With divorce on the rise and extended families increasingly distant, a strong Royal Rangers ministry is a must for every church that values the strength of its young men and women. Some of our finest, sharpest, and most innovative leaders serve others through Royal Rangers. Why? Because we are living in the fatherless generation. We are living in times where there is an urgent and constant need for direction.
Since the local church now serves as the family where many young men and women find their role models and security, the Royal Rangers ministry can not be a second thought or just "a good idea." Instead, it is the core of what many young people need in order to discover God's plan for their lives. We highly value Royal Rangers, and because we do, this ministry is producing strong, godly young leaders who will serve in His kingdom throughout their lifetimes in various ministries within the church.
Glad Tidings Klang has had the Royal Rangers program for 20 years, about half the history of our church. The program was a gradual success, and it has grown every year. Today, over 130 young men and women, as well as leaders are involved with the program at all levels, from Ranger Kids to Expedition Rangers. We are a church of about 500, so that means roughly 20 percent of all our members are Royal Rangers - a phenomenal rate.
It is not hard to see why the program is so attractive to our boys and girls, though I do appreciate how the many older, established men and women, busy with jobs and other priorities, see the opportunity and value in giving so much of their spare time to the program. But the draw is obvious, and the call is clear. On Sundays when the Royal Rangers are in uniform roaming about the church, talking together excitedly or serving together in some way, they are a walking advertisement for the value of relationships and discipleship, the basis for what this ministry stands for.
The mature are leading the immature. Young boys and girls are becoming men and women by interacting with their leaders, and that process is exciting and inviting to every member of our church. We all love watching it happen, and the attraction of that powerful leadership dynamic ensures that Royal Rangers continually grows.
That rate of retention speaks volumes about the power of the Royal Rangers program. It builds valuable relationships for young and old alike. The 20 commanders in our outpost today shape one another as much as they shape the lives of young men and women. Leaders remain and become more and more committed because they develop relationships with one another. Their entire lives, the people they love, the functions they attend, and the contents of their photo albums begin to revolve around the Royal Rangers and church community.
I love our Royal Rangers program. I think it is one of the healthiest, most effective ministries at our church. It produces quality leadership, both in the boys and girls who get involved and in the men and women who volunteer to help run the program. From the initial initiation through the ongoing training to the regular opportunities for adventure, the boys and girls, as the leaders are all fashioned into the powerful men and women of God that they are called to be.
I pray that this ministry will continue to change, bless and impact your life, the same way it changed my life...God bless!
*Adopted from an article by Ted Haggard*
1 comment:
love the article! wear your uniforms with dignity people!
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