Yorkminster Citadel Junior Soliders Tour DHQ & THQ

Children who attend Salvation Army churches have the chance to become junior members of the church at the age of 7. We call our junior members “Junior Soldiers”. Children attend preparation classes to learn about their faith in God, the history of The Salvation Army and what it means to be a member of the Church and of God’s family.

Children from Yorkminster Citadel (Toronto) had the privilege of visiting and touring the divisional and territorial head offices on Friday, May 7. They began their day at DHQ where they immediately jumped into a Public Relations Mock Media interview. PR employees Pamela Loveless and Neil Leduke explained to the children what their roles were at the office and how they represent The Salvation Army through different forms of media, such as television, radio, newspaper and the web. Neil indicated that there are important things to remember about The Salvation Army. As Junior Soldiers they have learned some things about The Salvation Army such as where it first began and who started it. However, Neil explained some other important facts about The Salvation Army in Toronto and in Canada. The children were told that these were “key messages”. Each child was given a list to learn within a few minutes and had to be prepared to go into a television interview. The children were given Salvation Army vests (as you always need to be branded), signed waiver forms, put on microphone and qued up for the interview. Each child successfully answered the questions and proved that they would be great representatives for The Salvation Army!

After our great experience with the PR department we took a well deserved coffee break at 10:00am, otherwise known to the children as “juice break”. Then they continued their tour of DHQ including the youth department, human resources, property, and finance. We had the privilege to meet Major Doug Binner (Area Commander GTA Corps Ministries). Major Binner explained how he helps our Corps Officers at Yorkminster, but also 30 other churches in the Toronto area. Later, we went into the Divisional Commanders office where we were allowed to sit in his chair and make big decisions for the division. Then we all had a very important board meeting. I asked the children what they think The Salvation Army needs to do. Many said we need to raise more money.  One child stated that we need to build more churches and in order to do that we need money, a building, people and Corps Officers!

Then we travelled to THQ where we were greeted by the youth department and shared in some pizza together. We learned about new programs that the youth department is working on and the children were very excited to hear when it is going to be made available to all Corps across the Territory. Then we went to the Music & Gospel Arts department. Almost every employee has a piano there! Major Ken Smith showed us the music he was working on for The Salvation Army. We also saw the music library where they keep every single piece of music. We even saw an original piece of music that was from 1884. Then we met Major Beverly Ivany, Candidates Secretary where we learned about people who feel God has called them to become Salvation Army Officers. Then we went up to the top floor and checked out the Territorial Commander’s Office. After a few pictures in those special offices we went to the Heritage Museum. This is where the children learned more about the History of The Salvation Army. They learned that The Salvation Army has several hospitals. One of which is in Toronto. As we concluded our day there was one last stop we needed to make. The kids had been waiting all day to go to the Supplies and Purchasing store. They were thrilled to be able to spend their money there!