Valdosta, Georgia Celebrates 100 Years of Service
The Valdosta Corps first opened its doors on August 31, 1924. Now in 2024, The Salvation Army celebrates the 100th anniversary of serving the Valdosta community. Over the weekend of September 20-22, the corps celebrated this milestone with the theme, “By Faith, Still Standing.”
Captains Hoon and Judy Chung, Valdosta Corps officers, spent over a year prayerfully planning this significant celebration with their team. “We redid our lawn and did some work around the building, just those fine touches that would make our weekend more beautiful and a pleasing offering to God,” said Captain Judy Chung.
The weekend opened with a Friday night meeting that included worship, a proclamation from Mayor Scott James Matheson, and a message from Major Emmanuel Michaud. A block party on Saturday invited the community of Valdosta to come join the celebration, enjoying bouncy houses, snow cones, and music. That night, the corps hosted an “evening of praise” in their gym. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship complete with a dinner provided by the Valdosta corps. The corps’ youth choir sang “Endless Praise” and a Georgia divisional youth ensemble led by Divisional Music Director Daniel Meeks added their talents to the evening. Captains Chris and Tasha Thomas, former corps officers of Valdosta, spoke fondly of their time serving at the corps from 2016-2022. Representing territorial leadership, Chief Secretary Colonel Deborah Sedlar said a couple words of thanks to close the meeting.
Rounding out the weekend of celebration, three junior soldiers and five senior soldiers were enrolled during Sunday morning worship in the Valdosta chapel. Georgia Divisional Commander John Murphy prayed over them, saying, “Help them be committed to the vision and the mission of your Salvation Army.”
Colonel Sedlar presented a moving sermon on the action, attitude, and assimilation of the word “commitment.” “We have to be committed in every sense of the word. I’m committed, are you?”
Colonel Sedlar closed out her sermon with a letter from Territorial Leaders Commissioners Kelly and Donna Igleheart congratulating the Valdosta Corps. “There are countless souls in your community yearning to receive the Gospel message, even though they may not know it, or may resist it. And there are still so many lives waiting to be impacted by what it means to be a follower of Christ.”
During the time of commitment, Captains Chung were asked to kneel at the altar while the congregation gathered around to pray with them. It was a special moment for the Valdosta Corps and showed that the Valdosta community is committed to serving a faithful God together.
After a weekend full of fellowship, music, and pure commitment, Valdosta is reminded of their dedication to serving their community through The Salvation Army. And by faith, they are still standing 100 years later.
