Andrew L. of Oxford NC, T629, Court of Honor for his Eagle was held on 4-9-2016. As with all Scouts who receive this honor he was very excited. But for his parents Cecil and Co-Wefa he received an award that means ever more. Andrew also received his PRAY 4 Star pin. The 4 Star pin is given when a Scout finishes both his PRAY programs in Cub Scouts and both in Boy Scouts. Less than 1% of Scouts ever receive this award. Andrew states that "My Duty to God is a very important part of my Scouting and every day life. I wish more Scouts took the Duty to God more serious."

American Heritage Girls troop OH0323 recently held their awards ceremony. Three of their Patriot level girls earned their God and Life award. They were Lizzy L., Madison C., and Nicole S. Madison is also being presented with her four-star award for earning all four levels in the PRAY program. Congratulations girls!

Ethan S.
Troop 624 Four Star Award
Bellevue, TN

Ethan S. is with Troop 624 out of Bellevue, TN, a suburb of Nashville. For his Eagle project, he replaced a wooden cross in front of our church that had been damaged by water and wind with an aluminum weather proof cross. He also surrounded the cross with a rock garden and three large stone benches. The project was a little expensive but he was able to raise the funds and it went off without a hitch! Ethan is also a Four Star recipient! Congratulations Ethan!

Troop 11
God and Life, Four Star
Griffin, GA

God & Life recipients (left to right) Kelly C., Kamrin C., and Scott B. are all Eagle Scouts from Troop 11 in Griffin, Georgia.

Kelly and Scott are both Four Star recipients and Kamrin has three of the four awards excluding God and Family. All three are graduating from high school next month and plan to attend college this fall. Their favorite Scouting memory was traveling to New Orleans one summer and working with Camp Restore to assist home owners rebuilding houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Girl Scout Troop 664
God and Church Award
Edenton Street United Methodist Church
Raleigh, NC

This is the third time that Girl Scout Troop 664 offered the P.R.A.Y. award for interested girls. Troop 664 started 9 years ago, and although the troop membership has fluctuated, the adult leadership has been constant, and they have made sure to offer the opportunity for girls to earn their religious emblem. This year 9 girls earned the God and Church award under the instruction of Beth Norris. Beth has served as P.R.A.Y. counselor over the years for God and Me, God and Family, and now God and Church. According to Troop Leader Marla Turlington, Beth has formed a unique bond with the girls and provides an alternative adult leader from the regular troop leadership. I believe the girls (and Beth) enjoy the program materials and find it perfectly suited for age appropriate learning and conversation.

Counselors play a key role in the P.R.A.Y. Program. Keep in mind the many resources to help counselors deliver a quality program. Click here for resources and videos.

Cody S.
God and Life, Four Star Recipient
Northland United Methodist Church
Stanwood, MI

Cody's Four Star journey begin in Okinawa, Japan where he started the God and Me program, and it ended in Big Rapids, MI where he completed the God and Life program. When asked to reflect on his journey, here's what Cody had to say:

"You don't necessarily think about what you are accomplishing when you are doing each individual program, but now that I have done all four, it is neat to look back and see how far I have come and what I have accomplished." – Eagle Scout Cody

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
God and Family
Denham Springs, LA
St. Francis Episcopal Church

Two Girl Scouts earned their God and Family awards at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Denham Springs, LA, along with two Boy Scouts and a Cub Scout. Pictured is Robert Bishop, their counselor; Alyssa B. of Girl Scout Troop 10737; and Mia P. of Girl Scout Troop 10353. Both girls previously earned their God and Me award. The group photo includes at left, Ryan B., a Boy Scout who earned his God and Church award and previously earned the God & Me and God & Family; Charles B. (who previously earned the God and Me), Logan B., and Cooper B. (who also previously earned the God and Me). This was taken during their recognition when they were showing the congregations their pizza boxes.

Isaac G.
God and Me
Elma, NY
Calvary Heights Baptist Church

"We are so excited for this program. During the program our son accepted the Lord as his Savior. It is because of Isaac we started attending church last summer. It is because of Isaac my husband came to the Lord in January. This program was a part of it too. Thank you!" - Tina G.

Isaac is pictured in front of his congregation saying the Lord's Prayer with confidence.

Dalton United Methodist Church
Dalton, OH
Dylan D., Four Star Award
Steve Yoder, God & Service Award

DALTON UMC RECOGNIZED INDIVIDUALS FROM EVERY LEVEL OF THE P.R.A.Y. PROGRAM (including a Four Star Recipient and a God and Service Adult Award recipient) Dylan D. received the Four Star Award and is the second in his family to do so (his sister Carrie received her award in 2011). Dylan's best memories are making the pizza boxes and receiving the awards with the other kids. When asked how the P.R.A.Y. program has impacted his life, Dylan responded, It has made me trust in God.

Steve Yoder received the God and Service Award for the United Methodist Church. Click here to read the letter of nomination submitted on his behalf.

Boy Scout Troop 240
God and Church
Gray United Methodist Church
Gray, TN

Boy Scout Troop 240, Gray TN, proudly presents the latest class of the God & Church segment of the P.R.A.Y. Religious Program recipients.

Recipients guided under the direction of Pastor Lloyd Jones, Gray United Methodist Church and Scoutmaster, as well as P.R.A.Y. Awards Counselor, Allan Bridges, are as follows: (from left to right) Allan B., Ethan H., Gavin T., Nicholas B., Pastor Lloyd Jones, Preston K., Keith L., Aleks F., Zephaniah W. and Hayden G. (Recipients not pictured; Coleman P., Andrew D., and Matthew P.) Also assisting, but not pictured are Assistant Scoutmaster and P.R.A.Y. Awards Counselor, Coleen Bridges and Briana Bridges, Venturing Crew Silver Award recipient, who also recently earned her God & Life Award. Briana is committed to continue her work with the P.R.A.Y. program for future classes to help instill religious values in our youth.