Programs
of Religious Activities with YouthP.R.A.Y. God and Country News Bulletin
Third Quarter 2008
Welcome to P.R.A.Y.’s God and Country News Bulletin. This Bulletin is written for pastors, counselors, mentors, and parents associated with Protestant and Independent Christian churches. It includes program helps, best practices, and special features to support a God and Country ministry. We hope you enjoy this bulletin and take the time to share it with others.
GOD AND COUNTRY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The P.R.A.Y. program is a tool that can be used to change the lives of young people and their families. By itself it is nothing, but in the hands of dedicated Christian mentors it can have an impact. Here are three stories of how God and Country has made a difference:
… New Venturing Crew Grows Out of Religious Emblems Class:
Testimony by Youth Pastor, Karl Shelton
In the spring of 2006, as the youth pastor of Pomerado Christian Church and a Scouter, I offered a God and Church class and a God and Life class for members of my church and sent announcements to Troops, both Boy and Girl Scout, in the area. As a result, fifteen youth came to the God and Church course; the God and Life class had only four. However, when we were done, the four said to me, “We had so much fun, we'd like to keep meeting every week to read the bible and hang out.”
After a short while non-scout friends were coming, and I introduced the idea of a Venturing Crew. They took to the idea and that fall, Crew 7 (yes, the number of completion) was chartered with seven members. In our first month, we went to provide the Scout's Own (worship service) at our district camporee. We struggled to get 20 people to attend. We did the same in 2007 and had over 100. This past April we drew over 200 in attendance. We have provided many hours of service to the charter organization, my church, both in physical labor as well as running programs for children. These youth are demonstrating their faith in action and reminding Scouts and others, to do their Duty to God.
In the past 20 months, we have already had our growing pains, but we now have 15 youth in our crew, some of whom were in the God and Church class in 2006 and others who have never been in Scouting of any kind. We just started a new God and Life course and six of our Venturers will complete the program in June. Last week, they visited another church to encourage them to consider forming a crew of their own. This group is the highlight of my week and the class was the catalyst for it.
… Scouting changes lives, says seminary-bound teen
SAN JOSE, June 25, 2008 — Five years ago John Washburn was a teenager in trouble. His father had died the previous year. As Washburn told about 40 people gathered for the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters Luncheon, he expressed his grief by wearing long hair, black clothes, writing on himself with Sharpies and hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Then he and about 10 other equally troubled young people joined Venturing, a program of the Boy Scouts of America designed to help young people ages 14–20 develop character, physical fitness and citizenship.
“One of us was a member of the Bloods gang,” he said. “Another was in a drug recovery program, but still suicidal. One still owed some community service for a shoplifting charge.”
Three of them were children of alcoholic parents, and several had learning disabilities. Their Venture crew focused on Sea Scouting, which meant they learned all about sailing, seamanship and related skills. They spent summer weeks sailing in Maine and the Chesapeake Bay. They earned certifications in scuba diving, life guarding, first aid and storm spotting for the National Weather Service. They also did service projects: building wildlife habitats, visiting hospitals and collecting toys for children of military personnel.
“We learned to care about one another,” Washburn said. “And we changed. Oh, how we changed.”
Washburn, now 18, is headed for college and then seminary. He is an assistant scout master and an elder at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Standing in uniform before the lunchtime group gathered at San Jose’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, he expressed his gratitude for the scouting program.
“Thank you for being leaders for us. Thank you for praying for us. You’re not only teaching leadership skills, you’re saving lives - lives like mine.”
[Original article by Eva Stimson with photo appeared at www.pcusa.org/ga218/news/ga08095]
… “I Will Always Keep God First in My Life”
Greg Cully, Jr. is active in his AME congregation. The God and Life religious program was a natural fit for him. Greg tells what he learned about answering God’s call and making a commitment to “always keep God first in my life.” Click here to read his story with excerpts and photos from each lesson of the God and Life program.
UPDATE FROM PRAY
- Counselor Certificates – New
counselor certificates are now available from P.R.A.Y. Individual recipients,
churches, and classes may present their counselors with program level
certificates. These certificates are included on the
multiple order
forms posted online; they are also available when doing the
electronic
registration via the new downloadable program. If your application/order
form does not list these items, you may simply add the counselor certificate to
your order. Certificates are $1.00 each.
-
Four-star pin - The
Four-Star recognition was
implemented by P.R.A.Y. in 2005 to recognize God and Country recipients who have
earned all four levels of the series. The recognition is a pin, which can be
worn on its own, but the original intent was for the pin to be worn on the
ribbon of the God and Life medal. See photo at right. -
Price Increase – A new price
increase for God and Country recognitions went into effect July 15, 2008.
Although P.R.A.Y. has reprinted the books with these new prices, there are many
old books still out there. Please refer to the website for
current price information.
The new downloadable program for
electronic
registration is the best way to ensure the most up-to-date ordering
information. It’s also the fastest: electronic orders submitted by noon CST are
processed and shipped that business day.
- Discover credit card – P.R.A.Y.
has recently expanded its credit card service to accept Discover.
-
Sample
Tabletop Display – Here are some resources to assemble a tabletop display to
promote the P.R.A.Y. God and Country program. The display can be as simple as a
cardboard “science project” board available in most office supply stores. All
the printouts are posted on the P.R.A.Y. website. - “Spotlight” – check out the new
Spotlight feature on P.R.A.Y.’s homepage
www.praypub.org. Click here
to find out how you can submit a photo and story to be considered for our
webpage.
- Here are some resources that
people have created to promote their God and Country classes. Thank you for your
ideas and for sharing your work!
“Sample god and country brochure” - Tami Clark, Elyria First UMC
Sample website: http://www.redeemerolathe.org/GodandCountry/GodandCountryInformation.html
Sample brochures - Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. http://www.sollc.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=261 - I have taught the God and Me and
the God and Family program in the past. I have always loved the curriculum and
enjoyed the program. This time, we taught all three younger programs in a
Wednesday night setting. As director, I was again thrilled with all of the help
that PRAY gives to the teachers and others in the form of resources, program and
ideas. To make the program even easier to manage, the electronic registration
was a God-send that allowed me to spend more time with the teachers and less
time on paperwork. Thank you!! – Director, Waynesboro, PA
Please forward this email to other people you feel may benefit from this God and Country Bulletin. You could share this information with your pastor, youth group leaders, Sunday school teachers, Scouting leaders, and others.
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