Southern Spirit June 17, 2016 | Page 3

DOING THE MOST GOOD

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Volume 33 , No . 10 A publication of The Salvation Army Southern Territory June 17 , 2016

Commissioning of the Messengers of Light June 3-5 , 2016 • Atlanta , Georgia

Bringing light to the darkness

By Laura Poff SOUTHERN SPIRIT STAFF The 62 cadets and auxiliary captains of the Messengers of Light session were commissioned and ordained by Commissioners Don and Debi Bell in a ceremony held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center ( CEPAC ) in Atlanta , Sunday June 5 .

Beginning with the commencement services held on Friday morning at the Atlanta Temple Corps , the weekend centered on the mission of bringing light into darkness in service , in mission and in our daily lives .

In her commencement address , Asbury University President Dr . Sandra Gray encouraged the graduates to remain true through the difficult days ahead , saying , “ He is faithful for the whole of the journey ,” as she reflected on the endings and beginnings ahead of them .

Cadet Jake Law lightened the mood , cheerfully reflecting on what he and his session mates had learned before thanking the staff as well as the corps officers , soldiers , teachers and friends who had spoken into each of the cadets ’ lives .

“ Each of us come with our own experiences and testimonies of God ’ s transformational power and grace ,” he said . “ It is because of your obedience to your call that we are prepared to follow ours .”

Following the territorial men ’ s conference , the commissioning events continued with the “ Strike a Light ” service held at the CEPAC . The night began with recognition of Southern officers serving overseas and the presentation of this summer ’ s Salvationist Service Corps members who marched into the

Laura Dake

Lieutenants Ben and Charlsie Godwin react as they receive their appointment to the San Antonio Citadel Corps .

auditorium in full uniform , leading the congregation in prayer as the band played “ Let your light shine .” The World Services Ingathering total of $ 9,892,246 was announced .

Cadets , teens and staff of the Evangeline Booth College then presented Major Sally Broughton ’ s final musical , which highlighted different forms of Salvation Army ministry including inner city youth ,

Please see 62 , page 6

Laura Dake

Jonathan Evans led challenging teaching sessions on Saturday morning and afternoon at the Territorial Men ’ s Conference .

By Dan Childs

SOUTHERN SPIRIT STAFF or men of the USA South , the weekend of June 3-4 was their moment in a phone booth . They gathered at Atlanta Temple Corps for the Territorial Men ’ s Conference , which unfolded in four sessions over Friday night and Saturday during Commissioning weekend and sought to convey the importance of holiness for Christian men .

After a welcome from Major Rick Raymer , conference coordinator , the opening session featured a concert by Christian recording artists Phillips , Craig and Dean that set the tone for what was to follow . Saturday ’ s three sessions were devoted to the teaching of guest speaker Jonathan Evans . As the chaplain for the NFL ’ s Dallas Cowboys and an NFL veteran himself , Evans ’ connections to the league are strong , just as his Christian roots run deep and strong – he is the son of noted Christian pastor and author Dr . Tony Evans . He quickly captured the attention of

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Commissioning 2016 :

Page 2 - Cadet awards Page 2 - Silver Star Page 3 - Messengers of Light appointments Pages 4 & 5 -The weekend in photos Page 7 - Territorial Youth Band in spotlight

Southern men issued a challenge to greatness

Jonathan Evans teaches on dynamic Christian living at men ’ s conference

Commissioner Don Bell and Lt . Colonel William Mockabee announced the winners of the Territorial Man of the Year and Territorial Ministry of the Year at the Territorial Men ’ s Conference . Billy Spalding of Tyler , Texas , was named Territorial Man of the Year , and the Raleigh , North Carolina , Men ’ s Club was recognized as Territorial Men ’ s Ministry of the Year . The runners-up were Melvin Tucker of Columbia , South Carolina , and the Jackson , Mississippi , Corps .

the Southern men with his style of effectively using his experiences in the NFL to illustrate spiritual truths .

He began learning about the importance of a dynamic relationship with God as a young child – his father made sure of that . From his father he also inherited a fascination with comic book hero Superman . Superman draws on power derived from beyond this realm to overcome the supreme challenges he faces here on earth . Likewise , the Christian man maintains a strong link with God above so that he may wage earthly battles with his feet planted firmly on the ground . Superman , of course , is the alter ego of mild-mannered Clark Kent , who must dash into a phone booth to undergo the transformation into

Please see SOUTHERN , page 6