Junior Soldier Enrollment

Enrollment

We are now going to enter a time of rejoicing and praise as we move to the enrollment of junior soldiers at the Lakewood Corps. At this time, I’d ask our flag bearers to come forward and present the flags as we listen to the band lead these young people down to the front of the chapel.

It is our honor today to welcome Lucas Doten, Saphira Doten, and Jase Peaslee into the Lakewood Corps as junior soldiers. We offer a special welcome to the family and friends of these young people who gather with us today. Thank you to Justin and Rachelle, and Kelly and Dominic for your encouraging their decision to declare their love for Jesus and become junior soldiers.

Junior soldiership is more than a title. It is more than a checkbox or simply a ‘place’ within the ranks of The Salvation Army.

It is a proclamation that your first obedience is to Jesus Christ as the king of your life. The junior soldier promise shares this truth. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 says He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

It is a commitment that runs two ways - you know that junior means there must a senior soldier. Our Army needs the strong relationship between junior and senior soldiers. 2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

We are going to invite you to sign your enrollment forms now, but first, we are going to ask you to say the junior soldier promise. KIDS READ AND SIGN FORM.

In the name of the Lord Jesus, whom we love and serve, I now receive you, Lucas Doten, Saphira Doten, and Jase Peaslee as junior soldiers of The Salvation Army Lakewood Corps.

There is a wonderful song in the songbook, number 903 titled We Are Marching in the Light of God. Many years ago a young man learned this song in its original language, Zulu. And in Zulu, it goes Siyahamba kukhanyeni kwenkos. That young man is now 42 and his job today is to challenge the soldiers and congregation of Lakewood to uphold your responsibility to be the light of God for these young people. To offer them the light of life and help them grow spiritually. To protect their hearts with the light of Jesus in their journey forward.

Would you join me in prayer?

God, our father, today we thank you for the work that you’ve done in the hearts of these young people. We pray that the Holy Spirit would fill them with power and purpose. We thank you for your faithfulness and enduring love for each of these junior soldiers, along with their parents, families, and friends. Let your light shine brightly through their lives and testimony. Amen.