A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E S A LVAT I O N A R M Y S O U T H ER N T ER R I TO R Y
M AY 2 0 24
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ISSUE 5
‘THE CHOSEN,’ LIFE GROUPS, AND YOUTH CONFERENCE AT COMMISSIONING 2024 BY BR AD ROWL AND In just a few short weeks, hundreds of Salvationists will gather at the Atlanta Temple Corps for a stirring weekend of fellowship, praise, and worship. Commissioning 2024 is May 31 – June 2, the Defenders of Justice session of cadets set to be ordained and commissioned as part of a jampacked schedule of activities. In advance of the event, excitement is building in a myriad of ways, including through the announcement that five special guests from “The Chosen” television series will be featured in the evening program on Saturday, June 1. Chris Juen and Chad Gundersen, co-executive producers, will be joined by Ryan Swanson, head writer and executive producer, and a pair of actors, Lara Silva and Jordan Walker Ross. Silva plays “Eden” in the series, with Walker Ross acting as “Little James.” “You are not going to want to miss this amazing opportunity,” said Roberta Simmons-Smith, territorial director of special events. “You will hear their personal testimonies and how they personally have been impacted in their Walk With Jesus through the journey of working on ‘The Chosen.’” “The Chosen” is described as a groundbreaking historical drama based on the life of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of those who knew him. The seven-season television show aims to share an authentic and intimate look at the life and teachings of Jesus. Created by Dallas Jen-
kins and distributed by Angel Studios, “The Chosen” also earned a world record as the highest crowd-funded video project of all-time. “The Chosen” also has direct ties to The Salvation Army. In preparation for its second of seven seasons, the series was seeking filming locations, and Jenkins connected with Casey Bilbrey, director of operations for The Salvation Army’s Camp
Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas. That connection led to “The Chosen” constructing a one-of-akind, 30,000 square-foot soundstage at Camp Hoblitzelle, and “The Chosen” and The Salvation Army partnered on the permanent construction of a recreated village of Capernaum built on the site of Fort Tejas. Jenkins shared, “The Salvation “Commissioning 2024...” continued on page 2
Spring Campaigns and Spring Missions Enrich Officer Training B Y C A P TA I N J O S H H I N S O N Each spring the cadets of the Evangeline Booth College (EBC) go out on Spring Campaigns and Spring Missions. During Spring Campaigns firstyear cadets participate in an immersive ministry experience and partner in mission with a local Southern Territory command. Second-year cadets travel outside the Southern Territory to embrace the Salvationist spirit in a different cultural context.
The first-year cadets of the Champions of the Mission session were split into three teams and sent throughout the Southern Territory: McAllen (Texas), National Capitol Area Command, and a tour of Tennessee. The cadets conducted services, shared the Gospel, and engaged in the mission. The second-year cadets of the Defenders of Justice session partnered with the Latin America North Territory ministering in Costa Rica for their Spring Missions. The cadets were impressed with the dedication of the officers and soldiers, as they ministered together in corps programming, open airs, and social services.
One Word BY C ADET RICHARD RE YNOLDS “I want you to think of one word. What one word is the Lord speaking to you about your time here?” This was the question posed to us by our team leader, Captain Josh Hinson, on our final nights in San Jose, Costa Rica. During your two years as a cadet at the Evangeline Booth College, you are required to take several longscale trips. It was the first week of March 2024, and my cadet session, the Defenders of Justice, was on our second-year Spring Missions trip. We had spent the past several days engaging in evangelism opportunities, open airs, children’s ministry, and adult programs such as Bible Photo Credit: Evangeline Booth College
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