By: Dan Childs

The North and South Carolina Division recently welcomed new divisional leaders and celebrated a milestone in its music and arts program.

Commissioners Don and Debi Bell, Southern territorial leaders, officially installed Lt. Colonel Edward Hobgood as the divisional commander and Lt. Colonel Kathy Hobgood as the divisional president of women’s ministries in a service held at Camp Walter Johnson. The service, themed, "Overjoyed!", served as a homecoming for the Hobgoods, who are native North Carolinians. When asked how they felt about their return to the Carolinas, Lt. Colonel Eddie Hobgood replied: "We are beyond thrilled to be home and serving in our home division, and our best days are before us as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus."

Before this appointment, Lt. Colonels Hobgood held appointments at International Headquarters in England for three years and were responsible for the planning and oversight of the International Congress held in London in July.

Members of the Hobgoods' family participated in the event, including a time of praise and worship led by Captains Jimmy and Ashley Taylor and Lieutenants Ben and Annie Bridges and the Scripture presentation, which was given by the Hobgoods' four grandchildren. The divisional commander challenged the congregation to find the joy within their own lives and in their respective corps and communities and to share the joy of the Lord. The division also welcomed a new divisional sergeant major as Major Mike Hawley, divisional secretary for program, acknowledged the hard work and dedication of outgoing divisional sergeant major, Randy McDougel and installed the new divisional sergeant major, Lisa Jeffries.

The division also commissioned the newly-formed divisional music and arts forces. Nicholas Simmons-Smith, territorial music secretary, commissioned the divisional band, songster brigade, timbrel brigade and creative arts ensemble, thus marking the first time in its history that the Carolinas division has had all four of these groups active at one time. Each of the newly-commissioned musical ensembles performed during the program.

"My team and I are so excited about all that is happening with the music and arts programs in the division, particularly with the energy, excitement and level of involvement we are seeing with our new adult groups!" said Dr. G. Leon Kirkpatrick, divisional music and arts director.