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Fall Blitz 2011 |
| Written by Major Keilah Toy |
Thursday,
October 20, 2011 |
Armed with enthusiasm and the Word of God, 105 Crestmont College cadets stormed ten locations in the Del Oro Division in the name of Christ from October 14-16. This annual Fall Blitz is part of their “hands-on” practicum, where ministry skills learned at the college are put into service. The nucleus of the Del Oro Fall Blitz was concentrated at the Suisun City Kroc Center, where cadets supported the promotion of the soon-to-be opened center and worship services. The “Others” Brigade ministered through a coffeehouse fellowship, Community Carnival and BBQ. On Saturday, they were joined by two additional brigades to conduct a Children’s Craft Fair, along with door-to-door invitations, effectively spreading the anticipation that The Salvation Army is coming to town. Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez shares, “We are proud of the partnership Suisun City has forged with The Salvation Army. We know the immense improvements in uplifting the physical fitness and spiritual needs of everyone in the region that such a facility will bring.” |
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Up north, the “Kenosis” Brigade in Roseville assisted the Women’s Auxiliary Hand Purse fundraiser, raising $20,000 in two hours. In addition, they participated in the Homeless feeding program where, out of 210 people served, 106 stayed to attend the program’s first Worship Service, with 15 hands raised in first-time commitments to Christ. The Stockton community kept the “Chosen Cupbearers” Brigade busy with community carnivals, Sunbeams, Girl Guards, Adventure Corps, and a nursing home visitation where they celebrated a resident’s 101st birthday. This resident shared her appreciation for the cadet’s celebration of her birthday, their visit and especially The Salvation Army through her years. |
“I want what you have”, a Concord ARC man asked Cadet John Kelley, of the “Carriers of Hope” Brigade. The question opened the door to Cadet Kelley’s testimony about the reason for our hope in Jesus. The brigade was especially moved by Debbie, a woman they met during their door-to-door visitation. When asked if they could pray for her, she began to cry and shared she lost her husband six weeks earlier. She was grateful that God sent people to pray for her just when she needed it. Towards the west, the “Laminin” brigade provided major assistance at the Napa Corps to over 500 people in their all-day “Christmas Intake” Day. The cadets provided data entry, application assistance, music and a Worship service to the people waiting to be served. The Hayward area welcomed the “Transformers” brigade which visited door-to-door, inviting the neighborhood to the corps. The brigade also spent extended time in nursing home visitations, singing, praying and listening to the residents’ stories. |
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The Auburn community experienced deliberate, intentional connections by the “Aftershock” brigade through door-to-door invitations, a barbeque in the park in addition to traditional Sunday School, Classes and Holiness Meeting. Highlights of the “Turning Hearts” brigade serving in Lodi include talking to teens in Sunday School and realizing they were understanding the message, and being asked by a Celebrate Recovery member how one prepared for officership because he also felt a call to be an officer. In addition to Del Oro locations, the “Mamas and the Papas” brigade provided support on the home front with nursing home visitation, children’s youth activities and worship service, complete with an all-teen worship band. |
Corps families and communities were not the only ones benefiting from the cadets’ ministry. The “Professors” brigade witnessed at Santa Rosa shopping malls, youth night, open-air meeting, fundraiser event, nursing home and worship service, yet Corps Officer Captain Vicki Gilden expressed her joy at the cadets’ ministry to her personally, since they gave to her what she usually gives to others week after week. Cadet Felicia Cook’s call was reconfirmed through her weekend ministry with the “F.I.R.E. Starters” Brigade ministry at the Oakland Garden Center. Through youth and corps projects, World Service events and ARC service, she states, “God reminded me of why He has called me to be a Salvation Army officer: to share His hope, healing, and redeeming power to His children, such as these (ARC men) who in their brokenness, need God.” |
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The cadets return from their experience on fire for what God is doing in the field. They have gained experience in ministry, new faces to pray for, and most importantly, great thankfulness to God for over 200 commitments made to God throughout the weekend in the name of Jesus Christ.
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| Salvation Army Links: USA Western Territory | USA Central Territory | USA Southern Territory | USA Eastern Territory |