Introducing Rauora Rescued Session!

Training of the 2026 session of new Aotearoa New Zealand-based Salvation Army cadets, Rauora Rescued, is underway at Booth College of Misson. But this latest session of officer trainees looks a little different to previous ones.

In recent years, considerable work has been done within the Candidates Department to ensure the territory is adapting appropriately to a changing world, and the results are slowly beginning to show.

‘The days of a one-size-fits-all approach to recruitment and training are long over,’ explains Major Shane Healey (former territorial candidates secretary). ‘With a mix of cultures and ethnicities as well as alternative training conditions and officer designations, the territory is doing its very best to be flexible while still prayerfully considering what is best for both the applicants and the territory as we move forward.’

‘This latest mix of cadets is reflective of who we are as The Salvation Army today. Our congregations are made up of many different people from across the world and it’s exciting to see this being reflected in those putting up their hands for leadership.’

Captain Lashana Dale, who has just stepped into the territorial candidates secretary role, completely agrees. ‘To see the territory moving in this direction and embracing different ways that genuinely support people’s calling to officership is a joy to see and worth celebrating,’ she says.

History makers

The 2026 intake of cadets includes a particularly significant territorial milestone, with Anita and Misipati Niusulu becoming the first-ever cadets entering officer training from The Salvation Army in Samoa.

‘This special moment brings great joy! God is working in and through the Samoa Region to bring about His purposes in the world,’ explains former regional leader for Samoa, Captain Julie Turner.

For Misipati and Anita, the call to officership grew steadily clearer and more compelling, and both believe that Samoan‑born leaders play a vital role in God’s work.

‘The Samoan language and ways of living are crucial to our church members connecting with God on a much deeper level,’ affirms Misipati. ‘There are people in our communities who need help on a weekly basis and having Samoan officers would enable The Salvation Army to meet the needs of these people more effectively.’

For Anita, the call just wouldn’t go away!

‘Initially I told myself that being a soldier, member of our leadership team and working with our children would be enough “service” for God,’ confesses Anita.

‘But again and again, I heard and felt the need for local Samoans to step up and become officers. So here I am!’

New possibilities

A concrete example of adaptability by the territory is the introduction of the single spouse officer (SSO) provision. In the past, it was not possible for a married officer to serve without their spouse—both had to demonstrate a sense of calling. Today, individual calling is affirmed, and new possibilities for training are made accordingly.

‘It’s great to see that the territory is training Cadet Paul Lin, who will become an SSO at commissioning. Paul and his wife Yuki will both live on site at the training college, but only Paul will be engaged in officer training,’ explains Shane.Paul and Yuki emigrated from China 24 years ago and first encountered The Salvation Army by shopping at a Family Store.
‘Later, when I passed a building with the Red Shield logo, I thought it was just a big warehouse for second-hand goods,’ explains Paul. ‘But when I stepped inside the church for a look, it felt like coming home. I stayed, and seven years have slipped by in the blink of an eye.’

Corps officer for Mt Albert Salvation Army (Auckland), Captain Erica Kearse, explains that she is deeply grateful for Paul and his faithful, prayerful and steady service.

‘Paul is someone who seeks God first and allows that posture to shape every decision he makes. As a leader, Paul carries a calm presence and a servant-hearted approach that has quietly influenced our church culture. He will be especially missed for his gentle dedication to our corps family.’

Radiating light

Hannah Carrington is also originally from China and, together with her Kiwi husband Mike and their three children—Esther, Jesse and Isaac—Hutt City Salvation Army (Lower Hutt) has become the family’s spiritual home.

Corps officer at Hutt City Corps, Major Jeannine Serevi, says that while both Hannah and Mike will be missed at the corps, they are a gift to the wider Salvation Army.

‘Mike is a gifted Bible teacher as well as carrying a heart for ensuring people in his care are discipled well,’ explains Jeannine. ‘Hannah is a joy-bringer and a delight to spend time with. Her faith radiates and we have seen the genuineness of it in practice as she ministers to those in our Chinese Ministry.’

Hannah first connected with the corps through play group and English classes, before eventually taking over the leadership of the corps’ Chinese Ministry. It was at a Kingdom Conference last year that she heard God’s call to officership.

‘God showed me a significant picture,’ says Hannah. ‘It was so dark, but when I started to walk forward, I saw so many light bulbs starting to shine beside me. There were so many of them—more and more! I felt this meant that God wants me to be salt and light and to speak Jesus’ love to the people I connect with.’

Mike chose to follow Jesus when he was six years old and is no stranger to The Salvation Army, having grown up on Rotoroa Island where his father was a counsellor. But life on the mainland took Mike to another church.

‘Someone prophesied that I would go back to where I came from,’ explains Mike. ‘And that there was a gap in the ranks that needed to be filled.’

About 10 years later, Mike got a job at Hutt City Salvation Army and began attending the corps.

‘I remembered the prophecy and felt that this was the place where I was supposed to be. I feel that officership is the next step in the journey of following wherever God leads me.’

Answered prayer

Like Anita and Misipati, Sesilina is passionate about her home country. ‘I am looking forward to returning to Tonga after my training to help build God’s kingdom,’ she says.

Sesilina’s corps officers, Majors Akesa and Petuliki Mosa ́ati explain that Sesilina is a dedicated and empowering leader.

‘Sesilina loves looking for training opportunities for young leaders, as well as new outreach ministries for the corps. Nuku’alofa Corps will deeply miss Sesilina’s kindness, love, care for others and her dedication to her own family, especially as a single mother. We wish her all the best as she trains and continues to serve the Lord.’

Holy discontent

Another flexible entry into officership is through the auxiliary captain track, which is the shape officership now takes for Kerry and Tanya (Ngāti Porou) Robertson of Hibiscus Coast Corps.

The couple have a wealth of ministry experience, having served as local leaders for many years and have already stepped into their first appointment as leaders of their home corps.

‘We saw a holy discontent stirring within Kerry and Tanya to serve the Lord in full-time ministry, explains former corps officer, Captain Blair Dale. ‘And while it’s not without challenges, having local leaders step up and into auxiliary captaincy is a great succession plan for the corps in this current season, because relationships and mission plans are well understood and supported.’

Both Kerry and Tanya have been soldiers for around 40 years, and in May last year both responded independently to the challenge to say yes to God, in whatever form that make take.

‘In preparation for Pentecost, my devotional readings highlighted the openness and obedience of the early Church to supernatural direction,’ explains Tanya. ‘Shortly after this, I experienced my own spiritual disruption. The Spirit spoke and I listened. God gave me a vision of what He wanted the future to be for me.’

The couple had attended the commissioning service of their good friends Lieutenants Andy and Tamsyn Connor in 2023, and it was during this time that Kerry felt something begin to stir in his spirit.

‘I was unaware at the time of the exact extent of this calling, but I felt a strong sense of God’s presence and hand of direction upon my life in that moment. I’m looking forward to stepping away from the corporate world, where all the focus is on financial gains at whatever cost and instead putting my trust in God and serving the needs of His people.’

Please join us in praying for Cadets Misipati, Anita, Paul, Sesilina, Hannah and Mike, as well as new auxiliary captains Kerry and Tanya.