The Disciples of the Cross Session with College for Officer Training leaders Majors Tim and Cindy Foley (front center)

Session assigned across the West this summer beginning June 18

ADULT REHABILITATION

CENTERS

Cadets Tim & Kim Brown

Portland ARC

Cadets Craig & Arwyn Rodriguera

Pasadena ARC

ALASKA

Cadet Samuel Snyder

Fairbanks Corps

Cadet Sam Fowler

Homer Corps

CASCADE

Cadet Rebecca Lewis

Coos Bay Corps

Cadets Richard & Edith Dye Mabie

Eugene Citadel Corps

Cadets Caleb & Iliana Montes

Gresham (Metro) Corps

Cadets Marcos & Jazmin Roman

Idaho Falls Corps

Cadets Tim & Kim Brown

Portland Tabernacle Corps

DEL ORO

Cadets Christopher & Eun-Ha Kim

Reno Corps and ARP

Cadet Martin Jensen

Santa Rosa Corps

Cadets Fabio & Silvia Simoes

Suisun City Ray & Joan Kroc Center Corps

GOLDEN STATE

Cadets David & Sharon Kim

Fresno Temple Corps

Cadets Stephen & Briana Miller

Modesto Red Shield Corps

Cadets Joe & Amber West

South San Francisco Citadel Corps

Cadets Miguel & Maria Pineda Ibarra

Tulare Corps

HAWAIIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDS

Cadets David & Dawn Preston

Guam

Cadets John & Mysti Birks

Kauluwela Mission Corps

INTERMOUNTAIN

Cadets Helden & Alwina Ainios

Grand Junction Corps

Cadet Shawn Keoho

Fort Collins Corps

Cadets Kevin & Serina Woods

Casper Corps

NORTHWEST

Cadets Richard & Joanna Wang

Bellingham Corps

Cadet Carolina Lopez

Eastside Corps

Cadet Raymond Morris

Kalispell Corps

Cadet Naomi Kuhlman

Seattle White Center Corps

SIERRA DEL MAR

Cadets Ruairi & Sarah Ward

Hemet Corps

Cadets Edward & Stella Oware

Oceanside Corps

Cadets Peter & Linda Oliver

Victor Valley Corps

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Cadet Bryan Makowski

Lancaster Corps

Cadets Andrew & Courtenay Covert

Long Beach Citadel Corps

Cadets Craig & Arwyn Rodriguera

Pasadena Tabernacle Corps

Cadet Ben Jones

Pomona Corps

Cadet Claudia Pardo

San Pedro Temple Corps

Cadet Brian Orr

Whittier Corps

SOUTHWEST

Cadet Denice Delgado

Glendale Corps

Cadet Kelly Berggren

Roswell Corps

Cadet Francine Huck

Tucson Temple Corps

Cadets Jeremy & Andrea Reedy

Yuma Corps

Major Pamilla Brackenbury

Major Beverly Cobb

Major William Cobb

Commissioner Jolene Hodder

Commissioner Kenneth Hodder

Major Miriam Keene

Major Cheryl Kinnamon

Major Randall Kinnamon

Major Lee Lescano

Major Michele Lescano

Major Mariam Rudd

Major Robert Rudd

Lt. Colonel Judith Smith

Lt. Colonel Marcia Smith

Lt. Colonel Stephen Smith

Major Elaine Wildman

Major Ronald Wildman

Major Janene Zielinski

Major Michael Zielinski

30 years

Major George Baker

Major Jeanne Baker

Major C. Patrick Granat

Major Brenda Hathorn

Major William Hathorn

Major Willdonna Rich

Major Merry Svenson

Major Steve Svenson

Major Donald Takeuchi

Major Douglas Tollerud

Major Sheryl Tollerud

35 years

Commissioner Donald Bell

Major Michael Dossey

Major Candice Frizzell

Major Laura Heiselman

Major William Heiselman

Major Joy Lum

Major William Lum

Major Linda Manhardt

Major John Reed

Major Preston Rider

Major Susan Wun

40 years

Major Nila Fankhauser

By Sam Oliver

Words on a piece of paper—in the beginning that’s all I saw.

The concept of Bible Bowl is simple: you’re assigned chapters from a book of the Bible, you study the questions, you practice with your team, and then you compete with others who have done the same.

What I did not realize until later was the real purpose of it: to glorify God.

