Lieutenant Logan Saydera was commissioned in June 2026 with the Keepers of the Covenant session. He entered training from the Indiana Division. Despite drifting away from the calling he received as a teenager, he describes how God used service in the corps and youth ministry to rekindle his original calling. This interview was conducted while Lt. Saydera was a cadet in training.

How did you experience God’s calling to officership? 

My calling came to me both unexpectedly and as an answer to a prayer I had for a while. When I moved out of my mom’s house and began working full time, I found myself in a spot where I didn’t see any options for a career. The job I had wasn’t going anywhere, and I had already dropped out of college by this point … I ended up drifting away from the corps … I was encouraged to come back, and I ended up making church part of my routine once again. I was offered a job at the corps, allowing me to get out of my current job, and that job involved taking our teens to youth councils as one of the leaders. At Youth Councils, looking back, it was one of the most out-of-place calls to officership I think I have ever seen — yet it was also perfectly timed for me to respond to it. I spent the next few months confirming this calling was for me, but my answer was clear. 

What is the greatest joy you are experiencing as a cadet? 

My greatest joy has come from all the different field training work we did, whether summer assignment, Christmas practicum, brigade Sundays, or whatever other things were going on. These are the times when I get to see a corps officer in action and assist as needed. 

What is your advice for someone who feels called to officership but hasn’t yet responded? 

My advice to someone who feels the calling is to take their time and explore it further. In between the time I got my calling and took action to pursue it, I asked others around me about it. I confirmed it with my church and my family, and I asked for the calling stories from others. Once you feel this is your calling, use the time before training to observe and learn whatever you can. Embrace opportunities to do or learn something new in the corps. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them.

Illustration by Richard Chance