RA Congress Brings Boys & Men Together In Christ
By John Lucas
November 2009
On September 18-19, 2009, first grade through sixth grade boys gathered at First Southern Baptist Church of Hutchinson, Kansas to celebrate the Annual Royal Ambassador Congress, a camp and fellowship time for boys and men from KNCSB churches. This year the Congress continued the exciting format began in 2008, namely, being hosted by a church that has a very active Royal Ambassador ministry. The new format allows churches to send boys to camp with only the cost of one very low “church cost” to attend. This new format also allows granting scholarships to churches when warranted. The Congress now ends on Saturday allowing participants to return to their churches to celebrate Sunday worship.
The Congress was attended by seventy-eight boys, church counselors and staff. Thirteen churches and associations were represented. Adult church members and youth served as counselors and filled other volunteer positions. The theme for this year’s Congress was: “Getting Fit for God’s Mission.”
Royal Ambassadors or “RAs” are a Bible-centered, church-based, Southern Baptist mission education organization for boys in grades one through six. A Royal Ambassador’s life is guided by commitment to a life centered in God’s will and a life of accountability as evidenced in the RA Pledge:
As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best:
to become a well-informed, responsible
follower of Christ;
to have a Christlike concern for all people;
to learn how to carry the message of Christ
around the world;
to work with others in sharing Christ, and
to keep myself clean and healthy in mind
and body.
The foundation for the name “Royal Ambassadors” and its purpose is derived from 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. While the RA motto is found in verse 20 (Ambassador’s For Christ), the other verses sum up Paul’s declaration of why we need to be ambassadors for Christ. RAs strive, with the guidance and leadership of committed adults, to live out these Scripture verses.
Eric Reese, an International Mission Board missionary serving in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, was the missionary speaker for the Congress. His testimony inspired the boys and men to follow God and seek His will everyday. His example of unselfish service for Christ to the poor and needy in Brazil touched the hearts of those present. Several boys shared with their counselors that they had dedicated their lives to Christ.
In addition to an evangelistic focus, educational events covered first aid and sensitivity to being alert to when a child is approached by a stranger. Learning about camping and outdoor safety was given a priority. The RAs submitted mission projects which were judged for mission focus and creativity. Boys earned trophies and ribbons for their various activities. The majority of boys camped outdoors with their adult supervision while others selected to sleep indoors.
Anyone interested in becoming an RA or wishing to start an RA Chapter for their boys in their church can contact John Lucas, KNCSB Men’s and Boy’s Ministry Director, at 800-984-9092 or 785/228-6800, Ext. 817, or by E-mail at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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