I had lived in Tucson, Ariz., all my life. That was where I went to school, made my closest friends, and felt truly at home. This year, when my parents, my brother and I moved to the College for Officer Training at Crestmont, I had no idea how my life would play out.

Our Bible Bowl team didn’t start up until January, but just being around the other teens made my new environment feel less foreign. I looked forward to the practices not only because of the wonderful people, but also because I enjoyed learning the book of Matthew and memorizing Scripture.

I recall one day before practice started when it all began to make sense.

That day, I went into my study room to get some 40-point questions in my head. Instead of just pulling out my supplies and getting right into studying, I decided to try praying this time. I’m not exactly sure what led me to do this, but I promise when I prayed these words I truly meant them.

This was my prayer: “God, I don’t want to see empty words on plain pieces of paper anymore. I see that when I do geometry homework and other schoolwork. What I want is for you to help me understand what you mean. Reveal to me your Word and let it live in my heart. Show me your truth. Amen.”

Bible Bowl has been a huge blessing in my life. It helped me to adjust from Arizona to California, and to apply the book of Matthew to everyday situations. I loved every aspect of Bible Bowl this year and I owe so much to everyone who made it possible. Because of it, I’ve traveled further in my journey with God.

Camp changes lives

Sometimes camp is the only port in the storm of life.

By Ed Covert

From the moment Andy stepped off the bus at camp, we knew he would be one to test the boundaries. During his first few days, he quickly moved through the stages of our progressive discipline program. Calls home to his mother for support and trips to my office seemed to have little effect, and so with sad hearts we decided to send Andy home, and called his mother to pick him up.

This is where the story really begins.

That initial call was placed at 9:30 a.m. After numerous follow-up calls, his mother still had not arrived by dinner time.

I finally got her to answer her phone at about 7:30 p.m., only to learn that she was still at the casino and had called Andy’s sister—who was at the boardwalk—telling her that we would be dropping Andy off with her.

So we took Andy to the boardwalk to meet up with his sister. After completing all the necessary ID checks and paperwork, we left Andy in the care of his very unhappy sister.

The following day Andy was put on a plane—unaccompanied—and sent across the country to be picked up by his father…who did not show up. Arrangements were then made for him to be sent back across the country to be picked up by his extremely angry mother.

Upon discovering all this, I called the folks who had sent him to camp and told them that I wanted to have Andy come back to camp for the last session and that we would make it work.

It did work, and here is the second chapter of the story.

Andy was in Brett’s unit for the last session of camp, and Brett was struggling. Brett had been to camp twice already this summer, and he was clearly just too exhausted to cope with the level of activity and noise—he just wanted to fight his way out of camp and be home where he could rest. Brett and Andy had a couple of dust-ups. After some calls home, we decided that Brett had made it as far as he could for this camp session. We called his mother and arranged for her to pick him up while the other kids were at campfire.

While Brett—who by the way is a really good kid—and I waited for his mom at the gatehouse office, Andy’s counselor approached me and asked me if I could give him a minute. Out of Brett’s earshot, he told me that Andy would like to come say goodbye to Brett. Initially, I thought this was not a good idea, but the Lord had other plans. I said yes after the counselor’s persuasive argument, and he hurried back to the campfire pit to get Andy. When Andy arrived, he knelt down in front of a sad and distraught Brett, and lifted his head so that they would be eye to eye.

I will never forget the depth of compassion, grace and empathy these two boys shared that night. The words of comfort, caring, and courage that Andy offered to Brett where only possible because Andy had experienced the same authentic unconditional love here at camp when he faced a similar circumstance only a week earlier.

Camp makes a difference in kids’ lives. I saw it with my own eyes and felt it deep in my soul as these two boys embraced and said goodbye. God resides where children are free to love and live—that’s camp. That’s where you’ll find me.

Finding hope at camp

By Jeff Potts

Camp is about giving kids hope—a new perspective about who they are and what they can do in this world. I made up an acronym to clarify my vision: Helping Obscured Potential Emerge. With God’s help we encourage  kids to see that they have unlimited potential in this world.

A few years ago, an 8-year-old girl with a disfigured face came to camp. During my first chapel I told the kids, “God loves you” and “God thinks you’re beautiful.”

Afterward, the girl came up to me and said, “God doesn’t love me.”

“Why do you think that? I asked.

“Because I’m ugly,” she said. “Even my family says I’m ugly.”

My heart was sad, but I smiled and said, “You know what? I know God loves you. He says he does, and God never lies. God does think you’re beautiful. And so do I.”

