Reflectors of Holiness are West's newest lieutenants

The Western Territory gathered Salvationists and friends June 11 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California, for the Ordination and Commissioning Service for the Reflectors of Holiness Session. The weekend’s events were led by Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley with special guests Lt. Colonels Bishow and Pamela Samhika, Zimbabwean officers serving in the Administration Department at International Headquarters (IHQ) as Secretary for Training and Capability Development and Administration Officer, respectively.

Chief Secretary Colonel Eddie Vincent welcomed attendees to the morning service before a call to worship and congregational singing with the Western Territory Staff Band.

Colonel Genevera Vincent, Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries, then led a time of prayer.

“We will spend time today focusing on the Reflectors of Holiness, and in this moment we take time to focus on the one who makes us holy, our one true God,” she said. “Scripture reminds us God is holy and because he is, we must be holy…So we pray this morning, make me a reflection of holiness.”

College for Officer Training (CFOT) Principal Major Nigel Cross then presented the second-year cadets.

Christ, and I now commission you as an officer of The Salvation Army with the rank of lieutenant."

In his testimony, Lt. Hyoung Il Seo said his first feelings upon hearing his session name, “Reflectors of Holiness,” were responsibility and honor.

“The word holiness has been the most challenging while I've lived as a Christian,” he said. “God made me meditate on holiness in all aspects of my life, including my weakest parts for two years. How humorous our God is, yet by his grace, he has helped me to be more like him.”

Pamela Samhika shared her testimony and read 1 Samuel 3:111 before the Staff Band offered special music in “My Soul Overflow!”

In his message, Bishow Samhika, pointed to Samuel as an example of how God continually calls his people to return to him.

He suggested three learnings from Samuel’s experience. First, we need to reflect holiness through listening and recognizing God’s voice.

“Friends, it is undeniable that there are many voices today which are calling for our attention,” Samhika said. “Political, economic, social voices are calling for our attention. But in the middle of these voices, the voice of God is still calling.” ness,” she said. “He received me with loving arms and put me back together.”

Second, we need to reflect holiness in using our voice.

Boyd concluded her speech by recognizing significant mentors and parents: “We honor and celebrate you today for who you are and what you mean to us,” she said.

The Cadet Chorus then sang, “Reflecting His Likeness,” before Lt. Col. Pamela Samhika, a Zimbabawean officer serving as Administration Officer at International Headquarters in London, gave the devotional.

“The journey was not easy for you,” she said. “But you have made us proud today.”

She encouraged the cadets to move forward with the endless kindness God has bestowed upon them. “The world is hungry for men and women who can put people first,” she said.

Hearts were full as the Reflectors of Holiness Session began delivering Silver Stars, letters and certificates to parents and mentors.

Director of Education and Continuing Education Major Stacy Cross and Commissioner Colleen Riley presented a rose to Cadet Loren Philpot, whose father, Gerald L. Philpot, Sr., was recently promoted to Glory.

Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Colonel Genevera Vincent offered a Prayer of Dedication before Territorial Secretary for Personal Lt. Colonel Steve Smith led the group in the song, “Lord Bless our Sons and Daughters.”

Territorial Assistant Secretary for Personnel Major Brian Saunders delivered the benediction. NFC

“They are ready and eager to transition into being Salvation Army officers, to follow the call God placed on their lives,” Cross said. “Believing the Spirit of God is upon them…they will direct all they meet to our Lord and Savior… May God continue to bless them as they step forward in faith and we support them in prayer.”

The territory’s Staff Band, Staff Songsters and Youth Chorus joined the cadets in a special presentation of “I’ll Not Turn Back.”

Eddie Vincent led an affirmation of faith, asking if the cadets would promise to faithfully maintain and proclaim the truths of the doctrines, strive to lead all people to the gospel and at all times be faithful officers of The Salvation Army.

The Staff Songsters offered a song of dedication, “Oh Love,” before the ordination and commissioning of each cadet.

Genevera Vincent shared the individual’s selected life Scripture verse before Riley affirmed him or her, saying: "We rejoice that God has called you, has equipped you and gifted you for sacred service and therefore affirm that you are ordained as a minister of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus

“God is calling us to be his prophetic voice to the wounded world,” he said. “"It does not end with listening to the voice of God but should move further to taking responsibility for sharing the Good News.”

Third, we need to reflect holiness by being obedient to God’s voice.

“To be an example, we must seek his face and submit to his will,” Samhika said. “It’s in his presence our transformation journey begins.”

A CFOT Chorus sang “Be Seen In Me,” as Riley led a time of prayer. He noted he’s been challenged in his own life to pray more, and called attendees to pray more, too. “Search your heart, search your soul right now and make sure, if nothing else, we leave this place sold out and ready to go back to our communities and families to hear his voice and reflect him,” he said.

Captain Jennifer Masango, Territorial Recruitment and Candidates’ Secretary and Associate Territorial Youth Secretary, invited accepted candidates and anyone interested in becoming a Salvation Army officer to the stage.

Territorial Youth Secretary Captain Emmanuel Masango prayed over them. NFC