Commencement Service for Messengers of Reconciliation Session
Commencement Service for Messengers of Reconciliation Session
By: Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
The culmination of two years of training for the Messengers of Reconciliation Session was kicked off with the Commencement Service on Friday, June 3 at the Atlanta Temple Corps. With the accompaniment of the Arkansas & Oklahoma Divisional Band, a lively service heralded the accomplishments not only of cadets but numerous officers in the Southern Territory.
Delivering the commencement address was Dr. Matt Ayars, president of Wesley Biblical Seminary (WBS) in Jackson, Mississippi. Commenting about the close bonds between WBS and The Salvation Army, Ayers then used Revelation 2:1-7 as the basis of his challenge. "Like the church in Ephesus, The Salvation Army deserves commendation for its deeds and perseverance. There is no toleration for falsehood, or ‘flash in the pan' Christianity.
"Nonetheless, like the church in Ephesus, The Salvation Army needs to be cautioned in three areas. First, you can't love the Army more than you love Jesus. If the love of and for Jesus isn't what compels you, the work will stop, you will not persevere. Second, you must love each other. If you fight, bicker and gossip, go the heck home! You witness by how you love each other. Your work will be in vain if you have a dirty witness. Third, love your enemies. It was the Lamb slain by His enemies that conquers the world. When you fight with the world, you don't change it. It changes when you die for it."
Later, the cadet representative speaker, Cadet Shania Mhasvi spoke of the journey she and her sessionmates have been on for the past two years. "We have realized the magnitude of reconciling people to Christ. Although tied to forgiveness, it is not the same. Reconciliation means bringing harmony to what was divided. Bringing the message of reconciliation is not a job but it is our mission and our ministry."
A few minutes later, Cadet Shania Mhasvi was called up again to receive the highest award given to a cadet, the Commissioners' Award. Also spotlighted was Cadet Alison Hamilton with the Principals' Award, the second highest honor given to a cadet.
Also recognized during the meeting were officers who had received Master and Bachelor degrees from various institutions as well as those who had graduated from Arrow Leadership studies. All the cadets also received their Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries.
The meeting was brought to a close with a stirring rendition of the congregational song, "In Christ Alone."
Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees*
Major David Gilliam — Master of Organizational Leadership
Major Jana Griffin — Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Major Robert Lyle — Master of Divinity
Major Karla Perez — Master of Professional Counseling
Captain Tonya Farrington — Master of Organizational Leadership
Captain Josh Hinson — Master of International Service
Captain Andrea Israel — Master of Organizational Leadership
Captain Timothy Israel — Master of Business Administration
Captain George Keith — Master of Arts in Religion
Captain Rebecca McGee — Master of Business Administration
Captain Jennifer Schmidt — Master of Professional Counseling
Lt. Amber Smith — Master of Human Resource Management
Major Franko Higdon — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Major Ray Jackson — Bachelor of Arts in Management and Leadership
Captain Jamaal Ellis — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Bryan Farrington — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Clara Gomez — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Ryan Meo — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Ruby Outlaw-Keith — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Arnaldo Pena — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Niurka Pena — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain Andre Pereira — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Captain April Tiller — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Lt. Emily Arroqui — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Lt. Nicholas Arroqui — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Lt. Jowens Merone — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Lt. Bradly Mumford — Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry
Cadet Lyla Baca — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Marcos Baca — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Karen Burton — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Myranda Estudiante — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Victor Estudiante — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Roy Fisher — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Alison Hamilton — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Samuel Mhasvi — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Shania Mhasvi — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Rashad Poole — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Cadet Anthony Rowe — Bachelor of Arts in Practical Ministries
Arrow Leadership Graduates
Major Benita Morris — 53rd Executive Class
Captain Joan Frazier — 53rd Emerging Class
Captain Joshua Hinson — 53rd Emerging Class
Captain Amber Morris — 53rd Emerging Class
Captain Bobby Parker — 53rd Emerging Class
Captain Donna Watts — 53rd Emerging Class
*Note: Ranks are those at time of the recognition.