. Our conduct will make a lasting impression on other delegates, residents and visitors. Their impression of The Salvation Army into the future will be determined by their impression of YOU.
There may be delays in hotel registration and restaurant service simply because we have a large number of delegates requiring service within limited time frames. Be courteous and pleasant.
- Hotels request that there be no excessive noise or activity in corridors and elevators between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- Gratuities (tips) are given for courteous service. Full-service restaurant gratuities are customarily 15%. Guests remaining in a hotel three nights or longer in the area traditionally leave a $5.00 gratuity in the hotel room for the chambermaid if housekeeping has been satisfactory.
- Corps/ Adult Rehabilitation Center officers and group leaders are requested to monitor the activity of their groups to encourage good conduct.
- It is anticipated that delegates will attend scheduled events.
- Uniforms are the statement of availability, faith and service. Please ensure that uniforms are worn properly.
- Please discard papers, cans, bottles and other disposable items in trash receptacles. Be a committee of one to keep all venues clean and tidy. What we do reflects on us more than what we say.
- All “found” items should be taken to the Congress Office in the Hershey Lodge. “Lost” items may be claimed at the office.
- Due to the uniqueness of this event and potential of video production, flash photography is prohibited.
- Movement in and out of the room during meetings is distracting. Please enter 10-15 minutes prior to the meeting and exit after the benediction.
- Please turn off your cell phone during the event. Thank you.
- For parents of children in the child-care program, please pay attention to the designated screens for your assigned call number.
YOU are not only a representative of The Salvation Army — you are also an ambassador of the King of Kings — represent Him well.
God bless you!
Special Guests:
General Lyndon Buckingham
and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Buckingham were ordained and commissioned in 1990 as officers of the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. As well as appointments at home, they have also served in various Salvation Army territories, and assumed their current responsibilities as General and World President of Women’s Ministries at International Headquarters on 3 August 2023.
In each of their appointments the Buckinghams have displayed a desire to see the great news of the gospel shared.
Bronwyn is inspired by the belief that God has a new truth to reveal to her daily and compelled by the promise in Philippians 1:6 (NIV) that he is continuing to fulfil his good work within her. She desires to be the woman God is calling her to be and is passionate to be part of an Army where the next generation will choose to embrace their leadership calling.
Lyndon is passionate about finding ways for The Salvation Army to be more effective in fulfilling its mission. He is determined to be faithful to the covenants he has made and is motivated by verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men’ (Colossians 3:23 NIV1984).
The Buckinghams are blessed to be parents and grandparents. They are continually encouraged and challenged by the desire of their adult children to serve God in their generation.
Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole
Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole are the national leaders of The Salvation Army in the United States of America with Merle serving as the National Commander and Dawn serving as the National Secretary for Program. They assumed these appointments on March 1, 2025.
Immediately preceding this appointment Merle served as Territorial Commander and Dawn as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries in the Latin America North Territory.
Merle and Dawn are both children of Salvation Army officers, Lt. Colonels Merle L. and Vivian Heatwole and Colonels Thomas C. and Mary Lewis. The Heatwoles met when their parents were both stationed at the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Divisional Headquarters. They were married in 1981, entered the College for Officer Training the next year and were commissioned in 1984 as a part of the Servants of God session.
The Heatwoles served in appointments as corps officers, divisional officers, and territorial officers in addition to appointments at National Headquarters in the USA and International Headquarters in London, England.
The Heatwoles have three adult children Michael, Michele and Melissa who live in the United States. Michael and his wife, Linnea, live in Carpentersville, Illinois, with the Heatwoles’ granddaughters, Elin and Audrey. Michele and her husband, Dan Penning, live in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Heatwoles’ grandson, Carter. Melissa and her husband, Kenyon Sivels, are the corps officers in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, with the Heatwoles’ granddaughters, Trinity and Eden.
Anthony Evans
Anthony Evans’ deep faith has been the foundation of everything he has set out to accomplish in his life and ministry. Growing up the son of influential pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, among siblings Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer and Jonathan Evans, all whom which have become impactful speakers, authors, and spiritual leaders themselves, Anthony’s path is unique and all his own. From Billboard charting artist, worship leader, producer, author, and actor, everything Anthony does comes from a heart of faith and his desire for that faith to make an impact inside and out of the four walls of the Church.