She shrugged and walked away.

At the final chapel of the week, we told the kids they could come up and speak to God about becoming part of his family. This little girl was one of many who spent time talking to God and receiving Jesus in his or her heart. We asked the campers to tell someone right away about what they did, so I went outside to wait for them to share with me.

One of the last kids out was this girl. She came over to me and said, “You know what?”

“What?”

“God loves me,” she said.

“I know,” I said, and we high-fived.

She turned and started to go, then stopped and turned around.

“You know what else?”

“No, what?”

“God thinks I’m beautiful!” She gave me a hug, turned and ran off.

Hope? New perspective? Yep, we can do that.  Amen.

Territorial youth secretary prays for camp

Join in praying for 2013 campers and staff

By Roy Wild, Captain

I am excited for the upcoming summer camp season. Camp is a place where lives are changed—those of both staff and campers. It is a great opportunity to present the gospel to thousands of children from across the territory. I would ask that you join me in a prayer for the ministry of all our camps in the territory.

Lord, We thank you for the opportunity you have provided to minister to youth through summer camps across the territory. Please be with all the staff that will be working this summer and prepare them to be used to show your love to all the campers. Give them the words to say when talking one-on-one or in a group setting. Help them to be aware of their actions so that they will be the example of you and your love in all that they do. We pray that every child who comes to camp will know that they are in a safe place where they can have fun, create good memories, and—most importantly—see and feel your presence.

May you watch over the campers physically. We ask that they be safe.

We ask that campers who do not know you would come to know you in a personal way. We ask that sins be forgiven and souls be saved. May your blessing be on all that happens at the camps this summer.

Lord, thank you for hearing our prayer. We believe that you are going to do great things through the ministry of camp this summer. May you receive all the glory.

Amen.

A child at the Zahn Memorial Center in Los Angeles enjoys a birthday celebration courtesy of
CBRE. Photo by Kathy Lovin

Real estate giant provides birthday cakes for homeless children.

By Kathy Lovin

Real estate powerhouse CBRE has a sweet program—called Birthday Cakes and More for Homeless Children—as part of its corporate responsibility plan.

Volunteers deliver birthday cakes to kids living in homeless shelters in cities across the U.S. where CBRE staff live and work.

The program is already active in several cities, but recently CBRE launched it in Los Angeles at The Salvation Army’s Zahn Memorial Center, the only emergency family shelter in downtown.

“Most of these children have been homeless since infancy, and birthdays just came and went,” said Zahn Emergency Shelter program director Ana Aguirre. “Many of these children have never had a birthday cake before.”

CBRE is serious about the program. Every cake is decorated with the child’s name on it, and arrives on the day of their birthday. According to Aguirre, CBRE also makes sure that the cakes do not contain ingredients that the children are allergic to. They even call before delivering the cake to make sure the cake is the child’s favorite flavor.

If more than one child have the same birthday at the shelter, then each will get their own cake.

“[The children] are very happy and surprised when they get their cake,” said Aguirre. “They feel like people actually care for them.”

Camps, campers and corps are more connected than ever.

By Millie Bearchell

The Salvation Army Western Territory’s Information Technology (IT) department developed a new Camp Management software program that will be instituted in all 10 divisional camps in hopes of increasing the number of campers that attend corps once they arrive home.

The software—accessible to all camp directors—permits easier, quicker registration of campers as well as more open flow of data and information between camps and corps. A database within the program stores information from each camper, including spiritual decisions, prayer requests, participation in camp activities, and disciplinary action taken by the staff.

Corps officers, who typically visit campers soon after they arrive home from camp, can reference this information prior to visits. Ed Covert, camp director for Golden State Division’s Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, Calif., said the new software is a welcome upgrade from “needing two screens to register one child.”

“IT created a terrific resource,” Covert said. “We’ve had a need for software that not only allows us to get kids easily registered but also tracks their journey through our process. And it gives corps officers a lot of context when they go to visit with these kids.”

IT began developing the software program after corps officers, divisional youth secretaries and camp leaders gathered for the February 2012 Camp Caucus to discuss ideas for following up with campers once they return home. The caucus was inspired, in part, by a phenomenon that followed the 2011 camp season at Redwood Glen.

Twelve of the Redwood Glen campers attended Sunday school and church at the Los Banos outpost the day after they returned home. As a result of that camp experience, six parents are now senior soldiers and several children are studying to become junior soldiers.

