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Photo by Todd Smith
TYC and TCAE minister during annual meeting of retired officers.
By Mejee Lutcher
The Territorial Youth Chorus (TYC) and Territorial Creative Arts Ensemble (TCAE) supported territorial leaders Commissioners James and Carolyn Knaggs as guest speakers for the annual weekend meeting of The Salvation Army Retired Officers Association (SAROA) in Tampa, Fla.
“It was fitting for the groups to interact with the retired officers at an event themed ‘Generation to Generation,’ emphasizing the need to intentionally pass on our faith to the next generation,” said Joy Lee, territorial creative arts director.
After rehearsing for a day, TYC and TCAE performed in a series of concerts and spent time with young musicians from the Florida Division.
Representing every division in the Western Territory, TYC meets a few times every year for ministry weekends.
“Sharing our experiences with retired officers gave them an opportunity to share their stories and give advice to us,” said Alexa Morris, TYC member from the Salem (Ore.) Kroc Center.
TYC member Kaila Ogletree said, “This weekend was a blessing and something has changed in our hearts. I can’t wait to see what God changes in our lives.”
Four of the five TCAE soldiers traveled to Florida. During the main concert at the St. Petersburg Corps, TCAE member Alexandra Van Cleef gave a moving testimony, bringing many to tears and intensifying an already powerful spiritual movement.
“No matter how faithful or unfaithful I may be, God is always faithful, and he has a plan for me that is bigger than I could have ever imagined,” she said.
TYC member Sophie Yalden said “If…Then,” a song by Leonard Ballantine, captures the weekend experience: “I want to know Christ, his power in my life, his confidence to fight and win; for the struggle to take hold, to press on toward the goal is worth anything! He’s worth everything to me.”
