Aubrey

As an elementary school-aged girl, Aubrey Robbins was converted at Green Valley Camp one summer. "I think I've known since fifth grade I would become an officer someday," she said. As she grew up, she put this initial prompting aside and started looking at majoring in criminal justice. But God renewed in her the calling to officership. She knew He had bigger plans for her.  Having preached a sermon on corps cadet Sunday on "Called, Commissioned and Competent," she felt God was nudging her to go to training sooner than later. She says God used a brigade of cadets, the Prophets of Joy, at her corps during spring campaigns to help reveal His timing.

Ronald and  Jayme

While Jayme is a fourth generation Salvationist, Ron is relatively new to this Army. On the drive back home from the Heartland Divisional Pilgrimage in 2005, Ron says he "started thinking how my life could be different if I could dedicate my working hours to God's mission on earth instead of grinding away for someone else." He turned to Jayme and asked, "Ever thought about becoming an officer?"  "Goosebumps rose on my arms," exclaimed Jayme.

Jennifer

With seven siblings in a single parent home, Jennifer was taught an excellent work ethic by her mother. She came to The Salvation Army at age five when her mother started working at the Detroit Harbor Light. They became regular attendees, and in 1998 Jennifer was enrolled as a senior soldier. She felt God's call to be an officer at 15. It became the driving force in her life. However, by the end of high school she was fearful and ran to college. It was while at college a group of Christian friends encouraged her to follow God's call. Then, Jennifer felt God saying, it's time to get serious and do My work.

Alan and Jodi

With a bachelor's degree from Wabash College and teaching certification from Anderson College, Matthew found himself working at Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind. So did Emily. At Christmas they decided to try bell ringing and ended up getting an education in The Salvation Army's holistic ministry.  Looking for a church, Matthew and Emily began attending the corps. They fell in love with its total ministry and in July 2007 became soldiers. Almost from the beginning they knew The Salvation Army is where God wanted them to give their lives.

Joel and Etta

It was while in the U.S. Army that a roommate led Joel to Jesus. He said at that time, The Lord delivered me from drugs, alcohol and nicotine.  After the Army and since his deliverance, Joel faithfully served for 20 years in the music ministry at his home church.  Yet, he knew God had something more for him. They came to The Salvation Army, where Etta became the social service minister, and felt at home. During the call to officership at commissioning in 2007, they knew God wanted them to be officers. Etta said, it was time for us to serve God to our fullest potential. We believe by being officers in The Salvation Army God will be able to reach lives through us.

Roberto and Elia

Roberto states: "God gave me a wonderful wife and two children, and now more than ever I prayed for a church where my family and I could grow spiritually and serve the Lord."  God provided, when LaVillita corps opened one block from his house.  He entered the corps to sign his son up for some summer public school activities. "After a few minutes talking with Major Arias I knew that the Lord had brought me to this church. 

 For Elia it was at her husband and children's constant insistence that she finally came to the corps.  "I walked into The Salvation Army" she said "and met the Lord."  WOW.

While attending the Territorial Candidates Weekend Elia states: "I experienced the life of the cadets and saw how God prepares the saints for their full time service" "This is where God was leading us."