Camp also played a major role in the lives of 60 percent of present-day cadets in the territory, according to data collected by Candidates’ Secretaries Majors John and Pam Brackenbury.

As each camp works to integrate the software, corps officers will be gradually equipped with this new toolset.

“There has forever been an expectation for corps to follow up with campers,” Covert said, “and now there’s a more intentional plan in place, we’ll do everything we can to assist corps.”

The Salvation Army Western Territory recognized its “stars” during Commissioning 2013 with an Army of Stars banquet and awards show on June 15. The event honored one soldier from each division who has exemplified commitment, service and Salvationism to his/her corps and division.

Alaska Division, Gateway Corps

Richard Zellmer has been a soldier for 10 years. He has a passion for people, especially youth, and encourages them in their spiritual walk. He is the thrift store manager but also gives his time to the corps as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. He joins the Youth With A Mission team in Ketchikan to serve the kids in the village of Saxman.

Cascade Division, Grants Pass Corps

Robin Brokaw is the young people’s sergeant-major (YPSM), teaches corps cadets, serves as singing company and Bible Bowl leader and teaches guitar. A soldier for 35 years, she is a pillar of strength to the youth, teaching and mentoring, and is an inspiration to everyone for her devotion, unwavering faith, encouraging words and prayers.

Del Oro Division, Concord Corps

Bandmaster James Black is an example of servant leadership. His quiet, godly influence has touched countless lives in Scotland and in Oakland and Concord, Calif. In addition to music, he contributes to the corps and community through his Bible-based knowledge and gift of wisdom. He offers encouragement to young leaders in living up to their God-given potential.

Golden State Division, San Francisco All Nations Corps

Mrs. Keum-Yeon Kim—When Kim and her husband, Corps

Sergeant-Major (CSM) Yun Kyu Kim (promoted to Glory in 2000), came to San Francisco from Korea in 1971, they had a vision for a Korean corps and started meetings in their home. Since the corps was established in 1988, Kim has supported every endeavor, serving as Home League secretary, CSM and youth leader for almost 25 years.

Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division, Kroc Corps Community Center

Steve Luke is an example of a faithful soldier and volunteer at both the Leeward Corps and the Kroc Center. A soldier for 12 years, he serves as Sunday school teacher, usher/greeter and chief volunteer. Although he holds a full-time job, he helps at the corps wherever needed with a willing and generous spirit.

Intermountain Division, Cheyenne (Wyo.) Corps

CSM Jim Webber has been a soldier for 50 years and CSM for over 48 years. His dedicated service includes buying a bus at his own expense, picking up children and seniors and faithfully attending and supporting every corps activity. He is an example of Salvationism and a model of Christian faith.

Northwest Division, Seattle Temple Corps

YPSM Catherine Dooley has a heart for mission—whether abroad or in her own neighborhood. A soldier for 33 years, she serves as a youth leader for several programs and gives ongoing support to corps events and fundraising. She is a loyal Salvationist, an engaged soldier, a disciplined financial supporter and possesses a true servant’s heart.

Sierra del Mar Division, Riverside Corps

Patty Ferguson has been a soldier for 44 years, serving as acting Home League secretary, junior soldier sergeant, Sunday school teacher, community care leader, Angel Tree coordinator, Sunbeam leader, cook, and transportation provider. She has a heart for ministry and spends the majority of her time volunteering for the Army.

Southern California Division, Inglewood Citadel Corps

Donna Montgomery is an exemplary soldier who participates in every program of the corps. She contacted businesses and schools to donate food for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the food pantry, coordinating the entire program and representing the Army in the community. Montgomery lives every day to serve God, her family and her corps.

Southwest Division, Las Vegas Corps

Bandmaster Pete Cooper is the youth and senior bandmaster and leads brass instruction in the afterschool program. He gives tirelessly to these programs and also participates in the divisional music camp. He provides private lessons to young people and often recruits them to play with the Army in order to bring them to the Lord and the corps.

Allen, a founding member of the Staff Songsters, brings dynamic and creative leadership to the group as a fifth generation Salvationist. She moved to the U.S. from England in 1995 with her husband, Steve, and two sons, James and Jordan.

Singing from an early age, Allen spent much of her youth performing in musical theater. She went on to graduate from Lancaster University with a bachelor’s degree in music and the Guildhall School of Music, London, where she studied voice performance.

