On Saturday 16th July, 40 new Salvation Army officers formally affirmed their faith and were commissioned to the service of the United Kingdom Territory through the Preparers Of The Way (POW) Session held at Wembley Conference Centre.

The commission ceremony has shown the great tradition of the Salvation Army with the testimony of senior leaders and carefully selected music provided by the International Staff Band, Staff Songsters and the Electralyte worship band.

The commission ceremony marked the end of the cadets’ training at the William Booth College. Founded in 1929, the College which is located at Denmark Hill in South East London, has been in the forefront of delivering education and learning programmes for the Salvation Army’s United Kingdom Territory and beyond.

In the Territorial Commander Commissioner Shaw Clifton’s address, he thanked those who had mentored the cadets, preparing the way for them to enter the officer covenant. Family members gathered in front of the stage to pray with the new officers after the ordination and commissioning ceremony.

It was also very encouraging to see that many came from the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and Denmark to attend the ceremony to show support to the UK Salvationists. They waved their national flags enthusiastically as the new officers marched in.

The evening ceremony overflowed with testimonies by the new officers, which had persuasively encouraged the congregation. Captains Ian Walford, Pauline Milner and Simon Clampton testified, following the sessional song devoted by the new officers.

Captain Penny Palmer-Taylor, the first person in the UK Territory to be commissioned in a wheelchair, spoke to the weekly journal for Salvationists in the UK and Ireland Salvationist.

"Personal circumstances prevented me from answering God’s call when I was 17 and the Army rulings made it very difficult. But they’ve changed and I’m now here! God opened the doors and that’s what’s important," she said.

Chief Secretary Lieut-Colonel Vic Poke delivered words of encouragement to the incoming officers at the end of the celebration meeting and allowed them to realise their commission more clearly.

"These are a people who understand what it means to know God and prepare a way for others - God knows we need this today!"

Many members of the congregation were moved by and accepted his invitation to respond to God’s call to officership by joining the captains and cadets on the stage.

The final meeting for the Preparers Of The Way session took place at William Booth College on Sunday morning, where new officers were strengthened by the final words of guidance from their seniors.

Captain Sandy Davis reminded the new officers, "Be yourself, know who you are and know your identity". She shared when she entered a lifelong covenant relationship as an officer, she realised that her strong faith must be disciplined in personal holiness and that Christ must be her role model and guide.

Commissioner Helen Clifton echoed the importance of a life of holiness, "Preparers Of The Way must be among those who want to be totally on the path of holiness as shining lights in the world."

The Preparers Of The Way session was finally completed after the Principal, Major Melvyn Jones, received the Preparers Of The Way flag. Cadets, newly commissioned captains and college staff shared special moments of prayer and affirmation.