Youth leaders receive awards at Salvation Army church service

JACKSON, Tenn — Young people in the community were honored during a special church service at the salvation army Sunday. Awards were given for community service, team building, and much more. Youth leaders of the salvation army have been waiting a long time for this fall celebration.

Pastor, Major Janye May said “we’re going to be recognizing some young ladies today who have earned some special awards through community service and through educational work badges thing like that.”

Sunday’s service began with Alexis Holman being enrolled as a junior soldier with the salvation army.

“She loves being at church and when she is here she’s a fine example in her behavior and in her actions of what a young lady should be.” Pastor May said.

Two lucky young ladies received the highest honor a girl guard can receive in the salvation army, the Catherine Booth award. The award is named after the wife of the salvation army’s founder.

Catherine Booth recipient, Madison Miller said “we got the second biggest award last year we were always like oh we’re going to get this in like 3 years we’re going to get the Catherine Booth award, and then we get it one year later it’s just really exciting.”

Madison Miller and Emma Brewster, the other recipient, both had to complete a lot of community service and hold leadership roles within the salvation army to earn this great honor.

Catherine Booth recipient, Emma Brewster said “we had to do a lot of finding out who we are inside and who God is to us and what he means to us and we had to figure that out.”

Both young ladies said now they’re Catherine Booth recipients it’s important to be role models for the next in line, as they work to make sure this safe haven for the community stays strong.

“It’s a comfortable environment that you can really do anything. You don’t feel judged about what your doing and it really makes me happy that there is a place I can go to for that.” Emma said.

After Sunday’s service everyone gathered for an afternoon reception to celebrate with all the fall award winners.