Allen has recorded three solo albums and has sung across Europe, Canada, South America and Australia. She is an active member of the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps where she directs the 100-voice Tabernacle Children’s Chorus and the Pasadena Tabernacle Youth Chorus. She works as a professional choral director, voice coach and freelance performing arts consultant including work in the television and entertainment industry.

Allen succeeds Territorial Music Secretary Neil Smith, who over the past several years formed and developed the four territorial music groups and the Creative Arts Ensemble. His leadership and dedication are of the highest standard.

The Staff Songsters recently completed a new recording, “Love’s Call,” and a successful tour of the United Kingdom Territory. The Western Territory thanks Smith for his service, and his willingness to lead the Staff Songsters. Smith remains the Territorial Music Secretary and Bandmaster of the Staff Band.

Edward Freeman

By Kevin White

Bandmaster Edward Freeman was recognized at this year’s Commissioning for his 40 years of leadership of the Santa Ana/Tustin Ranch (Calif.) Band. Commissioner James Knaggs presented him with a commemorative conductor’s baton.

Freeman was honored earlier at a Musician’s Luncheon at the Tustin Ranch Corps, a celebration of over 100 years of combined service from three individuals: Freeman; Roberta Ames, retired songster, who served 59 years with the Inglewood, Santa Ana and Tustin Ranch brigades; and retired Songster Leader Bob Anthony, who led the Tustin Ranch Songsters for five years.

Special guests included Al and Christine Stickland, who surprised Freeman with a musical presentation. David Dunford and Sarah Koo Freeman also performed musical selections that were favorites of Freeman. Former corps officers Commissioners Joe and Doris Noland and Majors Lee and Michele Lescano also attended, along with Southern California Divisional Leaders Lt. Colonels Doug and Colleen Riley.

Freeman received a proclamation from County Supervisor Todd Spitzer (Orange County 3rd District), as well as a book of letters and a special “best of” music CD comprised of various tracks from all of the Santa Ana/Tustin Ranch band recordings, including the band’s first recording in 1976.

Riley spoke words of gratitude for Freeman’s leadership and example over the 40-year span, not only for the music, but also the lives touched.

“Ed, for 40 years you have been impacting lives spiritually,” Riley said. “Forty years of service as a bandmaster—that’s a lot of music, that’s a lot of practice, that’s a wonderful legacy of music ministry. You should be commended for your faithfulness.”

Lt. Joy Groenleer

The Proclaimers of the Resurrection have been at this training college for 22 months and, as of today, a total of 667 days. We spent approximately 2,382 hours of class instruction time, and did approximately 1,429 hours of homework—some obviously more than others as reflected in our quarterly report cards. We completed at least 98 credit units as well as attended a variety of seminars and lectures to earn the Associate of Arts in Ministries Degree that we will receive today. Everything we studied here in the past 22 months was to equip us to take on the unique responsibilities of a Salvation Army officer. After all this training, the Proclaimers of the Resurrection are ready and eager to take on this profession!

More than a profession, our ministry as a Salvation Army officer will be our passion. It is something that we will love to do. A wise man once said, “Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life.”  I know that we’ve been encouraged “to show up and get to work!” But I believe that we as Proclaimers will “show up and do what we love doing!” And we will do this to the best of our abilities with the training that we received at this college.

In our “Developing a Healthy Corps” course, we learned that more than half of managers identified inspiration as one of the three most important leadership characteristics. Inspiring others is a skill that cannot be taught in the classroom. It is something that is displayed when one puts others before oneself; when one walks the talk, is motivated to encourage, and genuinely reflects love.

The past 22 months were filled with stories of inspiration. Inspiration is the cadet who experienced health issues with her heart last quarter, and had her session mates in tears when she sang during our session retreat chapel these lyrics, “I have a maker, he formed my heart…He knows my name, he sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.”

Inspiration is the cadet who attended high school 30 years ago—not to learn but because the school lunch was good—didn’t do so well academically then, and was really worried about going back to school here. But after finding a study partner who was in the same situation, and who encouraged him throughout, managed to graduate with a B average.

Inspiration is the cadet who just graduated with his four-year degree prior to entering CFOT [College for Officer Training] and decided to serve his fellow Proclaimers in a ministry of providing sessions to help others learn effective study skills and habits.

Our session verse, 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, says this: If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Christ’s resurrection from the dead, along with God’s inspired Word and the infilling of his Holy Spirit will stir us to continue to inspire others in our ministry as Salvation Army officers.