Making Him Feel at Home

(Photo/Lu Lu Rivera)

Cadet Daewon Kim dealt with significant culture shock in his early days at the College for Officer Training, but he found nothing but love and support from his classmates and the faculty.

When Daewon Kim showed up at The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training (CFOT) in Suffern, New York, two years ago, his English wasn’t very strong, and he didn’t have a deep understanding of the organization he was joining.

However, everyone at the CFOT understood his limitations—as well as his potential—and helped him adjust to his new life, most notably Majors Keith and Pamela Maynor and Majors Jae Im and Jin Lee, who are Korean like Daewon. Major Jae became Daewon’s mentor and would often send him comforting messages when he was sick and offer snacks just when he needed them.

“When I think about it, if the officers and cadets had not walked alongside me despite my many limitations, I wonder whether I could have continued living and studying here until now,” Daewon said. “I believe it is because of their warm hospitality and support that I have been able to come this far.”

Daewon also didn’t understand much about American culture and would often ask himself, “Will I really be able to do this well?” He would often ask God why American culture and Salvation Army ministry came so easily to others but not him. He also would pray each night that he would wake up the next morning and his English would be better.

Standing by him

The most difficult moments came during meetings where cadets prepared events, ministries, and group assignments. Daewon’s fellow cadets already seemed to have clear ideas in their minds about what was needed for ministry. He admits he didn’t always understand what they were saying, and this led to discouragement.

“However, God knew my weaknesses and continually placed good people around me,” he said.

Daewon’s fellow cadets helped him by explaining things again using simpler words, and they helped arrange schedules in ways that allowed him to participate in ministry.

“Even when I asked the same questions many times, they answered patiently,” he said. “If it were not for the fellow cadets who guided and supported me, and the CFOT officers who always designed the best training programs, taught us with great care, and encouraged me so that I would not give up, I do not think I would have been properly prepared to become a Salvation Army officer.”

Along with their intensive classroom training, CFOT cadets get plenty of field training. They are sent to various corps throughout the territory for hands-on ministry work and to learn from veteran officers. Daewon and his classmates took part in youth programs, Christmas assignments, and various other ministry tasks.

Cadet Daewon Kim (right) holds a flag during a ceremony at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. His Keepers of the Covenant session will graduate next month. (Photo/Eli Morgan)

“Through this process, I learned not only from CFOT officers but also from corps officers in different places and from my fellow cadets,” he said. “From them, I learned the heart of a Salvation Army officer and practical ways of carrying out ministry.

“I was able to continue preparing to become a Salvation Army officer. Through this process, I also experienced that God’s presence can be revealed through the faith community. God, who called me to proclaim His Word, did not give me miraculous abilities overnight. Instead, He stayed with me through His people and helped me not give up on this calling.”

Praising God in unison

Daewon also learned about growing in Christian community at the CFOT. He recently heard that his father was ill and could die. Normally shy, Daewon shared the news and found that even those who had not spoken to him much were praying for him and his father, who survived.

“I realized how important a faith community that prays for one another really is,” he said. “I also learned how powerful prayer for others can be, especially as a Salvation Army officer. Before this, most of my prayers were mainly for myself and for my family. But through this experience, God helped me understand that He often works in our lives through the prayers of the church community. Because of this, I am now trying to spend more time praying for others as well.”

But Daewon said his favorite part of living life in community at the CFOT is the corporate worship.

“There are many meaningful moments at CFOT, but I believe there is no moment when the gifts and talents of cadets and officers shine more beautifully than during worship,” he said. “In that time, each person glorifies God in their own unique way, and that moment is truly beautiful. When I see the way they worship and serve God, I come to respect them even more, and I am able to learn a great deal from them.”

His perspective broadens

The spiritual life at the CFOT has also broadened Daewon’s spiritual perspective. While everyone loves God, “each person expresses that love in a different way,” he noted. He was raised in the Korean Presbyterian tradition and once believed that was the only right way to express faith.

“Here at CFOT, I have seen many different ways people express their love for God,” he said. “Some people express it through preaching, some through teaching, some through worship and praise, and others through ministry and service.

“In the past, I might have thought that any way other than my own was less important. But now I see these different expressions as beautiful ways of loving God. I believe CFOT is a community that seeks God more deeply together. Through this community, I have learned many new ways to love God.”

Cadet Daewon Kim walks on the College for Officer Training campus in Suffern, New York. The Korean cadet overcame early challenges at the college through the support of faculty, staff, and classmates. (Photo/Lu Lu Rivera)

Daewon and the rest of his Keepers of the Covenant sessionmates will find out their first appointments during a May 3 ceremony at the CFOT. He wants his first congregation to know what The Salvation Army did for him.

“I have received so many things through The Salvation Army—both materially and spiritually,” he said, “and because of that, I am trying to live a life that brings glory to God as a Salvationist.

“I pray that this will also become their experience. I hope that The Salvation Army will be that kind of community for them as well. I pray that they would be Salvationists who are devoted to one another and who experience God through one another.”