The 37-members of the Joyful Intercessors session were graduated, ordained and appointed as new lieutenants in The Salvation Army after a weekend of celebration marking Commissioning 2017.

The weekend began with the commencement service, held at the Atlanta Temple Corps on Friday, June 2 where diplomas were awarded, officers were recognized for earning advanced degrees and cadets were honored with sessional awards, including the Commissioner’s award which went to session president Lieutenant Chris Raymer.

Following commencement, the annual Silver Star luncheon, honoring parents, mentors and friends of the graduating session, was held in the dining room of the territorial headquarters building just next door. It was an emotional, intimate gathering as the soon-to-be officers recognized those who had been instrumental in their journeys to Christ.

The first main session on Friday evening featured the premiere of “Godspeaks,” an immersion experience performed live by a diverse cast representing every division of the territory. The choreodrama was written by Commissioner Debi Bell and directed by Territorial Creative Arts Director Bethany Farrell and was performed in a sanctuary filled beyond capacity as attendees stood along walls and gathered in hallways to see the show. The 90-minute session focused on biblical stories of God speaking in us, to us and through us and called on audience members to consider how God is speaking to them today.

Saturday morning began with a prayer seminar hosted by Commissioner Debi Bell that ended with a march around the block during which attendees prayed over the city, the neighborhood and each other.

We Will attendees gathered for a reunion luncheon while other celebratory events took place as well in the lead-up to the World Services session held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center later that evening.

All of the weekend’s festivities concluded with the ordination of the Joyful Intercessors on Sunday morning and the Marching Orders service that afternoon.

Scroll through the gallery above for more scenes from Commissioning 2017.