Get to know Cadet Kiara Armendariz and her call to officership, her cadet experience at the College for Officer Training, and her advice for young adult Salvationists who receive the call to officership. 

As an officer’s (pastor’s) kid, Kiara grew up attending The Salvation Army as her church, participating in youth programs, and being “voluntold” to help with various programs, services, and events. 

Kiara felt the call to officership as a teenager, and although she’s always had a passion to serve and love for ministry, she pushed those feelings aside to pursue a teaching career. But years later, when her husband Brenden presented his call to officership, she grew hesitant because she had wanted to create a home for her daughter. “I understood that there would be sacrifices made when stepping into officership,” she explained. “I wanted our family to settle somewhere where our daughter could grow up in the same neighborhood with the same friends.” She was also unsure about teaching and preaching to adults — something she was unfamiliar with in her chosen career path of teaching preschool-aged children. 

But as she was sitting in a pew at her local corps (church) one Sunday, something clicked within Kiara. She listened to her corps officer (pastor) preaching on God’s kingdom on earth. “I began asking myself if I am not reflecting the kingdom, what is the point?” She began to pray and meditate on control and her lack of desire to surrender to the Lord. “I had to trust that as intimidating as officership was for me, He would equip me to do good works. I needed only to be open and willing towards His guidance.” Kiara and Brenden began ministry work. They connected with their corps officers to serve as ministry assistants to prepare for life at the College for Officer Training (CFOT), where they would eventually enroll. “I fell in love with the ministry once again and was affirmed in the calling that the Spirit had placed in my heart as a teenager.” 

During her time at CFOT, Kiara has learned to be gracious to herself, and that her worth isn’t tied up in achievements. “God has called me into this space not because of any achievements I have made, but because He desires communion and relationship with and through me,” she said. “Understanding how God offers His grace day after day has also allowed me to give myself grace if I am ever feeling like I’m behind or not qualified to do the work.” 

Time after time, Kiara’s cadet experience has been guided by her faith in God. She continues to show up with the purpose that God bestowed upon her. “I have the privilege of being guided by His Spirit and have the choice to accept His guidance each day.”

Kiara’s Advice for Young Salvationists

Kiara advises any young Salvationist who feels the call to officership to rely on Him and Him alone. “Remain grounded and dependent on the Lord and His strength rather than your own,” she says. “Trust in His character to have peace through the process in training and while on the field.” She leans on Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV): “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Calling All Aspiring Writers!

Are you a young adult with a passion to write? Peer Magazine invites you to submit your original work to the 2026 Writing Contest. 

For more information, visit peermag.org/writing-contest. 

Volunteering with The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

The Salvation Army is one of many organizations that comes to the aid of communities affected by disasters and crises. 

Emergency disaster relief volunteers may serve on a canteen team, deliver food and beverages to first responders and survivors, or provide emotional and spiritual support to survivors. Some may serve on packing teams, preparing clean-up kits, hygeine kits, and food boxes. 

To learn more, visit salarmyeds.org/index.php/volunteer.

Rheba Crawford, the “Angel of Broadway”

Rheba Crawford was having a moment in the 1920s.  

In the 1920s, she had been editing for a Salvation Army youth publication called “The Young Soldier” at the Army’s national headquarters in New York. Yet, she was more likely to be found at prohibition and moral hygiene rallies in Times Square. She led open air meetings, or public gatherings for evangelism, which would draw in thousands on the streets of New York. 

Her boldness and determination eventually earned her the nickname “the Angel of Broadway.” This caught the attention of Damon Runyon, a short story writer and journalist, who later wrote “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown,” a short story about a missionary girl who was loosely based on Rheba. The character of Sarah Brown was later used in the 1951 musical “Guys and Dolls” — basically, Rheba onstage.  

Post New York plans? Rheba later went on to work at the California State Department of Social Welfare in 1931 and then preach at the Angelus Temple.

Why You Should Work at Camp This Summer

Working at summer camp has changed so many lives. Camp has become a favorite place for many campers and camp staff members. 

“What I thought would be an ordinary summer turned into the most life-changing experience of my life,” one camp staff member, LaJada Myers, said. She found a community during one of the toughest seasons of her life. Working at camp allowed her to create memories that would last a lifetime. 

Why should you work at camp? Staying active, making friends and memories, and job experience are just a few reasons. Camp jobs teach a variety of skillsets: management, lifeguarding, kitchens, housekeeping, multimedia engineering, and more. 

What are you waiting for? Visit peermag.org/work-at-camp to find a camp near you.