“These are people who are willing to fight, to stand up against the strongholds of the enemy and say, ‘No more!’ ” said Major Kevin Stoops, the new territorial youth & candidates secretary, as he presented the 37 members of the 2008–10 Prayer Warriors session at Centennial Memorial Temple in New York City.

Stoops identified the Warriors’ major weapon against the foe. “Satan is strong, but he cannot hold back the power of prayer!”

The evening, which began with a call to worship and warfare by the Territorial Arts Ministries Team, was laced throughout with prayer and rousing Salvation Army music from the New York Staff Band (NYSB) and the Eastern Territorial Songsters. Even the opening congregational song, “Storm the Forts of Darkness,” sounded a warfare theme.

When the cadets’ session flag was planted on stage, Commissioner Lawrence R. Moretz, territorial commander, said: “Prayer Warriors, follow this flag! Look at the King! Tell of the Redeemer! Pray without ceasing!”

A ‘trinitarian’ night

Moretz called the occasion “trinitarian” because it included not just the welcome to cadets and the new students at the Railton School but a farewell to Lt. Colonels Larry and Gillian Bosh as chief secretary and territorial secretary for Women’s Ministries, as well as the installation of Majors Steve and Judy Hedgren in those roles.

On Oct. 1, Lt. Colonel Larry Bosh begins his appointment as international secretary for the Americas and Caribbean, and Lt. Colonel Gillian Bosh becomes zonal secretary for Women’s Ministries in the region. The Boshes become commissioners with the move to International Headquarters in London.

The territorial commander said the couple had brought “wisdom and grace” to their roles and that they were “fun–loving, good–natured, and just nice to be around.” As the assembly cheered for the chief, several raised campaign banners that said, “Go Bosh! Change we can believe in!”

Major Lynette Reel, associate divisional commander and director for Women’s Ministries in the Western Pennsylvania Division, bade farewell to the Boshes.

“You have come under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit,” she said. “We’ve been strengthened in our own work because of your ministry.”

The Boshes stood together at the podium for their response. Alternately funny and poignant, their remarks included verses from Scripture and Salvation Army songs that have strengthened them throughout their officership.

“Long ago, the Savior laid His hand on us, and we’re still pressing on,” said Lt. Colonel Gillian Bosh.

The chief, remembering recent Youth Councils themes, said, “We’ve been ‘InVisible,’ and we’ve ‘Danced upon Injustice.’ ” To the incoming chief secretary, Major Steve Hedgren, he said, “You’ve got to learn to dance” in the USA Eastern Territory, which Bosh called “the greatest territory in the world.”

New leaders installed

Commissioners Lawrence R. and Nancy A. Moretz, territorial leaders, then installed Majors Steve and Judy Hedgren, who become lieutenant colonels as they take up their new appointments.

The Hedgrens are in their 32nd year as officers and most recently were divisional leaders in Florida.

Major Judy Hedgren, the daughter of officer parents who served in the Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command, said she accepted the Lord for herself at age 7 under the ministry of a woman cadet.

Hedgren began a career as a flight attendant and told of her earnest prayer that she would be based in Atlanta. But God had something else in mind, and she was told to pack up for Chicago, her new home.

“He [God] has given me the desires of my heart even when I didn’t know what they were,” said Major Judy Hedgren.

After she and Steve married, the couple prepared for a relatively affluent life, with Steve working in New York City and Judy commuting from Chicago. But at that point, she said, “The Lord was knocking at our door saying, ‘I want you to be officers.’ ”

Major Steve Hedgren brought the message for the evening. He said that he was particularly delighted to be onstage with the New York Staff Band. His father, a painter, had often done jobs at Army headquarters and would come home with the latest NYSB album. So, Hedgren said, he grew up steeped in the music of the band.

Referring to the cadet welcome, Hedgren said, “This is the springtime of The Salvation Army when we are reminded of the freshness of the Spirit of anointing.” He pointed out to the Prayer Warriors on stage that they are part of a worldwide session of 1,900.

Seek opportunity, favor

Hedgren focused on the Chapter 1 prayer of Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king. He said that Nehemiah asks not for a miracle but for an opportunity as well as success and favor.

“I’m not Pastor Steve in a polo shirt,” said Hedgren. “I’m a Salvation Army officer. I wear this uniform proudly and everywhere I possibly can. My uniform gives me opportunity and favor.”

But, Hedgren warned, officers and soldiers can fall into the trap of relying on themselves or the organization that supports them.

“You must start with a total dependence on God. You can’t do the ministry of the Spirit without His favor. Step in and ask God to take control. That’s when this Army begins to change the world!”

Prophetically, Hedgren proclaimed to the Prayer Warriors, “God has given you [your] name to usher in an all–out revival!”

The new chief called for all warriors who needed strengthening to come to the altar. Soon, the venerable CMT mercy seat was lined with seekers. The Prayer Warriors also stepped down—to be upheld in prayer by their divisional leaders as the Eastern Territorial Songsters sang one last time.

It was a late summer night but “springtime” was in the air as all the Salvation Army warriors, ready for battle, poured onto the streets of New York City.