WHAT IS A JUNIOR SOLDIER? Junior Soldiers are junior members of The Salvation Army. They are children aged from 8-18 years who have made a decision to be a follower of Jesus and want to grow and express their faith through ministry within The Salvation Army. Junior Soldier classes are held for those between 8-11 years of age.
The spiritual development and nurture of young people is so crucial to the Army that Orders & Regulations state that every corps, no matter how small or pressed for workers, must have someone who undertakes the responsibilities of Junior Soldier Sergeant, even if it is not possible for a soldier to be given this job as his/her only responsibility.
The Junior Soldier Sergeant is responsible for:
the counselling and spiritual oversight of all young people who seek salvation. The Junior Soldier Sergeant is the Young People's Recruiting Sergeant;
preparing saved young people for enrolment as Junior Soldiers;
training those enrolled as Junior Soldiers so they develop into mature Christians and informed, active Salvationists;
the continued spiritual growth and Salvationist training of all Junior Soldiers until they are ready for Senior Soldiership.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A JUNIOR SOLDIER? Before a child becomes a Junior Soldier, the child participates in five sessions of Junior Soldier preparation. These lessons are based on the Junior Soldier promise. Having completed the preparation lessons and made a decision to become a follower of Jesus, the child may be enrolled as a Junior Soldier of The Salvation Army. This is preferably done in the main worship service. When the Junior Soldier signs their Junior Soldier Promise, they are presented with a Junior Soldier Badge. Throughout the program they will stand with the support of their Prayer Pal. The Prayer Pal is a person of the Junior Soldier's choosing who promises to pray for their Junior Soldier at least five times a week, taking special interest in their spiritual development.
For further information about The Salvation Army's Junior Soldier ministry, please contact your Divisional Children's Ministries Secretary.
JUNIOR SOLDIER TRAINING COURSE - UNIT 7
If you are having any difficulty accessing or downloading this material, please email Captain Tracey Davies.
Before a child becomes a Junior Soldier, the child participates in five sessions of Junior Soldier preparation. These lessons are based on the Junior Soldier promise. Having completed the preparation lessons and made a decision to become a follower of Jesus, the child may be enrolled as a Junior Soldier of The Salvation Army. This is preferably done in the main worship service. When the Junior Soldier signs their Junior Soldier Promise, they are presented with a Junior Soldier Badge. Throughout the program they will stand with the support of their Prayer Pal. The Prayer Pal is a person of the Junior Soldier's choosing who promises to pray for their Junior Soldier at least five times a week, taking special interest in their spiritual development. 