06/09/2026
As Cadet Sam is nearing his commissioning and ordination, read about his testimony.
☝️Sunday, the Keepers of the Covenant session of cadets signed their covenants ahead of this week's ordination and commissioning.
💬 Cadet Samuel Alacar shared this testimony during the ceremony:
"It is a great privilege and honor for me to share my testimony in this sacred Covenant Service. Many terms can be used for this moment: It can be a promise, an agreement, a contract or a memorandum of understanding. However, there is no doubt that the word “covenant” is the right term.
"The word covenant is widely understood as a solemn, intimate, sacred, binding agreement or promise between God and his people. In the Scriptures, looking from Genesis to Revelation, there are various accounts of covenants between God and his people. For all of us today, the time that we accepted Jesus Christ and surrendered everything to him, we entered a covenant with God in accordance with his purpose.
"After obeying God’s call in our lives, my session mates and I started our cadet journey as part of the Keepers of the Covenant Session. Each one of us were aware that the 22 months of training would be filled with many new stories or testimonies to tell, and I believe that as we will soon join the ranks of officers of The Salvation Army, the phrase 'when I was a cadet' will soon be uttered from our lips.
"In the last quarter, I reflected on how God turned my life into one of many cadet life testimonies. Two years ago, I was still in a phase of adapting to the country since I moved. I was still in shock and overwhelmed by the culture, by the language, by the laws, by various beautiful places and by the diversity of people. With all the things that were new to me, I was anxious and doubting myself when I got accepted to training, asking myself, 'Am I ready? Can I really do this?'
"During the first weeks, it was challenging to blend in and I became reserved. All I could do was observe, only speak when I was asked to, and try my best to know everyone when I had a chance. I admit I felt awkward when I couldn’t explain my thoughts clearly, when I was the last one to get the figures of speech and jokes in class, and when trying to figure out the right response in conversations so that I would not offend or be rude to anyone. I almost gave up and surrendered, but God reminded me of my calling, that I was in CFOT to grow more spiritually, that he would prepare and equip me for his great plans for me.
"As I recall my first-year journey, I felt God guided me in every season of life that I experienced during that time. He guided me in becoming a new cadet, in my studies, in becoming a husband and a father, and in building a new community with my session mates, sister session mates, and CFOT/THQ officers and staff. My anxiety and doubts were transformed into confidence that led me to thrive and to have a humble heart of learning.
"The biggest pivotal moment for my cadet journey was during my second year when I received my first marching orders, not only for my summer assignment, but as a cadet on assignment serving at the Ontario Corps with my wife. After the shocking surprise, a lot of questions came to my mind. I realized that I was starting to be anxious and doubtful once again, but I prayed to God and surrendered all my worries to him.
"Believe me, I had a list of concerns, such as not feeling ready since my two years of training were not yet complete, that I couldn’t do corps and CFOT responsibilities all at the same time since both are intense and demanding, and I was also still learning how to be the best husband and best father. I was also concerned that I was going to be disconnected from my session mates.
"But God answered by showing me that his faithfulness in his covenant to his children endures forever, just as he had shown me during my first year. He used my session name, Keepers of the Covenant, to remind me and wake me up again from my thoughts and feelings of anxiety and doubts. He made me reflect that I am a keeper, that I must keep my covenant with him and be obedient to his will no matter what circumstances I am in. Truly, God took over and led in my life for a fruitful ministry for my family, for the Ontario Corps, and for CFOT.
"Psalm 62: 5-8 reads: Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (NIV).
"King David uttered this beautiful psalm acknowledging God is a great God. He finds hope, rest and refuge from God as he experiences struggle in his life. It is the reason why he encourages us to put our trust and whole heart towards God.
"Like King David, whatever comes in our way as we tread the journey of officership, we must always find hope and rest in God. We must put our trust in him and take refuge in him. We must make him the center of our lives and of our ministry—not the ranks, positions or appointments that we will receive. We must continue to adhere to our covenant with him because he is faithful in keeping his covenant with us.
"Let me leave you with a quote from Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle, who gives a great reminder of the main foundation of our officership: 'Spiritual leaders are not made by man, nor any combination of men. Neither conferences, nor synods, nor councils can make them, but only God.'
"To God be the glory!"
📲 Stay tuned for more coverage of Commissioning 2026!