As an accomplished vocalist, Anthony has produced 11 solo projects, two of which have hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Album chart. His newest release, “Revive,” is infused with Anthony’s refreshing re-commitment to God after a devastating, extended period of loss, unanswered questions and heartache. Sustaining him through dark times, Anthony has learned to be grateful for the opportunities God has provided him to share his talents in unconventional ways not normally afforded to a Christian artist. Opportunities like performing and starring in Disney’s Hollywood Bowl Production of “Beauty and the Beast,” appearing as an artist on, and later becoming a talent producer for NBC’s hit show, “The Voice,” and producing and arranging music for major Hollywood networks and production houses. In addition to his music, ministry and global travel as a worship leader, Anthony has authored/co-authored three books, Unexpected Places, Divine Disruption and When Faith Meets Therapy.
In everything, Anthony’s desire is to share his life and authentic faith with transparency and honesty, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in him will carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6
Special Guest:
General Lyndon Buckingham
and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Buckingham were ordained and commissioned in 1990 as officers of the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. As well as appointments at home, they have also served in various Salvation Army territories, and assumed their current responsibilities as General and World President of Women’s Ministries at International Headquarters on 3 August 2023.
In each of their appointments the Buckinghams have displayed a desire to see the great news of the gospel shared.
Bronwyn is inspired by the belief that God has a new truth to reveal to her daily and compelled by the promise in Philippians 1:6 (NIV) that he is continuing to fulfil his good work within her. She desires to be the woman God is calling her to be and is passionate to be part of an Army where the next generation will choose to embrace their leadership calling.
Lyndon is passionate about finding ways for The Salvation Army to be more effective in fulfilling its mission. He is determined to be faithful to the covenants he has made and is motivated by verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men’ (Colossians 3:23 NIV1984).
The Buckinghams are blessed to be parents and grandparents. They are continually encouraged and challenged by the desire of their adult children to serve God in their generation.
Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole
Commissioners Merle and Dawn Heatwole are the national leaders of The Salvation Army in the United States of America with Merle serving as the National Commander and Dawn serving as the National Secretary for Program. They assumed these appointments on March 1, 2025.
Immediately preceding this appointment Merle served as Territorial Commander and Dawn as Territorial President of Women’s Ministries in the Latin America North Territory.
Merle and Dawn are both children of Salvation Army officers, Lt. Colonels Merle L. and Vivian Heatwole and Colonels Thomas C. and Mary Lewis. The Heatwoles met when their parents were both stationed at the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Divisional Headquarters. They were married in 1981, entered the College for Officer Training the next year and were commissioned in 1984 as a part of the Servants of God session.
The Heatwoles served in appointments as corps officers, divisional officers, and territorial officers in addition to appointments at National Headquarters in the USA and International Headquarters in London, England.
The Heatwoles have three adult children Michael, Michele and Melissa who live in the United States. Michael and his wife, Linnea, live in Carpentersville, Illinois, with the Heatwoles’ granddaughters, Elin and Audrey. Michele and her husband, Dan Penning, live in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Heatwoles’ grandson, Carter. Melissa and her husband, Kenyon Sivels, are the corps officers in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, with the Heatwoles’ granddaughters, Trinity and Eden.
Anthony Evans
Anthony Evans’ deep faith has been the foundation of everything he has set out to accomplish in his life and ministry. Growing up the son of influential pastor, Dr. Tony Evans, among siblings Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer and Jonathan Evans, all whom which have become impactful speakers, authors, and spiritual leaders themselves, Anthony’s path is unique and all his own. From Billboard charting artist, worship leader, producer, author, and actor, everything Anthony does comes from a heart of faith and his desire for that faith to make an impact inside and out of the four walls of the Church.
As an accomplished vocalist, Anthony has produced 11 solo projects, two of which have hit the #1 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Album chart. His newest release, “Revive,” is infused with Anthony’s refreshing re-commitment to God after a devastating, extended period of loss, unanswered questions and heartache. Sustaining him through dark times, Anthony has learned to be grateful for the opportunities God has provided him to share his talents in unconventional ways not normally afforded to a Christian artist. Opportunities like performing and starring in Disney’s Hollywood Bowl Production of “Beauty and the Beast,” appearing as an artist on, and later becoming a talent producer for NBC’s hit show, “The Voice,” and producing and arranging music for major Hollywood networks and production houses. In addition to his music, ministry and global travel as a worship leader, Anthony has authored/co-authored three books, Unexpected Places, Divine Disruption and When Faith Meets Therapy.
In everything, Anthony’s desire is to share his life and authentic faith with transparency and honesty, “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in him will carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6
