Soldiership Bootcamp
There are no push-ups. There are no sit-ups. The delegates hardly break a sweat. But the ACT Divisional Soldiership Bootcamp is firing Salvationists up for Christ.
“It’s an intensive, intentional weekend focussing on God,” says Divisional Mission and Resource Director (Corps), Major Julie Alley.
There have been several Soldiership Bootcamp events over the past few years, with delegates from across the division setting aside the weekend to find out more about The Salvation Army, its history and doctrines.
The potential soldiers start the weekend by “packing their kit bag” – filling a bag with everything they will need to immerse themselves in their knowledge of The Salvation Army, their commitment to God and their personal spiritual growth:
“The whole width of the platform was lined with booklets and pamphlets,” says Major Alley, “we give them The Cause soldiership DVD, the book, Chosen to be a Soldier, a copy of the Articles of War – so many resources.
“Plus a pen, notepad, a bottle of water and even army-style dog-tags with their name on them!”
The bootcamp starts on Friday night with a session on the history of The Salvation Army.The Saturday session is a whole day dedicated to the Articles of War.
“We go through the affirmation of faith and how we share that faith with others, then we move on to, ‘I believe’ – the doctrines, says Major Alley, “then we discuss the: ‘therefore I will’ – in other words, because I believe, this is how I will act.”
On Sunday delegates attend a Salvation Army worship service where there is an opportunity to make a personal covenant with God. Delegates who make a decision to become a soldier go back to their corps and work through the six-week soldiership preparation classes.
“60-70% of people who come to the bootcamp do become soldiers afterwards,” says Major Alley.
And it’s not just for prospective soldiers or people interested in finding out more about The Salvation Army. Delegates to this bootcamp included people who signed their articles of war many, many years ago:
“We had a guy, who has been a soldier for many years, who said at the end: ‘I’m going to go back to my corps to tell every soldier that they have to do this!’”
Report by Lauren Martin
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