Ras have fun while learning about God

By Dianna L. Cagle

BR Asst. Managing Editor

Landon Hux, left, works on his ice cream cone while Cameron McLendon, center, defends his haystack from Pearson Harper, right. Each year the Royal Ambassadors from First Baptist Church in Hillsborough take a trip to Maple View Farm to enjoy the freshly made ice cream.

Photo by Dianna Cagle

Biblical Recorder

HILLSBOROUGH - Changing lives remains a goal for Royal Ambassador (RA) leaders at First Baptist Church in Hillsborough.

"I have been honored and privileged that God has allowed me to see 13 professions of faith," said Larry McGlothlin, RA director. McGlothlin has seen God work in young boys through many activities leaders use to engage them. Ten to 15 boys participate each week, meeting together before breaking into age groups of Lads (grades 1-3) and Crusaders (grades 4-6.

Boys discuss topics like faith, courage and self-discipline. During prayer request time requests are written on the board with the boy's name and the request:

Landon asks for a safe trip to the farm for ice cream; Jeffery asks for Cameron's "little arm" to get better soon.

During their meeting May 21 McGlothlin asked the boys what they normally pray for. A chorus of voices share names and topics: Enio, a chaplain with the Salt Lake City Olympics now serving in California; Cindy, a church planter in Canada, etc.

John asked to pray for Mr. James, a soldier in Iraq to whom the group recently sent a care package.

Clasping their hands together with eyes scrunched shut, McGlothlin opened prayer and allowed Jeremy to call the names of the boys who had made requests. When it was his turn, John asked God to keep Mr. James safe "because we love him and we want him back."

Together the boys recited the RA pledge and McGlothlin asked what has to be done before boys can be an ambassador?

"You've got to have a relationship," he said. "You have to know Him. "While Landon Hux, 7, likes building rockets he also likes "that we get to do mission projects."

Each week the Lads and Crusaders talk about stories of people with the virtues RAs strive to exemplify in their daily lives, and they learn the work of missionaries.

Pearson Harper, 8, has been in RAs two years and enjoys the "stories about courage, loyalty, friendship." For instance, McGlothlin said the Crusaders learn different virtues: faith, compassion, teamwork, perseverance, and self-discipline. McGlothlin said he used the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., to discuss self-discipline. Those soldiers pledge to do certain things for life, which requires tremendous discipline.

"We get to do fun stuff," Mitchell said, like watching sports and playing games. Even in the fun stuff, they take time to discuss what can be learned from the activity. Each boy can earn stripes, badges, and pins for exercises in personal growth workbooks as well as activities.

McGlothlin said seeing someone make a decision to follow Christ is "the ultimate high."

"I can't even put into words what it's like to see a young man give his life to the Lord," he said. "I've been blessed by God having done this."

Seeing the motivation of new believers is inspiring and motivates others to renewed faith.

A couple of years ago McGlothlin was being challenged at work, and he was tempted to respond inappropriately.

"It occurred to me that that night I was going to be in front of these guys and it changed my action," he said. Being an RA leader "helped me grow spiritually. These guys are watching my actions."