Junior Soldiers | Children & Family

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Junior Soldiers

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What is a Junior Soldier?

Junior Soldiers are young people aged 7-18 who have made a decision to be a follower of Jesus and who want to grow and express their faith through ministry within the Salvation Army. Junior Soldiers are therefore junior members of The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army takes seriously the capacity of children to have an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. This means children are just as capable to participate in the mission of God as adults.

Local leaders in The Salvation Army nurture young people on their spiritual journey helping them to develop their faith, their understanding of God, the Bible and the teachings of Jesus and to equip them with skills and values for their everyday living including what they think, say, do and the decisions/choices that they make.

Soldiers are challenged to think about the way that they engage with their community and also have the opportunity to participate in special projects that will make a difference in their local or global community.

How to become a Junior Soldier?

Once a child has made a decision to follow Jesus as well as to become a Junior Soldier they can participate in special Junior Soldier preparation lessons.  These lessons might be run over a five week period or run as a special intensive over a whole day. These lessons are based on the Junior Soldier promise and what it means to be a follower of Jesus within The Salvation Army.

When the lessons have been completed the child may be enrolled as a Junior Soldier of The Salvation Army.  When the Junior Soldier signs their Junior Soldier Promise, they are presented with a Junior Soldier Badge. Some churches have regular Junior Soldier classes in which the newly enrolled Junior Soldier can participate.  Each new Junior Soldier is connected with a Prayer Pal who is a significant adult that will pray for the Junior Soldier and also take an interest in what they do and take special interest in their spiritual development, supporting them in any way they can.

 

Junior Soldier Promise

I know that Jesus is my Saviour from sin.
I have asked Him to forgive my sins,
and will trust Him to keep me good.
By His help, I will be His loving and obedient child,
and will help others to follow Him.
I promise to pray, to read my Bible,
and to lead a life that is clean in thought, word and deed.
I will not use anything that may injure my body or mind,
including harmful drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

 

Divisional Contacts

For further information about The Salvation Army's Junior Soldier ministry, please contact your Divisional Children's Ministries Secretary.