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Conquerors in Anchorage
The Conquerors Brigade, led by Major Mario Reyes, conducted spring campaigns in Anchorage, Alaska. With Romans 8:37 as their verse, they set off, confident that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
The Salvation Army runs a variety of social service programs in Anchorage, so the cadets—Joseph and Dina Cisneros, Robert Davidson, Eric Park, Stephanie Puza, Craig and Marianneke Summerfield, and Sheri Wetter—had a busy schedule. They interacted with homeless families at McKinnell House, men in recovery at the Adult Rehabilitation Program, and young women in need of help at Booth Home, along with visits to Serendipity Adult Day Care and divisional headquarters. During this Holy Week, the brigade participated at the corps with evangelistic campaigns, a youth rally, and holiness meetings.
Poiema ministers at home
The Home Brigade chose the Greek word poiema as its name—it means workmanship. Led by Major Vickie Shiroma, Cadets Kihyun Oh, Amy Park, Minhee Lee, Jennifer Pyer, Lisa Barnes and Jennifer Masango kept the home fire burning with the Spirit of the Lord.
The cadets ministered nearby in Seal Beach and at the Santa Monica Corps, holding meetings for senior citizens. The brigade provided Holy Week services, Easter parties and visitations.
For the younger generation, a Saturday get-together provided fun for the children and their cadet parents, with the Easter egg hunt a highlight for the kids.
On Easter Sunday, the cadets held a service at the Skyline Mobile Park for seniors. One of the residents expressed her appreciation, since she is unable to attend her regular church due to physical limitations; others throughout the week voiced similar sentiments.
Imitators in Seattle
Led by Major Beth and Captain Michael Paugh, the Imitators Brigade—Cadets Emmanuel Masango, Michael Pyer, Sergio and Stephanie Garcia, Aeran Oh, Sarah Smuda, Ray Dihle and Heather Paap—traveled to Seattle, Washington.
Seattle White Center Corps Officers Majors Maynard and Kathy Sargent provided a tour of the center, where they would conduct much of our campaign. Assignments included leading chapel and learning about the center’s social service programs. The group visited an emergency women’s shelter and the Catherine Booth House for women recovering from domestic violence. In addition, they toured the William Booth House, an emergency shelter and transitional living facility.
The cadets also helped with the Seattle White Center’s after-school program. Each cadet rotated between homework help, the reading room, computer lab, and the youth center.
Transformers in Santa Clara
Vowing to “remain flexible,” the Transformers headed to Santa Clara, California, where their ministry included feeding the homeless at Emmanuel House and tours of facilities ranging from Golden State Divisional Headquarters to Winchester Mystery House.
The cadets dedicated themselves to sharing the meaning of their Scripture verse, Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The brigade, however—who willingly went to be used by God as transformers to others—themselves began to be transformed. Carrying out God’s will and calling renewed them.
The Transformers included Cadets Anthony Barnes, Mark and Lisa Davey, Richard Lee, George and Maggie Lopez, Bob Lueras, Loreen Petzing and leader Captain Ken Perine.
To read more about the cadets’ spring campaigns visit the website of the College for Officer Training at Crestmont, www.crestmont.edu. Look for the full reports under “news.”
